Learning computers

[stu]

Can anyone recommend a good book, or website that I can use to learn about computer software?

I don't want to become a programmer or anything, I'm just sick of not understanding how to use my computer. I want to be able to trouble shoot things by myself.

For example, I've been downloading things lately, and I've had to teach myself what programs to use to convert files, or extract files and I'm pretty excited about that. However, now I'm getting messages that my 80 gig hard drive is full. I KNOW I haven't even come close to filling up my hard drive with the info that I have on there. I have a feeling that I've got a bunch of files saved in a less than efficient file type or something, but I have no idea where to begin with that.

Any suggestions?

[stu]

I know a lot of this stuff comes from experience and trial and error, but I need a good place to start, as I have no idea.

[Street_Kings]

honestly, check out A+ certification books. regardless if you want to certify or not, it's really a good, full overview of both hardware and windows troubleshooting, as well as explaining what everything does.

[stu]

Thanks.

[Street_Kings]

np. you can skip all the stuff in the books regarding SCSI, and remembering what ports do what is pretty much real world for general troubleshooting.

[stu]

Can you check out the other thread I started about the super computer and comment on my last post by any chance?

[Conrad]

80gig HD..... how primitive