Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition

Think setting up your new PC is going to be a challenge that you don't have time for? Think again. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition can make setting up and learning about your new computer fun and easy. Step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations will show you how to set up your computer, begin using Microsoft Windows XP and personalize your Windows XP experience. You'll also learn how to: Work with files and folders Add new hardware and devices to your system Perform maintenance and diagnose common problems Install new software Use the Internet Protect your PC from viruses, spam and other nuisances This latest edition has been updated to include coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Media Player 10 and 802.11g wireless networks. You'll also get the chance to explore how to use portable media players, safely shop online, buy and sell things on eBay, and how to use your digital camera and software to create digital scrapbooks. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition is the most up-to-date guide for beginning computer users on the market and will be the only book you need to get up and running with your computer. Pt. I. Getting started -- 1. Understanding your PC hardware -- What your computer can, and can't, do -- Getting to know your personal computer system -- Computer hardware basics -- 2. Setting up your new computer system -- Before you get started -- Connecting the cables -- Turning it on and setting it up -- pt. II. Using Windows -- 3. Understanding Microsoft Windows XP -- What Windows is, and what it does -- Different versions of Windows -- Working your way around the desktop -- Important Windows operations -- Using the start menu -- Understanding files and folders -- All the other things in Windows -- Getting help in Windows -- 4. Taking Windows for a spin -- Playing a game -- Launching a program, and printing and saving a document -- Viewing your documents -- Examining your hard disk -- Shutting down your system -- 5. Personalizing Windows -- Changing the look of your desktop -- Organizing desktop icons -- Changing the way the start menu works -- Activating special effects -- Changing your click -- Using a screensaver -- Resetting the time and date -- Setting up additional users -- 6. Working with files and folders -- Viewing folders and files -- Navigating folders -- Creating new folders -- Renaming files and folders -- Copying files -- Moving files -- Deleting files -- Working with compressed folders -- pt. III. Upgrading and maintaining your system -- 7. Adding new hardware and devices to your system -- Most popular peripherals -- Understanding ports -- Adding new external hardware -- Adding new internal hardware -- Using the add hardware wizard -- Connecting portable devices to your PC -- 8. Setting up a home network -- How networks work -- Setting up a wired or wireless network -- Running the network setup wizard -- Setting up wireless security -- Sharing files and folders across the network -- 9. Performing routine maintenance -- Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files -- Make you hard disk run better by defragmenting -- Perform a hard disk checkup with ScanDisk -- Keep your hardware in Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics is written to be an all-in-one solution to help users get up and running on their computer and learn all the software applications that come pre-loaded on their systems. This book is a cost-effective alternative for the user who does not want to purchase several books, because it covers hardware, software, peripherals, the Internet, and troubleshooting all in one resource. It's completely updated for 2003, and includes coverage of Windows XP. The book assumes no prior knowledge, and is perfect for those who've just taken their first computer out of the box. At only $18.95, it's priced well below the competition to give the reader a great value. This book "will show you how to set up and configure your PC, including how to connect to the Internet. Then you'll learn how to fix your digital photos, create digital scrapbooks, download digital music, burn your own custom CDs, watch DVD movies, write letters and memos, balance your checkbook, and create show-stopping presentations. And if you need more computer horsepower, you'll even learn how to upgrade your PC and add new peripherals."--Page 4 of cover