Computer Basics
In Simple Steps
By Joli Ballew
December 2009
Pearson Education
ISBN: 9780273723479
231 pages
$32.50 Paper Original
Contents
Top 10 Computer Basics Tips 1. Set up a PC 2. Write a letter 3. Change the background and screen saver 4. Play a game 5. Compose and send an email 6. Access a website 7. Back up a folder to an external drive 8. Upload a digital photo from a digital camera, phone or memory card 9. Copy a CD to your hard drive 10. Get help and support
Chapter 1 – Set up a PC or laptop Locate and plug
in the power cable Connect the monitor Connect a USB mouse and keyboard Connect
external speakers or headphones Connect and install a printer Connect and
install a webcam For a laptop: locate, insert or remove the battery Locate
and press the power button Connect additional hardware
Chapter 2 – First
steps Start your PC Activate a new PC Use the mouse Use the keyboard
Use the touchpad View the Welcome Center in Vista Watch demonstration videos
Shut down Windows safely Chapter 3 – Common tasks Locate,
open and close an application Open a window Close a window Search for a program
with the Start menu Write a letter with Notepad Save a letter with Notepad
Reopen a saved file Print a letter with Notepad Use the calculator Play solitaire
Change the background Change the screen saver Empty the Recycle Bin
Chapter
4 – Work with files and folders Locate your personal folders
Create a folder Create a subfolder Copy a file Move a file Delete a file
Copy a folder Move a folder Delete a folder Open a saved file Search for
a lost file Back up a folder or file to an external drive
Chapter
5 – Personalise Vista Enable the Sidebar Set the time on
the clock gadget Add or remove a Sidebar gadget Close the Sidebar Enable
Aero Use Flip Use Flip 3D Change the screen resolution Change the picture
on the Start menu Get recommendations to make your computer easier to use Chapter
6 – Work with windows Change the view in a window Minimise
a window Restore a window Maximise a window Move a window Resize a window
Chapter
7 – The Internet Open a website in Internet Explorer Open
a website in a new tab Set a home page Mark a favourite Change the zoom level
of a webpage Clear history Stay safe online Print a webpage
Chapter
8 – Email Set up an email account in Windows Mail View an
email View an attachment Reply to an email Forward an email Compose and send
a new email Attach a picture to an email using Insert Attach a picture to
an email using right-click Add a contact Print an email Change how often
Mail checks for email Apply a junk email filter Create a folder Move email
to a folder Delete email in a folder
Chapter 9 – Stay secure Add
a new user account Require a password Configure Windows Update Scan for viruses
with Windows Defender Enable the firewall View and resolve Security Center
warnings Chapter 10 – Digital Pictures
· Install a digital camera or webcam
· Install a printer
· Open Photo Gallery and view a picture
· Upload digital photos
· Import pictures from a media card
· View a slideshow of pictures
· Auto adjust picture quality
· Fix red eye
· Crop a picture
· Email a picture
· Change the size of the thumbnail
· Take a screen shot
· Email a screen shot
Chapter 11 – Music, DVDs and Windows Media Player Open
Media Player Listen to a song Copy a CD to your hard drive Copy music files
to a CD Create a playlist Create an auto playlist Share your music Watch
a DVD
Chapter 12 – Change system defaults Change AutoPlay
settings Change the date and time Change language settings Change folder
options Change touchpad and mouse settings Enable Quick Launch Add icons
to the Quick Launch area of the taskbar
Chapter 13 – Share
data and printers Open the Network and Sharing Center Turn on file
sharing Turn on printer sharing Share a printer Turn on Public folder sharing
Turn on password-protected sharing Turn on media sharing Save data to the
Public folder Access the Public folder Share a personal folder
Chapter
14 – Use Help and Support Open Help and Support Search Help
Browse Help Get help online Get help from a dialogue box Access help from
an open window Access Mail’s Help feature Access Internet Explorer’s
Help feature Access Windows Update Help and Support feature Access help from
a third-party program
Chapter 15 – Improve computer performance Use
Windows Defender to disable unnecessary programs Adjust visual effects Adjust
indexing options View battery life and change battery status Turn on and
off WiFi Change when the computer sleeps Change what happens when you press
the power button Know your Windows Experience Base Score Install antivirus
software
Chapter 16 – Fix problems Enable System Restore
Use System Restore Disable unwanted startup items Resolve Internet connectivity
problems Use Device Driver Rollback Reconnect loose cables View available
hard drive space Delete unwanted Media Center media Uninstall unwanted programs
Use Disk Cleanup Use Disk Defragmenter
Top 10 Computer Basics Problems Solved 1. A piece of hardware doesn’t work 2. I can’t find a file that I previously saved 3. I can’t use my PC effectively because of a disability 4. I get too much junk email 5. I suspect my computer may have a virus 6. One of the pictures I've uploaded has a subject with ‘red eye’. I want to remove this from the picture 7. My computer doesn’t do what I want it to do when I insert a blank CD, DVD movie or music CD 8. I’ve downloaded or installed software or hardware that caused a problem for the computer, and the computer now seems unstable 9. It takes a long time for my computer to complete the boot-up process 10. I could connect to the Internet yesterday, but today I can’t
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