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Your First Notebook PC

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Your First Notebook PC

Book

  • Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
Not for Sale

Description

  • Copyright 2008
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-7897-3700-0
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3700-7

Using a notebook PC is different from using a desktop PC. Not only are the keyboard and screen smaller, you have to deal with battery life, notebook security, connecting to the Internet at Wi-Fi hot spots, and figuring out how to enter numbers without a numeric keypad. How do you do what you need to do on your new notebook PC?

Your First Notebook PC is the solution to your problems. This book focuses on how to shop for, set up, and use a new notebook PC. You’ll learn all about different types of notebooks, unique notebook features, and useful notebook accessories. You’ll also discover how to get the most out of your notebook at home, at the office, and on the road–and how to troubleshoot any problems you might encounter!

Your First Notebook PC shows you how to:

     •    Choose the right type of notebook for your needs

     •    Set up and configure a new notebook

     •    Use Windows Vista and its notebook-specific features

     •    Connect your notebook to a wireless home network and the Internet

     •    Share files and folders with other users–and sync your files between two PCs

     •    Use your notebook to listen to music and play DVD movies 

     •    Connect your notebook to an office network–and use it for essential business operations

     •    Use your notebook to give PowerPoint presentations

     •    Connect your notebook to a public Wi-Fi hot spot–and send and receive email from any location

     •    Keep your notebook secure when traveling

     •    Extend the life of your notebook’s battery

     •    Upgrade your notebook’s hardware

     •    Troubleshoot common problems

Extras

Tips

10 Useful Tips for Traveling with Your Laptop

If you frequently take a notebook PC (laptop) with you when you travel, try out these tips from author Michael Miller.

  • If you're flying and don't have enough room to place your widescreen notebook on the coach class tray table, consider investing in Keynamics' Aviator Laptop stand, which positions your notebook at an angle to make the most of the available space.
  • Don't be tempted to place your notebook PC in a plane's overhead storage area; it can easily get knocked around or even stolen by your fellow travelers. Instead, store it under the seat in front of you, where it's always in sight.
  • Some long-haul flights provide power ports that supply 15V direct current to power your notebook and other devices. Your best bet for finding such power ports are on cross-country and international flights on American, Delta, United and US Airways. To use a power port, you'll need a compatible DC auto/air power adapter. Keep in mind that power adapters are device and model specific—although you can always go with the iGo Juice power cord, an all-in-one power adapter that connects your device to any AC or DC power source.
  • If you're a mobile professional who likes to check in during driving breaks, consider investing in a mobile notebook desk that provides a good resting surface for your notebook. Some of these mounts attach to the passenger seat, some mount permanently to the front floor of the car, and others just sit on your lap.
  • If you travel by car, use a cellular data card for roving Internet access. You'll find lots of Wi-Fi hotspots when you stop your car at rest stops and hotel parking lots, but not on the highway. For connecting from anywhere you get cellular phone service, invest in a broadband cellular data card for your notebook, and the accompanying data service.
  • If you can get Internet service, there's no reason not to use your notebook to help you navigate—and find— gas stations, restaurants and hotels on the road. I like to use Google Maps for these tasks, although any general-purpose mapping site will do the trick.
  • If you're traveling with kids, let them use your notebook PC for in-car entertainment. It can function as a mobile game player and a portable DVD player. For long trips, you might want to consider a rear seatback notebook mount.
  • For safety of your notebook PC, identify it before you take your trip. Try taping a business card to the bottom of your notebook; if it gets stolen and found, you can identify it as yours.
  • Take an extra battery— it doesn’t hurt to travel with a second fully-charged battery. When your main battery runs out, replace it with the auxiliary battery.
  • Want to keep your nosy seatmate or the guy at the next table from seeing what you're typing? Use a privacy screen filter. It fits on your notebook screen and uses microlouver technology to reduce off-angle viewing. You can see what's onscreen, but people on your left and right can't.

Sample Content

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Tips for Traveling with Your Notebook PC

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Sample Pages

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Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Part I: Getting to Know Your Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

1 Notebooks Versus Desktops: Differences and Similarities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Notebook PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

What Makes a Notebook PC a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

What’s Different About a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

What You Can Do with a Notebook PC–That You Can’t Do with a

Desktop PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

Things You Need to Know About Using a Notebook PC Versus

a Desktop System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

2 Choosing the Right Notebook for You . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17

Different Types of Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Mainstream Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Thin and Light Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20

Ultraportable Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Business Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21

Tablet PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

Desktop Replacement Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Multimedia Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Gaming Notebooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24

Sifting Through the Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Size and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Screen Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

Processing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

Hard Disk Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

CD/DVD Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

PC Card and ExpressCard Slots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

Media Card Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32

Pointing Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33

Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

Inputs and Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Networking and Wireless Connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Bundled Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36

Other Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

Choosing the Right Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Mac OS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

Choosing a Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Selecting Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Home Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Business Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Road Warriors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Power Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Audio/Video Enthusiasts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Hardcore Gamers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Shopping Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Weight Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Look at the Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Go for the Bigger Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Consider Alternative Models–and Competing Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Buy an Extra Power Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Don’t Forget Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Don’t Waste Money on an Extended Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Do Your Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

3 Out of the Box: Setting Up Your New Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Setting It Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

What’s in the Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Getting Ready to Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Turning It On and Setting It Up–for the First Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Powering Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Setting Country and Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Agreeing to the Software License Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Entering Your Username and Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Entering Your Computer Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Configuring Security Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Setting the Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Finalizing the Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Welcome to the Welcome Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Using the Welcome Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Closing the Welcome Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Registering Your New Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Registering Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Registering Your PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Uncluttering the Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Activating Microsoft Office Trial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

4 Flip It Open and Click Start: Basic Notebook Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Turning On and Off Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Powering Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Powering Down–or Going to Sleep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Configuring Power Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Investigating the Keyboard–and Other Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Understanding the Windows Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Using the Start Menu–and Switching Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Understanding the Start Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Launching a Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Switching Between Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Customizing the Windows Sidebar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Configuring Windows with the Control Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Personalizing the Windows Desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Personalizing the Desktop Background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Changing the Color Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Changing the Desktop Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Choosing a Screen Saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Resetting the Time and Date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Configuring Notebook-Specific Options with the Windows

Mobility Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

Setting Up Additional Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Creating a New Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Changing an Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96

Uninstalling Unwanted Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

Running on Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .98

5 Upgrading from a Desktop to a Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

From Desktop to Notebook: Relearning How Things Work . . . . . . . . . . . .102

What’s New . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102

What’s Different . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103

Transferring Programs from Your Old PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Transferring Files and Settings from Your Old PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Using Windows Vista’s Easy Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Choosing What to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

Choosing How to Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

Performing the Transfer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Part II: Using Your Notebook in the Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

6 Connecting to a Wireless Home Network and the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

Setting Up a Wireless Home Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Understanding Wireless Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

Setting Up the Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119

Configuring the Wireless Router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

Securing Your Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

Connecting Your Notebook PC to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Adding Wireless Capability to an Older Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

Connecting to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

Setting Your Network Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Disconnecting from the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125

Managing Your Network Computers in Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Getting to Know the Network and Sharing Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Changing Your Network Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

Viewing a Larger Network Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

Changing Workgroups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

Managing Network Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Connecting to the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Connecting via the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Connecting Without a Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

7 Sharing Files and Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

Configuring File Sharing in Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Enabling File Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Enabling Password-Protected Sharing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Sharing the Public Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Sharing Other Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Sharing Complete Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Sharing Folders in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Accessing Shared Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Viewing Shared Folders in Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Viewing Shared Folders in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Sharing Files from the Public Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Sharing a Printer on Your Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Configuring Printer Sharing in Windows Vista . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Configuring Printer Sharing in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Installing a Shared Printer on Your Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

Printing to a Network Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

8 Using Your Notebook with an iPod or MP3 Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Listening to Digital Music on a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

What You Need to Listen to Music on Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Getting to Know Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Playing Music with Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Creating and Playing Playlists with Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . .151

Ripping CDs with Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Burning Your Own CDs with Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Using Your iPod and iTunes with a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Getting to Know iTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Playing Music with iTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Creating and Playing iTunes Playlists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Ripping CDs with iTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Burning Your Own CDs with iTunes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Connecting Your iPod to Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Using Other MP3 Players with a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

9 Using Your Notebook with a Digital Camera or Video Camera . . . . . . . . .163

Using Your Notebook with a Digital Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Connecting a Digital Camera to Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Transferring Photos via Memory Card Reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Using Your Notebook as a Photo Storage Device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Editing Your Digital Photos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

Using Your Notebook with a Webcam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Connecting a Webcam to Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Sending Webcam Photos via Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Talking in Video Chats with Your Webcam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Using Your Notebook with a Video Camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Buying a Video-Ready Multimedia Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Connecting a Video Camera to Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Editing Your Video Movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

10 Playing Games on Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Choosing a Notebook for Serious Game Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Upgrading an Existing Notebook for Game Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Playing Games on a Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Using the Games Explorer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Games for Windows–and the LIVE Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

Considerations for Notebook Gaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .184

Part III: Using Your Notebook in the Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

11 Connecting to a Corporate Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Connecting Via Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Understanding Ethernet Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

Connecting to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189

Logging On to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Connecting Wirelessly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Connecting Automatically . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .190

Connecting Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .191

Logging On to the Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Connecting Your Notebook to a Docking Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Sharing Files over the Corporate Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Sharing Files in Your Public Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Sharing Files with Specific Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .195

Connecting a Windows Vista Notebook to a Corporate Network . . . . . . .196

Dealing with Corporate Security Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

12 Using Your Notebook for Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Taking Notes with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Using Microsoft OneNote . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Using Other Note-Taking Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .201

Managing Your Calendar and Appointments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

Using Microsoft Outlook’s Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202

Using a Web-Based Calendar Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Managing Your Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using Microsoft Outlook’s Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Using Other Contact Management Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Keeping in Touch with Other Workers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Communicating via Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Using Instant Messaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Connecting to Your Office Network While You’re on the Road . . . . . . . . .207

Using Your Notebook to Control Your Office PC from the Road . . . . . . . .210

Configuring Your Desktop PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Connecting from Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Syncing Files Between Your Notebook and Desktop PCs . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Creating a Sync Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Syncing Folder Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

13 Presenting with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Using PowerPoint on Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Displaying Your Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Connecting Your Notebook to a Video Projector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217

Choosing a Video Projector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .218

Making the Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

Setting the Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

Switching to External Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Don’t Forget the Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Tips for Giving a Great Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Use a Remote Presentation Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Use Big Fonts for a Big Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Turn Off the Screen Saver–and Turn On Presentation Settings . . . . . .222

Carry a Backup Copy–or Two . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Use Two Monitors and Presenter View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Make Your Presentation More Professional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Part IV: Using Your Notebook on the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

14 Connecting to an Internet Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Wi-Fi Hot Spots–What They Are and How They Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Where Can You Find Wi-Fi Hot Spots? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Wi-Fi Coffeehouses and Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Internet Cafés . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Wi-Fi Hotels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

FedEx Kinko’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Wi-Fi Airports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Wi-Fi in Public Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Wi-Fi Communities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Finding More Wi-Fi Hot Spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Connecting to a Public Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

Enabling the Wireless Adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

Selecting a Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

Setting the Network Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Viewing Your Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

Logging On to the Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Disconnecting from a Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

Changing the Order of Preferred Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

Connecting to a Cellular Data Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Plusses and Minuses of Mobile Broadband . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Choosing a Cellular Data Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Working Securely in Public . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

15 Traveling with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

Accessorizing for Travel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Power Cables and Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Removable Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

Essential Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Flying with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

Driving with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

Boating with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Traveling Overseas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255

Emailing from the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256

Configuring Your Email Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256

Saving Email Messages on Your Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256

Using a Web-Based Email Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257

Dealing with Blocked Outgoing Email . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .257

Printing from the Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .258

Tips for Traveling with Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259

16 Playing Movies on Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

Using Your Notebook as a Portable DVD Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Using a Proprietary Movie Player Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Using Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Playing Movies on the Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Playing Movies on a Plane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Playing Movies in a Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Downloading Movies from the iTunes Store . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Playing YouTube Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267

Downloading the Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267

Playing the Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

Downloading and Playing YouTube Videos with RealPlayer . . . . . . . . .270

17 Extending Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

Understanding Battery Capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Using Your Notebook on Battery Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Configuring Your Notebook’s Power Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Recharging Your Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

Tips for Extending Battery Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

Dealing with the NiCad “Memory Effect” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282

Recalibrating Lithium Ion Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283

Determining When You Need a New Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283

18 Protecting Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Physically Protecting Your Notebook Against Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286

Antitheft Cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286

Motion Sensors and Alarms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287

Notebook Safes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Tracking Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .288

Notebook Registration and Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289

Theft Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289

Protecting Your Notebook Against Data Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289

BIOS Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289

Windows Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

Creating a Stronger Password . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

Fingerprint Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

File Encryption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293

Tips for Preventing Notebook Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .294

Protecting Your Notebook Against Computer Attacks, Viruses,

and Spyware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295

Understanding Computer Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295

Protecting Your Notebook from Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296

Protecting Against Computer Viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297

Protecting Against Spyware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300

Practicing Safe Computing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301

Part V: Getting the Most Out of Your Notebook PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303

19 Using Your Notebook as a Desktop PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303

Using an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304

Connecting an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304

Configuring Windows to Use an External Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .304

Using an External Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305

Connecting an External Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .306

Configuring Windows to Operate with a Closed Notebook . . . . . . . . .307

Using a Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .308

Using an External Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .309

Using a Notebook Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310

Traditional Notebook Stands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .310

Notebook Coolers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311

Using a Docking Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .312

20 Accessorizing Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313

Notebook Cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .314

Power Supplies and Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .318

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .319

Keyboards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320

Numeric Keypads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .320

Mice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .321

Presentation Remotes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322

Portable Projectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323

Audio and Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .324

Portable USB Hubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325

Memory Card Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .325

External Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .326

Portable Webcams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .328

Portable Speakers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .329

Docking Stations and Port Replicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331

Notebook Stands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .333

Notebook Coolers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334

Lap Desks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335

Security Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .336

Fingerprint Readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .337

Wi-Fi Adapters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338

Wi-Fi Locators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .338

Notebook Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339

Portable Printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .340

Other Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .341

21 Powering Up with Utility Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .343

Commercial Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344

Maps and Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344

Security Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .344

Network Profile Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345

Wireless Connection Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345

Battery Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345

File and Email Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346

PC Remote Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346

Freeware and Shareware Programs and Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .346

Network Profile Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347

Hardware and System Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347

Display Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .347

Memory Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348

Other Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348

Windows Vista Sidebar Gadgets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .348

22 Upgrading Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351

What You Can–and Can’t–Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352

Why Notebooks Aren’t Easily Upgradable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .352

Easy Upgrades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353

Nonupgradable Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .353

Adding PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .354

Adding External Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .357

Upgrading System Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358

Understanding Computer Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .358

Performing the Upgrade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360

Upgrading Memory via a USB Memory Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361

Replacing the Hard Disk Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363

23 Notebook PC Tips and Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .365

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .366

Neat Working Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367

Cool Working Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368

Printing and Faxing Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .368

Touchpad Tricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369

Configuring Double-Click Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .369

Configuring Cursor Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .370

Configuring Touchpad Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371

Tapping via the Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .371

Scrolling via the Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372

Adjusting Pointer Motion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372

Adjusting Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .372

Replacing Broken Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373

24 Troubleshooting Notebook Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .375

How to Troubleshoot Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376

Using Windows Troubleshooters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .376

Troubleshooting in Safe Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Going Back in Time with System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Setting System Restore Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .377

Restoring Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378

Troubleshooting Common Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .379

Your Notebook Is Dead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .379

Your Battery Is Dead or Doesn’t Hold a Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .380

Windows Freezes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .381

A Program Freezes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .382

The Display Is Blank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .383

Your Notebook Won’t Turn Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .383

Can’t Connect to a Wi-Fi Hot Spot or Wireless Network . . . . . . . . . . . .383

You Can’t Send Email from a Wi-Fi Hot Spot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .387

It’s Worth the Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .391

Introduction

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Updates

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InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

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Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020