The Rough Guide to Personal Computers

by Buckley, Peter; Clark, Duncan

• ISBN13: 9781858286556
• ISBN10: 1858286557
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-11-12
• Publisher: DK Publishing, Inc.

Summary

Buying a PC, setting it up, and making it work can be a nightmare. Now "The Rough Guide to Personal Computers" comes to the rescue as it unravels the jargon and explains how computers work and why they matter. Illustrations throughout.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(8)
Where to begin
part one from purchase to power-up
Buying a PC	9	(20)
What, where, how
Anatomy of a PC	29	(32)
Take a look inside
Peripherals	61	(26)
Stuff that plugs in
Setting up and switching on	87	(10)
Turning on for the first time
part two Working With Windows
Know your tools	97	(7)
Using a mouse and keyboard
The Windows environment	104	(16)
The Desktop and beyond
Files and folders	120	(16)
Managing your documents
Customizing Windows	136	(14)
Personalizing your PC
Users	150	(6)
Sharing your computer
The Control Panel	156	(8)
Tweaking the settings
Built in Programs	164	(17)
Windows extras
Document surgery	181	(12)
Words and pictures
Tips and tricks	193	(12)
Clever keys and fancy clicks
part three get yourself connected
The Internet	205	(12)
Connecting, surfing, searching
Email	217	(7)
Staying in touch
Networking	224	(9)
Hooking up the home
part four software
Operating systems	233	(10)
The software foundations
Program software	243	(10)
Getting it, installing it
Application roundup	253	(22)
Reviews and recommendations
part five keeping it purring
Playing it safe	275	(10)
PC self-defence
PC troubleshooting	285	(18)
Help is at hand
Upgrades and self-builds	303	(36)
Doing it yourself
part six contexts
Brief history of the PC	339	(11)
Glossary	350	(40)
Web directory	390	(15)
Index	405