Troubleshooting and 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