Book Review - Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) by Scott Mueller
Category Book Reviews
This is perhaps my favorite PC repair book, and it's a classic... Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) by Scott Mueller. What other PC book do you know of that's been around for 17 editions?
Contents: Development of the PC; PC Components, Features, and System Design; Microprocessor Types and Specifications; Motherboards and Buses; BIOS; Memory; The ATA/IDE Interface; Magnetic Storage Principles; Hard Disk Storage; Removable Storage; Optical Storage; Physical Drive Installation and Configuration; Video Hardware; Audio Hardware; I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to IEEE 1394 and USB; Input Devices; Internet Connectivity; Local Area Networking; Power Supplies; Building or Upgrading Systems; PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling; PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance; Glossary; Key Vendor Contact Information; Troubleshooting Index; List of Acronyms and Abbreviations; Index
Over 1500 pages of just about everything you've ever wanted to know about anything related to your PC. Add in two hours of DVD material, and there isn't much you'll encounter in the way of hardware repair and installation that isn't in here somewhere... The thing I like most about this book is the mix of practical repair information coupled with a full history and explanation of how things work. For instance, the microprocessor chapter is a full course in CPU architecture. Mueller takes the chance in the 17th edition to explain the new dual core CPUs, why you'd benefit from them, as well as every spec you'd ever want to know. I'd venture to say that if it's not in here, the only other place to find the information you need is via Google and the manufacturer's website. Other books might be more approachable to the relative newcomer to PC repair and upgrading. But for someone who has been around PCs for some time and needs something deeper than a "Joe Consumer" coverage, this book absolutely can not be topped.
To me, this is a "must have" book for the computer geek. The information has a very long track record of success, and it's well deserved. So long as Scott keeps coming out with new editions, I'll make sure to keep my version upgraded...
This is perhaps my favorite PC repair book, and it's a classic... Upgrading and Repairing PCs (17th Edition) by Scott Mueller. What other PC book do you know of that's been around for 17 editions?
Contents: Development of the PC; PC Components, Features, and System Design; Microprocessor Types and Specifications; Motherboards and Buses; BIOS; Memory; The ATA/IDE Interface; Magnetic Storage Principles; Hard Disk Storage; Removable Storage; Optical Storage; Physical Drive Installation and Configuration; Video Hardware; Audio Hardware; I/O Interfaces from Serial and Parallel to IEEE 1394 and USB; Input Devices; Internet Connectivity; Local Area Networking; Power Supplies; Building or Upgrading Systems; PC Mods: Overclocking and Cooling; PC Diagnostics, Testing, and Maintenance; Glossary; Key Vendor Contact Information; Troubleshooting Index; List of Acronyms and Abbreviations; Index
Over 1500 pages of just about everything you've ever wanted to know about anything related to your PC. Add in two hours of DVD material, and there isn't much you'll encounter in the way of hardware repair and installation that isn't in here somewhere... The thing I like most about this book is the mix of practical repair information coupled with a full history and explanation of how things work. For instance, the microprocessor chapter is a full course in CPU architecture. Mueller takes the chance in the 17th edition to explain the new dual core CPUs, why you'd benefit from them, as well as every spec you'd ever want to know. I'd venture to say that if it's not in here, the only other place to find the information you need is via Google and the manufacturer's website. Other books might be more approachable to the relative newcomer to PC repair and upgrading. But for someone who has been around PCs for some time and needs something deeper than a "Joe Consumer" coverage, this book absolutely can not be topped.
To me, this is a "must have" book for the computer geek. The information has a very long track record of success, and it's well deserved. So long as Scott keeps coming out with new editions, I'll make sure to keep my version upgraded...
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