Technical information

Windows 8 For Dummies, Dell Pocket Edition

Task Manager: Coveted by computer techni-

cians, this little program can end misbehaving

programs, monitor background tasks, moni-

tor performance, and do other stuff of techie

dreams.

Windows Host Process: This dismally named

icon delivers an even worse message: Your

newly plugged-in gadget won’t work, be it

your printer, scanner, music player, or other

item. Try unplugging the device, running its

installation software again, and plugging it

back in.

Explorer: Older PCs come with two types of

USB ports: fast and slow. This icon means

you’ve plugged a speedy gadget into your

slow port. Try unplugging it and plugging it

into a different port. (The USB ports on a

desktop computer’s back side are often the

faster ones.)

Power, Outlet: This shows that your laptop is

plugged into an electrical outlet and is charg-

ing its battery.

Power, Battery: Your laptop or tablet is run-

ning on batteries only. (Rest your mouse

pointer over the icon to see how much power

remains.)

Arrow: Sometimes the taskbar hides things. If

you see a tiny upward-pointing arrow at the

start of the taskbar’s notification area, click it

to see a few hidden icons slide out.

Get familiar with these icons, and you’ll find that

using the notification area is a snap!

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