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Brilliant Troubleshooting & Repairing Your PC
We have all experienced the frustrations of being over-dependent upon technology we don't fully understand. Unexpected crashes wasting hours of concentrated work, inexplicable error codes flashing at you just when you need to print off a document in a hurry, the nagging feeling of impending disaster when you haven't backed up. This book hails an
end to that sinking feeling you get whenever you wonder who is in control you or the computer. From now on you will be a confident, virtual-spanner-wielding technician ready and able to deal with (nearly) anything your digital assistant throws at you. Combining a first aid manual with advice on preventative medicine and detailed instructions on emergency response routines this book will be your indispensable companion.
Contents:
CONTENTS:
1) Basic problems explained. (4)
Introduction
Can anyone fix common PC problems?
Explain the two basic types of problems: Hardware and Software
TASK: What to look for to give you a clue
BOXOUT: Can you fix your PC - Yes!
Can you permanently break your PC - No!
2) Inside a PC: Know what you're looking at (12)
Introduction
Explain all PC layouts are basically the same, why and how this helps you.
BOXOUT: Cut away annotated diagram showing PC components
BOXOUT: Cut away annotated diagram showing Mother board
Show and explain the connections to motherboard and point out jumper switches.
Different types of card, different slots.
3) Inside XP (20)
Introduction
What is XP and what does it do?
BOXOUT: annotated main screen
TASK: How to find which version of XP you have
TASK: Using XP built in help
TASK: Using control panel
TASK: Using Automatic Updates
4) Preventing Problems (18)
Introduction
Regular backups will prevent you losing previous data - imagine losing all your digital photos for 2004!
TASK: Backing up
TASK: Using system restore
TASK: Using commercial backup
BOXOUT: Online backup
BOXOUT: Storage types
5) Dealing with Computer crashes: Don't reach for the off switch (10)
Introduction
What is a crash?
TASK: shutting down a crashed program
TASK: Using Microsoft Knowledge Base
TASK: dealing with the consequences of a crash. Tiding up
BOXOUT: Getting support
BOXOUT: Is this a common problem? Consulting Frequently Asked Questions
6) Startup problems (23)
Introduction
What's happing?
BOXOUT: Flow chart - what's happing when you switch on
TASK: Listen to beeps and find out what do the beeps mean? How the PC can tell you what's wrong.
TASK: Starting Windows in diagnostic mode: Get windows started when normal Windows won't.
TASK: Using system restore to return to a point before the problem
TASK: Using Go Back to restore the complete system to a point in time before the problem, this will even fix virus infections
TASK: Stopping problem programs from running at startup msconfig
BOXOUT: Posttest beeps
7) Fix BIOS problems (12)
Introduction
TASK: How to look at the BIOS
BOXOUT: Understanding what's in the BIOS
TASK: Changing BIOS settings
TASK: Resetting to Factory defaults
8) Memory (12)
Introduction
TASK: Basic checks for memory faults
TASK: Tracking down the faulty chip by process of elimination
TASK: Changing Memory
BOXOUT: Memory Types explained
BOXOUT: Memory suppliers
9) Hard drives (22)
Introduction
TASK: What to do when you drive is full
TASK: Speeding up a tired drive
TASK: What to do if disaster strikes and the drive fails
BOXOUT: Data recovery companies
BOXOUT: Commercial Software
10) CDROM/DVD (10)
Introduction
TASK: Cleaning the drive
TASK: Cleaning discs
TASK: Checking configuration
11) Video Display (10)
Introduction
TASK: Changing resolutions
TASK: Changing looks
TASK: What to do if the monitor is blank
12) Fixing deliberate damage (18)
Introduction
TASK: Dealing with a virus
TASK: Removing spyware
BOXOUT: Coping with Spam
BOXOUT: Top 5 spam tips
BOXOUT: Top Virus websites/packages
13) Data Recovery (22)
Introduction
TASK: Finding lost files
TASK: Using the recycle bin
TASK: Using your backup
TASK: Undeleting files
15) Reinstalling Windows (18)
Introduction
TASK: Preparing for a reinstall
TASK: Using CD as boot drive
TASK: Installing Windows
16) Common sense (11)
Introduction
TASK: Check connections
TASK: Check Drives
TASK: Check Sound system
17) Error codes (10)
Introduction
BOXOUT: Understanding what the computer is trying to tell you when things go wrong
TASK: Responding to error codes
18) Technical support (10)
Introduction
TASK: Get help online
BOXOUT: List of the best online sites to try and where to look
Glossary: (6 pages)
Online Resources - Web sites mentioned in the book (4 pages)
Jargon Buster - Technical jargon explained (4 pages)
Troubleshooting Guide (4 pages)
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