Pcs for Dummies

by Gookin, Dan

• ISBN13: 9781118197349
• ISBN10: 1118197348
• Edition: 12th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-02-11
• Publisher: For Dummies

Summary

The all-time bestselling PC reference, fully updated for the newest technologies! Previous editions of this fun and friendly PC guide have sold more than three million copies, making it the bestselling PC reference in the world. Dan Gookin, the author whose straightforward and entertaining style is the foundation of the For Dummies series, gives you the same easy-to-follow guidance in this edition, fully updated for Windows 8, using the cloud, and all the newest PC bells and whistles. Its perfect for the absolute beginner as well as for anyone switching to the latest hardware and software. Updated with information on all the latest upgrades, this edition of a worldwide bestseller covers all the essentials of using a PC, and presents them in a fun, non-intimidating style Popular technology author Dan Gookin starts at the beginning with all the basics that other books assume everyone knows Covers setting up your PC, exploring the Windows 8 interface, using network hardware and software, getting online and browsing with the newest version of Internet Explorer, setting up an e-mail account, connecting to the cloud, and using cloud-based services Shows you how to install and upgrade programs and manage files and folders Explores working with digital photos, downloading music, watching movies, and participating in social media PCs For Dummies, 12th Edition is the jargon-free, easy-to-use guide to everything you need to know about your PC.

Author Biography

Dan Gookin wrote the original For Dummies book, DOS For Dummies, in 1991 and launched a phenomenon. Since then, his list of bestsellers keeps growing. More than 12 million copies of Dan's books are in print, and his books have been translated into 32 languages. Dan welcomes visitors at his website, www.wambooli.com.

Table of Contents

Introduction  1

What’s New in This Edition? 1

Where to Start 2

Conventions Used in This Book 3

What You Don’t Need to Read 4

Foolish Assumptions 4

Icons Used in This Book 4

Getting in Touch with the Author 5

Where to Go from Here 5

Part I: Hello, PC!  7

Chapter 1: What Is This Thing, This PC?  9

Chapter 2: The PC Knobs, Buttons, and Doodads Tour 17

Chapter 3: PC Setup   29

Chapter 4: On and Off  41

Part II: The Nerd’s-Eye View  51

Chapter 5: Deep Inside the Console 53

Chapter 6: PC Memory 65

Chapter 7: Mass Storage 75

Chapter 8: Merry Monitor Mayhem  89

Chapter 9: Input This!  101

Chapter 10: System Expansion  117

Chapter 11: P Is for Printer 125

Part III: Basic Computing  157

Chapter 14: The Windows Tour 159

Chapter 15: It’s the Software Chapter 169

Chapter 16: Fun with Files and Folders 179

Chapter 17: The Grim Topic of File Management 193

Chapter 18: Save Your Butt When You Really Screw Up 203

Chapter 19: The Optical Disc Factory 213

Part IV: Networking Nonsense  223

Chapter 20: The Non-TV Kind of Network 225

Chapter 21: Network Abuse 235

Chapter 22: Why Does This Book Have a Bluetooth Chapter? 247

Chapter 23: As Little of the Internet as Possible   255

Chapter 24: PC Nightmares 263

Part V: Your Digital Life  271

Chapter 25: The Whole Digital Photography Thing   273

Chapter 26: Electronic Entertainment  285

Chapter 27: Sharing Your Life Online  297

Chapter 28: Kid-Safe Computing        309

Part VI: The Part of Tens  317

Chapter 29: Ten PC Commandments  319

Chapter 30: Ten Tips from a PC Guru 323

Index  329