Troubleshooting Windows® 7 Inside Out

The ultimate, in-depth troubleshooting reference

Larger Cover

The ultimate, in-depth troubleshooting reference

By Mike Halsey

Publisher: Microsoft Press

Released: October 2010

Pages: 528

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You're beyond the basics, so dive right into troubleshooting Windows 7 -- and really put your PC to work! This supremely organized reference describes hundreds of prevention tips, troubleshooting techniques, and recovery tools in one essential guide. It's all muscle and no fluff. Discover how the experts keep their Windows 7-based systems running smoothly -- and challenge yourself to new levels of mastery.

Take control of essential Windows 7 maintenance and security features, such as the Action Center and User Account Control
Master quick fixes to the most common problems using expert tips and step-by-step repair guides
Implement best practices to help prevent and combat viruses, malware, and identity theft
Apply advanced troubleshooting techniques by understanding how Windows 7 works
Diagnose hardware problems and work safely with your PC
Develop a recovery plan to restore your system and data in the event of a disaster
Know when to use power utilities for advanced performance, maintenance, and diagnostics

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Get your fully searchable online edition -- with unlimited access on the Web.

Prevention
1. Chapter 1 Prevention Is Better Than Cure
  1. Upgrade or Clean Install?
  2. Keeping Your Installation of Windows XP or Windows Vista
  3. How Big Should Partitions Be?
  4. What To Do When Windows 7 Is Installed
  5. Moving Your Files Away from Windows
  6. Backing Up Windows 7
  7. Summary
2. Chapter 2 The Basic Windows 7 Utilities
  1. Action Center
  2. Windows Update
  3. Windows Firewall
  4. Windows Defender
  5. Windows 7 and Anti-Virus Software
  6. Legacy Program Compatibility
  7. Summary
3. Chapter 3 Basic Windows 7 Security
  1. The Reality of Virtualization
  2. Anti-Virus Software for Windows 7
  3. User Account Control
  4. BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
  5. Beware the Weak Link at the Keyboard
  6. Guest Mode
  7. Gibson Research
  8. Summary
4. Chapter 4 Backup and Restore
  1. Moving Your Files Away from Windows 7
  2. Using Backup and Restore
  3. Backing Up the Operating System
  4. Determining How Many Backups You Need and Where to Store Them
  5. Summary
5. Chapter 5 Maintaining Windows 7
  1. Defragmenting Your Hard Disks
  2. Maintaining Windows
  3. Don’t Install Too Much Software
  4. Keeping Windows 7 Updated
  5. Keeping Auto-Running Software to a Minimum
  6. The One Year Reinstall Rule
  7. Summary
6. Chapter 6 Users
  1. How Windows 7 Controls Users
  2. Managing User Accounts
  3. Group Policies
  4. Blocking CDs, DVDs, Flash Drives, and External Hard Disks
  5. Summary
7. Chapter 7 Hardware
  1. What’s in a PC?
  2. How Can You Clean the Inside of Your PC?
  3. Hardware Health
  4. SMART Monitoring of Hard Disks
  5. Peripherals
  6. Surge Protectors, UPS, and Power Supply
  7. Summary
8. Chapter 8 Virtualization
  1. Virtualization vs. Dual Booting
  2. Are There Any Benefits to Virtualization?
  3. Virtual Hard Disks and Windows 7
  4. Windows Virtual PC and Windows XP Mode
  5. Summary
Quick Fixes
1. Chapter 9 Annoyances
  1. Common Windows 7 Problems
  2. Hardware Annoyances
  3. Summary
2. Chapter 10 Viruses, Malware, and Other Threats
  1. Repelling an Attack
  2. Identifying an Attack
  3. Repairing the Damage
  4. Summary
3. Chapter 11 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 7
  1. Restore Previous Versions of Files
  2. System Restore
  3. Troubleshooting Software Compatibility
  4. Windows Won’t Start
  5. Working with Device Drivers
  6. Action Center Troubleshooter
  7. Microsoft Fix It Center
  8. Summary
Technical Fixes
1. Chapter 12 What Is Windows 7 Anyway?
  1. The Windows 7 File and Folder Structure
  2. How Does Windows Compare to Other Operating Systems?
  3. Summary
2. Chapter 13 Identifying the Source of a Problem
  1. Taking a Step-by-Step Approach
  2. Why Problems Occur with Windows
  3. What Are the Causes of Common Problems?
  4. Have You Tried Turning It Off and On Again?
  5. The Blue Screen of Death
  6. The Perpetual Restart
  7. Summary
3. Chapter 14 Advanced Diagnostic Tools in Windows 7
  1. Performance Information and Tools
  2. Event Log
  3. Performance Monitor
  4. Resource Monitor
  5. Windows Task Manager
  6. System Information
  7. System Health Report
  8. Computer Management
  9. Using the Windows 7 Performance Tools
  10. Summary
4. Chapter 15 Advanced Repair Methods
  1. Repairing Microsoft Internet Explorer
  2. System File Checker
  3. Using MSConfig for Diagnostic Startups
  4. Managing Windows Services
  5. Working with the Windows Registry
  6. Using the System Repair Disc for Advanced Restore
  7. Using Safe Mode
  8. Summary
5. Chapter 16 Windows Problems Demystified
  1. Windows 7 Core Operating System Files
  2. Advanced File Restore
  3. System File Checker
  4. Creating a Slipstreamed Install DVD
  5. Summary
6. Chapter 17 Remote Help
  1. Using the Internet to Find Solutions to Problems
  2. Windows Remote Desktop
  3. Windows Remote Assistance
  4. Problem Steps Recorder
  5. Summary
7. Chapter 18 Where to Find More Help and Support
  1. Windows Help
  2. Third-Party Software
  3. Third-Party Websites
  4. Summary
8. Chapter 19 Diagnosing Hardware Problems
  1. PC Hardware Guide
  2. Safe Working
  3. Is Everything Plugged In?
  4. Minimal Hardware Boot
  5. Resetting the BIOS
  6. Jump-Starting Your PC
  7. Summary
Disaster Recovery
1. Chapter 20 Windows and Data Recovery Tools
  1. You Did Back It Up, Didn’t You?!
  2. Restoring Windows and Data from a Backup
  3. Data Restore Through Over-the-Top Reinstall
  4. RAID Drives
  5. Summary
2. Chapter 21 Restoring from Another PC
  1. Restoring a Windows Image on Another PC
  2. Restoring Windows File by File
  3. Restoring Your Data by Using Another PC
  4. Summary
3. Chapter 22 Linux: An Operating System on a Disc
  1. System or Data Restore Using Another Operating System
  2. Useful Software in Linux
  3. CD and DVD Burning in Linux
  4. Compatible Linux Operating Systems to Run from a Disc
  5. Creating a Linux Installation Disc or Pen Drive
  6. Summary
4. Chapter 23 Third-Party Rescue Tools and Services
  1. Zinstall and zPOD
  2. GRC SpinRite
  3. Other Third-Party Tools
  4. Other Third-Party Services
  5. Summary
5. Chapter 24 When You Can’t Recover Data
  1. Encrypted File System
  2. BitLocker and BitLocker To Go
  3. Creating a Copy of Encrypted Data
  4. Summary
Power Utilities
1. Chapter 25 Advanced Windows Diagnostic Tools in Depth
  1. Computer Management
  2. Performance Information and Tools
  3. Control Panel Troubleshooters
  4. Summary
2. Chapter 26 Windows Firewall in Depth
  1. Windows Firewall
  2. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security
  3. Port Control for Routers
  4. Summary
3. Chapter 27 Advanced Registry Work
  1. Registry Sections
  2. Registry Keys and Settings
  3. Backing Up and Restoring the Registry
  4. Working with the Registry
  5. Finding Information in the Windows Registry
  6. Summary
Appendices
1. Appendix Windows 7 Editions
2. Appendix Windows 7 Features by Edition
3. Appendix Windows 7 Shortcut Keys
4. Appendix BIOS Beep Codes
5. Appendix Glossary
6. Appendix About the Author
  1. Contacting the Author

Title:

Troubleshooting Windows® 7 Inside Out

By:

Mike Halsey

Publisher:

Microsoft Press

Formats:

Print
Ebook
Safari Books Online

Print:

November 2010

Ebook:

October 2010

Pages:

528

Print ISBN:

978-0-7356-4520-2

| ISBN 10:

0-7356-4520-5

Ebook ISBN:

978-0-7356-4519-6

| ISBN 10:

0-7356-4519-1

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Comments about Microsoft Press Troubleshooting Windows® 7 Inside Out:

Well-written book that is very useful for everyone. I like the very open minded approach of using third party applications and operating systems. Detailed, simple to follow, great tips... Absolutely recommended.Regards,Ivan KolevskiGeekTech Solutions - professional IT services[@]

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Comments about Microsoft Press Troubleshooting Windows® 7 Inside Out:

Well written with screenshots. Any one can read and understand it. Simple language is used to help all kind of users.

11/8/2010

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Comments about Microsoft Press Troubleshooting Windows® 7 Inside Out:

Contains a TON of information. There is even several pages on Linux! This book contains just about everything you would ever need to do with Windows 7 - from basics to rather advanced material, this book includes it.

90% of the sections are "worded" in a basic manner, so it is not intimidating.

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Prevention

Chapter 1 Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Chapter 2 The Basic Windows 7 Utilities

Chapter 3 Basic Windows 7 Security

Chapter 4 Backup and Restore

Chapter 5 Maintaining Windows 7

Chapter 6 Users

Chapter 7 Hardware

Chapter 8 Virtualization

Quick Fixes

Chapter 9 Annoyances

Chapter 10 Viruses, Malware, and Other Threats

Chapter 11 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 7

Technical Fixes

Chapter 12 What Is Windows 7 Anyway?

Chapter 13 Identifying the Source of a Problem

Chapter 14 Advanced Diagnostic Tools in Windows 7

Chapter 15 Advanced Repair Methods

Chapter 16 Windows Problems Demystified

Chapter 17 Remote Help

Chapter 18 Where to Find More Help and Support

Chapter 19 Diagnosing Hardware Problems

Disaster Recovery

Chapter 20 Windows and Data Recovery Tools

Chapter 21 Restoring from Another PC

Chapter 22 Linux: An Operating System on a Disc

Chapter 23 Third-Party Rescue Tools and Services

Chapter 24 When You Can’t Recover Data

Power Utilities

Chapter 25 Advanced Windows Diagnostic Tools in Depth

Chapter 26 Windows Firewall in Depth

Chapter 27 Advanced Registry Work

Appendices

Appendix Windows 7 Editions

Appendix Windows 7 Features by Edition

Appendix Windows 7 Shortcut Keys

Appendix BIOS Beep Codes

Appendix Glossary

Appendix About the Author

Mike Halsey

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