Upgrading and Repairing PCs

The 15th Edition DVD-ROM

As in the 14th Edition, the 15th Edition of Upgrading and Repairing PCs includes a DVD-ROM that contains as much valuable content as you'll find in the pages of this book.

Video

This DVD contains more than 2 hours of professional-grade video, playable in either your DVD drive or standalone DVD player! It includes the following:

• PC System Layers and BIOS Basics (26:00). This segment describes the architectural layers inside a PC, which is especially important to know when trying to differentiate hardware problems from software problems. The essentials of the BIOS are also covered, including what is in the BIOS, where the BIOS is stored, and the function of the BIOS in the system.

• BIOS Setup (23:32). In this segment the BIOS Setup program in the motherboard ROM is covered in detail, including how to access the Setup program, where the Setup program is stored as opposed to where the information read and written by the program is stored, and how it all works together in a PC.

• Physical ROM (20:46). The motherboard and other ROM chips are covered in detail, including the various types of ROM chips used, how they work, and how the software (also called firmware) they contain can be upgraded.

• What Is a PC (24:11). This segment covers "PC-ness." For example, what makes a particular personal computer a "PC" and not a "Macintosh" or other type of personal computer? Also discussed are the business and market realities of the PC from a component perspective, such as from where the components originate, what the industry-standard governing choices are, and finally which companies really control the PC from both a software and hardware perspective.

• The ATA Interface (14:39). Although most people know the internal drive interface in most PCs as "IDE", this segment shows the nature of what is really called the ATA interface. The physical and electrical nature of the interface is discussed from a nuts-and-bolts perspective, including the connectors, cables, jumpers, and drives. In addition, the performance and limitations of the interface are discussed, as well as the evolution of ATA—past, present, and future.

• Memory (16:15). Over the years, memory has become more complicated with many more types of chips, modules, and speeds to consider. This segment shows all the types of memory used in a PC, shows their similarities and differences, and discusses the various levels of performance they provide. Also discussed is how to select, configure, and install the best memory for a given system.

• Optical Drives (12:12). This segment shows optical drives in detail, including the various types available, how they work from a nuts-and-bolts perspective, and how they are connected to the system.

If you enjoy these video segments and want to see more, a full 6-hour version with many more segments like these is available in Scott's Upgrading and Repairing PCs Video Training Course! The video training course packs in a total of 6 hours of live video training similar to Scott's world-renowned 4-day seminars. For more information on the Upgrading and Repairing PCs Video Training Course, please visit www.upgradingandrepairingpcs.com. If you have any comments on these videos or are interested in an in-depth, hands-on seminar featuring all these topics and more, please contact Scott directly via scottmueller@compuserve.com.

A Sneak Peek at My Newest Project!

Upgrading and Repairing Laptops— For the first time ever, you'll see a laptop disassembled (something your warranty most certainly doesn't cover). This exclusive clip is taken straight from Upgrading and Repairing Laptops, Scott's all-new book. Available Winter 2003!

Searchable Databases

On the DVD you'll find detailed specifications for thousands of hard drives in this comprehensive Hard Drive Specifications Database.

Complementing that is a detailed list of technology vendors. The Vendor List is a searchable database of key industry contacts, searchable by name or keyword. This is crucial contact information that no hardware maven should be without!

Technical Reference

The Technical Reference is a PDF repository of material that has appeared in previous editions of Upgrading and Repairing PCs but has been moved to the DVD to make room for coverage of new technologies. The DVD combined with the printed content of the book makes Upgrading and Repairing PCs far more than 2,000 pages long!

Its contents include a detailed listing of BIOS codes and legacy coverage from earlier editions of the book. It's included on the DVD in printable PDF format.

Upgrading and Repairing PCs Bookshelf

PDF versions of the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th editions of Upgrading and Repairing PCs are included on the DVD!