Upgrading and Repairing PCs is the runaway best-selling PC hardware book of all time and one of the best-selling computer books ever! This 15th Edition is loaded with the most up-to-date hardware information anywhere. World-renowned PC hardware expert Scott Mueller has taught thousands in his weeklong seminars and millions through his books, videos and articles. This edition contains hundreds of pages of new material, including the latest in processor and motherboard technologies. The DVD offers you more than two hours of high quality video plus a searchable hard drive database, a searchable vendor database, and thousands of pages of legacy PC hardware coverage that can no longer be included in the printed book, but that are invaluable to PC techs servicing older computers!
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.
Updated and revised with eighty percent new material, this book is 100 percent of what readers need to upgrade, fix, or troubleshoot PCs Sixty-five percent of U.S. households own a PC; this book caters to the do-it-yourselfers in these households, both novices and tech hobbyists alike, who are looking for an approachable reference A one-stop reference for topics such as video, CD, and DVD; multimedia; storage; communications (network and Internet); peripherals; and integrating with laptops and handhelds Concludes with a step-by-step tutorial on building an "extreme" machine that can handle the most demanding multimedia or gaming applications Written by Marcia and Barry Press, authors of PC Toys (076454229X)
All the essential reference tables and configuration settings are contained in this portable guide, organized for easy access. This edition includes hundreds of tables and charts on everything from BIOS settings, to monitor sizing, to jumper settings for corner peripherals.
Learn to diagnose and fix simple PC problems with this easy-to-follow guide When something goes wrong with your computer, it's frustrating and potentially expensive. With Fix Your Own Computer For Seniors For Dummies, you can find out what's wrong, how to fix it, whether you need to call in professional help, and how to practice preventive maintenance. This friendly guide avoids techie jargon and shows you how to diagnose the problem, find out whether the software or hardware is at fault, make simple repairs, and add external devices such as scanners, printers, and hard drives. It also helps you maintain your computer through basic steps like defragmenting the hard drive and cleaning out files - techniques that can prevent a lot of problems from occurring in the first place. Written specifically for first-time computer users, this book explains how to diagnose basic PC problems, understand error messages, and fix common issues Specific step-by-step procedures guide you through basic repairs such as replacing the hard drive Explains common mistakes and how to avoid them Outlines the steps for preventive maintenance, such as how to defragment the hard drive, clean files, delete old files, and organize files Explores ways to expand and enhance a computer with external devices including hard drives, Web cameras, Web phones, scanners, printers, flash drives and other hardware Shows what you can fix yourself and when to seek help from a repair service or the manufacturer Easy to read and follow, Fix Your Own Computer For Seniors For Dummies will boost your confidence when dealing with your computer and with professional technicians, too.
PC Hardware in a Nutshell is the practical guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs. A longtime favorite among PC users, the third edition of the book now contains useful information for people running either Windows or Linux operating systems. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, the book is packed with useful and unbiased information, including how-to advice for specific components, ample reference material, and a comprehensive case study on building a PC.In addition to coverage of the fundamentals and general tips about working on PCs, the book includes chapters focusing on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, and maintenance. Special emphasis is given to upgrading and troubleshooting existing equipment so you can get the most from your existing investments.This new edition is expanded to include: Detailed information about the latest motherboards and chipsets from AMD, Intel, SiS, and VIA Extensive coverage of the Pentium 4 and the latest AMD processors, including the Athlon XP/MP Full details about new hard drive standards, including the latest SCSI standards, ATA/133, Serial ATA, and the new 48-bit "Big Drive" ATA interface Extended coverage of DVD drives, including DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW Details about Flat Panel Displays, including how to choose one (and why you might not want to) New chapters on serial communications, parallel communications, and USB communications (including USB 2.0) Enhanced troubleshooting coverage PC Hardware in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition provides independent, useful and practical information in a no-nonsense manner with specific recommendations on components. Based on real-world testing over time, it will help you make intelligent, informed decisions about buying, building, upgrading, and repairing PCs in a cost effective manner that will help you maximize new or existing computer hardware systems. It's loaded with real-world advice presented in a concise style that clearly delivers just the information you want, without your having to hunt for it.
Appropriate for all courses in computer hardware, PC troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair. In Upgrading & Repairing PCS, 14th Academic Edition, leading PC hardware expert Scott Mueller offers a complete and authoritative guide to the core topics at the heart of virtually every course in PC hardware, maintenance, and repair. Condensed and distilled from Mueller's renowned Upgrading & Repairing PCS, 14th Retail Edition, this book contains focused coverage of every significant PC component: processors, motherboards, memory, the BIOS, interfaces, drives, removable and optical storage, video and audio hardware, and much more. Its accompanying CD-ROM contains 90 minutes of Windows Media Player videos featuring Scott Mueller demonstrating PC repair and upgrades, as well as PDFs of the complete student workbook, the entire 14th Retail Edition, vendor contacts, help files, and hundreds of pages of additional technical reference material. The student workbook provided on CD-ROM includes updated chapter summaries, practice exercises, and study questions designed to help students ensure they fully understand the material. Also available: an updated Instructor's Manual CD-ROM with thoroughly revised sample syllabus, improved PowerPoint slides, complete lesson plans, and student workbook answers.
