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Building a PC in Easy Steps 2nd Edition
Written for those who want more than what the standard pre-built PCs offer. Pre-built systems are often, a compromise between what the manufacturers want to sell you and what you want to buy. One solution is to build it yourself.
Acquiring a copy of Building a PC in easy steps is the first step in the right direction to building a PC.
Written
in concise and easy-to-understand style, this book will take you by the hand and walk you through all the stages of building and setting up a computer: Buying the parts and avoiding sales scams; mastering and installing each component (CPU, memory, video, etc); altering default settings in the BIOS for optimum performance, installing and configuring device drivers. The troubleshooting chapter is invaluable in the event of problems.
By the time you've finished, you will have a computer that's tailored to your exact requirements with no superfluous features or functions.
Before You Start
* Introduction
* Store-Bought versus Self-Build
* What Do You Want it to Do?
* OEM versus Retail
* Where to Buy Your Parts
* Parts You Will Need
* Tools You Will Need
Central Processing Units
* CPU Manufacturers
* Performance Ratings
* What CPU To Buy?
* Specifications
* Technologies
* Installing a CPU
* Fitting a Heatsink and Fan
Memory
* Overview
* Types of Memory
* Error-Checking Memory
* Buying Memory
* Handling Memory Modules
* Installing Memory
Motherboards
* Overview
* Buying a Motherboard
* Types of Motherboard
* Installing a Motherboard
System Cases
* Types of Case
* Important Case Features
* Aesthetics
* Case Modding
Power Supply Units (PSU)
* Overview
* Specifications
* External AC Power Supply
* Installing a PSU
* Case Connections
Video Systems
* Video Systems
* Integrated Video
* Video Cards
* 2D versus 3D
* The Video Card Market
* Video Card Specifications
* More Factors to Consider
* Installing a Video Card
Monitors
* Overview
* CRT or LCD?
* Image Quality
* WideScreen LCD Monitors
* Installing a Monitor
Testing the Basic System
* Why Do This Now?
* Check the Monitor
* Check the Connections
* Does it Work?
* The PC Doesn't Boot-Up
* Beep Codes
Hard Drives
* Overview
* Interfaces
* Internal or External?
* Specifications
* Storage Capacity
* Aesthetics
* ATA Drive Configuration
* Installing an ATA Drive
* Installing a Second ATA Drive
* Installing a SATA Drive
* Installing a SATA Driver
* RAID Configurations
Input Devices
* Mouse Technology
* Mouse Specifications
* Types of Mice
* Mouse Features
* Keyboard Technology
* Types of Keyboard
* Keyboard Specifications
* Keyboard Features
Sound Systems
* Overview
* Integrated Sound Systems
* Sound Cards
* Installing a Sound Card
Removable Media Drives
* What's Available?
* Floppy Drives
* CD-ROM Drives
* CD Writers
* DVD Drives
* DVD Formats
* CD/DVD Drive Specifications
* Beyond DVD
* Zip/Rev Drives
* Installing a Floppy Drive
* Installing a CD/DVD Drive
Setting Up the System
* Navigating the BIOS
* Setting the Boot Device
* Setting Up the Hard Drive
* Enabling USB
* Disabling Integrated Sound
* Setting Up a Video Card
* Installing System Drivers
Peripherals
* Printers
* Installing a Printer
* Multi-Function Devices
* Dial-Up Modems
* Installing a Dial-Up Modem
* Broadband Modems
* Installing a Broadband Modem
* Scanners
* Speakers
* Speaker Installation
Troubleshooting
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