Sams Teach Yourself Windows® XP All in One

by Perry, Greg

• ISBN13: 9780672327285
• ISBN10: 0672327287
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Sams

Summary

If you're new to the world of Windows XP and are daunted by the thought of having to figure it all out on your own,Sams Teach Yourself Windows XP All in Onecan help. This all-inclusive reference book will teach you how to not only use your Windows XP system, but also how to utilize digital media and Internet features. Learn how to set up a home network, as well as how to upgrade, repair and protect your PC from viruses, spam and spyware. Updated to include information relating to the Windows XP Server Pack 2,Sams Teach Yourself Windows XP All in Onewill help you get the most you can out of your Windows XP-based computer.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(1)
Who Should Read This Book?	1	(1)
What This Book Does for You	2	(1)
Conventions Used in This Book	2	(5)
Part I: Understanding Computer Fundamentals
Beyond the On Switch . . .	7	(14)
What Is an Operating System?	7	(2)
So What's Behind the Name Windows?	9	(1)
How Can I Tell if I Have Windows XP?	10	(1)
Looking at Windows XP	10	(2)
What's What on the Windows Desktop	12	(3)
The Windows Desktop: Just Another Pretty Face	13	(1)
Taking Shortcuts	13	(1)
Getting a Good Start in Computing	13	(1)
Dealing with the Tasks at Hand	14	(1)
Presenting the Windows Notification Area	15	(1)
Making (Mouse) Tracks	15	(1)
Learning All the Moves	16	(2)
That's All, Folks!	18	(1)
Summary	19	(2)
Keeping Windows Happy	21	(18)
The Effects of What We Do	21	(2)
Essential Parts of Windows	23	(6)
Your Windows Folder	23	(4)
What's the Windows Registry Anyway?	27	(2)
Using Control Panel	29	(5)
Meet Device Manager	33	(1)
Top Ten Ways to Keep Windows Running Well	34	(3)
It's All About Compatibility	35	(2)
Summary	37	(2)
More About PC Health Care	39	(20)
Safe Storing Your Files	39	(3)
Choosing Your Backup Media	39	(3)
Defragmenting Your Hard Drive	42	(1)
Analyze Before You Defragment	42	(1)
Running the Defragmenter	43	(1)
Cleaning Your Disk	43	(2)
Protecting Yourself Against Computer Viruses	45	(1)
Antivirus Programs: Vitamin C for Your PC	45	(1)
When Bad Things Happen to Good Systems: Using System Restore	46	(1)
Computer Chaos	46	(3)
My Computer Won't Turn On!	46	(1)
My Computer Froze! What Now?	47	(2)
Disk and Drive Dilemmas	49	(2)
The Floppy That Won't Fit	49	(1)
The Unrecognizable CD	49	(1)
Monitor Messes	50	(1)
All Powered Up and Nothing to See	50	(1)
Printing Problems	51	(2)
Where's My Document?	52	(1)
Partial Printing	53	(1)
Internet Issues	53	(2)
Slow Connections	53	(1)
Dropped Connections	54	(1)
Busy Internet Connections	55	(1)
Summary	55	(4)
Part II: Getting Started with Windows
Diving into Windows	59	(12)
Rearranging the Desktop Icons	59	(1)
Enlarging Your Desktop Icons	60	(1)
Maximize Screen Size by Hiding the Taskbar	61	(1)
Meeting the Wizards	62	(1)
Banishing the Desktop Blues	63	(5)
Changing the Desktop Background/Wallpaper Using Files Provided	64	(3)
Coming Up with a New Scheme	67	(1)
The Best of Desktop Decorating	68	(1)
Defining Your Own Desktop Shortcuts	68	(1)
Customizing the Windows XP Start Menu	69	(1)
Changing the Look of Your Start Menu	69	(1)
Summary	70	(1)
Managing the Windows Interface	71	(16)
A Quick Taskbar and Start Button Review	71	(1)
Moving the Taskbar	72	(1)
The Taskbar Menu	73	(5)
The Taskbar Properties Menu	74	(1)
Taskbar	75	(1)
Remaining Taskbar Properties	75	(1)
Toolbars on your Taskbar	76	(2)
Adjusting Your System Clock and Date	78	(1)
Managing Multiple Windows with the Taskbar	78	(4)
Tiling and Cascading Windows	79	(3)
Sizing the Taskbar	82	(1)
Starting Programs with the Start Menu	83	(1)
Getting Acquainted from the Command Prompt	84	(1)
Using the Run Command	85	(1)
Summary	86	(1)
Working with My Computer and Windows Explorer	87	(24)
My Computer	87	(1)
Looking at My Computer	87	(2)
Working in the My Computer Window	89	(4)
Working with My Computer	90	(2)
Other Start Menu Windows	92	(1)
Navigating with Windows Explorer	93	(6)
The Explorer Options	99	(2)
Making Windows XP Easier to Use	101	(3)
More About Control Panel	104	(5)
Modifying the Mouse Properties	105	(2)
Different Wallpaper	107	(2)
Adding Handy Desktop Icons	109	(1)
Summary	109	(2)
Customizing and Improving Your Desktop	111	(12)
Activate Your Desktop	111	(3)
Synchronizing Your Web Page Desktop	114	(1)
Active Content	115	(1)
SOS---Save Our Screens!	116	(4)
Setting Up a Screensaver	117	(3)
Paint Windows XP	120	(2)
Summary	122	(1)
Calling for Help	123	(16)
Introducing the Help and Support Center (HSC)	123	(3)
Getting Topical Help	126	(1)
Obtaining Support	127	(5)
Contacting Remote Assistance	127	(3)
Updating Windows	130	(1)
Checking Hardware and Software	131	(1)
Staying Current with ``Did You Know?''	131	(1)
Searching the Index	132	(2)
Other Forms of Help	134	(2)
Using Application Help	134	(1)
Using Pop-Up Help	135	(1)
Summary	136	(3)
Part III: Working with Files and Folders
Understanding File Management Essentials	139	(16)
Managing Documents and Other Files with a Right Mouse Click	139	(3)
Right-Click to Copy and Move Documents	142	(3)
Using the Explorer's Task Pane	145	(1)
Where Do the Deleted Files Go?	146	(2)
Basics of Files and Folders	148	(2)
More About Associating Files with Programs	148	(2)
Organizing with Folders	150	(4)
Adding a Folder	151	(1)
Deleting a Folder	152	(1)
Copying or Moving a Folder	152	(1)
Renaming a Folder	152	(1)
Common Folders	153	(1)
Summary	154	(1)
Finding Information	155	(12)
Introducing Search	155	(5)
Searching for Pictures, Music, or Video	156	(1)
Searching for Data Documents	157	(1)
Searching for Any File	158	(1)
Searching Files and Folders	158	(2)
Improving Your Searches	160	(4)
Summary	164	(3)
Part IV: Making Things Happen with Your PC
It's All About the Software	167	(24)
Software Defined	167	(11)
Word Processors	168	(2)
Spreadsheets (aka Worksheets and Workbooks)	170	(2)
Databases	172	(1)
Graphics and Presentation Programs	172	(2)
Personal Information Managers	174	(1)
Fun and Games	174	(4)
Internet Programs	178	(1)
Utility Programs	178	(1)
Purchasing a New Program	178	(1)
Where to Buy Software	179	(1)
Registering Your Software	180	(1)
Upgrading Software	180	(1)
About Adding and Removing Programs with Windows	181	(1)
Using the Add or Remove Programs Window	181	(2)
Customizing Windows	183	(2)
Installed Applications	185	(3)
Uninstallation Procedures	188	(1)
A Last Resort	189	(1)
Summary	189	(2)
Going Multimedia with Media Player	191	(14)
The Computers Are Alive, with the Sound of Music!	191	(4)
Setting CD Playback Options	193	(1)
More Facts About the CD in the Hot Seat	193	(1)
Selecting CD Tracks to Play	194	(1)
Burning Music CDs	195	(5)
Copying Music Files to Your Media Library	195	(2)
Building a Playlist from Files in Your Media Library	197	(2)
Making Your Own CD	199	(1)
Music and Videos on the Web	200	(1)
Tuning into the Radio Online	200	(2)
For the Record	202	(1)
Enjoying DVDs	202	(2)
I Want My DVD!	203	(1)
Playing a DVD Movie	204	(1)
Summary	204	(1)
Recording Audio	205	(12)
About Recording	205	(2)
Not All Sound File Formats Are Created Equal	206	(1)
Adding a Microphone	207	(2)
Choosing a Microphone	207	(1)
Installing Your Microphone	208	(1)
Introducing Sound Recorder	209	(2)
Making a Test Recording	210	(1)
Configuring for Best Sound	211	(2)
Audio Recording Tips	212	(1)
Recording Sound Using Other Programs	213	(1)
More About Speech Recognition Software	213	(2)
Summary	215	(2)
Going Digital with Your Scanner or Camera and Windows XP	217	(22)
Selecting a Scanner	217	(2)
What Scanners Can Do for You	217	(1)
How Do Scanners Work?	218	(1)
Which Scanner Is Right for Me?	218	(1)
The World of Digital Cameras	219	(6)
Choosing a Digital Camera	219	(6)
Your Scanner or Digital Camera and Windows XP	225	(1)
From Digital Camera to . . .	226	(6)
Acquiring Pictures with the Scanner and Camera Wizard	226	(3)
Viewing a Slideshow of the Images on Your Camera	229	(1)
Printing the Images Residing on Your Camera	230	(2)
Opening the Folder to View Files	232	(1)
Scanning Images into Word	232	(1)
Redefining Scanner Defaults	233	(1)
Safely Removing the Hardware from Your Computer	234	(1)
Managing Your Images from the My Pictures Folder	235	(2)
Setting Up the My Pictures Slide Show	235	(1)
Emailing Photos to Friends and Family	235	(1)
Creating a Photo CD	236	(1)
Ordering Photo Prints from the Internet	236	(1)
Publishing Photos to the Web	237	(1)
Viewing Your Virtual Filmstrip	237	(1)
Summary	238	(1)
Making Movies with Windows Movie Maker	239	(12)
Getting Started with Windows Movie Maker	239	(1)
Planning for a Great Video	240	(1)
Keep the Background in the Background	240	(1)
Light Up Your Life	241	(1)
It's What You Wear That Counts	241	(1)
Presenting Windows Movie Maker	241	(2)
Getting Video for the Movie	243	(1)
Pasting Clips Together	244	(2)
Trimming the Clips	244	(1)
Rearranging the Clips	245	(1)
Adding Cross-Fade Transitions	245	(1)
Saving Your Work	246	(1)
Creating a Soundtrack for Your Movie	247	(2)
Recording a Narrative	247	(2)
Adding Tunes to Your Movie	249	(1)
Summary	249	(2)
Gaming with Windows XP	251	(12)
Grooving on the XPerience	251	(1)
Trying Out XP's Own	252	(2)
Locating Great Games	253	(1)
Tips for Optimum Game Playing	254	(7)
Identifying Common Problems	256	(1)
Working Through Problems	257	(1)
Playing Older Games	258	(2)
What's DirectX?	260	(1)
Getting Help with Games	260	(1)
Summary	261	(2)
Sharing Your PC	263	(12)
Knowing the Basics	263	(2)
PC Security and Sharing	264	(1)
Setting Up Users	265	(6)
Create Your Accounts	266	(2)
Change an Account	268	(2)
Change the Way Users Log On or Off	270	(1)
Logging On and Off and Switching User Accounts	271	(1)
Summary	272	(3)
Part V: Interfacing Windows and Hardware
Exploring Your Hardware Interface	275	(10)
The ``Magic'' of Plug and Play	275	(3)
Windows Offers Hardware Help	278	(3)
Setting Up a Second PC	281	(2)
Summary	283	(2)
Understanding Printing and Fonts	285	(16)
Introduction to Spooled Printing	285	(1)
Setting Up a Printer	286	(4)
The Print Dialog Box	290	(3)
Managing Print Jobs	293	(1)
Deferred Printing	294	(1)
Fonts Have Style	295	(1)
Fonts and Typefaces	295	(4)
Removing Fonts	298	(1)
Summary	299	(2)
Giving Windows a Tune-Up	301	(14)
Updating Windows	301	(2)
How the Updates Work	303	(1)
Updating Windows Yourself	303	(2)
Transferring Settings from One Computer to Another	305	(3)
What's in Your System?	308	(2)
What the Heck Are Service Packs?	310	(2)
Another Way of Getting Service Pack 2	311	(1)
Do I Already Have Service Pack 2?	311	(1)
What You Get with Service Pack 2	312	(1)
Summary	312	(3)
Part VI: Learning How to Network Computers
Understanding the Nature of Networks	315	(18)
What Is a Network?	315	(1)
How Networks Are Put Together	316	(3)
Physical Networking---The Hardware	317	(1)
Network Devices	317	(1)
The Logical Network	318	(1)
The Varieties of Networks	319	(2)
LANs	319	(1)
HANS	319	(1)
WANs	320	(1)
Wireless Networks	321	(1)
How the Internet Relates to Your Network	321	(8)
Understanding Bandwidth	322	(1)
Understanding Different Kinds of Internet Connections	323	(1)
Why Does the Internet Matter for Your Network?	324	(1)
Intranets, Extranets, and the Internet	325	(1)
Networking's Breakthrough: Packet-Switched Data	326	(3)
Benefits of Networking	329	(2)
Simplified Resource Sharing	329	(2)
Networking Is Faster	331	(1)
Centralized Management	331	(1)
Summary	331	(2)
Getting Data from Here to There: How Computers Share Data	333	(16)
A Warning for the Technically Challenged	333	(1)
Logical Topologies	334	(4)
Ethernet	334	(2)
Token Ring and FDDI	336	(2)
Asynchronous Transfer Mode	338	(1)
Network Protocols	338	(9)
The OSI Model (And Why You Should Be Familiar with It)	339	(3)
TCP/IP	342	(4)
IPX	346	(1)
NetBIOS and NetBEUI	346	(1)
Summary	347	(2)
Mastering Computer and Network Concepts	349	(26)
Computer Hardware	349	(6)
The Motherboard	350	(1)
The Power Supply	350	(1)
The CPU	351	(1)
Memory	351	(1)
Disks	351	(1)
Add-In Adapter Cards	352	(3)
Client Operating System Software	355	(2)
Multitasking Versus Single-Tasking Systems	356	(1)
What Networks Are Made Of	357	(16)
Network-Specific Hardware	357	(10)
Software: Network Operating Systems	367	(6)
Summary	373	(2)
Networking for Simple Computer Setups	375	(16)
Why You Might Want to Install a Home Network	375	(1)
Installing a Simple Home Network	376	(7)
Installing a Network Adapter in Your PC	379	(4)
Sharing Your High-Speed Internet Connection	383	(3)
Connecting a Cable or DSL Modem to Your Network	383	(1)
Internet Connection Sharing	384	(2)
What's a Proxy Anyway?	386	(1)
Network Security Concerns	386	(3)
Connecting a Cable/DSL Firewall Router to Your Network	388	(1)
Summary	389	(2)
Going Wireless	391	(12)
What You Need to Know About Wireless Networking and Wi-Fi	391	(3)
The Wi-Fi Revolution	392	(2)
Wireless Networking Hardware	394	(5)
Wireless Network Adapters	395	(2)
Installing a Conversion Card/Wireless Card Combo	397	(2)
Setting Up Windows XP with Your Wireless Network	399	(3)
Setup Automatic Wireless Network Configuration	399	(1)
Connect to an Available Wireless Network	400	(2)
Wireless Security Concerns	402	(1)
Summary	402	(1)
Personal Security and Privacy on a Network	403	(14)
About Protection and Privacy	403	(2)
Sharing Files and Folders	405	(3)
Sharing Folders	406	(2)
Securing Files and Folders	408	(3)
Assigning Passwords to Files and Folders	410	(1)
Using a Firewall	411	(2)
Configuring Windows XP's Firewall	412	(1)
About Third-Party Protection	413	(1)
Summary	414	(3)
Part VII: Going Online with the Internet
Exploring the Internet's Technology	417	(16)
Understanding the Net (Easy Version)	417	(3)
A Little History Lesson	418	(2)
What It Became	420	(1)
The Internet As the Mother of All Networks	420	(1)
Making the Net Work: Clients and Servers	420	(2)
What Can You Do Through the Net	422	(7)
Browse the Web	422	(1)
Visit Companies, Governments, Museums, Schools . . .	423	(1)
Read the News	424	(1)
Explore Libraries	425	(1)
Read	425	(1)
Get Software and Trade Files	425	(1)
Shop	426	(1)
Watch TV and Listen to CD-Quality Music and Radio Broadcasts	427	(1)
Play Games, Get a College Degree, Waste Time . . .	427	(1)
Exchange Messages	427	(2)
Have a Discussion	429	(1)
Chat	429	(3)
Run Programs on Other Computers	430	(1)
Working on the Net	431	(1)
Setting Up a Website Of Your Own	431	(1)
Summary	432	(1)
Connecting to the Internet	433	(20)
Types of Internet Accounts	433	(5)
Dial-Up Accounts	433	(1)
Broadband	434	(4)
Where Can I Get Dial-Up Access?	438	(6)
Commercial Online Services	438	(3)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)	441	(1)
Free Internet!	442	(2)
Finding a Local ISP	444	(1)
How Do I Choose a Dial-Up Internet Plan?	444	(2)
Getting Connected	446	(3)
Number, Username, and Password	446	(1)
Using Supplied Software	447	(1)
Why Use a Signup Program?	448	(1)
Running a Typical Signup Program	448	(1)
Using the Connection Wizard on Your Own	449	(3)
Running the Connection Wizard	450	(1)
Connecting at Last	451	(1)
Summary	452	(1)
Browsing Basics	453	(20)
About Your ``Home Page''	453	(2)
Understanding Web Page Addresses	455	(3)
Anatomy of a Web Address	456	(2)
Going Straight to Any Web Address	458	(2)
Entering and Editing URLs	459	(1)
Basic Jumping Around	460	(8)
Finding and Using Links	460	(2)
Using Navigation Buttons: Back, Forward, Home, and Stop	462	(6)
Fussing with Frames	468	(1)
Summary	469	(4)
Part VIII: Communicating with the World
Using Email	473	(24)
Types of Email Programs	473	(1)
Understanding Email Addresses	474	(1)
Setting Up Your Email Program	474	(3)
Configuring Email	476	(1)
Getting Around in Your Email Program	477	(3)
Choosing a Folder	477	(1)
Displaying a Message	478	(2)
Composing and Sending a Message	480	(2)
Writing Your Message	480	(2)
Composing a New Message in Netscape Messenger	482	(2)
Sending a Message	483	(1)
Receiving Messages	484	(2)
Replying and Forwarding	486	(2)
Using an Address Book	488	(2)
Adding to Your Address Book	488	(1)
Addressing a Message from the Address Book	489	(1)
Attaching Files to Email Messages	490	(2)
Receiving Email with Attachments	492	(2)
Attachment Method 1 (No Security)	492	(1)
Attachment Method 2 (Some Security)	493	(1)
Attachment Method 3 (Best Security)	494	(1)
Using the Web for Email	494	(1)
Summary	495	(2)
Chatting and Instant Messaging	497	(20)
Understanding Internet Chatting	497	(1)
Chatting Through Your Browser	498	(4)
Finding Sites with Chat Rooms	498	(1)
Chatting at Yahoo!	499	(1)
The Chat Window	500	(2)
Chatting on AOL	502	(3)
Using the People Connection	502	(1)
Moving to Another Room	503	(2)
Using a Chat Client	505	(1)
Joining a Chat Room	506	(4)
Choosing an Identity	508	(1)
Entering a Room	509	(1)
What Is Instant Messaging?	510	(4)
AOL Instant Messenger	510	(1)
ICQ	511	(1)
MSN/Windows Messenger	512	(1)
Yahoo!	513	(1)
Trillian	513	(1)
What Else Messaging Lets You Do	514	(1)
Summary	515	(2)
Participating in Newsgroups, Web Message Boards, and Blogs	517	(14)
Getting Started with Newsgroups	517	(6)
Configuring Your Newsreader	518	(1)
Downloading the Newsgroups List	519	(1)
Finding and Subscribing to Newsgroups	520	(3)
Reading Newsgroup Messages	523	(2)
Composing and Replying to Messages	525	(1)
Web-based Message Boards	526	(1)
Finding Weblogs, Also Known As Blogs	527	(1)
Summary	528	(3)
Part IX: Getting the Most Out of the Internet
Searching for Information	531	(18)
What's a Search Site?	531	(2)
Can I Really Search the Whole Web?	533	(1)
Where Are the Major Search Sites?	534	(2)
Simple Searching by Clicking Categories	536	(2)
Why Use Categories Instead of a Search Term?	536	(1)
Using a Directory	537	(1)
Understanding Searches	538	(2)
Phrasing a Simple Search	540	(2)
Phrasing a Serious Search	542	(4)
Using Multiple Words in a Search Term	542	(1)
Using Operators to Control Searches	543	(2)
Conducting a Super Search	545	(1)
About Site Searches	546	(1)
Summary	547	(2)
Downloading Programs and Files	549	(14)
What's Downloading, Anyhow?	549	(5)
Click a Link, Get a File	550	(1)
How Long Does Downloading Take?	551	(3)
Choosing Files You Can Use	554	(2)
The Two File Types: Program and Data	554	(1)
Common Data File Types on the Net	554	(2)
Finding Sites That Help You Find Files	556	(3)
All-Purpose Shareware Sites	556	(3)
Commercial Software Sites	559	(1)
Working with Zip Files	559	(1)
Watching Out for Viruses	560	(1)
Downloading Files in AOL	561	(1)
Summary	562	(1)
Finding People	563	(10)
Finding the People-Finding Sites	563	(4)
Finding Yourself in Yahoo!'s People Search	565	(2)
Using People-Finders Through Your Email Program	567	(1)
Finding People in America Online	568	(1)
Other Folk-Finding Tips	569	(3)
Try an Advanced Search	569	(1)
Use a Company or School Directory	570	(1)
Try Name Variations	571	(1)
Use Old Communications to Start the New Ones	571	(1)
Summary	572	(1)
Protecting Your Family's Online Experience	573	(16)
Choosing a Family Starting Point	573	(2)
Important Family Safety Steps	575	(3)
Supervise!	575	(1)
Don't Defeat Passwords	576	(1)
Be Extra Careful with Broadband	576	(1)
Resist Chat	576	(2)
Resources for Parents	578	(1)
Censoring Web Content	579	(3)
Getting a Safe-Surfing Program	580	(1)
Using Internet Explorer's Built-in Content Advisor	580	(2)
Enabling and Configuring Content Advisor	582	(4)
Using AOL's Parental Controls	586	(1)
Summary	587	(2)
Buying and Selling on the Internet	589	(14)
Shopping 'Til You Drop	589	(7)
Using Accounts and Shopping Baskets	591	(4)
Buying Stocks and Such	595	(1)
Investment Starting Points	595	(1)
Finding All the Sites Online That Sell What You Want	596	(1)
Buying and Selling Through Online Auctions	597	(3)
How Online Auction Houses Work	598	(1)
Bidding Tips	599	(1)
Selling Tips	600	(1)
Using a Payment Service	600	(1)
Summary	600	(3)
Part X: Diagnosing Problems and Planning Upgrades
Deciding to Upgrade	603	(10)
When to Consider Upgrading Your PC	603	(1)
What Components in My PC Are Upgradeable?	604	(2)
Upgrading Your Memory (RAM)	606	(1)
Upgrading Your CPU	606	(1)
Upgrading Your Hard Disk Drive	607	(1)
Upgrading Your Video System	608	(1)
Upgrading Other PC Components	609	(1)
Precautions to Take	609	(2)
Shut Down, Turn Off, Unplug	610	(1)
Watch Yourself	610	(1)
Ground Yourself	610	(1)
Read the Fine Manual (RTFM)	611	(1)
Tools You'll Need	611	(1)
Summary	612	(1)
Understanding System Components	613	(18)
Eliminating Potential Hazards	613	(1)
Differentiating Between Desktop and Tower PCs	614	(2)
Identifying Your PC's External Connectors	616	(1)
Identifying the Parts Inside Your PC	617	(9)
Identifying the Motherboard	618	(1)
Identifying the CPU	618	(2)
Can't See the CPU? Here's Why	620	(2)
Identifying Memory (RAM)	622	(1)
Identifying Disk Drives	623	(1)
Identifying Add-in Adapters	624	(1)
Identifying the PC Power Supply	625	(1)
What You Need to Know About Integrated Motherboards	626	(2)
What Does Integrated Motherboard Mean?	626	(2)
Summary	628	(3)
Part XI: Upgrading Your PC and Its Components
Upgrading Your PC Motherboard, BIOS, CPU, and Memory	631	(20)
Getting Smart About the Process	631	(1)
Motherboards	632	(5)
Considerations in Upgrading or Replacing a Motherboard	632	(1)
Basics of Removing and Installing a Motherboard	633	(2)
Installing a New Motherboard in Your PC	635	(1)
Troubleshooting	636	(1)
The BIOS (Also Known As Motherboard's Brain)	637	(4)
Determining If You Need to Upgrade Your BIOS	638	(1)
Different Methods for Upgrading Your BIOS	638	(3)
CPUs	641	(4)
Considerations in Upgrading or Replacing a CPU	641	(1)
Basics of Removing and Installing a CPU	642	(2)
Troubleshooting	644	(1)
Memory	645	(4)
About Memory	645	(1)
Different Types of Memory	646	(1)
Identifying Your Memory	646	(1)
Basics of Removing and Adding Memory	647	(2)
Troubleshooting	649	(1)
Summary	649	(2)
Upgrading Your PC's Case and Power Supply	651	(14)
Deciding to Upgrade Your Case and Power Supply	651	(1)
What to Look for When Shopping for a New Case	652	(5)
Upgrading Your Case	657	(3)
Where You Can Purchase a New Case	660	(1)
Power Supplies	661	(2)
Summary	663	(2)
Replacing, Upgrading, or Adding a Drive	665	(28)
Drive Types by Format	665	(1)
Drive Connection Types: IDE Versus SCSI Versus Removable	666	(1)
Making Decisions About Getting a New Hard Drive	667	(2)
Is Your Upgrade an Addition or a Replacement?	669	(1)
IDE Versus SCSI for Hard Drive Choice	669	(1)
Installing an IDE Drive in Your PC	670	(7)
Replacing a Drive	673	(2)
Adding a Second Drive to the Same IDE Controller	675	(2)
Installing a SCSI Drive in Your PC	677	(4)
Adding a Second SCSI Drive	681	(1)
Installing a Removable Drive	681	(2)
Preparing Your Hard Drives for Software	683	(5)
About Windows XP and Installing a New Hard Drive	684	(1)
About Drive Partitioning	684	(2)
Formatting Your Drive	686	(1)
Installing an Operating System on Your PC	687	(1)
Tips on Improving Your Hard Disk Performance	688	(3)
Defrag Your Hard Disk Regularly	688	(2)
Delete Unneeded Files	690	(1)
Summary	691	(2)
Adding Adapters	693	(10)
Features and Types of Adapters	693	(1)
Basics of Adding an Adapter	694	(8)
With Replacements, Start By Removing Driver Support	695	(1)
Disabling an Integrated Component	696	(1)
Removing and Installing	697	(3)
Checking Device Manager	700	(2)
Summary	702	(1)
Upgrading Your Keyboard, Mouse, and Other Input Devices	703	(12)
Is Anything Wrong with My Keyboard or Mouse?	703	(4)
Fixing a Keyboard?	707	(1)
Mice and Other Pointing Devices	708	(3)
Tips on Cleaning Your Input Devices	711	(1)
Cleaning Your Keyboard	712	(1)
Cleaning Your Mouse	712	(1)
Summary	713	(2)
Upgrading Your Monitor	715	(10)
Different Types Available	715	(1)
Matching Your Monitor to Your Video Adapter	716	(3)
Why an Upgrade to a Bigger Monitor Might Be Best	719	(2)
Selecting Your New Monitor	721	(1)
Removing and Installing a Monitor	722	(1)
Summary	723	(2)
Selecting and Installing a Printer	725	(14)
Understanding the Types of Printers	725	(1)
How to Select a Printer	726	(4)
Comparing Various Printer Models	727	(1)
Print Speed	728	(1)
Print Quality	729	(1)
Color Versus Monochrome	729	(1)
Installing a Printer to Work with Your PC	730	(1)
Connecting the Hardware	730	(3)
Installing Your Printer Driver	731	(2)
Installing a Second Printer to Work with Your PC	733	(4)
Method One: Switching the Cable	733	(1)
Method Two: Installing a Second Parallel Port	734	(1)
Method Three: Installing an A/B Switch	735	(1)
Method Four: Using Both Parallel and USB Ports	736	(1)
About Scanners	737	(1)
Summary	737	(2)
Purchasing PC Components on the Internet	739	(10)
Purchasing Over the Internet	739	(1)
Locating Companies	740	(4)
Internet Security	744	(2)
Tips on Buying PC Components	746	(1)
Online Auctions	746	(1)
Summary	747	(2)
Index	749

Excerpts

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