MIke Meyers' A+ Guide to PC Hardware

by Meyers, Michael; Jernigan, Scott

• ISBN13: 9780072231199
• ISBN10: 007223119X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-12-24
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media

Summary

Mike Meyers, one of the premier computer and network skills trainers, delivers a learning system designed to explain key IT principles in an easy-to-understand format. This well-written volume reinforces A+ Core Exam certification objectives and prepares students to work in the real world by applying networking concepts to solve real business problems. Plus, provides teachers with a way to assess student knowledge and reinforce learned concepts.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
Chapter 1 The Visible PC	1	(31)
How the PC Works	1	(2)
Input	1	(1)
Processing	2	(1)
Output	2	(1)
Storage	2	(1)
The Art of the PC Technician	3	(1)
Essential Tools of the Trade and ESD Avoidance	3	(4)
Tools of the Trade	3	(1)
Avoiding Electrostatic Discharge	4	(1)
Results of Electrostatic Discharge	4	(1)
Anti-static Tools	5	(2)
Recognize the Major Components of a PC	7	(11)
CPU	7	(1)
RAM	8	(1)
Motherboard	8	(4)
Case	12	(1)
Power Supply	13	(1)
Floppy Drive	13	(1)
Hard Drive	14	(2)
CD-ROM Drive	16	(2)
Connectors	18	(4)
DB Connectors	18	(1)
DIN Connectors	19	(1)
Centronics Connectors	19	(1)
RJ Connectors	19	(1)
BNC Connectors	19	(1)
Audio Connectors	20	(1)
USB Connectors	20	(1)
FireWire Connectors	21	(1)
All Kinds of Connectors	22	(5)
Sound Cards	22	(1)
Video Cards	22	(1)
Network Cards	23	(1)
Keyboard	23	(1)
Mouse	24	(1)
Modem	25	(1)
Printer	26	(1)
Joystick	26	(1)
Chapter 1 Review	27	(5)
Chapter 2 Microprocessors	32	(62)
CPU Core Components	33	(7)
The Man in the Box	33	(1)
External Data Bus	33	(2)
Registers	35	(2)
Clock	37	(3)
Back to the External Data Bus	40	(1)
Memory	40	(6)
Memory Storage Options	41	(1)
RAM: Random Access Memory	42	(1)
Address Bus	42	(4)
Modern CPUs	46	(24)
Manufacturers	47	(1)
CPU Packages	48	(2)
The Pentium CPU: The Early Years	50	(11)
Pentium Pro	61	(1)
Later Pentium-Class CPUs	62	(2)
Pentium II	64	(2)
Pentium III	66	(1)
Early AMD Athlon CPUs	67	(1)
AMD "Thunderbird" Athlon CPUs	68	(1)
AMD Duron	68	(1)
Intel Pentium 4	69	(1)
AMD Athlon XP	70	(1)
Specialty Processors	70	(7)
Intel Xeon Processors	71	(1)
64-Bit Processing	72	(3)
Mobile Processors	75	(2)
Installing CPUs	77	(10)
Why Replace a CPU?	77	(1)
Determining the Right CPU	78	(1)
Buying a CPU	79	(1)
Preparing to Install	80	(1)
Inserting a Slot 1/Slot A CPU	80	(1)
Inserting a PGA-Type CPU	81	(2)
Testing Your New CPU	83	(1)
The Art of Cooling	84	(1)
Know Your CPUs	84	(1)
Overclocking	85	(2)
Chapter 2 Review	87	(7)
Chapter 3 RAM	94	(34)
DRAM	95	(3)
Organizing DRAM	96	(1)
You Are a Byte Victim!	96	(2)
RAM Sticks, Part I	98	(4)
DIPPs	99	(1)
30-Pin SIPPs	99	(1)
30-Pin SIMMs	100	(1)
SIMM Sticks and Parity	100	(1)
Access Speed	101	(1)
KAM Sticks, Part II	102	(4)
72-Pin SIMMs	102	(2)
Banking, Part I-Filling the Bus	104	(1)
DIMM	105	(1)
Improvements in DRAM Technology	106	(6)
EDO	106	(1)
SDRAM	107	(1)
PC100/133 Standards	107	(1)
ECC	108	(1)
Double Pumping	108	(1)
RDRAM	108	(2)
DDR SDRAM	110	(1)
Banking Part II-Dual-Channel Architecture	111	(1)
Double-Sided SIMMs/DIMMs	111	(1)
Installing RAM	112	(7)
Do You Need RAM?	112	(2)
Getting the Right RAM	114	(3)
Installing SIMMs	117	(1)
Installing DIMMs and RIMMs	118	(1)
Installing SO DIMMs in Laptops	118	(1)
The RAM Count	118	(1)
Troubleshooting RAM	119	(3)
Testing RAM	120	(1)
MRAM	121	(1)
Chapter 3 Review	122	(6)
Chapter 4 BIOS and CMOS	128	(34)
The Function of BIOS	129	(6)
Talking to the Keyboard	130	(3)
BIOS and its Relation to Memory Addressing	133	(2)
All Hardware Needs BIOS	135	(1)
CMOS setup Utilities	135	(10)
Updating CMOS: The Setup Program	136	(1)
A Quick Tour Through a Typical CMOS Setup Program	137	(3)
And the Rest of the CMOS Settings	140	(2)
Modern CMOS	142	(3)
BIOS and Device Drivers	145	(5)
Option ROM	145	(1)
Device Drivers	145	(4)
BIOS, BIOS, Everywhere!	149	(1)
Power-On Self Test (POST)	150	(5)
Before and During the Video Test: The Beep Codes	150	(2)
Text Errors	152	(1)
POST Cards	152	(1)
The Boot Process	153	(1)
Boot Configuration	154	(1)
Chapter 4 Review	155	(7)
Chapter 5 Expansion Bus	162	(46)
Structure and Function of the Expansion Bus	163	(3)
PC Bus	165	(1)
16-Bit ISA	166	(1)
System Resources	166	(14)
I/O Addresses	167	(5)
Interrupt Requests	172	(4)
Direct Memory Access (DMA)	176	(3)
Memory Addresses	179	(1)
Modern Expansion Bus	180	(5)
False Starts	181	(2)
PCI	183	(2)
Installing Expansion Cards	185	(11)
Step 1: Knowledge	185	(1)
Step 2: Physical Installation	185	(2)
Step 3: Assigning Resources to the Card	187	(7)
Step 4: Device Drivers	194	(1)
Step 5: Verify	195	(1)
Troubleshooting Expansion Cards	196	(3)
Device Manager	196	(3)
PCI-X and PCI-Express	199	(3)
Chapter 5 Review	202	(6)
Chapter 6 Motherboards	208	(28)
How Motherboards Work	209	(1)
Types of Motherboards	210	(7)
AT Motherboards	210	(2)
The Need for a New Form Factor	212	(1)
Enter ATX	213	(4)
Chipset Varieties	217	(5)
Functions, Features, and Expandability	221	(1)
Upgrading and Installing Motherboards	222	(4)
Choosing the Motherboard and Case	222	(2)
Installing the Motherboard	224	(1)
Wires, Wires, Wires	225	(1)
Troubleshooting Motherboards	226	(4)
Symptoms	226	(1)
Techniques	227	(1)
Options	228	(2)
Chapter 6 Review	230	(6)
Chapter 7 Power Supplies	236	(26)
Understanding Electricity	237	(2)
Powering the PC	239	(13)
Securing AC	239	(4)
Supplying DC	243	(7)
Cooling	250	(2)
Troubleshooting Power	252	(4)
When Power Supplies Die	252	(1)
Fuses and Fire	253	(1)
It Glows!	254	(1)
Server Systems and the EPS12V Standard	255	(1)
Active PFC	255	(1)
Chapter 7 Review	256	(6)
Chapter 8 Floppy Drives	262	(21)
Floppy Drive Basics	263	(3)
Formatting	263	(1)
Types of Disks	264	(1)
Drive Size	265	(1)
Installing Floppy Drives	266	(5)
Inserting Ribbon Cables	266	(1)
Determining Drive Letters	267	(1)
Connectors	268	(1)
Power	268	(1)
CMOS	269	(2)
Floppy Drive Maintenance and Troubleshooting	271	(7)
Repairing Floppy Drives	272	(4)
Other CMOS Options	276	(1)
Radial Misalignment	276	(1)
USB Floppy Drives	277	(1)
USB Flash Memory Drives	277	(1)
Chapter 8 Review	278	(5)
Chapter 9 Hard Drive Technologies	283	(41)
Historical/Conceptual	284	(1)
How Hard Drives Work	284	(5)
Data Encoding	284	(2)
Moving the Arms	286	(1)
Geometry	287	(2)
Hard Drive Interfaces	289	(8)
Parallel ATA	290	(5)
Serial ATA	295	(2)
BIOS Support: Configuring CMOS and Installing Drivers	297	(14)
CMOS	297	(8)
Device Drivers	305	(1)
Protecting Data with RAID	306	(5)
Troubleshooting Hard Drive Installation	311	(1)
Partitioning and Formatting Hard Drives	312	(4)
Partitioning	313	(2)
Formatting	315	(1)
Beyond A+	316	(2)
Spindle (or Rotational) Speed	317	(1)
S.M.A.R. T	317	(1)
Chapter 9 Review	318	(6)
Chapter 10 CD and DVD Media	324	(28)
CD Media	325	(5)
How CD-ROMs Work	325	(1)
CD-ROM Formats	326	(1)
CD-ROM Speeds	327	(1)
CD-R	327	(1)
CD-RW	328	(2)
Music CDs	330	(1)
DVD Media	330	(3)
DVD-Video	331	(1)
DVD Players	332	(1)
DVD-ROM	332	(1)
Recordable DVD	332	(1)
Installing CD and DVD Media Drives	333	(8)
Connections	334	(1)
Device Drivers	335	(1)
Device Manager	336	(1)
Auto Insert Notification	337	(2)
Applications	339	(1)
Booting to CD-ROMs	340	(1)
Troubleshooting	341	(5)
Installation Issues	341	(2)
Burning Issues	343	(1)
Firmware Updates	344	(1)
Color Books	345	(1)
Chapter 10 Review	346	(6)
Chapter 11 Video	352	(38)
CRT and LCD Displays	353	(10)
CRT Monitors	353	(4)
LCD Displays	357	(4)
Common Features	361	(2)
Power Conservation	363	(1)
The Video Card	363	(8)
Modes	366	(1)
Resolution, Color Depth, and Memory Requirements	366	(1)
Accelerated Graphics Port	367	(2)
Graphics Processor	369	(1)
Video Memory	370	(1)
Installing and Configuring Video Software	371	(9)
Drivers	372	(1)
Using the Display Applet	372	(2)
Working with Drivers	374	(1)
3-D Graphics	374	(6)
Troubleshooting Video	380	(5)
External Adjustments	380	(1)
Internal Adjustments	380	(2)
Common Monitor Problems	382	(2)
Video and CMOS	384	(1)
Chapter 11 Review	385	(5)
Chapter 12 SCSI	390	(24)
SCSI Chains	391	(5)
SCSI IDs	393	(2)
Termination	395	(1)
SCSI Flavors	396	(7)
SCSI-1	397	(1)
SCSI-2	397	(1)
SE, HVD, and LVD SCSI	398	(1)
SCSI-3	399	(1)
Last Notes on Termination	400	(1)
Bus Mastering	401	(1)
SCSI Cables and Connectors	401	(1)
SCSI Performance	402	(1)
Troubleshooting SCSI	403	(3)
Power and Connectivity	404	(1)
Boot Firmware	404	(1)
Memory Chips	404	(1)
Storage	404	(1)
I/O	405	(1)
Device Drivers	405	(1)
Costs and Benefits of SCSI	406	(2)
SCSI vs. IDE	406	(1)
Serial-Attached SCSI	407	(1)
Chapter 12 Review	408	(6)
Chapter 13 Sound	414	(22)
How Sound Works in a PC	415	(4)
Sound-Capture Basics	415	(1)
Recorded Sound Formats	416	(1)
Playing Sounds	416	(1)
MIDI	416	(1)
Other File Formats	417	(1)
Video	418	(1)
Applications	418	(1)
Streaming Media	418	(1)
Getting the Right Sound Card	419	(6)
Processor Capabilities	419	(1)
Speaker Support	420	(1)
Recording Quality	420	(1)
Jacks	421	(1)
Extra Features	421	(1)
Audio Cables	422	(1)
Speakers	422	(3)
Installing a Sound Card in a Windows system	425	(4)
Physical Installation	425	(1)
Installing Drivers	426	(1)
Installing Sound Programs	426	(2)
Installing Applications	428	(1)
Troubleshooting Sound	429	(3)
Hardware Problems	429	(1)
Configuration Problems	430	(1)
Application Problems	430	(1)
Sound Card Benchmarking	430	(2)
Chapter 13 Review	432	(4)
Chapter 14 Portable PCs	436	(28)
Portable Computing Devices	437	(4)
Desktop Replacements	437	(1)
Desktop Extenders	438	(1)
PDAs	438	(3)
Enhance and Upgrade the Portable PC	441	(8)
PC Cards	442	(1)
Limited-Function Ports	443	(1)
General-Purpose Ports	443	(3)
The Modular Laptop	446	(3)
Managing and Maintaining Portables	449	(8)
Batteries	449	(2)
Power Management	451	(3)
Cleaning	454	(1)
Heat	455	(1)
Centrino Technology	456	(1)
ExpressCard	456	(1)
Chapter 14 Review	457	(7)
Chapter 15 Printers	464	(34)
Printer Technologies	465	(11)
Impact Printers	465	(1)
Inkjet Printers	466	(1)
Dye-Sublimation Printers	466	(1)
Thermal Printers	467	(1)
Laser Printers	468	(1)
Critical Components of the Laser Printer	468	(3)
Printer Languages	471	(1)
Printer Connectivity	472	(4)
The Laser Printing Process	476	(2)
The Physical Side	476	(1)
The Electronic Side of the Process	477	(1)
Installing a Printer in Windows	478	(3)
Setting Up Printers	479	(2)
Troubleshooting Printers	481	(8)
General Troubleshooting Issues	481	(2)
Troubleshooting Inkjet Printers	483	(1)
Troubleshooting Laser Printers	484	(4)
DOT4	488	(1)
Chapter 15 Review	489	(9)
Chapter 16 Networking	498	(67)
Networking Technologies	499	(11)
Packets/Frames and NICs	499	(2)
Coaxial Ethernet	501	(3)
UTP Ethernet (10xBaseT)	504	(3)
Fiber Optic Ethernet	507	(1)
Token Ring	508	(1)
Parallel/Serial	509	(1)
Network Operating Systems	510	(4)
Network Organization	510	(3)
Protocols	513	(1)
Client Software	514	(1)
Server Software	514	(1)
Installing and Configuring a Wired Network	514	(13)
Installing a NIC	515	(1)
Configuring a Network Client	516	(1)
Configuring Simple Protocols	516	(2)
Configuring TCP/IP	518	(6)
Sharing and Security	524	(3)
Installing and Configuring a Wireless Network	527	(12)
Wireless Networking Components	528	(1)
Wireless Networking Software	528	(1)
Wireless Network Modes	529	(1)
Wireless Networking Security	530	(2)
Speed and Range Issues	532	(1)
Wireless Networking Standards	532	(2)
Configuring Wireless Networking	534	(5)
Connecting to the Internet	539	(9)
Dial-up	540	(6)
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)	546	(1)
Cable	547	(1)
LAN	547	(1)
Wireless	548	(1)
Satellite	548	(1)
Troubleshooting Networks	548	(8)
Verify the Symptom	549	(1)
When Did It Happen?	550	(1)
What Has Changed?	550	(1)
Check the Environment	551	(1)
Reproducing the Problem	551	(1)
Isolating the Symptom	552	(1)
Separating Hardware from Software	552	(1)
Research	553	(1)
Make the Fix and Test	553	(1)
Mike's Four-Layer Model	553	(1)
Bluetooth	554	(2)
Chapter 16 Review	556	(9)
Glossary	565	(12)
Index	577