PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, 4th Edition®
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2007943300
ISBN: 978-0-470-22338-3
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Mark L. Chambers has been an author, a computer consultant, a BBS sysop, a programmer, and a hardware technician for more than 20 years — pushing computers and their uses far beyond “normal” performance limits for decades now. His first love affair with a computer peripheral blossomed in 1984 when he bought his lightning-fast 300 BPS modem for his Atari 400. Now he spends entirely too much time on the Internet and drinks far too much caffeine-laden soda.
With a degree in journalism and creative writing from Louisiana State University, Mark took the logical career choice: programming computers. However, after five years as a COBOL programmer for a hospital system, he decided there must be a better way to earn a living, and he became the Documentation Manager for Datastorm Technologies, a well-known communications software developer. Somewhere in between writing software manuals, Mark began writing computer how-to books. His first book, Running a Perfect BBS, was published in 1994 — and after a short decade or so of fun (disguised as hard work), Mark is one of the most productive and best-selling technology authors on the planet.
Along with writing several books a year and editing whatever his publishers throw at him, Mark has also branched out into Web-based education, designing and teaching a number of online classes — called WebClinics — for Hewlett-Packard.
His favorite pastimes include collecting gargoyles, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, playing his three pinball machines and the latest computer games, supercharging computers, and rendering 3D flights of fancy with TrueSpace — and during all that, he listens to just about every type of music imaginable. Mark’s popular worldwide Internet radio station, MLC Radio (at www.mlcbooks.com), plays only CD-quality classics from 1970 to 1979, including everything from Rush to Billy Joel to the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Mark’s rapidly expanding list of books includes MacBook For Dummies; Apple TV For Dummies; iMac For Dummies, Fourth Edition; Mac OS X Leopard All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies; Building a PC_For Dummies, Fifth Edition; Scanners For Dummies, Second Edition; CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, Second Edition; PCs All-In-One Desk Reference For Dummies, Third Edition; Mac OS X Tiger: Top 100 Simplified Tips & Tricks; Microsoft Office v. X Power User’s Guide; BURN IT! Creating Your Own Great DVDs and CDs; The Hewlett-Packard Official Printer Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Recordable CD Handbook; The Hewlett-Packard Official Digital Photography Handbook; Computer Gamer’s Bible; Recordable CD Bible; Teach Yourself the iMac Visually; Running a Perfect BBS; Official Netscape Guide to Web Animation; and the Windows 98 Troubleshooting and Optimizing Little Black Book.
His books have been translated into 14 different languages so far — his favorites are German, Polish, Dutch, and French. Although he can’t read them, he enjoys the pictures a great deal.
Mark welcomes all comments about his books. You can reach him at mark@mlcbooks.com, or visit MLC Books Online, his Web site, at www.mlcbooks.com.
This book is dedicated to my daughter in-between, Chelsea Chambers — graphic designer, Johnny Depp expert, mathematician, and audiophile — with all my love.
Books don’t produce themselves — and no book that I’ve written is complete without a round of sincere thanks (and applause) that’s due to everyone involved!
First, my appreciation to my technical editor, Lee Musick, who spent weeks checking every fact and verifying every menu choice in this book. I do a lot of technical editing myself, and I can tell you that it’s no simple task to wade through this many chapters — it takes a combination of long nights and lots of soda.
This is my fourth All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies volume, and again, the Wiley Composition Services team has outdone itself in designing and preparing the material. All the beautiful formatting in this book (including every single figure and screen shot, all the step-by-step procedures, and the regular appearances of Mark’s Maxims) is a testament to this team’s hard work.
As with all my books, I’d like to thank my wife, Anne, and my children, Erin, Chelsea, and Rose, for their support and love — and for letting me follow my dream!
And I won’t forget the support, the patience, and the guidance of Kyle Looper, my acquisitions editor, and Nicole Sholly, my project editor. Kyle, I hope I kept any headaches to a minimum, even with a tome this size. And Nicole, I was again very lucky to have you at the helm of another Wiley book! My heartfelt thanks to you both.
We’re proud of this book; please send us your comments through our online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions and Editorial
Project Editor: Nicole Sholly
(Previous Edition: Mark Enochs)
Acquisitions Editor: Kyle Looper
Copy Editor: Rebecca Whitney
(Previous Edition: Heidi Unger)
Technical Editor: Lee Musick
Editorial Manager: Kevin Kirschner
Editorial Assistant: Amanda Foxworth
Sr. Editorial Assistant: Cherie Case
Cartoons: Rich Tennant (www.the5thwave.com)
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Lynsey Stanford
Layout and Graphics: Claudia Bell, Carl Byers, Joyce Haughey, Melissa K. Jester, Barbara Moore, Ronald Terry, Christine Williams
Special Art:
Proofreaders: John Greenough, Caitie Kelly, Bonnie Mikkelson
Indexer: Steve Rath
Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies
Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher
Mary Bednarek, Executive Acquisitions Director
Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director
Publishing for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele, Vice President and Publisher
Joyce Pepple, Acquisitions Director
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey, Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey, Director of Composition Services
Title
Introduction
What’s Really Required
What’s Not Required
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Part I : PC Hardware
Chapter 1: Starting with the Basics
Basic Terms
The Common Components of a Desktop PC
Desktop PCs versus Laptop PCs
RAM and Processors: The Keys to Performance
Your Friend, Your Operating System
Chapter 2: Additional Toys Your PC Will Enjoy
Printers
Scanners
Keyboards, Tablets, and Pointing Things
Big-Time Game Controllers
Video and Digital Cameras
External Drives
Surge Protectors and UPS Units
Chapter 3: Connectors, Ports, and Sundry Openings
Using USB Stuff
Riding in the Fast Lane with FireWire
Your Fossilized Serial Port
The Once-Renowned Parallel Port
Meet Your Video Port
Audio Connectors You Likely Need
Keyboard and Mouse Ports on Parade
Chapter 4: Maintaining Your Hardware
When Should You Move Your PC?
Avoiding Dust Bunnies
Watching Your Cables
Cleaning Monitors and Scanners
Cleaning Your Mouse and Keyboard
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Printer
Part II : Windows Vista
Chapter 1: Shake Hands with Windows Vista
Why Windows Vista, Anyway?
Shutting Things Down
Your Windows Vista Controls
Using Bill’s Funky Keys
Using the Windows Vista Help System
Chapter 2: The Many Windows of Windows
Managing Windows Means Productivity
A Field Guide to Icons
Selecting Icons
Using the Toolbar
Chapter 3: Windows Vista Basics
Running Applications from the Start Menu
Running Applications from Your Hard Drive
Running Applications from a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM
Running Applications from a Network Drive
Exiting a Program
Putting Your Files in Order
Emptying the Recycle Bin
Recovering Items from the Recycle Bin
Putting the Start Menu through Its Paces
Handling the Taskbar
Terminating a Program with Prejudice
Formatting a Floppy Disk
Chapter 4: Customizing Windows Vista
Personalizing Your Desktop
Switching Views and Sorting Items
Don’t Forget Folders View!
What’s This Stuff in the My User Folder?
Share the Documents
Creating a Shortcut
Multiuser Operation For Dummies
Fax Me, Please
Doing the Multimedia Thing
Chapter 5: Maintaining the Vista Beast
Device Manager: The Hardware Tool
Checking Your Hard Drives in Windows Vista
Defragmenting Just Plain Rocks
Be Smart: Back Up Your Stuff
Safeguarding Your System with System Restore
Have at Thee, Foul Virus!
Windows Vista Boot and Recovery Options
Using Windows Update
Installing Vista Service Pack 1
Chapter 6: Taking Control of the Control Panel
First, Put the Control Panel on the Start Menu!
Configuring the Date and Time
Changing Personalization Settings
Choosing AutoPlay Options
Adjusting the Power Options
Tweaking the Keyboard
Adjusting Thy Mouse
Configuring Internet Options
Uninstalling and Repairing Programs and Features
Fine-Tuning User Accounts
Configuring Phone and Modem Options
Chapter 7: Easy Vista Troubleshooting
Relax and Breathe Easy
The Troubleshooting Process, Step by Step
Drastic Things That You Won’t Do Often
HELP! Additional Troubleshooting Resources
Part III : The Internet
Chapter 1: Making Sense of the Internet
Exactly What Is the Internet, Anyway?
Exploring the Possibilities of Your Internet Connection
Understanding Internet Connections
“What Exactly Do I Need?”
Chapter 2: Adding a Dialup Connection to Windows Vista
Gathering the Account Incantations
Making the Physical Connection
Creating a New Dialup Connection in Windows Vista
“Is My Connection Alive?”
“My Connection Appears to Be Dead”
Chapter 3: Protecting Your Internet Privacy
What Can Really Happen?
Common Sense Goes a Long Way
Using Antivirus Software
Chapter 4: Cruising the Web with Internet Explorer
Running Internet Explorer
The Explorer Window and Basic Controls
Navigating the Web
Downloading Files
Keeping Track of Where You’ve Been
Printing and Saving Web Pages
Chapter 5: Harnessing Your E-Mail
Introducing the Mail Window
Setting Up Your Mailbox
The Three R’s: Receiving, Reading, and Replying
Sending E-Mail to Friends and Enemies
Sending and Receiving File Attachments
Spam: I Hate It — Truly I Do!
Working with the Address Book
Chapter 6: Instant Messaging Done Right
Selecting a Chat Client
Running Windows Live Messenger
Configuring Windows Live Messenger
Keeping Track of Friends and Family
Chatting with Your Brethren
Selecting a Status
Squelching the Unwelcome Few
Part IV : Microsoft Works
Chapter 1: An Overview of Works
What Can You Do with Works?
Introducing Task Launcher
Displaying Help within Works
Chapter 2: Word Processing in Works
Running Word Processor
Your Word Processing Tools
Typing Text
Selecting and Editing Text
Finding and Replacing Stuff
Formatting Fonts and Paragraphs
Formatting Bullets and Numbered Lists
Adding Graphics
Adding Tables
Checking Your Spelling
Printing Your Documents
Chapter 3: Working with Spreadsheets
Running the Spreadsheet
Introducing the Spreadsheet Window
A Word about Works Spreadsheets
Navigating the Spreadsheet and Entering Data
Selecting and Editing Cells
Formatting a Cell, Row, or Column
Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
Using Easy Calc
Adding a Chart
Printing Your Documents
Chapter 4: Using Works Calendar
Checking Out the Calendar
Creating a New Calendar
Adding and Editing Appointments
Searching for Specific Appointments
Filtering Appointments
Exporting Appointments
Printing Appointments
Chapter 5: Having Fun with Works Database
Getting Started with Works Database
Creating a Database and Entering Data
Editing a Database
Sorting and Searching for Specific Records
Building Reports
Printing Database Documents
Part V : Office 2007
Chapter 1: Introducing Office 2007
The Components of Office 2007
Putting the Office Clipboard to Work
Sharing Well with Others
Using the Office Help System
Chapter 2: Using Word
Running Word
The Elements of Word
A Word about Views
Typing, Selecting, and Editing Text
Finding and Replacing Stuff
Building Tables
Adding Bulleted and Numbered Lists
Adjusting Tabs and Margins
Applying Formatting
Adding Graphics
Doing the Collaboration Thing
Printing Your Document
Chapter 3: Putting Excel to Work
Running Excel
Waltzing Around the Excel Window
Selecting, Entering, and Editing Cell Data
Working with Numbers and Dates
Working with Rows and Columns
Formatting in Excel
The Basics of Excel Formulas
Working with Graphics in Excel
Adding a Chart
Linking Cells
Adding Headers and Footers
Printing Your Worksheets
Chapter 4: Performing with PowerPoint
Getting Your Bearings in PowerPoint
Changing Views
Creating Slides
Typing, Selecting, and Editing Text
Installing Graphics in Your Slides
Applying a Theme
Entering Notes
Using Movies and Sound
Building and Running a Slide Show
Making a Transition ’twixt Slides
Using Package for CD
Printing Your Document
Chapter 5: Doing Database Magic with Access
Running Access
A Quick Tour of the Access Window
Creating Access Tables
Creating a Form with the Wizard
Entering and Editing Fields Manually
Using Access Templates
Printing Your Data
Chapter 6: Staying in Touch with Outlook
Running Outlook
Elements of the Outlook Window
Configuring Your Mail Account
Reading and Replying to E-Mail
Composing and Sending Messages
Using File Attachments
Keeping Track of Your Contacts
Using the Outlook Calendar
Printing within Outlook
Part VI : Fun with Movies, Music, and Photos
Chapter 1: Scanning with Gusto
What Happens Inside a Scanner?
Your Friend, the Flatbed
Popular Scanner Features
Basic Scanning with Paint Shop Pro
Scanning Do’s and Don’ts
Those Irritating (Or Invaluable) Copyrights
Adding a Copyright Line
Chapter 2: Dude, MP3 Rocks!
An MP3 Primer
Ripping Your Own MP3 Files
Listening to Your Stuff
Downloading to an MP3 Player
Using Other Sound Formats
Burning Audio CDs from MP3 Files
Chapter 3: Making Movies with Your PC
Getting the Lowdown on ShowBiz DVD 2
Rounding Up Clips and Images
Building Your First Movie
Adding Transitions without Breaking a Sweat
Adding Special Effects without Paying George Lucas
Adding Sound
You’ve Just Gotta Have Titles!
Previewing Your Oscar-Winning Work
Saving and Burning Before Traveling to Cannes
Chapter 4: I Can Make My Own DVDs?
Welcome to Windows DVD Maker
Clips ’R Easy!
Time to Preview
Burning Your DVD and Celebrating Afterward
Chapter 5: I’m Okay, You’re a Digital Camera
How Does a Digital Camera Work?
The Pros and Cons of Digital Photography
Digital Camera Extras to Covet
The Lazy-Man’s Guide to Composing Photographs
Organizing Your Pictures
Downloading Your Images
Part VII : Upgrading and Supercharging
Chapter 1: Determining What to Upgrade
Making Performance Upgrades: CPU, Motherboard, and Memory
Expansion Upgrades: USB 2.0 and FireWire
Making Storage Upgrades: Internal and External Drives
Making Sound and Video Upgrades: Sound and Video Cards
Chapter 2: Adding RAM to Your Hot Rod
Figuring Out What Type of Memory You Need
Deciding How Much RAM Is Enough
Installing Extra RAM
Chapter 3: Scotty, I Need More Power!
Hey, Do I Need to Do This?
Selecting a New Motherboard
Installing a Motherboard and CPU
Chapter 4: Adding Hard Drive Territory to Your System
The Tale of Virtual Memory
Recognizing a Well-Dressed Hard Drive
Internal versus External Storage
Adding a Second Internal Hard Drive
Chapter 5: Partying with USB, FireWire, and Hubs
Comparing USB Ports
I Vote for FireWire
Or Do You Just Need a Hub?
Installing a Port Card
Chapter 6: Pumping Up Your Sound and Video
Sound Card Features to Covet
Shopping for a Monster Graphics Card
Installing Sound and Video Cards
Part VIII : Home Networking
Chapter 1: Do I Really Need a Network?
Discovering the Advantages of a Network
What Can I Connect To?
What Hardware Do I Need?
What Software Do I Need?
To Network or Not to Network
Chapter 2: Ethernet to the Rescue
A Quickie Ethernet Primer
The Hardware You Need
Doing the Cable Dance
Configuring Windows Vista for Your Network
Printing Across the Network
Using a Standard Switch with a Cable or DSL Modem
Troubleshooting Your Network
Chapter 3: Going Wireless
Understanding Wireless Networking
Using Wireless Hardware in Windows XP and Vista
Chapter 4: Sharing Your Internet Connection
Why Share Your Internet Connection?
Sharing through Software in Windows Vista
Sharing through Hardware
Chapter 5: Securing Your Home Network
Common Sense Tips for Wired Networks
Ensuring Security on Your Wireless Network
Using Shared Folders (The Right Way)
Knowing Why You Need NAT
Marveling at the Magic of Virtual Private Networking