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Tables of Contents for Upgrade and Repair Your PC
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
xxi
Chapter 1 What's Inside
1
30
Why You Need to Upgrade
2
1
The MMX Technology
2
2
Major Computer Components
4
1
Tools Needed
4
2
Removing the Cover
6
1
Upgrading to a New Case and Power Supply
7
1
Static Electricity Warning
8
1
Motherboard
9
2
The Power Supply
11
2
Transforming the Voltage
13
1
Power Strip
14
1
The Disk Drive Bays
14
1
Cost of Components
15
6
Sources
21
1
Moore's Law
22
1
How Computers Work
23
1
Computers and Electricity
23
2
Transistors and Computers
25
4
The ASCII Code
29
1
Software
29
1
Inputs
30
1
System Clock
30
1
Chapter 2 Some Ideal Ways to Upgrade a PC
31
32
Dream Machine versus Reality
32
8
Bottom Line Cost
40
1
The Ever-Changing Technology
41
1
Power Distribution Panel
41
3
Internal Upgrades
44
2
Why You May Need to Upgrade
46
1
Hertz and Cycles Per Second
46
1
CPU Speed and Input/Output Speed
46
2
More Memory
48
1
ROM BIOS
48
1
CMOS Battery
49
3
Backup Your Hard Disks
52
1
Input Devices
52
1
Add a Mouse or Trackball
53
1
Scanners
53
1
Communications
53
1
Printers
54
1
Plug and Play and Setup Advisor
54
1
Software
55
1
Booting Up
55
1
Ways to Benefit from Your Upgraded Computer
56
1
Multi-Media
56
1
CD-ROM
57
1
There Is No End to Upgrade Possibilities
57
1
Sources
57
1
Troubleshooting and Repairing
58
1
Why You Should Do It Yourself
58
1
What If It Is Too Old to Upgrade?
59
1
Buying a Used Computer
60
1
New Business Opportunity
60
3
Chapter 3 A Few Minor Upgrades
63
20
About Upgrading
64
1
Installing a New Board
64
6
Some of the Functions of the BIOS
70
1
POST
71
1
Hard Disk Drive Types
71
1
BIOS Utilities
72
1
Boot Program
72
1
Interrupt Control
72
1
Compatibility
73
1
BIOS Size
74
1
BIOS Upgrade
74
1
EPROMS
75
1
CPU Upgrades
76
1
Installing a New CPUs
76
1
Pentium Upgrade
76
1
The Obsolete XT
77
1
Installing More Memory in an XT
78
2
Uninterruptible Power Supply
80
1
Green PC
81
2
Chapter 4 The CPU Upgrade
83
44
How a CPU is Made
86
1
Built-In Coprocessors
87
3
Basic Characteristics of CPUs
90
1
Addressable Memory
90
1
Moore's Law
90
1
CPU Frequency and Motherboard Speed
91
1
Memory Bus
92
1
Cache Systems
93
1
Chip Sets
93
1
CPU Competition
94
1
Clone Equivalents
94
1
ICOMP: Why You Might Want to Upgrade
95
1
Replacing the CPU
96
3
Steps to Upgrade a CPU
99
1
ZIF Sockets
99
1
Upgrading a 486 to a Pentium Class
100
1
Kingston Technology
100
9
CCT Company
109
1
Trinity Works Company
110
3
Evergreen Technologies Company
113
1
Evergreen Pentium Upgrades
114
5
Intel OverDrive CPUs
119
2
Upgrading to Pentium Pro
121
1
Intel Pentium II
121
1
Pentium Pro Processor's Dynamic Execution Technology
122
1
Intel's MMX Media Enchancement Technology
123
2
Resources
125
2
Chapter 5 Installing A New Motherboard
127
54
Using Old Components
132
1
Backward Compatibility
132
1
Keyboard Differences
133
1
Many Motherboard Options
133
1
What the Motherboard Is
134
1
Expansion Slots
134
1
Expansion Bus
135
1
The CPU
136
1
MMX Technical Details
137
1
Motherboard Memory
138
1
DRAM
138
1
Cache SRAM
139
1
Other Motherboard Chips
139
1
ROM BIOS
139
3
Keyboard BIOS
142
1
System Configuration and CMOS
142
2
Timing
144
1
DMA
144
1
IRQ
144
1
UARTs and Serial Ports
145
2
Architecture
147
1
ISA
147
1
Compatibility
148
1
MCA
149
1
EISA
149
2
The VESA Local Bus
151
3
The Intel PCI Bus
154
1
ISA-EISA-VL-PCI Combos
155
1
PC CARD BUS
155
1
Built-in-Goodies
156
2
Benchmarks
158
2
Deciding What to Buy
160
1
Replacing a Motherboard
160
1
Upgrading a PC or XT
160
1
Replacing the XT Motherboard
161
1
Upgrading a PC or XT to a 286
162
1
Upgrading a PC, XT, 286, 386 or 486SX to a 486DX
163
1
Upgrading a PC, XT, 286, 386 or 486 to a Pentium
163
1
Internal Frequency versus External Frequency
164
1
Upgrading a 486SX CPU with the Intel OverDrive
164
1
Upgrading to the 486DX4
164
1
Upgrading a 486 to a Pentium OverDrive
165
1
Upgrading an IBM PS/1 or PS/2
165
1
Advantages of Built-In Utilities
166
1
Disadvantages of Built-Ins
166
1
Installing a New CPU
167
1
Ordering from IBM
167
1
Upgrading to the Pentium
168
1
Dual Pentium Pros
168
1
Pentium II Motherboards
169
4
Motherboard Variations
173
1
Which Motherboard Should You Buy?
174
1
Sources for Pentium Motherboards
174
1
W/O CPUs
175
1
Instructions for Upgrading to a New Motherboard
175
4
Sources
179
2
Chapter 6 Memory
181
30
ROM
182
1
RAM
182
1
An Easy Cost-Effective Upgrade
183
1
RAM Volatility
183
1
How RAM Is Addressed
184
1
The CPU and the RAM Bus
184
1
A Brief Explanation of Memory
185
1
Programs that Stay in RAM
186
1
Motherboard Memory
186
1
The PC, XT, and the AT Bus
187
1
Cost of Memory
187
1
Virtual Memory
188
1
Memory Boards
188
1
Dual Inline Package (DIP)
188
1
Single Inline Package (SIP)
189
1
Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM)
189
4
Parity
193
1
Memory Socket Expanders
193
1
DIMMs
194
1
Flash Memory
194
1
Video RAM
195
1
Printer Memory
195
1
Memory Chip Capacity
196
1
The Need for More Memory
196
1
Things to Consider Before You Buy Memory
197
5
Write through and Write Back
202
1
Fast Page Mode
202
1
CMOS
203
1
Why the 640K Limit Exists
203
2
Conventional Memory
205
1
Extended Memory
206
1
Flash Memory
206
1
VRAM
207
1
Printer Memory
207
1
Buying Chips
207
1
How Much Memory Do You Need?
207
1
Installing the Chips
208
3
Chapter 7 Floppy Drives and Disks
211
28
The Floppy Evolution
212
1
How Floppy Drives Operate
213
2
360Kb Drives
215
1
The Virtual Drive
215
1
High-Density Drives and Disks
215
1
The All-Media or Combination Floppy Drive
216
1
Extended Density Drives
216
1
The Iomega 100Mb Zip Floppy Disk and Drive
217
1
The 1.44Mb/120Mb A:Drive
218
2
Disk Drive Motors
220
2
Cost of 1.44Mb Drives
222
1
Floppy Controllers
222
2
Drive Select Jumpers
224
1
Data Compression
224
1
Differences between Floppy Disks
225
1
360Kb and 1.2Mb
226
1
720Kb and 1.44Mb
227
1
One-Way Insertion
227
1
Disk Format Structure
228
2
TPI
230
1
Some Differences between Floppies and Hard Disks
231
1
Comparison of Floppy Disks
231
1
Formatting
232
1
Cost of Disks
233
1
How to Install Drives
234
5
Chapter 8 Choosing and Installing a Hard Disk
239
44
Floppy and Hard Drive Similarities
240
1
Tracks and Sectors
240
1
Clusters and Allocation Units
241
1
File Allocation Table
241
1
Cylinders
242
1
Head Actuators or Positioners
242
1
Speed of Rotation and Density
243
1
Timing
244
1
Head Spacing
245
1
Disk Platters
245
1
Physical Sizes
246
2
Choosing a Hard Drive
248
1
Types of Drives
249
1
Controllers
250
1
Adding a Second MFM or RLL Type Hard Disk Drive
251
2
Terminating Resistors
253
1
A Better Upgrade
253
1
Installation Configuration
254
3
IDE Interface Board
257
1
SCSI
258
2
SCSI Drivers
260
1
Advanced SCSI Programming Interface
261
1
Host Adapter Sources
262
1
Fast SCSI-2 and Wide SCSI-2
262
1
SCSI ID
263
1
Cables and Connectors
263
1
Frame Adapters
264
1
What to Buy: IDE or SCSI
264
1
Removable Disk Drives
265
6
Mean Time between Failures (MTBF)
271
1
Near Field Technology
272
1
Hardware Installation of Hard Disk Drives
272
1
Installing Controller and Cables
273
1
For IDE or SCSI Connections
273
1
Install Drive Power Cables
273
1
Installing a Second Hard Disk
274
1
Fill All Blank Panels
274
1
Software Installation and Formatting
274
1
Setup Routine
275
1
Booting from A Floppy
276
1
Entering Drive Data into CMOS
276
1
The Purpose of Formatting
276
1
FDISK Options
277
3
Installing a Second Hard Disk
280
1
High-Level Format
280
2
Sources
282
1
Chapter 9 Backup and Disaster Prevention
283
22
Write Protect Your Software
284
1
Protect Your Original Floppies
285
1
BAK Files
285
1
Unerase Software
286
1
Delete Protection
286
1
Jumbled FAT
287
1
Reason for Smaller Logical Hard Disks
288
1
PartitionMagic and Partition It
288
1
Head Crash
288
1
Crash Recovery
289
4
Cost of Recovery
293
3
Types of Backup
296
7
Uninterruptible Power Supplies
303
2
Chapter 10 Monitors
305
24
The CRT
306
2
Monochrome versus Color
308
1
Dot Pitch
309
1
Pixels
309
1
Painting the Screen
310
1
Multiscan
311
1
Adapter Basics
312
1
Analog versus Digital
313
1
Video Accelerator Boards
314
1
3D Adapters
315
1
PCI Bus Adapters
315
1
Video Memory
316
1
Adapter Memory Chips
317
3
Adapter Software
320
1
MPEG Boards
320
1
Choosing a Monitor
321
2
Cleaning the Screens
323
1
Monitor Radiation
323
1
Green Monitors
323
1
Software for Monitor Testing
324
4
Other Resoruces
328
1
Chapter 11 Input Devices
329
26
Keyboards
330
7
Mouse Systems
337
2
Touch Screens and Light Pens
339
1
Joysticks
340
1
Digitizers and Graphics Tablets
340
1
Signature Capture
341
1
Pressure-Sensitive Graphics Tablets
341
1
Scanners
342
4
COLD
346
1
Voice Recognition Input
347
4
Computers and Devices for the Handicapped
351
4
Chapter 12 Communications
355
30
Infoglut
356
1
Telephones
356
1
Reaching Out
356
1
The Internet and World Wide Web
357
1
Modems
358
1
Transmission Difficulties
359
1
Baud Rate
359
1
How to Estimate Connect Time
360
1
Data Compression
360
1
Protocols
361
1
ITU Recommended Standards
361
1
Communications Software
362
1
Low-Cost Communication Software
363
1
Basic Types of Modems
363
1
Hayes Compatibility
364
1
Installing a Modem
364
2
A Simple Modem Test
366
1
Fax/Modem Software
367
1
Bulletin Boards
368
1
Viruses
369
1
Where to Find the Bulletin Boards
370
1
Online Services
370
1
Banking by Modem
371
1
Facsimile Machines
371
1
Fax/Modem Computer Boards
372
1
Fax-on-Demand
373
1
FAX/Modem/Phone Switch
374
2
Telephone Outlets for Extensions
376
1
Combination Devices and Voice Mail
376
1
Telecommuting
377
1
Remote Control Software
378
3
Telephone Conference
381
1
Fax Conferences
381
1
Modem Teleconferences
381
1
Educational
382
1
National Telephone Directories
382
1
ISDN
383
1
Cable Modems
384
1
Sources
384
1
Chapter 13 Printers
385
26
Printer Life Expectancy
386
1
Dot Matrix Printers
387
4
Ink Jets
391
1
Ink Jet Color
392
2
Multifunction Machines
394
2
Wide Format Printers
396
1
Inkjet Supplies
396
1
Laser Printers
397
1
Engine
397
1
Low-Cost Laser Printers
398
2
Paper
400
1
Labels
401
1
Color Laser Printers
401
2
Color Photo Printers
403
1
Plotters
404
1
Printer and Plotter Supplies
405
1
Installing a Printer or Plotter
406
1
Printer Sharing
406
3
Green Printers
409
1
Progress
409
2
Chapter 14 The Internet
411
18
Modems and Access Numbers
413
1
Free ISP
414
1
Services
414
5
House Wiring Intranet
419
1
E-Mail
419
1
J-Mail and Spamming
420
1
Connections
421
1
ISDN
421
1
ADSL
422
1
Cable
422
1
Cable TV Internet
423
1
Distance Learning
423
1
McGraw-Hill World University, www.mhcec.com
423
2
Internet Magazines
425
1
Your Own Web Page
426
1
Web Hosting
426
1
Sex on the Web
426
1
Future
427
2
Chapter 15 Laptop, Notebook, and Hand Held Computers
429
10
Hand-held Personal Computers
430
2
Laptop Evolution
432
1
Upgrading the CPU
433
1
Hard Disk Drive Upgrades
434
1
PC Card Slot Components
435
1
Barebones Units
436
1
Telephone Adapters and Accessories
436
1
Theft
436
1
Magazines
437
1
Need for Notes
437
2
Chapter 16 Building the Dream Machine
439
28
Why the Pentium II
440
1
Minimum System Requirements
441
1
Troubles
441
3
Tools
444
1
Assembly Steps
444
6
Bench-Top Assembly
450
6
Floppy Drive
456
1
The A: Drive
457
1
IDE Hard Drives and CD-ROMs
457
1
Assembly Instructions
458
9
Chapter 17 CD-ROM
467
24
CD-ROM Titles
468
2
How CD-ROM Works
470
1
High Sierra/ISO 9660
471
1
How The Discs Are Made
472
1
Laser Color
473
1
Rotational Speed
474
1
The Speed Limit
475
1
Transfer Speed
476
1
Data Buffers
477
1
Access or Seek Time
477
1
CD-ROM Differences
477
1
Interface Systems
478
1
Enhanced IDE Interfaces
478
1
SCSI Interfaces
479
1
Parallel Printer Port
479
1
Multidisc Systems
479
1
Multidrive Systems
480
1
Build Your Own Multidrive/Multidisc System
481
1
Caddies
481
1
CD-ROM Recorders (CD-R)
482
2
Organizing Data
484
1
Kodak Photo CD
485
1
Multimedia Upgrade Kits
486
1
Digital Videodisc (DVD)
487
1
Rewritable DVD
487
1
Installing CD-ROM Drives
488
2
Sources
490
1
Chapter 18 Computer Sound and Music
491
20
Teleconferencing
492
1
Music
493
1
Sound Boards
494
1
Sound, Microphones, and Speakers
495
1
Digital Sampling
496
2
Resolution
498
1
Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
498
1
Digital Signal Processors (DSP)
499
1
What Sound Board Should You Buy
500
1
Installing a Sound Board
500
1
Speakers
501
1
Microphones
501
1
Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI)
502
1
The MIDI Standard
503
1
Synthesizers
504
1
Harmonics
505
1
Envelope Generator
505
1
Wave Tables
506
1
Sequencers
506
2
Piano Keyboards
508
1
Music Software and Hardware
508
1
Catalogs
509
1
Musician Trade Shows
510
1
Chapter 19 Essential Software
511
22
Off-the-Shelf and Ready-to-Use Software
512
1
List Price versus Discount Price
512
1
Surplus Software
512
1
Software Upgrades
513
3
Essential Software Needed
516
1
Operating Systems Software
517
1
Word Processors
518
2
Database Programs
520
1
Spreadsheets
521
2
Suites
523
1
Utilities
524
1
Directory and Disk Management Programs
525
2
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Programs
527
1
Miscellaneous Software Programs
528
3
Software for Kids
531
1
Software Training
531
1
LapLink for Windows
532
1
Summary
532
1
Chapter 20 Some Applications
533
20
For the Kids
534
1
Resume
534
1
Home Office
535
3
Accountant
538
1
Tax Programs
538
2
Electronic Filing
540
1
Other Tools of The Trade
540
3
Networks
543
3
Desktop Publishing
546
1
Presentations
547
5
Another Resource
552
1
Summary
552
1
Chapter 21 Digital Cameras and Imaging
553
8
How Digital Cameras Work
554
3
High-End Professional Cameras
557
1
Digital Movie Cameras
557
4
Chapter 22 Component Sources
561
20
Computer Shows and Swap Meets
562
1
Your Local Store
563
1
Magazines and Mail Order
563
2
Ten Rules for Ordering by Mail
565
2
Federal Trade Commission Rules
567
1
Sources of Knowledge
568
1
Recommended Computer Magazines
568
3
Free Magazines to Qualified Subscribers
571
5
Component and Software Catalogs
576
2
Public Domain and Shareware Software
578
1
Computer Books
579
2
Chapter 23 Troubleshooting and Repairing Your PC
581
30
Computer Basics
583
1
Electrostatic Voltage
584
1
Document The Problem
584
1
Instruments and Tools
585
2
Solving Common Problems
587
1
The Number One Cause of Problems
587
1
The Importance of Documentation
588
1
What To Do If It Is Completely Dead
588
1
Config.Sys and Autoexec.bat
589
2
Clearing TSRs from Memory
591
1
Drive C:
591
1
Beep Error Codes
592
1
Displayed POST Codes
593
1
POST Cards
594
1
Diagnostic and Utility Software
595
5
Which One Should You Buy
600
1
Spares
600
1
DOS Error Messages
601
1
Some Common DOS Error Messages
601
2
Software Error Messages
603
1
Glitches
603
1
Power Supply
603
1
Intermittent Problems
604
2
Serial Ports
606
1
Software Problems
607
2
User Groups
609
2
Glossary
611
18
About the CD
629
8
Index
637