PCs for Dummies [Paperback]

Dan Gookin (Author), Andy Rathbone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 1992 | Series: For Dummies

From the bestselling author of DOS for Dummies, this book gives the decidedly NON-NERD a guide to setting up, configuring, and understanding a PC. System hardware and popular peripherals are explained in simple language.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Explaining the fundamentals of personal computing to those who would rather read words than look at pictures, PCs for Dummies tells you everything you need to know in order to use an IBM-compatible PC running Windows 98. Dan Gookin's prose is technically astute and fun to read.

This isn't the book for you if you're looking through a computer catalog and wondering what all the jargon means (Buying a Computer for Dummies covers that). Rather, this book will help you when you've gotten the machine into your home and you need to know what to do next. Starting with the process of unpacking the box and plugging in all the cables, this book shows you what to do with your new machine.

After assembly is out of the way, Gookin shows you how to get around in Windows 98 (and Windows 95, which is almost identical). He explains concepts like files, directories, and applications, and frequently explains the exact procedures involved in common tasks like adjusting screen resolution. Once you've heard all about the basics, Gookin goes on to explain modem configuration, printer problems, productivity software, and a fair amount about Internet use. --David Wall --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Who would have thought a line of reference works "for dummies" would ever sell? Well, they have, and this series installment by author Gookin is an excellent example of how to make something otherwise complicated simple for lay readers. Newbie computer users will find much useful information here, from opening the box and setting up a new computer system to basic file management, hardware and software issues, and basic WindowsR steps. Gookin's fun and easy-to-follow advice is tailor-made for the many people buying PCs for the first time. This new version includes Windows 95R procedures, as well as helpful hints on understanding how computers operate, how to read and write files to hard and floppy disks, and how to set up a basic Windows system configuration. Because of the technical nature of this material, many readers may also want to read the book (available from IDG) while they follow these handy tips with their own computer. This item and the entire "DummiesTM" line is a sure bet for all public libraries.?Dale Farris, Groves, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: IDG Books Worldwide (July 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878058517
• ISBN-13: 978-1878058515
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,939,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding books for beginners!!!!, August 27, 2001

By 

Michael Kramer (Menominee, Mi.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: PCs for Dummies (Paperback)

I was a "dummy" when it came to pc basics. I wanted to know Ram, rom, whats on the motherboard, etc. I wanted to know my Dell 4100 inside and out. Thanks to Mr. Gookin's excellent book, I am on my way to becoming very good friends with the very computer that once intimidated the heck out of me. He talks in, depth (but doesnt go so far as to confuse the beginner with a lot of geek jargon), and with humor, all you need to know about your computer so you can feel confident about using it. Youre not going to be a techinician when youre done with this book, but after reading it, you will be able to go to the local computer store with confidence and talk their language and not get the runaround. If every computer were to come with an instruction book, this one should be it!! Hats off to Dan Gookin and IDG books for such an excellent book. I look forward to reading Upgrading and Fixing Pc's For Dummies next!

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who's the Dummy, April 8, 2001

By 

J. Gabelman (Tustin, Ca. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PCs for Dummies (Paperback)

I have been working with computers for a number of years and I am still mystified by all the computer hardware, software, jargon, acronyms, properties, claims, capabilities etc. Most of what I have learned has been through experimentation, reading Dilbert, and pleading for advice. Dan Gookin's book PCs for Dummies has been a great help in demystifying the world of PCs. After breaking down and purchasing this book, I realized just who the "dummy" was.

The format of Gookin's book is unique. It is well written, humorous, and very informative. Best of all, PCs for Dummies actually makes reading about computers "nerdless." The book is broken down into 34 chapters and covers everything from turning the computer on (power-up) to the Internet. Each chapter covers a specific piece of hardware, software, and/or computer function. Individual chapters are further subdivided into sections. For example, Chapter Eight is titled, "Just Your Basic Computer Guts." Subsections include, The Mother of All Boards, The Microprocessor, Connectors for Things Various and Sundry, Expansion Slots, Tick Tock Goes the Clock, and The Bios. I would love to tell you how it ends, but I am forbidden to do so by Amazon.com guidelines.

The best attributes of PCs for Dummies are that the book can not only be used as a reference source, but can also be used in place of a phone book to interrogate surly computer gurus. You don't have to read the entire book before using your newfound knowledge. Just turn to that particular section for which you need help, read, and press "Enter."

PCs for Dummies teachs how to use computers based on the learning philosophy of "Constructivism." Whoa! Basically, Constructivism is a philosophy in which learners acquire knowledge through active participation in their own learning; and by connecting the new knowledge to knowledge that they already possess. In other words, once you have learned basic computer tasks, you can "construct" or build upon that knowledge to learn more advanced computer operations. I subscribe to this learning philosophy and employ it into my teaching with excellent results.

All good things must pass and so must this review, but not before some constructive criticism. I would have liked Mr. Gookin in PCs for Dummies go into a little more detail about specific topics, as many topics are just touched upon. Well maybe not many, just the ones in which I needed help. Overall, Mr. Gookin has written an excellent book and I highly recommend it to all.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book to help you understand the basics., June 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: PCs for Dummies (Paperback)

As a novice, I really enjoyed this book. It lets you understand the basics and build your skills from this point. I would recommend it to any reluctant novice who may be overwhelmed by the thought of turning on a computer. I almost did not buy this book, and I am SO GLAD that I did! It gave me quite a bit of confidence as now I do understand many terms such as what my C, D and A drives are for.