Maintenance, Repair & Upgrading Books - Page 2

Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition

Robert Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 72 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

This popular Build-It-Yourself (BIY) PC book covers everything you want to know about building your own system: Planning and picking out the right components, step-by-step instructions for assembling your perfect PC, and an insightful discussion of why you'd want to do it in the first place. Most big brand computers from HP, Dell and others use lower-quality components so they can meet their aggressive pricing targets. But component manufacturers also make high-quality parts that you can either purchase directly, or obtain through distributors and resellers. Consumers and corporations alike are opting to build rather than buy PCs to ensure high quality and compatibility.

The new edition of Building the Perfect PC shows you how to construct a variety of top-flight systems with the latest technology, including AMD Socket AM-2 and Intel Core 2 processors, that are Vista- and Linux-ready. The book includes several new options, including:

• A Budget PC you can build for approximately $350 that offers performance and reliability similar to that of mainstream systems
• A full-blown media-center system that runs Linux and MythTV or Windows MCE with multiple tuners and HDTV support
• A fire-breathing high-performance gaming system
• A fast, low-power, low-heat, low-noise, Small Form Factor system (the size of a shoe box)
• A low-cost SOHO (small office, home office) server system with a 2 terabyte (2,000 GB) disk subsystem that's suitable for a residential environment rather than a server closet

Regardless of your technical experience, Building the Perfect PC will guide you through the entire process of building or upgrading your own computer. You'll use the latest top-quality components, including Intel's Core 2 Duo and AMD's Athlon X2 CPUs. And you'll know exactly what's under the hood and how to fix or upgrade your PC, should that become necessary. Not only is the process fun, but the result is often less expensive and always better quality and far more satisfying than anything you could buy off the shelf.

Building a PC for Dummies

Mark L. Chambers

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 33 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Computer building for the hardware technophobe... 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

(This is a review of the 5th edition)

I'll admit it... I buy my PCs when I upgrade. I'm getting more at ease with hardware since I've started doing all these book reviews, and I probably *could* build a PC now without too much angst, but I still buy. But if I were to decide that my next PC would be "home-built", I'd be comfortable with using the book Building a PC for Dummies by Mark L. Chambers.

Contents:
Part 1 - Can I Really Do This?: What's in a Computer, Anyway?; What Type of PC Should I Build?
Part 2 - Building Your PC: Building the Foundation - The Case and Motherboard; A Bag of Chips - Adding RAM and a CPU; The Three PC Senses - Ports, Mouse, and Keyboard; Images "R" Us - Adding Video and a Monitor; Make Room! Your Hard Drive and Other Storage Devices
Part 3 - Adding the Fun Stuff: Putting the Spin on CD-ROM and DVD; Let Your PC Rock!; Modems and the Call of the Internet
Part 4 - Adding the Advanced Stuff: Attack of the SCSI Monster; So You Want to Add a LAN?; Life in the Fast Lane with Broadband; Input and Output - Scanners, Cameras, Video Capture, and Printers; More Power User Toys
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Reasons Not to Buy a Retail PC; Ten Tools and Tasks for a Power User's PC; Ten Important Assembly Tips; Ten Ways to Speed Up Your PC; Ten Things to Avoid Like the Plague
Part 6 - Appendixes: Choosing Your Operating System; Glossary
Index

This book is most likely going to appeal to the hardware-phobic computer owner (like I was for quite awhile) or the first-time PC builder. Chambers has an amusing writing style which will make you smile as you figure out the next steps to take in your PC adventure. If you've already built a PC or you dwell in the land of needing to know every last technical spec of a device before you install it, there's probably not much here to offer you. Even I know most of the material *about* each device and what type of rationale you should apply (buying new vs. refurbished, why hard drive capacity is important, RAM is king, etc.). My downfall would be actually having all those devices spread out on a table with an empty computer case in front of me. But I'm pretty confident that I'd be able to stand a pretty good chance of getting everything to actually work the first time if I followed the information here. There's even a center section with color pictures to show you what to expect. It's a nice touch...

If you're looking for an approachable book on getting past your first computer build, this one would be a good choice. Easy to follow, fun to read, and the intimidation factor is nonexistent.

Editorial Review:

This book takes a 'no-soldering required' approach to building a computer from scratch, explaining how to assemble components for input, processing, output, communications and networking. Checklists, diagrams and illustrations are provided, as well as tips on when to use standard parts and used parts. A CD-ROM includes utilities and drivers.

Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies, 2nd Edition

Dan Gookin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

I hate raining on the parades 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This is a very good book for troubleshooting, and if you think you could use this, you probably could. Do you know how to defrag a hard drive? If not, this is for you (it's easy, really).

I got this book because I live in Korea, and my new computer came with Windows XP in Korean; I'd never used XP before, so figuring it out in addition to the Korean was too much for me. I wanted to try this before shelling out for an English OS, and this appears to be good enough. I've been able to figure out almost everything, without even knowing the language that my OS is in. So if you feel like your computer is speaking in a foreign language, well, this book is for you!

Seriously, though, I've decided to pick up PCs for dummies as well, just because there are still a few things I can't figure out, and a lot of the information is interesting to me, and after all, I can't read anything on my OS. If I were you, I'd check out that book before deciding to buy this one. Fortunately you can browse them pretty thoroughly here on Amazon before laying down your money.

Editorial Review:

• Targeting the snags, glitches, and predicaments cited most frequently by readers, bestselling author Dan Gookin clearly explains how to diagnose and cure common PC problems, whether they originate with software, the operating system, or hardware
• This updated edition features new, expanded coverage of laptop woes as well as Internet and e-mail issues, broadband connections, spam blocking, and security concerns
• Provides advice on how to prevent PC problems in the first place and create a safe and secure PC environment
• Dan Gookin is known for his ability to explain technology in an easy-to-understand and enjoyable fashion; his writing style, name, and reputation are unparalleled in the industry

Apple Training Series: Desktop and Portable Systems (3rd Edition) (Apple Training)

Marc Asturias, Moira Gagen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Learn to Repair Macintosh Computers 4 out of 5 stars.
28 of 28 people found this review helpful.

This book is intended for use in, "An Apple Certified hardware training course designed for professionals who support Apple computes and Mac enthusiasts who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite machines."

This book is surprisingly readable considering that it is the official book for Certification preparation for: Apple Certified Desktop Technician, and Apple Certified Portable Technician ACPT.

The book begins with a chapter on reference materials and how to get them. Many of these materials are publicly available. Others are only available to those certified in an Apple-authorized service training program. However, Peachpit has provided a web site containing the necessary resources for registered purchasers of this book.

I would recommend this book for you if you are seriously interested in learning more about how your Macintosh laptop or desktop system works and what it is like inside, or you are generally interested in how and what an AppleCare Technician is trained to do. However, you are warned that if you are going to take your computer apart, no matter how carefully you follow the instructions, you will probably void your warranty.

AppleCare Technician Training costs $299 for one year of on-line training and resources. One review complained that the training was all on-line. No books were provided which made it more difficult to learn. <...> So, you might want to buy this book even if you are going to spend $299 to start their training.

If you are, or want to become, a Macintosh guru or if you seriously want to learn how to repair your own computer regardless of the risk, I think you would learn a lot from this book

If you simply want to learn more about maintaining and troubleshooting your Macintosh there are other sources that may more will directly meet your interests.

Editorial Review:

This authoritative, Apple-Certified training course is designed both for professionals who support Apple computers as well as Macintosh enthusiasts who want to upgrade, service, or troubleshoot their favorite systems. Fully revised, this third edition includes Apple's new models with Intel processors, the MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iMac. Keyed to the learning objectives of the Apple Desktop Service and Apple Portable Service certification exams, this is the companion curriculum used in AppleCare Technician Training courses worldwide. The book starts out with basic computer theory and underlying technologies, then moves on to cover everything from networking to the nitty-gritty steps and diagrams for upgrading and troubleshooting six sample computer models.

Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies, 3rd Edition

Dan Gookin

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Troubleshooting your PC isn’t as hard as you think. In fact, with a little help from Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies, 3^rd Edition, you can save yourself lots of time, money, and headaches by diagnosing and fixing those snags, glitches, and predicaments that would otherwise drive you crazy. Bringing a touch of humor and a strong dose of sanity into play PC expert Dan Gookin makes it easy!

This fully updated edition features new and expanded coverage of laptop woes as well as Internet and e-mail issues, broadband connections, spam blocking, and security concerns. You’ll find answers to all of your questions about getting out of PC pickles, recognizing when you’re headed for trouble, keeping Vista on the straight and narrow, creating a safe and secure PC environment, and even preventing problems down the road. Discover how to:

• Remove documents from the file menu
• Recognize warning signs of hard drive failure
• Stop a program that’s misbehaving
• Reclaim missing Internet passwords
• Distinguish hardware problems from software problems
• Mediate conflicts between Windows and your applications
• Solve startup problems
• Diagnose email calamities
• Troubleshoot Internet connection malfunctions
• Understand puzzling error messages

Complete with lists of essential rules of tech support and things you should never or always do, Troubleshooting PCs For Dummies, 3^rd Edition, gives you the tips, tricks, and solid knowledge you need to keep your PC healthy and strong for years to come.

Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)

Scott Mueller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Great Reference! 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is an excellent tool to have on hand for anyone even remotely interested in working on laptops, whether for a living or just because your personal machine is out of warranty.

Very thorough, it informs you without talking down to you on numerous topics relating to laptops, from where most laptops are built, the components inside, specific things to look for when purchasing, and how to fix it if a problem occurs.

Editorial Review:

Scott Mueller has gone where no computer book author has gone before — right past all the warranty stickers, the hidden screws, and the fear factor to produce a real owner's manual that every laptop owner should have on his desk. Upgrading and Repairing Laptops, Second Edition shows the upgrades users can perform, the ones that are better left to the manufacturer, and how to use add-on peripherals to make the most of a laptop. This second edition has been updated to include:

• The latest processors and motherboards
• Complete assembly and disassembly information
• Updated memory standards
• Upgrading your hard drive to increase performance
• Changes in networking and firewalls

The included DVD contains one-of-a-kind video showing just what's inside a portable PC. If you have ever wondered what goes on inside your portable PC, how to upgrade/repair it, or how to live on the road with it, this is the one must-have book of the year!

Repairing and Upgrading Your PC

Robert Thompson, Barbara Fritchman Thompson

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 32 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Most computer users think that fiddling with the insides of their PC is taboo. They fear that by removing the screws that hold the case on, they're crossing into forbidden territory. And even for those who know they can open the box and fix or upgrade their PC, analysis paralysis often stops them in their tracks:

Which upgrades offer the best bang for the buck? How do you pinpoint the faulty component that's making your system freeze? What about compatibility issues?

Get ready to get unstuck and get your PC running fast and running right. Repairing and Upgrading Your PC delivers start-to-finish instructions, simple enough for even the most inexperienced PC owner, for troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading your computer. Written by hardware experts Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, this book covers it all: how to troubleshoot a troublesome PC, how to identify which components make sense for an upgrade, and how to tear it all down and put it back together. This book shows how to repair and upgrade all of your PC's essential components:

• Motherboard, CPU, and Memory. Choose the optimal match of these core components to keep your PC running at top speed
• Hard Drive, Optical Drive, and Removable Storage
• Give your computer what it needs for long-term and short-term storage
• Audio and Video. Enhance your computing experience with the right sound and graphics devices for your needs
• Input Devices. Pick the best keyboard and mouse to keep your hands happy and healthy
• Networking. Set up secure wireless networking to keep the bits flowing between your computers and the outside world
• Cases and Power Supplies. Keep everything running cool and reliably

With its straightforward language, clear instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book makes it a breeze for PC owners of any skill level to work on their computer.

Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, Second Edition

Woody Leonhard

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Computers were supposed to save us time, but Windows XP users know how often the opposite seems to be true. What if you could get a list of shortcuts that would save you time every single day? Windows XP Timesaving Techniques For Dummies, 2nd Edition includes 70 of them, great tips and tricks that make Windows work faster, more reliably, and more like the way you work.

Collected and tested by Windows guru Woody Leonhard, these timesavers are organized into groups of related tasks so you can quickly find the ones that will help you at any given time. You can set up your desktop and launch your programs in the way that makes sense for you, take back control of the Internet and e-mail, manage your music and visual media, and protect your system in a few simple steps. You’ll find no-nonsense advice on

• Eliminating irritating programs that start automatically
• Speeding up the restart or shutdown process
• Streamlining searches, the Start menu, and Outlook Express
• Strengthening your firewall and zapping scumware
• Adjusting your monitor to reduce eyestrain
• Reducing download time for photos
• Enhancing the performance of your network
• Making online shopping faster as well as safer
• Scheduling maintenance chores to run while you sleep

From the most basic to somewhat advanced tricks designed for power users, this grocery list of timesavers has something for every Windows XP user— including you!

Computers Simplified

Paul McFedries

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Read less, watch more. 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Prices and S&H carge is unreasonably high need be reviewed and matched with their suppliers. There is differene of one and five fo some items.

People doing customer service are hoever extaordinarily efficient, courteous and helpful.

Editorial Review:

Here’s the easiest guide ever to computers — a book that skips the long-winded explanations and shows you how things work. Full-color screen shots walk you through each step, and self-contained, two-page lessons make learning a snap. You’ll learn to use different types of computers and software, create documents and use different programs, get online, start using e-mail, and manage your music and digital photos. A friendly character called Chip introduces each task, and sidebars offer real-world advice.

A+ Certification for Dummies

Ron Gilster

List Price: $34.99 By: John Wiley & Sons Inc (Computers) Amazon Marketplace: 66 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 175 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Not worth the paper it is printed on. 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The information in this book is worse than incomplete. The practice questions in the book and on the CD are nothing like those on the EXAM. There are many practice questions that are poorly worded, and have WRONG answers. There are also many questions with TYPO's. Example there was a question comparing DIMMS and RIMMS, but all the the answers referenced SIMMS. Stay away from this please!!!!

Jokes are not funny and if this book was written by an 30 year + IT professional... well frankly that is sad. He should have had to knowledge and resources to create a book that is accruately geared toward the exam. Like other for dummy books, this book was probably written by underpaid, barely expierenced kids, with a limited review process as to maximize publisher profits.

If you are taking this exam I suggest that you obtain study materials from Testking or Realexams. Stay away from this book, it will not help you pass. The information it concentrates on such as DMA/IRQ/BIOS settings/codes etc., can be found for free on the internet.

In retrospect, I would buy this book only if they didn't charge me, and shipped it for free. At least I have a coaster for my drinks at work.

Editorial Review:

A+ Certificate is recognised by IBM, Hewlett Packard, Apple and Compaq towards their certification programmes. It comes with a CD-ROM to help the computer service technician pass the core and the DOS/Windows modules and covers the objectives for both exams. Aimed at Beginners/Intermediate Programmes.