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.

The only time you need to restore a system image on your Windows PC is when the entire hard drive is dead, missing, or replaced with a cheese sandwich. With all that data gone, you have to rely upon three items: A recovery volume: Use this media to start the PC and access the Windows Recovery Environment. The tools presented help you navigate through recovery.

Even though computers are supposed to make our lives easier, you may find it beneficial to print and complete some information about your personal computer (PC) on paper. You can use this as a reference for technical information, internet, and email information, or how all those wires and peripherals should be hooked up to your PC — even while the computer is off.

Dive into this guide for your PC troubleshooting and maintenance needs. Refer here for tips, tricks, and information when your computer starts acting funny. Sadly, funny computer smells aren’t covered. © Milkovasa / Shutterstock.comImportant info for my PCHere’s a handy place to keep all of your PC’s important info, in case you need to get the PC fixed.

By opening a command prompt window, you can search for files that Windows truly doesn’t want you to know are there. It’s a little technical, but when you really, really need to find a file, the method described in the following steps does the job: From the Start menu, search for and open the Command Prompt.

Much like everything else in your computer, Bluetooth functionality requires both hardware and software. Like a camera without film — one won't work without the other. Unfortunately, not all PCs arrive Bluetooth-ready right out of the box, especially older models. If your PC didn’t come with Bluetooth hardware installed, you can easily add some by purchasing a Bluetooth USB dongle.

To make the unallocated portion of a hard drive useful, you must create a new volume, one that’s recognized by Windows. You can create three types of volumes:Simple: This typical hard drive is the type that most PC users have in Windows. If you’re shrinking a volume to create a new logical drive, such as a new drive F (or something), this option is the one you want.

For a microphone to work on your computer, it must be plugged into the pink jack on your PC, unless it’s a USB microphone, which simply plugs into the USB port.After plugging in the microphone, test the thing. Testing works differently depending on your version of Windows.To test the microphone in Windows 7 and Windows Vista, heed these steps: Ensure that the microphone is properly connected.