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Upgrading and Fixing Your PC (Absolute Beginner's Guides S.)
A guide to upgrading and fixing common problem on a PC covers such topics a upgrading memory, adding hard drives, installing printers and scanners, and replacing sound cards.
Contents:
Introduction
How This Book Is Organized
Conventions Used in This Book
Menu Commands
Shortcut
Key Combinations
Other Commands
Web Page Addresses
Special Elements
Let Me Know What You Think
I
BEFORE YOU UPGRADE
1
Hardware Basics for the Absolute Beginner
Getting to Know Your Personal Computer System
Your PC's System Unit-The Mother Ship
Inside the Case
Microprocessors: The Main Engine
Computer Memory: Temporary Storage
Hard Disk Drives: Long-Term Storage
Diskette Drives: Portable Storage
CD Drives: Storage on a Disc
DVD Drives: Even More Storage on a Disc
Keyboards: Fingertip Input
Mice: Point-and-Click Input Devices
Video Cards and Monitors: Getting the Picture
Sound Cards and Speakers: Making Noise
Modems: Getting Connected
Network Devices: Sharing Files and Peripherals
Printers: Making Hard Copies
The Operating System: Windows to the World of Computing
Understanding the Startup Process
2
Preparing Your System for an Upgrade
To Upgrade or Not to Upgrade-That Is the Question
What to Upgrade
Before You Upgrade
Pre-Upgrade Checklist
Assembling an Upgrade Toolkit
Creating a System Hardware Report with Device Manager
Print a More Detailed Report with Microsoft System Information
Backing Up Your Data
Setting a System Restore Point
An Upgrade Roadmap
Upgrading from the Outside
Upgrading from the Inside
Using the Windows Add Hardware Wizard
Configuring System Settings
What to Do if the Upgrade Goes Wrong
II
ESSENTIAL HARDWARE UPGRADES
3
Ports Ahoy: Upgrading System Inputs
What Ports Can You Add? Buying a Port Expansion Card
Upgrade #1: Adding a New Port Card
Upgrade #2: Adding an External USB Hub
Upgrade #3: Adding Ports to a Portable PC
4
Bigger Is Better: Upgrading System Storage
Understanding Hard Disk Drives
Understanding Hard Drive Specs
Disk Drive Manufacturers
Upgrade #1: Adding an External Hard Drive
Upgrade #2: Adding a Second Internal Hard Drive
Installing the Drive
Partitioning and Formatting with Windows XP
Partitioning and Formatting Pre-Windows XP
Upgrade #3: Replacing Your Existing Hard Drive
Upgrade #4: Adding an Internal Floppy or Zip Drive
Upgrade #5: Adding a Memory Card Reader
Understanding Flash Memory Storage
Installing a Memory Card Reader
An Alternate Type of Flash Memory: USB Drives
5
Optical Tricks: Upgrading CD and DVD Drives
Understanding Optical Storage
CD Formats
DVD Formats
Shopping for a CD or DVD Drive
CD and DVD Drive Manufacturers
Upgrade #1: Adding an External CD or DVD Drive
Upgrade #2: Adding an Internal CD or DVD Drive
6
You Must Remember This: Upgrading System Memory
Understanding Computer Memory
Types of RAM Modules
Types of Memory Chips
Specifying Memory
Memory Manufacturers
Upgrade #1: Adding RAM to a Desktop PC
Upgrade #2: Adding RAM to a Portable PC
7
Point and Click: Upgrading Mice and Keyboards
Upgrade #1: Installing a New Mouse
Choosing a Mouse
Mouse Makers
Connecting the Mouse
Configuring Your Mouse
Upgrade #2: Installing a New Keyboard
Choosing a Keyboard
Connecting the Keyboard
Upgrade #3: Installing a Wireless Mouse or Keyboard
Upgrade #4: Installing a New Joystick or Game Controller
8
The Paper Chase: Upgrading Printers and Scanners
Understanding Printers
Different Types of Printers
Buying a Printer
Upgrade #1: Installing a Printer
Configuring Your Printer
Setting Your Default Printer
Upgrade #2: Installing a Scanner
Different Types of Scanners
Shopping for Scanners
Making the Connection
9
The Big Picture: Upgrading Video Cards and Monitors
Understanding PC Video
Monitor Options
Video Card Options
Upgrade #1: Replacing Your Monitor
Upgrade #2: Replacing Your Video Card
Making the Installation
Configuring Your Display Properties
Upgrade #3: Adding a Second Video Card and Monitor
Upgrade #4: Adding a TV Tuner Card
Upgrade #5: Adding a Video Capture Card or Device
10
Pet Sounds: Upgrading Sound Cards and Speakers
Understanding PC Audio
Understanding Sound Cards
Understanding Speakers
Understanding Surround Sound
Understanding 3D Audio
Understanding MIDI
Upgrade #1: Connecting New Speakers
Upgrade #2: Replacing Your Sound Card
Installing the Card
Upgrading from Motherboard Audio
Upgrade #3: Upgrading to a New External Sound Box
Upgrade #4: Adding an Audio Interface Box
III
UPGRADING FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATIONS
11
Play It Loud: Upgrading for Digital Music Playback and Recording
Understanding Digital Audio
Application #1: Listening to CDs and Digital Music Files
Upgrade Checklist for CD and Digital Audio Playback
Application #2: Downloading Music from the Internet
Upgrade Checklist for Downloading Digital Music
Application #3: Ripping Music from a CD
Upgrade Checklist for Ripping Music from CDs
Application #4: Burning Your Own Music CDs
Upgrade Checklist for Burning Audio CDs
Application #5: Transferring Digital Music to a Portable Audio Player
Upgrade Checklist for Transferring Digital Music to a Portable Audio Player
Application #6: Listening to Internet Radio
Upgrade Checklist for Internet Radio
Application #7: Playing a Digital Piano or Synthesizer
Upgrade Checklist for Connecting a Musical Keyboard
Application #8: Setting Up Your Own Home Recording Studio
Upgrade Checklist for a Home Recording Studio
12
Slides and Prints: Upgrading for Digital Photography and Picture Editing
Application #1: Downloading Photographs from a Digital Camera
Upgrade Checklist for Digital Camera Downloading
Application #2: Scanning Photo Prints
Upgrade Checklist for Scanning Photo Prints
Application #3: Editing Digital Photographs
Upgrade Checklist for Editing Digital Photographs
Application #4: Printing Digital Photographs
Upgrade Checklist for Making Photo Prints
Application #5: Sharing Digital Photos Over the Internet
Upgrade Checklist for Sharing Photos Online
13
Everyone's Gone to the Movies: Upgrading for TV Viewing and Digital Video Editing
Application #1: Viewing Television Programs
Upgrade Checklist for PC-Based Television Viewing
Application #2: Viewing DVD Movies
Upgrade Checklist for DVD Viewing
Application #3: Editing Movies from a Digital Camcorder
Understanding Digital Video Editing
Necessary Upgrades
Upgrade Checklist for Digital Video Editing
Application #4: Editing Movies from an Analog Camcorder
Upgrade Checklist for Digital Video Editing
Application #5: Creating Your Own DVD Movies
Upgrade Checklist for Burning DVD Movies
14
Fun Is Good: Upgrading for Enhanced Game Play
Application #1: PC Gaming
Upgrade Checklist for PC Gaming
Application #2: Network Gaming
Upgrade Checklist for Network Gaming
Application #3: Online Gaming
Upgrade Checklist for Internet Gaming
IV
UPGRADING YOUR ENTIRE SYSTEM
15
Connect the Dots: Upgrading to a Wired or Wireless Network
Understanding Networks
Wired Versus Wireless
Connecting and Configuring
Upgrade #1: Creating a Wired Network
Wired Network Hardware and Topology
Upgrade Checklist for Wired Networking
Making the Connections
Upgrade #2: Creating a Wireless Network
Wireless Network Hardware and Topology
Upgrade Checklist for Wireless Networking
Making the Connections
16
The Faster the Better: Upgrading Your Internet Connection
Understanding Broadband Internet
Choosing a Broadband Technology
DSL
Digital Cable
Digital Satellite
Upgrade #1: Connecting to DSL Internet
Upgrade #2: Connecting to Digital Cable Internet
Upgrade #3: Connecting to Digital Satellite Internet
Upgrade #4: Sharing a Broadband Connection
The Bridge Configuration
The Combination Modem/Hub Bridge Configuration
The Gateway Configuration
17
Opening New Windows: Upgrading to Windows XP
Why Windows XP? Which Version for You? Can You Make the Upgrade? System Requirements
Upgrade or Clean Install? Upgrade #1: Windows XP Typical Upgrade Installation
Before You Upgrade
Installing the Software
After the Installation: Activating and Registering
Upgrade #2: Windows XP Clean Installation
Understanding the Clean Install
Making a Clean Installation
Upgrade #3: Updating Your Copy of Windows XP
18
The Big Switch: Upgrading to a New Computer
Choosing the Right PC for Your Needs
Where to Buy
Migrating Your Old Files and Settings to Your New PC
Transferring Files Over a Network
Using a Commercial File Migration Program
Using Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Getting Rid of Your Old PC
V
PREVENTING PC PROBLEMS
19
Simple Steps to Keep Your System in Tip-Top Shape
Basic Hardware Maintenance
System Unit
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor
Printer
Let Windows Tune Up Your System
Make Your Hard Disk Run Better by Defragmenting
Performing a Hard Disk Checkup with ScanDisk
Delete Unnecessary Files with Disk Cleanup
Scheduling Your Maintenance
Update Important Files with Windows Update
Using Third-Party Utilities
Preparing a PC Survival Kit
PC Survival Kit Checklist
Original Windows Installation CD
Windows Emergency Startup Disk
Backup Data
Original Software Installation Media
Useful Disk Utilities
20
Protecting Your Computer from Viruses and Internet Attacks
Dealing with Computer Viruses
The Symptoms of a Virus
How to Catch a Virus
Different Types of Viruses
Protecting Your System from Infection
Using an Antivirus Program
Recovering from a Virus Infection
Dealing with Internet Attacks
Potential Threats
Protecting Your System with a Firewall
Popular Firewall Software
Using the Windows XP Internet Connection Firewall
VI
TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON PROBLEMS
21
How to Deal with a Finicky PC
Common Causes for Common Problems
User Error
Bad Connections
Configuration Errors
Bugs
Viruses
Dealing with Upgrade Problems
Basic Troubleshooting Tips
Using Windows Troubleshooting Utilities
Fixing Easy Problems with Windows Troubleshooters
Fixing Driver Problems with the Device Manager
Fixing Big Problems with System Information
Tracking Down Stubborn Problems with Dr
Watson
Turning Back Time with System Restore
Setting System Restore Points
Restoring Your System
Managing the Windows Registry
Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
Editing the Registry
Upgrading for Bug Fixes
Resorting to Repair
22
What to Do When Your Computer Doesn't Start or Freezes Up
Dealing with System Startup Problems
Problem: Your Computer Doesn't Start-You Hear No Noises and See No Lights
Problem: Your Computer Doesn't Start, but It Makes the Normal Startup Noises
Problem: Your Computer Starts, but the Monitor Displays an Error Message (Before Loading Windows)
Troubleshooting Windows Startup Problems
Windows Startup Options
Starting in Safe Mode
Tracking Down Problems with the System Configuration Utility
Using the Recovery Console
Dealing with Windows-Related Startup Problems
Problem: Your Computer Starts, but Windows Doesn't-And You Receive an Error Message
Problem: Your Computer Starts, but Windows Doesn't-And You Don't Receive an Error Message
Problem: Your Computer Starts, but Windows Doesn't-And You Can't Enter Safe Mode
Problem: Your Computer Starts and Windows Enters Safe Mode Automatically
Dealing with System Freezes
Problem: Windows Freezes-And Displays an Error Message
Problem: Windows Freezes-And No Error Message Appears
Problem: Windows Freezes-Your System Unit Has Power, But Your Keyboard or Mouse Isn't Working
Problem: Windows Won't Let You Exit
Problem: Windows Won't Wake Up from Standby Mode
Problem: Your System Crashes-Nothing Remains Onscreen, and All Power Goes Off
23
What to Do When You Can't Access Your Disks
Dealing with Hard Drive Problems
Problem: You Can't Access Your Hard Drive
Problem: You Just Installed a New Hard Disk and It Doesn't Work
Problem: You Lost Valuable Data on a Bad Hard Disk
Problem: Windows Doesn't Recognize Your Hard Disk's Full Size
Problem: Your Hard Disk Is Running Slower Than Normal
Dealing with CD-ROM or DVD Problems
Problem: Your CD/DVD Drive Doesn't Work-Nothing Happens
Problem: Your CD/DVD Drive Doesn't Work-The Drive Spins, But You Can't Access the Disc
Problem: Your CD/DVD Drive Doesn't Always Read Data Accurately
Problem: Your CD/DVD Drive Can't Read a Rewritable CD
Problem: You Can't Play Music CDs on Your CD/DVD Drive
Problem: Your CD-R/RW Drive Won't Burn a CD
Problem: Your Newly Installed CD/DVD Drive Doesn't Work Right
24
What to Do When Your Mouse or Keyboard Won't Work
Dealing with Mouse Problems
Problem: Your Mouse Doesn't Work at All
Problem: Using Other Peripherals Causes Your Mouse to Act Up
Problem: Your Mouse Moves Erratically
Problem: Your Wireless Mouse Moves Erratically-If at All
Problem: You Receive an Error Message About Your Mouse
Problem: You Spilled Something on Your Mouse
Dealing with Keyboard Problems
Problem: Your Keyboard Won't Type-No Characters Appear Onscreen
Problem: Your Keyboard Quits Working After You Install a New Peripheral
Problem: Your Keyboard Won't Type-Every Time You Press a Key, You Hear a Beep
Problem: You Spill Some Liquid on the Keyboard
Problem: You Type a Lowercase Letter, but an Uppercase Letter Appears Onscreen
Problem: You Type a Number, but the Onscreen Cursor Moves Instead
Problem: You Type One Key, and a Different Character Appears Onscreen
Problem: Your Keyboard Isn't Responding Properly
Problem: Your Wireless Keyboard Isn't Responding Properly
Problem: You Press the Page Up or Page Down Keys, but Your Window Doesn't Scroll
25
What to Do When Your Printer Won't Print
Understanding Potential Problems
Dealing with Printer Problems
Problem: Your Printer Has No Power
Problem: Your Printer Has Power but Doesn't Print
Problem: Your Printer Prints, but Output Is Smudged or Garbled
Problem: Your Printed Page Looks Half-Finished
Problem: Your Printer Prints, but the Fonts Aren't Correct
Problem: Your Color Printer Doesn't Print All Available Colors
Problem: Paper Jams in Your Printer
26
What to Do When Your Display Looks Funny
What Can Give You Bad Video
Dealing with Video Problems
Problem: Your Monitor Is Dead-The Power Light Isn't On
Problem: Your Monitor Doesn't Display-But the Power Light Is On
Problem: Your Monitor Doesn't Display-The System Unit Issues a Series of Beeps
Problem: Your Monitor Works, but Displays an Error Message Before Windows Loads
Problem: Your Monitor Works, but Displays a Screen Full of Garbage
Problem: Windows Displays at a Lower Resolution Than Normal
Problem: Your New Video Card Doesn't Display at Its Maximum Resolution or Color Depth
Problem: Your Screen Display Flickers
Problem: Your CRT Monitor Doesn't Display-It Makes a High-Pitched Whine
Problem: Your CRT Monitor Pops and Crackles and Starts to Smell
Problem: Your Dual-Monitor Display Doesn't Work Properly
27
What to Do When Your Sound System Doesn't Sound Right
What Can Cause Bad Sound
Dealing with Audio Problems
Problem: Your New Sound Card Doesn't Work-You Don't Get Any Sound
Problem: Your New Sound Card Crashes Your System
Problem: Windows Generates an Error Message About Your Sound Card
Problem: Audio from Your Sound Card Skips-Or Plays Continually
Problem: You Only Get Sound from One Channel of a Stereo Setup
Problem: Your System's Audio Level Is Too Low or Too High
Problem: Program- or Event-Specific Sounds Don't Play
28
What to Do When Your Files Are Lost or Corrupted
Why Files Go Bad
Dealing with File Problems
Problem: You Accidentally Delete an Important File
Problem: You Can't Delete a File
Problem: You Can't Find a File
Problem: You Attempt a File Operation and Get a Windows Error Message
Problem: You Open a File and Its Data Is Scrambled or Incomplete
Problem: You Can't Open a Document File
29
What to Do When Your Network or Internet Connection Starts Acting Up
Dealing with Network Problems
Problem: You Can't Find Another Computer on Your Network
Problem: Your PC Doesn't Recognize Your Network
Problem: Your PC Can't Connect to Your Wireless Network
Dealing with Internet-Related Problems
Problem: Your Modem Doesn't Work-Nothing Happens
Problem: Your Modem Is Working, but It Doesn't Dial
Problem: Your Modem Dials, but It Doesn't Connect
Problem: Your Broadband Modem Doesn't Connect
Problem: You Connect to Your ISP, but at a Slower Speed Than Desired
Problem: Your Online Session Disconnects Unexpectedly
Problem: Using Your Modem Causes Your Mouse to Act Funny-Or Vice Versa
Problem: You Can't Connect to Your Email Server
Problem: Your Email Program Connects to Your ISP, but You Have Trouble Sending or Receiving Email Messages
Problem: An Email Message You Sent Is Returned as Undeliverable
Problem: You Don't Receive a Message Someone Sent to You
Problem: You Have Trouble Sending an Attachment to an Email Message
Problem: Your Computer Acts Oddly Soon After You Download a File or Open an Email Attachment
Problem: Your Web Browser Won't Connect to Any Web Site
Problem: Your Web Browser Won't Connect to a Specific Web Site
Problem: Your Web Browser Gives You an Error Message When You Try to Load a Specific Page
Problem: You Connect to a Web Page, but It Only Partially Loads
30
What to Do When You Receive a Windows Error Message
Understanding Common Error Messages
A fatal exception has occurred at xxxx:xxxxxxxx
Abnormal termination
Another application is using communication port
Application execution error: Cannot find file
Check to ensure path and filename are correct
Application execution error: No association exists for this file
Application is still active
Call to undefined dynalink
Cannot communicate with modem
Cannot copy file
Cannot find a device file that may be needed
Cannot find the file XXX or one of its components
Cannot format disk
Cannot print
SoftRIP error
Cannot read from drive x
Cannot replace xxxx: Access Denied
Cannot run program-No application is associated with this file
Cannot run program-Out of system resources
Cannot start application
Cannot start more than one copy of xxx
Could not print page x
Dangerously low on system resources
Deleting this file will make it impossible to run this program
Destination disk drive is full
Disk error
Divide by zero
Drive x: is inaccessible
Explorer caused a fatal exception xxxxxxx in module KERNEL32.DLL at xxxx:xxxxxxxx
Extremely low on memory, close applications and try again
File already exists
Overwrite? File not found
General protection fault
Illegal operation
Insufficient disk space
Insufficient memory to run this application
Invalid destination specified
Invalid page fault
Invalid VxD Dynamic Link Call
Invalid system disk, replace the disk, and then press any key
Keyboard error
Press F1 to continue
No association exists for this file
No COM ports available
Not a valid filename
Not enough disk space
Not enough memory
Open With
Out of memory
Parity error
Print queue is still active
Rundll32.exe has performed an illegal operation
Sector not found reading drive X
Setup detects that an earlier version of SetupX.dll or NetDi.dll is in use
Setup cannot create files on your startup drive and cannot set up Windows
There may be too many files in the root directory of your startup drive, or your startup drive letter may have been remapped (SU0018)
Setup could not back up your system files
System Error
The file or folder that this shortcut refers to cannot be found
The network could not validate your user name
The printer on LPT1 is offline or not selected
There was an error writing to LPT1:
This filename is not valid
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down
The system has recovered from a serious error
Unmountable boot volume
Windows protection error
Windows Setup was unable to update your system files
Windows was not properly shut down
Write protected disk
X:/ is not accessible
The device is not ready
You cannot format the current drive
Index.
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