Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies

Title Page
Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Introduction
	About This Book
	How This Book Works
	Icons Used in This Book
	Beyond the Book
	Where to Go from Here
Book 1 Solve My Problem Now!
	Chapter 1 Trouble Comes Hither
		The Root of All PC Trouble
		What’s Changed?
			Installing software
			Adding or removing hardware
			Changing settings
		Hardware versus Software Problems
			Dealing with software issues
			Solving hardware issues
		When to Give Up
	Chapter 2 Quick Fixes
		Things to Try First
			Restarting the PC
			Restarting a stubborn PC or laptop
			Running a troubleshooter
			Repairing a program
			Fixing Windows
			Restoring the system
		Help!
			Locating Internet support
			Downloading drivers
			Perusing forums
			Contacting tech support
			Be wary of remote desktop access!
Book 2 O, We Got Trouble!
	Chapter 1 Startup Problems
		The Onset of PC Heartbreak
		Phase I: Power On
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		Phase II: The POST
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		Phase III: Startup Options
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		Phase IV: The Search for an Operating System
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		Phase V: Operating System Initialization
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		Phase VI: Sign In to Windows
			What happens
			What could go wrong
			Troubleshooting steps
		The Last Thing You Do
	Chapter 2 Disk Disaster
		PC Storage Overview
			Understanding computer storage
			Exploring mass storage devices
			Finding mass storage in Windows
			Adding another mass storage device
			Adding media
			Replacing drive C
			Assigning drive letters
			Resolving AutoPlay issues
			Removing media and mass storage
		Mass Storage Tools and Utilities
			Opening the Disk Management console
			Finding mere mortal storage media tools
		Drive Management and Maintenance
			Understanding fragmentation
			Defragmenting a hard drive
			Checking storage media for errors
			Formatting media
			Changing drive letters
			Joining storage media to a folder
		Fun with Partitions
			Examining disk partitions
			Shrinking a volume
			Creating a new volume in unallocated space
			Extending a partition
			Deleting a partition
	Chapter 3 Monitor Mayhem
		The PC Graphics System
			Using the proper monitor terms
			Exploring the PC’s graphics system
			Connecting the display adapter and monitor
			Discovering your PC’s display adapter
			Exploring the monitor
			Adjusting the monitor
			Orienting a monitor vertically
			Connecting a second monitor
		Captain Video Troubleshooter
			Seeing nothing
			Seeing only the mouse pointer
			Swapping monitors
			Saving the screen
			Saving power
			Adjusting the resolution
			Updating the video driver
			Disabling the video driver
	Chapter 4 Internal Issues
		Deep Inside the Case
			Opening the PC case
			Exploring the motherboard
			Closing the PC case
		Things to Upgrade, Fix, or Repair Inside the Case
			Upgrading the power supply
			Replacing the clock battery
			Expanding memory
			Adding an expansion card
			Adding or replacing an internal drive
		Power Management Issues
			Locating power management controls
			Setting power management options for specific devices
			Recovering from a PC coma
			Updating power drivers
	Chapter 5 Printer Problems
		Between the Computer and Printer
			Connecting a printer
			Connecting a printer manually
			Sharing the printer
			Controlling the printer
			Disconnecting a printer
			Keeping the printer stocked
			Feeding envelopes
		The Windows Side of Printing
			Printing in Windows
			Using the Page Setup dialog box
			Setting the default printer
			Working with print jobs
			Canceling a print job
		Printer Driver Duties
			Checking the printer driver
			Browsing all printer drivers
			Removing or resetting the printer driver
		Printer Problems and Solutions
			“It printed on the wrong side of the page!”
			“Print preview lied!”
			“What’s this extra page?”
			“What are these wrong colors and streaks?”
			“What’s this weird character on the page?”
			“I see page after page of gobbledygook!”
			“The paper keeps jamming!”
			Using the Printing Troubleshooter
	Chapter 6 Peripheral Perils
		Hardware Troubleshooting
			Checking the Device Manager
			Diagnosing USB issues
			Doing the hardware swap
			Running a hardware troubleshooter
		Audio Anxieties
			Testing the speakers
			Connecting speakers
			Fixing silence
			Testing the microphone
			Running the audio troubleshooter
			Updating audio device drivers
		Keyboard and Mouse Woes
			Troubleshooting basic input dilemmas
			Taming a wild mouse
			Making the mouse pointer move faster or slower
			Improving mouse pointer visibility
			Using a left-handed mouse
			Honing the keyboard
			Vacuuming a keyboard
			Cleaning the mouse
	Chapter 7 Software Situations
		Installation Issues
			Adding software
			Downloading software
			Dealing with installation issues
		Banish the Unwanted
			Uninstalling software
			Removing bloatware
			Cleaning up the crud
		The Good and Evil of File Association
			Understanding file association
			Hiding or showing file extensions
			Reviewing associations
			Changing file association
			Dealing with unknown file types
		Common Software Problems and Solutions
			“How can I stop this program from starting automatically?”
			“I need to run this older program”
			“This program is broken!”
			“How can I purge the recently opened file list?”
	Chapter 8 Network Nonsense
		The Network Big Picture
			Understanding networking
			Reviewing network hardware
		Network Hardware Connection and Configuration
			Plugging in the network
			Connecting the gateway and modem
			Configuring a gateway
			Connecting to a wireless network
			Managing wireless connections
			Checking network privacy
		The Software Side of Networking
			Looking at the network
			Checking the Internet connection
			Enabling sharing options
			Sharing a folder
			Accessing shared folders on the network
			Mapping a network folder to a drive letter
		Network Troubleshooting
			Checking the Device Manager
			Resetting the NIC
			Upgrading the NIC’s driver
			Resetting the broadband modem
			Resetting the network software
			Restarting the entire network
		Network Problems and Solutions
			“What’s this firewall warning?”
			“Where did that network PC go?”
			“I can’t get a wireless connection!”
			“The Wi-Fi password has changed!”
			“What’s a ‘metered connection’?”
			“The hotel network keeps forgetting my laptop!”
	Chapter 9 Shutdown Issues
		Such a Turn-Off
			Walking through the Windows shutdown process
			Reviewing shutdown options
		Problems with Restarting
			Experiencing a random restart
			Restarting automatically
		Shutdown Malaise
			Upgrading software to fix shutdown issues
			Turning off a stubborn PC
			Waiting for an update to install
			Discovering that another user is signed in!
			Dealing with the Restart Anyway prompt
Book 3 Tools to Use
	Chapter 1 Windows Recovery Environment
		Startup Keys and Recovery Options
			Reviewing the startup keys
			Locating recovery options in Windows
			Resetting the PC
			Restoring the PC’s original version of Windows
			Using Advanced Startup
		The Sacred Recovery Volume
			Checking to see whether the PC has a recovery volume
			Creating a recovery volume
		The Windows Recovery Environment
			Starting the Windows Recovery Environment from Windows
			Starting the Windows Recovery Environment from a recovery volume or thumb drive
			Running the Windows Recovery Environment
			Choosing System Restore
			Recovering a system image
			Performing startup repair
			Using the command prompt
			Accessing the UEFI
			Changing startup settings
			Restoring a previous build
	Chapter 2 The Device Manager
		Your Pal, the Device Manager
			Opening the Device Manager
			Looking for hardware in the Settings app
		Device Manager Duties
			Dealing with errant hardware
			Updating driver software
			Disabling a device
			Enabling a device
	Chapter 3 MSCONFIG and the Task Manager
		The System Configuration Utility
			Exploring MSCONFIG
			Reviewing the troubleshooting tools
		MSCONFIG Startup Options
			Examining the startup services
			Disabling a startup service
	Chapter 4 Safe Mode
		The Mode Is Safe
		Safe Mode to the Rescue
			Understanding safe mode modes
			Entering diagnostic mode
			Using safe boot for safe mode
			Getting into safe mode at boot-time
			Entering safe mode unexpectedly
			Exploring safe boot options
			Signing into safe mode
			Leaving safe boot safe mode
		Safe Mode Duties
			Checking for problems in safe mode
			Running the System File Checker (SFC)
			Reviewing the CBS.log file
		Not Safe Mode Duties
	Chapter 5 System Restore
		The System Restore Philosophy
			Understanding System Restore
			Accepting System Restore’s limitations
			Activating System Restore
		Restore the System, Restore Your Sanity
			Running System Restore
			Getting to System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment
			Choosing another restore point
			Setting a restore point
			Undoing a System Restore
		System Restore on Schedule
	Chapter 6 The Task Manager
		Task Control Central
			Summoning the Task Manager
			Switching tasks
			Exploring the Task Manager window
			Connecting programs to processes
			Examining all the processes
			Enjoying the services
		Here a Task, There a Task
			Ending a stuck program
			Halting a process on the Details tab
			Disabling startup programs
	Chapter 7 The Windows Registry
		Behold the Registry
			Understanding the Registry
			Using the Registry Editor
			Backing up the Registry
			Modifying the Registry
			Making specific Registry changes
			Finding stuff in the Registry
		Registry Cleaning
	Chapter 8 Events and Diagnostics
		What Has Gone On Here?
			Reviewing events
			Understanding events
			Filtering and searching events
		Diagnostics to the Rescue
			Understanding diagnostics
			Viewing system information
			Diagnosing DirectX
			Running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
			Using other diagnostic tools
Book 4 PC Security
	Chapter 1 Windows Update
		Windows Updates, Doesn’t It?
			Understanding Windows Update
			Configuring Windows Update
			Reviewing updates
			Updating drivers
		Update Hiccups
			Undoing an update
			Fixing a stuck update
	Chapter 2 Keep Mr. PC Safe
		Malicious + Software = Malware
			Protecting your PC
			Obtaining malware (accidentally)
			Surviving the malware scourge
		Windows Defender to the Rescue
			Understanding malware protection
			Exploring Windows Defender
			Scanning for malware in Windows Defender
			Dealing with an infection
		Life Behind the Firewall
			Understanding the firewall
			Using the Windows Firewall
			Dealing with a firewall alert
			Reviewing firewall rules
	Chapter 3 Backup and Restore
		An Emergency Copy
		Prepare for Backup!
			Getting external storage
			Using network storage
			Configuring File History
			Selecting folders for backup
			Modifying the backup routine
			Making an immediate backup
			Confirming that the backup worked
		File Time-Travel
			Recovering an older version of a file
			Browsing File History
			Restoring all your personal files
		The System Image
			Creating the system image
			Restoring a system image
Book 5 This Old PC
	Chapter 1 Performance and Resources
		The Relationship Between Performance and Resources
		How Ya Doin’, PC?
			Viewing the Performance Monitor
			Checking the Performance tab
			Monitoring system resources
			Using the monitors as troubleshooting tools
	Chapter 2 More Mass Storage
		The Mass Storage Pie
			Looking at the storage situation
			Measuring bulky things
		Get Yourself More Mass Storage Capacity
			Dealing with large files
			Using Disk Cleanup
			Uninstalling programs
			Compressing single files
			Compressing every dang doodle file on a drive
		Even More Storage
			Adding mass storage
			Relocating programs
			Getting a larger Drive C
	Chapter 3 Boost PC Performance
		Man, Your PC Is Slow!
			Understanding slow
			Unclogging the spyware
			Finding a memory leak
		Speed Up Your PC
			Performing regular maintenance
			Upgrading the hard drive
			Adding more RAM
			Putting ReadyBoost to work
			Setting the number of processors
			Disabling background services
Index
About the Author
EULA