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Overview
PC Hardware in a Nutshell is the practical guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs. A longtime favorite among PC users, the third edition of the book now contains useful information for people running either Windows or Linux operating systems. Written for novices and seasoned professionals alike, the book is packed with useful and unbiased information, including how-to advice for specific components, ample reference material, and a comprehensive case study on building a PC.
In addition to coverage of the fundamentals and general tips about working on PCs, the book includes chapters focusing on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, and maintenance. Special emphasis is given to upgrading and troubleshooting existing equipment so you can get the most from your existing investments.
This new edition is expanded to include:
- Detailed information about the latest motherboards and chipsets from AMD, Intel, SiS, and VIA
- Extensive coverage of the Pentium 4 and the latest AMD processors, including the Athlon XP/MP
- Full details about new hard drive standards, including the latest SCSI standards, ATA/133, Serial ATA, and the new 48-bit "Big Drive" ATA interface
- Extended coverage of DVD drives, including DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, and DVD+R/RW
- Details about Flat Panel Displays, including how to choose one (and why you might not want to)
- New chapters on serial communications, parallel communications, and USB communications (including USB 2.0)
- Enhanced troubleshooting coverage
Synopsis
Fully updated and expanded, this is a comprehensive guide to buying, building, upgrading, troubleshooting and repairing Intel-based PCs. The wide range of topics should appeal to a broad audience.
Booknews
The authors combine years of experience working with PCs to create this guide to buying, building, upgrading, and repairing Intel-based PCs. An overview of the fundamentals of PC hardware and standards, basic procedures, and general tips about working on PCs is followed by chapters on motherboards, processors, memory, floppies, hard drives, optical drives, tape devices, video devices, input devices, audio components, communications, power supplies, maintenance, and a complete case study in building a PC from components. The text is supported by the authors' website. Accessible to both beginners and experienced professionals. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewO’Reilly’s straight-shootin’, no-holds-barred, quality-focused PC hardware book is back, in a Second Edition that’s even more indispensable than the first.
The “Hardware Guys” -- Barbara Fritchman Thompson and Robert Bruce Thompson -- have updated PC Hardware in a Nutshell to reflect pretty much everything that’s come down the pike in the two years following the first edition, including Athlon XP/MP microprocessors, USB 2.0, and the “Big Drive” initiative for ATA drives larger than 137 gigs.
Want someone to make sense of all the DVD writable/rewritable standards and give you some decent advice about buying one? Look here. Want honest and specific advice about the latest motherboards and chipsets from both sides of the Pacific? Look here. Want troubleshooting help? There’s even more of it than in the first edition.
Want to put together your own PC? The Thompsons walk you through it in extraordinary detail (how to make sure your system’s multiple fans are working together, not at cross-purposes; why you should only use three screws instead of four if you’re mounting a drive in a cheap case; which add-on cards generate the most heat and should be given the most breathing room).
In the first edition, the authors ended most chapters with an “Our Picks” section offering specific hardware recommendations. But hardware changes so fast that they’ve revamped these sections to be a bit more general and moved the specific advice to the book’s companion web site. Don’t worry: The book’s as opinionated as ever, and when the Thompsons don’t like something (Sound Blaster Live! PCI cards, generic memory), believe us, they say so. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.