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This page was written by Trevin Beattie, and deals with the many hardware issues including:  purchasing, installing, and troubleshooting.  He also goes into depth about jumper settings, Windows components, and memory issues.

Help for Ordinary PC Users

Since my friends and family are often asking for my assistance when they have trouble or questions with their computers, a good friend of mine suggested I start a Web page to share my experience and knowledge with all the people who surf the 'net. So here it is!

Just click on the topic that most closely relates to the question you have...

Installing New Hardware

(This means internal electronic components, such as expansion cards, memory, chips, and disk drives.)

bulletBefore you open your computer...
bulletWhat brand / model of ????? do you recommend?
bulletWhat you should know about adding a hard drive
bulletWhat happens to drive letters
bulletWhere does this new modem go?
bulletRead this before you buy more memory
bulletCPU (main processor) and cache (pronounced 'cash') upgrades
bulletSound cards and CD-ROM drives
bulletCD-ROM drivers
bulletSetting jumpers
bulletWhat to do when things go wrong

Installing Software

(a.k.a. programs, disks, drivers, applications, games, CD's, ...)

bulletR.T.F.M.
bulletWhat's the difference between a DOS program and a Windows program?
bulletWhat to do with downloaded files
bulletErrors during installation or setup
bulletOut-of-memory problems for DOS programs
bulletOut-of-memory problems for Windows programs
bulletDon't delete Windows applications

Using Windows

bulletThe display is scrambled or distorted
bulletHow can I change the number of colors?
bulletHow to get around Windows without the mouse
bulletNo keyboard
bulletClosing Windows 3.x blindly
bulletMoving a Window that is off-screen
bulletI've lost the taskbar!
bulletWindows Won't Autoplay my CD's

Peripherals

bulletMice: serial vs. PS/2
bulletI can't get any sound out of my speakers
bulletThe microphone doesn't work
bulletThe printer doesn't print, or only prints garbage

Glossary

Note: Many of the help pages now have links to technical terms! If a word or phrase you don't understand is marked as a link, just click on it for more information.

  1. Beta
  2. BIOS
  3. Click
  4. Double-Click
  5. Right-Click
  6. Drag
  7. Highlight
  8. Compact Disk / Floppy Disk / Hard Disk
  9. DOS prompt
  10. Jumper
  11. partition
  12. Windows Elements:
  13. Window
  14. Application Window
  15. Dialog Box
  16. Border
  17. Title Bar
  18. Control Buttons
  19. Control Menu
  20. Minimize Button
  21. Maximize / Restore Button
  22. Close Button
  23. Help Button
  24. Resize Handle
  25. Menu Bar
  26. Start Menu
  27. popup Menu
  28. Status Bar
  29. Scroll Bar
  30. Button
  31. Text Box (a.k.a. Edit Box)
  32. List Box
  33. Selection Box
  34. Tree
  35. Check Box
  36. Radio Button
  37. Slider (a.k.a. Lever)
  38. Tab
  39. Desktop
  40. Taskbar
  41. Icon

 

 

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Last modified: 09/28/01