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“…a comprehensive resource for PC enthusiasts and professionals alike. Packed with the latest speeds and feeds, you’ll want to keep this book on-hand as an authoritative technology reference.”
–Chris Angelini, Managing Editor, Tom’s Hardware
For 20 years, Upgrading and Repairing PCs has been the industry’s #1 guide to PC hardware: the single source for reliable, step-by-step information on identifying and fixing problems, adding hardware, optimizing performance, and building new PCs from scratch. Now, this 19th Edition has been completely updated to focus on today’s technologies and today’s maintenance challenges!
From processors and motherboards, memory to storage, video to power, and networking to Internet connectivity, it’s all here: technical details, practical insights, and step-by-step solutions to difficult problems. Updates include new CPUs like the Intel Core i Series and AMD’s Phenom family...solid state drives (SSDs) and hard disk drives...motherboard form factors, chipsets, power supplies, DDR3 memory, Windows 7 readiness, and a whole lot more!
Your guide, Scott Mueller, has taught thousands in his legendary personal seminars and millions more through his books and videos. Nobody knows more about choosing, installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining PC hardware. Whether you’re a professional technician, a small business owner who doesn’t want to pay for service calls, or a home PC enthusiast, this is the one book you need!
NEW IN THIS EDITION
ON THE DVD
The DVD contains two hours of up-to-the minute, studio-quality how-to videos–all playable on either your DVD player or computer! You’ll find detailed presentations covering important PC components like processors, motherboards, chipsets, memory, hard disk drives, chassis, and power supplies, including tips that will help you select the best components when building or purchasing new systems as well as when upgrading or repairing existing ones. There is a complete step-by-step guide to building a new PC from scratch, including tips that will not only make the build process run smoothly, but will also help you build a system that has performance, durability, and will be easy to maintain, upgrade, and repair in the future. That’s not all: You’ll also find the complete 16th Edition of this book, plus extensive technical reference material, a comprehensive PC glossary, and much more!
Celebrating 20 years of Upgrading and Repairing PCs
Cool Things You Can Do with a USB Flash Drive
Making Your Laptop Computer Road-Ready
Putting Your ExpressCard Slot to Work in Your Laptop
Running Out of USB Ports? Best and Worst Solutions
Spring-Cleaning Your Computers
Telling Tech Deals from Tech Duds
Tracking Down the Best Technology Bargains
Using Small Tech Accessories to Solve Big Problems
What’s Under the Hood of Your PC?
Upgrading and Repairing PCs: Memory
Download the sample pages (includes Chapter 6 and Index)
Introduction 1
Chapter 1: Development of the PC 5
Chapter 2: PC Components, Features, and System Design 19
Chapter 3: Processor Types and Specifications 31
Chapter 4: Motherboards and Buses 171
Chapter 5: BIOS 313
Chapter 6: Memory 375
Chapter 7: The ATA/IDE Interface 435
Chapter 8: Magnetic Storage Principles 489
Chapter 9: Hard Disk Storage 513
Chapter 10: Removable Storage 557
Chapter 11: Optical Storage 585
Chapter 12: Video Hardware 671
Chapter 13: Audio Hardware 739
Chapter 14: External I/O Interfaces 765
Chapter 15: Input Devices 801
Chapter 16: Internet Connectivity 837
Chapter 17: Local Area Networking 865
Chapter 18: Power Supplies 913
Chapter 19: Building or Upgrading Systems 997
Chapter 20: PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance 1033