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Introduction
ОглавлениеIf trouble were predictable, it wouldn’t be a problem. That’s because the problem with trouble is that it’s unpredictable.
You hold in your hands a big ol’ book that’s all about solving computer problems. The topic is troubleshooting. It needs to be covered in so many pages because there hasn’t yet been a computer invented that didn’t have trouble following it like a shadow on a sunny day.
The computing experience should be a pleasant one. And it can be – if you’re informed and able to deal with the troubles you encounter. This book helps you along that journey in an informative and entertaining way. Welcome to Troubleshooting and Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies.
About This Book
A byte of prevention is worth a gigabyte of cure.
This book’s philosophy on troubleshooting is that it’s easier to do when you understand how the computer works. This philosophy is opposite of what most computer users expect, which is to look up a specific condition and find a specific cure for it. This approach has two glitches.
The first downfall with the look-it-up approach is that you don’t learn anything. Because there’s a method behind PC madness, often, the same solution can be applied to multiple problems. After you understand why things go wrong, it’s not only easier to fix them – it’s also possible to prevent them in the first place.
The second difficulty with the specific-solution approach is that it would make this book obnoxiously huge. With millions upon millions of potential hardware and software configurations available in all the PCs in the world, it would take not one but several fat books to document every problem and its solution. This book is big enough already!
My approach is simple: Look up the problem, learn a bit about what might have caused it, and then arrive at a solution. The notion is that when trouble arises again later, you will have the experience to deal with it in a practical manner. Because most PC troubles have a common origin, this solution works.
Before moving on, please be aware that there’s a difference between trouble and an event that’s merely annoying. For example, if the text you print from an email message is tiny, it’s annoying, but it isn’t a bug. Though specific annoying problems such as that one might not be covered in this book, you’ll still find a solution here. That’s the beauty behind my philosophical approach to troubleshooting. After all, using Windows shouldn’t be a frustrating experience.
How This Book Works
This book is composed of five minibooks, each of which addresses a computer troubleshooting topic. The minibooks are split into traditional chapters, all geared to a specific subject within the minibook topic. Then the chapters are split into sections consisting of paragraphs, words, and then letters. So, if you understand the alphabet, you’ll understand this book.
To run the special troubleshooting tools and utilities, you take advantage of the Windows 10 Start menu. Tap the Windows key to pop up that menu, and then start typing the name of a tool or utility. The text explains what to type. You then choose the matching utility from the search results list. This method is much faster than hunting for tools on the Start menu’s programs list.
Because this book approaches troubleshooting in a philosophical way, lots of material is cross-referenced. For example, startup issues are also related to disk disaster recovery. So, in both chapters, you’ll find references to the other chapter’s material.
This book covers all varieties of computers, from a traditional desktop to an all-in-one model, a laptop, two-in-one, or even a tablet. As along as the computer runs Windows 10, you’re good.
Speaking of Windows 10, this book is specific to that operating system. The second edition covers Windows 7. Windows 8 was merrily skipped, and, of course, Windows 9 never came to be. When this book refers to “Windows,” it means Windows 10.
When you’re supposed to type something, that text appears in bold type. In the context of a step, where the text is normally bold anyway, the stuff you type appears in regular roman text.
Do not press the Enter key until you’re directed to do so. And even then, I recommend that you review what you type before you press Enter, just to ensure that you got everything typed properly.
Do not press a period at the end of any text you type, unless I explain that the period is needed. Unlike sentences in English, computer commands don’t end with a period.
Icons Used in This Book
I’d like to think that everything in this book is a tip, but for those special, worthy items, you’ll find this icon lurking nearby.
A reminder of something not to do, something to avoid, or something that can cause serious trouble is flagged by the hazard icon.
This icon flags text that is important enough to remember or that reminds you of something you may have forgotten that bears repeating.
When the urge to blurt out something nerdy overwhelms me, I succumb and use this icon to supply a warning sign. You’re free not to read any technical text near this icon.
Beyond the Book
The publisher maintains a support page with updates or changes that have occurred since this book went to press. You’ll also find bonus content, in the form of an online Cheat Sheet, which isn’t really cheating and isn’t a sheet.
To peruse the online content, visit dummies.com, though that’s not the right page. You need to search for Troubleshooting & Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies – the whole thing! After you find the proper search result, click it, and then open the Download tab on this book’s dedicated page. I’d offer more specific information, but I don’t have it. The publisher told me that the actual address of the online material is held in one of 20 briefcases and if I choose the right one, I get paid – something like that.
Where to Go from Here
Feel free to start reading this book in any minibook, chapter, or section. Everything is self-contained, so there isn’t really a reason to read one section before another. For those rare times when it helps to know information located elsewhere in the book, I provide a cross-reference. But it’s not necessary to read the book from front to back.
My email address is dgookin@wambooli.com. Yes, that’s my real address. I reply to all email I receive, and you’ll get a quick reply if you keep your question short and specific to this book. Although I enjoy saying "Hi," I cannot answer technical support questions or help you troubleshoot your computer. Thanks for understanding.
You can also visit my web page for more information or as a diversion:
This book’s specific support page can be found at
I provide frequent updates and posts on that page, offering bonus information, supplements to this book, tips, tricks, trivia, and fun. And there’s only one little advertisement on the page and no pop-ups.
The publisher also maintains a support page, complete with a Cheat Sheet, supplemental material, and updates. You can visit the site here:
Thank you for choosing my book,
Dan Gookin
