Publisher Description

The 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.

Author Biography

With 25 years of industry experience, Bob Thompson was one of the first Novell Master CNEs, and has been immersed in Windows NT Server 4.0 since it was in alpha. Bob has written or contributed to several computer networking books, including Special Edition Using Windows NT Server 4; Special Edition Using Microsoft BackOffice; Windows Magazine Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Internet and Networking Handbook; and Upgrading and Repairing Networks, all for Que Corporation. Bob is the president of Triad Technology Group, Inc., a Winston-Salem, NC, network consulting practice.Barbara Fritchman Thompson is the vice president and senior researcher for Triad Technology Group, Inc. She has a master's in library science from George Peabody College, and worked for twenty years as a librarian before starting her own research consulting practice. She currently works at home, writing books and reviewing web sites for Library Journal and Electronic Resources Review. She is a Winston-Salem native, and lives with her husband Bob and their three Border Collie dogs, Kerry, Duncan, and Malcolm.

Table of Contents

Foreword Preface 1. Fundamentals PCs Defined PC Components and Technologies System Resources Building or Buying a PC Upgrading a PC Smart Buying Practices Things to Do with Old PCs 2. Working on PCs Rules to Upgrade By Tools General Procedures 3. Motherboards Motherboard Characteristics Choosing a Motherboard Installing a Motherboard Upgrading the System BIOS Our Picks 4. Processors Processor Design Intel Processors AMD Processors Choosing a Processor Forthcoming AMD and Intel Processors Installing a Processor Our Picks 5. Memory Understanding Memory Memory Access Methods CAS Latency Memory Packaging How Much Memory Is Enough? Memory Selection Guidelines Installing Memory Troubleshooting Memory Installation and Operation Our Picks 6. Floppy Disk Drives Diskette Types and Formats Drive Types FDD Interface and Cabling Installing an FDD Working with FDDs Working with Obsolete Diskette Formats Salvaging Diskette Data Our Picks 7. High-Capacity Floppy Disk Drives High-Capacity FDD Types Choosing a High-Capacity FDD Using an ATAPI Zip or SuperDisk Drive as the Boot Device Drive Letter Assignment Problems Our Picks 8. Removable Hard Disk Drives Uses for Removable and External Hard Disk Drives Cartridge-Based Removable Hard Disk Drives Frame/Carrier-Based Removable Hard Disk Drives Our Picks 9. Tape Drives Tape Technologies Choosing a Tape Drive Installing and Configuring a Tape Drive Care and Feeding of a Tape Drive Troubleshooting Tape Drive Problems The Dirty Little Secret of Long Filenames Developing a Backup Strategy Our Picks 10. CD-ROM Drives Compact Disc Fundamentals CD-ROM Drive Performance Choosing a CD-ROM Drive Installing and Configuring a CD-ROM Drive Cleaning a CD-ROM Drive Our Picks 11. CD Writers CD Writers and Media Writable CD Formats CD Recording Methods Buffer Underrun Protection Choosing a CD Writer CD Writer Software Installing and Configuring a CD Writer Updating CD Writer Firmware Media Issues Burning CDs Special Problems and Applications Writable CD Troubleshooting Additional CD-R(W) Source Material Our Picks 12. DVD Drives DVD-ROM DVD Writable and Rewritable Installing and Configuring a DVD Drive Troubleshooting DVD Problems Our Picks 13. Hard Disk Interfaces IDE Serial ATA SCSI ATA Versus SCSI Our Picks 14. Hard Disk Drives How Hard Disks Work Choosing a Hard Disk Installing a PATA (Standard ATA) Hard Disk Installing an SATA Hard Disk Installing a SCSI Hard Disk Preparing a Hard Disk for Use Our Picks 15. Video Adapters Video Adapter Characteristics Choosing a Video Adapter Installing a Video Adapter Configuring Video Under Windows 98/Me/2000/XP Configuring Video under Linux Troubleshooting Video Adapter Problems Our Picks 16. Displays CRT Monitors Flat-Panel Displays Installing and Configuring a Display Troubleshooting Display Problems Our Picks 17. Sound Adapters PC Audio Types MIDI Synthesis Methods Downloadable Sounds Sound Card Components Sound Card Characteristics Choosing a Sound Card Installing a Sound Card Configuring

Long Description

"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 Editionprovides 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.

Details