The indispensable PC hardware book

This fully revised and popular book is now up-to-date and even more comprehensive than before. The Indispensable PC Hardware Book 4/e will be 'indispensable' to anyone who wants to know more about the inner workings of a personal computer: from programmers who want access to hardware components; professionals and home-users who wants to or has to understand the structure and functioning of a personal computer; to users who want to up-grade their PC's, and dealers who wish to advise their customers--this book will provide the solution to all your hardware questions. Even beginners should not shy away as this book begins with an easy introduction to the subject area.

Key highlights:

• CPU's from the 8086/8088 to the Pentium III and Athlon
• Real, protected and virtual models
• Windows and plug&play devices
• CPU Clones from all major manufacturers
• Chipsets and support chips
• Timers, interrupts and DMA
• I/O programming and PCI bus programming
• AGP variants and graphic systems
• Universal serial bus
• Local storage from the diskette to DVD
• Memory systems, SDRAM, EDO, flas, RAM bus, and modules
• Extensive glossary which explains most of the terms and concepts related to personal computer hardware.
• Appendices brimming with practical advice, especially for programmers.

A self-contained reference packed with information about the various components of a PC. It provides programmers and design engineers with a detailed explanation of how all the different elements of a PC work individually and how they influence one another. Includes advice on everything from the basics into the internals of the machine.