Upgrading and Repairing PCs (18th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
by Scott Mueller
from Que
"...perhaps the most comprehensive book on the subject we've ever seen. It's incredibly well researched, well written, and jam packed with useful information."
--Josh Norem, Reviews Editor, Maximum PC
Upgrading and Repairing PCs is the definitive guide to the inner workings of your PC. Whether you're adding a faster processor or bigger hard drive, tracking down a problem, or just want to understand how the components of your computer work together, this book explains everything you need to know. Trust the one book that has become the de facto standard among PC professionals and enthusiasts around the world.
World-renowned PC hardware expert Scott Mueller has taught thousands in his week-long seminars and millions through his books, videos, and magazine articles. Major changes in the PC hardware industry--including coverage of new Core 2 processors from Intel, Socket AM2 processors from AMD, and significant advances in motherboard chipsets, Blu-ray, and HD-DVD--make Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 18th Edition, an indispensable addition to every serious computer user's bookshelf...that is, if it ever leaves their desks. Readers from around the world trust their computers to Scott. Upgrading and Repairing PCs is found on the desks of teachers, students, hobbyists, repair technicians, and even law enforcement agencies that use this book to aid them in tracking criminals.
New in This Book
- Deep coverage of the new Core 2 (8th gen or "886") processors, featuring the new "Core Microarchitecture"
- Cutting edge coverage of quad-core desktop (Kentsfield) processor versions
- Detailed coverage of AMD’s Socket AM2 processors
- Coverage of evolutionary changes in chipsets, including new versions of Intel's 9xx series chipsets and new 3x series Intel chipsets; coverage of new chipsets from Nvidia, VIA, and SiS has also been added
- Coverage of the new DTX and Mini-DTX motherboard form factors from the newly formed alliance between AMD and ATI
- Beefed-up coverage of Blu-ray and HD-DVD drives/players
- Extensive coverage of new GPUs in addition to heavy-duty coverage of SLI and Crossfire
- Building a PC from scratch--from assembling the hardware to BIOS setup and installing Microsoft Windows XP or Vista
On the DVD
DVD contains 2 hours of all new, studio-quality video--playable in your set-top DVD player and your computer! Scott digs deep into networking, showing all the components needed to build a SOHO (Small Office Home Office) network. Coverage includes network adapters, routers, switches, access points, cable/DSL modems, and cabling. Upgrading an existing network to gigabit speeds is also covered, as well as the latest wireless network technology. The DVD also contains a previously published edition of the book as well as technical reference material, a glossary, and an acronym index. Whether you’re building a hot new PC for home or work, or nursing an aging and ailing PC back to health, these materials prove to be worth their weight in gold to the serious PC technician or hobbyist.
www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com
If you don’t have a DVD player or only have a set-top DVD, visit www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com to download all the video from the DVD in Windows Media Player format as well as the PDFs and other materials on the DVD! Plus, check out monthly articles, FAQs, and video from earlier editions you might have missed!
Introduction 1
1 Development of the PC 7
2 PC Components, Features and System Design 25
3 Microprocessor Types and Specifications 39
4 Motherboards and Buses 235
5 BIOS 441
6 Memory 509
7 The ATA/IDE Interface 581
8 Magnetic Storage Principles 637
9 Hard Disk Storage 663
10 Removable Storage 707
11 Optical Storage 747
12 Physical Drive Installation and Configuration 851
13 Video Hardware 885
14 Audio Hardware 987
15 I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to IEEE-1394 and USB 1025
16 Input Devices 1059
17 Internet Connectivity 1103
18 Local Area Networking 1151
19 Power Supplies 1207
20 Building or Upgrading Systems 1295
21 PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling 1335
22 PC Diagnostics, Testing and Maintenance 1367
ON THE DVD:
A Glossary
B List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
MacBook For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
by Mark L. Chambers
from For Dummies
Tired of being tethered to your desktop computer? If you're ready to break free with a laptop, the new MacBook could be just what you're looking for. In addition to the freedom to work wherever you happen to be, a MacBook offers you
- A portable darkroom with iPhoto
- Mobile music, podcasts, and Internet radio
- GarageBand software that lets you make your own music
- The ability to create and share original movies and DVDs
- Safari, a safer and ultra-cool Web browser, and all the other OS X advantages
Whether you already have your new MacBook or are still weighing the pros and cons of various models, MacBook For Dummies is a valuable resource. For newcomers to laptop land, it’s packed with basic information about using and caring for Mac laptops. It also walks you through Mac OS X, the revolutionary Macintosh operating system that makes your laptop tick. Then it's on to all the fun stuff you can do with your MacBook, like making music, editing photos and turning them into a book, creating DVDs on the road, or adding a wireless keyboard. MacBook For Dummies will help you
- Set up your MacBook and get acquainted with all the features of the Mac OS X Tiger operating system
- Use the Safari Web browser and Apple's .Mac Internet subscriber service, connect your MacBook to a printer, and communicate with your cell phone or PDA
- Connect to a wired or wireless network
- Make the most of the iLife applications that come with your MacBook—iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie HD, iDVD, and GarageBand
- Keep your MacBook and your data safe, troubleshoot any problems, and maintain your system
Popular For Dummies author Mark Chambers has loaded this fun book with tips, ideas, and his famous "Mark's Maxims"—power user advice that will guide you around the pitfalls and make you a Macxpert in no time. From latptop basics all the way to upgrading and adding memory, MacBook For Dummies will be your MacBook's best friend.
Macs For Dummies (Macs for Dummies)
by Edward C. Baig
from For Dummies
Updated to cover the new Intel-based Macs, Mac OS X Tiger, and the latest Mac tools and trends, this bestseller includes:
- Mac basics,
- customizing a workspace,
- getting acquainted with Mac OS X, going online,
- working with iLife applications,
- setting up e-mail,
- connecting an iPod to a Mac,
- turning a Mac into a fax machine,
- troubleshooting,
- security,
- and more.
USA Today Personal Technology columnist Edward Baig, a longtime technology writer who appears regularly on TV, radio, and at major industry trade shows, has rewritten this edition from scratch ensuring you get the up-to-date information you need.
Order your copy today!
A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Sixth Edition, Comprehensive
by Jean Andrews
from Course Technology
Written by best-selling author and instructor Jean Andrews, this edition maps fully to CompTIA's new 2006 A+ Exam objectives. This full-color guide is designed to be the most complete, step-by-step book available for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware and software. Video clips are available on the accompanying CD so readers can watch the author bring concepts and technical topics to life via live demonstrations.
Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money
by Morris Rosenthal
from Foner Books
From buying and selling PC hardware to product development and selling services, this book offers a realistic picture of making it on one's own. The book mixes practical advice and cautions with real-world anecdotes of successes and failures
From buying and selling PC hardware to product development and selling services, this book offers a realistic picture of making it on one's own. The book mixes practical advice and cautions with real-world anecdotes of successes and failures
Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance
by Morris Rosenthal
from Foner Books
A unique visual approach to troubleshooting PC hardware problems. Morris Rosenthal creates a visual expert system for diagnosing component failure and identifying conflicts. The seventeen diagnostic flowcharts at the core of this book are intended for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist, or the beginning technician. Following a structured approach to troubleshooting hardware reduces the false diagnoses and parts wastage typical of the "swap 'till you drop" school of thought. Flowcharts include: Power Supply Failure, Video Failure, Video Performance, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Failure, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Performance, IDE Drive Failure, Hard Drive Boot and Performance, CD or DVD Playback, CD or DVD Recording Problem, Modem Failure, Modem Performance, Sound Failure, Sound and Game Controller Performance, Network Failure, Peripheral Failure, SCSI Failure and Conflict Resolution.
A unique visual approach to troubleshooting PC hardware problems. Morris Rosenthal creates a visual expert system for diagnosing component failure and identifying conflicts. The seventeen diagnostic flowcharts at the core of this book are intended for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist, or the beginning technician. Following a structured approach to troubleshooting hardware reduces the false diagnoses and parts wastage typical of the "swap 'till you drop" school of thought. Flowcharts include: Power Supply Failure, Video Failure, Video Performance, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Failure, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Performance, IDE Drive Failure, Hard Drive Boot and Performance, CD or DVD Playback, CD or DVD Recording Problem, Modem Failure, Modem Performance, Sound Failure, Sound and Game Controller Performance, Network Failure, Peripheral Failure, SCSI Failure and Conflict Resolution.
Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition
by Robert Thompson
from O'Reilly Media, Inc.
This popular Build-It-Yourself (BIY) PC book covers everything you want to know about building your own system: Planning and picking out the right components, step-by-step instructions for assembling your perfect PC, and an insightful discussion of why you'd want to do it in the first place. Most big brand computers from HP, Dell and others use lower-quality components so they can meet their aggressive pricing targets. But component manufacturers also make high-quality parts that you can either purchase directly, or obtain through distributors and resellers. Consumers and corporations alike are opting to build rather than buy PCs to ensure high quality and compatibility.
The new edition of Building the Perfect PC shows you how to construct a variety of top-flight systems with the latest technology, including AMD Socket AM-2 and Intel Core 2 processors, that are Vista- and Linux-ready. The book includes several new options, including:
- A Budget PC you can build for approximately $350 that offers performance and reliability similar to that of mainstream systems
- A full-blown media-center system that runs Linux and MythTV or Windows MCE with multiple tuners and HDTV support
- A fire-breathing high-performance gaming system
- A fast, low-power, low-heat, low-noise, Small Form Factor system (the size of a shoe box)
- A low-cost SOHO (small office, home office) server system with a 2 terabyte (2,000 GB) disk subsystem that's suitable for a residential environment rather than a server closet
Regardless of your technical experience, Building the Perfect PC will guide you through the entire process of building or upgrading your own computer. You'll use the latest top-quality components, including Intel's Core 2 Duo and AMD's Athlon X2 CPUs. And you'll know exactly what's under the hood and how to fix or upgrade your PC, should that become necessary. Not only is the process fun, but the result is often less expensive and always better quality and far more satisfying than anything you could buy off the shelf.
Repairing and Upgrading Your PC
by Robert Thompson
from O'Reilly Media, Inc.
Most computer users think that fiddling with the insides of their PC is taboo. They fear that by removing the screws that hold the case on, they're crossing into forbidden territory. And even for those who know they can open the box and fix or upgrade their PC, analysis paralysis often stops them in their tracks:
Which upgrades offer the best bang for the buck? How do you pinpoint the faulty component that's making your system freeze? What about compatibility issues?
Get ready to get unstuck and get your PC running fast and running right. Repairing and Upgrading Your PC delivers start-to-finish instructions, simple enough for even the most inexperienced PC owner, for troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading your computer. Written by hardware experts Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, this book covers it all: how to troubleshoot a troublesome PC, how to identify which components make sense for an upgrade, and how to tear it all down and put it back together. This book shows how to repair and upgrade all of your PC's essential components:
- Motherboard, CPU, and Memory. Choose the optimal match of these core components to keep your PC running at top speed
- Hard Drive, Optical Drive, and Removable Storage
- Give your computer what it needs for long-term and short-term storage
- Audio and Video. Enhance your computing experience with the right sound and graphics devices for your needs
- Input Devices. Pick the best keyboard and mouse to keep your hands happy and healthy
- Networking. Set up secure wireless networking to keep the bits flowing between your computers and the outside world
- Cases and Power Supplies. Keep everything running cool and reliably
With its straightforward language, clear instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book makes it a breeze for PC owners of any skill level to work on their computer.
Apple Training Series: Desktop and Portable Systems (3rd Edition) (Apple Training)
by Marc Asturias
from Peachpit Press
This authoritative, Apple-Certified training course is designed both for professionals who support Apple computers as well as Macintosh enthusiasts who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite systems. Fully revised, this third edition includes Apple's new models with Intel processors, the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. Keyed to the learning objectives of the Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service certification exams, this is the companion curriculum used in AppleCare Technician Training courses worldwide. The book starts out with basic computer theory and underlying technologies, then moves on to cover everything from networking to the nitty-gritty steps and diagrams for upgrading and troubleshooting six sample computer models.
Upgrading & Fixing PCs For Dummies (Upgrading & Fixing Pcs for Dummies)
by Andy Rathbone
from For Dummies
Loaded with solid advice in the fun style typical of this series, Upgrading & Fixing PCs for Dummies is an excellent introduction to what makes your computer go. If you're sure you can put your new modem or video card in by yourself (and you can), this book will provide you with the help you need.
Rathbone starts with an introduction to all the mysterious connections on the back of your computer's case, teaching you how to distinguish a game port from a serial port and an audio jack from a network connection. He then moves inside the case, using drawings and diagrams to illustrate processors, peripheral cards, memory modules, and other internal components. Troubleshooting occupies much of this book, and the author explains the basic "identify and isolate" strategy very well. He also points out what to look and listen for, describing, for example, the meaning of the beeps you hear when you turn your computer on.
Some of Rathbone's organizational decisions seem weird. He covers the procedure for replacing an internal modem in a chapter about all kinds of internal expansion cards, rather than in the modem chapter. But the information is there and it is well presented, so Upgrading & Fixing PCs for Dummies makes an excellent resource for hardware novices. --David Wall
Covers upgrades for gaming, digital video, and entertainment!
Transform your PC into a glitch-free, turbocharged, multimedia machine
Want to add punch to your PC? This handy reference helps add power to your old computer. Easy steps show you how to add memory, update your virus protection, get your PC ready for Windows Vista or rev it up as a cool entertainment center capable of recording TV shows or hearing DVDs in surround sound.
- Move files from an old PC to a new one
- Upgrade to Windows Vista
- Get rid of computer viruses
- Configure a wireless network
- Add a TV tuner and DVD burner
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