Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Left feeling so-so
  • upgrading and repairing pcs
  • Great
  • Excellent Core Reference
  • Positive Experience
Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)
Scott Mueller
Manufacturer: Que
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Microprocessors & System Design | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing)
  2. Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
  3. Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
  4. Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance
  5. Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money

ASIN: 0789734044

Book Description

Be a part of the best-selling Upgrading and Repairing series with the latest edition of the flagship book, Upgrading and Repairing PCs. Author Scott Mueller has taught thousands in his seminars and millions through his books, videos and articles. Since 1988, everyon from PC technicians and students to hobbyists, have turned to Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs books for help with computer problems. Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 17th Edition includes new and updated content covering the latest processors, motherboards, memory, and more, including a fully-loaded DVD with new video and reference material.

Register this book at www.quepublishing.com after purchase for access to exclusive Upgrading and Repairing articles, sample chapters, and bonus video content!

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Left feeling so-so.......2007-09-12

First off, let me say that if you are buying this book as a reference manual, then I think it deserves 5 stars. If you are using it to supplement your studies for something like A+ certification, its not the best for that. The problem lies in the fact that, like another reviewer here pointed out, he deals way to much with history. I feel like this took away a lot from trying to learn from the book as it became a boring read after a while. I dont care about computers from 20 years ago. I want to know recent things. A HUGE problem I have is their website. NONE of the video archives work. This was a huge selling point for me and was/is a tremendous disappointment. I contacted the webmaster 3 weeks ago and the problem hasnt been fixed. They all lead to a 404 error-page not found. That is a joke and an outrage.

5 out of 5 stars upgrading and repairing pcs.......2007-09-11

This is a great book for my college course! I have enjoyed the book so far..thank you for the great item!

5 out of 5 stars Great.......2007-07-16

It has everything I need to know about how to fix computer and Laptop problems.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Core Reference.......2007-07-05

I avoided this gargantuan book for several years because it seemed so intimidating . Then I took a class in PC repair and this was the textbook. Wow! did I learn a lot, not just about how to PCs work, but about how valuable this book is. Now it's my primary reference when I have a question about my system, or other systems or components. This has been Scott Mueller's life and he has done a splendid job of simplifying the mysteries of PC hardware for me. The book is not perfect. There's a lot of information here you'll never use, but there's a lot you will. Take it paragraph by paragraph, page by page and depending upon your interest, you will find it very illuminating. Information on older systems and components is purged with each updated edition, so the older editions have value for hobbyists who want to maintain older systems. Comes with a supplemental DVD which is also very worthwhile.

5 out of 5 stars Positive Experience.......2007-06-27

Book was latest edition with several prior editions having been acquired as needed. Latest technology is added to each annual edition and working with recent technology requires the latest edition. I was performing a major upgrade of my home computer when the book was ordered and it proved invaluable when problems were encountered after assembly. Possible issues were identified and eliminated until the information helped isolate the boot-up problem and assist in installation of new Windows Vista Operating System software to get the computer functioning again. This book is a must for anyone who gets inside the computer to make changes and upgrades.
Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Good but.....
  • VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
  • Well worth the price for the advice
  • Great build instructions, lacks the final touch
  • Easy to Follow with Weak Web Support
Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition
Robert Thompson , and Barbara Fritchman Thompson
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Microprocessor DesignMicroprocessor Design | Microprocessors & System Design | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Design & ArchitectureDesign & Architecture | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. PC Hardware Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Perfect Components PC Hardware Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Perfect Components
  2. Repairing and Upgrading Your PC Repairing and Upgrading Your PC
  3. How to Build Your Own PC: Save a Buck and Learn a Lot How to Build Your Own PC: Save a Buck and Learn a Lot
  4. Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition (Build Your Own) Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition (Build Your Own)
  5. Build the Ultimate Custom PC Build the Ultimate Custom PC

ASIN: 0596526865

Book Description

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:

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.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Good but............2007-07-31

It's soooo outdated and nothing about sound cards and/or video cards for gamers. Yes it was only published (available to the public) in 2004 which wa sonly 3 years ago however, in computers especially build your own, that was ions ago. The book gives you the basics as well as some advanced material in order for you to do it yourself. It's a good book however if your into gaming machines its not listed in it. This is a good start book to give you some basics of he inside of the computer and some terminology.

5 out of 5 stars VERY VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!.......2007-07-12

Do you want to build a PC for personal or business use? If you do, then this book is for you. Authors Barbara Fritchman Thompson and Robert Bruce Thompson, have done an outstanding job of writing a book that is your guide to the world of building PCs.

Thompson and Thompson, begin by focusing on things you need to know, things you need to have, and things you need to do before you start to buy components and build your new PC. Then, the authors tell you everything you need to know about how to choose and buy the components you need to build your new PC. Next, they show you how to build a general-purpose PC that is a jack of all trades and a master of... well, quite a few, actually. The authors also focus on building a reliable, high performance SOHO server, appropriate for anything from an inexpensive server for a home office to a serious server for a small-business network. They continue by showing you how to build a gaming PC on a reasonable budget. Then, the authors show you how to build a PC that provides TiVo-like DVR functions, without the monthly subscription or the DRM features common to commercial PVR units. Next, they show you how to build a full-featured PC that is small enough and quiet enough to fit in almost anywhere. Finally, the authors show you how to build a fast, reliable PC on a minimum budget.

The goal of this most excellent book is to show you how to select the best components and assemble them into a working PC that matches your own requirements and budget. Perhaps more importantly, this book provides the advice and ideas that you need to make the net PC you build the perfect PC for your needs.

5 out of 5 stars Well worth the price for the advice.......2007-07-07

I just noticed that the current edition is a revision of the one I bought from Amazon! Having said that, I'd be surprised if the quality and wisdom changed materially, and here is what I mean.

Using Thompson's book, I've built with both of my children the Home Theater PC and the Gaming PC. Both work like a champ. I'd add that much like the way the Thompson's structure each chapter, determine what you need, making a list, constructing the CPU, and what the outcome was: was our experience as well. Sometimes, the available parts just aren't. Sometimes there are driver issues and conflicts that you don't expect and it's not as though the Thompson's can know everything before the book was printed.

Some one whined a bit about the website in another review. I'd counter that with the affirmation of those who are in forum answer questions that are placed on the bottom shelf for novice builders like my family, as well as answer some truly arcane questions for advanced builders and hardware developers! That the website has "dated material" regarding hardware might be a no-brainer, but asking questions in the forum will quickly provide anyone with updates regarding anything related to hardware, drivers, and known conflicts between components.

In the build of the HT PC, we started out with an ASUS board that was (I think) recommended. But, the Plextor DVD wasn't recognized in the install. My daughter and I searched far and wide for a solution. One of the many responses to our post in the forum came in an answer from Robert Thompson, who provided the options for us regarding solutions.

The book possesses the same kind wisdom and availability to any builder from Thompson. He passes along some advice about what you can get away with in a build regarding tools-I won't disclose that secret- and just some "watch-out's" that will keep your build from becoming accidentally expensive, e.g., trying to insert the processor with the wrong orientation or incorrect application of the heat transfer paste to the processor. I'm likely to buy this new edition for the next build.

4 out of 5 stars Great build instructions, lacks the final touch.......2007-07-01

This is a great book. It got me excited as hell about building my own system. Since this was the first time I built a PC, I decided to pretty much follow very closely the bill of material listed as one of the options, but there were still some subtle differences that I had to sweat over. Many of the pictures of the motherboard, for example, were actually from a different engineering revision of the board that I bought, so the exact locations of connectors will be different from any board manufactured after mid 2007.

A note to one of the authors referred me to join a discussion website, which was a little disappointing since I believe the answer should have been known.

This book is very up to date, very insightful, it has tips and tricks that only can be learned after many years of experience, and is very well written.

I would recommend that a first time builder also buy Rosenthal's "Build Your Own PC". This book is a little more ancient, but it has interesting history about PC components, and it shows another point of view on the same subject. It also includes more info on the CMOS setup and installing the OS, which is just as important as the physical build if you want your computer for more than just a decoration.

3 out of 5 stars Easy to Follow with Weak Web Support.......2007-06-29

The book is well written with excellent pictures and guidance. The short coming is the web link. The book refers to the web link for updated information on component selection. Unfortunately the vast majority of the information is dated.
Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent Reference
  • Not for advanced users!
  • A Bible for PCs
  • Everything and then some!
  • My favorite author!
Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition)
Scott Mueller
Manufacturer: Que
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
  2. Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing)
  3. Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
  4. Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance
  5. Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money Start Your Own Computer Business: Building a Successful PC Repair and Service Business by Supporting Customers and Managing Money

ASIN: 0789731738

Book Description

Learn from the undisputed leading PC hardware teacher-World renowned PC hardware expert Scott Mueller. Scott has taught thousand in his weeklong seminars and millions through his books, videos and articles. Often his students refer to him with nicknames, such as "St.Scott" and claim that Upgrading and Repairing PCs has changed their lives.

This runaway best-selling PC hardware book of all-time is used by students, hobbyists, and PC professionals around the world. Upgrading and Repairing PCs is found on desks everywhere. Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 16th Edition includes hundreds of pages of new content, including an ALL NEW chapter on PC overclocking and hardware hacking. In this new chapter, Scott shows readers how to perform custom PC modifications, safely and within industry standard specifications, as well as how to pump up the performance of your PC.

For the third edition in a row, Scott has included a DVD--playable on both standalone DVD players and on DVD-ROMs--containing more than two hours of ALL NEW video shot, using an all new professional set design, lighting and a three-camera crew--including an overhead cam. The DVD also contains a searchable hard drive and vendor information, plus thousands of pages of legacy PC hardware coverage that can longer be included in the printed book, but that are invaluable to PC techs servicing older computers!

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference.......2006-05-26

This is a great book if you are like me and want to know where to find out all that esoteric information about computer junk. What do all those acronyms mean? I was able to go from being scared to open a computer case to building now three different computers. I love that it has all the old information in there. It is sort of a history of computers from the early PCs to today. This book is just now starting to be obsolete. Some of the newer chipsets are not listed, but it is still a great resource.

3 out of 5 stars Not for advanced users!.......2006-03-09

Pretty good book in general. I'm an intermediate computer user and I have to say I didn't learn to terribly much from this very large extensive product. For advanced users I wouldn't recommend it, for beginners looking for info on basic troubleshooting and building of pc's I would recommend it. A large wealth of the history of computers, and other now obsolete information that I'd rather not waste my time or brain capacity with. Also EXTREMELY BIAST on Intel products, basically giving less info on AMD chipsets mobo's and processors, and treating AMD like it's not worth the space in this 1500 page book. Let's face it, if your building your own PC, your probably gonna shoot for an AMD processor, for it's specs and it's value of the buck.

5 out of 5 stars A Bible for PCs.......2005-11-15

This is an excellent book writing by a real authority on this matter. A 'Must Have" for eveyone involved in Hardware.

5 out of 5 stars Everything and then some!.......2005-09-09

This book has everything you can imagine, and then everything you can't. It's got what you need and what you don't. The more information the better! Superb reference book and great to learn the details you always heard about but never really understood from either the concept, technical, or logical side. A must have for computer gurus!

5 out of 5 stars My favorite author!.......2005-09-05

One of the most respected authorities in the PC industry! I bought the 6th edition of his book back in 1995 at Best Buy and I've been buying updated editions ever since. Scott goes into such amazing detail, but yet he doesn't "talk over your head". The guy is so geeky that he programmed the ROM chips in his car to get better compression! Lots of cool little stories like that are in this book.

My only complaint would be that he puts the PDF of the book one edition behind the current one on the CD. So if you buy the 16th edition you will find the 15th edition in PDF format on the CD. Also, the PDF cannot be copied or printed from because it uses Adobe's copy protection features (enabled by QUE).

I recommend this book to all my students and co-workers.
Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Great Reference!
  • The laptop bible
  • Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers
  • A very big book...
  • Don't waste your money
Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers
Scott Mueller
Manufacturer: Que
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Information SystemsInformation Systems | Software Engineering | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Networks, Protocols & APIs | Networking | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)
  2. Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (Upgrading and Repairing)
  3. Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance
  4. Upgrading & Fixing Laptops For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) Upgrading & Fixing Laptops For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))
  5. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition)

ASIN: 0789728001

Amazon.com

Laptops--call them notebooks, portable computers, or whatever else you like--are tightly engineered items. It's hard to get all the required components to obey stringent performance and power-management requirements, and still fit into a small case. The job usually requires a custom motherboard and other specialized components, and so the laptop owner who wants to upgrade his or her machine faces a much more difficult task than the owner of a desktop machine with a similar wish. One can swap out the hard drive, add more RAM, and make tweaks in software, but almost everything else requires the addition of external components, which kind of defeat the purpose of a laptop. That's the message the reader takes away from Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing Laptops. It's not Mueller's fault that such computers are hard to do much with, and that your best upgrade procedure is often a visit to an auction site.

That said, Mueller does a great job of explaining how laptops work--how the engineers went about cramming all those heat-generating components into those miniature chassis in the first place. He also explains a lot of interesting component theory, such as how magnetic hard drives store data and how various DVD standards differ. The information makes for good reading, and comes in handy when you're shopping. He also demonstrates his skill--long well-reputed among builders and repairers of desktop machines--in teaching diagnostics. He explains, for example, how to test a laptop power supply, and why you should consider it a prime suspect in a malfunctioning computer even if the LEDs come on and the cooling fan spins. A CD-ROM features videos that show disassembly procedures--a strategy that works better than photographs and numbered steps. --David Wall

Topics covered: How portable computers work (and sometimes fail to work), and how to diagnose their woes. Sections address general troubleshooting concepts, system disassembly, and various subsystems such as memory, CPU, storage, and video. Coverage of PCMCIA (PC Card) is particularly good.

Book Description

Beyond cutting edge, Scott Mueller goes 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. This book 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. The CD contains one-of-a-kind video showing just what's inside a portable PC. For readers who have ever wondered what goes on inside their portable PC, how to upgrade/repair the portable PC or how to live on the road with it, this is the one must-have book of the year!

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Great Reference!.......2007-03-20

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.

5 out of 5 stars The laptop bible.......2007-01-10

Ive been building and reparing my own PCs for the last 5 yers. thanks to Scott Mullers books. He is the most direct to the point and clear author in this field. Ive trashed 3 other books before coming across Scott.

1 out of 5 stars Upgrading and Repairing Laptop Computers.......2006-01-21

This book is very very Stupid
Libro completamente inutil

4 out of 5 stars A very big book..........2005-07-05

This is one of the most misnamed books I've ever read, although "Upgrading and Repairing Laptops" is probably a better title than "Just About Everything Relating To Computer Hardware, Up To And Sometimes Including The Operating System, Focusing On But Not Limited To Laptops". There really is that much information contained in this book.

Unfortunately it is not possible to recommend the book based on the title or the information on the back cover as the 'upgrading' and 'repairing' and to a lesser extent 'laptop' keywords are misleading. It does contain an astounding amount of information of the inner workings of computers, but there is simply too much additional information to say that it is about the topics mentioned. They are more a side note than the main focus. The information constantly refers back to laptops, but again is too far ranging to say that laptops are the primary topic.

That said, the information is broad, concise, structured and obtainable. If you're interested in the deep mysteries of computer hardware this is a great resource including in-depth discussions on processors, motherboards (and chip sets), memory, storage (including CD and DVD media formats) and just about everything else. Just be aware of what the book covers before purchasing it.

1 out of 5 stars Don't waste your money.......2005-05-29

Modern word processor let people produce books quickly by copy-and-paste. As commented by an earlier reviewer, who gives one star for the book, this is a typical example. Amazon should allow the reviewer to give 0 star, which I think this book deserves.

In my view, the main difficulty in reparing and upgrading a laptop is disasseble it. Once it is taking apart, nearly everyone with some experience in playing desktop computers would know what to do next. However, this book and the companion disk do a very poor job in this. It shows how to diassemble an IBM notebook, which is perhaps the easierest to disasseble. I hope to see the author to show at least one example from a few major vendors, such as Dell, HP, Toshiba, Sony, Acer. Unfortunately, it told us to get service manuals. If this is the advice, why this book is written?
Repairing and Upgrading Your PC
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent and simple to follow book
  • Great book
  • Excellent guide
  • Repairing and Upgrading Your PC
  • "One of the Best"
Repairing and Upgrading Your PC
Robert Thompson , and Barbara Fritchman Thompson
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Design & ArchitectureDesign & Architecture | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:
  1. Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition Building the Perfect PC, Second Edition
  2. PC Hardware Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Perfect Components PC Hardware Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Perfect Components
  3. PCs: The Missing Manual PCs: The Missing Manual
  4. Build the Ultimate Custom PC Build the Ultimate Custom PC
  5. Breaking Through the BIOS Barrier: The Definitive BIOS Optimization Guide for PCs Breaking Through the BIOS Barrier: The Definitive BIOS Optimization Guide for PCs

ASIN: 059600866X

Book Description

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:



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.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent and simple to follow book.......2007-07-27

Excellent book for understanding basic PC hardware. The book is well written and has many useful "hints". I highly recommand this book to anyone who wants a comprehensive book about PC hardware, upgrading and basic repairs.

5 out of 5 stars Great book.......2007-05-01

Great book. Most repair books are just focused on the A+ exam. This one is wonderful for learning or improving your repair skills. It's not an exam cram its a how to book.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent guide.......2007-04-24

I bought this book about a year ago when I was contemplating stretching the life of my 4+ year old PC. The book proved very useful for me to zero in on the biggest bang-for-the-buck upgrades, and which ones were best to avoid because they yield low performance for the dollar.

About a month ago, I decided to build my own PC. This book again proved useful in helping guide me in making decisions on what equipment to choose.

It's rare that I spend over twenty bucks for a book. This book has paid for itself a few times over in helping me save money by not spending unnecessarily, or spending unwisely.

The instructions are written clearly. There are many photographs illustrating the steps being described, sometimes a few different photos of variations of different types of components. There is plenty of "theory of operation" on how various components work and how different standards compare (IDE vs SATA, for example). There are specific brand recommendations. There are specific techology type of recommendations. And there is just the right amount of humor throughout the book.

You may think this sort of book is only for guy geeks. Well, I'm a woman who's just about to pass the mid-century mark, and I found it to be a valuable reference for building, repairing, and upgrading PCs. You can pay the Geek squad lots of money to fix your stuff, or you can pay a bit over $20 and learn how to fix it yourself. That's a great feeling.

5 out of 5 stars Repairing and Upgrading Your PC .......2007-04-01

very good reference guide. Each chapter has some bit of information even for an expert.

5 out of 5 stars "One of the Best".......2006-11-22

Repairing, upgrading and troubleshooting PCs has been my business for almost 20 years. I buy all such newly published books each year from mainstream authors Minasi, Mueller, Bigelow, etc. While my collection of those books (20) do have their own merits in technical specifications and documentation value, my purchase of this book by Robert & Barbara Thompson was by far the most pleasing. Why?

In just the first 2-hours of scanning subjects, I highlighted dozens of gems of advice or insights from the Thompson's long experience that I have NOT seen in any of the other books. I couldn't stop reading. The Thompson's book will not replace the other books mentioned, but it is the first one I consult for superb hardware insights and advice -- a GREAT supplement to the other books. Don't miss this one!
Upgrading and Repairing PCs Training Course: A Digital Seminar from Scott Mueller
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Upgrading and Repairing PCs Training Course: A Digital Seminar from Scott Mueller
    Scott Mueller
    Manufacturer: Prentice Hall PTR
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: CD-ROM

    Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)
    2. Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance

    ASIN: 0130462713
    The Do-It-Yourself PC Book: An Illustrated Guide to Upgrading and Repairing Your PC
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • Outdated, bad advice, nice pictures however
    • A Great Instructional Guide On Upgrading And Reparing PCs !
    The Do-It-Yourself PC Book: An Illustrated Guide to Upgrading and Repairing Your PC
    Kyle Macrae , and Dell Keegan-Martin
    Manufacturer: Osborne/McGraw-Hill
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Programming | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Absolute Beginner's Guide to PC Upgrades Absolute Beginner's Guide to PC Upgrades
    2. Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition (Build Your Own) Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition (Build Your Own)

    ASIN: 0072133775

    Book Description

    Discover how easy it can be to get the most out of your PC! High-quality color photographs and extremely easy-to-follow text make this an ideal resource for upgrading, repairing and building your own computer. This informative visual guide will show you how to improve the performance of your current system and use peripherals including DVDs, scanners, digital cameras, scanners, and much more.

    Customer Reviews:

    2 out of 5 stars Outdated, bad advice, nice pictures however.......2003-11-14

    I bought this book thinking it might make a good companion text for an Adult-ed course I am developing. The technical advice it contains is out-of-date and I'm not sure it ever made sense in the first place. It has beautiful illustrations for things like "how to upgrade your monitor" (answer: "buy a new one"). I give the book two stars because the pictures are so pretty, but if you have a Pentium II with 32 Meg of RAM running Windows ME you don't want to upgrade, you want to replace it with a new computer. A nicely illustrated book with sensible advice like "donate your old computer to charity" or "take it the dump" wouldn't be worth the price of this book, but at least it would correct.

    5 out of 5 stars A Great Instructional Guide On Upgrading And Reparing PCs !.......2002-04-08

    All i can say about this book is it is a wonderful guide. It is filled with large pictures and easy step by step instructions. Great for a beginner or a experienced person. I recommend this book to everyone. A good first book for people interested in upgrading or building their own PC.
    Upgrading and Repairing PCs (15th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing Pcs)
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • HUGE amount of material
    • An Indispensable Resource
    • The best
    • The standard for all other PC books to meet
    • PC Hardware History Book & Bible
    Upgrading and Repairing PCs (15th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing Pcs)
    Scott Mueller
    Manufacturer: Que
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Hardcover

    Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition)
    2. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (14th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (14th Edition)
    3. Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
    4. Breaking Through the BIOS Barrier: The Definitive BIOS Optimization Guide for PCs Breaking Through the BIOS Barrier: The Definitive BIOS Optimization Guide for PCs
    5. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)

    ASIN: 0789729741

    Book Description

    Upgrading and Repairing PCs is the runaway best-selling PC hardware book of all time and one of the best-selling computer books ever! This 15th Edition is loaded with the most up-to-date hardware information anywhere. World-renowned PC hardware expert Scott Mueller has taught thousands in his weeklong seminars and millions through his books, videos and articles. This edition contains hundreds of pages of new material, including the latest in processor and motherboard technologies. The DVD offers you more than two hours of high quality video plus a searchable hard drive database, a searchable vendor database, and thousands of pages of legacy PC hardware coverage that can no longer be included in the printed book, but that are invaluable to PC techs servicing older computers!

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars HUGE amount of material.......2007-08-12

    I picked up this book one day while at a bookstore and was going to just thumb through it but quickly made note of the ISBN# for later reference. This book is HUGE. Weighing in at 1608 pages I'm grateful it's hard bound so it can survive the use it will get.

    The level of detail in this book is something you will be thankful for.

    5 out of 5 stars An Indispensable Resource.......2006-12-13

    Well written and good coverage. Provides both overviews of the subject matter as well as every detail you'll ever need to know about PC hardware.

    5 out of 5 stars The best.......2004-12-15

    Excellent! I enjoyed it so much.
    I learned many things I can use in my job as a PC tech.
    Love this book.
    Not for beginners.

    5 out of 5 stars The standard for all other PC books to meet.......2004-09-19

    As an instructor of computer and networking courses, I have had the opportunity to use and review scores of PC hardware books, and year after year, I always end up using Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs. If you are just someone who has never opened a PC case and you want to upgrade some hardware, then this book is for you. If you are someone who wants to truly understand the indepth workings of the PC, then this is the book for you. You can't go wrong with this book.

    5 out of 5 stars PC Hardware History Book & Bible.......2004-08-31

    This book covers nearly the entire PC history. If you want to check out what's inside your "ancient" machines or see what's new in technology this is the book you want. I especially like to see the evolution of computer hardware.
    Upgrading and Repairing PCs: Field Guide
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Excellent toolbox reference
    Upgrading and Repairing PCs: Field Guide
    Scott Mueller , and Mark Edward Soper
    Manufacturer: Que
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

    Maintenance, Repair & UpgradingMaintenance, Repair & Upgrading | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    PCsPCs | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Operating Systems | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Computer Science | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
    GeneralGeneral | Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
    Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
    jp-unknown1jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
    All TitlesAll Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Computers & InternetComputers & Internet | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    ProfessionalProfessional | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
    Similar Items:
    1. Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Networks (5th Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
    2. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (16th Edition)
    3. Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing) Upgrading and Repairing Laptops (2nd Edition) (Upgrading and Repairing)
    4. Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition)
    5. Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: Troubleshooting PC Hardware Problems from Boot Failure to Poor Performance

    ASIN: 0789726947

    Book Description

    Upgrading and Repairing PCs: Field Guide is a portable, "essentials" version of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 13th Edition - the bestselling PC hardware book of all-time. Weighing less than half a pound, this tiny book packs a hefty punch - containing the essential information you need to upgrade and repair PCs, whether you're a hardcore pro or a weekend warrior. All of this information fits nicely in your toolkit, briefcase or backpack and be there to rescue you when you're out of your office and away from your trusty copy of Upgrading and Repairing PCs.

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Excellent toolbox reference.......2005-02-04

    This is one of two books I carry in my toolbag (the other is Sequoia Press Pocket PCRef 13th ed.). It is small enough to be portable yet has enough information to be useful in most situations. It is not really for newcomers to PC repair, as it has too little space to thoroughly cover theory behind the work -- but that is proper for such a 'field guide'. Get one of the large hardbound editions of Mueller's books for home reference, but carry this one with you day-to-day. The only complaint I have is that I wish there were a newer version with more up-to-date info on newer PCs. (The Sequoia Press book fills this need.)
    Mac Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide to Upgrading and Repairing
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Mac Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide to Upgrading and Repairing
      Keith Martin
      Manufacturer: Haynes Publications
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover

      GeneralGeneral | Microprocessors & System Design | Hardware | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
      GeneralGeneral | Electrical & Electronics | Engineering | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
      Look Inside Computer BooksLook Inside Computer Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
      ASIN: 1859608892

      Books:

      1. Use Case Driven Object Modeling with UML: Theory and Practice
      2. VBScript Programmer's Reference (Programmer to Programmer)
      3. Web Design in a Nutshell: A Desktop Quick Reference (In a Nutshell (O'Reilly))
      4. Windows Presentation Foundation Unleashed (WPF) (Unleashed)
      5. Working with Microsoft Dynamics(TM) CRM 3.0
      6. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Official Strategy Guide (World of Warcraft)
      7. World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Official Strategy Guide (World of Warcraft)
      8. A Practical Guide to Linux(R) Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming
      9. Adobe Photoshop CS2 One-on-One (One-On-One)
      10. Ajax in Action

      Books Index

      Books Home

      Recommended Books

      1. Introduction to Digital Systems
      2. Doctor Faustus and Other Plays
      3. Using Quickbooks & Quickbooks Pro Version 6.0
      4. A Thousand Faces: Lon Chaney's Unique Artistry in Motion Pictures
      5. Best Resumes for Accountants and Financial Professionals
      6. Delayed Legacy: A Son's Amazing Search for the Full Story of His Father's Death After D-Day
      7. Chief of Station, Congo: Fighting the Cold War in a Hot Zone
      8. Dun & Bradstreet Guide to Your Investments 1999: The Year-Round Investment Sourcebook for Managi
      9. A New View of Comparative Economics with Economic Applications Card and InfoTrac College Edition
      10. Alguien Que Cuide de Mi