Introduction.
1. PC Anatomy 101.
Subsystems Make the Computer
All Around a Desktop PC
Front Views of Typical Desktop Computers
Rear Views of Typical Desktop Computers
Stop ESD-Don't Fry Your PC!
Inside a Typical PC
Expansion Slots
Points of Failure Inside the Computer
All Around a Notebook Computer
Points of Failure on a Notebook Computer
Controlling Your PC's Operation with BIOS Setup
How the BIOS Displays Your PC's Components
BIOS Setup Screens and Their Uses in Troubleshooting
What to Do If Your Computer Can't Retain BIOS Setup Information
Power-On Self Test
Hardware Resources
IRQs
I/O Port Addresses
DMA Channels
Memory Addresses
Viewing Hardware Resources in Use
Using Your Computer's Anatomy for Troubleshooting
2. Troubleshooting Windows XP and Windows Applications.
Fixing Startup Problems
Overview of the Computer Boot and Windows Startup Processes
Fixing Hard Disk Configuration Problems
Fixing Other Startup Problems with Windows XP
Fixing Shutdown Problems
Using Control Panel
Accessibility Options
Add Hardware
Add or Remove Programs
Administrative Tools
Display Properties
Folder Options
Keyboard
Mouse
Power Options
Sounds and Audio Devices
User Accounts
System Properties
Using Device Manager
Solving Resource Conflicts with Device Manager
Using Device Manager to Determine Other System Problems
Signed and Unsigned Device Drivers
Windows Update and Device Drivers
Using the Windows XP Hardware Troubleshooter
Other Windows Diagnostic, Reporting, and Repair Tools
Using System Information
Using System File Checker
Using Error-Checking (CHKDSK) and Defrag
Using Remote Assistance in Windows XP
Using MSConfig
Keeping Windows Healthy with Service Packs and Windows Update
Using Windows Update
Ordering and Downloading Service Packs
Performing a Repair Installation
Fixing Programs That Won't Run
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run Under Windows XP
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run from Shortcuts
Troubleshooting Programs That Won't Run from Windows Explorer
Adding a Shortcut
Why Application Software Can Fail
Researching Your Program's Compatibility with Windows
I'm Not Sure What My Exact Program Version Is
I'm Having Problems Removing My Application
I'm Having Problems Reinstalling My Application
Upgrading Applications
Problems with Applications' Default Settings
The Unworkable Application
Troubleshooting Games
Troubleshooting STOP Errors with Windows XP
Preventing and Reducing Occurrences of BSOD Errors in Windows
Stopping Viruses
Antivirus Strategies
Slamming Spyware
3. Troubleshooting Storage Devices.
Troubleshooting Installed Hard Disk Drives
Non-Bootable Floppy Disk in Drive A:
Troubleshooting ATA/IDE Hard Disks
Checking the Hard Disk Connection to the Power Supply
Checking the Drive and Host Adapter Connection to the Data Cable
Configuring ATA/IDE Drive Jumpers
Checking a Laptop/Notebook's Hard Disk Power/Data Connection
Troubleshooting Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Disk Drives
Checking the SATA Hard Disk Power Connector
Checking the SATA Data Cable
Troubleshooting IEEE-1394 Drives
Troubleshooting Other Problems with an IEEE-1394 Drive
Troubleshooting a USB Drive
Troubleshooting a PC Card/CardBus Drive
Determining Actual Drive Failure Has Occurred
Preparing a Hard Disk for Use
Preparing an Additional Hard Disk with Windows XP
Preparing a Bootable Hard Disk with Windows XP
Troubleshooting Problems with Recognizing Full Drive Capacity
Troubleshooting Disk Partitioning Problems
Troubleshooting Booting Problems
Troubleshooting Hard Disk or Optical Drive Bootup Problems
Preparing Other Drives to Act as Bootable Devices
Solving UDMA Mode Problems with ATA/IDE Drives
Upg rading a Portable Hard Disk
Using EZ Upgrade Universal and EZ Gig II
Installing the New Hard Disk in Your Portable Computer
Solving Problems with Writeable CD and DVD Media
Solving Can't-Write-to-Media Problems
Troubleshooting Recorded Media You Can't Read on Another System
Troubleshooting Buffer Underruns
4. Troubleshooting Your Printer.
Printer Types and Technologies
Troubleshooting Common Printer Problems
Troubleshooting a Printer That Doesn't Print
Port Problems
Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers
Troubleshooting an Inkjet Printer with Its Status Lights
Solving the "Inkjet Printer Blues"
Troubleshooting Photo Printers
Troubleshooting Printing from the PC
Troubleshooting Direct Printing
Troubleshooting Laser/LED Printers
Laser/LED Printer Status Lights and Messages
Common Laser/LED Problems and Solutions
Understanding Your Printer's Properties Sheets
Accessing the Properties Sheets for Your Printer
Troubleshooting Gibberish Output
5. Troubleshooting Graphics and Sound Problems.
Troubleshooting the Display Subsystem
Troubleshooting Monitors and Displays
There's a Problem with the Size or Position of the Windows Desktop
The Text and Icons Onscreen Are Hard to Read
The CRT Monitor Flickers
Troubleshooting Damaged or Defective Displays or Display Adapters
Troubleshooting Graphics Cards
Can't Start the Computer Using Normal Display Drivers
Computer Locks Up Frequently or Has Display Quality Problems
Colors Are Distorted
Increasing Available Display Memory on Systems with Integrated Video
Troubleshooting Multiple Displays
Troubleshooting 3D Game Performance and Image Quality
3D Games Run Too Slowly
Improving AGP Video Performance
Reinstalling or Updating Your Display Adapter Driver
Troubleshooting Audio
Can't Record or Play Back Sounds
6. Troubleshooting Multimedia and Imaging Devices.
Troubleshooting DV Camcorder Connections
Troubleshooting Camera and 1394a Port Recognition Issues
Troubleshooting Video-Editing Software Problems
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Connections
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Configuration Problems
Troubleshooting Digital Camera Power Problems
Troubleshooting Digital Camera and USB Port/Hub Problems
Troubleshooting AutoPlay Problems
Preventing and Troubleshooting Data Loss in Digital Cameras
Troubleshooting File-Viewing Problems
Troubleshooting Problems with Camera and Printer Docks
Troubleshooting Flash Memory Card Readers
Troubleshooting DVD Playback
Can't Use Advanced Speaker Systems with Your DVD Player
Troubleshooting Aspect Ratio and Screen Resolution Settings
Troubleshooting MP3 Digital Music and Media Players
Troubleshooting PC Connections to Your MP3 Player
Troubleshooting Capacity Issues with Your MP3 Player
Troubleshooting DRM Problems with Your MP3 Player
Troubleshooting Other Types of Media Playback
Troubleshooting Scanners
Using Device Manager to Troubleshoot Scanner Problems
Common Problems and Solutions for Scanners
Troubleshooting Scan Quality Problems
7. Troubleshooting I/O Ports and Input Devices.
I/O Port Uses and Types
Common I/O Port Types
I/O Port Uses
Diagnosing Problems with Ports and Input Devices
Diagnosing Port and Driver Problems with Device Manager
Troubleshooting USB Ports and Hubs
Troubleshooting USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed USB) Support
Installing the Right Device Drivers for Your USB Device
Troubleshooting USB Hub Power Problems
Troubleshooting IEEE-1394 Ports and Hubs
Tracking Down Integrated and Add-on 1394 Ports
Troubleshooting Keyboards and Mice
Troubleshooting USB Keyboards and Mice
Troubleshooting Wireless Keyboards and Mice
Troubleshooting PS/2 Ports, Keyboards, and Mice
Troubleshooting Pointing Device Problems with Control Panel
Troubleshooting Serial and Parallel Ports
Parallel Port Troubleshooting
Serial Port Troubleshooting
8. Troubleshooting Your Network and Internet Connections.
Troubleshooting Missing or Outdated Software Components
Installing/Reinstalling ISP Setup Software
Troubleshooting Problems with Secure Websites
Troubleshooting Problems with Viewing Certain Websites
Dealing with Website Error Messages
Website Viewing Tips and Tricks
Internet Options
Troubleshooting a Dial-Up (Analog Modem) Connection
Configuring Dial-Up Networking
Troubleshooting Dial-Up Modem Hardware
Troubleshooting a Broadband Internet Connection
Troubleshooting a Cable Modem Connection
Troubleshooting Ethernet Networks
Troubleshooting Network Software Configuration
I Can't Access Other Computers on the Network
I'm Not Sure My Network Settings Are Correct
Updating Network Hardware Drivers
Troubleshooting Ethernet Network Hardware
Troubleshooting Wi-Fi Networks
Using the Windows XP SP2 Wireless Network Setup Wizard
Troubleshooting Routers and Gateways
Troubleshooting PC Card/CardBus Devices
TCP/IP Configuration and Troubleshooting
Using a Fixed IP Address with a Dial-Up or PPPoE Broadband Connection in Windows XP
Using TCP/IP Diagnostics to Troubleshoot Your Connection
Using PING
Network Connections
Troubleshooting the Windows XP Firewall
9. Troubleshooting Memory, Processor, and System Performance Problems.
Troubleshooting Slow System Performance
Troubleshooting Virtual Memory
Defragmenting Your Drive
Using Disk Cleanup
Viewing and Adjusting Page File (Swapfile) Configuration
Troubleshooting Memory Upgrades
Determining the Right Memory for Your System
Installing Desktop Computer Memory
Installing Notebook Computer Memory
Freeing Up Sockets for Additional Memory
Troubleshooting Memory Upgrade Problems
Troubleshooting Defective Memory or Memory Sockets
Troubleshooting Installed Memory
Troubleshooting Processor Failures
Detecting Overheating and Incorrect Voltage Levels
VCore Settings and Overclocking
Troubleshooting Processor Upgrades
Understanding Processor Brands, Models, and Sockets
I'm Not Sure What Type of Processor I Can Use in My Motherboard
I'm Having a Hard Time Installing My New Processor
My System Won't Start After I Installed a New Processor
My New Processor Isn't Running as Fast as It Should
Troubleshooting Motherboard Failures
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage to Your Motherboard
Preventing Powerline Damage to Your Motherboard
Troubleshooting Motherboard Upgrades
Making Sure Your New Motherboard Will Fit into Your Case
I'm Having a Hard Time Fitting My New Motherboard into My Case
Preventing Damage to Your Motherboard During Memory and Add-in Card Installations
Preventing Damage from Loose Components Inside the Case
Diagnosing Other Motherboard Problems
My System Beeps Abnormally After I Restart It with the New Motherboard in Place
Troubleshooting Cooling Problems
Preventing Overheating Damage to the Motherboard
10. Troubleshooting Power Problems.
Why Power Supplies Fail
Determining You Have a Power Supply Problem
Troubleshooting an Overheated Power Supply
Troubleshooting a Power Supply That Reboots the Computer
Troubleshooting a Computer That Won't Turn On
Troubleshooting System Lockups
Troubleshooting an Overloaded Power Supply
Troubleshooting a Power Supply Upgrade
Right-Sizing a New Power Supply
Selecting Powerline Protection
Checking Wall Outlets
Choosing the Right Surge Suppressor for Your Equipment
Battery Backup Systems
A. Troubleshooting Methods and Flowcharts.
The Troubleshooting Process
The First Step-Finding Out What Happened
How to Check Out the Computing Environment
Your Diagnostics Toolbox
The Troubleshooting Cycle
Testing a Subsystem
Where to Start?
Where to Go for More Information
Keeping Track of Your Solutions
Summarizing the Troubleshooter's Philosophy
Flowcharts
Index.
