PCs & Laptops For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Whether it’s a desktop the family uses, an office computer, or a liberating laptop you can take with you around the globe, everyone loves to cheat! Specifically, you may find it beneficial to print and save this bonus information to assist you with your beloved computer. Call it helpful hints, but For Dummies tradition labels this document a Cheat Sheet — once a $2.95 value but now free!

My computer’s basic information

Here is some good information to have, not only for your own reference but also should you ever need to phone tech support, reference other material online, or boast to people you enjoy putting down.

The following technical information is specific to your own computer, desktop, or laptop.

Computer name: _______________________________________________
(The name given in Windows, the network name, or a pet’s name)

Brand name: _________________________________________________
(The manufacturer, such as Compaq, Gateway, or Kaypro)

Make: _________________________________________________
(The model’s name or number, if you know it. If not, make it up.)

Serial number: ______________________
(Write it down now to save you some panic later.)

Purchase date: ______________________________
(Extra parenthetical note here to please my editor.)

My computer’s technical details

This stuff may be important for tech support or a future upgrade. Details concealed in this book tell you how to find this information.

Microprocessor: _____________________

RAM (GB): _________________________

Primary storage device capacity (GB): __________

Video adapter: ___________________________

Important contact information

Keep these numbers here so that when you lose this sheet of paper, you feel truly screwed.

My computer dealer: ______________________________________

Dealer’s phone number: _________________________________________

Dealer’s email: _______________________________________________

Tech support phone line: ________________________________________

Tech support email: ___________________________________________

Internet provider name: _________________________________________

Internet provider tech support line: _________________________________

Internet service provider’s web page: ______________________________________

Internet service provider’s email: ________________________________________

Laptop battery-saving tips

Here are some suggestions to make your battery last as long as possible without offending the laws of physics. These are all imperatives, though because English lacks an imperative case, I’ve ended each sentence with an exclamation point:

• Dim the screen!
• Mute the speaker!
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth!
• Run only necessary programs!
• Set a solid-color desktop!
• Enable low-battery warnings!
• Close unused programs!
• Customize the power management scheme!
• Charge your laptop when you can!

Laptop bag checklist

Here’s a smattering of items you might want to stuff into your laptop case or backpack. Storing these items there is trendier than sticking them all in your pockets — even when you wear cargo pants — because doing so would make you look like a dork.

• Laptop
• Power cord and adapter
• Wireless mouse and spare battery
• External storage
• Ethernet cable
• Pens, paper, sticky notes
• Screen wipes
• Headphones
• A copy of your presentation
• Media cards and thumb drives
• Lock or cable
• Business cards
• Snacks

General troubleshooting tips

This list of impressive tips was promoted from colonel troubleshooting tips in the previous edition.

• Restart Windows. This trick fixes many common problems.
• Ensure that all cables are properly connected.
• Remember that changes cause problems. Upgrading software or hardware or changing the settings in Windows usually causes whatever new problems your laptop encounters.
• Activate and use antivirus software.
• Affix a personal label or asset-tracking sticker to your laptop.

Helpful computer hints

• Some of these items are found in the book; some of them are not.
• Keep Windows up-to-date!
• Always use your best posture while you compute. Don’t slouch! Elevate your wrists. Don’t tilt your head too far down.
• Skip this point.
• Get a UPS for your desktop PC. Plug the monitor, console, and external backup drive into the battery-backed-up sockets.
• Press the Fn key on your laptop in conjunction with other keys to activate special laptop features.
• Properly turn off your PC; use the Windows Shutdown command.
• You can connect and disconnect USB devices to and from the computer while the computer or device is on. However:
• Properly disconnect a thumb drive, media card, or external USB drive. Don’t just yank it out, no matter how much doing so pleases you.
• The best gift you can buy a desktop computer is more memory.
• Obtain an external drive and implement a backup regimen on your computer.
• Give yourself time to learn new software.
• The key to understanding software is to know what a file is. The key to organizing files is to know what a folder is.

Unhelpful computer hints

Share this list with your enemies:

• Using Windows version 8.0 is great. Downgrade at once!
• Put your passwords on sticky notes all around the monitor. Write down the website and account name. Print to make the details easy to read.
• Format drive C. The computer has an Undo command, right?
• The most effective way to turn off a computer is to just yank that plug right out of the socket.
• When the thumb drive doesn’t seem to fit into the USB port, try using a hammer.
• The vents on the back of a desktop computer provide an excellent location to dispose of discarded chewing gum.
• When the mouse pointer is stuck or nonresponsive, lift the mouse from the desktop and slam it back down
• Don’t worry about spilling coffee into a computer keyboard. Caffeine is an excellent cleanser.
• Click the link in that email message. Some foreign princes are truly magnanimous with their fortunes.
• Believe everything you read on the Internet.