Book description
"...perhaps the most comprehensive book on the subject we've
ever seen. It's incredibly well researched, well written, and jam
packed with useful information."
--Josh Norem, Reviews Editor, Maximum PC
Upgrading and Repairing PCs is the definitive guide to the
inner workings of your PC. Whether you're adding a faster processor
or bigger hard drive, tracking down a problem, or just want to
understand how the components of your computer work together, this
book explains everything you need to know. Trust the one book that
has become the de facto standard among PC professionals and
enthusiasts around the world.
World-renowned PC hardware expert Scott Mueller has taught
thousands in his week-long seminars and millions through his books,
videos, and magazine articles. Major changes in the PC hardware
industry--including coverage of new Core 2 processors from Intel,
Socket AM2 processors from AMD, and significant advances in
motherboard chipsets, Blu-ray, and HD-DVD--make Upgrading and
Repairing PCs, 18th Edition, an indispensable addition to every
serious computer user's bookshelf...that is, if it ever leaves
their desks. Readers from around the world trust their computers to
Scott. Upgrading and Repairing PCs is found on the desks of
teachers, students, hobbyists, repair technicians, and even law
enforcement agencies that use this book to aid them in tracking
criminals.
New in This Book
Deep coverage of the new Core 2 (8th gen or "886") processors, featuring the new "Core Microarchitecture"
Cutting edge coverage of quad-core desktop (Kentsfield) processor versions
Detailed coverage of AMD’s Socket AM2 processors
Coverage of evolutionary changes in chipsets, including new versions of Intel's 9xx series chipsets and new 3x series Intel chipsets; coverage of new chipsets from Nvidia, VIA, and SiS has also been added
Coverage of the new DTX and Mini-DTX motherboard form factors from the newly formed alliance between AMD and ATI
Beefed-up coverage of Blu-ray and HD-DVD drives/players
Extensive coverage of new GPUs in addition to heavy-duty coverage of SLI and Crossfire
Building a PC from scratch--from assembling the hardware to BIOS setup and installing Microsoft Windows XP or Vista
On the DVD
DVD contains 2 hours of all new, studio-quality video--playable in
your set-top DVD player and your computer! Scott digs deep into
networking, showing all the components needed to build a SOHO
(Small Office Home Office) network. Coverage includes network
adapters, routers, switches, access points, cable/DSL modems, and
cabling. Upgrading an existing network to gigabit speeds is also
covered, as well as the latest wireless network technology. The DVD
also contains a previously published edition of the book as well as
technical reference material, a glossary, and an acronym index.
Whether you’re building a hot new PC for home or work, or
nursing an aging and ailing PC back to health, these materials
prove to be worth their weight in gold to the serious PC technician
or hobbyist.
www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com
If you don’t have a DVD player or only have a set-top DVD,
visit www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com to download all the video
from the DVD in Windows Media Player format as well as the PDFs and
other materials on the DVD! Plus, check out monthly articles, FAQs,
and video from earlier editions you might have missed!
Introduction 1
1 Development of the PC 7
2 PC Components, Features and System Design
25
3 Microprocessor Types and Specifications
39
4 Motherboards and Buses 235
5 BIOS 441
6 Memory 509
7 The ATA/IDE Interface 581
8 Magnetic Storage Principles 637
9 Hard Disk Storage 663
10 Removable Storage 707
11 Optical Storage 747
12 Physical Drive Installation and Configuration
851
13 Video Hardware 885
14 Audio Hardware 987
15 I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to
IEEE-1394 and USB 1025
16 Input Devices 1059
17 Internet Connectivity 1103
18 Local Area Networking 1151
19 Power Supplies 1207
20 Building or Upgrading Systems 1295
21 PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling 1335
22 PC Diagnostics, Testing and Maintenance
1367
ON THE DVD:
A Glossary
B List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
Table of contents
- Copyright
- About the Author
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- 1. Development of the PC
- 2. PC Components, Features, and System Design
-
3. Microprocessor Types and Specifications
- Pre-PC Microprocessor History
- Microprocessors from 1971 to the Present
-
Processor Specifications
- Data I/O Bus
- Address Bus
- Internal Registers (Internal Data Bus)
- Processor Modes
- Real Mode
- IA-32 Mode (32-Bit)
- IA-32 Virtual Real Mode
- IA-32e 64-Bit Extension Mode (AMD64, x86-64, EM64T)
- Processor Speed Ratings
- Processor Speeds and Markings Versus Motherboard Speed
- Cyrix Processor Speeds
- AMD Processor Speeds
- Overclocking
- Cache Memory
- How Cache Works
- Level 2 Cache
- Level 3 Cache
- Processor Features
- Processor Manufacturing
- Processor Socket and Slot Types
- CPU Operating Voltages
- Heat and Cooling Problems
- Math Coprocessors (Floating-point Units)
- Processor Bugs
- Processor Codenames
- P1 (086) First-generation Processors
- P2 (286) Second-generation Processors
- P3 (386) Third-generation Processors
- P4 (486) Fourth-generation Processors
- P5 (586) Fifth-generation Processors
- Intel P6 (686) Sixth-generation Processors
- Other Sixth-generation Processors
- Intel Pentium 4 (Seventh-generation) Processors
- Eighth-generation (64-Bit Register) Processors
- Multicore Processors
- Processor Upgrades
- Processor Troubleshooting Techniques
-
4. Motherboards and Buses
- Motherboard Form Factors
- Processor Sockets/Slots
- Chipsets
- Intel’s Early 386/486 Chipsets
- Fifth-generation (P5 Pentium Class) Chipsets
- Sixth-generation (P6 Pentium Pro/II/III Class) Chipsets
- Seventh/Eighth-generation (Pentium 4/D and Core 2) Chipsets
- Third-party Chipsets for Intel Processors
- AMD Athlon Chipsets
- Intel Workstation Chipsets
- AMD Athlon 64 Chipsets
- Super I/O Chips
- Motherboard Connectors
- System Bus Types, Functions, and Features
- Types of I/O Buses
- System Resources
- Resolving Resource Conflicts
- Motherboard Selection Criteria (Knowing What to Look For)
-
5. BIOS
- BIOS Basics
- BIOS Hardware/Software
- Motherboard ROM BIOS
- Upgrading the BIOS
- Preboot Environment
-
CMOS Setup Specifications
- Running or Accessing the CMOS Setup Program
- BIOS Setup Menus
- Maintenance Menu
- Main Menu
-
Advanced Menus
- Advanced PCI Configuration
- Advanced PCI Express Configuration
- Advanced Memory Configuration
- Advanced Boot Configuration
- Advanced Chipset Configuration Menu
- Advanced Peripheral Configuration
- Advanced Drive Configuration
- Advanced Floppy Configuration
- Advanced Event Log Configuration
- Advanced Video Configuration
- Advanced USB Configuration Menu
- Advanced Fan Control Configuration Menu
- Security Menu
- Power Menu
- Boot Menu (Boot Sequence, Order)
- Exit Menu
- Additional BIOS Setup Features
- Plug and Play BIOS
- BIOS/MBR Error Messages
-
6. Memory
- Memory Basics
- Fast Page Mode DRAM
- Extended Data Out RAM (EDO)
- SDRAM
- DDR SDRAM
- DDR2 SDRAM
- DDR3
- RDRAM
- Memory Modules
- SIMMs, DIMMs, and RIMMs
- Registered Modules
- SIMM Pinouts
- DIMM Pinouts
- DDR DIMM Pinouts
- DDR2 DIMM Pinouts
- DDR3 DIMM Pinouts
- RIMM Pinouts
- Determining a Memory Module’s Size and Features
- Memory Banks
- Memory Module Speed
- Parity and ECC
- Parity Checking
- How Parity Checking Works
- Error-correcting Code (ECC)
- Installing RAM Upgrades
- Selecting and Installing Memory
- Installing DIMM or RIMM Modules
- Installing SIMM Modules
- Troubleshooting Memory
- Memory Defect Isolation Procedures
- The System Logical Memory Layout
-
7. The ATA/IDE Interface
- An Overview of the IDE Interface
-
ATA Standards
- ATA-1 (AT Attachment Interface for Disk Drives)
- ATA-2 (AT Attachment Interface with Extensions-2)
- ATA-3 (AT Attachment Interface-3)
- ATA/ATAPI-4 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface Extension-4)
- ATA/ATAPI-5 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-5)
- ATA/ATAPI-6 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-6)
- ATA/ATAPI-7 (AT Attachment with Packet Interface-7)
- SATA/ATAPI-8
- Parallel ATA
- Serial ATA
- ATA Features
-
ATA Drive Capacity Limitations
- Prefixes for Decimal and Binary Multiples
- BIOS Limitations
- CHS Versus LBA
- CHS/LBA and LBA/CHS Conversions
- BIOS Commands Versus ATA Commands
- CHS Limitations (the 528MB Barrier)
- CHS Translation (Breaking the 528MB Barrier)
- The 2.1GB and 4.2GB Barriers
- LBA-assist Translation
- The 8.4GB Barrier
- The 137GB Barrier and Beyond
- Operating System and Other Software Limitations
- PATA/SATA RAID
- 8. Magnetic Storage Principles
-
9. Hard Disk Storage
- Definition of a Hard Disk
- Hard Drive Advancements
- Form Factors
- Hard Disk Drive Operation
- Basic Hard Disk Drive Components
- Hard Disk Features
-
10. Removable Storage
- The Role of Removable-media Drives
- Comparing Disk, Tape, and Flash Memory Technologies
- Interfaces for Removable-media Drives
-
Floppy Disk Drives, Past and Present
- Alternatives to Floppy Drives
- 1.44MB 3 1/2″ Drives
- Floppy Drive Interfaces
- Drive Components
- How the Operating System Uses a Floppy Disk
- Disk Change
- Analyzing 3 1/2″ Floppy Disk Media Construction
- Floppy Disk Media Types and Specifications
- Caring for and Handling Floppy Disks and Drives
- Floppy Drive Installation Procedures
- Troubleshooting Floppy Drives
- High-capacity Magnetic Storage Devices
- Magneto-optical Drives
- Flash Memory Devices
- Microdrive Technology
- Hard-disk-based Backup
- Tape Drives
-
11. Optical Storage
-
Optical Technology
- CD-based Optical Technology
- CDs: A Brief History
- CD-ROM Construction and Technology
- Mass-producing CD-ROMs
- Caring for Optical Media
- DVD
- DVD History
- DVD Construction and Technology
- DVD Tracks and Sectors
- Handling DVD Errors
- DVD Capacity (Sides and Layers)
- Data Encoding on the Disc
- Blu-ray Disc (BD)
- HD-DVD
- Optical Disc Formats
-
Compact Disc and Drive Formats
- Red Book—CD-DA
- Yellow Book—CD-ROM
- Green Book—CD-i
- CD-ROM XA
- Interleaving
- Sector Modes and Forms
- Orange Book
- Multisession Recording Overview
- Disc-at-Once
- Track-at-Once
- Packet Writing
- Photo CD
- Picture CD
- White Book—Video CD (VCD)
- Super Video CD
- Blue Book—CD EXTRA
- Purple Book
- Scarlet Book (SA-CD)
- DualDisc
- CD-ROM File Systems
- DVD Formats and Standards
- DVD Copy Protection
- CD/DVD Read-only Drives and Specifications
- Performance Specifications
- Interface
- Loading Mechanism
- Other Drive Features
- Writable CDs
- CD-R
- CD-RW
- MultiRead Specifications
- How to Reliably Record CDs
- Recording Software
- Digital Audio Extraction (DAE)
- “For Music Use Only” CD-R/RW Discs
- CD Copy Protection
- CD Digital Rights Management (DRM)
- Recordable DVD Standards
- DVD-RAM
- DVD-R
- DVD-R DL
- DVD-RW
- DVD+RW and DVD+R
- DVD+R DL
- Multiformat Rewritable DVD Drives
- CD/DVD Drive and Software Installation and Support
- Booting from a Floppy Disk with CD/DVD Drive Support
- Bootable CDs and DVDs—El Torito
- Creating a Rescue CD
- Making a Bootable CD/DVD for Emergencies
- Using LightScribe and Other Direct Disc Labeling Systems
-
Troubleshooting Optical Drives
- Failure Reading a CD/DVD
- Failure to Read CD-R, CD-RW Discs in CD-ROM or DVD Drive
- Failure to Read a Rewritable DVD in DVD-ROM Drive or Player
- Failure to Create a Writable DVD
- Failure Writing to CD-RW or DVD-RW 1x Media
- ATAPI CD-ROM or DVD Drive Runs Slowly
- Can’t Use CD or DVD Drive or Write to Media in Windows XP or Vista
- Poor Results or Slow Performance When Writing to CD-R Media
- Trouble Reading CD-RW Discs on CD-ROM
- Trouble Reading CD-R Discs on DVD Drive
- Trouble Making Bootable CDs
- Updating the Firmware in a CD-RW or Rewritable DVD Drive
-
Optical Technology
- 12. Physical Drive Installation and Configuration
-
13. Video Hardware
- Video Display Technologies
- Maintaining Your Monitor
- Video Display Adapters
- 3D Graphics Accelerators
- Upgrading or Replacing Your Video Card
- Adapter and Display Troubleshooting
- 14. Audio Hardware
- 15. I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to IEEE 1394 and USB
-
16. Input Devices
- Keyboards
- Keyboard Technology
- Keyboard Troubleshooting and Repair
- Keyboard Recommendations
- Pointing Devices
- Input Devices for Gaming
- Wireless Input Devices
-
17. Internet Connectivity
- Relating Internet and LAN Connectivity
- Cable Modems
- Digital Subscriber Line
- Fixed-base Wireless Broadband
- Internet Connectivity via Satellite with HughesNet or StarBand
- Integrated Services Digital Network
- Comparing High-speed Internet Access
- Leased Lines
- Securing Your Internet Connection
- Asynchronous (Dialup) Modems
- Modem Standards
- Sharing Your Internet Connection
-
Internet Troubleshooting
- Diagnosing Problems with a Shared Internet Connection
- Diagnosing Connection Problems with Signal Lights
- Modem Fails to Dial
- Computer Locks Up After Installing or Using Internal Modem, Terminal Adapter, or Network Card
- Computer Can’t Detect External Modem
- Using Your Modem Sound to Diagnose Your Modem
-
18. Local Area Networking
- Focus of This Chapter
- Defining a Network
- Client/Server Versus Peer Networks
- Network Architecture Overview
- Hardware Elements of Your Network
- Network Protocols
- Other Home Networking Solutions
- Putting Your Network Together
- Installing Networking Software
- Tips and Tricks
- Direct Cable Connections
- Troubleshooting a Network
-
19. Power Supplies
- Considering the Importance of the Power Supply
- Primary Function and Operation
- Power Supply Form Factors
- Power Switches
-
Motherboard Power Connectors
- AT/LPX Power Supply Connectors
- ATX and ATX12V Motherboard Power Connectors
- Backward and Forward Compatibility
- Dell Proprietary (Nonstandard) ATX Design
- Additional Power Connectors
- Power Supply Specifications
- Power-use Calculations
- Power Cycling
- Power Management
- Power Supply Troubleshooting
- Repairing the Power Supply
- Obtaining Replacement Units
- Power-protection Systems
- RTC/NVRAM (CMOS RAM) Batteries
-
20. Building or Upgrading Systems
- System Components
- Hardware and Software Resources
- System Assembly and Disassembly
-
Motherboard Installation
- Installing the CPU and Heatsink
- Installing Memory Modules
- Mounting the New Motherboard in the Case
- Connecting the Power Supply
- Connecting I/O and Other Cables to the Motherboard
- Installing the Drives
- Installing the New Video Card and Driver Software
- Installing Additional Expansion Cards
- Replacing the Cover and Connecting External Cables
- Running the Motherboard BIOS Setup Program (CMOS Setup)
- Troubleshooting New Installations
- Installing the Operating System
- Disassembly/Upgrading Preparation
- 21. PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling
-
22. PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance
- PC Diagnostics
- Diagnostics Software
- The Hardware Boot Process
- PC Maintenance Tools
-
Preventive Maintenance
-
Active Preventive Maintenance Procedures
- System Backups
- Cleaning a System
- Disassembly and Cleaning Tools
- Chemicals
- Vacuum Cleaners
- Brushes and Swabs
- Silicone Lubricants
- Obtaining the Required Tools and Accessories
- Disassembling and Cleaning Procedures
- Cleaning Boards
- Cleaning Connectors and Contacts
- Cleaning the Keyboard and Mouse
- Hard Disk Maintenance
- Passive Preventive Maintenance Procedures
-
Active Preventive Maintenance Procedures
-
Troubleshooting Tips and Techniques
- Modern PCs—More Complicated and More Reliable
- Industry-standard Replaceable Components
- Reinstall or Replace?
- Troubleshooting by Replacing Parts
- Troubleshooting by the Bootstrap Approach
- Problems During the POST
- Hardware Problems After Booting
- Problems Running Software
- Problems with Adapter Cards
-
Top Troubleshooting Problems
- When I power the system on, I see the power LED light and hear the fans spin, but nothing else ever happens
- The system beeps when I turn it on, but there is nothing on the screen
- I see a STOP or STOP ERROR in Windows NT/2000/XP or Vista
- I see Fatal Exception errors in Windows 95/98/Me
- The system won’t shut down in Windows
- The power button won’t turn off the system
- The modem doesn’t work
- The keyboard doesn’t work
- I can’t hear any sound from the speakers
- The monitor appears completely garbled or unreadable
- The image on the display is distorted (bent), shaking, or wavering
- I purchased a video card, and it won’t fit in the slot
- I installed an upgraded processor, but it won’t work
- The system runs fine for a few minutes but then freezes or locks up
- I am experiencing intermittent problems with the hard drive(s)
- The system won’t boot up; it says Missing operating system on the screen
- The system is experiencing intermittent memory errors
- The system locks up frequently and sometimes reboots on its own
- I installed a 60GB drive in my system, but it is recognizing only 8.4GB
- My CD-ROM/DVD drive doesn’t work
- My USB port or device doesn’t work
- I installed an additional memory module, but the system doesn’t recognize it
- I installed a new drive, but it doesn’t work and the drive LED remains lit
- While I was updating my BIOS, the system froze and now the system is dead!
- I installed a new motherboard in an older Dell system, and nothing works
- I installed a PCI video card in an older system with PCI slots, and it doesn’t work
-
A. Glossary
- B. List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
- License Agreement
Product information
- Title: Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Eighteenth Edition
- Author(s):
- Release date: September 2007
- Publisher(s): Que
- ISBN: 9780789736970
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