Building a PC for Dummies with CDROM

by Mark L. Chambers

• ISBN13: 9780764505713
• ISBN10: 0764505718
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-07-01
• Publisher: Hungry Minds
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

Shows tech hobbyists how to build the perfect PC, whether they want to create the ultimate gaming machine or combine new and recycled parts to construct an inexpensive computer for a child The do-it-yourself craze is sweeping through the tech community, and this guide is now significantly revised and updated to cover the wide array of new hardware and accessories available Step-by-step instructions and dozens of photos walk first-time computer builders through the entire process, from building the foundation, and adding a processor and RAM, to installing a video card, configuring a hard drive, hooking up CD and DVD drives, adding a modem, and troubleshooting problems

Author Biography

Mark L. Chambers has been an author, technical writer, and consultant for more than fifteen years. His books include the first edition of Building A PC For Dummies, Recordable CD Bible, and Hewlett-Packard Official Guide to Printers.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(6)
Part I: Can I Really Do This?	7	(32)
What's in a Computer, Anyway?	9	(12)
What Type of PC Should I Build?	21	(18)
Part II: Building Your PC	39	(92)
Building the Foundation: Your Case and Motherboard	41	(20)
A Bag of Chips: Adding RAM and Your CPU	61	(12)
The Three PC Senses: Your Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard	73	(14)
Images `R Us: Adding Video and Your Monitor	87	(22)
Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices	109	(22)
Part III: Adding the Fun Stuff	131	(58)
Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD	133	(20)
Let Your PC Rock!	153	(18)
Modems and the Call of the Internet	171	(18)
Part IV: Adding the Advanced Stuff	189	(78)
Attack of the SCSI Monster	191	(16)
So You Want to Add a LAN?	207	(16)
Life in the Fast Lane---with ISDN	223	(14)
Input and Output: Scanners, Cameras, Capture, and Printers	237	(16)
Other Power User Playtoys	253	(14)
Part V: The Part of Tens	267	(34)
Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC	269	(6)
Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User's PC	275	(8)
Ten Important Assembly Tips	283	(6)
Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC	289	(6)
Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague	295	(6)
Part VI: Appendixes	301	(38)
Appendix A: Choosing Your Operating System	303	(14)
Appendix B: Glossary	317	(12)
Appendix C: About the CD	329	(10)
Index	339	(20)
IDG Books Worldwide End-User License Agreement	359	(2)
Installation Instructions	361