Most troubleshooting books concentrate on upgrading - and usually hardware at that. This book concentrates on solving problems - whether they are software, hardware, or operating system problems. The problems are the ones that Dan Gookin hears most often - the most frequently mentioned problems from his readers. Provides the background to understanding the differences between hardware and software errors and learning about the computer's startup sequence to help diagnose and fix common startup problems. Fix irritable error messages, slow PCs, internet and email problems, shutdown errors, and other common PC problems. This book covers not only common disk problems, but also concentrates on using disk tools to improve disk performance, and preventative maintenance techniques. Techniques to avoid disaster: system restore, backup, disk cleanup, and virus protection. Tools and utilities provided by Windows to help troubleshoot your computer.