Title Page -- Copyright Page -- About the Author -- Contents at a Glance -- Contents -- Introduction -- What You Will Learn -- Chapter Features -- End-of-Chapter Features -- Online Features -- Part I: Computer Basics and Hardware -- Chapter 1: Computer Basics -- Understanding Information Systems -- Identifying Computer Types -- Personal Computers -- Multi-User Computers -- Understanding Software Types -- BIOS -- Operating Systems -- Utilities -- Application Software -- Computer System Components -- How Data Is Represented on a Computer -- Input Devices -- Processing Devices -- Output Devices -- Storage Devices -- How Computers Communicate -- Ethernet Networking -- Bluetooth Networking -- The Internet -- Summary -- Understanding Information Systems -- Identifying Computer Types -- Understanding Software Types -- Computer System Components -- How Computers Communicate -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Think It Over -- Software as a Service -- Shopping for Tablet PCs -- Sharing Wi-Fi -- Chapter 2: The System Unit -- Understanding CPUs -- The Machine Cycle -- Physical Composition of a CPU -- Cores -- Caches -- CPU Performance Factors -- Understanding Memory -- How Computers Use Memory -- Understanding System Memory -- Understanding Motherboards -- Form Factor -- Expansion Slots -- Built-in Components -- Other Common External Connectors -- Drive Connectors -- Understanding Power Supplies -- Troubleshooting Common System Unit Problems -- No Response -- Fan Noise but Nothing Onscreen -- Error Message on a Black Screen -- Error Message on a Bright Blue Screen -- Windows Hangs at Start-up -- PC Shuts Down or Freezes -- Summary -- Understanding CPUs -- Understanding Memory -- Understanding Motherboards -- Understanding Power Supplies -- Troubleshooting Common System Unit Problems -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself.

Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Benchmarking -- Completing a System Inventory -- Exploring Power Voltages -- Think It Over -- Is Faster Always Desirable? -- Shopping with Expandability in Mind -- Self-Troubleshoot or Call a Professional? -- Chapter 3: Input, Output, and Storage -- Selecting and Using Input Devices -- Keyboards -- Pointing Devices -- Drawing Tablets -- Scanning Devices -- Capture Devices -- Audio Input Devices -- Selecting and Using Output Devices -- Display Screens -- Printers -- Printer Features -- Impact versus Non-Impact Printers -- Inkjet Printers -- Laser Printers -- Specialty Printers -- Audio Output Devices -- Choosing Appropriate Storage Devices -- Data Storage Basics -- Hard Disk Drives -- Optical Drives -- Solid-State Drives -- Network Volumes -- Cloud-Based Storage -- Troubleshooting Common Input, Output, and Storage Problems -- Summary -- Selecting and Using Input Devices -- Selecting and Using Output Devices -- Choosing Appropriate Storage Devices -- Troubleshooting Common Input, Output and Storage Problems -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Input and Output Devices in Your World -- Speech Recognition in Windows 8.1 -- Think It Over -- How Much Does Printing Really Cost? -- Solid-State Drives -- Backing Up Your Files -- Part II: Software -- Chapter 4: Operating System Basics -- Understanding System Software -- The System BIOS -- The Operating System -- Utility Software -- Comparing the Major Operating Systems -- Desktop and Notebook Operating Systems -- Operating Systems for Servers -- Operating Systems for Tablets and Smartphones -- Understanding Device Drivers -- Understanding Digital Storage -- Drives, Volumes, and File Systems -- How Files Are Organized in Folders -- File Extensions and File Types -- File Compression -- Backups -- Summary.

Understanding System Software -- Comparing the Major Operating Systems -- Understanding Device Drivers -- Understanding Digital Storage -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Linux Distros -- Examining File Associations -- Think It Over -- NTFS Compression and Encryption -- Backup Scheduling -- Chapter 5: Introduction to Windows 8.1 -- A Tour of Windows 8.1 -- The Start Screen -- The Desktop -- Starting Up and Shutting Down -- Shutting Down or Restarting the PC -- Placing the PC in a Low-Power Mode -- Signing Out and Switching Users -- Locking the PC -- Running Applications -- Starting an Application -- Manipulating a Window -- Navigating in a Desktop Application -- Exiting a Desktop Application -- Using a Windows 8 App -- Exiting a Windows 8 App -- Switching Between Open Applications -- Displaying Two Windows 8 Apps At Once -- Managing Files -- Understanding the File Explorer Interface -- Navigating to Different Locations -- Changing the View of a Location -- Understanding Libraries -- Selecting Files and Folders -- Creating New Folders -- Renaming and Deleting Files and Folders -- Moving and Copying Files and Folders -- Working with Shortcuts -- Summary -- A Tour of Windows 8.1 -- Starting Up and Shutting Down -- Running Applications -- Managing Files -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Sorting File Listings -- Looking at File Properties -- Compatibility Mode -- Think It Over -- Desktop Shortcuts -- Security versus Convenience -- New Applications -- Chapter 6: Windows 8.1 Administration and Maintenance -- Managing User Accounts -- Accessing User Account Settings -- Changing the Account Type -- Changing Your Account Picture -- Creating Accounts -- Deleting Accounts -- Changing Account Passwords -- Enabling or Disabling the Guest Account.

File and Folder Permissions -- Using System Utilities -- Getting Information about Your Computer -- Checking for Disk Errors -- Optimizing a Hard Disk -- Working with Printers -- Troubleshooting Common Windows Problems -- Troubleshooting Start-up and Performance Problems -- Using Advanced Startup -- Rolling Back a Driver Update -- Disabling a Start-up Program -- Restoring System Files to an Earlier State -- Resetting or Refreshing Your PC -- Shutting Down an Unresponsive Program -- Using Help and Support -- Summary -- Managing User Accounts -- Using System Utilities -- Troubleshooting Common Windows Problems -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Biometric Authentication -- Think It Over -- Balancing Security with Ease of Use -- The Risk of Unsigned Drivers -- Chapter 7: Understanding Application Software -- Business Productivity Software -- Understanding Word Processing and Desktop Publishing -- Understanding Spreadsheets -- Understanding Databases -- Personal Information Management Software -- Software Suites -- Accounting and Personal Finance Software -- Graphics Software -- Vector Image Drawing Programs -- Raster (Photo) Editing Programs -- Presentation Graphics Software -- Computer-Aided Design Software -- Other Types of Software -- Music and Video Players -- Audio and Video Editing Software -- Personal Enrichment and Education Software -- Communication Software -- Web Authoring Software -- Managing Your Applications -- Software License Agreements -- Application System Requirements -- Installing and Removing Applications -- Updating Applications -- Summary -- Business Productivity Software -- Graphics Software -- Other Types of Software -- Managing Your Applications -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Making Older Software Work in Windows 8.1.

Other Software Types -- Think It Over -- Paying for Application Software -- Sharing Software and Games -- Part III: Microsoft Office -- Chapter 8: Understanding Microsoft Office 2013 -- Understanding the Office 2013 Interface -- Using Basic Features of Office Applications -- Starting a New Blank Document -- Getting Help -- Changing Views -- Moving Around -- Selecting Content -- Using the Office Clipboard -- Using Undo and Redo -- Text Entry and Formatting -- Understanding Themes and Color Palettes -- Moving and Resizing Objects -- Saving, Opening, and Creating Files -- Saving Files -- Understanding Data Formats -- Opening and Closing Files -- Creating New Files Using a Template -- Printing and Sharing Files -- Printing a File -- Sending a File as an Email Attachment -- Setting Application Options -- General Options -- Proofing Options -- Save Options -- Summary -- Understanding the Office 2013 Interface -- Basic Features of Office Applications -- Saving, Opening, and Creating Files -- Printing and Sharing Files -- Setting Application Options -- Key Terms -- Test Yourself -- Fact Check -- Matching -- Sum It Up -- Explore More -- Customizing the Status Bar -- More Keyboard Shortcuts -- More Application Options -- Think It Over -- Ribbon Customization -- Theme Colors versus Standard Colors -- Sharing Files -- Chapter 9: Word Processing with Microsoft Word -- Editing and Formatting Text -- Editing Text -- Changing the Text Font -- Changing Font Size -- Formatting Text -- Formatting Paragraphs -- Creating Bulleted and Numbered Lists -- Creating Tab Stops -- Indenting Text -- Setting Line Spacing -- Working with Styles -- Formatting Documents and Sections -- Creating Page Breaks -- Creating Section Breaks -- Changing the Paper Size and Orientation -- Setting Margins -- Numbering Pages -- Working with Headers and Footers -- Using Multiple Columns.

Working with Pictures.