Que upgrading and repairing PCs 17th edition apr 2006 ISBN 0789734044

UpgradingandRepairingPcs,17thEdition
ByScottMueller
...............................................
Publisher:Que
PubDate:March24,2006
PrintISBN-10:0-7897-3404-4
PrintISBN-13:978-0-7897-3404-4
Pages:1608

TableofContents|Index

Beapartofthebest-sellingUpgradingandRepairingserieswiththelatesteditionof
theflagshipbook,UpgradingandRepairingPCs.AuthorScottMuellerhastaught
thousandsinhisseminarsandmillionsthroughhisbooks,videosandarticles.Since1988,
everyonfromPCtechniciansandstudentstohobbyists,haveturnedtoScottMueller's
UpgradingandRepairingPCsbooksforhelpwithcomputerproblems.Upgradingand
RepairingPCs,17thEditionincludesnewandupdatedcontentcoveringthelatest
processors,motherboards,memory,andmore,includingafully-loadedDVDwithnew
videoandreferencematerial.

Registerthisbookatwww.quepublishing.comafterpurchaseforaccesstoexclusive
UpgradingandRepairingarticles,samplechapters,andbonusvideocontent!


UpgradingandRepairingPcs,17thEdition
ByScottMueller
...............................................
Publisher:Que
PubDate:March24,2006
PrintISBN-10:0-7897-3404-4
PrintISBN-13:978-0-7897-3404-4

Pages:1608

TableofContents|Index

Copyright
AbouttheAuthor
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter1.DevelopmentofthePC
ComputerHistoryBeforePersonalComputers
ModernComputers
HistoryofthePC
Chapter2.PCComponents,Features,andSystemDesign
WhatIsaPC?
SystemTypes
SystemComponents
Chapter3.MicroprocessorTypesandSpecifications

Pre-PCMicroprocessorHistory
Microprocessorsfrom1971tothePresent
ProcessorSpecifications
ProcessorFeatures
ProcessorManufacturing
ProcessorSocketandSlotTypes
CPUOperatingVoltages
HeatandCoolingProblems
MathCoprocessors(Floating-PointUnits)
ProcessorBugs
ProcessorCodenames

P1(086)First-GenerationProcessors
P2(286)Second-GenerationProcessors
P3(386)Third-GenerationProcessors
P4(486)Fourth-GenerationProcessors
P5(586)Fifth-GenerationProcessors
IntelP6(686)Sixth-GenerationProcessors
OtherSixth-GenerationProcessors
IntelPentium4(Seventh-Generation)Processors
Eighth-Generation(64-BitRegister)Processors
Dual-CoreProcessors
ProcessorUpgrades
ProcessorTroubleshootingTechniques
Chapter4.MotherboardsandBuses
MotherboardFormFactors
ProcessorSockets/Slots
Chipsets
Intel'sEarly386/486Chipsets
Fifth-Generation(P5PentiumClass)Chipsets
Sixth-Generation(P6PentiumPro/II/IIIClass)Chipsets
Seventh-Generation(Pentium4)Chipsets
Third-PartyPentium4Chipsets
AMDAthlon/AthlonXP/DuronChipsets
IntelWorkstationChipsetsforPentium4andXeon
AMDAthlon64andSempronChipsets
SuperI/OChips
MotherboardConnectors
SystemBusTypes,Functions,andFeatures
TypesofI/OBuses
SystemResources

ResolvingResourceConflicts
MotherboardSelectionCriteria(KnowingWhattoLookFor)
Chapter5.BIOS
BIOSBasics
BIOSHardware/Software
MotherboardBIOS
UpgradingtheBIOS
PrebootEnvironment
CMOSSetupSpecifications
PlugandPlayBIOS

BIOSErrorMessages
Chapter6.Memory
MemoryBasics

RAMTypesandPerformance
MemoryModules
InstallingRAMUpgrades
TroubleshootingMemory
TheSystemLogicalMemoryLayout
Chapter7.TheATA/IDEInterface
AnOverviewoftheIDEInterface
ATAStandards
ParallelATA
SerialATA
ATAFeatures
ATADriveCapacityLimitations
ATARAID
Chapter8.MagneticStoragePrinciples
MagneticStorage
HistoryofMagneticStorage
HowMagneticFieldsAreUsedtoStoreData
Read/WriteHeadDesigns
HeadSliders
DataEncodingSchemes
EncodingSchemeComparisons
Partial-Response,Maximum-LikelihoodDecoders
CapacityMeasurements
ArealDensity
Chapter9.HardDiskStorage
DefinitionofaHardDisk
HardDriveAdvancements
FormFactors
HardDiskDriveOperation
BasicHardDiskDriveComponents

HardDiskFeatures
Chapter10.RemovableStorage
TheRoleofRemovable-MediaDrives
ComparingDisk,Tape,andFlashMemoryTechnologies
InterfacesforRemovable-MediaDrives
FloppyDiskDrives,PastandPresent

High-CapacityMagneticStorageDevices
Magneto-OpticalDrives
FlashMemoryDevices
MicrodriveTechnology
TapeDrives
Chapter11.OpticalStorage

OpticalTechnology
CD-BasedOpticalTechnology
DVD
Blu-rayDisc
HD-DVD
OpticalDiscFormats
CD/DVDRead-OnlyDrivesandSpecifications
WritableCDs
RecordableDVDStandards
CD/DVDDriveandSoftwareInstallationandSupport
BootingfromaFloppyDiskwithCD/DVDDriveSupport
TroubleshootingOpticalDrives
Chapter12.PhysicalDriveInstallationandConfiguration
InstallingAllTypesofDrives
HardDiskInstallationProcedures
Formatting
ReplacinganExistingDrive
HardDiskDriveTroubleshootingandRepair
InstallinganOpticalDrive
FloppyDriveInstallationProcedures
Chapter13.VideoHardware
VideoDisplayTechnologies
MaintainingYourMonitor
VideoDisplayAdapters
3DGraphicsAccelerators
UpgradingorReplacingYourVideoCard
AdapterandDisplayTroubleshooting
Chapter14.AudioHardware
EarlyPCAudioAdapters
PCMultimediaHistory

AudioAdapterFeatures
ChoosingtheBestAudioAdapterforYourNeeds
PlayingandCreatingDigitizedSoundFiles

AudioAdapterConceptsandTerms
Who'sWhoinAudio
3DAudio
TroubleshootingSoundCardProblems
Speakers
Microphones
Chapter15.I/OInterfacesfromSerialandParalleltoIEEE1394andUSB
IntroductiontoInput/OutputPorts
UniversalSerialBus

IEEE1394
StandardSerialandParallelPorts
SerialPorts
ParallelPorts
Chapter16.InputDevices
Keyboards
KeyboardTechnology
KeyboardTroubleshootingandRepair
KeyboardRecommendations
PointingDevices
InputDevicesforGaming
WirelessInputDevices
Chapter17.InternetConnectivity
RelatingInternetandLANConnectivity
CableModems
DigitalSubscriberLine
Fixed-BaseWirelessBroadband
InternetConnectivityviaSatellitewithDirecWAYorStarBand
IntegratedServicesDigitalNetwork
ComparingHigh-speedInternetAccess
LeasedLines
SecuringYourInternetConnection
Asynchronous(Dialup)Modems
ModemStandards
SharingYourInternetConnection
InternetTroubleshooting
Chapter18.LocalAreaNetworking
FocusofThisChapter
DefiningaNetwork
Client/ServerVersusPeerNetworks

NetworkArchitectureOverview
HardwareElementsofYourNetwork
NetworkProtocols
OtherHomeNetworkingSolutions
PuttingYourNetworkTogether
TipsandTricks
DirectCableConnections
TroubleshootingaNetwork
Chapter19.PowerSupplies
ConsideringtheImportanceofthePowerSupply
PrimaryFunctionandOperation
PowerSupplyFormFactors

PowerSwitches
MotherboardPowerConnectors
AdditionalPowerConnectors
PowerSupplySpecifications
Power-UseCalculations
PowerCycling
PowerManagement
PowerSupplyTroubleshooting
RepairingthePowerSupply
ObtainingReplacementUnits
Power-ProtectionSystems
RTC/NVRAM(CMOSRAM)Batteries
Chapter20.BuildingorUpgradingSystems
SystemComponents
HardwareandSoftwareResources
SystemAssemblyandDisassembly
MotherboardInstallation
TroubleshootingNewInstallations
InstallingtheOperatingSystem
Disassembly/UpgradingPreparation
Chapter21.PCMods:OverclockingandCooling
Overclocking
Cooling
Chapter22.PCDiagnostics,Testing,andMaintenance
PCDiagnostics
DiagnosticsSoftware
TheHardwareBootProcess

PCMaintenanceTools
PreventiveMaintenance
TroubleshootingTipsandTechniques
AppendixA.Appendix
AppendixB.KeyVendorContactInformation
AppendixC.TroubleshootingIndex
ListofAcronymsandAbbreviations
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
JK
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T

U
V
WX
YZ
LicenseAgreement
InstallingtheDVD
AccesstoDVDContentWithoutaDVDPlayerorDVDDrive
Index


Copyright
UpgradingandRepairingPCs,17thEdition
Copyright©2006byQuePublishing
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisbookshallbereproduced,
storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedbyanymeans,
electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,orotherwise,
withoutwrittenpermissionfromthepublisher.Nopatent
liabilityisassumedwithrespecttotheuseoftheinformation
containedherein.Althougheveryprecautionhasbeentakenin
thepreparationofthisbook,thepublisherandauthorassume
noresponsibilityforerrorsoromissions.Norisanyliability
assumedfordamagesresultingfromtheuseoftheinformation
containedherein.
LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber:2005929985
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
FirstPrinting:April2006
090807064321

Trademarks
Alltermsmentionedinthisbookthatareknowntobe

trademarksorservicemarkshavebeenappropriately
capitalized.QuePublishingcannotattesttotheaccuracyofthis
information.Useofaterminthisbookshouldnotberegarded
asaffectingthevalidityofanytrademarkorservicemark.

WarningandDisclaimer


Everyefforthasbeenmadetomakethisbookascompleteand
asaccurateaspossible,butnowarrantyorfitnessisimplied.
Theinformationprovidedisonan"asis"basis.Theauthorand
thepublishershallhaveneitherliabilitynorresponsibilitytoany
personorentitywithrespecttoanylossordamagesarising
fromtheinformationcontainedinthisbookorfromtheuseof
theDVDorprogramsaccompanyingit.

BulkSales
QuePublishingoffersexcellentdiscountsonthisbookwhen
orderedinquantityforbulkpurchasesorspecialsales.For
moreinformation,pleasecontact
U.S.CorporateandGovernmentSales
1-800-382-3419

ForsalesoutsidetheUnitedStates,pleasecontact
InternationalSales

AssociatePublisherGregWiegand
ExecutiveEditorRickKughen
AcquisitionsEditorToddGreen
DevelopmentEditorToddBrakke

ManagingEditorCharlotteClapp


ProjectEditorTonyaSimpson
ProductionEditorMeganWade
IndexerErikaMillen
TechnicalEditorMarkReddin
PublishingCoordinatorSharryLeeGregory
MultimediaDeveloperDanScherf
BookDesignerAnneJones
PageLayoutKellyMaish
DVDProductionLynnMueller

Dedication
ToEmerson:
"Therealtestforanychoiceishavingtomakethesamechoice
again,knowingfullwellwhatitmightcost."TheOracle




AbouttheAuthor
ScottMuellerispresidentofMuellerTechnicalResearch(MTR),
aninternationalresearchandcorporatetrainingfirm.Since
1982,MTRhasproducedtheindustry'smostin-depth,accurate,
andeffectiveseminars,books,articles,videos,andFAQs
coveringPChardwareanddatarecovery.MTRmaintainsaclient
listthatincludesFortune500companies,theU.S.andforeign
governments,majorsoftwareandhardwarecorporations,as
wellasPCenthusiastsandentrepreneurs.Hisseminarshave

beenpresentedtoseveralthousandsofPCsupport
professionalsthroughouttheworld.
Scottpersonallyteachesseminarsnationwidecoveringall
aspectsofPChardware(includingtroubleshooting,
maintenance,repair,andupgrade),A+Certification,anddata
recovery/forensics.Hehasaknackformakingtechnicaltopics
notonlyunderstandable,butentertainingaswell;hisclasses
areneverboring!Ifyouhave10ormorepeopletotrain,Scott
candesignandpresentacustomseminarforyourorganization.
Althoughhehastaughtclassesvirtuallynonstopsince1982,
Scottisbestknownastheauthorofthelongestrunning,most
popular,andmostcomprehensivePChardwarebookinthe
world,UpgradingandRepairingPCs,whichhasnotonlybeen
producedinmorethan17editions,buthasalsobecomethe
coreofanentireseriesofbooks.
Scotthasauthoredmanybooksoverthelast20+years,
includingUpgradingandRepairingPCs,1stthrough17thand
Academiceditions;UpgradingandRepairingLaptops1stand
2ndeditions;UpgradingandRepairingWindows;Upgradingand
RepairingPCs:A+CertificationStudyGuide,1stand2nd
editions;UpgradingandRepairingPCsTechnician'sPortable
Reference,1stand2ndeditions;UpgradingandRepairingPCs
FieldGuide;UpgradingandRepairingPCsQuickReference;


UpgradingandRepairingPCs,LinuxEdition;KillerPCUtilities;
TheIBMPS/2Handbook;andQue'sGuidetoDataRecovery.
ScotthasproducedseveralvideotrainingpackagescoveringPC
hardware,includinga6-hour,CD-basedseminartitled
UpgradingandRepairingPCsTrainingCourse:ADigitalSeminar

fromScottMueller.Scotthasalsoproducedothervideosover
theyears,includingUpgradingandRepairingPCsVideo:12th
Edition;YourPC:TheInsideStory;aswellas2+hoursoffree
videotrainingthatwereincludedineachofthe10th,and12th
through17theditionsofUpgradingandRepairingPCs,aswell
asUpgradingandRepairingLaptopsandUpgradingand
RepairingWindows.
ContactMTRdirectlyifyouhaveauniquebook,article,orvideo
projectinmind,orifyouwantScotttoconductacustomPC
troubleshooting,repair,maintenance,upgrade,ordata-recovery
seminartailoredforyourorganization:
MuellerTechnicalResearch
3700GrayhawkDrive
Algonquin,IL60102-6325
(847)854-6794
(847)854-6795Fax
Internet:
Web:





Scott'spremierework,UpgradingandRepairingPCs,hassold
wellover2millioncopies,makingitbyfarthemostpopular
andlongest-runningPChardwarebookonthemarkettoday.
ScotthasbeenfeaturedinForbesmagazineandhaswritten
severalarticlesforMaximumPCmagazine,severalnewsletters,
andtheUpgradingandRepairingPCswebsite.
Ifyouhavesuggestionsforthenextversionofthisbook,any

commentsaboutthebookingeneral,ornewbookorarticle
topicsyouwouldliketoseecovered,sendthemtoScottvia
emailatorvisit
www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.comandclicktheAskScott
button.
WhenheisnotworkingonPC-relatedbooksorontheroad
teachingseminars,Scottcanusuallybefoundinthegarage
workingonseveralvehicularprojects.

ContributorsandTechnicalEditors
MarkEdwardSoperispresidentofSelectSystemsand
Associates,Inc.,atechnicalwritingandtrainingorganization.
Markisa23-yearveteranofthetechnologyfield,withan
extensivebackgroundintraining,technicalbookandmagazine
writing,technicalediting,onlinecontentdevelopment,and
research.
MarkfirstbegantoworkwithPCsinthedaysoftheoriginal
IBMPC,PC-XT,andPCcompatibles.Markprovidedsales,sales
support,andtechnicaltrainingforthesecomputers,aswellas
forAtari,TI,Commodore64,andCP/M-basedsystemsfor
variousretailersinEvansville,Indiana,from1983to1989.
MarkfoundtheearlyeditionsofScottMueller'sUpgradingand
RepairingPCsagreathelpinbothdevelopingtechnical
expertiseandinseeingthepotentialtoreachalargeraudience
bysharingthatexpertiseinprint.


Inlate1998,MarkcontactedScottMueller,deanofcomputer
hardwareauthors,andbeganalongassociationthathas
crossedovertomultipletitlesintheUpgradingandRepairing

series.MarkhasassistedScottwithUpgradingandRepairing
PCssincethe11theditionandhascontributedtoUpgrading
andRepairingNetworks,2ndeditionandUpgradingand
RepairingLaptops.MarkhascoauthoredUpgradingand
RepairingServers;UpgradingandRepairingNetworks,5th
edition;UpgradingandRepairingPCs:Technician'sPortable
Reference(1stand2ndeditions);UpgradingandRepairingPCs:
FieldGuide(thelatestversionoftheTechnician'sPortable
Reference);andUpgradingandRepairingPCs:A+Certification
StudyGuide,2ndedition.MarkalsoassistsScottwith
www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com,theofficialwebsiteforthe
bookseries.
MarkhasalsoauthoredtheCompleteIdiot'sGuidetoHighSpeedInternetConnections,theAbsoluteBeginner'sGuideto
CableInternetConnections,TechTV'sUpgradingYourPC(1st
and2ndeditions,withPatrickNorton),PCHelpDeskinaBook,
AbsoluteBeginner'sGuidetoA+Certification,EasyDigital
Cameras,theAbsoluteBeginner'sGuidetoHomeNetworking,
theAbsoluteBeginner'sGuidetoHomeAutomation,andLeo
Laporte'sPCHelpDesk.
MarkhasbeenacontributortoseveralbooksinQue'sUsing
Windowsseries,includingSpecialEditionUsingWindows
Millennium,SpecialEditionUsingWindowsXPHome,Special
EditionUsingWindowsXPProfessional,andWindowsXP
PlatinumEdition.
WillSchmiedisanActiveDirectoryarchitectandbusiness
applicationsanalystataFortune100shippingcompany.Asa
freelancewriter,Willhasworkedwithmanypublishers,
includingPearsonandMicrosoft.Willhasalsoworkeddirectly
withMicrosoftintheMCSEexam-developmentprocessandis
thefounderofthepopularMCSEcertificationportal

www.mcseworld.com.


WillcurrentlyresidesinthesouthernUnitedStateswithhis
wife,Chris;theirchildren,Christopher,Austin,Andrea,and
Hannah;theirdog,Charlie;andtheircats,Smokey,Evin,and
Socks.Whenhe'snotbusyworking,youcanfindWillenjoying
timewithhisfamilyorcheeringonhisfavoriteicehockeyteam.
MarkReddin(MCSE,A+)hasbeentheprimarytechnical
editoronUpgradingandRepairingPCsforthreeeditions.Asis
thecasewithmanytechnologyprofessionals,whatbeganasa
hobbyforhimbecamethefoundationforacareer.Hestarted
tinkeringwithcomputersduringthetimeoftheearly
CommodoreandAtarisystems(withallthosewonderful
games).ExposuretothebuddingITworldwhileattendingBall
StateUniversityledhimtoaseriousexplorationofcomputer
andnetworktechnologies.Sincethattime,hehasbeen
involvedintheindustryinmanycapacities,rangingfroma
systemsupportandrepairspecialisttoowningandoperatingan
independentresellercorporation.Markhasalsobeeninvolved
withnumerousQuepublicationsoverthelastseveralyears,
providingdevelopmentandtechnicalverification.Hecurrently
developsExamCramtitlesforPearsonEducation.


Acknowledgments
Thenew17theditioncontinuesthelongtraditionofmakingthis
themostaccurate,in-depth,andup-to-datebookofitskindon
themarket.Thisneweditionistheproductofagreatdealof
additionalresearchanddevelopmentoverthepreviouseditions.

Severalpeoplehavehelpedmewithboththeresearchand
productionofthisbook.Iwouldliketothankthefollowing
people:
First,averyspecialthankstomywifeandpartner,Lynn.Over
thelastfewyears,shehasreturnedtoschoolfull-time,in
additiontohelpingrunourbusiness.Shegraduatedwithfull
honors,receivingadegreeinmultimediaandwebdesign.She
usedhercreativeandtechnicalskillstoshootandproducethe
videothatisincludedwiththisbook.I'mextremelyproudofher
forallI'veseenheraccomplishinthelastfewyears.The
dedicationshehasshowntoherworkhasbeeninspiring.
ThankstoLisaCarlsonofMuellerTechnicalResearchforhelping
withproductresearchandofficemanagement.Shehas
fantasticorganizationalskillsthathavebeenatremendoushelp
inmanagingalltheinformationthatcomesintoandgoesoutof
thisoffice.
ImustgiveaspecialthankstoRickKughenatQue.Through
theyearsRickisthenumberonepersonresponsiblefor
championingthisbookandtheUpgradingandRepairingseries.
HisofficeislikeashrinetoUpgradingandRepairingPCs,
sportingacomplete(andveryrare)collectionofeverysingle
editionofthisbook.
Thanksalsogotomynewesteditor,ToddGreen.ThisisTodd's
secondtripthroughthisseriesandhehasbeeninstrumentalin
addingUpgradingandRepairingWindowstothisseriesaswell
aspushingforwardneweditionsofUpgradingandRepairing


LaptopsandUpgradingandRepairingNetworks.Toddhas
playedanimportantpartinhelpingtomovethisbookthrough

tocompletion.
I'dalsoliketothankToddBrakkeforonceagaindoingthe
developmenteditingforthisedition.Hisexcellenttipsand
suggestionsreallyhelptokeepthematerialconciseandup-todate.Theworkthathe,projecteditorTonyaSimpson,and
productioneditorMeganWadedoinshepherdingmy
manuscriptsthroughaverytightpublishingschedulecannotbe
overlooked.I'dalsoliketothanktheothereditors,illustrators,
designers,andtechniciansatQuewhoworksohardto
completethefinishedproductandgetthisbookoutthedoor!
Theyareawonderfulteamthatproducesclearlythebest
computerbooksonthemarket.Iamhappyandproudtobe
closelyassociatedwithallthepeopleatQue.
IwouldalsoliketosaythankstomypublisherGregWiegand,
whohasstoodbehindalltheUpgradingandRepairingbookand
videoprojectsandiswillingtotaketherisksindevelopingnew
versionslikeUpgradingandRepairingWindowsandUpgrading
andRepairingServers.
AllthepeopleatQuemakemefeelasifweareonthesame
team,andtheyarejustasdedicatedasIamtoproducingthe
bestbookspossible.
IwouldalsoliketosaythankstoMarkSoper,whohasadded
considerableexpertiseinareasthatImighttendtoneglect.
AndthankstoMarkReddin,whohasbecometheprimary
technicaleditorforthisbookandwhonotonlyisextremely
diligentinverifyingdetails,butalsomakesnumerous
suggestionsaboutadditionalcoverage,allofwhicharegreatly
appreciated.Hisinputhasbeenextremelyimportantinhelping
metoensurethehighestleveloftechnicalaccuracyanddepth
ofcoverage.
Thanksalsotoalltheotherreaderswhoemailedmewith

suggestionsconcerningthisbook;Iwelcomeallyour
comments,andevenyourcriticisms.Itakethemseriouslyand
applythemtothecontinuousimprovementofthisbook.I
especiallyenjoyansweringthemanyquestionsyousendme;
yourquestionshelpmeunderstandareasofthebookthat
mightneedtobeclarifiedandpointoutadditionalcoveragethat
shouldbeadded.Interactionwithmyreadersistheprimary
forcethathelpsmaintainthisbookasthemostup-to-dateand
relevantworkavailableanywhereonthesubjectofPC
hardware.
Finally,Iwouldliketothankthethousandsofpeoplewhohave
attendedmyseminars;youmightnotrealizehowmuchIlearn
fromeachofyouandallyourquestions!
Manyofmyall-nightwritingravesarefueledbyavarietyof
possiblyless-than-nutritious(butverytastyandloadedwith
energy)foodandbeverage.Inparticular,thisbookcontinuesto
befueledbymanypoundsofStarbuckscoffeeprocessedviaa
killerCapressoautomaticcoffee/espressomachine(utter
nirvanaforanaddictedcoffeedrinkerlikeme),casesofCoke
Classic(noPepsiallowedgottahavetheburn!),RedBulland
AMPenergydrinks,TrolliBriteCrawlerEggs,andPearson's
SaltedNutRolls.ForspecialoccasionswhenIreallyneededa
boost,IenjoyedacoupleofbottlesofSkeleteensBrainWash,
theultimateenergydrink.Thereyouhaveit,thethreemajor
workaholicnerd/geekfoodgroups:caffeine,sugar,andsalt!

WeWanttoHearfromYou!
Asthereaderofthisbook,youareourmostimportantcritic

andcommentator.Wevalueyouropinionandwanttoknow
whatwe'redoingright,whatwecoulddobetter,whatareas
you'dliketoseeuspublishin,andanyotherwordsofwisdom
you'rewillingtopassourway.
AsanassociatepublisherforQuePublishing,Iwelcomeyour


comments.Youcanemailorwritemedirectlytoletmeknow
whatyoudidordidn'tlikeaboutthisbookaswellaswhatwe
candotomakeourbooksbetter.
PleasenotethatIcannothelpyouwithtechnicalproblems
relatedtothetopicofthisbook.WedohaveaUserServices
group,however,whereIwillforwardspecifictechnical
questionsrelatedtothebook.
Whenyouwrite,pleasebesuretoincludethisbook'stitleand
authoraswellasyourname,emailaddress,andphonenumber.
Iwillcarefullyreviewyourcommentsandsharethemwiththe
authorandeditorswhoworkedonthebook.
Email:
Mail:

GregWiegand
AssociatePublisher
QuePublishing
800East96thStreet
Indianapolis,IN46240USA

ReaderServices
Visitourwebsiteandregisterthisbookat
www.quepublishing.com/registerforconvenientaccesstoany

updates,downloads,orerratathatmightbeavailableforthis
book.


Introduction
WelcometoUpgradingandRepairingPCs,17thEdition.Since
debutingasthefirstbookofitskindonthemarketin1988,no
otherbookonPChardwarehasmatchedthedepthandquality
oftheinformationfoundinthistome.The17thedition
continuesUpgradingandRepairingPCs'roleasnotonlythe
best-sellingbookofitstype,butalsothemostcomprehensive
andcompletePChardwarereferenceavailable.Thisbook
examinesPCsindepth,outlinesthedifferencesamongthem,
andpresentsoptionsforconfiguringeachsystem.
Morethanjustaminorrevision,the17theditionofUpgrading
andRepairingPCscontainshundredsofpagesofnew,revised,
andreworkedcontent.ThePCindustryismovingfasterthan
ever,andthisbookisthemostaccurate,complete,in-depth,
andup-to-datebookofitskindonthemarkettoday.
Iwrotethisbookforpeoplewhowanttoknoweverythingabout
theirPCs.Howtheygotstarted;howthey'veevolved;howto
upgrade,troubleshoot,andrepairthem;andeverythingin
between.ThisbookisforallthoseprofessionalsandPC
enthusiastswhowanttoknoweverythingaboutPChardware.
ThisbookcoversthefullgamutofPC-compatiblesystemsfrom
theoldest8-bitmachinestothelatestinhigh-end64-bit
multigigahertzspeedPC-basedworkstations.Ifyouneedto
knowabouteverythingfromtheoriginalPCtothelatestinPC
technologyonthemarkettoday,thisbookandthe
accompanyinginformation-packeddiscisdefinitelyforyou.

Thisbookcoversstate-of-the-arthardwareandaccessoriesthat
makethemostmodernpersonalcomputerseasier,faster,and
moreproductivetouse.InsidethesepagesyouwillfindindepthcoverageofeveryPCprocessorfromtheoriginal8088to
thelatestPentiumDandAthlon64.


UpgradingandRepairingPCsalsodoesn'tignoretheless
glamorousPCcomponents.EverypartofyourPCplaysacritical
roleinitsstabilityandperformance.Overthecourseofthis
book's1,600+pages,you'llfindoutexactlywhyyour
motherboard'schipsetmightjustbethemostimportantpartof
yourPCandwhatcangowrongwhenyousettleforarun-ofthe-millpowersupplythatcan'tgetenoughjuicetothat
monsterprocessoryoujustbought.You'llalsofindin-depth
coverageoftechnologiessuchasnewprocessors,graphics,
audiocards,PCIExpress,DVD+/-RWdrives,SerialATA,USB
2.0,andmoreit'sallinhere,rightdowntotheguts-level
analysisofyourmouseandkeyboard.

Newinthe17thEdition
Manyofyouwhoarereadingthishavepurchasedoneormore
ofthepreviouseditions.Basedonyourletters,emails,and
othercorrespondence,Iknowthat,asmuchasyouvalueeach
newedition,youwanttoknowwhatnewinformationI'm
bringingyou.So,hereisashortlistofthemajorimprovements
tothisedition:
Acompletelyupdatedlookatthenewestprocessorfamilies
fromIntelandAMDaswellasthechipsetsand
motherboardsthatsupportthem.Dual-coreprocessorsare
thelatestrage,andtheirimpactonourcollective
computingexperiencesisnottobeunderestimated.

Adetailedlookathowchipsetsandmotherboardsare
evolving,especiallywithregardtoPCIExpress.Wealso
examinehowthetypeofbusinterconnecttechnologies
implementedforachipsetandCPUaffectyourentire
system'sperformance.
Thelandscapeofthegraphicscardmarketcontinuesto


evolveasquicklyasanyinthePCindustry.Inthisedition,
thelatestGPUandgraphicschipsetsareprofiled,withan
especiallywatchfuleyeonthelatestdevelopmentsinusing
twographicscardstodoubleyoursystem'svideo
performanceusingtechnologieslikeNVIDIA'sSLIandATI's
Crossfire.
Withallthepowertoday'sPChardwarecraves,the
venerablePCpowersupplyofyesterdayisnolongerupto
thetaskofkeepingeverypower-hungrycomponentwell
fed.Giventhat,thepowersupplychapterhasbeen
extensivelyrevisedtoincludeeverythingyoucouldpossibly
wanttoknowaboutthelatestsupplementarypower
connectors.
Asalways,wehavenew,high-qualitytechnicalillustrations.
Everyyearweadd,modify,andgenerallyimproveonthe
hundredsoffiguresinthisbook.Thesenewandrevised
illustrationsprovidemoretechnicaldetail,helpingyou
understanddifficulttopicsorshowingyouexactlyhowto
completeatask.
Justlikelastyear,you'llfindaDVD-ROMplasteredtothe
insidebackcoverofthisbook.Onityou'llfindalltheusual
standbys,suchastheTechnicalReferenceandcomplete

electronicversionsofprioreditions.Ratherthanrecyclethe
samevideoclipsfromeditiontoeditionasmanyofmy
competitorsdo,I'veonceagainincludednewvideoclipsfor
thisedition.Forthisedition,therearemorethantwohours
ofvideooneverythingfromexaminingthelatestCPUsand
motherboardstobuildingamodernsystemandsettingupa
securehomenetwork.
Aswitheveryedition,I'vedoneasmuchresearchand
homeworkashumanlypossibletoensurethatthisvolumeis
themostconsistentandup-do-datetextonPChardwareyou're


goingtofindinabook.

BookObjectives
UpgradingandRepairingPCsfocusesonseveralobjectives.The
primaryobjectiveistohelpyoulearnhowtomaintain,
upgrade,andrepairyourPCsystem.Tothatend,Upgrading
andRepairingPCshelpsyoufullyunderstandthefamilyof
computersthathasgrownfromtheoriginalIBMPC,including
allPC-compatiblesystems.Thisbookdiscussesallareasof
systemimprovement,suchasmotherboards,processors,
memory,andevencaseandpower-supplyimprovements.The
bookdiscussespropersystemandcomponentcare,specifies
themostfailure-proneitemsinvariousPCsystems,andtells
youhowtolocateandidentifyafailingcomponent.You'lllearn
aboutpowerfuldiagnosticshardwareandsoftwarethatenablea
systemtohelpyoudeterminethecauseofaproblemandhow
torepairit.
PCsaremovingforwardrapidlyinpowerandcapabilities.

Processorperformanceincreaseswitheverynewchipdesign.
UpgradingandRepairingPCshelpsyougainanunderstanding
ofalltheprocessorsusedinPC-compatiblecomputersystems.
Thisbookcoverstheimportantdifferencesbetweenmajor
systemarchitecturesfromtheoriginalIndustryStandard
Architecture(ISA)tothelatestinAGPandPCIExpress
interfacestandards.UpgradingandRepairingPCscoverseach
ofthesesystemarchitecturesandtheiradapterboardstohelp
youmakedecisionsaboutwhichtypeofsystemyouwantto
buyinthefutureandtohelpyouupgradeandtroubleshoot
suchsystems.
TheamountofstoragespaceavailabletomodernPCsis
increasinggeometrically.UpgradingandRepairingPCscovers
storageoptionsrangingfromlarger,fasterharddrivestostateof-the-artstoragedevices.


Whenyoufinishreadingthisbook,youshouldhavethe
knowledgetoupgrade,troubleshoot,andrepairalmostany
systemandcomponent.

IsThisBookforYou?
IfyouwanttoknowmoreaboutPCs,thenthisbookismost
definitelyforyou!UpgradingandRepairingPCsisdesignedfor
peoplewhowantathoroughunderstandingofPChardwareand
howtheirPCsystemswork.Eachsectionfullyexplainscommon
andnot-so-commonproblems,whatcausesproblems,andhow
tohandleproblemswhentheyarise.Youwillgain,forexample,
anunderstandingofdiskconfigurationandinterfacingthatcan
improveyourdiagnosticsandtroubleshootingskills.You'll
developafeelforwhatgoesoninasystemsoyoucanrelyon

yourownjudgmentandobservationsandnotsometableof
cannedtroubleshootingsteps.
UpgradingandRepairingPCsiswrittenforpeoplewhowill
select,install,configure,maintain,andrepairsystemstheyor
theircompaniesuse.Toaccomplishthesetasks,youneeda
levelofknowledgemuchhigherthanthatofanaveragesystem
user.Youmustknowexactlywhichtooltouseforataskand
howtousethetoolcorrectly.Thisbookcanhelpyouachieve
thislevelofknowledge.
ScotthastaughtmillionsofpeopletoupgradeandbuildPCs.
Someofhisstudentsarecomputerexperts,andsomeare
computernovices.Buttheyallhaveonethingincommon:They
believeScott'sbookchangedtheirlives.Scottcanteach
anyone.

Chapter-by-ChapterBreakdown
Thisbookisorganizedintochaptersthatcoverthecomponents
ofaPCsystem.Afewchaptersservetointroduceorexpandin