Upgrading and Fixing a PC in easy steps

Is your PC showing its age? Struggles with the Internet? Does it have the speed of a three legged tortoise? If so, you may be thinking of buying a new one. Before you do though, consider the possibility of upgrading what you've already got. Computers aren't cheap and it makes no sense to replace everything when changing one part is all that's required.

It is a fact that most computer upgrades are relatively simple to do and require little more than a screwdriver and a bit of common sense. This book tells you when a part needs to be upgraded and how to do it. Its simple illustrated instructions also teach you how to identify, locate and install the relevant parts to make your computer faster, more versatile and more powerful. You will even find a handy money-saving tutorial on your various buying options, plus how to troubleshoot if, horror of horrors, your upgrade goes wrong.

All-in-all, Upgrading and Fixing a PC in easy steps is a must-have for computer owners wishing to keep their PCs at the cutting-edge.

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.

1. Before You Start
   • Introduction
   • Is an Upgrade Necessary?
   • Buying Options
   • Retail
   • OEM
   • Sourcing Your Parts
   • Retail Outlets
   • Mail-Order
   • The Internet
   • Precautions
2. Discovering Your PC
   • Inside the Computer
   • Outside the Computer
   • The Motherboard
   • Motherboard Sockets
   • CPU and Memory
   • Expansion Cards
   • Drive Units
   • System Details
3. A Faster PC
   • Is a CPU Upgrade Necessary?
   • The CPU Market
   • CPU Performance Ratings
   • What CPU Do You Need?
   • CPU Specifications
   • CPU Technologies
   • Installing a CPU
   • Installing a Heatsink/Fan Assembly
   • When is a Memory Upgrade Necessary?
   • Types of Memory
   • Error Checking Modules
   • Buying Memory
   • How to Install Memory
4. A More Versatile PC
   • Is an Upgrade Necessary?
   • Buying a Motherboard
   • Compatibility Issues
   • Form Factors
   • Integrated Hardware
   • Technology
   • Types of Motherboard
   • Dual-Processor Motherboards
   • Dual-Channel Motherboards
   • 64-Bit Motherboards
   • Installing a Motherboard
   • Configuring the BIOS
   • Upgrading the BIOS
   • Upgrading System Buses
5. Store More On Your PC
   • Hard Drives
   • Does it Need Upgrading?
   • Internal Hard Drives
   • External Hard Drives
   • Hard Drive Capacity Limitations
   • Hard Drive Specifications
   • Configuring an ATA Hard Drive
   • Installing an ATA Hard Drive
   • Installing a Second ATA Hard Drive
   • Installing a SATA Hard Drive
   • RAID Configurations
   • Partitioning and Formatting
6. Removable Media Options
   • Floppy Drives - Are They Worth It?
   • Installing a Floppy Drive
   • CD-ROM Drives
   • CD Writers
   • DVD Writers
   • Blu-Ray/HD-DVD Drives
   • Buying a CD/DVD Drive
   • Installing a CD/DVD Drive
   • Other Types of Drive
   • Rev Drives
   • Tape Drives
7. See and Hear More With Your PC
   • Computer Video Systems
   • The Video Card Market
   • Video Card Specifications
   • Other Factors to Consider
   • Installing a Video Card
   • Video Capture Devices
   • PC Entertainment Centers
   • Computer Sound Systems
   • Sound Cards
   • Installing a Sound Card
   • Speaker Systems
   • Speaker Installation
8. Create a Reliable PC
   • What Makes a PC Unreliable?
   • The PC's Power Supply
   • Power Supply Unit (PSU)
   • Power Rating
   • Protection Circuitry
   • Cooling
   • External Power Supply
   • Heat
   • Installing a Power Supply Unit
   • Software
   • Hardware Drivers
   • Malware
9. Improve Your Input Options
   • The Mouse
   • Keyboards
   • Game Controllers
   • Gaming Keyboards
   • Scanners
   • Web Cameras
   • Microphones
10. Data Output Options
    • Monitors - CRT v LCD
    • Which LCD Do I Need?
    • Monitor Specifications
    • Installing a Monitor
    • Printers
    • Inkjet Printers
    • Photo Printers
    • Laser Printers
    • Multi-Function Devices (MFDs)
    • Installing a Printer
11. Better Network Connections
    • Dial-Up Connections
    • Installing a Dial-Up Modem
    • Broadband Connections
    • Installing a Broadband Modem
    • Home Networking
    • Building a Home Network
    • Cable Networks
    • Wireless Networks
12. Fixing Your PC
    • Initial Steps
    • Troubleshooting Tools
    • Make a Windows XP Boot Disk
    • The Power Supply
    • System Hardware
    • Hard Drive
    • Video
    • Sound
    • Modems
    • Monitors
    • Inkjet Printers
    • Scanners
    • CD/DVD Drives
    • Windows