Troubleshooting, Maintaining & Repairing PCs, 5/e

Fix all of your PC and peripheral problems before the screen goes black

When it wont just plug-and-play, turn to the hands-on, authoritative information contained in this comprehensive troubleshooting resource. Fully revised and updated, Troubleshooting, Maintaining & Repairing PCs contains all you need to know about administering and the latest Windows, Linux, and OS/2 systems and peripheral devices. This fifth edition provides full coverage of cutting-edge technologies--from DVD drives, cable, and DSL modems to Ultra360 SCSI devices, AGP accelerators, USB, IEEE 1284, and Infrared ports. This essential volume also contains a valuable CD-ROM with over 120 diagnostic and maintenance utilities. PC expert Stephen Bigelow provides real-world examples and condition-specific troubleshooting advice that will have you fixing common and little-known PC problems in no time.

• Identify, de-assemble, and replace each subassembly, expansion board, and connector in the latest Intel-based, AMD, Cyrix, Athlon, Duron, and Via desktops and towers
  
• Fix hardware conflicts and configuration errors in Windows 3x/95/98/Me/NT/2000, Linux, and OS/2 systems
  
• Avoid data loss by implementing sound backup and power management strategies
  
• Correct interface problems in system, expansion, option, and adapter BIOS
  
• Isolate and repair faults in ISA, PCI, and AGP busses, power supplies, motherboards, and chipsets
  
• Recover data lost from corrupt files, accidental deletions, and hard drive failures
  
• Deploy USB, FireWire, Infrared, serial, parallel, and AGP ports
  
• Get optimal performance from state-of-the-art DSL and cable modems, 3D video accelerators, mice, trackballs, joysticks, network devices, fax, and sound cards
  

Contents            

    1: An Inside Look at Contemporary PC
    2: An Inside Look at Monitors
    3: An Inside Look at Operating Systems and the Boot Process
    4: Arranging the Preservice Checkout
    5: Backup Guide
    6: Batteries
    7: BIOS
    8: Busses
    9: CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW Drives
    10: Chipsets
    11: CMOS
    12: Conflict Troubleshooting
    13: CPU Identification and Troubleshooting
    14: Data Recovery Techniques
    15: Drive Adapters and RAID Basics
    16: DVD Drives
    17: Enhancing System Performance
    18: Error Codes
    19: Fans and Cooling Devices
    20: Floppy and LS-120 Drives
    21: Hard Drives
    22: Joysticks and Game Ports
    23: Keyboards
    24: Memory Troubleshooting
    25: Mice and Trackballs
    26: Modems and Fax Cards
    27: Monitor Troubleshooting
    28: Motherboard Troubleshooting
    29: Parallel Port Troubleshooting
    30: Plug-and-Play Configuration and Troubleshooting
    31: Power Protection
    32: Power Supplies and Power Management
    33: Removable Media Drives
    34: SCSI Systems and Troubleshooting
    35: Serial and Infrared Port Troubleshooting
    36: Sound Boards
    37: Video Adapters and Accelerators
    38: Video Capture Cards
    39: USB Troubleshooting
    40: Windows 9x/Me Issues
    A: Using the Companion Disc

The following appendixes are on the accompanying CD:
    B: PC99 System Compliance Standards
    C: PC Standards
    D: Index of Filename Extensions
    E: Standard ASCII Chart (0 to 127)
    F: Windows 9x/Me Shortcut Keys
    G: PC-related Related FAQs and Newsgroups
    H: Preparing for A+
    I: The DLS Technicians Certificate