41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 355

Index

AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) • Symbols & Numerics • expansion slot, 79 \ (backslash) key, 138 port, 123 . (period) in filenames, 290 AIFF (Audio Interchange ), 224 3-D graphics, supporting, 123 air flow 16 bits, PC sound sampled at, 164 in the console, 23 404 error, 258 for the microprocessor, 76 802.11 wireless networking standard, in PCs, 185 232, 234 air vents, 21–22, 24 ALL CAPS, e-mail messages in, 260 All Programs menu on the Start button • A • menu, 62, 63 all-in-one printers, 150, 152 A-B switch for a printer, 91 Alt key, 136 Accelerated Graphics Port. See AGP Alt+Tab key combination, 318 account folder. See User Profile folder AMD microprocessors, 76 acoustic coupler modem, 176 animation, displaying pop-up windows, 274 ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power annual subscription for antivirus software, Interface), 186 350 ad hoc network, 238 antenna, wireless adapter with, 234 Add a Printer toolbar button, 158 antiglare screen, 344 Add or Remove Programs dialog box, 324 antiradiation shielding, 344 Add Printer Wizard, 158 antivirus software Address bar in Windows Explorer, 303 described, 279 address for memory, 97 disabling, 320 addresses, e-mail, 260 investing in, 350–351 Adjust Date/Time command, 81 Any key, 138 administrator privileges required to install APM (Advanced Power Management) new software, 320 specification, 186 administrator’s UAC,COPYRIGHTED 281–282 MATERIAL Appearance Settings dialog box, 127 Adobe Photoshop Elements, 198 applications (programs) Advanced Configuration and Power accessing recent, 321 Interface (ACPI), 186 adding and removing, 158, 324 Advanced Power Management (APM) antivirus software, 279, 320, 350–351 specification, 186 attached to e-mail messages, 341 Advanced Search link in the Search Results described, 14–15, 294 window, 316 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 356

356 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

applications (programs) (continued) automatic updates, accepting from finding on the Start button menu, 320–321 Windows, 278 putting in the pin-on area, 321–322 AutoPlay dialog box quitting all other, 318 displaying for a disc, 111 running, 320–323 for a CD-R, 330 archiving, data discs for, 331 for a memory card, 114 arrow keys on the keyboard, 134 AVI () file, 216 ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), 107 ATAPI. See ATA • B • ATI adapters, 126 back posture, 141 ATI Radeon, 123 background, changing, 128–129 Attach File to Message button, 269 backing up files, 339 attachments backslash (\) key, 138 grabbing with Windows Mail, 268–269 Balanced power-management plan, 187 opening, 269 bank of memory, 95 saving in Windows Mail, 268 base station sending and receiving with e-mail, 268 configuring, 242 sending in Windows Mail, 269–270 in a network, 233 attributes of files, 287 batteries in cordless mice, 144 Au file format, 224 battery, internal to a PC, 82–83 Audacity sound recording program, 173 battery-powered PCs, power-saving audio. See also music options, 188–189 abilities of PCs, 163–167 Bcc field in Windows Mail, 261 connections, 31–33 beginners control in Windows, 167–169 common mistakes, 337–341 file types, 224 helped by computer nerds, 350 Audio (AIFF), 224 bidirectional cable for a printer, 36 audio microphone bidirectional connection with DSL, 179 configuring, 168 binary counting system, 97 described, 32 binary information in files, 286 jack, 24–25, 27 BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). See options for, 167 chipset setting up for speech recognition, 227 BIOS Setup utility, 45 audio speakers bits configuring in Windows, 168 described, 97 described, 19, 164–166 handled by a microprocessor, 77 in a monitor, 124 black and white, printing in, 259 positioning, 165–166 black ink, instead of color, 154 switching to headphones, 169 blackout, 39 Audio Video Interleave (AVI) file, 216 blind-carbon-copying of an e-mail message, author, e-mail address of, 5 261 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 357

Index 357

blue UACs, 282 capitalization in filenames, 289 Bluetooth standard, 236 capturing a video signal, 208 BMP (Windows ) file format, 199 case boot disk, finding, 109 closing, 74 boxes opening, 73–74 keeping, 30 case sensitivity of filenames, 289 unpacking, 29–30 Cat 5 networking cable, 234 Break key, 138 cathode ray tube. See CRT monitors brightness, adjusting for an image, 202–203 CD drives broadband modems booting from, 109 connecting, 35 described, 20–21 described, 177–178 speed rating of, 110–111 types of, 178 CD-R discs brownout, 39 about, 328 Browse dialog box, 305 compared to CD-RW, 224 browser home page, 257–258 for music, 329 browsing. See also Internet Explorer (IE) quality of, 329 a network, 245 CD-RW discs, 328 the Web, 257–258 CDs Burn a Disc dialog box, 330–331 about, 347 Burn button on the toolbar, 332 burning, 225 Burn to Disc toolbar button, 333 capacity of, 110 burning songs to a CD, 225 disc-writing software, 329 buttons on a monitor, 124 disposing of, 334 ejecting, 111–112, 332–333 measuring memory in, 96–97 inserting into drives, 111 measuring the size of a file, 288 labeling, 334 making your own, 224–225, 327–334 moving information between computers, • • 331 C drive, 108 naming, 331 cable modem, 178 obtaining proper, 328–329 cables. See also USB cables playing musical, 170 connected to expansion cards, 78 ripping music from, 221 described, 19, 32 center/subwoofer jack, 24–26 length of, 32 central processing unit (CPU), 20. See also networking, 234–235 microprocessor for printers, 36, 156 chair, adjusting, 141 camera, digital, 193–195, 346–347 Change Plan Settings options, 55 Camera Raw (CRW) format, 199 channels, changing in live TV, 210–211 Cancel button for printing, 162 child folder, 299 capacity of a hard drive, 108 chipset, 83 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 358

358 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

classic Start menu, 62 configuring clicking with a mouse, 145, 147 file sharing, 247–248 client-server network, 232 for Internet use, 256 clock microphone, 168 displayed by Windows, 80 modems, 180–181 in a PC, 80–82 network, 233 setting, 81 routers, 240–242 updating date-and-time stamps, 288 speakers, 168 closing the console or case, 74 Windows Media Center, 209 codecs, 217 connecting to the Internet, 256–257 color laser printers, 150 connection for a modem, 181–182 color printers, inks or toners in, 153 connection information for a network, 238 color tone, fixing in older photographs, 203 connectors, 85 colors, adjusting, 131–132 console COM port, 36. See also serial port backside of, 22–24 commercials, skipping, 213 closing, 74 communications software, 181 described, 18–20, 30 compact discs. See CDs front of, 20–22 CompactFlash memory cards, 114 inside the, 71–74 components, 19 opening, 73–74 Compressed Folder, 304 plugging things into, 31–37 compressed folders, downloading, 267–269 setting up, 30 compressor-decompressor, 217 turning on, 44 computer cables. See cables console buttons, 21–22 Computer icon, 66 Contacts folder, 300 computer magazines, subscribing to, 352 containers, files as, 286 computer memory. See memory Context key, 139 Computer Name/Domain Changes dialog contrast, adjusting for an image, 202–203 box, opening, 239–240 Control Panel computer nerds, helping beginners, 350 changing the date/time format, 80 computer networking. See networking Classic view, 64–65 computer packaging, 29–30 displaying the Sound dialog box, 167 computer printers. See printer(s) Home window, 64–65 computer software. See software Programs and Features window, 324 Computer window control panels on printers, 152–153 displaying, 66, 292 conventions in this book, 3–4 viewing permanent storage devices, 117 Copy command, 311 computers. See PCs (personal computers) Copy suffix, 312 COM/serial connector, 24–26 copying files, 311–312 condenser mics, 167 copyrighted images on the Web, 264 configuration program for a router, 241 cordless mice, 143–144 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 359

Index 359

CPU (central processing unit), 20. See also data storage, external microprocessor adding, 115–116 Critical Stop event, sound associated described, 115–116 with, 171 removing, 116 cropping images, 201 date, setting in a PC, 81 CRT monitors Date and Time Properties dialog box, 82 about, 121–122 Date and Time Settings dialog box, 81 adjusting, 352 date-and-time format in Windows, 80 compared to LCD, 122 date-and-time stamp on a file, 287 Crucial Web site, 102–103 daughterboards. See expansion cards CRW (Camera Raw) format, 199 DCIM folder on a memory card, 195 Ctrl key default printer holding down to select files, 308–309 setting, 158–159 holding to copy files, 312 in Windows, 157 location option in the Mouse Properties deleting dialog box, 147 files, 314 uses of, 136 folders, 314 Ctrl+A, 308 RW disc contents, 333–334 Ctrl+C, 264, 312 demodulation, 175 Ctrl+D, 258 desktop Ctrl+Esc, 62 creating a shortcut on, 313, 322–323 Ctrl+J, 221 described, 60–61 Ctrl+P, 159–160, 259 Desktop Background window, 128 Ctrl+S, 294 Desktop folder, 300 Ctrl+V, 264, 312 desktop PC, 18 Ctrl+X, 312 desktop shortcut icon, creating, 322–323 Ctrl+Z (Undo command), 314, 316 destination folder for a file, 311 cursor, 135 Details pane in Windows Explorer, 303 cursor keypad on the keyboard, 134 DHCP, 242 Cut command, 311 dialup access, network connection for, 256 CYMK (cyan, yellow, magenta, black), 154 dialup connection, canceling, 257 dialup modem adding an external, 180 • D • configuring an internal, 180–181 data CD-Rs, 329 connecting, 34–35 data discs described, 175–177 creating, 330–331 hanging up, 183 recording, 330–334 setting up, 179–181 working with in Windows, 332 using, 181–183 Data DVD option in Media Center, 214 dictating to PCs, 226–228 data files, 287 digital cameras, 193–195, 346–347 digital jacks, 35 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 360

360 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

digital monitor connector, 25 display digital music players, 347 adjusting to see small things, 130 Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), 178 defined, 120 digital video, 215 Display Pointer Trails option in the Mouse digital video connector, illustrated, 26 Properties dialog box, 147 digital video recorders (DVR), 208 Display Settings dialog box, 131 digital-to-VGA adapter, 35 display size, adjusting, 131–132 DIMMs (Dual Inline Modular Memory), 95 disposing of discs, 334 dip, 39 .doc , 291 directional antenna, 234 document scanners directories. See folders compared to digital cameras, 194 disc drive letter, mapping a network folder described, 195–198, 346–347 as, 250 operation of, 196–197 disc formats, 328–329 documents and files disconnecting from a dialup connection, about, 286 256 attributes of, 287 discs. See also CDs canceling the printing of, 162 about, 347 contents of, 286–287 burning, 225 copying to removable media, 313 capacity of, 110 creating, 294–296 disposing of, 334 creating shortcuts for, 313–314 ejecting, 111–112, 332–333 date and time of, 287 inserting into drives, 111 deleting, 314 labeling, 334 described, 15, 198, 286 making your own, 224–225, 327–334 describing, 287–288 moving information between computers downloading, 263 with, 331 dragging between two folders, 312 naming, 331 duplicating, 312 obtaining proper, 328–329 finding, 316 playing musical, 170 in folders, 288 ripping music from, 221 lassoing a group of, 310 disc-writing software, 329 moving or copying, 311–312 disk drive cage, inside the console, 72–73 naming, 287–290, 295 disk drives. See also hard drives not backing up, 339 alternative forms of, 112 opening, 94 described, 107 opening or deleting unknown, 339 lights, 21–22 renaming, 315–316 sharing entire, 249 saving, 94 types of, 106 saving as a different type, 296 disk media in a disk drive, 107 saving to disk, 294–296 disk memory, 12 selecting, 307–311 disk storage, sharing, 231 selecting a few, 308–309 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 361

Index 361

selecting a row of, 309–310 drive letters selecting all in a folder, 308 assigning to shared folders, 245 sending between two computers, 263 identifying storage media, 117 size of, 287 rules for assigning, 118 types of, 286, 288 drive mechanism of a disk drive, 107 undeleting, 314–315 drivers of unknown format, 269 described, 15 unselecting, 311 finding on the Internet, 265 uploading, 263 dropping an object with a mouse, 145 working with groups of, 307–311 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), 178 Documents folder DSL modem, 178 described, 300 Dual Inline Modular Memory (DIMM), 95 displaying files and folders found in, duplicating files, 312 302–303 dust cover for a PC, 344 Documents subfolder in the User Profiles DVD drives folder, 66 creating CDs and DVDs, 109 dots per inch (dpi), 197 described, 20–21, 109–110, 220 double quotes in Google searches, 259 inserting a boot disc into, 110 double-clicking with a mouse, 145 making discs with, 328 downloading speed rating of, 110–111 files, 263 DVD logo, 110 software from the Internet, 265–267 DVD recordable formats, 328 Downloads folder DVD+R discs, 328 deleting files from, 267 DVD-R discs, 328 described, 300 DVD-RAM format, 328 dpi (dots per inch), 197 DVD+RW discs, 328 Drafts folder in Windows Mail, 260 DVD-RW discs, 328 dragging DVDs files between two folders, 312 burning from recorded TV, 213–214 with a mouse, 145 capacity of, 110 Dragon Naturally Speaking, 228 DVR (digital video recorder), 208 DRAM chips, 95 dynamic microphones, 167 DRD-R format, erasable version of, 328 dynamic random access memory (DRAM) drive A, 112, 117 chips, 95 drive B, 117 drive C, 117 drive for DVDs • E • creating CDs and DVDs, 109 editing images, 201–204 described, 20, 21, 109–110, 220 802.11 wireless networking standard, 232 inserting a boot disc into, 110 ejecting making discs with, 328 discs, 111–112 speed rating of, 110–111 memory cards, 114–115 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 362

362 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

ejecting (continued) external storage a music CD, 221 adding, 115–116 recordable discs, 332–333 described, 115–116 electrical storm, turning off PCs during, 57 removing, 116 electrical surge, 39 Extract button in the Extract Compressed e-mail addresses, entering, 260 (Zipped) Folders window, 267 e-mail attachments grabbing with Windows Mail, 268–269 opening, 269 • F • saving in Windows Mail, 268 F1 key, 67, 138 sending and receiving with e-mail, 268 F2 key, 316 sending in Windows Mail, 269–270 F5 key, 244 e-mail messages face down, top side down symbol, 154 blind-carbon-copying of, 261 face down, top side up symbol, 154 opening programs attached to, 341 face up, top side down symbol, 155 e-mail program in Windows, 259–261 face up, top side up symbol, 155 e-mail server, your ISP’s, 255 fan Enable Transparency check box, 127 in the console, 23 energy, saving, 185 for the microprocessor, 76 Energy Star program, 185 Favorite Links area in Windows Enter key, 138–139 Explorer, 303 Erase This Disc toolbar button, 333 Favorites, adding Web pages to, 258 ergonomic keyboard, 345. See also Favorites folder, 301 keyboard(s) fax machine, as a printing device, 157 Escape (Esc) key fax modems, dialup modems as, 177 about, 138 file(s) canceling an operation, 312 about, 286 making the Start button menu go away, 62 attributes of, 287 Ethernet. See also NICs (network adapter canceling the printing of, 162 cards) contents of, 286–287 networking standard, 232 copying to removable media, 313 events, assigning sounds to, 170–172 creating, 294–296 EXE extension, 292 creating shortcuts for, 313–314 executable files, 292 date and time of, 287 expansion, future, 20–21 deleting, 314 expansion cards, 23, 78–79 described, 15, 198, 286–288 expansion slots, 23, 78–79 downloading, 263 extensions. See filename extensions dragging between two folders, 312 external devices, assigning drive letters to, duplicating, 312 118 finding, 316 external dialup modems in folders, 288 adding, 180 graphics, 198–205 described, 177 lassoing a group of, 310 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 363

Index 363

moving or copying, 311–312 film negatives, scanning, 198 naming, 287–290, 295 finding. See searching not backing up, 339 firewall. See also Windows Firewall opening, 94 defined, 276–277 opening or deleting unknown, 339 enabling a router’s, 241 renaming, 315–316 operations of, 277 saving, 94 testing, 277 saving as a different type, 296 firewall protection in a router, 235 saving to disk, 294–296 FireWire port. See also IEEE 1394 connector selecting, 307–311 networking computers using, 235 selecting a few, 308–309 FireWire symbol, 90 selecting a row of, 309–310 flash animation, displaying pop-up selecting all in a folder, 308 windows, 274 sending between two computers, 263 flash memory, 96 size of, 287 flat screen monitors, 122 types of, 286, 288 flipping images, 203–204 undeleting, 314–315 floppy disk drives, 21, 112 of unknown format, 269 floppy disks, 107 unselecting, 311 folder icon in Windows, 298 uploading, 263 folders working with groups of, 307–311 creating, 304 File Download dialog box, 265–266 deleting, 314 File menu, Save commands on, 294–295 described, 288, 297–298 File Name text box in the Open dialog box, files in, 288 305 forbidden, 301–302 file sharing, turning on, 248 as key to organizing files, 298 File Transfer Protocol (FTP), 270 naming, 289, 304 filename extensions opening, 298, 303 described, 291 opening or deleting unknown, 339 details about, 291–292 renaming, 315–316 for graphics files, 199 selecting all files in, 308 renaming, 293 sharing, 248–249 seeing or hiding, 292 unsharing, 251 filenames Folders list in Windows Explorer, 303 case sensitivity of, 289 footprint of a PC, 18 described, 287 forbidden characters in filenames, 290 forbidden characters, 290 forbidden folders, 301–302 length of, 290 Form Feed button on a printer, 152 file-naming rules, 290 format for a recordable disc, 329–330 FileZilla, 270 forward slash (/) key, 138 film DVDs, programs for making, 329 404 error, 258 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 364

364 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

FreeCell, playing to learn a computer graphics systems of a PC, 120–123 mouse, 145 grayscale, printing in, 259 FTP (File Transfer Protocol), 270 guide function keys on the keyboard, 134 recording TV shows found in, 212 viewing in Windows Media Center, 211 • G • gadgets in the Sidebar, 61 • H • game controller. See gamepad connector hanging up a modem, 183 gamepad connector, 34 hard copy GB (gigabyte) of memory, 97 described, 19 Getting Started booklet, 318 printing, 150 GHz (gigahertz), 77 hard disk drives, capacity and speed of, gibi (Gi), 101 108 GIF (Graphics Interchange Format), 199 hard drives. See also disk drives gigabyte (GB) of memory, 97 adding to a PC, 108 gigahertz (GHz), 77 purchasing larger, faster, 345 Google, searching with, 259 storing images on, 195 GPU (graphics processing unit), 123 hardware graphical images. See also icons basic PC, 18–20 adjusting contrast or brightness, 202–203 buying incompatible, 338 copyrighted on the Web, 264 described, 13 cropping, 201 keyboards. See keyboards(s) editing, 201–204 for making discs, 328 flipping, 203–204 memory cards. See memory cards getting into PCs, 193–198 for networking, 232–236 resizing, 201–202 opening, 340 rotating, 203–204 printers. See printer(s) saving from Web pages, 264 screen. See monitors; screen scaling, 201–202 upgrading safely, 352 selecting a program to manage, 194–195 hardware firewall, 241 viewing in Windows, 204–205 HDTV capable tuners, 208 graphical links in Web pages, 258 headphones graphics adapters switching to speakers, 169 described, 120, 122–123 using, 166 disabling on the motherboard, 123 headphones/speakers connector, 24–25 graphics file formats, 198–200 headsets graphics file types, changing, 200–201 described, 166 graphics files, working with, 198–205 purchasing, 346 Graphics Interchange Format (GIF), 199 heat dissipation in computers, 185 graphics port. See AGP (Accelerated heating ducts, running networking cable Graphics Port) through, 235 graphics processing unit (GPU), 123 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 365

Index 365

Help (F1) key, 67, 138 for storage devices, 117 Help and Support Center, 67 on a typical PC monitor, 125 Help and Support command, 67 in Windows Explorer, 303 Help engine, quitting, 67 IDE, 107 Hibernate option IEEE 1294 port, 235 described, 49 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) connector, 24–27. See for the power button, 54 also FireWire port Hibernation, 51–52 IEEE cables, 90 Hide Extensions for Known File Types IEEE connectors, 33 option, 292 IEEE port, 33, 89–90 hiding filename extensions, 292 I.Link. See IEEE port High Performance power-management images. See also icons; pictures plan, 187 adjusting contrast or brightness, 202–203 High Performance Serial Bus. See IEEE port copyrighted on the Web, 264 high-speed modems. See broadband cropping, 201 modems editing, 201–204 hoaxes, 340 flipping, 203–204 home page, setting, 257–258 getting into PCs, 193–198 horizontal orientation resizing, 201–202 choosing for printing Web pages, 259 rotating, 203–204 printing in, 161 saving from Web pages, 264 .HTML filename extension, 291 scaling, 201–202 hub selecting a program to manage, 194–195 described, 235 viewing in Windows, 204–205 for a network, 233 impact printers, 150 of a network, 235–236 Import Pictures and Videos to My human engineering, 272, 279 Computer option, 195 humidity, avoiding, 31 Import Pictures using Windows option, 195 hype, shunning, 353 incompatible hardware, buying, 338 Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), 79 infrared (IR) cordless mice, 143–144 • I • infrared connector, illustrated, 27 IBM PC, 15 initializing a recordable disc, 329 icons ink cartridges described, 61 changing, 154 on the desktop, 60 in inkjet printers, 153 for desktop, 322–323 ink for printers, 153–154 displaying Control Panel items as, 64 inkjet paper, 155 enlarging, 130 inkjet printers, 150–151 renaming a group of, 316 ink/toner replacement for printers, 152 representing files in Windows, 293 Input and Output. See I/O (Input/Output) shortcut compared to regular, 314 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 366

366 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

input devices I/O (Input/Output), 10–11 described, 11 I/O connectors on the motherboard, 75 mice as, 142 I/O panel on the console, 23–26 inserting I/O port, 86 discs into disc drives, 111 IP addresses, providing dynamically, 242 memory cards, 114 iPod insertion pointer, 135 described, 347 Install Updated Automatically option in designed for iTunes software, 224 Windows Update, 278 making MP3 players popular, 223 installation of software, 318–320 ISA expansion slot, 79 installation program, starting, 319 ISP (Internet service provider) instructions for a processor, 12 choosing, 254–255 Intel, microprocessors from, 76 information needed from, 255 interface malware assistance from, 272 of a disk drive, 107 iTunes, 221, 224 of a graphics adapter, 123 of Windows, 59–63 internal clock • J • displayed by Windows, 80 jacks, 86 in a PC, 80–82 joystick connector, 34 setting, 81 joystick port, 26–27 updating date-and-time stamps, 288 JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) internal dialup modem, 176–177, 180–181 file format, 199 Internet JPG images, converting TIFF images to, 200 accessing, 254–257 jukeboxes, available for Windows, 221 configuring Windows for, 256 connecting to, 256–257 described, 254 • K • downloading software from, 265–267 Kaspersky Anti-Virus, 279 obtaining software from, 265–268 KB (kilobytes) of memory, 96–97 Internet Explorer (IE) Kensington SmartSockets power strips, 39 browsing the Web using, 257–258 keyboard(s) running to test the Internet, 256 connecting, 34 security features of, 272 controlling in Windows, 140–141 security tools in, 273–275 described, 19 starting, 273 ergonomic, 345 Internet hoaxes, spreading, 340 keys on special, 139 Internet programs, running more than one, layout of, 134–135 256 keyboard connector, 24, 27 Internet service provider. See ISP keyboard cover, 344 Internet time, synchronizing with, 82 keyboard port, 34, 91 invisible SSID, 241 Keyboard Properties dialog box, 140–141 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 367

Index 367

keys Live File System format abbreviations on, 136 described, 329–330 repeating, 140 selecting, 331 kilobits per second, measuring modem live TV speed, 178 pausing, 210–211 kilobytes (KB) of memory, 96–97 watching, 210–211 KVM switch, 90 Live TV subcategory in the Windows Media Center, 210–211 local area network (LAN), 232 • L • local sharing, 249 labeling discs, 334 lock keys on the keyboard, 137 LAN (local area network), 232 locking PCs, 48, 50–51 landscape orientation Log Off command on the Shutdown printing in, 161 menu, 50 for printing Web pages, 259 logging in to Windows, 46–47 laptop PCs logging off PCs, 48, 50 described, 18 long-term storage, 12, 94 update options for, 278 , 199 laser in a CD or DVD drive, 107 LPT port, 91 laser paper as inkjet paper, 155 LPT1, 158 laser printers described, 150 not plugging into power strips, 39 • M • plugging in directly into wall sockets, 39 MAC address, getting, 241–242 lassoing files, 310 Macintosh computer, 16 LCD monitors, 121–122, 132 Macintosh iPod LED sensor in an optical mouse, 143 described, 347 left (main) button on a mouse, 142–143 designed for iTunes software, 224 left handers, mouse adjustments for, 148 making MP3 players popular, 223 legacy ports magazines, subscribing to computer, 352 described, 90–91 magnetic oxide in disk media, 107 on a PC, 86 Magnifier tool in Windows, 226 lightning storm, turning off PCs during, 57 mail addresses, entering, 260 lights on the console, 21–22 mail attachments Line In connector, 32 grabbing with Windows Mail, 268–269 Line in jack, 24–25, 27 opening, 269 line noise, 39 saving in Windows Mail, 268 Links folder, 301 sending and receiving with e-mail, 268 liquid crystal display. See LCD monitors sending in Windows Mail, 269–270 Live File Format disc mail messages ejecting, 332–333 blind-carbon-copying of, 261 interaction with, 332 opening programs attached to, 341 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 368

368 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

mail program in Windows, 259–261 Media sharing setting in the Network and mail server, your ISP’s, 255 Sharing Center window, 248 malware, 272–273 megabits per second (Mbps), 234 manual. See also online manual megabyte (MB) of memory, 97 for a printer, 153 megapixel, 197 manual/envelope feeder in a printer, 151 memory. See also RAM (random access Map Network Drive dialog box, 250 memory) mapped network drive, disconnecting, 251 adding to a PC, 101–103 mapping a folder to a disk drive letter, 250 described, 12, 93–94 margins, setting for printing, 160–161 determining the amount of, 98–99 Mastered disc, ejecting, 332 in a graphics adapters, 122 Mastered format measuring, 96–97 described, 330 saving contents to a file, 106 selecting, 331 sizes of, 98 Mastered format disc upgrading, 345 finishing, 333 memory addresses, 97 interaction with, 332 memory card reader in a printer, 151–152 Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software, memory card slots, 21 135 memory cards MB (megabyte) of memory, 97 copying files to, 313 Mbps (megabits per second), 234 described, 106, 113 McAfee VirusScan, 279 ejecting, 114–115 mebi (Mi), 101 inserting, 114 mechanical mouse, 143 plugging into PCs, 194 media, mounting, 313 types of, 113–114 Media Access Control address. See MAC usage limitation of, 115 address, getting memory chips, 95 Media Center Memory Sticks, types of, 114 configuring, 209 menu bar in Internet Explorer, 257 interface of, 209–210 messages, e-mail. See e-mail messages recording TV programs, 211–212 Mi (mebi), 101 using, 208 mice. See mouse using across a network, 248 microcomputers, 15 media PC, 207 microphone Media Player configuring, 168 compared to Windows Media Center, 208 described, 32 controlling audio files, 170 options for, 167 interface of, 220 setting up for speech recognition, 227 running, 220–221 microphone jack, 24–25, 27 working with portable music devices, 223 Microphone Setup Wizard, 168 media playlist, 220, 222 microprocessor media sharing, turning on, 248 described, 75–76 determining the type of, 77–78 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 369

Index 369

in a graphics system, 123 moon button, setting, 55 muscle and speed of, 76–77 motherboard naming, 76 described, 72–75 Microsoft, security patches from, 279 sound-generation hardware on, 164 Microsoft Natural Keyboard, 345 Motion Pictures Experts Group format, 216 Microsoft Windows. See Windows mounting MIDI file format, 171 discs into a PC’s permanent storage MIDI files, converting to audio file system, 331 formats, 225 media, 313 Mini 1394 DV connector, 24–25 mouse mini-DIN connector for audio input, 32–33 connecting, 34 mini-tower PC, 18 described, 19, 142–143 mirrors for downloading, 267 double-clicking, 145, 147 Mixer, choosing from the volume control operations, 144–145 pop-up, 169 variations of, 144 modem connector, 24–25, 27 wireless, 91 modems mouse body, 142–143 broadband, 35, 177–178 mouse connector, 24, 27 connecting, 34–35 mouse pads defined, 175–176 with built-in wrist elevators, 141 sharing, 231 purchasing, 343 speed of, 178–179 mouse pointer types of, 176–179 controlling on the screen, 144 modifier keys on the keyboard, 135–136 locating a lost, 146–147 modular components, 73 mouse port, 34, 91 modulation, 175 Mouse Properties dialog box, 146 monitor buttons, 124–125 MOV file, 216 monitor connector, 27 movie DVDs, programs for making, 329 monitor/adapter relationship in a graphics moving system, 120–121 files, 311–312 monitors. See also screen with a mouse, 145 adjusting, 141, 352 MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3) format, 224 adjusting the display of, 124–126 MP3 audio files, 171 connecting, 35 MP3 players defined, 120 attaching to PCs, 223 described, 18–19 described, 223, 347 entering a low-power state, 187 MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group) physical description of, 124 format, 216 resolution of, 197 MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 format, 224 turning off, 57 multiboot system, 52 types of, 121–122 MultiMediaCard (MMC), 114 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 370

370 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

music. See also audio network adapter cards, 234 organizing into playlists, 220, 222 Network and Sharing Center, 65–66 ripping from CDs, 221 Network and Sharing Center window music CD-Rs, 329 displaying, 236–237 music CDs, making your own, 224–225 opening, 182 Music folder sharing settings in, 247–248 described, 301 Network area of the Network and Sharing saving files in, 173 Center window, 237 in the User Profile folder, 171 Network Connections Details box, 241 music players, digital, 347 network connector, 24–26 Music subfolder in the User Profiles folder, network discovery, turning on, 246 66 Network discovery setting in the Network Musical Instrument Digital Interface, 171 and Sharing Center window, 247 Musicmatch Jukebox, 221 network drives, adding to a computer My Documents folder. See Documents system, 118 folder network folder My Music folder. See Music folder accessing, 249–250 My Network Places. See Network window mapping as a disk drive letter, 250 network layouts, typical, 233 network map, viewing, 246–247 • N • network name, setting your name, assigning to a computer, 239 computer’s, 239 naming Network Neighborhood. See Network discs, 331 window files, 287–290, 295 network printers folders, 289, 304 accessing, 252 Narrator program in Windows, 226 described, 157 narrowband modem. See dialup modem using, 252 Natural Keyboard, 345 Network window Navigation pane in Windows Explorer, 303 browsing folders from, 249–250 negatives (film), scanning, 198 browsing the network from, 245 Nero program, 329 described, 66 network(s) refreshing, 244 ad hoc, described, 238 in Windows, 244–246 browsing, 245 networking choosing public or private, 238 control of, 65–66 configuring, 233 hardware for, 232–236 connecting to using Windows, 237–238 software used for, 236–242 graphical map of, 246–247 standards, 232 hub in, 235–236 networking cable, wiring with, 235 plugging in, 35 networking jack, 35 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 371

Index 371

NICs (network adapter cards), 234 opening folders No Signal message on a monitor, 124 about, 298 Norton AntiVirus, 279 unknown, 339 notebook/laptop PC. See laptop PCs in Windows Explorer, 303 Notification Area operating system, 13–14, 59 described, 60–61, 63 optical character recognition (OCR), 198 “networking buddies” icon in, 238 optical mouse, 143 updates pop-up bubble in, 279 orange UACs, 282 Volume icon, 169 Organize button on the toolbar, 304 null modem, 179 orientation, changing for an image, 203–204 Num Lock key, 134, 137 OS. See operating system number 0, compared to uppercase letter O, Outlook Express. See Windows Mail 137 output, 11 number 1, compared to lowercase letter l, output devices, 11 137 numbers, at the beginning of filenames, 290 • P • numeric keypad packaging (packing material) on the keyboard, 134 keeping, 30 keys for working with numbers, 140 unpacking, 29–30 NVIDIA adapters, 126 padlock button in the Start button menu, 51 NVIDIA GeForce, 123 Page Setup command selecting landscape orientation, 259 selecting paper size, 155 • O • Page Setup dialog box, 160–161 OCR (optical character recognition), 198 Paint program, opening a graphics image file format, 224 in, 200 online manual, 67 paper On-Line or Select on a printer, 152 buying, 338 on-off button on a monitor, 124 for printers, 154–155 on-off switch, true, 55 types of, 155 on-screen display for a monitor, 125 paper feed in a printer, 151 Open button in the Open dialog box, 306 paper output tray in a printer, 151–152 Open dialog box, 305–306 paper sizes, selecting, 161 Open Folder to View Files option, 195 paperclip icon in Windows Mail, 268 open stand, 224 parent folders, 299 opening Parental Controls in Windows Vista, 272 the console or case, 73–74 partitioning a drive, 108 files, 15, 94 password folders, 298 entering into Windows, 47 hardware, 340 entering manually, 256 information in Windows, 106 for a user account, 46 for a wireless network, 242 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 372

372 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

Password Hint link, 47 peer-to-peer network password protected sharing, 248 compared to an ad hoc, 238 Paste command, selecting, 311 described, 232 Paste Shortcut command, selecting, 313 Pentium microprocessor, 76 patches, installing to Windows, 278 periods in filenames, 290 patching software, 325 Peripheral Component Interconnect. See pathnames, backslash (\) key in, 138 PCI Express Pause key, 138 peripherals pausing live TV, 210–211 described, 85 PC Setup program, 45 monitors as, 124 PCI Express, 79 turning on, 44 PCI Express slot, 123 permanent storage PCI slots, 79 described, 105 PCs (personal computers) types of devices for, 106 adding memory to, 101–103 uses of, 106 assigning names to, 239 personal computers. See PCs clock, 80–82 Personalization window controlling, 349–350 Desktop Background, 128 described, 15–16 Display Settings, 131 dictating to, 226–228 Screen Saver, 129 getting images into, 193–198 viewing, 126 graphics systems of, 120–123 Windows Color and Appearance, 127 inner guts of, 72–73 phishing introduction to, 9–16 described, 273 leaving turned on, 56–57 fighting with Internet Explorer, 274–275 locking, 50–51 Phishing Filter in Internet Explorer, 275 memory requirements of, 99 Phone and Modem Options icon, viewing, not taking so seriously, 353 180 power-saving options for battery- phone headsets powered, 188–189 described, 166 resetting for automatic updates, 279 purchasing, 346 setting up, 29–42 phosphor burn-in, 130 television on, 209–215 photo printers, 150 transferring files between two, 179 photocopier paper, as general-purpose turning into TVs, 207–209 paper, 155 turning off, 48–54 photo-editing programs, 198 turning on, 37–42, 44–46 photographic papers, 155 types of, 17–18 picture size of a monitor, 124 unplugging when upgrading hardware, pictures. See also images 352 selecting as background, 128 sending as e-mail attachments, 270 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 373

Index 373

Pictures folder programming, 52 described, 301 on the Start menu, 55–56 storing images in, 195 power connector, 23, 27 Pictures subfolder in the User Profiles power lines, spikes through, 39 folder, 66 power management ping, 199 described, 185–186 pin-on area, putting programs in, 321–322 standards, 186 pixels power of two, 98 described, 132 Power Options in System Settings, 53–54 number displayed, 131 Power Options window platters in hard drives, 107 controlling Sleep mode, 51 Play button in the Windows Media Player displaying, 186 window, 220 opening, 55 Playback tab in the Sound dialog box, 168 preset plans in, 187 playlist power outage, 39 creating, 220, 222 Power Save power-management plan, 187 editing, 222 power strip plenum cable, 235 described, 37–39 PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, turning on, 44 199 power supply, 72–73, 83–84 pointer. See cursor; mouse pointer power surge, 39 Pointer Options tab in the Mouse powered USB hub, 88 Properties dialog box, 146–147 power-management plan pointing with a mouse, 145 choosing, 187 Pop-up Blocker submenu in Internet creating, 188 Explorer, 274 Preview button on the toolbar, 204 pop-ups, 273 Print dialog box portable music players, 223, 347 described, 159–160 Portable Network Graphics (PNG) format, displaying, 259 199 Properties button, 259 portrait orientation, printing in, 161 Print Preview command, 160, 258 ports, 86, 277 Print Screen key, 132 posture for typing, 141 Print toolbar icon, 160 power printer(s) turning on, 37–42 adding manually, 158 for USB devices, 87–88 all-in-one printers, 150, 152 power button connecting, 35–36 described, 21–22, 43 control panels on, 152–153 disabling, 54 controlling in Windows, 156–159 functions of, 53–54 described, 19 panic shut down, 54 ink for, 153–154 operation of, 159–162 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 374

374 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

printer(s) (continued) antivirus software, 279, 320, 350–351 paper for, 154–155 attached to e-mail messages, 341 parts of, 151–152 described, 14–15, 294 resolution of, 197 finding on the Start button menu, 320–321 setting default, 158–159 putting in the pin-on area, 321–322 setting up, 156 quitting all other, 318 sharing, 231, 251–252 running, 320–323 turning on, 44 Programs and Features window in the types of, 150–151 Control Panel, 324 unsharing, 252 Properties button in the Print dialog printer cable box, 259 described, 36 protecting against viruses. See antivirus purchasing, 156 software printer connector, 24–25, 27 public folder sharing, 248 printer paper, buying, 338 Public folder sharing setting in the printer port, 91 Network and Sharing Center printer sharing, turning on, 248 window, 247 Printer sharing setting in the Network and public network, 238 Sharing Center window, 247 public-level folders, accessing, 248 Printers and Faxes window, displaying, purging recorded TV, 214–215 156–157 printer’s window, displaying, 162 Printers window, opening, 251 • Q • printing Quick Launch bar in reverse order, 161 described, 60–61 stopping, 161–162 putting an icon on, 323 Web pages, 258–259 QuickTime, obtaining a free copy of, 216 private network, 238 “quit all other programs” message, 318 PRN port, 91 quotes in Google searches, 259 processing, described, 11–12 processor described, 12, 75–76 • R • determining the type of, 77–78 radio frequency mice, 143–144 in a graphics system, 123 rain storm, turning off PCs during, 57 muscle and speed of, 76–77 RAM (random access memory), 12, 94, 96. naming, 76 See also memory program files, 287 Read Me sheet with software, 318 Program Files folder, 267, 302 README file in downloaded software, 266 programmable power button, 53 read-only drive, DVD drive as, 109 programs (applications) read-only memory (ROM), 96 accessing recent, 321 read-write head on a hard drive, 107 adding and removing, 158, 324 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 375

Index 375

recharging cradle for a cordless mouse, renaming 144 filename extensions, 293 recordable disc formats, standards for, 328 files, 315–316 recordable discs folders, 315–316 ejecting, 332–333 repeat delay, 140 putting into a drive, 330 repeat rate, 140 recordable DVD drive, 328 repetitive stress injury (RSI), avoiding, 141 recorded shows, removing, 215 repository, 265 recorded TV reset button, 22 burning DVDs from, 213–214 resizing images, 201–202 purging, 214–215 resolution watching, 213 adjusting, 131–132 recording of the desktop, 61 scheduling for TV programs, 212–213 of a PC monitor, 197 sounds, 172–173 of printers, 197 TV programs, 211–212 setting for a scanner, 197 Recording tab in the Sound dialog box, 168 Resolution slider in the Display Settings recovery drive, drive D as, 108 dialog box, 131 Recycle Bin, opening on the desktop, resources, sharing, 231–232 314–315 Restart command from the Shutdown Recycle Bin icon menu, 49, 52 described, 66 restarting dragging files into, 314 a PC, 49 recycling ink cartridges, 153 Windows, 52 red UACs, 282 Restore This Item button in the Recycle Refresh button in Internet Explorer, 258 Bin, 315 registration of software, 320 “restricted content” TV channels, 210 reinstalling Windows, 351 Return key. See Enter key removable media reusability of memory, 94 copying files to, 313 reverse order, printing in, 161 labeling, 334 right button, on a mouse, 142–143 removing right-clicking with a mouse, 145 discs, 111–112 right-dragging with a mouse, 145 memory cards, 114–115 ripping music from CDs, 221 a music CD, 221 RJ-45 jack, 35 programs, 324 ROM (read-only memory), 96 recordable discs, 332–333 ROM drive, 109 RW disc contents, 333–334 root directory. See root folder Rename command root folder for files, 293 described, 298–299 from the Organize toolbar button’s of the hard drive, 302 menu, 315 root hub, 88 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 376

376 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

rotating images, 203–204 Scanners and Cameras option in Control routers Panel, 216 with built-in firewall protection in a scheduling the recording of TV router, 235 programs, 212 configuring, 240–242 screen. See also monitors described, 235 defined, 120 in networks, 233 taking a picture of, 132 RS-232 serial port, 36. See also serial port Screen Resolution slider, setting display RSI (repetitive stress injury), avoiding, 141 resolution, 131 running programs, 320–323 screen saver RW discs disabling, 130 compared to other recordable discs, 334 displaying, 129–130 erasing, 333–334 Screen Saver Settings dialog box, 129–130 as more expensive, 329 Scroll Lock key, 137 readability of, 334 Search Results window, opening, 316 Searches folder, 301 searching • S • for files, 316 SATA. See Serial ATA interface for a disk the Web, 259 drive secret panel door, 21–22. See also I/O panel satellite modem, 178 on the console Save As command, 294–295 Secure Digital (SD) cards, types of, 114 Save As dialog box security described, 264, 295–296 firewalls. See firewall naming files, 289 passwords. See password Save As Type drop-down list, 296 spyware, 273, 279–280 Save As Type menu button, saving against viruses. See antivirus software graphics files, 200 Security Center window, 275–276 Save Attachments dialog box in Windows security patches, accessing the latest from Mail, 268 Microsoft, 279 Save command, 339 Select All command, 308 Save commands in Windows, 294–295 selecting files Save Games folder, 301 all in a folder, 308 saving a few, 308–309 files, 94, 294–296 a row of, 309–310 songs to a CD, 225 Serial ATA interface for a disk drive, 107 your work, 339 serial connector, 24–25 scaling images, 201–202 serial number, finding for software, 319 scanners serial port, 36, 91 compared to digital cameras, 194 series described, 195–198, 346–347 recording all programs in a TV, 212 operation of, 196–197 removing, 215 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 377

Index 377

servers shutting down Windows properly, 337 in a client-server network, 232 Sidebar, 60, 61 for downloading, 267 sitting at a computer, 141 Service Set Identifier. See SSID 16 bits, PC sound sampled at, 164 Setup program, accessing, 45 size of files, 287 Share button on the toolbar, 249 skin for Windows Media Player, 221 share name, changing, 249 sleep button, 22. See also moon button, shared folders in a network, 245 setting shared network resources, displaying, 245 Sleep command from the Shutdown menu, shared printers, 157 49, 51 shared video memory, 100 Sleep mode sharing described, 48, 51 configuring Windows to enable, 247–248 enabling with the power button, 54 folders, 248–249 Slide Show button on the toolbar, 205 printers, 251–252 slide-in type of disk drive, 111 resources, 231–232 slide-out tray for a disc drive, 111 Shield icon Slideshow program, running, 205 labeling required administrator SmartComputing magazine, 352 approval, 281 SmartMedia cards, 114 on the Start menu power button, 279 SmartSockets power strips, 39 ShieldsUP (Gibson Research), 277 Snap To option in the Mouse Properties Shift key dialog box, 147 holding to move files, 312 Snipping Tool, 132 holding to select files, 309–310 software uses of, 136 antivirus software, 279, 320, 350–351 Shift+Delete command, permanently applications, 14 deleting files, 315 buying too much, 338 shortcut icons defined, 12 compared to regular, 314 described, 13 creating on the desktop, 322–323 downloading from the Internet, 265–267 Shortcut suffix, 314 drivers, 15 shortcuts, creating for files, 313–314 installing, 266, 318–320 Show Color Mixer button, 127 memory requirements of, 99 Show More arrow, 276 operating system in a computer, 13–14 Show More button, 248 other, 14–15 Shut Down command programs, 15 described, 49, 52–53 with scanners, 198 from the Start button menu, 337 uninstalling, 323–325 Shut Down option updating and upgrading, 325–326 described, 49 utilities, 15 for the power button, 54 for writing discs, 329 shutdown, options for, 48–50 software boxes, keeping intact, 318 Shutdown menu, accessing, 49–50 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 378

378 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

Solitaire, playing to learn a computer Speech Recognition microphone window, mouse, 145 227–228 Sony/Phillips Digital Interconnect Format. Speech Recognition Options window, 227 See SPDIF connectors speech tutorial, taking, 227 sound(s) speed assigning to events, 170–172 double-click rate, 145 playing in Windows, 170 of memory, 94 recording, 172–173 of a microprocessor, 77 Sound dialog box speed rating of DVD and CD drives, opening, 170–171 110–111 Playback tab, 168 Spelling button in Windows Mail, 260 Recording tab, 168 spikes, 39 Sounds tab, 171–172 spyware in Windows, 167 described, 273 sound files, copying to audio CDs, 225 protecting against, 279–280 sound hardware SSID (Service Set Identifier) adding to a PC, 164 making invisible, 241 controlling, 167 for a wireless network, 241–242 Sound Recorder program in Windows, Stand By mode. See Sleep mode 172–173 Standard account, UAC when using, 281 sound samples on the Internet, 172 standard recordable CD format, 328 Sounds list, preselected sounds on, 171 standard rewriteable (RW) CD format, 328 Sounds tab in the Sound dialog box, Start button 171–172 described, 60, 62 SourceForge.net Web page, 265 on the taskbar, 61 spaces in filenames, 290 Start button menu spam e-mail, replying to, 340 customizing, 62 SPDIF connectors, 24–25, 27–28, 33 described, 62–63 Speaker Setup Wizard, 168 finding programs on, 320–321 speakers Help and Support command, 67 configuring in Windows, 168 padlock button, 51 described, 19, 164–166 programs pinned to, 321–322 in a monitor, 124 Shut Down command, 337 positioning, 165–166 Start menu, power button, 55–56 switching to headphones, 169 Start Sync button, 223 speakers connector, 24–25 starting speakers jack, 28 PCs, 44–46 speaking, PC capable of, 226 Windows, 46–48 speaking to PCs, 226–228 startup error messages, 46 special buttons on a mouse, 142–143 sticky labels, not using on CD-Rs, 334 special characters in filenames, 290 Stop button in Internet Explorer, 258 speech recognition in Windows, 227 stopping printing, 161–162 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 379

Index 379

storage, 12 taskbar, 60, 61 storage media, capacity of, 106 tasks, switching between, 61 storage of data, external TB (terabyte) of memory, 97 adding, 115–116 technical support from an ISP, 255 described, 115–116 telephone, connecting to a computer, 34 removing, 116 television, watching on PCs, 209–215 storms (electrical), turning off PCs television signal, required by a during, 57 TV tuner, 208 stylus mouse, 144 temperatures, best for PCs, 31 subfolders, 299 temporary storage, 12. See also memory subject, entering for an e-mail address, 260 terabyte (TB) of memory, 97 subwoofer, 164–165 terminal or communications software, 181 subwoofer jack, 24–25 text, saving from a Web page to disk, 264 supplies, not buying enough, 338 text documents, 286 surge, 39 three-dimensional graphics, surge protection, power strip with, 39 supporting, 123 surround left/right jack, 24–25, 28 thumbnails of images stored in a PC, 204 surround sound, setting up, 164–166 TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) graphics Suspend mode. See Sleep mode standard, 199 S-Video connector, 28, 36 TIFF images, converting to JPG, 200 S-Video output, 26 time. See also clock Switch User command on the Shutdown required to download files, 267 menu, 48–49, 51 setting in a PC, 81 switches, 235 time server, 82 system folders, 302 timeout value for sleeping a computer, 188 system password in the Setup program, 45 title bar, file name appearing on, 295 System Request key, 138 Toner [is] low warning, 154 System Settings window, Power Options, toner in laser printers, 153 53–54 tools, 15 system tray. See Notification Area tower system PC, 18 system unit. See console trackball, 144 System window transparencies (slides), scanning, 198 displaying memory, 98–99 tray types for disc drives, 111 microprocessor and RAM summary, Trojan programs, 273 77–78 turning off PCs, 48–53, 54 opening, 239 turning on PCs, 37–42, 44–46 TV turning a PC into, 207–209 • T • watching live, 210–211 Tab key, 139 TV channels, changing, 210–211 Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) graphics standard, 199 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 380

380 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

TV programs upgrading recording, 211–212 memory, 345 scheduling the recording of, 212–213 software, 325–326, 351 watching recorded, 213 Windows, 325 TV tuners uploading files, 263 connecting, 208–209 uppercase described, 208 Caps Lock key, 137 twisted pair, 179 in filenames, 289 two, powers of, 98 typing e-mail in ALL CAPS, 260 typewriter keys on the keyboard, 134 UPSs (uninterruptible power supplies) typing described, 40–42, 346 learning, 135 setting sleep values when running on, 189 posture for, 141 URLs, typing, 258 USB (Universal Serial Bus) port, 86 USB cables. See also cables • U • connecting cameras to PCs, 194 UAC dialogs, 280–282 described, 36–37, 87 undeleting files, 314–315 for printers, 156 Undo command (Ctrl+Z), 314, 316 USB connectors, 24, 28 uninstalling software, 323–325 USB devices uninterruptible power supply. See UPSs acting as hubs, 88 Universal Serial Bus ports. See USB ports connecting, 36–37, 87 Unnamed Network in the Connect to a plugging in, 36–37 Network window, 238 removing, 88 unpacking boxes, 29–30 USB hub, 88–89 unplugging PCs while upgrading hardware, USB interface for a disk drive, 107 352 USB ports unpowered USB hubs, 88 compared to IEEE, 90 unsecured wireless networks, 238 using to add external storage, 115 unselecting files, 311 USB symbol, 86 unsharing USB-powered devices, 87 folders, 251 user, switching, 48–49 printers, 252 user account, creating in Windows, 46 updates User Account Control (UAC) warning listing of Windows, 278 dialog boxes, 280–282 repairing or patching software, 325 User Account Folder window, displaying, updating 300 software, 325–326 user account name, 300 Windows, 277–279 User Profile folder upgrades, 326 described, 66, 299–301 subfolders in, 300–301 utilities, 15 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 381

Index 381

Volume icon in the Notification Area, 169 • V • VPU (visual processing unit), 123 validation of software, 320 VRAM, 122 vents, 21–22, 24 vertical orientation, printing in, 161 VGA (Video Gate Array), 123 • W • VGA connectors, described, 23–25, 35 wall socket, power coming from, 39 video(s) wallpaper creating or viewing your own, 215 changing, 128–129 editing, 217–218 creating, 129 video adapter card, memory chips on, 100 setting images as, 264 video capture card, 208 warning banner on blocked pop-ups, 274 video cards. See graphics adapters warranty card, filling out, 30 video chat, 216 watts, rating power supplies in, 84 video conference, 216 WAV (Waveform) audio format, 224 video driver, 15, 126 WAV files, 171 Video DVD option in Media Center, 214 Web video editing program, 217–218 browsing, 257–258. See also Internet video files, types of, 216–217 Explorer (IE) video memory, 100 described, 257 video RAM, 122 searching, 259 Video subfolder in the User Profiles Web browser, connecting to the router, 240 folder, 66 web camera, 215–216 Videos folder, 301 Web domain of an ISP, 255 video/VGA connector, 23–25 Web page addresses viewing images in Windows, 204 removing all previously typed, 257 virtual memory, 100 of routers, 240 virus, 273 Web pages virus protection software displaying for routers, 241 described, 279 keeping stuff from, 263–264 disabling, 320 printing, 258–259 investing in, 350–351 saving images from, 264 Vista. See Windows Vista saving text from, 264 visual interface. See skin for Windows saving to disk, 258–259 Media Player Web site(s) visually impaired, tools for, 226 checking with the phishing filter, 275 voice recognition, 227–228 for this book, 5 voltage switch, 23 webcam, 215–216 volume, adjusting in Windows, 169 WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), volume control, speakers with, 166 setting, 241 volume control slider, 169 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 382

382 PCs For Dummies, 11th Edition

wheel button on a mouse, 142–143 Windows Bitmap file format, 199 Win key Windows Defender popping up the Start button menu, 62 described, 272, 279–280 uses of, 136 starting, 280 Win+Break, 77 Windows Explorer program, 302–303 Win+E, 302 Windows Explorer window, compared to Win+F, 316 the Open dialog box, 305 Win+L, 50 Windows Firewall. See also firewall Window Color and Appearance in the described, 272, 276–277 Personalization window, 127 starting, 277 Windows. See also Windows Vista Windows folder, 302 adjusting monitor display, 126–132 Windows Help system, 67 audio control in, 167–169 Windows Mail changing the appearance of windows, 127 described, 260 configuring for the Internet, 256 grabbing an attachment with, 268–269 configuring to enable sharing, 247–248 saving attachments, 268 connecting to a network, 237–238 sending attachments, 269–270 controlling printers, 156–159 (WMA) file format, controlling the keyboard in, 140–141 171, 224 defending, 279–280 Windows Media Center folders used by, 301–302 configuring, 209 interface of, 59–63 interface of, 209, 210 manually configuring modems, 180 recording TV programs, 211–212 mouse in, 146–148 using, 208 Narrator program, 226 using across a network, 248 Network window, 244–246 Windows Media Player not properly shutting down, 337 compared to Windows Media Center, 208 as the operating system, 14 controlling audio files, 170 playing sounds in, 170 interface of, 220 power management in, 186–189 running, 220–221 reinstalling, 351 working with portable music devices, 223 restarting, 52 (WMV) format, 216 starting, 46–48 Windows Movie Maker, 217–218, 329 supporting creation of DVDs and CDs, 329 Windows Security Center updating, 277–279 described, 275–276 upgrading, 325 starting, 276 viewing images in, 204–205 Windows Sidebar, 60–61 working with data discs, 332 Windows Update service, 278 windows, pop-up Windows Vista. See also Windows blocking in Internet Explorer, 274 activating network discovery, 246 described, 273 flavors of, 4 Windows backup program, running, 339 password required for, 47 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 383

Index 383

recommendation for, 1 World Wide Web. See Web software setup of a network, 236–242 worm, 273 Windows Vista Aero interface in the Start wrist pad button menu, 62–63 described, 141 WINNT folder, 302 purchasing, 344 wire for wired networks, 233 writing songs to a CD, 225 Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), setting, 241 wireless devices, 37 • X • wireless hub, placement of, 236 X number, rating DVD and CD drives, wireless keyboards 110–111 described, 135 xD cards, 114 using traditional keyboard and mouse ports, 91 working directly with Media Center, 209 • Y • wireless networking standards, 232, 234 yellow UACs, 282 wireless networks, unsecured, 238 wireless NIC, 234 wireless routers, supporting wired • Z • networks, 235 wires in a wired network, 234 zero, typing, 137 WMA (Windows Media Audio) file format, zero bytes, file of, 288 171, 224 Zip file WMV (Windows Media Video) format, 216 described, 304 word order in Google searches, 259 installing from, 267–268 work, not saving, 339 Zoom menu in the IE window, 257 workgroup Zoom tool, 202 described, 239–240 joining, 239–240 shown in the Network window, 244 41_137284 bindex.qxp 8/17/07 9:55 AM Page 384

Notes ______