Written by best-selling PC repair author and educator Jean Andrews, the seventh edition of A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC maps fully to CompTIA's 2009 A+ Exam objectives. This full-color guide is the most complete, step-by-step book available for learning the fundamentals of supporting and troubleshooting computer hardware and software. At the same time, it prepares readers to successfully pass the A+ 220-701 and 220-702 exams. The new edition is formatted to support any teaching or learning style and course format, featuring an essentials-to-practical organization within each chapter and inclusion of tabs distinguishing exam content. Further content and live demonstrations with Jean Andrews are available on the accompanying CD, making this new edition a total solution for PC repair.

“…a comprehensive resource for PC enthusiasts and professionals alike. Packed with the latest speeds and feeds, you’ll want to keep this book on-hand as an authoritative technology reference.” –Chris Angelini, Managing Editor, Tom’s Hardware   For 20 years, Upgrading and Repairing PCs has been the world’s #1 guide to PC hardware: the single source for reliable information on troubleshooting and fixing problems, adding hardware, optimizing performance, and building new PCs. Now, better than ever, this 20th Edition offers beefed-up coverage of the newest hardware innovations and maintenance techniques, plus more than 90 minutes of new DVD video.   Scott Mueller delivers practical answers about PC processors, motherboards, buses, BIOSes, memory, storage, video, audio, I/O, input devices, networks, Internet connectivity, power, and much more. You’ll find the industry’s best coverage of diagnostics, testing, and repair–plus cutting-edge discussions of improving performance via overclocking and other techniques.   Mueller has taught thousands of professionals in person and millions more through his books and videos–nobody knows more about keeping PCs running perfectly. Whether you’re a professional technician, a small business owner trying to save money, or a home PC enthusiast, this is the only PC hardware book you need!   NEW IN THIS EDITION The newest processors, including Intel’s 2nd generation Core i3, i5, i7 plus the Atom, and AMD’s new VISION series CPUs 3TB (and larger) disks, 4K sectoring, partition alignment, faster SATA disk interfaces, and SSD (Solid State Drive) hard drive replacements New firmware innovations, from full UEFI BIOS support to built-in motherboard flash BIOS upgrade utilities Integrated video and audio, including 5.1/7.1 surround sound, HDMI, and DisplayPort connections Updated PCI Express and Power Supply specifications for powering high-end video cards Emerging interfaces such as USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt Updated coverage of building PCs from scratch–from choosing and assembling hardware through BIOS setup and troubleshooting   ON THE DVD Get more than 90 minutes of up-to-the minute, studio quality how-to videos–all playable on your DVD player or computer! In this edition, Scott Mueller offers true insider information about several of the key components in a PC, including hard disk drives, power supplies, motherboards, and more.   You will see hard drives completely dissected–even see an open hard drive in operation–so you can observe exactly what happens under the covers. One of the most common causes of failure in modern motherboards, power supplies, and many other PC components are bad capacitors–otherwise known as the capacitor plague. Mueller will show several real-world examples of this “disease,” so you can easily identify and perhaps even repair the problem. Finally, because external hard drives are now commonly used for supplementary storage and backups, you’ll find a complete discussion of several alternatives on the market. This includes tips and tricks for building or assembling your own flexible, high performance and highly reliable external storage drives, with several examples shown. This DVD also contains the complete 19th edition of this book in printable form, plus extensive technical reference material, a comprehensive glossary, and more!  

Updated to cover the new Intel-based Macs, Mac OS X Tiger, and the latest Mac tools and trends, this bestseller includes: Mac basics, customizing a workspace, getting acquainted with Mac OS X, going online, working with iLife applications, setting up e-mail, connecting an iPod to a Mac, turning a Mac into a fax machine, troubleshooting, security, and more.USA Today Personal Technology columnist Edward Baig, a longtime technology writer who appears regularly on TV, radio, and at major industry trade shows, has rewritten this edition from scratch ensuring you get the up-to-date information you need.Order your copy today!

The updated edition of the classic visual manual for troubleshooting PC hardware problems. Morris Rosenthal creates a visual expert system for diagnosing component failure and identifying conflicts. The seventeen diagnostic flowcharts at the core of this book are intended for the intermediate to advanced hobbyist, or the beginning technician. Following a structured approach to troubleshooting hardware reduces the false diagnoses and parts wastage typical of the "swap 'till you drop" school of thought. Flowcharts include: Power Supply Failure, Video Failure, Video Performance, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Failure, Motherboard, CPU, RAM Performance, IDE Drive Failure, Hard Drive Boot and Performance, CD or DVD Playback, CD or DVD Recording Problem, Modem Failure, Modem Performance, Sound Failure, Sound and Game Controller Performance, Network Failure, Peripheral Failure, SCSI Failure and Conflict Resolution.Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts is used as a classroom text in colleges and technical schools and by the U.S. government for training forensic technicians. It's also a favorite reference with consumers and technicians all over the world.

Build a PC that will outperform any brand-name box on the marketYes, even if you’re not a total geek you can build your own PC -- and we guarantee it’s worth the effort. You’ll discover that the quality is better and the cost is much lower than any comparable off-the-shelf PC you can buy. Design the custom computer you want, and have fun doing it.Get high-quality PC hardware from local stores and online vendors Plan your computer project with a complete checklist Create the ideal PC that will run Windows 7 or Linux Take advantage of the latest multi-core CPUs Assemble, test, and configure your PC with ease Build a PC that meets your needs and fits your budget Written by hardware experts, this book delivers complete instructions for building your own dream machine with high-quality components, whether it’s a PC for general use, extreme gaming, a media center, or home server. Straightforward language, clear directions, and easy-to-follow illustrations make this guide a breeze for computer builders of any skill level, even those with no experience. Building the Perfect PC presents six in-depth custom PC projects:Mainstream PC -- Fast, flexible, quiet, and reliable at a reasonable price Extreme System -- A wicked fast PC for video editing, gaming, and more Media Center -- One PC to replace your TiVo, game console, DVD, and CD player Home Server -- Ideal home network hub to store, share, and secure data Appliance PC -- A tiny, quiet, inexpensive PC you can put anywhere Budget System -- Reliable and highly functional at a low, low price

If you’ve dreamed about having a customized multimedia PC or one tricked out for your favorite games, build your own and make your dreams come true! Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies makes it easy.Not only is building your own PC a really rewarding project, it can also save you a nice chunk of cash. This step-by-step guide helps you decide what you need, teaches you what all those computer terms mean, and tells you exactly how to put the pieces together. It shows you:What tools you need (not as many as you might think!)All about operating systemsHow to install CD and DVD drivesThe scoop on sound and video, and how to put a sound system together from start to finishHow to connect a monitor and install a modemAll about setting up and configuring the hard driveSecrets for securing your system, and moreIncluded is a bonus DVD showing you how to install the motherboard, CPU, RAM, ports, hard drive, video and sound cards, a DVD drive, and more. With Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies, you can have the computer you want plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself!Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

An illustrated, step-by-step guide to repairs and upgradesWhether you want to prepare your computer for Windows 7, avoid investing in a new one, or just "go green", this fully illustrated guide has what you need. You'll learn how to add printers and new keyboards, boost your PC's performance and increase memory, improve power consumption, rev up your multimedia capacity, and much more. Step-by-step instructions are accompanied by photos that show you exactly what you should see at every stage.Learn to perform basic upgrades and prepare your PC for high-speed Internet connections, network connections, and added security, all with fully illustrated instructionsFind out how to expand memory, enhance speed, and update your computer's power supplyPrepare an old computer for Windows 7 and beef up your capacity for multimediaUpgrading&Fixing Computers Do-It-Yourself For Dummies is a show-and-tell course in making your PC happy, healthy, and green.

Diagnose and solve your PC problems with this easy-to-understand guideWritten by veteran For Dummies author Dan Gookin, this straightforward guide shows you how to diagnose and solve the most common hardware and software problems your PC may encounter. In addition, he presents advice for preventing PC problems in the first placeand clearly explains how to create a safe and secure PC environment.    Walks you through ways to diagnose the most common PC hardware, software, and operating system problemsOffers clear and easy-to-understand solutions for confidently handling these problemsShares valuable advice about maintaining your system to maximize its lifespanReviews an array of useful toolsCovers Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Internet Explorer 8Troubleshooting&Maintaining Your PC All-in-One For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you to confidently handle whatever PC problems you may encounter.

Essential Skills for a Successful IT Career Written by CompTIA certification and training expert Mike Meyers, this instructive, full-color guide will help you pass the CompTIA A+ exams and become an expert hardware technician. Mike Meyers' CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing and Troubleshooting PCs, Third Edition is completely up to date with the latest CompTIA A+ standards. Inside, you'll find helpful on-the-job tips, end-of-chapter practice questions, and more than 1,000 photographs and illustrations. Learn how to: Work with CPUs, RAM, motherboards, power supplies, and other PC components Install, partition, and format hard drives Install, upgrade, and troubleshoot Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista Troubleshoot PCs and implement security measures Install video and multimedia cards Work with portable PCs, PDAs, smartphones, and wireless technologies Manage printers and connect to networks and the Internet Understand safety and environmental issues Establish good communications skills and adhere to privacy policies The CD-ROM features: Practice exams for 701&702 600+ chapter review questions New video introduction to CompTIA A+ One-hour video training segment Mike's favorite PC tools and utilities Searchable e-book Each chapter includes: Learning objectives Full-color photographs and illustrations Real-world examples Try This! and Cross Check exercises Tech tips, notes, and warnings End-of-chapter quizzes and lab projects Mike Meyers, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, MCP, is the industry's leading authority on CompTIA A+ certification and training, and the bestselling author of seven editions of CompTIA A+ All-in-One Exam Guide. He is the president and founder of Total Seminars, LLC, a major provider of PC and network repair seminars for thousands of organizations throughout the world, and a member of CompTIA.

The Lab Manual for A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining your PC, Seventh Edition contains additional labs designed to accompany the seventh edition of the core textbook. This lab manual provides the additional hands-on practice needed to succeed in the industry and serves as an excellent resource to prepare for CompTIA's 2009 A+ exams.