Synopses & Reviews
andlt;Bandgt;IT CAN'T CRASH, IT WON'T PUT YOU ON HOLD, AND IT NEVER TAKES LUNCH BREAKS.andlt;/Bandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;UL TYPE=DISCandgt; andlt;LIandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Your computer screen freezes after hours of work on the proposal due to your boas at 7 A.M.andlt;/Iandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;andlt;Iandgt;You try to save a masterpiece graph, and your computer reports "insufficient memory."andlt;/Iandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;andlt;Iandgt;You need a copy of your rand#233;sumand#233; for your interview in an hour, and the printer is printing in an alien language.andlt;/Iandgt; andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;andlt;Iandgt;Your computer "crashes," and you haven't got a backup.andlt;/Iandgt; andlt;/ULandgt; andlt;BRandgt; If you've ever used a personal computer (and who hasn't), you know what these moments are like. Fear and frustration overwhelm you. You call every computer-savvy person you know, hoping that someone will provide the magic solution to save your document, your deadline, your job. andlt;BRandgt; Now, saving the day for thousands of PC and Mac users alike, comes andlt;Iandgt;The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch.andlt;/Iandgt; You're not a dummy or an idiot, but you do need help. In plain English and with a humorous flair, andlt;Iandgt;The Geek Squad Guideandlt;/Iandgt; demystifies the most widely used hardware and software, offers quick fixes to common glitches, and provides smart maintenance advice to keep things running smoothly. andlt;BRandgt; THE GEEKS WILL HELP YOU: andlt;BRandgt; andlt;UL TYPE=DISCandgt; andlt;LIandgt;decide what computer to buy andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;set up reliable backup procedures andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;troubleshoot problems with your computer, printer, modem, and other components andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;got the most from your laptop, at home and on the road andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;save time and money if you do need professional repair help andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;find and install software upgrades yourself andlt;BRandgt; andlt;LIandgt;recover your data in almost any computing crisis andlt;/ULandgt;
Synopsis
IT CAN'T CRASH, IT WON'T PUT YOU ON HOLD, AND IT NEVER TAKES LUNCH BREAKS. - Your computer screen freezes after hours of work on the proposal due to your boas at 7 A.M.
- You try to save a masterpiece graph, and your computer reports "insufficient memory."
- You need a copy of your resume for your interview in an hour, and the printer is printing in an alien language.
- Your computer "crashes," and you haven't got a backup.
If you've ever used a personal computer (and who hasn't), you know what these moments are like. Fear and frustration overwhelm you. You call every computer-savvy person you know, hoping that someone will provide the magic solution to save your document, your deadline, your job.
Now, saving the day for thousands of PC and Mac users alike, comes
The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch. You're not a dummy or an idiot, but you do need help. In plain English and with a humorous flair,
The Geek Squad Guide demystifies the most widely used hardware and software, offers quick fixes to common glitches, and provides smart maintenance advice to keep things running smoothly.
THE GEEKS WILL HELP YOU:
- decide what computer to buy
- set up reliable backup procedures
- troubleshoot problems with your computer, printer, modem, and other components
- got the most from your laptop, at home and on the road
- save time and money if you do need professional repair help
- find and install software upgrades yourself
- recover your data in almost any computing crisis
Synopsis
IT CAN'T CRASH, IT WON'T PUT YOU ON HOLD, AND IT NEVER TAKES LUNCH BREAKS. * Your computer screen freezes after hours of work on the proposal due to your boas at 7 A.M. * You try to save a masterpiece graph, and your computer reports "insufficient memory." * You need a copy of your r sum for your interview in an hour, and the printer is printing in an alien language. * Your computer "crashes," and you haven't got a backup. If you've ever used a personal computer (and who hasn't), you know what these moments are like. Fear and frustration overwhelm you. You call every computer-savvy person you know, hoping that someone will provide the magic solution to save your document, your deadline, your job. Now, saving the day for thousands of PC and Mac users alike, comes The Geek Squad Guide to Solving Any Computer Glitch. You're not a dummy or an idiot, but you do need help. In plain English and with a humorous flair, The Geek Squad Guide demystifies the most widely used hardware and software, offers quick fixes to common glitches, and provides smart maintenance advice to keep things running smoothly. THE GEEKS WILL HELP YOU: * decide what computer to buy * set up reliable backup procedures * troubleshoot problems with your computer, printer, modem, and other components * got the most from your laptop, at home and on the road * save time and money if you do need professional repair help * find and install software upgrades yourself * recover your data in almost any computing crisis
About the Author
andlt;Bandgt;Robert Stephensandlt;/Bandgt; is the founder of the Geek Squad, a Minneapolis-based computer-service company that provides support with style. Stephens and his team of Special Agents have been featured in andlt;Iandgt;People, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal,andlt;/Iandgt; and on andlt;Iandgt;Good Morning America.andlt;/Iandgt;
Table of Contents
andlt;Bandgt;Contentsandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Introductionandlt;BRandgt;Using This Bookandlt;BRandgt;Chapter One andlt;Bandgt;CHOOSING A COMPUTERandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Comparing Brands: Windows-Based Computers vs. Macintoshandlt;BRandgt;Buying a Used Computerandlt;BRandgt;Desk-top vs. Laptopandlt;BRandgt;Comparing Featuresandlt;BRandgt;The Deciding Factor: Service and Supportandlt;BRandgt;Buying Printersandlt;BRandgt;Service Contracts for Other Itemsandlt;BRandgt;Where to Buyandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Two andlt;Bandgt;PREVENTING PROBLEMSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;What Makes Computers Act Weirdandlt;BRandgt;Why Geeks Have Fewer Computer Problemsandlt;BRandgt;Getting Along with Your Computerandlt;BRandgt;General Software Smartsandlt;BRandgt;Backup Basicsandlt;BRandgt;Preventive Proceduresandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Three andlt;Bandgt;STARTUP PROBLEMSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No Power Lightandlt;BRandgt;Power Light On, Both CPU and Monitor Are On, but You Get No Videoandlt;BRandgt;Mac: There's Nothing on the Desktopandlt;BRandgt;Windows: Reports "System Configuration Has Changed"andlt;BRandgt;Windows: Reports "Hard Drive Failure"andlt;BRandgt;Mac: Disk with Question Mark Appearsandlt;BRandgt;Screen Not as Expectedandlt;BRandgt;Date and Time Errorsandlt;BRandgt;Sad Mac Face or "Beep" Alarmandlt;BRandgt;Immediate Crash: "System Error," Cursor or Screen Locks Up/Freezes, or Other Disabling Eventandlt;BRandgt;Computer Locks Up/Freezes Ten to Twenty Minutes After Startupandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Four andlt;Bandgt;THE STUBBORN RAMandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Reports "Out of Memory" or "Insufficient Memory"andlt;BRandgt;Chapter Five andlt;Bandgt;VIDEOVAGARIESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;General Weirdnessandlt;BRandgt;Rolling Screen, Static, and/or Lines; No Clear Pictureandlt;BRandgt;Red-, Blue-, or Green-Tinted Screenandlt;BRandgt;Only Partial Image On-Screenandlt;BRandgt;Brightness Fluctuatesandlt;BRandgt;Screen Doesn't Respond to Commandsandlt;BRandgt;OldMonitor Problemsandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Six andlt;Bandgt;HARD-DRIVE ISSUESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Mac: Hard-Drive Icon Missingandlt;BRandgt;Silenceandlt;BRandgt;Knockingandlt;BRandgt;Windows: Says "Insert System Disk"andlt;BRandgt;Windows: Reports "Hard Drive Failure"andlt;BRandgt;Windows: Reports "Data Error Reading Drive C"andlt;BRandgt;Reports "Not Enough Space to Store" or "Unable to Write to Disk"andlt;BRandgt;Chapter Seven andlt;Bandgt;FLOPPY-DISK FAILURESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Can't Read Disks from Other People's Computersandlt;BRandgt;Can't Transfer Information to Floppyandlt;BRandgt;Disk Is Reportedly Full but That Seems Impossibleandlt;BRandgt;Every Disk Is Lockedandlt;BRandgt;Can't Insert Floppyandlt;BRandgt;Can't Eject Floppyandlt;BRandgt;Disk Errors on Floppyandlt;BRandgt;Noisy Floppyandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Eight andlt;Bandgt;COPING WITH THE CD-ROM DRIVEandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;CD Doesn't Show Up When You Put It In/Can't Read CDandlt;BRandgt;Audio CD Doesn't Playandlt;BRandgt;Computer Freezes When CD-ROM Is in Useandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Nine andlt;Bandgt;TERRORS OF THE TAPE DRIVEandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Installation Troubleandlt;BRandgt;Problems Restoring Dataandlt;BRandgt;Freezesandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Ten andlt;Bandgt;REASONING WITH THE REMOVABLE STORAGE DEVICEandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Drive Not Workingandlt;BRandgt;Can't Read Diskandlt;BRandgt;Disk Noisy When Insertedandlt;BRandgt;Computer Freezes When Drive Is Usedandlt;BRandgt;Can't Write to Disk/Error Message Appearsandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Eleven andlt;Bandgt;CALMING THE KEYBOARDandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Spill on Keyboardandlt;BRandgt;Windows: Keyboard Not Workingandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Keyboard Not Workingandlt;BRandgt;One Key Doesn't Workandlt;BRandgt;Pressing One Key Delivers Another Characterandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twelve andlt;Bandgt;TAMING THE MOUSE/POINTER DEVICEandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Mouse Needs CPRandlt;BRandgt;? Windows: Mouse Won't Cooperate with Modemandlt;BRandgt;Mouse Lies Down on the Jobandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Thirteen andlt;Bandgt;SCANNER SOLUTIONSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Scanning for Beginnersandlt;BRandgt;Scanning Without a Scannerandlt;BRandgt;Scanner Doesn't Scanandlt;BRandgt;Scanner Light Isn't Workingandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Four-teen andlt;Bandgt;POINTERS FOR PRINTERSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Printer Having a Tantrumandlt;BRandgt;Not Printingandlt;BRandgt;Produces Blank Pageandlt;BRandgt;Prints Garbageandlt;BRandgt;Paper jamandlt;BRandgt;Won't Grab Paperandlt;BRandgt;Won't Print from One Particular Programandlt;BRandgt;Quality Is Poorandlt;BRandgt;Can't Find Supplies for Printerandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Printer Quits Partway Through jobandlt;BRandgt;Printing Sidewaysandlt;BRandgt;Printing Envelopesandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Fifteen andlt;Bandgt;MAKING THE MODEM MIND YOUandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Modem Not Workingandlt;BRandgt;Seems Slowandlt;BRandgt;Particular Program Can't See the Modemandlt;BRandgt;Dialing Problemsandlt;BRandgt;Disabling Call Waitingandlt;BRandgt;Silent Modemandlt;BRandgt;Connection Failureandlt;BRandgt;Faxing on Your Computerandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Sixteen andlt;Bandgt;SOUND-CARD SOLUTIONSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;No Soundandlt;BRandgt;Sound Unsatisfactoryandlt;BRandgt;Only Some Programs Produce Soundandlt;BRandgt;Intermittent Soundandlt;BRandgt;Other Sounds Work but You Cannot Play an Audio CDandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Seventeen andlt;Bandgt;LAPTOP TECHNIQUESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Can't Find Batteryandlt;BRandgt;Battery Won't Chargeandlt;BRandgt;Won't Turn Onandlt;BRandgt;Doesn't Recognize PC Cardandlt;BRandgt;Can't Eject PC Cardandlt;BRandgt;Doesn't Show Network or Get Dial Toneandlt;BRandgt;No Videoandlt;BRandgt;Video Problemsandlt;BRandgt;Keyboard Not Workingandlt;BRandgt;Trackball Goes on Strikeandlt;BRandgt;Trackpad Doesn't Work/Cursor Is jumpyandlt;BRandgt;Won't Go to Sleepandlt;BRandgt;Traveling with Your Laptopandlt;BRandgt;Making a Presentationandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Eighteen andlt;Bandgt;APPLICATION/SOFTWARE PROBLEMSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Can't Install Software or Upgradeandlt;BRandgt;Software Locks Up/Freezesandlt;BRandgt;Can't Print from Applicationandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Bomb Appears When You Pick a Different Fontandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Application Frequently "Unexpectedly Quits"andlt;BRandgt;Uninstalling/Reinstalling Application Softwareandlt;BRandgt;Identifying Software Versionandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Nineteen andlt;Bandgt;DOCUMENT/FILE DILEMMASandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Problems Transferring Filesandlt;BRandgt;Problems Converting Filesandlt;BRandgt;Problems Finding a Fileandlt;BRandgt;File Deleted in Errorandlt;BRandgt;File Cannot Be Openedandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Application Is Missingandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Processing Is Slowandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Calls for Ejected Diskandlt;BRandgt;Lost Password on a Fileandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty andlt;Bandgt;RECOVERING DATAandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Limiting Damage in an Emergencyandlt;BRandgt;Reports "Document Cannot Be Read"andlt;BRandgt;Getting to Data After a Crashandlt;BRandgt;If You Had No Backupandlt;BRandgt;Getting Professional Helpandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-one andlt;Bandgt;USING THE INTERNETandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Choosing a Providerandlt;BRandgt;Trouble Connectingandlt;BRandgt;Images Slow to Appearandlt;BRandgt;Sending and Receiving E-Mail on the Roadandlt;BRandgt;Sending and Receiving E-Mail Without Internet Accessandlt;BRandgt;Sending Filesandlt;BRandgt;Credit-Card Protectionandlt;BRandgt;Surfing the Netandlt;BRandgt;Downloadingandlt;BRandgt;Preventing Unwanted E-Mailandlt;BRandgt;Controlling What the Kids Can Seeandlt;BRandgt;Crashes/Lockups/Freezes While You Are on the Internetandlt;BRandgt;Browser Error Messagesandlt;BRandgt;"Transfer Is Interrupted"andlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-two andlt;Bandgt;WHEN THE COMPUTER SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWNandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Any Odd Behaviorandlt;BRandgt;Periodic Freezes/Lockupsandlt;BRandgt;Computer Is Slowandlt;BRandgt;Routine Operation Gets Strange Resultsandlt;BRandgt;Program Opens Other Than the One You Tried to Openandlt;BRandgt;Mac: Icons Look Strangeandlt;BRandgt;Random Characters Appearandlt;BRandgt;"Blue Screen of Death"andlt;BRandgt;Mac: Trash Won't Emptyandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-three andlt;Bandgt;SECURITY ISSUESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Password Forgottenandlt;BRandgt;Creating Crack-Proof Passwordsandlt;BRandgt;Preventing Theftandlt;BRandgt;Removing Information from Your Computer Before You Sell Itandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-four andlt;Bandgt;COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER COMMUNICATIONandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Exchanging Word-Processing Documentsandlt;BRandgt;Exchanging Quicken Filesandlt;BRandgt;Exchanging a Databaseandlt;BRandgt;Exchanging Spreadsheetsandlt;BRandgt;Sending/Receiving a Computer File Using a Faxandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-five andlt;Bandgt;GETTING THE BEST SERVICEandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Guidelines When Calling for a Pickup or Dropping the Computer Off for Repairandlt;BRandgt;What to Take to the Service Centerandlt;BRandgt;When Sending Away a Computer Under Warrantyandlt;BRandgt;When the Computer Is Not Under Warrantyandlt;BRandgt;When the News Is Badandlt;BRandgt;Chapter Twenty-six andlt;Bandgt;RETIREMENT PLANNING FOR YOUR COMPUTERandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Upgrade Itandlt;BRandgt;Sell Itandlt;BRandgt;Donate Itandlt;BRandgt;Keep Itandlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;APPENDIX A BASIC PROCEDURESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Minimum System Startupandlt;BRandgt;Reinstalling the Operating Systemandlt;BRandgt;Resolving Driver/Extension Conflicts -Reinstalling Drivers/ Extensionsandlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;APPENDIX B YEAR (Y2K) PROBLEMSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;Hardwareandlt;BRandgt;Operating Systemandlt;BRandgt;Softwareandlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;APPENDIX C DEFINITIONSandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;APPENDIX D RESOURCESandlt;/Bandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;Bandgt;INDEXandlt;/Bandgt;