Easy Computer Basics

• Use Microsoft Windows, Works and Word
• Connect to the Internet
• Surf the web
• Read and write e-mail
• View and edit digital pictures
• Download and listen to digital music
• Add new devices, such as printers and hard drives
• Perform basic maintenance and security tasks

Mr. Miller has written more than 60 best-selling books in the past 15 years. His books for Que include Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay, Tricks of the eBay Masters, and Bad Pics Fixed Quick. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his practical, real-world advice—as well as his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience.

You can email Mr. Miller directly at easycomputer@molehillgroup.com. His website is located at http://www.molehillgroup.com.

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

1. Understanding How Your Computer Works.

    Getting to Know Your System Unit.

    Inside the Case.

    Hard Disk Drives: Long-term Storage.

    CD and DVD Drives.

    Keyboard.

    Mouse.

    Sound Cards and Speakers.

    Video Cards and Monitors.

    Printers.

2. Setting Up Your Computer.

    Connecting the Mouse and Keyboard.

    Connecting the Monitor.

    Connecting the Audio System.

    Connecting a Parallel Printer.

    Connecting a USB Printer.

    Connecting the Modem.

    Connecting the System Power Cable.

    Powering On.

    Logging On to Windows XP.

    Shutting Down.

3. Using Microsoft Windows XP.

    Pointing and Clicking.

    Double-clicking.

    Right-clicking.

    Dragging and Dropping.

    Hovering.

    Moving a Window.

    Scrolling a Window.

    Resizing a Window.

    Maximizing, Minimizing, and Closing a Window.

    Using the Windows Start Menu.

    Opening a Program.

    Creating a New Shortcut on the Desktop.

    Switching Between Programs.

    Using Menus.

    Using Toolbars.

    Managing PC Resources with My Computer.

    Managing Windows with the Control Panel.

    Changing the Size of Your Desktop.

    Selecting a New Desktop Theme.

    Personalizing the Desktop Background.

    Changing the Color Scheme.

    Setting Up Additional Users.

    Using a Screensaver.

    Getting Help in Windows.

4. Working with Files and Folders.

    Changing the Way Files Are Displayed.

    Sorting Files and Folders.

    Navigating Folders.

    Navigating with the Folders Pane.

    Creating a New Folder.

    Renaming a File or Folder.

    Copying a File or Folder.

    Moving a File or Folder.

    Deleting a File or Folder.

    Restoring Deleted Files.

    Emptying the Recycle Bin.

    Compressing a File.

    Extracting Files from a Compressed Folder.

5. Using Microsoft Works.

    Launching a Program.

    Starting a New Task.

    Opening an Existing Document.

    Managing a Big Project.

6. Using Microsoft Word.

    Creating a New Document.

    Saving a Document.

    Opening an Existing Document.

    Entering Text.

    Editing Text.

    Formatting Text.

    Formatting Paragraphs.

    Applying Styles.

    Checking Your Spelling.

    Printing a Document.

7. Connecting to the Internet.

    Setting Up a New Internet Connection.

    Surfing the Web with Internet Explorer.

    Saving Your Favorite Pages.

    Returning to a Favorite Page.

    Revisiting History.

    Searching the Web with Google.

    Finding News and Other Information Online.

    Shopping for Bargains at Shopping.com.

    Bidding for Items on eBay.

    Setting Up an Email Account.

    Reading an Email Message.

    Replying to an Email Message.

    Composing a New Email Message.

    Sending a File via Email.

    Adding Contacts in Windows Messenger.

    Instant Messaging with Windows Messenger.

8. Playing Music and Movies.

    Playing a CD.

    Ripping a CD to Your Hard Disk.

    Creating a Playlist.

    Playing a Playlist.

    Burning a Music CD.

    Connecting an iPod to Your PC.

    Transferring Songs to Your iPod via iTunes.

    Creating Smart Playlists for Your iPod.

    Connecting Other Portable Music Players.

    Playing a DVD.

9. Working with Pictures.

    Transferring Pictures from a Digital Camera.

    Transferring Pictures from a Memory Card.

    Scanning a Picture.

    Printing a Photo.

    Ordering Prints Online.

    Quick Fixing a Photo with Adobe Photoshop Elements .

    Removing Red-Eye.

    Cropping Your Photo.

10. Adding New Devices to Your System.

    Adding a Device via USB or FireWire.

    Adding New Internal Hardware.

    Using the Add Hardware Wizard.

11. Setting Up a Wireless Home Network.

    Setting Up Your Network’s Main PC.

    Connecting Additional PCs to Your Wireless Network .

    Sharing Files and Folders Across Your Network.

12. Protecting Your Computer.

    Defending Against Computer Attacks with a Firewall.

    Protecting Against Computer Viruses.

    Fighting Email Spam.

    Cleaning Spyware from Your System.

    Blocking Pop-up Ads.

13. Taking Care of Your Computer.

    Deleting Unnecessary Files.

    Defragmenting Your Hard Disk.

    Checking Your Hard Disk for Errors.

    Restoring Your Computer After a Crash.

Glossary.

Index.