Upgrading and Fixing PCs for Dummies

by Andy Rathbone and Rathbone

Book Overview

Ready to repair or upgrade your PC -- the quick and easy way? Want to make your computer hum, but don't want to shell out bucks to a technician? Use this guide to give your system a makeover or successfully complete repairs. From prepping your PC for high-speed Internet access to adding more RAM, veteran For Dummies author Andy Rathbone will help you create and maintain your dream system. Helping you to assess the time, money, and tools needed to...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0764507192
• ISBN13: 9780764507199
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: For Dummies
• Length: 408 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 7.4" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Beautiful introduction- brilliant overview! 6th edition

Kind of a combination introduction/overview to the state of PC technology today, with an emphasis on helping readers new to the subject in maximizing any PCs performance. This is an excellent book! Covers all the latest in Windows XP configuration and upkeep, as well as buzzwords like DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CDRW/DVD, 802.11b, 802.11a, wireless access points, fast Ethernet, FireWire, USB 2.0, MP3s, WMAs, LCDs, DVI-I, DV camcorders, digital cameras, scanners, printers, modems, NTFS, ATX, AGP 3.0 8x, DDR SDRAM,... etc. EVERYTHING current to today's PCs is given a brief mention. I especially like the Appendix, "The Rathbone Reference of Fine Ports", which clearly explains the most common of today's PC connections, as well as the ones that are going out of style. Very helpful! This book strikes a great balance between being too simple and being too advanced. It's the perfect companion to the "Windows for Dummies" series, right along with another recent book, "Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies", by Dan Gookin. Highly recommended!

One of the best books on Fixing PCs

I first owned a PC when I was 14 and when my mom bought it for me I didn't know the difference between Windows and DOS and didn't even know what RAM or a CPU was. When I bought this I didn't really have any experience with using a PC, so after learning how to use one for awhile I purchased this book and read it. This taught me a lot about repairing computers and installing new hardware. Anyone who doesnt have a ton of Knowledge about computers and is just starting out with Computers should check this book out if you want to learn more about them. I know for me it helped out a lot. If you've been a computer user for years and already know how to install a Hard Drive, Motherboard, Video Card and Memory etc, then I would skip this one. It's not very technical at all and is obviously for people that don't know much about computers at all. It's really just a good place to start.I'm now 21 and have worked as a Computer Technician for about 3 years now. I definitely think that this book helped out a ton, it was definitely a good place to start. I believe there are to many people out there are afraid to upgrade/fix their own PC, maybe they are afraid they'll break it. That's all a part of the learning process and you'll never get anywhere if you don't take a risk and attempt to work on them. Most everything I've learned when it comes to upgrading computers is all Trial and Error. If one thing doesn't work out one way, just try it again some other way. I also have to mention that any of the For Dummies books are worth checking out. Believe it or not, for learning DOS I read DOS For Dummies. For being a Computer Technician DOS is one of the most useful things I've learned. If you don't know it I don't see how anyone could be a very good Technician.

Great Book!

Upgrading & Fixing PC's. That says it right there. I have owned this book for several years, and I have found it to be an invaluble resource in all my times of trouble. Anytime I had a problem, it was right there ready to answer anything I had coming. It's perfect layout, combined with a GREAT index (everything from A/B Serial Port switches to Zero Insertion Force Sockets) make this a GREAT book. After all, would we expect anything less from the Dummies series?

Very good if you want to do it yourself cheaper

As with all the "Dummies" books, this one was very easy to read. It was set up in a logical order for you to get to know the things inside your computer and what they do for you. How to upgrade and replace parts is explained in easy to read and understandable language. There are also some important technical tips. Id highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to add or replace a new hard drive, upgrading ram or memory, swap out a powersupply, upgrade to a faster modem almost anything.......... The inside of the computer doesnt seem quite as mysterious and scarey once you know what youre lookin at and know what you have to do.

Learned more from this book than in computer class!

I'm a computer support student at a local community college. The textbook we use is HUGE and VERY technical. I bought this "For Dummies" book on a friday afternoon, and learned more from it in just a few hours than I had learned in the first 3 weeks of class!! I could'nt possibly get through my classes without it. It explains things in a way that I can understand.... and it takes a lot of the intimidation out of the process of learning this subject!