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III. Storing Information
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III. Storing Information
by David A. Karp, Andy Rathbone
PCs: The Missing Manual
PCs: The Missing Manual
A Note Regarding Supplemental Files
The Missing Credits
About the Author
About the Creative Team
Acknowledgements
The Missing Manual Series
Introduction
About This Book
Assumptions
About → These → Arrows
About the Outline
About MissingManuals.com
Safari Enabled
I. Your PC’s Main Parts
1. Inside Your PC
1.1. Finding Out Your PC’s Horsepower
1.2. The PC’s Case
1.3. Opening Your PC’s Case
1.3.1. Troubleshooting Overheating Problems
1.4. Motherboard
1.5. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
1.6. Adding Memory (aka RAM)
1.6.1. Adding or Replacing Memory
1.6.1.1. Adding memory
1.6.2. Troubleshooting Memory Problems
1.7. Installing Expansion Cards
1.7.1. Identifying Cards and Slots
1.7.2. Adding or Removing a Card
1.7.3. Troubleshooting Card Problems
1.8. Ports
1.8.1. Video (aka VGA)
1.8.2. USB Ports (aka Universal Serial Bus)
1.8.2.1. Troubleshooting USB problems
1.8.3. FireWire (aka IEEE 1394, i.Link)
1.8.3.1. Troubleshooting FireWire problems
1.8.4. Ethernet and Phone
1.8.5. Keyboard/Mouse (PS/2)
1.8.6. Sound
1.8.7. Joystick/Game Controller/MIDI Port
1.8.8. Serial and Parallel Ports
1.9. Power Supply and Battery
1.9.1. Replacing a Dead Power Supply
1.9.1.1. Finding the replacement’s correct wattage
1.9.1.2. Buying a replacement power supply that fits your case
1.9.1.3. Replace the old power supply
1.9.2. Replacing the Motherboard’s Battery
2. Keyboards and Mice
2.1. Keyboard Basics
2.1.1. Types of Keyboards
2.1.2. The Mystery Keys
2.1.3. The Windows Keys
2.1.4. The Ctrl+Alt+Del Cure for Frozen Programs
2.1.5. Controlling Windows with only a Keyboard
2.1.6. Typing Symbols
2.1.7. Using Keyboards in Foreign Countries
2.1.8. Installing a Keyboard
2.1.9. Adjusting the Keyboard’s Sensitivity
2.1.10. Troubleshooting Keyboards
2.2. Mouse Basics
2.2.1. Controlling Windows with only a Mouse
2.2.2. Installing a USB or PS/2 Mouse
2.2.3. Troubleshooting Mice
2.2.3.1. Plug it in all the way
2.2.3.2. Cleaning the mouse ball
2.2.3.3. Cleaning a mouse’s optical sensor
2.2.3.4. Adjusting a mouse
2.2.3.5. Buttons tab
2.2.3.6. Pointers tab
2.2.3.7. Pointer Options tab
2.2.3.8. Wheel tab
2.2.3.9. Hardware tab
2.3. Game Controllers
3. Monitors and Video
3.1. Monitor Basics
3.1.1. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
3.1.2. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) Monitors
3.2. Installing a Monitor
3.3. Plugging Two Monitors into One PC
3.3.1. See if Your PC Supports Two Monitors
3.3.2. Plug in the Second Monitor
3.3.3. Activate the Second Monitor
3.3.4. Identify, Position, and Assign the Monitors
3.4. Plugging Two PCs into One Monitor
3.5. Using TV Sets as Monitors
3.5.1. Display Your PC’s Video Signal on Your TV
3.5.2. Play Your PC’s Audio Through Your TV’s Speakers
3.6. Watching TV on a PC
3.7. Troubleshooting Your Monitor
3.7.1. No Picture on the Monitor
3.7.1.1. Adjust a CRT monitor
3.7.1.2. Adjust an LCD monitor
3.8. Video Card (aka Display Adapter)
3.8.1. Adjust Video Settings in Windows XP
3.8.2. Upgrade Your PC’s Video Card
3.8.3. Troubleshooting Video Card Problems
4. Printers
4.1. Printer Basics
4.1.1. Inkjet
4.1.2. Laser
4.1.3. All-in-One Printers
4.1.4. Garage Sale Models
4.2. Installing a Printer
4.2.1. Network and Bluetooth Printers
4.2.2. Parallel, Serial, and Infrared Printers
4.2.3. Add Printer Wizard
4.2.4. Setting Up a Printer’s Default Preferences
4.3. Choosing Printer Paper
4.4. Adjusting Printer Settings
4.5. Printing Envelopes
4.6. Printing Specialized Items
4.7. Printing Digital Photos Professionally
4.7.1. In-Store Kiosks
4.7.2. Photo Printing Web Sites
4.8. Digital Photos on an Inkjet Printer
4.8.1. Choosing Photo Paper
4.8.2. Choosing Your Photo’s Size and Resolution
4.8.3. Adjusting Your Printer Settings
4.9. Printing Web Pages
4.10. Printer Troubleshooting
4.10.1. Paper Jams
4.10.2. Replacing Inkjet Cartridges
4.10.3. Replacing Toner Cartridges
4.10.4. Cleaning Inkjet Nozzles
4.10.5. Other Options
II. Multimedia
5. Digital Cameras, Camcorders, and Webcams
5.1. Digital Camera Basics
5.2. Moving Pictures from Camera to Computer
5.3. Moving Pictures from a Card Reader to a PC
5.4. Viewing and Editing Photos
5.4.1. Viewing Photos
5.4.2. Rotating and Editing Photos
5.5. Sharing Photos with Friends
5.5.1. Sending Photos Through Email
5.5.2. Posting Photos on a Sharing Site
5.5.2.1. Flickr
5.5.2.2. Kodak EasyShare Gallery
5.5.2.3. Fotolog
5.6. Troubleshooting Digital Cameras
5.7. Camcorder Basics
5.8. Connect the Camcorder to Your PC
5.8.1. Digital Video (DV) Camcorder
5.8.2. Analog Camcorder
5.9. Editing Video
5.9.1. Capture Video
5.10. Editing with Movie Maker
5.10.1. Troubleshooting Movie Maker
5.11. Webcams
5.11.1. Video Camera
5.11.2. Video Capture Software
5.11.3. Internet Connection, Web Site, and a Web Page
5.11.4. Troubleshooting Webcam Problems
6. Scanners
6.1. Choosing a Scanner
6.2. Installing a Scanner
6.3. Three Ways to Scan an Image
6.4. Using Windows Scanner and Camera Wizard
6.5. Digitizing Old Photos and Slides
6.6. Troubleshooting Scanners
6.6.1. Cleaning the Scanner’s Glass
6.6.2. Common Scanning Issues
7. Sound
7.1. Understanding Sound Adapters (Sound Cards)
7.1.1. Integrated Audio
7.1.2. Sound Cards
7.1.3. Plug-in Box
7.2. Sending Sound into and out of Your PC
7.2.1. Microphone
7.2.2. Speakers
7.2.3. Synthesizer
7.2.4. Audio In
7.2.5. Copy Records onto CDs and MP3s
7.3. Choosing Music File Formats
7.3.1. WAV (WAVeform audio file)
7.3.2. MP3 (Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Stream, Layer III)
7.3.3. WMA (Windows Media Audio)
7.3.4. AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)
7.3.5. MID (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
7.4. PC Music for Musicians
7.4.1. Understanding MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)
7.5. Troubleshooting Sound
7.5.1. Finding the Right Port
7.5.2. Adjusting the Mixer Settings
7.5.3. Volume Level
7.5.4. Drivers
8. Digital Music Players
8.1. Choosing a Digital Music Player
8.2. Your Digital Player and Your PC
8.3. iPod and iTunes
8.3.1. Adding Music to Your iTunes Library
8.3.1.1. Importing your PC’s existing music
8.3.1.2. Buying music online
8.3.2. Transferring Songs to an iPod Automatically
8.3.3. Transferring Songs to an iPod Manually
8.3.4. Transferring Data to Your iPod
8.3.5. Transferring Your Contacts and Calendar to Your iPod
8.3.6. Transferring Notes
8.4. Windows XP’s Media Player
8.4.1. Adding Music to Media Player
8.4.1.1. Importing your PC’s music
8.4.1.2. Buying music online
8.4.2. Copying Songs to Your Portable Player
8.4.2.1. Transferring songs automatically
8.4.2.2. Transferring songs manually
8.4.3. Transferring Data
8.5. Troubleshooting Digital Music Players
8.5.1. iPod’s “Do Not Disconnect” Message
8.5.2. Making Your PC Notice Your Player
8.5.3. Reformatting Your Player’s Hard Disk
8.5.4. Sharing an iPod Between Two PCs
8.5.5. Digital Rights Management Problems
8.5.6. Problem Tags
8.5.7. PC Crashes
III. Storing Information
9. Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
9.1. Your PC’s Drives: An Overview
9.2. Hard Drives: An Introduction
9.3. Your Hard Drive’s Available Space
9.4. Removing Unused Programs and Files
9.5. Speeding Up a Hard Drive
9.6. Installing a Hard Drive
9.6.1. Identifying Your Internal Drive’s Interface
9.6.2. Shopping for a New Drive
9.6.3. Installing an External Hard Drive
9.6.4. Installing an Internal Hard Drive
9.6.5. Changing a Drive Letter
9.7. Troubleshooting Hard Drives
9.7.1. Disk Testers
9.7.2. Checking Your Hard Drive’s Health
9.7.3. Converting from FAT32 to NTFS
9.8. Floppy Drives: An Introduction
9.9. Formatting a Floppy Disk
9.10. Installing a Floppy Drive
10. CD and DVD Drives
10.1. CDs: An Introduction
10.2. Playing CDs
10.3. Buying the Right Type of Blank CD
10.4. Ripping CDs
10.4.1. Ripping CDs with Windows XP’s Media Player
10.4.2. Ripping CDs with iTunes
10.5. Burning CDs
10.5.1. Burning Data to a CD
10.5.2. Burning Music to a CD
10.5.2.1. Burning a music CD with Windows Media Player
10.5.2.2. Burning a music CD with iTunes
10.5.3. Burning a VCD (Video CD)
10.6. Duplicating CDs
10.7. Erasing CDs
10.8. DVDs: An Introduction
10.9. Playing DVD Movies
10.10. Buying the Right Type of Blank DVD
10.11. Specialty Disc Formats
10.12. Ripping DVDs
10.13. Burning DVDs
10.14. Buying a CD or DVD Drive
10.14.1. Choosing a CD Drive
10.14.2. Choosing a DVD Drive
10.15. Installing a CD or DVD Drive
10.16. Troubleshooting CD and DVD Drives
10.16.1. Avoiding Skips or Errors When Burning CDs or DVDs
10.16.2. DVD Region Settings
10.16.3. Extracting Stuck Discs
10.16.4. Codec Problems
IV. Talking to the World
11. Getting Online
11.1. Different Ways to Connect to the Internet
11.1.1. Wireless Internet Connections
11.1.2. Broadband (Cable and DSL) Connections
11.1.3. Dial-up Connections
11.2. Setting Up a Modem
11.2.1. Setting Up a Dial-Up Modem
11.2.2. Setting Up a Cable or DSL Modem
11.3. Subscribing to an Internet Service
11.3.1. Choosing a Regular ISP vs. an Online Service
11.3.2. Finding the Best Internet Service Provider
11.4. Setting Up an Internet Connection
11.4.1. Firing Up the New Connection Wizard
11.4.2. Viewing or Changing Your Internet Connections
11.5. Dialing into the Internet
11.5.1. Starting a Dial-Up Connection
11.5.2. Disconnecting from a Dial-Up Connection
11.6. Troubleshooting Online Connections
11.6.1. Stopping a Program or PC from Trying to Connect
11.6.2. Web Sites That Don’t Answer
11.6.3. Busy Signals
12. Email
12.1. Choosing an Email Program
12.1.1. Outlook Express
12.1.2. Eudora
12.1.3. Thunderbird
12.1.4. Web-based Email
12.1.4.1. Gmail
12.1.4.2. Hotmail
12.1.4.3. Yahoo
12.2. Setting Up Outlook Express
12.3. Composing and Sending Email
12.3.1. Attaching Files to Email
12.3.2. Spell Checking
12.4. Reading and Processing Email
12.4.1. Deleting Email
12.4.2. Replying to Email
12.4.3. Forwarding Email
12.4.4. Sorting and Filing Email
12.4.5. Printing Email
12.4.6. Opening and Saving Attachments
12.5. Managing Your Address Book
12.6. Email Etiquette
12.7. Troubleshooting Email Problems
12.7.1. Stopping Spam
12.7.2. Blocking Offensive Senders
13. Surfing the Web
13.1. Choosing and Setting Up a Browser
13.1.1. Internet Explorer
13.1.1.1. Features
13.1.1.2. Pros
13.1.1.3. Cons
13.1.1.4. Setting up Internet Explorer
13.1.1.5. Backing up settings
13.1.2. Firefox
13.1.2.1. Features
13.1.2.2. Pros
13.1.2.3. Cons
13.1.2.4. Setting up Firefox
13.1.2.5. Privacy
13.1.2.6. Backing up bookmarks
13.1.3. Opera and Netscape
13.2. Managing Forms and Passwords
13.2.1. Autofilling Forms in Internet Explorer
13.2.2. Autofilling Forms in Firefox
13.3. Blocking Pop-up Ads and Other Nuisances
13.4. Browsing the Web
13.4.1. Finding Sites
13.4.2. Printing Sites
13.4.3. Saving Information from Web Sites
13.4.3.1. Saving photos
13.4.3.2. Saving text snippets
13.4.3.3. Saving a Web page
13.4.3.4. Saving parts of a Web site automatically for offline reading
13.4.4. Forwarding Sites
13.4.5. Downloading Files
13.5. Viewing RSS Feeds
14. Networking
14.1. Choosing a Network
14.1.1. Wired Networks
14.1.1.1. Ethernet
14.1.1.2. Powerline (HomePlug)
14.1.2. Wireless (WiFi)
14.1.3. Mixing Wired and Wireless
14.2. Networking Hardware: What You Need
14.2.1. Router
14.2.1.1. Buying recommendation
14.2.2. Network Adapter
14.2.3. Ethernet Cables
14.2.3.1. Buying recommendation
14.3. Setting Up a Simple Home Network
14.4. The Network Setup Wizard
14.4.1. “Before you continue”
14.4.2. “Select a connection method”
14.4.3. “Give this computer a description and name”
14.4.4. “Name your network”
14.4.5. “File and printer sharing”
14.4.6. “Ready to apply network settings”
14.4.7. “You’re almost done”
14.5. Securing Your Network
14.5.1. Securing Your Wireless Connection
14.5.1.1. Name your wireless network and add a password
14.5.1.2. Tell the password to your wirelessly connected PCs
14.5.2. Activating Powerline Security
14.6. Sharing an Internet Connection
14.7. Sharing Printers
14.8. Exchanging Files Between PCs
14.8.1. Viewing, Copying, and Moving Files on Other PCs
14.8.2. Sharing Additional Folders
14.8.3. Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
14.8.4. Windows Briefcase
14.8.5. Mapping Network Drives
14.9. Sharing Monitors
14.10. Networking Two PCs
14.10.1. Ethernet Crossover Cable
14.10.2. FireWire Cable
14.10.3. Powerline
14.10.4. Wireless
14.10.5. Bluetooth
14.10.5.1. Connecting with a Bluetooth device
14.10.5.2. Transferring and receiving files
14.11. Troubleshooting Network Problems
14.11.1. General Network Problems
14.11.2. Wireless Network Problems
14.11.3. Bickering Wireless Software
14.11.4. Signal Strength
V. Maintenance, Security, and Troubleshooting
15. Security
15.1. Backing Up Your Computer
15.1.1. Backing Up Individual Items
15.1.2. Backing Up with Microsoft Backup
15.1.2.1. Start the Backup program
15.1.2.2. Choose Backup or Restore
15.1.2.3. Decide what to back up
15.1.2.4. Choose a backup type, destination, and name
15.1.2.5. Automate your backup
15.1.3. Restoring a Backup with Microsoft Backup
15.2. Creating Passwords
15.3. Activating Windows Update
15.3.1. Setting Windows Updates to Automatic
15.3.2. Windows XP’s Two Service Packs
15.4. Preventing Theft
15.5. Phishing
15.6. Adware, Spyware, and Other Threats
15.6.1. Types of Malware
15.6.2. Symptoms
15.6.3. Removal
15.6.3.1. Antivirus programs
15.6.3.2. Removing spyware and adware
15.7. Installing a Firewall
15.7.1. Hardware Firewall
15.7.2. Software Firewall
15.7.3. Windows Firewall
16. Fixing Common Problems
16.1. Undeleting Deleted Files
16.2. Quitting Frozen Programs
16.3. System Restore
16.3.1. Performing a System Restore
16.3.2. Creating a Restore Point
16.4. Resetting Windows XP Passwords
16.5. Troubleshooting Driver Problems
16.5.1. Troubleshooting with the Add Hardware Wizard
16.5.2. Working with Drivers in the Device Manager
16.5.2.1. Red Xs
16.5.2.2. Yellow !s
16.5.3. Finding a New Driver
16.5.4. Installing or Updating a Driver
16.5.5. When the New Driver Doesn’t Work
16.6. Speeding Up a Slow PC
16.7. Windows Activation
16.8. Windows’ Troubleshooters
VI. Appendices
A. Setting Up a PC
A.1. Removing Your PC from Its Box
A.2. Choosing Your PC’s Location
A.3. Plugging In Accessories
A.3.1. Your Chair and Your Posture
A.3.2. Monitor
A.3.3. Power Strip
A.3.4. Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
A.3.5. Mouse and Keyboard
A.3.6. Telephone Cable
A.3.7. Ethernet Cable
A.3.8. Speakers
A.3.9. Printer
A.4. Activating Your PC and Windows Update
B. Memory Cards and USB Drives
B.1. Memory Cards
B.1.1. Types of Memory Cards
B.1.1.1. CompactFlash (CF)
B.1.1.2. Microdrive
B.1.1.3. Memory Stick
B.1.1.4. Secure Digital (SD)
B.1.1.5. SmartMedia
B.1.1.6. xD Picture
B.1.2. Moving Data Between a Card and a PC
B.1.3. Caring and Feeding for Memory Cards
B.2. USB Drives
B.2.1. Staying Safe
B.2.2. Moving Data Between a USB Drive and a PC
B.2.3. USB Drive Travel Kit
B.3. Troubleshooting Flash Memory
B.3.1. Recovering Erased Photos or Data
C. Other Cool Things You Can Do Online
C.1. Faxing with Your PC
C.1.1. Faxing Requirements
C.1.2. Setting Up the Fax Program
C.1.3. Receiving Faxes
C.1.4. Sending Faxes
C.2. Gambling Online
C.3. Using Google Maps
C.3.1. Plotting a Trip
C.3.2. Browsing the Maps
C.4. Sending Greeting Cards
C.5. Instant Messaging
C.5.1. Adding Friends
C.5.1.1. Windows Messenger
C.5.1.2. AOL Instant Messenger
C.5.2. Sending and Receiving Information
C.6. Playing Online Games
C.6.1. Arcade Games
C.6.2. Massive Multiplayer Online Games
C.6.3. LAN Parties
C.7. Creating a Web Site
C.7.1. Creating Content
C.7.2. Editing a Web Site
C.7.3. Finding Web Space
C.7.4. Delivering Content to Your Site
C.8. Making Internet-based Phone Calls
C.8.1. Installing Skype Software
C.8.2. Making Calls with Skype
C.8.3. Receiving Calls with Skype
C.8.4. Troubleshooting Skype
D. Dealing with Technical Support
D.1. Getting Good Tech Support
D.2. Before Contacting Tech Support
D.3. Choosing Your Support
D.3.1. Web-based Support
D.3.2. Online Chat
D.3.3. Email Support
D.3.4. Phone Support
D.4. Sending Your PC to the Repair Shop
E. Packing a Laptop Bag
E.1. Fully Charged Battery
E.2. Power Adapter and Accessories
E.3. Business Card
E.4. Wireless Adapters
E.5. Mouse
E.6. Cables
E.7. PC Card Flash Reader
E.8. Manuals
E.9. DVD/CDs
E.10. FedEx Envelope and Airbill
E.11. Skype Account
Index
About the Authors
Colophon
Copyright
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9. Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
Part III. Storing Information
Chapter 9: Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
Chapter 10: CD and DVD Drives
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