Building a PC in easy steps, 2nd edition
By Stuart Yarnold
£10.99
Publication: November 10, 2006
Pages: 192
ISBN: 978-1-84078-326-1
About the book
Need a new PC but can't find what you want in the stores? Do you want to build a PC yourself but are unsure how to do it?
What you need then is a copy of Building a PC in easy steps. Written in concise and easy-to-understand language, this excellent book literally takes you by the hand and walks you through all the stages of building and setting up a computer.
First, you discover the best places to buy the parts and how to avoid sales scams. Then we discuss each component (CPU, memory, video, etc) and show you:
You will then learn how to setup the PC for optimum performance by altering default settings in the BIOS, and installing and configuring device drivers. Furthermore, we show you how to install Windows (XP and Vista). Finally, there is a troubleshooting chapter to refer to in the event of problems.
By the time you've finished, you will have a computer that's tailored to your exact requirements with no superfluous features or functions.
About the author
Stuart Yarnold is an electronics engineer who has been working in the industry since leaving college. Originally a marine radio & radar troubleshooter, he now devotes much of his time to playing poker professionally and can usually be found lurking in one of the online poker rooms.
Stuart lives near Cambridge with his wife Pauline and his two staffordshire bull terriers - Jim and George. His hobbies include woodworking and marathon running.
Contents
- Before You Start
- Introduction
- Store-Bought versus Self-Build
- What Do You Want it to Do?
- OEM versus Retail
- Where to Buy Your Parts
- Parts You Will Need
- Tools You Will Need
- Central Processing Units
- CPU Manufacturers
- Performance Ratings
- What CPU To Buy?
- Specifications
- Technologies
- Installing a CPU
- Fitting a Heatsink and Fan
- Memory
- Overview
- Types of Memory
- Error-Checking Memory
- Buying Memory
- Handling Memory Modules
- Installing Memory
- Motherboards
- Overview
- Buying a Motherboard
- Types of Motherboard
- Installing a Motherboard
- System Cases
- Types of Case
- Important Case Features
- Aesthetics
- Case Modding
- Power Supply Units (PSU)
- Overview
- Specifications
- External AC Power Supply
- Installing a PSU
- Case Connections
- Video Systems
- Video Systems
- Integrated Video
- Video Cards
- 2D versus 3D
- The Video Card Market
- Video Card Specifications
- More Factors to Consider
- Installing a Video Card
- Monitors
- Overview
- CRT or LCD?
- Image Quality
- WideScreen LCD Monitors
- Installing a Monitor
- Testing the Basic System
- Why Do This Now?
- Check the Monitor
- Check the Connections
- Does it Work?
- The PC Doesn't Boot-Up
- Beep Codes
- Hard Drives
- Overview
- Interfaces
- Internal or External?
- Specifications
- Storage Capacity
- Aesthetics
- ATA Drive Configuration
- Installing an ATA Drive
- Installing a Second ATA Drive
- Installing a SATA Drive
- Installing a SATA Driver
- RAID Configurations
- Input Devices
- Mouse Technology
- Mouse Specifications
- Types of Mice
- Mouse Features
- Keyboard Technology
- Types of Keyboard
- Keyboard Specifications
- Keyboard Features
- Sound Systems
- Overview
- Integrated Sound Systems
- Sound Cards
- Installing a Sound Card
- Removable Media Drives
- What's Available?
- Floppy Drives
- CD-ROM Drives
- CD Writers
- DVD Drives
- DVD Formats
- CD/DVD Drive Specifications
- Beyond DVD
- Zip/Rev Drives
- Installing a Floppy Drive
- Installing a CD/DVD Drive
- Setting Up the System
- Navigating the BIOS
- Setting the Boot Device
- Setting Up the Hard Drive
- Enabling USB
- Disabling Integrated Sound
- Setting Up a Video Card
- Installing System Drivers
- Peripherals
- Printers
- Installing a Printer
- Multi-Function Devices
- Dial-Up Modems
- Installing a Dial-Up Modem
- Broadband Modems
- Installing a Broadband Modem
- Scanners
- Speakers
- Speaker Installation
- Troubleshooting
- Hard Drives
- Removable Media Drives
- Video
- Sound
- Dial-Up Modems
