book

Build Your Own PC on a Budget: A DIY Guide for Hobbyists and Gamers

by John Mueller

November 2015

Beginner

320 pages

8h 4m

English

McGraw-Hill Education TAB

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Considering Why Off-the-Shelf Systems Aren’t AppealingDealing with Standard Off-the-Shelf SystemsDealing with Customizable Off-the-Shelf SystemsEmploying the Bare-Bones KitsWriting Down Goals for Your SystemCreating a BudgetIdentifying the Parts You Have NowDefining What Reusable MeansObtaining Documentation for Existing PartsEnsuring the Part Is Actually Usable

Opening the CaseUnderstanding the Role of the MotherboardProviding Power to the SystemConsidering the Add-on BoardsWorking with Display AdaptersHearing with Sound CardsProviding Interfaces Using Host AdaptersControlling Access Using Security Device CardsConsidering Other Add-on BoardsDeciding on Storage DevicesConnecting with CablesKeeping Things CoolFocusing on External ConnectivityDealing with Network CardsDealing with Port Cards
Getting on Vendor SitesPerforming Quick ComparisonsObtaining Part Information in the Correct OrderPerforming Apples-to-Apples ComparisonsUnderstanding the Value of TestingPerforming Comparisons EfficientlyFinding Reliable ReviewsGetting Good Professional ReviewsUnderstanding the Value of PointsUsing the Good Review ChecklistUnderstanding the Compatibility PitfallsConsidering Problems with Standards AdherenceConsidering Problems with Feature ExtensionsWorking Through the Odd Bad PartDealing with Compatibility IssuesReading Between the Lines
Creating and Verifying a Purchase ListDealing with SpecificsConsidering ReputationPerforming Comparison ShoppingVerifying the WarrantyChecking the Return PolicyMaking the PurchasesAllowing ScriptsGetting Your Information TogetherCompleting Your PurchaseVerifying the Package ContentsChecking the BoxesChecking the Individual Parts Box ContentMaking a List of ExtrasGetting the Extras You NeedEnsuring the Documentation Is CompleteInventorying the Required ToolsObtaining a Computer ToolkitGetting Individual ToolsSetting Up a Work AreaSelecting a WorktableEnsuring You Have Enough LightChecking the OutletsKeeping Your Work Area Clean
Understanding Static ElectricityVerifying the Processor and RAM PositionsAdding Cooling to the ProcessorUnderstanding the Need for Thermal PasteWorking with Standard Processor CoolingUnderstanding Liquid Processor CoolingInserting the ProcessorOrienting the ProcessorLocking the Processor DownInstalling the RAMLooking at the RAM SocketsInserting and Securing the RAM
Configuring the CaseInstalling a Power SupplyIdentifying the Power Plugs and SocketsSetting Up the MotherboardEnsuring the Motherboard Is in PlaceInstalling the StandoffsPositioning the MotherboardScrewing the Motherboard in PlaceConnecting the Case Features to the MotherboardIdentifying the Pins on the MotherboardConnecting the Case PlugsTesting Your Initial Setup
Understanding the Video BasicsUnderstanding How Things WorkUsing a Special Motherboard SocketFinding the Special Power Supply ConnectionViewing the Back of the CardInstalling the Video Card CorrectlyConnecting Any Required CablesConsidering CrossFire and SLI Configuration NeedsConfiguring the MotherboardUsing the Correct SlotMaking the Required Power Supply ConnectionsMaking Connections Between CardsConsidering TV Tuner Configuration NeedsConnecting DevicesPerforming a Quick Video Test
Understanding Permanent Storage BasicsDefining the Form FactorsConsidering the Power CableConsidering the Data CableWorking with Drive Size AdaptersInstalling a SATA DriveInstalling an Optical DriveWorking with Solid-State DrivesUsing USB StorageWorking with External DrivesConsidering Other Permanent Storage OptionsConsidering the SCSI OptionUnderstanding RAID
Choosing Keyboard and Other Input Devices CarefullyConnecting the KeyboardConsidering the Advantages of Wired KeyboardsWorking with Wired KeyboardsWorking with Wireless KeyboardsConnecting the Mouse or TrackballConsidering the Trackball DifferenceWorking with a Wired Mouse or TrackballWorking with a Wireless Mouse or TrackballTesting the Basic SetupAdding a PrinterWorking with WebcamsProviding Other Device Connections
Understanding LAN BasicsConsidering the LAN HardwareCreating the Physical ConnectionConsidering the LAN SoftwareSeeing the Other ConnectionsConfiguring the Motherboard LANDealing with JumpersPerforming the System ConfigurationConsidering Multiple-LAN MotherboardsInstalling a Separate LAN CardUsing External LAN SolutionsUnderstanding WLAN EssentialsDefining the WLANDelving into Wi-FiDelving into WiMAXConsidering LAN SecurityDeveloping a Security PlanCreating Useful PasswordsDefining the Hazards of WLAN
Configuring Multiple LANsConsidering the Need for a RouterConnecting to the LANsDetermining Your Internet Connection TypeConnecting a MODEMDefining the Purpose of a MODEMObtaining the Correct MODEMConfiguring the MODEMConnecting to the MODEMUsing a Test System to Check the ConnectionUsing Alternative Connectivity OptionsConsidering Internet SecurityDefining the Internet DifferenceLocking Your System DownLocking the Browser DownRelying on FirewallsUsing Other Security Measures
Understanding the Common Wireless StandardsEnsuring You Have the Correct Wireless SupportConfiguring Common Computer DevicesConfiguring Alternative DevicesConsidering Wireless Device SecurityDefining the Types of IntrusionsProtecting the Communication ChannelProtecting the NetworkUnderstanding the Role of Wireless Access Points
Choosing an Operating SystemDefining What You Want to DoConsidering Version IssuesConsidering LongevityExploring Alternative SolutionsObtaining the Vendor Installation InstructionsLocating the Windows InstructionsChoosing a Linux FlavorHacking OS XEnsuring You Have All the DetailsGetting a Licensed CopyObtaining ManualsPerforming BackupsDownloading Device DriversPerforming the Installation
Understanding the Operating System to Device ConnectionConsidering the Use of Low-Level ResourcesAvoiding Device ConflictsCircumventing Application ConflictsRelying on Operating System DriversDefining the Advantages of Automatic AccessConsidering the Missing DeviceObtaining and Using Device Vendor DriversConsidering the Advantages of Vendor DriversKeeping Vendor Drivers UpdatedInstalling the Device DriversDocumenting Driver SettingsPerforming a System BackupRemoving Existing DriversPerforming Required System RebootsInstalling the New DriverOvercoming Driver-Specific ProblemsEnsuring Device ConnectivityDisabling the Driver TemporarilyVerifying Driver SettingsConsidering the Device Driver Mismatch
Matching Applications to Your SystemVerifying the Hardware RequirementsValidating the Platform RequirementsChecking Version InformationConsidering Connectivity RequirementsObtaining Application ReviewsInstalling the ApplicationAvoiding Installation ComplexitiesUsing an Installation ProgramUnpacking the ApplicationWorking with Web-Based ApplicationsCorrecting Application Installation ProblemsDealing with MismatchesFinding Missing ComponentsGetting Peer HelpResetting an InstallationRemoving Errant and Unused Applications
Cleaning the OutsideVacuuming the Louvers and CablesWiping the CaseChecking for DamageCleaning the InsideOpening the CaseSpraying the Dust OutCleaning the FiltersInspecting Your HardwareChecking the Add-on BoardsChecking the Storage DevicesChecking the CablesKeeping Things CoolSpinning the Fan BladesPerforming a Powered TestObtaining Spare PartsCreating a Parts ListShopping for Older PartsGetting Updated PartsMaintaining Essential SparesCreating a Maintenance Schedule
Performing Required UpdatesSetting Software to Check Updates AutomaticallyValidating the UpdateDownloading and Installing the UpdateTesting the UpdateKeeping Things SecureStarting with PasswordsInstalling the Correct Background ApplicationsApplying Security Updates QuicklyReading Those Installation and Update ScreensDealing with System SlowdownsRemoving Unused ApplicationsCleaning the Hard DriveCleaning Up the Operating SystemKeeping Data SafePerforming BackupsKeeping Backups Off-SiteEncrypting Data as NeededOvercoming DisastersChecking Drivers, Services, and AgentsTesting Errant HardwareRestoring a Backup
Maintaining a Wish ListBuilding with Expansion in MindDeveloping a Processor PlanUpgrading Your RAMUpgrading a Display AdapterAdding a Display AdapterIncreasing Your StorageObtaining Special Add-onsConsidering the Role of SoftwareObtaining and Installing Hardware UpdatesKnowing When to Retire Your Old System

Content preview from Build Your Own PC on a Budget: A DIY Guide for Hobbyists and Gamers

17 Managing the Software

Software is the set of instructions that tell your computer how to perform specific tasks. When the instructions are old or simply incorrect, the computer can’t perform the tasks you expect of it. This seemingly simple concept is the basis for a whole range of problems that drive users crazy. Because you’ve built your own computer, software issues will take on a new level of meaning for you. Managing your software means ensuring the software does what it’s supposed to do all of the time.

The underlying purpose of software is to manage data. You might not even see the data all the time. For example, when you play a video game, it may not seem as if there is much data involved, the game tracks your settings and statistics ...