Upgrading and Fixing a PC in Easy Steps

by Yarnold, Stuart

• ISBN13: 9781840783575
• ISBN10: 1840783575
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-12-02
• Publisher: In Easy Steps Limited

Summary

Is your PC showing its age? Struggles with the Internet? Does it have the speed of a three legged tortoise? If so, you may be thinking of buying a new one. Before you do though, consider the possibility of upgrading what you've already got. Computers aren't cheap and it makes no sense to replace everything when changing one part is all that's required. It is a fact that most computer upgrades are relatively simple to do and require little more than a screwdriver and a bit of common sense. This book tells you when a part needs to be upgraded and how to do it. Its simple illustrated instructions also teach you how to identify, locate and install the relevant parts to make your computer faster, more versatile and more powerful. You will even find a handy money-saving tutorial on your various buying options, plus how to troubleshoot if, horror of horrors, your upgrade goes wrong. All-in-all, Upgrading and Fixing a PC in easy steps is a must-have for computer owners wishing to keep their PCs at the cutting-edge.

Table of Contents

Before You Start	p. 7
Introduction	p. 8
Is an Upgrade Necessary?	p. 9
Buying Options	p. 10
Retail	p. 10
OEM	p. 10
Sourcing Your Parts	p. 11
Retail Outlets	p. 11
Mail-Order	p. 11
The Internet	p. 11
Precautions	p. 12
Discovering Your PC	p. 13
Inside the Computer	p. 14
Outside the Computer	p. 16
The Motherboard	p. 17
Motherboard Sockets	p. 18
CPU and Memory	p. 20
Expansion Cards	p. 21
Drive Units	p. 22
System Details	p. 23
A Faster PC	p. 25
Is a CPU Upgrade Necessary?	p. 26
The CPU Market	p. 27
CPU Performance Ratings	p. 29
What CPU Do You Need?	p. 30
CPU Specifications	p. 32
CPU Technologies	p. 34
Installing a CPU	p. 35
Installing a Heatsink/Fan Assembly	p. 38
When is a Memory Upgrade Necessary?	p. 42
Types of Memory	p. 43
Error Checking Modules	p. 45
Buying Memory	p. 46
How to Install Memory	p. 49
A More Versatile PC	p. 51
Is an Upgrade Necessary?	p. 52
Buying a Motherboard	p. 53
Compatibility Issues	p. 53
Form Factors	p. 54
Integrated Hardware	p. 56
Technology	p. 56
Types of Motherboard	p. 57
Dual-Processor Motherboards	p. 57
Dual-Channel Motherboards	p. 57
64-Bit Motherboards	p. 57
Installing a Motherboard	p. 58
Configuring the BIOS	p. 60
Upgrading the BIOS	p. 64
Upgrading System Buses	p. 66
Store More On Your PC	p. 67
Hard Drives	p. 68
Does it Need Upgrading?	p. 69
Internal Hard Drives	p. 71
External Hard Drives	p. 73
Hard Drive Capacity Limitations	p. 74
Hard Drive Specifications	p. 75
Configuring an ATA Hard Drive	p. 77
Installing an ATA Hard Drive	p. 78
Installing a Second ATA Hard Drive	p. 80
Installing a SATA Hard Drive	p. 81
RAID Configurations	p. 82
Partitioning and Formatting	p. 83
Removable Media Options	p. 91
Floppy Drives - Are They Worth It?	p. 92
Installing a Floppy Drive	p. 93
CD-ROM Drives	p. 95
CD Writers	p. 95
DVD Writers	p. 96
Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Drives	p. 98
Buying a CD/DVD Drive	p. 99
Installing a CD/DVD Drive	p. 101
Other Types of Drive	p. 103
Rev Drives	p. 103
Tape Drives	p. 104
See and Hear More With Your PC	p. 105
Computer Video Systems	p. 106
The Video Card Market	p. 108
Video Card Specifications	p. 109
Other Factors to Consider	p. 110
Installing a Video Card	p. 112
Video Capture Devices	p. 113
PC Entertainment Centers	p. 115
Computer Sound Systems	p. 116
Sound Cards	p. 117
Installing a Sound Card	p. 120
Speaker Systems	p. 121
Speaker Installation	p. 122
Create a Reliable PC	p. 123
What Makes a PC Unreliable?	p. 124
The PC's Power Supply	p. 124
Power Supply Unit (PSU)	p. 124
Power Rating	p. 125
Protection Circuitry	p. 126
Cooling	p. 126
External Power Supply	p. 127
Heat	p. 128
Installing a Power Supply Unit	p. 129
Software	p. 130
Hardware Drivers	p. 130
Malware	p. 130
Improve Your Input Options	p. 131
The Mouse	p. 132
Keyboards	p. 134
Game Controllers	p. 135
Gaming Keyboards	p. 135
Scanners	p. 138
Web Cameras	p. 140
Microphones	p. 140
Data Output Options	p. 141
Monitors - CRT v LCD	p. 142
Which LCD Do I Need?	p. 143
Monitor Specifications	p. 144
Installing a Monitor	p. 146
Printers	p. 147
Inkjet Printers	p. 147
Photo Printers	p. 148
Laser Printers	p. 149
Multi-Function Devices (MFDs)	p. 151
Installing a Printer	p. 152
Better Network Connections	p. 153
Dial-Up Connections	p. 154
Installing a Dial-Up Modem	p. 155
Broadband Connections	p. 156
Installing a Broadband Modem	p. 157
Home Networking	p. 158
Building a Home Network	p. 159
Cable Networks	p. 159
Wireless Networks	p. 160
Fixing Your PC	p. 161
Initial Steps	p. 162
Troubleshooting Tools	p. 163
Make a Windows XP Boot Disk	p. 166
The Power Supply	p. 167
System Hardware	p. 168
Hard Drive	p. 170
Video	p. 173
Sound	p. 176
Modems	p. 178
Monitors	p. 180
Inkjet Printers	p. 181
Scanners	p. 182
CD/DVD Drives	p. 183
Windows	p. 184
Index	p. 187
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