• Author:
  • Muir, Nancy C.
• Subject:
  Computer Hardware
• Published by:
  John Wiley & Sons Inc (US)
• Published:
  17/02/2006
• Price:
  $22.99
• <  Buy this book  >

Your first PC can be intimidating. You’re probably panicky that you’ll hit a wrong key and send your information to some high-tech black hole or cause your PC to self-destruct. Not to worry. PCs Just the Steps For Dummies gives you simple directions for getting stuff done with your PC—everything from turning it on to using the Internet or a network. The book’s design features two columns, with numbered step-by-step instructions on one side and corresponding illustrations, screen shots, or photos on the other. You just pick the task you want to do and look up practical, no-nonsense how-to. This guide covers:

• Hardware basics and peripherals, including printers, faxes, and scanners
• Working with Windows XP, including managing memory and working with files and folders
• Working with sound and video
• Going online, searching the Web with Internet Explorer, and e-mailing with Outlook Express
• Networking, including configuration and connection and sharing folders or printers
• Protecting and troubleshooting your PC

With practical organization and a task-oriented approach, this book will have you inspired instead of intimidated. You won’t get an unabridged history of computers and a lot of gibberish; you will get clear, easy-to-follow instructions that help you get your tasks done efficiently on your PC.

Nancy Muir has written over 50 books on technology and business topics (many under her previous name of Nancy Stevenson). She is the author of Distance Learning Online For Dummies, Microsoft Project For Dummies, and Windows XP Just the Steps For Dummies as well as numerous other titles for a variety of publishers. She has a certificate in distance learning design and has taught technical writing at the university level. She lives with her wonderful family in Washington (state), where she acts in plays, sings, walks (a lot!), and occasionally writes a novel.

Introduction.

Part I: Hardware Basics.

Chapter 1: First Look at Your PC.

Chapter 2: Using Discs and Drives.

Chapter 3: Working with Input Devices.

Chapter 4: Setting Up Accessibility Features.

Chapter 5: Working with Printers, Faxes, and Scanners.

Chapter 6: Setting Up Your Laptop.

Part II: The Brains of the Beast.

Chapter 7: Working with Windows XP.

Chapter 8: Managing Memory.

Chapter 9: Setting Up Software.

Chapter 10: Working with Files and Folders.

Chapter 11: Exploring Windows Assets.

Part III: Working with Your Display, Multimedia, and Graphics.

Chapter 12: Setting Up Your Display.

Chapter 13: Working with Sound.

Chapter 14: Working with Digital Imaging and Video.

Part IV: Going Online.

Chapter 15: Accessing the Internet.

Chapter 16: Browsing the Web with Internet Explorer.

Chapter 17: Exchanging E-Mail with Outlook Express.

Part V: Networking.

Chapter 18: Setting Up a Network.

Chapter 19: Connecting Across a Network.

Part VI: Security and Troubleshooting.

Chapter 20: Making Windows XP Secure.

Chapter 21: Troubleshooting Hardware Problems.

Chapter 22: Troubleshooting Software Problems.

Index.