Book description
Be a part of the best-selling Upgrading and Repairing series with the latest edition of the flagship book, Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Author Scott Mueller has taught thousands in his seminars and millions through his books, videos and articles. Since 1988, everyon from PC technicians and students to hobbyists, have turned to Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs books for help with computer problems. Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 17th Edition includes new and updated content covering the latest processors, motherboards, memory, and more, including a fully-loaded DVD with new video and reference material.
Register this book at www.quepublishing.com after purchase for access to exclusive Upgrading and Repairing articles, sample chapters, and bonus video content!
Table of contents
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Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 17th Edition
- About the Author
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- 1. Development of the PC
- 2. PC Components, Features, and System Design
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3. Microprocessor Types and Specifications
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- Pre-PC Microprocessor History
- Microprocessors from 1971 to the Present
- Processor Specifications
- Processor Features
- Processor Manufacturing
- Processor Socket and Slot Types
- CPU Operating Voltages
- Heat and Cooling Problems
- Math Coprocessors (Floating-Point Units)
- Processor Bugs
- Processor Codenames
- P1 (086) First-Generation Processors
- P2 (286) Second-Generation Processors
- P3 (386) Third-Generation Processors
- P4 (486) Fourth-Generation Processors
- P5 (586) Fifth-Generation Processors
- Intel P6 (686) Sixth-Generation Processors
- Other Sixth-Generation Processors
- Intel Pentium 4 (Seventh-Generation) Processors
- Eighth-Generation (64-Bit Register) Processors
- Dual-Core Processors
- Processor Upgrades
- Processor Troubleshooting Techniques
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4. Motherboards and Buses
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- Motherboard Form Factors
- Processor Sockets/Slots
- Chipsets
- Intel’s Early 386/486 Chipsets
- Fifth-Generation (P5 Pentium Class) Chipsets
- Sixth-Generation (P6 Pentium Pro/II/III Class) Chipsets
- Seventh-Generation (Pentium 4) Chipsets
- Third-Party Pentium 4 Chipsets
- AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Chipsets
- Intel Workstation Chipsets for Pentium 4 and Xeon
- AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron Chipsets
- Super I/O Chips
- Motherboard Connectors
- System Bus Types, Functions, and Features
- Types of I/O Buses
- System Resources
- Resolving Resource Conflicts
- Motherboard Selection Criteria (Knowing What to Look For)
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5. BIOS
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- BIOS Basics
- BIOS Hardware/Software
- Motherboard BIOS
- Upgrading the BIOS
- Preboot Environment
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CMOS Setup Specifications
- Running or Accessing the CMOS Setup Program
- BIOS Setup Menus
- Maintenance Menu
- Main Menu
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Advanced Menu
- PCI Configuration Submenu
- Boot Configuration Submenu
- Additional Advanced Features
- Overclocking/Burn-in Test Features
- Peripheral Configuration
- ATA Configuration Submenu
- Floppy Configuration Submenu
- Event Logging
- Video Configuration
- USB Configuration Submenu
- Fan Control Configuration Submenu
- Resource Configuration/PnP Configuration Menu
- Security Menu
- Power Menu
- Boot Menu (Boot Sequence, Order)
- Exit Menu
- Additional BIOS Setup Features
- Plug and Play BIOS
- BIOS Error Messages
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6. Memory
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- Memory Basics
- RAM Types and Performance
- Memory Modules
- Installing RAM Upgrades
- Troubleshooting Memory
- The System Logical Memory Layout
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7. The ATA/IDE Interface
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- An Overview of the IDE Interface
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ATA Standards
- ATA-1 (AT Attachment Interface for Disk Drives)
- ATA-2 (AT Attachment Interface with Extensions-2)
- ATA-3 (AT Attachment Interface-3)
- ATA/ATAPI-4 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface Extension-4)
- ATA/ATAPI-5 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-5)
- ATA/ATAPI-6 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-6)
- ATA/ATAPI-7 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-7)
- SATA/ATAPI-8
- Parallel ATA
- Serial ATA
- ATA Features
-
ATA Drive Capacity Limitations
- Prefixes for Decimal and Binary Multiples
- BIOS Limitations
- CHS Versus LBA
- CHS/LBA and LBA/CHS Conversions
- BIOS Commands Versus ATA Commands
- CHS Limitations (the 528MB Barrier)
- CHS Translation (Breaking the 528MB Barrier)
- The 2.1GB Barrier
- The 4.2GB Barrier
- LBA-Assist Translation
- The 8.4GB Barrier
- The 137GB Barrier and Beyond
- Operating System and Other Software Limitations
- ATA RAID
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- 8. Magnetic Storage Principles
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9. Hard Disk Storage
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- Definition of a Hard Disk
- Hard Drive Advancements
- Form Factors
- Hard Disk Drive Operation
- Basic Hard Disk Drive Components
- Hard Disk Features
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10. Removable Storage
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- The Role of Removable-Media Drives
- Comparing Disk, Tape, and Flash Memory Technologies
- Interfaces for Removable-Media Drives
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Floppy Disk Drives, Past and Present
- Alternatives to Floppy Drives
- 1.44MB 3 1/2″ Drives
- Floppy Drive Interfaces
- Drive Components
- How the Operating System Uses a Floppy Disk
- Disk Change
- Analyzing 3 1/2″ Floppy Disk Media Construction
- Floppy Disk Media Types and Specifications
- Caring for and Handling Floppy Disks and Drives
- Floppy Drive Installation Procedures
- Troubleshooting Floppy Drives
- High-Capacity Magnetic Storage Devices
- Magneto-Optical Drives
- Flash Memory Devices
- Microdrive Technology
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Tape Drives
- Hard-Disk–Based Alternatives to Tape Backup
- Disadvantages of Tape Backup Drives
- Advantages of Tape Backup Drives
- Common Tape Backup Standards
- QIC and Its Variants (QIC-Wide and Travan)
- Orphaned Tape Backup Technologies
- DAT/DDS, AIT, and Other High-Capacity Tape Drive Standards
- Comparing Tape Backup Technologies
- Choosing a Tape Backup Drive
- Tape Drive Installation
- Tape Drive Backup Software
- Backup and Restoration Troubleshooting
- Backup Software Patches and Updates
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11. Optical Storage
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- Optical Technology
- CD-Based Optical Technology
- DVD
- Blu-ray Disc
- HD-DVD
- Optical Disc Formats
- CD/DVD Read-Only Drives and Specifications
- Writable CDs
- Recordable DVD Standards
- CD/DVD Drive and Software Installation and Support
- Booting from a Floppy Disk with CD/DVD Drive Support
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Troubleshooting Optical Drives
- Failure Reading a CD/DVD
- Failure to Read CD-R, CD-RW Discs in CD-ROM or DVD Drive
- Failure to Read a Rewritable DVD in DVD-ROM Drive or Player
- Failure to Create a Writable DVD
- Failure Writing to CD-RW or DVD-RW 1x Media
- ATAPI CD-ROM or DVD Drive Runs Slowly
- Poor Results or Slow Performance When Writing to CD-R Media
- Trouble Reading CD-RW Discs on CD-ROM
- Trouble Reading CD-R Discs on DVD Drive
- Trouble Making Bootable CDs
- Updating the Firmware in a CD-RW or Rewritable DVD Drive
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12. Physical Drive Installation and Configuration
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- Installing All Types of Drives
- Hard Disk Installation Procedures
- Formatting
- Replacing an Existing Drive
- Hard Disk Drive Troubleshooting and Repair
- Installing an Optical Drive
- Floppy Drive Installation Procedures
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13. Video Hardware
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- Video Display Technologies
- Maintaining Your Monitor
- Video Display Adapters
- 3D Graphics Accelerators
- Upgrading or Replacing Your Video Card
- Adapter and Display Troubleshooting
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- 14. Audio Hardware
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15. I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to IEEE 1394 and USB
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- Introduction to Input/Output Ports
- Universal Serial Bus
- IEEE 1394
- Standard Serial and Parallel Ports
- Serial Ports
- Parallel Ports
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16. Input Devices
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- Keyboards
- Keyboard Technology
- Keyboard Troubleshooting and Repair
- Keyboard Recommendations
- Pointing Devices
- Input Devices for Gaming
- Wireless Input Devices
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17. Internet Connectivity
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- Relating Internet and LAN Connectivity
- Cable Modems
- Digital Subscriber Line
- Fixed-Base Wireless Broadband
- Internet Connectivity via Satellite with DirecWAY or StarBand
- Integrated Services Digital Network
- Comparing High-speed Internet Access
- Leased Lines
- Securing Your Internet Connection
- Asynchronous (Dialup) Modems
- Modem Standards
- Sharing Your Internet Connection
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Internet Troubleshooting
- Diagnosing Problems with a Shared Internet Connection
- Diagnosing Connection Problems with Signal Lights
- Modem Fails to Dial
- Computer Locks Up After Installing or Using Internal Modem, Terminal Adapter, or Network Card
- Computer Can’t Detect External Modem
- Using Your Modem Sound to Diagnose Your Modem
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18. Local Area Networking
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- Focus of This Chapter
- Defining a Network
- Client/Server Versus Peer Networks
- Network Architecture Overview
- Hardware Elements of Your Network
- Network Protocols
- Other Home Networking Solutions
- Putting Your Network Together
- Tips and Tricks
- Direct Cable Connections
- Troubleshooting a Network
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19. Power Supplies
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- Considering the Importance of the Power Supply
- Primary Function and Operation
- Power Supply Form Factors
- Power Switches
- Motherboard Power Connectors
- Additional Power Connectors
- Power Supply Specifications
- Power-Use Calculations
- Power Cycling
- Power Management
- Power Supply Troubleshooting
- Repairing the Power Supply
- Obtaining Replacement Units
- Power-Protection Systems
- RTC/NVRAM (CMOS RAM) Batteries
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20. Building or Upgrading Systems
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- System Components
- Hardware and Software Resources
- System Assembly and Disassembly
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Motherboard Installation
- Installing the CPU and Heatsink
- Installing Memory Modules
- Mounting the New Motherboard in the Case
- Connecting the Power Supply
- Connecting I/O and Other Cables to the Motherboard
- Installing the Drives
- Installing the New Video Card and Driver Software
- Installing Additional Expansion Cards
- Replacing the Cover and Connecting External Cables
- Running the Motherboard BIOS Setup Program (CMOS Setup)
- Troubleshooting New Installations
- Installing the Operating System
- Disassembly/Upgrading Preparation
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- 21. PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling
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22. PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance
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- PC Diagnostics
- Diagnostics Software
- The Hardware Boot Process
- PC Maintenance Tools
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Preventive Maintenance
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Active Preventive Maintenance Procedures
- System Backups
- Cleaning a System
- Disassembly and Cleaning Tools
- Chemicals
- Dusters
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Brushes and Swabs
- Silicone Lubricants
- Obtaining the Required Tools and Accessories
- Disassembling and Cleaning Procedures
- Reseating Socketed Chips
- Cleaning Boards
- Cleaning Connectors and Contacts
- Cleaning the Keyboard and Mouse
- Hard Disk Maintenance
- Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures
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Active Preventive Maintenance Procedures
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Troubleshooting Tips and Techniques
- Modern PCs—More Complicated and More Reliable
- Industry-Standard Replaceable Components
- Reinstall or Replace?
- Troubleshooting by Replacing Parts
- Troubleshooting by the Bootstrap Approach
- Problems During the POST
- Hardware Problems After Booting
- Problems Running Software
- Problems with Adapter Cards
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Top Troubleshooting Problems
- When I power the system on, I see the power LED light and hear the fans spin, but nothing else ever happens.
- The system beeps when I turn it on, but there is nothing on the screen.
- I see a STOP or STOP ERROR in Windows NT/2000/XP.
- I see Fatal Exception errors in Windows 95/98/Me.
- The system won’t shut down in Windows.
- The power button won’t turn off the system.
- The modem doesn’t work.
- The keyboard doesn’t work.
- I can’t hear any sound from the speakers.
- The monitor appears completely garbled or unreadable.
- The image on the display is distorted (bent), shaking, or wavering.
- I purchased a video card, and it won’t fit in the slot.
- I installed an upgraded processor, but it won’t work.
- The system runs fine for a few minutes but then freezes or locks up.
- I am experiencing intermittent problems with the hard drive(s).
- The system won’t boot up; it says Missing operating system on the screen.
- The system is experiencing intermittent memory errors.
- The system locks up frequently and sometimes reboots on its own.
- I installed a 60GB drive in my system, but it is recognizing only 8.4GB.
- My CD-ROM/DVD drive doesn’t work.
- My USB port or device doesn’t work.
- I installed an additional memory module, but the system doesn’t recognize it.
- I installed a new drive, but it doesn’t work and the drive LED remains lit.
- While I was updating my BIOS, the system froze and now the system is dead!
- I installed a new motherboard in an older Dell system, and nothing works.
- I installed a PCI video card in an older system with PCI slots, and it doesn’t work.
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Appendix A
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B. Key Vendor Contact Information
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C. Troubleshooting Index
- List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
- License Agreement
Product information
- Title: Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 17th Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: March 2006
- Publisher(s): Que
- ISBN: 9780789734044
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