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Tables of Contents for Build Your Own Pentium II PC
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
XIII
Chapter 1 What's Inside
1
26
Tools Needed
2
1
Major Computer Components
3
1
Minimum System Requirements
4
14
How Computers Work
18
8
Moore's Law
26
1
Chapter 2 The Motherboard
27
36
Motherboard Sources
28
6
Motherboard Specifications
34
6
The ATX Motherboard and Power Supply
40
2
Motherboard Variations
42
2
Jumpers
44
1
DRAM Bus Frequency
44
1
ROM BIOS
45
2
Some Basic Stuff about Motherboards
47
9
Architecture
56
5
Deciding What to Buy
61
1
Replacing a Motherboard
61
2
Chapter 3 The CPU
63
28
PR Hype
64
13
How a CPU is Made
77
1
What's in a Number?
77
1
Basic Characteristics of CPUs
78
5
CPU Sockets
83
4
Resources
87
4
Chapter 4 Memory
91
24
Memory Slots
92
2
Types of Memory Modules
94
2
How Much Memory Do You Need?
96
1
Basics
96
3
A Brief Explanation of Memory
99
6
Things to Consider Before You Buy Memory
105
2
SRAM
107
1
Cache Memory
108
1
CMOS
109
1
Why the 640-Kb Limit?
110
1
Conventional Memory
111
1
Extended Memory
111
1
Buying Chips
112
1
Installing the Chips
112
3
Chapter 5 Floppy Drives and Disks
115
26
1.44-Mb Floppy
116
1
2.88-Mb Floppy Drive
117
1
The lomega 100-Mb Zip Drive
118
1
The LS120
118
4
The 200-Mb Floppy Drive
122
3
How Floppy Drives Operate
125
6
Differences among Floppy Disks
131
3
Disk Format Structure
134
4
Formatting
138
2
Cost of Disks
140
1
Chapter 6 Choosing a Hard Disk
141
30
What Should You Buy?
142
3
Removable Disk Drives
145
6
Data Compression
151
1
Floppy and Hard-Drive Similarities
152
8
How They Can Make Smaller Drives
160
2
Cables and Connectors
162
1
Installation and Configuration
162
8
Sources
170
1
Chapter 7 Backup and Disaster Prevention
171
20
Write-Protect Your Software
172
1
BAK Files
173
1
Unerase Software
173
1
Delete Protection
174
1
Jumbled FAT
174
1
Reason for Smaller Logical Hard Disks
175
1
Partition Magic and Partition-It
175
1
Head Crash
176
4
Preventing Hard Disk Failures
180
1
A Few Reasons Why People Don't Back Up and Why They Should
181
1
Theft and Burglary
182
1
Archival
182
1
Data Transfer
182
1
Types of Backup
183
5
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
188
3
Chapter 8 CD-ROM
191
26
CD-ROM Drives
192
2
CD-ROM Titles
194
3
How CD-ROM Works
197
5
CD-ROM Differences
202
4
CD-ROM Recorders (CD-R)
206
5
Kodak Photo CD
211
1
Digital Videodisc (DVD)
212
1
Installing CD-ROM Drives
213
4
Chapter 9 Monitors and Adapters
217
30
Flat-Panel LCD Monitors
219
1
USB Monitors
220
1
AGP Adapters
221
1
3D Adapters
221
2
Video Memory
223
1
Adapter Memory Chips
223
2
MPEG Boards
225
1
Using a TV as a Monitor
226
1
Monitor Basics
227
5
Adapter Basics
232
3
Choosing a Monitor
235
6
Installation
241
1
Glossary of Monitor Terms from Princeton Graphics
242
4
Other Resources
246
1
Chapter 10 Input Devices
247
28
Keyboards
248
7
Mouse Systems
255
3
Touch Screens and Light Pens
258
1
Joysticks
259
1
Digitizers and Graphics Tablets
259
1
Pressure-Sensitive Graphics Tablets
259
1
Scanners
260
7
Voice Recognition Input
267
3
Computers and Devices for the Handicapped
270
5
Chapter 11 Communications
275
28
Telephones
276
1
Modems
277
5
Installing a Modem
282
5
Bulletin Boards
287
1
Viruses
288
1
Virus Hoaxes
289
1
Online Services
289
1
Banking by Modem
290
1
Facsimile Machines
290
4
Telephone Outlets for Extensions
294
1
Combination Devices and Voice Mail
295
1
Telecommuting
296
1
Remote-Control Software
297
1
Telephony
298
2
National Telephone Directories
300
1
ISDN
301
1
Cable Modems
301
1
Sources
302
1
Chapter 12 Upgrading an Older PC
303
24
Why You Should Do It Yourself
304
1
What If It Is Too Old to Upgrade
304
1
Upgrading to a New Hard Disk
305
3
Buying a Used Computer
308
1
Buying a Barebones System
309
1
Upgrading to a New Computer
310
1
Minor Upgrades
311
1
Memory Upgrade
312
1
Upgrading the CPU
313
1
Replacing the Motherboard
314
1
Pentium II Motherboard with a 300-MHz MMX CPU
315
2
Back to Reality
317
1
Steps to Replace a Motherboard
318
6
There Is No End to Upgrade Possibilities
324
3
Chapter 13 Assembling Your Computer
327
28
Needed Components and Tools
328
1
Static Electricity Warning
328
1
Assembly Steps
329
17
Software Installation and Formatting
346
7
Install in the Case
353
1
Congratulations
353
2
Chapter 14 The Internet
355
18
Voice and Video on the Internet
357
1
Modems and Access Numbers
358
1
Free ISP
359
1
Services
360
3
House-Wiring Intranet
363
1
E-Mail
364
1
J-Mail and Spamming
365
1
Connections
366
1
Distance Learning
367
2
Internet Magazines
369
1
Your Own Web Page
370
1
Web Hosting
371
1
Sex on the Web
371
1
The Future
372
1
Emoticons and Acronyms
372
1
Chapter 15 Printers
373
24
Printer Life Expectancy
374
1
Inkjets
375
5
Multifunction Laser Machines
380
1
Wide-Format Printers
380
1
Laser Printers
381
5
Color Laser Printers
386
1
Plotters
387
1
Dot-Matrix Printers
388
4
Installing a Printer or Plotter
392
1
Printer Sharing
392
3
Green Printers
395
1
Progress
395
2
Chapter 16 Essential Software
397
24
Off-the-Shelf and Ready-to-Use Software
398
1
List Price vs. Discount Price
398
1
Surplus Software
399
1
Software Upgrades
399
2
CD-ROM Discs and Multimedia
401
1
Shareware and Public-Domain Software
402
1
Try Before You Buy
402
1
Software Catalogs
402
1
Essential Software Needed
403
11
Computer-Aided Design
414
1
Miscellaneous Software Programs
415
4
Software Training
419
1
LapLink for Windows
420
1
Summary
420
1
Chapter 17 How Your Computer Can Help You
421
22
Resume
423
1
Home Office
424
5
Other Tools of the Trade
429
3
Networks
432
3
Desktop Publishing
435
1
Presentations
436
4
Digital Cameras
440
2
For the Kids
442
1
Summary
442
1
Chapter 18 Computer Sound of Music
443
20
What Sound Board Should You Buy?
444
1
Speakers
445
1
Microphones
446
1
Music
447
1
Internet Telephone and Video
448
1
Teleconferencing
449
1
Sound, Microphones, and Speakers
450
1
Digital Sampling
450
3
Installing a Sound Board
453
2
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
455
2
Synthesizers
457
3
Piano Keyboards
460
1
Music Software and Hardware
461
1
Catalogs
461
1
Trade Shows
462
1
Chapter 19 Component Sources
463
18
Computer Shows and Swap Meets
464
2
Magazines and Mail-Order
466
5
Sources of Knowledge
471
8
Public-Domain and Shareware Software
479
1
Computer Books
480
1
Chapter 20 Troubleshooting and Repairing Your PC
481
30
Computer Basics
483
1
Electrostatic Voltage
484
1
Document the Problem, Write It Down
484
1
Instruments and Tools
485
2
Solving Common Problems
487
6
Beep Error Codes
493
3
Diagnostic and Utility Software
496
6
Spares
502
1
DOS Error Messages
503
1
Glitches
504
1
Power Supply
505
1
Intermittent Problems
506
4
User Groups
510
1
Glossary
511
18
Index
529