Building a PC For Dummies^®, 5th Edition

by Mark L. Chambers (Columbia, Missouri)

• ISBN13: 9780471767725
• ISBN10: 0471767727
• Edition: 5th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-01
• Publisher: For Dummies

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 is an author, tech editor, and unabashed techie. He is the author of more than 30 computer books including iMac For Dummies, 4th Edition.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: Can I Really Do This?

Chapter 1: What’s in a Computer, Anyway?

Chapter 2: What Type of PC Should I Build?

Part II: Building Your PC.

Chapter 3: Building the Foundation: The Case and Motherboard.

Chapter 4: A Bag of Chips: Adding RAM and a CPU.

Chapter 5: The Three PC Senses: Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard.

Chapter 6: Images “R” Us: Adding Video and a Monitor.

Chapter 7: Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices.

Part III: Adding the Fun Stuff.

Chapter 8: Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD.

Chapter 9: Let Your PC Rock!

Chapter 10: Modems and the Call of the Internet.

Part IV: Adding the Advanced Stuff.

Chapter 11: Attack of the SCSI Monster.

Chapter 12: So You Want to Add a LAN?

Chapter 13: Life in the Fast Lane with Broadband.

Chapter 14: Input and Output: Scanners, Cameras, Video Capture, and Printers.

Chapter 15: More Power User Toys.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 16: Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC.

Chapter 17: Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User’s PC.

Chapter 18: Ten Important Assembly Tips.

Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC.

Chapter 20: Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague.

Part VI: Appendixes.

Appendix A: Choosing Your Operating System.

Appendix B: Glossary.

Index.