Troubleshooting PCs For Dummies

Dan Gookin wrote the very first For Dummies book in 1991 and has authored several bestsellers with more than 11 million copies in print worldwide. His books have been translated into 32 languages, and he’s known for making complex technology simple and fun.

• Introduction 1About This Book 1How This Book Works 2Icons Used in This Book 3Beyond the Book 3Where to Go from Here 3Part 1: Quick Solutions for Annoying Problems 5Chapter 1: O Trouble, Hinder Thy Bidding! 7The Secret Source of Computer Woe 7The Four Horsemen of the Computer Apocalypse 8New software and updates 9New or failing hardware 9Altered settings 10Time 11Hardware-versus-Software Problems 11Dealing with software issues 12Solving hardware issues 12Addressing firmware issues 13When and Whether to Give Up 13Chapter 2: Quick Fixes 15Things to Try First 15Checking the Settings app 16Restarting the PC 16Restarting a stubborn PC or laptop 17Running a troubleshooter 18Repairing a program 19Help! 20Locating Internet support 20Downloading drivers 22Perusing forums 24Contacting tech support 24Avoiding remote desktop access 26Table of Contents iiiPart 2: What’s Wrong Now? 27Chapter 3: Startup Problems 29The Onset of PC Heartbreak 29I Power On 30What happens 30What could go wrong 30Troubleshooting steps 31II The POST 33What happens 33What could go wrong 33Troubleshooting steps 34III Startup Options 35What happens 35What could go wrong 36Troubleshooting steps 36IV The Search for an Operating System 39What happens 39What could go wrong 40Troubleshooting steps 40V Operating System Initialization 41What happens 41What could go wrong 41Troubleshooting steps 42VI. Sign In to Windows 42What happens 42What could go wrong 43Troubleshooting steps 43The Last Thing You Do 43Chapter 4: Deter Disk Disaster 45Windows Storage Overview 45The Drive Is Full 46Measuring digital things 47Using Storage Sense 48Dealing with large files 49Uninstalling programs and apps 50Compressing files 51More Mass Storage 52Adding storage media 52Removing media and mass storage 53Replacing Drive C 55Drive Management and Maintenance 56Defragmentating a drive 56Checking storage media for errors 58Formatting media 59Fun with Partitions 62Examining drive partitions 63Creating a new volume in unallocated space 64Shrinking a volume 65Extending a partition 67Deleting a partition 69Chapter 5: Monitor Mayhem 71The PC Graphics System 71Using the proper monitor terms 72Exploring the PC’s graphics system 72Connecting the data cable 73Discovering your PC’s display adapter 75Exploring the monitor 76Adjusting the monitor 78Saving your eyeballs 79Captain Video Troubleshooter 80Seeing nothing 81Seeing nothing on the monitor 81Seeing only the mouse pointer 81Swapping hardware 82Saving power 82Adjusting the resolution and scale 84Updating the video driver 85Disabling the video driver 87Chapter 6: Deep Inside the Case 89Open and Shut 89Opening the PC case 90Exploring the guts 91Closing the PC case 95Things to Upgrade, Fix, or Repair Inside the Case 96Upgrading the power supply 97Replacing the clock battery 98Expanding memory 99Adding an expansion card 102Adding or replacing an internal drive 104Power Management Issues 108Locating secret power management controls 109Setting power management options for specific devices 111Recovering from a PC coma 113Updating power drivers 113Chapter 7: Printer Problems. 115Between the Computer and Printer 115Connecting a printer 116Configuring the printer in Windows 117Controlling the printer 118Disconnecting a printer 118The Windows Side of Printing 119Printing in Windows 119Using the Page Setup dialog box 121Setting the default printer 122Working with print jobs 123Canceling a print job 124Printer Problems and Solutions 125“It printed on the wrong side of the page!” 125“Print preview lied!” 126“What’s this extra page?” 126“What are these wrong colors and streaks?” 126“I just loaded paper, but the printer says the tray is empty!” 127“The paper keeps jamming!” 127Using the Printing Troubleshooter 128Chapter 8: Peripheral Perils 129Hardware Troubleshooting 130Unwinding wireless connections 130Diagnosing USB issues 131Doing the hardware swap 132Running a hardware troubleshooter 133Audio Anxieties 134Testing the speakers 134Fixing silence 136Testing the microphone 137Updating audio device drivers 138Keyboard and Mouse Woes 138Troubleshooting basic input dilemmas 139Vacuuming a keyboard 140Cleaning the mouse 140Chapter 9: Software Situations 143Installation Issues 143Adding software 144Dealing with installation woe 145Banish Unwanted Programs 145The Good and Evil of File Association 147Understanding file association 147Hiding or showing file extensions 148Changing file association 149Dealing with unknown file types 150Common Software Problems and Solutions 151“How can I stop this program from starting automatically?” 151“I need to run this older program” 154“This program is broken!” 156Chapter 10: Network Nuisances 157Network Connection and Configuration 159Checking the wires 159Checking the invisible wires (a wireless network) 160Viewing the network 161Managing wireless connections 162Checking network privacy 162Network Troubleshooting 164Checking the Device Manager 164Resetting the network hardware 164Updating the NIC driver 165Resetting the broadband modem 166Restarting the entire dang doodle network 166Network Problems and Solutions 167“What’s this firewall warning?” 167“Where did that network PC go?” 168“I can’t get a wireless connection!” 168“The Wi-Fi password has changed!” 168“What’s a ‘metered connection’?” 169Chapter 11: Shutdown Issues 171Such a Turn-Off 172Walking through the Windows shutdown process 172Powering over the power button 173Problems with Restarting 175Experiencing a random restart 176Restarting automatically 177Shutdown Malaise 178Upgrading software to fix shutdown issues 179Turning off a stubborn PC 179Waiting for an update to install 179Discovering that another user is signed in! 180Dealing with the Shutdown/Restart Anyway prompt 181Part 3: Troubleshooting Tools 183Chapter 12: The Device Manager 185Your Hardware Oracle 185Opening the Device Manager 186Checking hardware in the Settings app 187Device Manager Duties 188Dealing with errant hardware 188Updating driver software 189Disabling a device 191Chapter 13: The Task Manager 193Task Control Central 193Summoning the Task Manager 194Exploring the Task Manager window 196Connecting programs to processes 196Examining all the processes 197Enjoying the services 200Here a Task, There a Task 202Terminating a stuck program 202Halting a process on the Details tab 203Disabling startup programs 203Chapter 14: The Windows Registry 205Behold the Registry 205Understanding the Registry 206Using the Registry Editor 208Backing up the Registry 209Modifying the Registry 210Making specific Registry changes 211Finding stuff in the Registry 214Registry Cleaning 215Chapter 15: Events and Diagnostics 217What’s Going On Here? 217Monitoring details in the Task Manager 217Viewing the Performance Monitor 218Checking resources 220What Went On Here? 221Reviewing events 222Understanding events 223Filtering and searching events 224Diagnostics to the Rescue 225Understanding diagnostics 226Viewing system information 226Diagnosing DirectX 227Running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool 229Using other diagnostic tools 230Chapter 16: System Restore 233The System Restore Philosophy 233Understanding System Restore 234Accepting System Restore’s limitations 235Activating System Restore 235Restore the System, Restore Your Sanity 236Setting a restore point 236Running System Restore 237Choosing an older restore point 240Accessing System Restore from the Windows Recovery Environment 240Undoing a System Restore 241Chapter 17: The MSCONFIG Utility 243Welcome to Troubleshooting Central 243Setting general startup options 245Pulling up the Boot tab 245Examining the startup services 246Disabling a startup service 247Troubleshooting Tools 248About Windows 249Change UAC Settings 250Command Prompt 250Computer Management 251Event Viewer 251Internet Options 251Internet Protocol Configuration 252Performance Monitor 253Programs 253Registry Editor 253Remote Assistance 253Resource Monitor 254Security and Maintenance 254System Information 254System Properties 255System Restore 255Task Manager 256Windows Troubleshooting 256Chapter 18: Safe Mode 257The Mode Is Safe 257Safe Mode to the Rescue 258Understanding Safe mode modes 258Using diagnostic startup 259Entering Safe mode 260Reviewing the Safe Boot options 261Getting into Safe mode at boot time 263Entering Safe mode unexpectedly 263Leaving Safe Boot Safe mode 264Safe Mode Duties 265Checking for problems in Safe mode 265Running the System File Checker (SFC) 266Reviewing the CBS.log file 268Not Safe Mode Duties 269Chapter 19: Windows Recovery Environment 271Startup Keys and Recovery Options 271Reviewing the startup keys 272Locating recovery options in Windows 273Resetting Windows 275Using Advanced Startup 276The Sacred Recovery Volume 276Confirming the PC’s recovery volume 276Creating a recovery volume 278The Windows Recovery Environment 279Starting the Windows Recovery Environment 279Exploring the Windows Recovery Environment 280Performing startup repair 281Changing startup settings 282Using the command prompt 283Uninstalling updates 284Accessing the UEFI 285Choosing System Restore 286Recovering a system image 286Part 4: Privacy and Security 287Chapter 20: Software Updates 289Look! Another Windows Update! 290Understanding Windows Update 290Configuring Windows Update 291Reviewing updates 292Updating drivers 293Using the nerdy winget update tool 294Other Software Updates 294Update Hiccups 295Undoing a Windows update 296Fixing a stuck Windows update 296Chapter 21: Keep the Bad Guys Out 299Malicious + Software = Malware 299Protecting your PC 299Obtaining malware (accidentally) 301Surviving the malware scourge 302Defending against Viruses and Malware 303Understanding malware protection 304Scanning for malware 304Dealing with an infection 305Life Behind the Firewall 306Understanding the firewall 306Using the Windows Firewall 307Dealing with a firewall alert 308Reviewing firewall rules 310Chapter 22: Backup and Restore 311An Emergency Copy 311Obtain Backup Storage 313File History 314Setting up File History 314Reviewing File History settings 315Recovering an older version of a file 316Browsing File History 317Restoring all your personal files 318Cloud Backup 319Using cloud backup 319Backing up files on OneDrive 319Traditional Backup 320Configuring the backup procedure 321Configuring Windows 7 backup 321Modifying the Windows 7 backup 322Running a manual backup 324Restore to the Rescue 324Restoring a single file 325Restoring everything 326The System Image 327Creating the system image 327Restoring a system image 329Part 5: the Part of Tens 331Chapter 23: Ten Useful Utilities 333The Task Scheduler 334The Task Manager 336The Policy Editor 336The Services Console 338The Computer Management Console 338The Disk Management Console 339The Event Viewer 339The System File Checker 340Troubleshooters 340Resetting Windows 340Chapter 24: Ten Tricks to Boost PC Performance 343Spyware Sluggishness 344Startup Program Overload 345Is Memory Leaking? 345More Memory, Please 346More (and Newer) Mass Storage 346Services Necessary and Unnecessary 347A Less Graphical Solution 349More or Fewer Processors 350Laptop Battery Life 352Bye-Bye, Bloatware 353Index 355