The Complete Idiot's Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

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PC Basics

Windows 7 Edition

by Joe Kraynak

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

PC Basics

Windows 7 Edition

by Joe Kraynak

A member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

To my “kids,” Nick and Ali, who constantly inspire me to keep up with the latest technology.

ALPHA BOOKS

Published by the Penguin Group

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Copyright © 2011 by Joe Kraynak

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Contents

Part 1: Getting Started ..................................................................1

1

Buying the Right Computer for You ................................3

Assessing Your Computing Needs ........................................................3

Focusing on Mobility.............................................................................3

Desktop PC..........................................................................................4

Notebook (Laptop)................................................................................4

Tablet PC ............................................................................................4

Netbook ................................................................................................5

Recommendation ..................................................................................5

Focusing on Key PC Components........................................................6

Central Processing Unit (CPU) ...........................................................6

Operating System ................................................................................6

Random Access Memory (RAM)..........................................................7

Hard Drive .........................................................................................8

Optical Drive for CDs and DVDs .......................................................8

Video Adapter ......................................................................................9

Monitor .............................................................................................10

Sound Card .......................................................................................12

Ports and Jacks ..................................................................................13

Networking, Wi-Fi, and Wireless Broadband ....................................14

Bluetooth Wireless Connectivity ......................................................... 15

Webcam ............................................................................................. 15

Keyboard ............................................................................................ 16

Mouse or Touchpad ............................................................................ 16

Additional Portable PC Considerations .............................................. 16

Printer .............................................................................................. 16

Shopping for a PC with Room to Grow .............................................. 17

Warranty and Technical Support ....................................................... 18

Going Shopping ...................................................................................18

Finding a Manufacturer and Line of PCs You Like ........................... 18

Exploring Different Models and Packages..........................................19

Researching Your Options ...................................................................19

Shopping for the Best Price ................................................................20

2

Setting Up, Starting, and Turning Off Your PC ........... 21

Unpacking Your Equipment ................................................................ 21

Finding a Comfortable Home for Your PC........................................22

Connecting Everything .......................................................................23

iv The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

Turning It On.......................................................................................26

Dealing with the First-Time Startup Ritual ......................................26

Turning It Off, Shutting It Down ......................................................28

3

Taking Control with Input Devices ................................ 31

Mastering Basic Mouse Moves ............................................................ 31

Navigating with a Touchpad ............................................................... 33

Pecking Away at the Keyboard ............................................................33

Pressing Key+Key Combinations ........................................................34

Cutting Corners with the Windows Key .............................................34

Using Dual-Function Keys on Portable PCs .......................................35

Getting in Touch with Your Touch-Screen ....................................... 35

Customizing Your Mouse, Touchpad, and Keyboard ........................36

Adjusting Your Mouse Settings..........................................................36

Adjusting Your Keyboard Settings......................................................37

Enabling Windows Accessibility Features..........................................37

Barking Out Commands with Speech Recognition ...........................38

4 Getting Around in Windows 7 ....................................... 39

Exploring the Windows Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar ............39

Windows Desktop ..............................................................................40

Start Button......................................................................................40

Taskbar ..............................................................................................42

Notification Area ...............................................................................42

Managing Windows on Your Desktop ...............................................43

Resizing a Window............................................................................44

Moving a Window.............................................................................44

Moving and Resizing Windows with Snap.........................................44

Switching to a Window......................................................................44

Arranging Windows on the Desktop...................................................45

Closing a Window .............................................................................46

Clearing the Desktop ..........................................................................46

Shaking a Window into Focus ............................................................46

Seeing More with Scrollbars...............................................................46

Ordering from Menus and Dialog Boxes ............................................47

Clicking Menu Options ......................................................................47

Using Context Menus ........................................................................47

Talking with a Dialog Box .................................................................47

Bypassing Menus by Using Toolbar Buttons .....................................48

Checking Out Windows Accessories and Games ..............................48

Contents v

5

Getting Help ........................................................................ 51

Using the Windows Help System ....................................................... 51

Turning Online Help On and Off......................................................52

Searching for Specific Help.................................................................52

Browsing the Help System..................................................................53

Learning How to Get Started with a New PC...................................53

Brushing Up on Windows Basics........................................................53

Getting Context-Sensitive Help..........................................................53

Getting Help from Other People........................................................54

Getting Remote Assistance from a Friend ..........................................54

Exploring Microsoft Answers.............................................................56

Contacting Your Computer Manufacturer or Microsoft Support ........56

Getting More Windows Help on the Web ...........................................56

Getting Help with Applications and Games ......................................56

Part 2: Taking Control of Your PC ............................................59

6 Changing the Look and Feel of Windows...................61

Personalizing Windows ....................................................................... 61

Adjusting the Display Settings............................................................64

Changing Text and Object Size..........................................................64

Adjusting the Screen Resolution .........................................................64

Managing a Dual-Display Configuration..........................................64

Connecting a Projector to Your PC.....................................................66

Taking Control of Desktop Icons .......................................................66

Adding Desktop Icons .........................................................................66

Deleting Desktop Icons .......................................................................67

Hiding All Desktop Icons ...................................................................68

Renaming Icons..................................................................................68

Rearranging Icons ..............................................................................68

Adding Gadgets to Your Desktop .......................................................68

Configuring the Taskbar .....................................................................70

Adjusting the Taskbar Properties .......................................................70

Moving and Resizing the Taskbar ......................................................70

Adding Icons ......................................................................................71

Adding a Toolbar ...............................................................................71

Changing the Date and Time ............................................................71

vi The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

Personalizing Your Start Menu ...........................................................72

Pin a Program to the Start Menu......................................................72

Removing Programs from the Start Menu.........................................72

Clear Recently Opened Files ...............................................................72

Customize the Appearance of Start Menu Items .................................72

Configuring Power-Saving Features...................................................73

Adjusting Your PC’s Speaker Volume ................................................. 74

7 Creating and Managing User Accounts....................... 75

Adding a New User to Your PC.......................................................... 75

Making Changes to a User Account ...................................................76

Enabling or Disabling the Guest Account..........................................77

Setting Parental Controls for a User ..................................................78

Activating and Configuring Windows Parental Controls ...................78

Using Windows Live Family Safety ...................................................79

Logging Off Windows .........................................................................80

8 Managing Disks, Files, and Folders ...............................81

Disk Drives: Easy as A-B-C.................................................................81

The Hard Disk Drive: C ...................................................................82

The CD or DVD Drive: Usually D ...................................................82

External Drives and Other Anomalies ...............................................83

Loading and Unloading CDs and DVDs ...........................................84

Using an External USB or Flash Drive ............................................85

Exploring Your Disks, Folders, and Files ...........................................85

Using the Navigation Bar ..................................................................88

Changing Icon Size............................................................................88

Rearranging Items .............................................................................89

Applying View Preferences to All Folders ...........................................89

Choosing Single-Click or Double-Click Navigation ............................89

Adjusting More Folder Options ..........................................................90

Managing Your Files Using Windows Libraries ...............................90

Understanding Windows Libraries ....................................................90

Browsing a Library’s Contents ...........................................................90

Adding Folders to a Library ...............................................................91

Creating a New Library ....................................................................91

Arranging a Library’s Contents ......................................................... 91

Changing the Default Save Location..................................................92

Contents vii

Finding Files and Folders ....................................................................92

Searching Your Entire PC .................................................................92

Searching a Library or Folder............................................................93

Using Search Filters...........................................................................94

Managing Files and Folders .................................................................94

Selecting Files and Folders .................................................................95

Tagging and Rating Files ...................................................................95

Making Your Own Folders ................................................................96

Deleting and Recovering Files: The Recycle Bin ..................................96

Renaming Folders and Files ...............................................................97

Moving and Copying Folders and Files ...............................................97

Copying Files to a CD or DVD ..........................................................98

Sharing Folders and Files with Other Users ......................................99

9 Running, Installing, and Uninstalling Programs ........ 101

Running Your Programs.................................................................... 101

Using Jump Lists for Quick Access to Programs and Files ................102

Buying Software Your Hardware Can Run ...................................... 103

Where to Find Programs................................................................... 105

The Usual Places You Shop .............................................................. 105

Installing Your New Program ...........................................................106

Removing a Program You Never Use ...............................................107

10 Installing and Managing Additional

Hardware Devices ........................................................... 109

Upgrade or Buy a New PC? ..............................................................109

Exploring Upgrades and Optional Accessories ................................ 110

Installing External Devices ............................................................... 111

USB ................................................................................................ 112

Wireless (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi)....................................................... 113

Installing Internal Devices and Upgrades ........................................ 114

RAM Upgrades ............................................................................... 115

Expansion Cards .............................................................................. 116

Installing an Internal Disk Drive .................................................... 117

Upgrading Laptops, Notebooks, and Netbooks .............................. 119

11 Networking Your PC at Home and on the Road .......121

Exploring Your Networking Options ...............................................122

Wireless (Wi-Fi) .............................................................................122

Ethernet .......................................................................................... 123

viii The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

HomePNA ....................................................................................... 123

Powerline ......................................................................................... 123

Hybrid ............................................................................................. 124

Networking Hardware Checklist ......................................................124

Wireless Networking Hardware ....................................................... 124

Ethernet Networking Hardware ...................................................... 125

HomePNA Networking Hardware................................................... 126

Powerline Networking Hardware ..................................................... 126

Setting Up Your Network .................................................................126

Installing the Hardware ...................................................................126

Setting Up Your Internet Connection (Now or Later)......................127

Connecting the Cables and Cords ......................................................127

Connecting a Printer (Now or Later) ..............................................128

Turning Everything On...................................................................128

Setting Up a Wireless Router ........................................................... 129

Running the Set Up a Network Wizard ..........................................130

Choosing a Network Location........................................................... 131

Testing Your Network ......................................................................132

Sharing Files in a Homegroup .......................................................... 133

Creating a Homegroup .................................................................... 133

Joining a Homegroup.......................................................................134

Sharing with Everybody, Somebody, or Nobody ................................134

Checking an Item’s Share Setting ..................................................... 135

Accessing Shared Disks, Folders, and Files ........................................ 136

Mapping a Network Drive to Your Computer.................................. 136

Installing a Printer on Your Network ............................................... 136

Installing a Network Printer ........................................................... 137

Sharing a Printer ............................................................................137

Securing Your Network ..................................................................... 137

Part 3: Getting Down to Business .......................................... 139

12 Typing and Other Word Processing Chores ..............141

Starting with a Document Template … or Not ............................... 141

Making the Transition to the Electronic Page ................................ 143

Keyboarding Tips ............................................................................. 143

Getting a Better View .....................................................................144

Contents ix

Controlling the Look and Layout of the Text ................................. 145

Styling Your Text ............................................................................ 145

Aligning Text Left, Right, or Center ...............................................146

Creating Bulleted or Numbered Lists ............................................... 147

Indenting Paragraphs ...................................................................... 147

Changing the Line Spacing .............................................................. 148

Inserting Space Between Paragraphs ................................................ 148

Save It or Lose It................................................................................149

Saving a Document ......................................................................... 149

Opening a Document ....................................................................... 150

Editing Your Letters and Other Documents ................................... 151

Selecting Text .................................................................................. 151

Cutting and Pasting Without Scissors.............................................. 151

Oops! Undoing Changes ................................................................... 152

Checking Your Spelling and Grammar ............................................ 153

13 Working with Graphics ...................................................155

Laying Out Pages in a Desktop Publishing Program...................... 156

Inserting Ready-Made Clip Art Images ........................................... 157

Wrapping Text Around Images......................................................... 157

Resizing and Reshaping Images ........................................................ 159

Inserting Other Pictures ...................................................................160

Scanning Photos, Drawings, and Illustrations .................................160

Drawing and Painting Your Own Illustrations ................................ 161

Drawing Lines, Squares, Circles, and Other Shapes......................... 162

Painting the Screen with Tiny Colored Dots..................................... 163

Adding Text in a Box..........................................................................164

Manipulating Overlapping Objects ................................................... 165

14 Crunching Numbers with Spreadsheets ....................167

A Computerized Ledger Sheet .......................................................... 167

Building a Spreadsheet from the Ground Up .................................. 169

Designing the Spreadsheet ................................................................ 170

Labeling Columns and Rows ............................................................ 170

Editing Your Entries........................................................................ 171

Entering Values and Dates .............................................................. 171

Calculating with Formulas and Functions ....................................... 172

Using Ready-Made Functions for Fancy Calculations ...................... 174

Making the Cells Look Pretty .......................................................... 175

x The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

Instant Charts (Just Add Data) .......................................................... 177

Special Spreadsheet Printing Considerations................................... 177

15 Creating an Address Book and Printing

Mailing Labels...................................................................179

Creating a Data Source with Names and Addresses ........................ 179

Using Mail Merge to Generate Mailing Labels...............................180

Running Mail Merge in Microsoft Word ......................................... 181

Performing a Mail Merge in Microsoft Works ................................. 182

Creating Return Address Labels.......................................................184

Printing Return Address Labels in Word......................................... 184

Printing Return Address Labels in Works ........................................ 185

Printing on Envelopes ....................................................................... 185

16 Managing Your Finances ................................................189

Banking Online (Without a Personal Finance Program)................189

Choosing and Setting Up a Personal Finance Program .................. 191

Automating the Check-Writing Process .......................................... 192

Reconciling an Account with a Statement ........................................ 192

Banking Online (with a Personal Finance Program)....................... 193

Setting Up Recurring Entries...........................................................194

Tracking Your Budget ........................................................................194

Tapping the Power of Financial Calculators .................................... 195

Preparing Your Annual Tax Return ................................................. 195

17 Printing Documents and Other Creations .................197

Connecting Your Printer to Your PC............................................... 197

Setting Up Your Printer in Windows ...............................................198

Preprint Checklist ..............................................................................199

Setting Your Margins and Page Layout ............................................200

Adding a Header or Footer ................................................................201

Sending Documents to the Printer ...................................................202

Managing Background Printing .......................................................203

Hey, It’s Not Printing! .......................................................................204

Part 4: Tapping the Power of the Internet ........................... 207

18 Getting Wired to the Internet .................................... 209

Understanding How This Internet Thing Works ...........................209

Picking a Connection Type............................................................... 210

Turbo-Charging Your Connection with a Cable Modem ................... 211

Contents xi

Another Speedy Option: DSL ........................................................... 212

Connecting from the Boonies via Satellite ......................................... 212

On the Go with Wireless Internet .................................................... 212

Chugging Along with Dial-Up ........................................................ 214

Shopping for an Internet Service Provider ....................................... 215

Establishing a Connection................................................................. 215

Testing Your Connection Speed ....................................................... 217

19 Poking Around on the World Wide Web ..................219

Browsing for a Web Browser ............................................................. 219

Steering Your Browser in the Right Direction ................................220

A Word About Web Page Addresses ................................................. 221

Finding Stuff with Google and Other Search Tools ....................... 221

Locating People Online .....................................................................223

Navigating Multiple Pages with Tabs...............................................223

Going Back in Time with the History List...................................... 224

Marking Your Favorite Web Pages ...................................................225

Changing the Starting Web Page .....................................................226

20 Searching the Web Google Style ............................... 227

Performing a Basic Search .................................................................227

Focusing on Specific Content ............................................................228

Performing an Advanced Search .......................................................229

Browsing the Website Directory .......................................................229

Adjusting Your Search Settings.........................................................230

Cool Google Search Tips and Tricks ............................................... 231

Creating a Google Account ............................................................... 232

Checking Out Other Search Sites and Tools ................................... 233

21 Sending and Receiving E-Mail .....................................235

Using an E-Mail Program .................................................................236

Setting Up Your Account .................................................................236

Addressing an Outgoing Message .....................................................237

Checking Your E-Mail .....................................................................238

Sending Replies ................................................................................239

Adding Photos and Other Cool Stuff ................................................239

Attaching Documents to Your Messages............................................240

What About Free, Web-Based E-Mail?............................................ 241

Emoticons and E-Mail Shorthand .................................................... 242

E-Mail No-No’s ................................................................................. 243

xii The Complete Idiot’s Guide to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition

22 Connecting with Friends and Family

on Facebook ....................................................................245

What Is Facebook, Anyway? ............................................................. 245

Putting Your Face on Facebook ........................................................ 247

Touring Facebook .............................................................................. 247

Scooting Up to the Top Menu...........................................................248

Catching Up on Your News Feed ......................................................249

Checking Out the Publisher ..............................................................249

Exploring the Left Menu.................................................................249

Adjusting Your Privacy Settings ....................................................... 250

Being Friends on Facebook ................................................................ 251

Befriending and Defriending ........................................................... 251

Visiting Walls .................................................................................. 251

Checking Out Profiles ...................................................................... 251

Defriending Someone ....................................................................... 252

E-Mailing Your Facebook Friends .................................................... 252

Help! Navigating Facebook’s Help System....................................... 252

Quitting Facebook ............................................................................. 253

Deactivating Your Account............................................................... 253

Deleting Your Account ......................................................................254

23 Sharing Video on YouTube ...........................................255

Searching and Browsing on YouTube ............................................... 255

Searching for Specific Video Footage ................................................. 255

Browsing YouTube’s Video Collection................................................ 256

Doing More Through a YouTube Account ...................................... 257

Creating an Account ........................................................................ 258

Signing In and Signing Out ............................................................ 258

Saving Your Favorites...................................................................... 258

Creating Additional Playlists ........................................................... 259

Subscribing to a Channel ................................................................. 259

Sharing a Video with Others ...........................................................260

Rating and Commenting on Videos..................................................260

Sharing Your Videos..........................................................................260

Prepping a Video for Uploading ....................................................... 261

Uploading Your Video to YouTube .................................................... 261

Recording a Video with a Webcam....................................................262

Getting Help ......................................................................................263

Contents xiii

24 Passing Notes on Twitter ..............................................265

Creating a Twitter Account and Signing In.....................................265

Creating a Twitter Account .............................................................. 265

Signing In and Signing Out ............................................................266

Fleshing Out Your Profile................................................................266

Tweaking Your Account Settings......................................................267

Reading and Replying to Tweets.......................................................267

Reading a Tweet ..............................................................................268

Replying to a Tweet and Retweeting .................................................269

Flagging a Tweet as a Favorite........................................................269

Posting Tweets ...................................................................................270

Adding a Link .................................................................................270

Deleting a Tweet ..............................................................................270

Following Users on Twitter ............................................................... 271

Searching for People on Twitter .......................................................271

Seeing Who’s Following You .............................................................271

Exchanging Direct Messages in Private ...........................................272

Learning More About Twitter ..........................................................272

25 Communicating One-on-One in Real Time .............. 275

Instant Messaging with AIM............................................................. 275

Getting Started with AIM .............................................................. 275

Building a Buddy List......................................................................276

Instant Messaging ............................................................................277

Audio Instant Messaging .................................................................278

Video Instant Messaging ..................................................................278

Texting a Buddy’s Mobile Phone ......................................................279

Getting AIM for Your Cellphone .....................................................279

Sampling Other Chat/Instant Messaging Clients ...........................280

Placing Really Cheap (or Free) Phone Calls with Skype .................281

Getting Skype ..................................................................................281

Adding Contacts ..............................................................................282

Making Free Skype-to-Skype Calls ..................................................283

Cheap Long Distance with PC-to-Phone Calls .................................285

26 Buying and Selling Stuff Online..................................287

Is It Safe? .............................................................................................287

Comparison-Shopping for the Real Deals ........................................289

Buying Online ....................................................................................290