This book includes easy instructions and handy references for buying or upgrading a personal computer.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying a Computer covers ALL the necessary considerations to make BEFORE you purchase that computer. What are your computing needs? Mobility? Ease? Portability? Power? Multimedia features? This book leads you through the initial assessment of your computer needs. It then takes you through an industry overview of computers (desktop vs. laptop vs. hand-held) with the inside scoop on the pros and cons of these machines. You will learn about clones and how to decide whether or not to make the clone purchase. You'll also receive information about where to go to make that computer purchase (and where not to go), and what kinds of questions to ask. A tear-out checklist is included to take with you when making your computer investment.

Provides information on upgrading computer memory, increasing speed, adding multimedia equipment, and fixing common problems.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Fourth Edition, teaches you how to upgrade your PC peripherals to increase productivity on your PC, without intimidating or offending you. A straight-forward, conversational tone provides basic information in purchasing and installing the newest technology for multimedia and more. You will learn how various software applications and operating systems upgrades can help you use or not use your PC more efficiently. This book gives you the foundation on what a PC is and how to upgrade it in everyday language.

Explains how to troubleshoot hardware conflicts, repair Internet connections, resurrect deleted files, recover from system crashes, repair damaged disks, and unfreeze a frozen system

The computer how-to that's actually coherent... Now in its third edition, this book puts the reader in charge of the computer, rather than the other way around. It identifies practical uses for the computer, and shows how to get the most out of your machine, simply and step-by-step. € New information on going digital with music, photos, and video € Updates for Windows XP € Updates for soon-to-be-released Microsoft Office 2003 € Step-by-step instructions for backing up data € Advice for troubleshooting common problems € Latest info on upgrades, components, and accessories € Ideal for any new user, including the large numbers of senior citizens teaching themselves how to use the computer

Discover how to do just about anything with your Windows 7 PC The Complete Idiot's Guide® to PC Basics, Windows 7 Edition shows you how to do practical and fun stuff with your PC, including . . . Basics • Navigate and personalize Windows 7 • Manage disks, files, and folders • Install and uninstall programs • Use office applications, including a word processor and spreadsheet • Manage your personal finances • Get up and running with email Fun Stuff • Manage your digital photos and share them online • Transform a collection of photos into a movie and burn it to a DVD • Download music and transfer it to your MP3 player or CDs • Get connected with friends, family, and old school chums on Facebook • Tweet on Twitter • Discover cool features on Google you never knew existed • Watch and share video on YouTube • Find deals on eBay and other shopping sites • Create your own website or blog for free • Make free or really cheap phone calls all over the world with Skype For power users • Set up a home or small-business network • Protect your computer from viruses and other online threats • Upgrade and troubleshoot your PC From the Author You don't need to be a mechanic to drive a car, and you don't need to be a technician to use a computer. This book puts you in the driver's seat and shows you how to get where you're going with your computer, its software, and the Internet. Whether you want to manage your finances or your photos, connect with family and friends on Facebook, or buy and sell stuff on eBay, this book provides the step-by-step guidance that shows you how to do it.