Q: What exactly is shown on the DVD included in your Windows 7 For Dummies book/DVD bundle?

I can’t find that information anywhere.

A: Windows 7 For Dummies is often sold with a bundled training DVD.

The bundled DVD contains about two hours of video training that walks you through many of the steps described in the book.

For example, the video below describes how to save and download information you’ve found helpful on the Internet (it’s just one of many videos on the DVD):

You can watch the DVD either through your computer’s DVD drive or a DVD player connected to your TV.

Here’s the DVD’s table of contents:

Introduction

Getting Started with Windows 7

• Launching Windows 7 For the First Time
• Touring the Interface
• Playing with Windows
• Using the Windows 7 Help System
• Logging Off, Shutting Down, and Restarting Windows 7

Working with Programs and Files

• Starting a Program
• Navigating Windows 7
• Opening and Saving a Document
• Setting Up a Printer
• Printing a Document

Getting Things Done Online

• Connecting to the Internet
• Working with Internet Explorer
• Saving and Downloading from the Internet (This video is the one I’ve shown above)
• Getting Started with Windows Live Mail

Customizing Windows

• Jazzing Up the Desktop
• Setting Up User Accounts
• Tweaking Toolbars, Taskbars, and Menus
• Adding and Removing Programs

Windows Media Options

• Getting Started with Media Player
• Organizing Your Library
• Playing Your Media
• Burning CDs and DVDs

Part of Tens

• Ten Common Problems and How to Fix Them
• Ten (or so) Helpful Windows Applications

The Windows 7 For Dummies DVD bundle is available from Amazon, along with most other bookstores.

Photo by Silgeo on Flickr

Q: I am 84 years of age and hooked on computers which I find indispensable in daily life.

I often come across problems for which no answer seems available, even with advice from younger ones. Am I expecting too much from this wonderful machine, or is there an answer somewhere?

A: Yes, there is an answer out there to your computing problems. Unfortunately, finding just the right answer can be quite difficult and time-consuming.

The problem is that many people buy computers from many different manufacturers, who build their computers from many different sets of parts. Plus, everybody’s computer runs a slightly different set of software.

That makes many computers unique, with their own set of incompatibilities and problems. And that’s why you’re seeing problems not found by others. Rejoice in your uniqueness!

Seriously, though, I have three pieces of advice:

• Write down the exact wording of any error messages you see.
• Search for that error message on Google.
• Repeat until you find somebody who’s stumbled upon the answer and was kind enough to post it on the Web.

There are billions of people out there on the Internet. You just might find somebody with your exact computer’s configuration who’s posted an answer.

This Help page on Google searching might help you pluck your particular needle from the haystack. Mastering the art of pinpoint Google searching will go a long way in solving computer problems.

Q:

The only alternative I have is to retrain into a new career that has parallels to my old company.

Do you have any recommendations or suggestions for online courses for CompTIA  A+ certification? With this certification, an opportunity is sure to be forthcoming; even if it’s opening the doors again as a computer service.

My current unemployment plus my lack of the skills in today’s computer areas are a really difficult combination to overcome.

A: Since I specialize in writing beginning computer books, I don’t know anything about online courses for CompTIA A+ certification.

However, I know that many people skip the expensive online courses and buy study guides, like the CompTIA A+ Complete Certification Kit (Exams 220-701 and 220-702) from Amazon.

Certification study guides aren’t cheap, and I’ve never read that particular book, but the reviews look solid. It contains both a sample exam and study guides to help people pass the real exam.

You might drop by your local bookstore to check out some of the competing books, as well. Your local library might have some of the books to compare, as well.

Any other suggestions out there, readers?