Barbara Fritchman Thompson

Want to build a PC that perfectly meets your needs? This up-to-date guide has precisely what you need to know. You A'll learn about PC fundamentals, how to plan your project using the latest components, where and how to buy the parts you need, and how to assemble everything with step-by-step instructions and clear, easy-to-follow images. You also get an insightful discussion on why you A'd want to build your own PC in the first place. Unlike big-brand computers that use lower-quality components so they can meet aggressive pricing targets, the PCs you A'll learn to build in this popular book call for high-quality parts that you can purchase directly or obtain through distributors and resellers. The latest edition includes these PC options: * Budget System -- build an inexpensive system that focuses on quality and reliability * Mainstream System -- roll your own fast, flexible, quiet general-purpose system * Extreme System -- build a wicked fast system optimized for video editing/production, Photoshop, gaming, or pure number-crunching * Media Center System -- centralize your music, DVDs, and home video with your HDTV as the display, and share your content with any PC in your home * Appliance System -- put together a tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC that you can tuck away anywhere * Home Server -- build your own secure repository to centralize data storage and sharing for every system in your home

Most computer users think that fiddling with the insides of their PC is taboo. They fear that by removing the screws that hold the case on, they're crossing into forbidden territory. And even for those who know they can open the box and fix or upgrade their PC, analysis paralysis often stops them in their tracks: Which upgrades offer the best bang for the buck? How do you pinpoint the faulty component that's making your system freeze? What about compatibility issues? Get ready to get unstuck and get your PC running fast and running right. "Repairing and Upgrading Your PC" delivers start-to-finish instructions, simple enough for even the most inexperienced PC owner, for troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading your computer. Written by hardware experts Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, this book covers it all: how to troubleshoot a troublesome PC, how to identify which components make sense for an upgrade, and how to tear it all down and put it back together. This book shows how to repair and upgrade all of your PC's essential components: Motherboard, CPU, and Memory - choose the optimal match of these core components to keep your PC running at top speed; Hard Drive, Optical Drive, and Removable Storage - give your computer what it needs for long-term and short-term storage; Audio and Video - enhance your computing experience with the right sound and graphics devices for your needs; Input Devices - pick the best keyboard and mouse to keep your hands happy and healthy; Networking - set up secure wireless networking to keep the bits flowing between your computers and the outside world; and Cases and Power Supplies - keep everything running cool and reliably. With its straightforward language, clear instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book makes it a breeze for PC owners of any skill level to work on their computer.