The Complete Idiot's Guide to Upgrading and Repairing PCs

by Jennifer Fulton

A guide to upgrading and repairing PCs. It covers a range of upgrades: from the simple (printers, monitors and mice) to the more complicated (CPUs, hard disks and motherboards). There are step-by-step instructions on how best to replace or fix PC components.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0028642392
• ISBN13: 9780028642390
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam
• Length: 504 Pages
• Weight: 1.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Impressive grasp of what an average tinkerer needs to know!

My review relates to the fifth edition of this book. I am the sort of person who likes to work on old stuff and make it new, or newer, again. In that spirit, I thought that I could gain the knowledge I needed to upgrade my computer by merely visiting a few websites. No need to get a formal education in computers, I thought. Wow, was I wrong. My old proprietary system turned out to be a real pain to upgrade. Lots of obsure knowledge needed. And very few manufacturers wish for you to know very much about their old stuff, it seems, lest you be content to not buy their new stuff. I had already begun to buy some used, but newer, stuff for my ancient computer when sheer aggravation caused me to buy some books about the subject. I bought three books covering computers and parts which were current in 2001-2002, since that is when most of my parts were current. One book was too simplistic; covering the sort of thing that you can learn by yourself pretty easily. The next was Scott Mueller's 14th edition, which is an awesome work, but it is written for those who want a career in computers (meaning those who need to know all the dreary details). Then I picked up this book by Jennifer Fulton. Ah, this porridge is just right! I used this book and my box of parts to build a new (newer) computer devoid of proprietary controls and restrictions. The most important thing I gained is a knowledge of how to control my computing destiny. Being able to fix things that go wrong now? No dollars. Not being intimidated by proprietary warranty violations? No dollars. Not having to deal with product support in order to get my computer running again? (Let me be specific: Not waiting on the phone for an hour just to obtain the right to teach English to a foreign national in order to communicate with product support so I can get my computer running again?) PRICELESS! Believe me, you cannot place a price on that! If that sounds good to you, then this is the book for you.

easy to understand

The book is very easy to understand in every day language. A very good reference book. And the fast service makes this the place to do business!

The easiest book I've ever read on computers.

Ms. Fulton writes a superb book for newbies and techies alike. Newbies will appreciate the easy to understand language; and the techies will appreciate the thoroughness. With a Jan 2000 release date, the technology within is as current as of about late summer 1999. I appreciated that she gave each component it's own chapter. There is an excellent section on home networking as well. The book is mostly on Pentium class computers but she does give an honorable mention to the x86's. Overall, this is the finest computer book I've ever read.. almost riveting! Buy this book!