This single, albeit heavy, volume contains a profound level of detail. With over 1,340 pages in 41 chapters, 200 pages of finely printed appendices and indices, more than 700 tables and illustrations, a CD-ROM with useful utilities in both the front and back cover of the book, and a fabulous list of almost every vendor of every imaginable PC component, this guide to upgrading holds its own in a crowded field of fine books on the subject.

This volume serves as a desktop reference for everything--including storage and memory upgrades, multimedia enhancements, the special requirements of the roadworthy laptop and notebook, printing, networking, modems, and other peripherals. The book's tabular data is very helpful and, in many cases, the photographic evidence helps with the practical implementation of a particular upgrade. In general, PC Upgrade and Repair Bible contains more data than step-by-step illustrations, which may make the actual machine upgrading process difficult for the reader who needs a lot of handholding. On the other hand, this volume is more comprehensive than some of its more graphical competitors. The reader who called this book "the Swiss army knife of computer books" was dead-on accurate.


From Book News, Inc.
This guide explains the function of each hardware component inside a personal computer, offers guidance on whether to upgrade a processor or storage device, and overviews the various multimedia programs and peripherals that are available on the market. The desktop edition eliminates the topics, product photos, and specifications useful only to large companies.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
* Updated and revised with eighty percent new material, this book is 100 percent of what readers need to upgrade, fix, or troubleshoot PCs
* Sixty-five percent of U.S. households own a PC; this book caters to the do-it-yourselfers in these households, both novices and tech hobbyists alike, who are looking for an approachable reference
* A one-stop reference for topics such as video, CD, and DVD; multimedia; storage; communications (network and Internet); peripherals; and integrating with laptops and handhelds
* Concludes with a step-by-step tutorial on building an "extreme" machine that can handle the most demanding multimedia or gaming applications
* Written by Marcia and Barry Press, authors of PC Toys (076454229X)


Book Info
Provides complete coverage of PC upgrade and repair. Discusses how to build a computer from the ground up, component by component, evaluate an existing computer for an upgrade, create a plan for integrating PCs into a LAN, WAN, and the Internet, and tune your computer for peak performance. CD-ROM included. DLC: Microcomputers--Upgrading.


From the Back Cover
If PC experts can do it, you can do it too... Today’s PCs with the new generation of Windows® are terrific tools. But like all tools, they require maintenance and sometimes need fixing. This convenient reference makes it easy to keep your PC in top condition. It covers everything from choosing a computer and monitor to upgrading hardware, adding peripherals, networking the PCs in your home, preventing and diagnosing problems, and even boosting PC performance. Inside, you’ll find what you need to know about repairing and upgrading your PC Decide whether it’s practical to upgrade existing equipment Find out what you need to bring an underpowered machine up to speed Reconfigure your PC to achieve specific results Choose the right machine when replacing an old PC Custom-build a system that precisely meets your needs Install upgrades in an existing computer and fine-tune your system Integrate your PCs into a local area network and the Internet Beef up performance and take your PC to the next level What’s a Desktop Bible? Wiley Desktop Edition Bibles are power-packed, streamlined versions of the standard Bibles. They include everything you need to know for practical application and are concisely written and conveniently designed for day-to-day use.


About the Author
Barry Press has designed leading-edge computer hardware, software, and networks for over 30 years, including a unique cable television modem, campuswide ATM networks, a desktop computer capable of analyzing adverse drug interactions, and an artificial intelligence planning system. He has programmed Windows since Version 1.0 and has taught as an adjunct professor of computer science at the University of Southern California.

Marcia Press worked in public accounting as a tax CPA for what was then one of the Big Eight, moving later to her own practice. She handles the administrative part of the work for the Presses’ computer books — the tracking, calls, follow-ups, and research — and does the sanity checks on their initial drafts. She’s a fan of good wine, gardening, reading, and shopping, and is a serious gourmet cook.
The Presses are the authors of PC Upgrade and Repair Bible; Networking by Example; Teach Yourself PCs; and PC Toys: 14 Cool Projects for Home, Office, and Entertainment and coauthors of Building the Power-Efficient PC: A Developer’s Guide to ACPI Power Management.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Today's PCs with the new generation of Windows are terrific tools. But like all tools, they require maintenance and sometimes need fixing. This convenient reference makes it easy to keep your PC in top condition. It covers everything from choosing a computer and monitor to upgrading hardware, adding peripherals, networking the PCs in your home, preventing and diagnosing problems, and even boosting PC performance.

SYNOPSIS

If PC experts can do it, you can do it too...

Today’s PCs with the new generation of Windows® are terrific tools. But like all tools, they require maintenance and sometimes need fixing. This convenient reference makes it easy to keep your PC in top condition. It covers everything from choosing a computer and monitor to upgrading hardware, adding peripherals, networking the PCs in your home, preventing and diagnosing problems, and even boosting PC performance.

Inside, you’ll find what you need to know about repairing and upgrading your PC Decide whether it’s practical to upgrade existing equipment Find out what you need to bring an underpowered machine up to speed Reconfigure your PC to achieve specific results Choose the right machine when replacing an old PC Custom-build a system that precisely meets your needs Install upgrades in an existing computer and fine-tune your system Integrate your PCs into a local area network and the Internet Beef up performance and take your PC to the next level

What’s a Desktop Bible?