How This Book Is Organized
Leo Laporte's PC Help Desk includes the following sections:
Ten chapters cover all the important hardware and software components of your computer and peripherals. An appendix includes a guide to troubleshooting methods and tools and over 50 flowcharts to help you solve the most common PC and peripheral problems. The following sections explain the book sections in greater details.
Chapter 1: PC Anatomy 101
The first chapter of this book provides a detailed look at what makes your computer work inside and out, along with coverage of the BIOS setup program, hardware resources, Power-On Self-Test error codes, and coverage of the major I/O port types in typical computers. Because you need to be careful when you work inside your computer, this chapter also provides you with instructions on how to avoid damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Wherever you are on the computer knowledge scale, from novice to expert, be sure to read Chapter 1 for valuable background. If you're in a hurry for particular information about your PC's internal layout or external ports, use the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the beginning of the chapter to go straight to the appropriate section of the book.
Chapter 2: Troubleshooting Windows XP and Windows Applications
Chapter 2 starts with a Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table. Dig into it for fast help with the most common problems with Windows and software (shovel not included). In this chapter, you learn how to troubleshoot and solve problems with the Windows boot, startup, and shutdown processes. Next, you discover how to use Control Panel to solve problems with your system, how to use Device Manager to fix balky components, and how to use other Windows XP tools such as System Information, Net Diagnostics, CHKDSK, Defrag, and others to solve common problems. This chapter also shows you how to keep Windows up to date with service packs and Windows Update, and how to repair a "broken" Windows installation. If Windows works but programs don't, this chapter also shows you how to fix and update problem programs, how to fix STOP (blue screen) errors, and how to select the best tools to stop viruses and slam spyware. This chapter assumes that you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 (because Microsoft says it's good for you, and this is one time they're right!).
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting Storage Devices
If your PC's running out of storage space or can't read some of its drives, forget about passing Go. Instead, proceed directly to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of the chapter.
In this chapter, you learn how to solve problems with floppy drives, ATA/IDE and Serial ATA (SATA) internal hard disks, as well as external drives that connect through USB, IEEE-1394, or CardBus connectors. This chapter also covers drive upgrades for both desktop and portable computers, and wraps up with solutions for rewritable CD and DVD drives, including the latest dual-layer models.
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Your Printer
No printing? Garbage printing? Wasting paper? Read Fast Track to Solutions at the start of this chapter. (It's preprinted for your troubleshooting convenience!) Inside this chapter, learn how to diagnose printers that won't print or print gibberish output and solve problems with standard and photo inkjet printers, dye-sublimation photo printers, or laser and LED printers. Learn how to use printer properties sheets to achieve top-quality output.
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting Graphics and Sound Problems
Fuzzy monitor? Shaky sound? If you've already cleaned your glasses and removed your earplugs but things haven't improved, mosey on over to the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the start of this chapter for help.
In this chapter, you learn how to troubleshoot monitor and graphics card problems, tweak your display for best visual quality, set up multiple displays, improve 3D game performance with graphics and audio settings, reinstall or update a driver, and fix audio problems with applications and music CDs.
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Multimedia and Imaging Devices
Hit the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the front of the chapter instead of hitting a balky DV camcorder, bothersome digital camera, or other multimedia hardware and software.
In this chapter, you learn how to fix DV camcorder or digital camera connections to your PC, recover data from formatted or erased media, fix DVD playback problems, solve compatibility issues with digital music players, make Windows Media Player work your way, and improve the quality and performance of photo scanners.
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting I/O Ports and Input Devices
If your mousing is miserable or your ports are leaning to starboard, steer for the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the start of this chapter. In this chapter, discover the best methods for troubleshooting problems with IEEE-1394, USB, PS/2, serial, and parallel ports. Learn how to get the most out of USB 2.0 ports and solve problems with standard and wireless keyboards and mice.
Chapter 8: Troubleshooting Your Network and Internet Connections
Got an Internet connection that connects to nothing? Got a "notwork" instead of a network? Get thee to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of this chapter, pronto! In this chapter, you learn how to fix problems caused by bad web-viewing components, discover the meaning of website error messages and numbers, solve problems with analog and broadband Internet connections, repair broken Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks, and discover TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting tools and methods.
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Memory, Processor, and System Performance Problems
If your computer acts as if it's sloth-powered, go to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of the chapter for help. In this chapter, you learn how to track down the causes of slow system performance and solve them through virtual memory fine-tuning as well as processor or memory upgrades. Discover the best solutions for cooling problems and how to right-size a memory upgrade. Find out how to avoid motherboard and processor failures.
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Power Problems
If your computer won't boot or reboots whenever it feels like it, power up with the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of this chapter. In this chapter, you discover the signs of power supply overloading and failure, learn how to perform a power supply upgrade, and how to protect your system from poor-quality power or electrical blackouts.
Appendix: Flowcharts and Troubleshooting Methodology
A human appendix is mostly useless. On the other hand, this appendix is one of the most useful sections in the entire book (the rest of the book's pretty good too!). Whether you've arrived at the flowcharts from a symptoms table or headed straight to the back, you'll find dozens of flowcharts to help you with major PC and peripheral problems. A sample flowchart helps you understand the concept if you're new to flowchart-driven troubleshooting.
If you're an experienced troubleshooter, the flowcharts might be all you need. However, if you're new to solving your own computer problems, be sure to read the section called "Troubleshooting Methodology." We've placed it at the front of this appendix so you won't miss it. This section puts our recommendations for tools, techniques, and general troubleshooting philosophy at your fingertips.
Read Comments to Download This Guide
Leo Laporte's PC Help Desk includes the following sections:
Ten chapters cover all the important hardware and software components of your computer and peripherals. An appendix includes a guide to troubleshooting methods and tools and over 50 flowcharts to help you solve the most common PC and peripheral problems. The following sections explain the book sections in greater details.
Chapter 1: PC Anatomy 101
The first chapter of this book provides a detailed look at what makes your computer work inside and out, along with coverage of the BIOS setup program, hardware resources, Power-On Self-Test error codes, and coverage of the major I/O port types in typical computers. Because you need to be careful when you work inside your computer, this chapter also provides you with instructions on how to avoid damage from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
Wherever you are on the computer knowledge scale, from novice to expert, be sure to read Chapter 1 for valuable background. If you're in a hurry for particular information about your PC's internal layout or external ports, use the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the beginning of the chapter to go straight to the appropriate section of the book.
Chapter 2: Troubleshooting Windows XP and Windows Applications
Chapter 2 starts with a Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table. Dig into it for fast help with the most common problems with Windows and software (shovel not included). In this chapter, you learn how to troubleshoot and solve problems with the Windows boot, startup, and shutdown processes. Next, you discover how to use Control Panel to solve problems with your system, how to use Device Manager to fix balky components, and how to use other Windows XP tools such as System Information, Net Diagnostics, CHKDSK, Defrag, and others to solve common problems. This chapter also shows you how to keep Windows up to date with service packs and Windows Update, and how to repair a "broken" Windows installation. If Windows works but programs don't, this chapter also shows you how to fix and update problem programs, how to fix STOP (blue screen) errors, and how to select the best tools to stop viruses and slam spyware. This chapter assumes that you have installed Windows XP Service Pack 2 (because Microsoft says it's good for you, and this is one time they're right!).
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting Storage Devices
If your PC's running out of storage space or can't read some of its drives, forget about passing Go. Instead, proceed directly to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of the chapter.
In this chapter, you learn how to solve problems with floppy drives, ATA/IDE and Serial ATA (SATA) internal hard disks, as well as external drives that connect through USB, IEEE-1394, or CardBus connectors. This chapter also covers drive upgrades for both desktop and portable computers, and wraps up with solutions for rewritable CD and DVD drives, including the latest dual-layer models.
Chapter 4: Troubleshooting Your Printer
No printing? Garbage printing? Wasting paper? Read Fast Track to Solutions at the start of this chapter. (It's preprinted for your troubleshooting convenience!) Inside this chapter, learn how to diagnose printers that won't print or print gibberish output and solve problems with standard and photo inkjet printers, dye-sublimation photo printers, or laser and LED printers. Learn how to use printer properties sheets to achieve top-quality output.
Chapter 5: Troubleshooting Graphics and Sound Problems
Fuzzy monitor? Shaky sound? If you've already cleaned your glasses and removed your earplugs but things haven't improved, mosey on over to the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the start of this chapter for help.
In this chapter, you learn how to troubleshoot monitor and graphics card problems, tweak your display for best visual quality, set up multiple displays, improve 3D game performance with graphics and audio settings, reinstall or update a driver, and fix audio problems with applications and music CDs.
Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Multimedia and Imaging Devices
Hit the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the front of the chapter instead of hitting a balky DV camcorder, bothersome digital camera, or other multimedia hardware and software.
In this chapter, you learn how to fix DV camcorder or digital camera connections to your PC, recover data from formatted or erased media, fix DVD playback problems, solve compatibility issues with digital music players, make Windows Media Player work your way, and improve the quality and performance of photo scanners.
Chapter 7: Troubleshooting I/O Ports and Input Devices
If your mousing is miserable or your ports are leaning to starboard, steer for the Fast Track to Solutions symptom tables at the start of this chapter. In this chapter, discover the best methods for troubleshooting problems with IEEE-1394, USB, PS/2, serial, and parallel ports. Learn how to get the most out of USB 2.0 ports and solve problems with standard and wireless keyboards and mice.
Chapter 8: Troubleshooting Your Network and Internet Connections
Got an Internet connection that connects to nothing? Got a "notwork" instead of a network? Get thee to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of this chapter, pronto! In this chapter, you learn how to fix problems caused by bad web-viewing components, discover the meaning of website error messages and numbers, solve problems with analog and broadband Internet connections, repair broken Ethernet and Wi-Fi networks, and discover TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting tools and methods.
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting Memory, Processor, and System Performance Problems
If your computer acts as if it's sloth-powered, go to the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of the chapter for help. In this chapter, you learn how to track down the causes of slow system performance and solve them through virtual memory fine-tuning as well as processor or memory upgrades. Discover the best solutions for cooling problems and how to right-size a memory upgrade. Find out how to avoid motherboard and processor failures.
Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Power Problems
If your computer won't boot or reboots whenever it feels like it, power up with the Fast Track to Solutions symptoms table at the start of this chapter. In this chapter, you discover the signs of power supply overloading and failure, learn how to perform a power supply upgrade, and how to protect your system from poor-quality power or electrical blackouts.
Appendix: Flowcharts and Troubleshooting Methodology
A human appendix is mostly useless. On the other hand, this appendix is one of the most useful sections in the entire book (the rest of the book's pretty good too!). Whether you've arrived at the flowcharts from a symptoms table or headed straight to the back, you'll find dozens of flowcharts to help you with major PC and peripheral problems. A sample flowchart helps you understand the concept if you're new to flowchart-driven troubleshooting.
If you're an experienced troubleshooter, the flowcharts might be all you need. However, if you're new to solving your own computer problems, be sure to read the section called "Troubleshooting Methodology." We've placed it at the front of this appendix so you won't miss it. This section puts our recommendations for tools, techniques, and general troubleshooting philosophy at your fingertips.
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