PC Hardware and A+ Handbook

by Chase, Kate J.

• ISBN13: 9780735620490
• ISBN10: 0735620490
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-06-02
• Publisher: Microsoft Press

Summary

Learn the practical, real-world techniques you need to install, upgrade, fine-tune, and troubleshoot your PCand even prepare for the CompTIA A+ certification exam! Designed to help you master the fundamentals of hardware and operating system support and repair.This easy-to-read, expertly organized guide features: Labs for learning and practicing must-know procedures Troubleshooting Scenarios to help you diagnose and resolve common problems Exam Tips for getting an edge on material tested by A+ Smart Shopping advice on what to look for, what to pay Covering everything from motherboards to modems, printers to protocols, system files to service packsand how they all work togetheryou'll build the same skills that professional, entry-level computer technicians must know!Discover how to: Ace the ten most common hardware fixes Know when to use OS diagnostic tools and utilities Set up hard drives, backup drives, and removable media Replace or upgrade memory Master basic networking and Internet connectivity, including wireless systems Set up and troubleshoot printers Install and tweak video and audio adapters Support laptops and mobile devices Retire or recycle old PCs the right way Plan and build an entire PC system from scratch!About A+The A+ Certification from CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, validates your knowledge and competency as an entry-level technician supporting core hardware and operating system technologies.2003 Exam ObjectivesCore Hardware Installation, configuration, and upgrading Preventive maintenance Motherboard/processors/memory Printers Basic networkingOperating Systems Technologies OS fundamentals Installation, configuration, and upgrading Diagnosing and troubleshooting Networks

Author Biography

Kate J. Chase has written and edited more than a dozen technical books. She's also a consultant and an online technical support manager

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xxi
Introduction	xxiii
Part I PC Need to Know
1 Computer Evolution	3	(28)
A Brief History of a Revolution	4	(14)
How It Began	5	(2)
The IBM PC Debuts	7	(1)
The Xerox Alto/Star	8	(1)
The Rise of Bill Gates and Microsoft	9	(5)
The Burgeoning PC Application Market	14	(4)
PC State of the Art	18	(1)
The "Build-Your-Own vs. Buy" Debate	19	(1)
Evolutions in PC Design	20	(4)
The Easy PC Initiative	21	(1)
Major Changes Ahead?	22	(2)
Smart Upgrading	24	(1)
Smart Disposal	24	(3)
The Toxicity of PC Hardware	25	(1)
Proper Disposal and Recycling	26	(1)
Lab 1: Disposing of Equipment Properly	27	(4)
Objectives	27	(4)
2 The Operating System's Role in Hardware	31	(50)
A Background in Operating Systems in General and Windows in Particular	32	(17)
The Evolution of the Operating System	32	(2)
Operating System Wars	34	(1)
PROFILE: Which Comes First, the Operating System or the Hardware?	34	(1)
About Linux	35	(1)
Rise of the Multiple-Operating-System PC	36	(1)
Windows and Its Core System Components	37	(3)
PROFILE: Windows Virtual Memory Management	40	(2)
Windows Files and the Root Folder	42	(3)
Key Windows Configuration Files	45	(2)
Understanding Windows Installation and Its Relation to Hardware	47	(2)
Windows and Hardware	49	(18)
Hardware Recognition	49	(14)
The Windows Registry	63	(4)
How a PC Boots	67	(2)
About the Power-On Self-Test	68	(1)
Checking for Operating System	68	(1)
The Role of Drivers as Go-Betweens	69	(6)
Driver Types	71	(1)
Using the Windows Catalog/Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)	72	(2)
Problems with Unsupported Hardware	74	(1)
Operating System Maintenance and Repair	75	(2)
Lab 2: Determining Device and Windows Version Compatibility and Planning	77	(4)
Objectives	77	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	77	(1)
Procedures to Follow	78	(1)
Lab Notes	79	(2)
3 Defining Your Tech Toolkit	81	(30)
Assembling Your Tools	82	(11)
Proper Hardware Kit Elements	82	(1)
Choosing Your Tools	83	(2)
Your Tool Case	85	(1)
Prepackaged Kits	85	(1)
Other Extras	86	(1)
Software	86	(3)
Backup Basics	89	(3)
Your Tech Journal	92	(1)
Toolkit Intangibles: Knowledge and Experience	93	(9)
Know Your BIOS Before There's a Problem	93	(1)
Windows Startup Options: Safe Mode	94	(1)
Taking Proper Precautions	95	(2)
The Process	97	(2)
Troubleshooting Essentials	99	(3)
Ten Most Common (and Easiest) Hardware Fixes	102	(3)
Lab 3: Assembling or Checking an Already Packed Tool Kit	105	(6)
Objectives	105	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	105	(1)
Procedures to Follow	106	(1)
Lab Notes	107	(1)
Hardware Tools and Equipment	107	(1)
Disks and Drivers	108	(1)
Reference Materials	109	(2)
4 The Workings and Connections of the PC	111	(30)
How It All Works Together	111	(3)
Wintel PC Design Specs	113	(1)
Color-Coded Connections	113	(1)
The PC Buses, Caches, and Essential Information	114	(13)
PC Buses	114	(10)
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)	124	(1)
Caches: The Bridge Between CPU and RAM	125	(2)
Inside the Case	127	(3)
Components Residing Within the Case	127	(3)
Outside the Case	130	(4)
More About Other Hardware Connection Schemes	131	(1)
Serial/COM and Parallel/LPT Ports	132	(1)
USB and IEEE 1394 (All Versions)	133	(1)
Keyboard and Mouse	134	(1)
Lab 4: Ride the Bus	134	(7)
Objectives	135	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	135	(1)
Procedures to Follow	135	(1)
Lab Notes	136	(5)
Part II Internal Essentials
5 Motherboards	141	(28)
How a Motherboard Works	141	(1)
Major Types	142	(2)
BIOS	144	(1)
Upgrading	145	(1)
On the Motherboard	145	(8)
Components	147	(4)
The Integrated PC Motherboard	151	(2)
Standard Features	153	(1)
Nice Extras	153	(1)
Smart Shopping	153	(3)
Considerations	154	(2)
Installation	156	(6)
Remove the Existing Motherboard	156	(3)
Install the New Motherboard	159	(3)
Maintenance and Repair	162	(1)
Troubleshooting	163	(1)
Lab 5: Identify the Motherboard and BIOS, and Upgrade the BIOS	164	(5)
Objectives	165	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	165	(1)
Procedures to Follow	165	(1)
Lab Notes	166	(3)
6 Central Processing Units	169	(16)
How a CPU Works	169	(2)
The CPU and Its Multiplier	170	(1)
Major Types of Processors	171	(4)
CPU Form Factors	173	(1)
The Front-Side Bus	174	(1)
Cooling Issues and Fan Types	175	(2)
Installation	177	(4)
Removing an Old CPU	178	(2)
Inserting a New CPU	180	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	181	(1)
Lab 6: Determine the CPU Upgrade Path Possible for Three
Different Motherboards	182	(3)
Objectives	182	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	183	(1)
Procedures to Follow	183	(1)
Lab Notes	184	(1)
7 Memory	185	(20)
How Memory Works	186	(5)
Determining Installed Memory	187	(1)
How Much Memory Do You Need?	188	(2)
Memory: When More Isn't Always Better	190	(1)
Major Types of Memory	191	(3)
Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)	192	(1)
Rambus Dynamic RAM	192	(1)
Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM	193	(1)
PROFILE: Magnetic Memory-the Wave of the Future	194	(1)
Determine the Memory Type Needed	194	(2)
Installation	196	(2)
Removing Existing Memory	196	(2)
Installing New Sticks	198	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	198	(1)
Troubleshooting	199	(3)
Analyze the Symptoms	199	(1)
Check the Installation	200	(1)
Test It Stick by Stick	201	(1)
Verify the Memory Type	202	(1)
Lab 7: Identify Memory Type and Perform a Memory Replacement or Upgrade	202	(3)
Objectives	202	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	202	(1)
Procedures to Follow	203	(1)
Lab Notes	204	(1)
8 Power Supplies and Cooling	205	(24)
How a Power Supply Works	205	(5)
Advanced Power Management and the Role of the Power Supply	208	(1)
Protection from the Power	209	(1)
Major Types of Power Supply	210	(4)
Shopping	211	(3)
Power Supply Installation	214	(2)
Removing Existing Power Supply	214	(1)
Installing New Power Supply	215	(1)
Installing an Uninterruptible Power Supply	216	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	216	(3)
Cleaning a Power Supply Fan	217	(2)
Cooling Hardware	219	(4)
Issues in Overheating	220	(1)
Short-Term Fixes	221	(1)
Examples of Cooling Devices	222	(1)
Lab 8: Replace a Power Supply	223	(6)
Objectives	223	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	223	(1)
Procedures to Follow	223	(1)
Lab Notes	224	(5)
Part III Working with Add-On Boards and Other Essentials
9 Video	229	(24)
How Video Works	229	(3)
The Role of Video Card Versus the Role of the Monitor	231	(1)
Standard Features	232	(5)
Video Graphics Processor	232	(2)
Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter (RAMDAC)	234	(1)
Video Memory	234	(1)
Video Driver	235	(1)
More Than One Monitor	236	(1)
External Connections	236	(1)
Other Considerations	237	(4)
Connection Type	238	(1)
Integrated vs. Add-On Video	239	(1)
Video Resolution Capability	239	(1)
Game, Application, and Hardware Support	240	(1)
Video Cooling	241	(2)
Installation	243	(3)
Removing or Disabling Existing Video	243	(2)
Installing the New Adapter	245	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	246	(4)
Windows Performance Settings	247	(2)
Installing a Recalcitrant Video Driver	249	(1)
Lab 9: Install Replacement Video Adapter and Update Its Driver	250	(3)
Objectives	250	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	250	(1)
Procedures to Follow	250	(1)
Lab Notes	251	(2)
10 Audio	253	(20)
How It Works	253	(2)
The Job of the Sound Adapter	254	(1)
Standard Features	255	(10)
Digital Signal Processor	259	(1)
Digital-to-Analog (DAC) and Analog-to-Digital (ADC) Converters	260	(1)
Sample Rate Generator	260	(1)
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)	260	(2)
Sound-Adapter Connections	262	(3)
Installation	265	(3)
Removing and Disabling Old Audio	266	(1)
Installing the New Adapter	267	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	268	(1)
Lab 10: Installing a New Sound Adapter	269	(4)
Objectives	270	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	270	(1)
Procedures to Follow	270	(1)
Lab Notes	271	(2)
11 Modems: Analog and Broadband	273	(24)
Major Types of Modems and How They Work	273	(14)
Analog Modems	274	(3)
Broadband Modems and Services	277	(10)
Installation	287	(3)
Removing an Existing Modem	288	(1)
Installing a New Modem	289	(1)
Troubleshooting Modem Installations	290	(4)
Analog Modem Troubleshooting	290	(3)
Broadband Modem Troubleshooting	293	(1)
Lab 11: Install a Modem and Configure It for Use	294	(3)
Objectives	294	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	294	(1)
Procedures to Follow	295	(1)
Lab Notes	295	(2)
12 Network Cards and Network Hardware	297	(32)
The Work of Network Hardware	297	(2)
Network Functions Explained	299	(3)
Major Types of Networks	302	(1)
Types of Network Models	302	(1)
Network Types	303	(1)
Types of Network Topology	303	(1)
PROFILE: Ethernet Defined	304	(5)
Major Types of Network Hardware	309	(9)
Network Adapter Installation	318	(4)
Getting a New MC Seen	322	(1)
NIC-Based Resource Conflicts	323	(1)
What to Do When Wrong Protocols Are Installed	324	(1)
Lab 12: Install a Network Adapter, and Create a Peer-to-Peer Network with a Second PC	325	(4)
Objectives	325	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	325	(1)
Procedures to Follow	325	(1)
Lab Notes	326	(3)
13 Other Controller Cards	329	(14)
SCSI Controllers and Host Adapters	330	(5)
SCSI and SCSI Host Adapter Types	331	(2)
SCSI Signaling Types	333	(1)
Installation of a SCSI Controller or Host Adapter	333	(2)
High-Speed ATA Controllers	335	(1)
Add-On Functionality Cards	335	(4)
Specialty Video and Sound Adapters	336	(1)
USB and IEEE 1394	336	(3)
Lab 13: Install a SCSI Controller	339	(4)
Objectives	339	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	339	(1)
Procedures to Follow	339	(1)
Lab Notes	340	(3)
Part IV All About Drives
14 Hard Drives and Drive Interfaces	343	(44)
The Technology Within Hard Drives	344	(2)
Drive Organization	344	(1)
Drive Performance	345	(1)
About File Systems	345	(1)
Drive Interfaces	346	(7)
ATA/IDE	347	(3)
SCSI	350	(1)
Universal Serial Bus and Both Versions of the IEEE 1394 Drives	351	(1)
Parallel Port	352	(1)
Working with Large or Multiple Drives	353	(9)
Drive Limitation Issues	353	(2)
ATA Hardware Settings	355	(4)
SCSI Drives	359	(2)
PROFILE: RAID Essentials	361	(1)
USB/IEEE 1394 Drives	362	(1)
Hard-Drive Installation	362	(8)
Proper Handling	362	(1)
Installing ATA/IDE Drives	363	(5)
Installing SCSI Drives	368	(1)
Installing USB/IEEE 1394 Drives	369	(1)
Drive Prepping	370	(6)
Partitioning	371	(2)
Formatting	373	(2)
Using Windows XP	375	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	376	(3)
Use System Tools	377	(2)
Troubleshooting	379	(5)
Troubleshooting for Newly Installed Drives	380	(1)
For Existing Drives	380	(4)
Lab 14: Install and Configure a New Drive as a Master Boot Drive with the Operating System	384	(3)
Objectives	384	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	385	(1)
Procedures to Follow	385	(1)
Lab Notes	386	(1)
15 CD and DVD Drives	387	(22)
CD Drives	388	(5)
Types	389	(1)
Interfaces	390	(1)
CD Drive Design	390	(1)
How a CD Drive Works	391	(2)
DVD Drives	393	(6)
Types	394	(2)
Interfaces	396	(1)
How They Work	397	(2)
Installation	399	(4)
Removing Existing Drive	399	(1)
Installing ATAPI and SCSI Drives	400	(1)
Installing USB and IEEE 1394 Drives	401	(2)
Maintenance and Repair	403	(1)
Clean Drive	403	(1)
Recommendations for Storing CDs and DVDs Long-Term	403	(1)
Troubleshooting by Type	404	(1)
Lab 15: Install a CD or DVD Recordable Drive and Verify Its Operation	405	(4)
Objectives	405	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	406	(1)
Procedures to Follow	406	(1)
Lab Notes	407	(2)
16 Floppy, Removable, and Backup Drives	409	(24)
Floppy Drives	409	(2)
How the Drive Works	410	(1)
Removable Storage Devices and Backup Drives	411	(5)
Major Categories of Removable Storage and Backup Drives	412	(1)
Typical Interfaces Used by Removable Storage Devices and Backup Drives	413	(1)
About Specialty Drives	413	(3)
Installation	416	(5)
Removing the Existing Floppy Disk Drive	417	(2)
Installing the Replacement Drive	419	(2)
Maintenance and Repair	421	(1)
Troubleshooting by Type	422	(5)
Common Installation Problems	422	(4)
For Existing Drives	426	(1)
Lab 16: Replace an Existing Floppy Drive with a New One and Clean the Old Drive	427	(6)
Objectives	427	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	428	(1)
Procedures to Follow	428	(1)
Lab Notes	429	(4)
Part V The Peripheral Connection
17 Monitors	433	(20)
Analog vs. Digital	433	(1)
Major Types	434	(1)
How Monitors Work	434	(7)
Traditional Monitor Components	435	(2)
Digital Monitors	437	(1)
Video Cables and Connections	438	(3)
Factors in Monitor Choice and Usage	441	(2)
Installation	443	(3)
Removing an Existing Monitor	444	(1)
Installing a New Monitor	444	(2)
Maintenance and Troubleshooting	446	(3)
Issues to Check	447	(2)
Lab 17: Installing and Configuring a Monitor	449	(4)
Objectives	449	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	449	(1)
Procedures to Follow	449	(1)
Lab Notes	450	(3)
18 Going Wireless	453	(18)
The Wireless Revolution	453	(2)
Wireless Networking	455	(9)
Standards for Wireless Networking	456	(1)
About Wireless Hotspots	457	(1)
Issues in Wireless Networking Security	458	(3)
Wireless Hardware Components	461	(3)
Installation	464	(1)
Troubleshooting	465	(1)
Lab 18: Install and Configure a Wireless Network Setup Involving Two or More Systems	466	(5)
Objectives	467	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	467	(1)
Procedures to Follow	467	(1)
Lab Notes	468	(3)
19 Audio Externals	471	(20)
Major Types of Audio Externals	471	(9)
Speakers	472	(4)
Headphones	476	(1)
Microphones and Speech Recognition	477	(1)
MIDI Devices	478	(1)
Other	479	(1)
Installation and Configuration	480	(6)
Installing and Configuring Speakers	481	(2)
Installing and Configuring a Headphone	483	(1)
Installing and Configuring a Microphone	483	(2)
Installing and Configuring a MIDI Device	485	(1)
Installing and Configuring USB Audio Externals	486	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	486	(1)
Troubleshooting	487	(1)
Loss of Volume Control	487	(1)
Lab 19: Install, Configure, and Test Speakers and a Microphone	488	(3)
Objectives	488	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	488	(1)
Procedures to Follow	489	(1)
Lab Notes	489	(2)
20 Major Input Devices and Gaming Hardware	491	(32)
Major Types of Input Devices and How They Work	492	(11)
Keyboard	492	(6)
Mice and Trackballs	498	(1)
MIDI Equipment	499	(1)
Scanners	499	(1)
Digital Cameras	500	(1)
Graphics Tablets	501	(1)
Gaming Hardware	501	(2)
Card Readers	503	(1)
Installation	503	(7)
Installing a Keyboard	504	(2)
Installing a Mouse or Trackball	506	(1)
Installing a Scanner	507	(1)
Installing a Digital Camera	508	(1)
Installing Gaming Hardware	509	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	510	(3)
Cleaning a Keyboard	510	(1)
Cleaning a Mouse	511	(2)
Other Hardware	513	(1)
Troubleshooting	513	(6)
Keyboard and Mouse Troubleshooting	514	(4)
Troubleshooting Scanners and Digital Cameras	518	(1)
Troubleshooting Gaming Hardware	519	(1)
Lab 20: Install and Configure a Keyboard and Mouse	519	(4)
Objectives	520	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	520	(1)
Procedures to Follow	520	(1)
Lab Notes	521	(2)
21 Printers	523	(24)
About Printing	523	(1)
The Windows Printing Subsystem	523	(1)
Background Printing	524	(1)
Major Printer Types	524	(9)
Laser Printers	526	(3)
Inkjet Printers	529	(4)
Installation	533	(3)
Maintenance and Repair	536	(1)
Troubleshooting	537	(5)
Print Manager Software and Self-Test	540	(2)
Lab 21: Install a Printer	542	(5)
Objectives	543	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	543	(1)
Procedures to Follow	543	(1)
Lab Notes	544	(3)
Part VI Taking to Another Level
22 The Laptop Connection	547	(26)
Different Types, All Mobile	547	(1)
Major Laptop Architecture	548	(20)
Special Issues in Working with Laptops	549	(2)
Operating System	551	(1)
Motherboard and BIOS	551	(1)
Processor	552	(1)
Memory	552	(2)
Power Supplies and Cooling	554	(2)
Batteries and AC Adapters	556	(2)
Video Display	558	(1)
Audio	559	(1)
CardBus and PC Card Components	559	(2)
Modems and Network Adapters	561	(1)
Memory Card Readers	562	(1)
Drives	562	(2)
Input	564	(2)
Printers	566	(1)
Docking Station	567	(1)
Port Replicator	567	(1)
Other Interfaces and Connections	568	(1)
Maintenance and Repair	568	(2)
Troubleshooting	570	(1)
Lab 22: Set Up a Laptop as a Desk-Based Network Workstation	570	(3)
Objectives	570	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	571	(1)
Procedures to Follow	571	(1)
Lab Notes	572	(1)
23 Building Your PC	573	(24)
The Work Before You Build	573	(3)
The Jobs the PC Will Perform	574	(1)
Cost Considerations	574	(1)
Issues of Warranty	575	(1)
Assembling Your Parts	576	(2)
Compatibility	578	(1)
Inspection and Inventory	578	(1)
Assembling the PC	578	(13)
Examine the Case	579	(2)
Prepping the Motherboard	581	(5)
Installing the Motherboard into the Case	586	(1)
Installing the Power Supply	587	(1)
Drives	588	(1)
Installing Components on the Motherboard	589	(1)
Externals	590	(1)
Testing	591	(1)
Finishing Up	591	(1)
Troubleshooting	592	(1)
Lab 23: Develop a Plan for Building a PC, and Then Assemble a PC from Scratch	593	(4)
Objectives	594	(1)
Necessary Equipment and Resources	594	(1)
Procedures to Follow	594	(1)
Lab Notes	595	(2)
Index	597