Leo Laporte's Guide To Safe Computing

by Laporte, Leo; Soper, Mark Edward

• ISBN13: 9780789734495
• ISBN10: 0789734494
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-31
• Publisher: Pearson P T R

Summary

Provides information to diagnose and repair a variety of PC problems, including troubleshooting Windows, printers, multimedia devices, I/O ports, and Internet connections, and presents instructions on safely running a PC.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(10)
PC Anatomy 101	11	(56)
Subsystems Make the Computer	13	(1)
All Around a Desktop PC	14	(8)
Front Views of Typical Desktop Computers	15	(3)
Rear Views of Typical Desktop Computers	18	(4)
Stop ESD---Don't Fry Your PC!	22	(2)
Inside a Typical PC	24	(14)
Expansion Slots	24	(3)
Points of Failure Inside the Computer	27	(11)
All Around a Notebook Computer	38	(3)
Points of Failure on a Notebook Computer	40	(1)
Controlling Your PC's Operation with BIOS Setup	41	(17)
How the BIOS Displays Your PC's Components	42	(3)
BIOS Setup Screens and Their Uses in Troubleshooting	45	(11)
What to Do If Your Computer Can't Retain BIOS Setup Information	56	(1)
Power-On Self Test	57	(1)
Hardware Resources	58	(6)
IRQs	59	(2)
I/O Port Addresses	61	(1)
DMA Channels	62	(1)
Memory Addresses	62	(1)
Viewing Hardware Resources in Use	62	(2)
Using Your Computer's Anatomy for Troubleshooting	64	(3)
Troubleshooting Windows XP and Windows Applications	67	(96)
Fixing Startup Problems	70	(11)
Overview of the Computer Boot and Windows Startup Processes	70	(2)
Fixing Hard Disk Configuration Problems	72	(5)
Fixing Other Startup Problems with Windows XP	77	(4)
Fixing Shutdown Problems	81	(2)
Using Control Panel	83	(17)
Accessibility Options	87	(1)
Add Hardware	88	(2)
Add or Remove Programs	90	(1)
Administrative Tools	91	(3)
Display Properties	94	(2)
Folder Options	96	(1)
Keyboard	97	(1)
Mouse	97	(1)
Power Options	98	(1)
Sounds and Audio Devices	99	(1)
User Accounts	99	(1)
System Properties	100	(1)
Using Device Manager	100	(10)
Solving Resource Conflicts with Device Manager	102	(5)
Using Device Manager to Determine Other System Problems	107	(1)
Signed and Unsigned Device Drivers	108	(1)
Windows Update and Device Drivers	109	(1)
Using the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter	110	(3)
Other Windows Diagnostic, Reporting, and Repair Tools	113	(18)
Using System Information	114	(8)
Using System File Checker	122	(1)
Using Error-Checking (CHKDSK) and Defrag	123	(1)
Using Remote Assistance in Windows XP	124	(5)
Using MSConfig	129	(2)
Keeping Windows Healthy with Service Packs and Windows Update	131	(3)
Using Windows Update	132	(1)
Ordering and Downloading Service Packs	133	(1)
Performing a Repair Installation	134	(2)
Fixing Programs That Won't Run	136	(17)
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run Under Windows XP	136	(2)
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run from Shortcuts	138	(1)
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run from Windows Explorer	139	(2)
Adding a Shortcut	141	(1)
Why Application Software Can Fail	142	(1)
Researching Your Program's Compatibility with Windows	142	(1)
I'm Not Sure What My Exact Program Version Is	143	(1)
I'm Having Problems Removing My Application	144	(2)
I'm Having Problems Reinstalling My Application	146	(1)
Upgrading Applications	147	(1)
Problems with Applications' Default Settings	148	(2)
The Unworkable Application	150	(1)
Troubleshooting Games	151	(2)
Troubleshooting Stop Errors with Windows XP	153	(3)
Preventing and Reducing Occurrences of BSOD Errors in Windows	155	(1)
Stopping Viruses	156	(4)
Antivirus Strategies	157	(3)
Slamming Spyware	160	(3)
Troubleshooting Storage Devices	163	(74)
Troubleshooting Installed Hard Disk Drives	167	(2)
Non-Bootable Floppy Disk in Drive A:	169	(1)
Troubleshooting ATA/IDE Hard Disks	170	(12)
Checking the Hard Disk Connection to the Power Supply	172	(2)
Checking the Drive and Host Adapter Connection to the Data Cable	174	(3)
Configuring ATA/IDE Drive Jumpers	177	(3)
Checking a Laptop/Notebook's Hard Disk Power/Data Connection	180	(2)
Troubleshooting Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Disk Drives	182	(5)
Checking the SATA Hard Disk Power Connector	184	(2)
Checking the SATA Data Cable	186	(1)
Troubleshooting IEEE-1394 Drives	187	(3)
Troubleshooting Other Problems with an IEEE-1394 Drive	189	(1)
Troubleshooting a USB Drive	190	(2)
Troubleshooting a PC Card/CardBus Drive	192	(1)
Determining Actual Drive Failure Has Occurred	193	(1)
Preparing a Hard Disk for Use	194	(16)
Preparing an Additional Hard Disk with Windows XP	195	(6)
Preparing a Bootable Hard Disk with Windows XP	201	(2)
Troubleshooting Problems with Recognizing Full Drive Capacity	203	(2)
Troubleshooting Disk Partitioning Problems	205	(1)
Troubleshooting Booting Problems	206	(1)
Troubleshooting Hard Disk or Optical Drive Bootup Problems	207	(1)
Preparing Other Drives to Act as Bootable Devices	208	(1)
Solving UDMA Mode Problems with ATA/IDE Drives	209	(1)
Upgrading a Portable Hard Disk	210	(9)
Using EZ Upgrade Universal and EZ Gig II	211	(6)
Installing the New Hard Disk in Your Portable Computer	217	(2)
Solving Problems with Writeable CD and DVD Media	219	(18)
Solving Can't-Write-to-Media Problems	219	(14)
Troubleshooting Recorded Media You Can't Read on Another System	233	(1)
Troubleshooting Buffer Underruns	234	(3)
Troubleshooting Your Printer	237	(56)
Printer Types and Technologies	239	(1)
Troubleshooting Common Printer Problems	240	(9)
Troubleshooting a Printer That Doesn't Print	242	(5)
Port Problems	247	(2)
Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers	249	(12)
Troubleshooting an Inkjet Printer with Its Status Lights	251	(1)
Solving the ``Inkjet Printer Blues''	252	(9)
Troubleshooting Photo Printers	261	(8)
Troubleshooting Printing from the PC	263	(2)
Troubleshooting Direct Printing	265	(4)
Troubleshooting Laser/LED Printers	269	(7)
Laser/LED Printer Status Lights and Messages	270	(1)
Common Laser/LED Problems and Solutions	271	(5)
Understanding Your Printer's Properties Sheets	276	(14)
Accessing the Properties Sheets for Your Printer	276	(14)
Troubleshooting Gibberish Output	290	(3)
Troubleshooting Graphics and Sound Problems	293	(60)
Troubleshooting the Display Subsystem	296	(1)
Troubleshooting Monitors and Displays	297	(21)
There's a Problem with the Size or Position of the Windows Desktop	297	(8)
The Text and Icons Onscreen Are Hard to Read	305	(10)
The CRT Monitor Flickers	315	(2)
Troubleshooting Damaged or Defective Displays or Display Adapters	317	(1)
Troubleshooting Graphics Cards	318	(14)
Can't Start the Computer Using Normal Display Drivers	318	(2)
Computer Locks Up Frequently or Has Display Quality Problems	320	(1)
Colors Are Distorted	321	(2)
Increasing Available Display Memory on Systems with Integrated Video	323	(1)
Troubleshooting Multiple Displays	324	(8)
Troubleshooting 3D Game Performance and Image Quality	332	(7)
3D Games Run Too Slowly	332	(4)
Improving AGP Video Performance	336	(2)
Reinstalling or Updating Your Display Adapter Driver	338	(1)
Troubleshooting Audio	339	(14)
Can't Record or Play Back Sounds	340	(13)
Troubleshooting Multimedia and Imaging Devices	353	(54)
Troubleshooting DV Camcorder Connections	356	(7)
Troubleshooting Camera and 1394a Port Recognition Issues	358	(2)
Troubleshooting Video-Editing Software Problems	360	(3)
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Connections	363	(23)
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Configuration Problems	363	(3)
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Power Problems	366	(1)
Troubleshooting Digital Camera and USB Port/Hub Problems	366	(2)
Troubleshooting AutoPlay Problems	368	(6)
Preventing and Troubleshooting Data Loss in Digital Cameras	374	(3)
Troubleshooting File-Viewing Problems	377	(2)
Troubleshooting Problems with Camera and Printer Docks	379	(4)
Troubleshooting Flash Memory Card Readers	383	(3)
Troubleshooting DVD Playback	386	(6)
Can't Use Advanced Speaker Systems with Your DVD Player	390	(2)
Troubleshooting Aspect Ratio and Screen Resolution Settings	392	(1)
Troubleshooting MP3 Digital Music and Media Players	392	(7)
Troubleshooting PC Connections to Your MP3 Player	393	(1)
Troubleshooting Capacity Issues with Your MP3 Player	394	(3)
Troubleshooting DRM Problems with Your MP3 Player	397	(2)
Troubleshooting Other Types of Media Playback	399	(1)
Troubleshooting Scanners	399	(8)
Using Device Manager to Troubleshoot Scanner Problems	400	(1)
Common Problems and Solutions for Scanners	400	(3)
Troubleshooting Scan Quality Problems	403	(4)
Troubleshooting I/O Ports and Input Devices	407	(54)
I/O Port Uses and Types	410	(5)
Common I/O Port Types	411	(3)
I/O Port Uses	414	(1)
Diagnosing Problems with Ports and Input Devices	415	(3)
Diagnosing Port and Driver Problems with Device Manager	416	(2)
Troubleshooting USB Ports and Hubs	418	(9)
Troubleshooting USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed USB) Support	418	(5)
Installing the Right Device Drivers for Your USB Device	423	(2)
Troubleshooting USB Hub Power Problems	425	(2)
Troubleshooting IEEE-1394 Ports and Hubs	427	(5)
Tracking Down Integrated and Add-on 1394 Ports	428	(4)
Troubleshooting Keyboards and Mice	432	(21)
Troubleshooting USB Keyboards and Mice	433	(4)
Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboards and Mice	437	(3)
Troubleshooting PS/2 Ports, Keyboards, and Mice	440	(8)
Troubleshooting Pointing Device Problems with Control Panel	448	(5)
Troubleshooting Serial and Parallel Ports	453	(8)
Parallel Port Troubleshooting	453	(6)
Serial Port Troubleshooting	459	(2)
Troubleshooting Your Network and Internet Connections	461	(86)
Troubleshooting Missing or Outdated Software Components	466	(3)
Installing/Reinstalling ISP Setup Software	468	(1)
Troubleshooting Problems with Secure Websites	469	(2)
Troubleshooting Problems with Viewing Certain Websites	471	(7)
Dealing with Website Error Messages	474	(1)
Website Viewing Tips and Tricks	475	(2)
Internet Options	477	(1)
Troubleshooting a Dial-Up (Analog Modem) Connection	478	(12)
Configuring Dial-Up Networking	478	(6)
Troubleshooting Dial-Up Modem Hardware	484	(6)
Troubleshooting a Broadband Internet Connection	490	(5)
Troubleshooting a Cable Modem Connection	490	(5)
Troubleshooting Ethernet Networks	495	(17)
Troubleshooting Network Software Configuration	495	(3)
I Can't Access Other Computers on the Network	498	(1)
I'm Not Sure My Network Settings Are Correct	499	(3)
Updating Network Hardware Drivers	502	(2)
Troubleshooting Ethernet Network Hardware	504	(8)
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Networks	512	(12)
Using the Windows XP SP2 Wireless Network Setup Wizard	521	(3)
Troubleshooting Routers and Gateways	524	(7)
Troubleshooting PC Card/CardBus Devices	531	(2)
TCP/IP Configuration and Troubleshooting	533	(14)
Using a Fixed IP Address with a Dial-Up or PPPoE Broadband Connection in Windows XP	534	(2)
Using TCP/IP Diagnostics to Troubleshoot Your Connection	536	(2)
Using PING	538	(2)
Network Connections	540	(2)
Troubleshooting the Windows XP Firewall	542	(5)
Troubleshooting Memory, Processor, and System Performance Problems	547	(68)
Troubleshooting Slow System Performance	549	(4)
Troubleshooting Virtual Memory	553	(8)
Defragmenting Your Drive	554	(3)
Using Disk Cleanup	557	(1)
Viewing and Adjusting Page File (Swapfile) Configuration	558	(3)
Troubleshooting Memory Upgrades	561	(17)
Determining the Right Memory for Your System	564	(5)
Installing Desktop Computer Memory	569	(2)
Installing Notebook Computer Memory	571	(3)
Freeing Up Sockets for Additional Memory	574	(1)
Troubleshooting Memory Upgrade Problems	575	(3)
Troubleshooting Defective Memory or Memory Sockets	578	(4)
Troubleshooting Installed Memory	582	(1)
Troubleshooting Processor Failures	582	(5)
Detecting Overheating and Incorrect Voltage Levels	583	(2)
VCore Settings and Overclocking	585	(2)
Troubleshooting Processor Upgrades	587	(14)
Understanding Processor Brands, Models, and Sockets	587	(6)
I'm Not Sure What Type of Processor I Can Use in My Motherboard	593	(1)
I'm Having a Hard Time Installing My New Processor	594	(5)
My System Won't Start After I Installed a New Processor	599	(1)
My New Processor Isn't Running as Fast as It Should	600	(1)
Troubleshooting Motherboard Failures	601	(1)
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage to Your Motherboard	601	(1)
Preventing Powerline Damage to Your Motherboard	602	(1)
Troubleshooting Motherboard Upgrades	602	(8)
Making Sure Your New Motherboard Will Fit into Your Case	603	(1)
I'm Having a Hard Time Fitting My New Motherboard into My Case	604	(2)
Preventing Damage to Your Motherboard During Memory and Add-in Card Installations	606	(2)
Preventing Damage from Loose Components Inside the Case	608	(1)
Diagnosing Other Motherboard Problems	609	(1)
My System Beeps Abnormally After I Restart It with the New Motherboard in Place	609	(1)
Troubleshooting Cooling Problems	610	(5)
Preventing Overheating Damage to the Motherboard	611	(4)
Troubleshooting Power Problems	615	(30)
Why Power Supplies Fail	617	(2)
Determining You Have a Power Supply Problem	619	(16)
Troubleshooting an Overheated Power Supply	619	(3)
Troubleshooting a Power Supply That Reboots the Computer	622	(1)
Troubleshooting a Computer That Won't Turn On	623	(5)
Troubleshooting System Lockups	628	(5)
Troubleshooting an Overloaded Power Supply	633	(2)
Troubleshooting a Power Supply Upgrade	635	(3)
Right-Sizing a New Power Supply	637	(1)
Selecting Powerline Protection	638	(7)
Checking Wall Outlets	639	(1)
Choosing the Right Surge Suppressor for Your Equipment	640	(3)
Battery Backup Systems	643	(2)
A Troubleshooting Methods and Flowcharts	645	(70)
The Troubleshooting Process	646	(11)
The First Step---Finding Out What Happened	646	(2)
How to Check Out the Computing Environment	648	(2)
Your Diagnostics Toolbox	650	(1)
The Troubleshooting Cycle	651	(3)
Testing a Subsystem	654	(1)
Where to Start?	655	(1)
Where to Go for More Information	656	(1)
Keeping Track of Your Solutions	657	(1)
Summarizing the Troubleshooter's Philosophy	657	(1)
Flowcharts	658	(57)
Index	715