Upgrading & Fixing PCs for Dummies

Rathbone starts with an introduction to all the mysterious connections on the back of your computer's case, teaching you how to distinguish a game port from a serial port and an audio jack from a network connection. He then moves inside the case, using drawings and diagrams to illustrate processors, peripheral cards, memory modules, and other internal components. Troubleshooting occupies much of this book, and the author explains the basic "identify and isolate" strategy very well. He also points out what to look and listen for, describing, for example, the meaning of the beeps you hear when you turn your computer on.

Some of Rathbone's organizational decisions seem weird. He covers the procedure for replacing an internal modem in a chapter about all kinds of internal expansion cards, rather than in the modem chapter. But the information is there and it is well presented, so Upgrading & Fixing PCs for Dummies makes an excellent resource for hardware novices. --David Wall

Product Description
Here's the ideal plain-English reference for computer do-it-yourselfers. Upgrading & Fixing PCs For Dummies, 4th Edition, guides you step-by-step to figuring out what's broken and how to fix it. With these easy-to-follow instructions from computer guru Andy Rathbone, you'll be able to take care of all those nagging problems and install all the hardware you need, whether its more memory for a RAM-hungry machine or a faster modem for surfing the Internet. Master the mysteries of your PC's internal workings without becoming, in Andy's inimitable way with words, a technoweenie. Grab a few basic household tools -- a small Phillips screwdriver, an itty-bitty flathead screwdriver, and a paper clip -- and get ready to save some serious bucks by making the upgrades you need all by yourself. Upgrading & Fixing PCs For Dummies guides you through the troubleshooting process to divine what's wrong with your PC and why it's acting in strange and inexplicable ways, and then this book gives you instructions for fixing whatever ails your computer. Don't just give up on your PC and buy a Mac -- get this great all-in-one guide instead and make your PC work the way that it should!

This taught me a lot about repairing computers and installing new hardware. Anyone who doesnt have a ton of Knowledge about computers and is just starting out with Computers should check this book out if you want to learn more about them. I know for me it helped out a lot. If you've been a computer user for years and already know how to install a Hard Drive, Motherboard, Video Card and Memory etc, then I would skip this one. It's not very technical at all and is obviously for people that don't know much about computers at all. It's really just a good place to start.

I'm now 21 and have worked as a Computer Technician for about 3 years now. I definitely think that this book helped out a ton, it was definitely a good place to start. I believe there are to many people out there are afraid to upgrade/fix their own PC, maybe they are afraid they'll break it. That's all a part of the learning process and you'll never get anywhere if you don't take a risk and attempt to work on them. Most everything I've learned when it comes to upgrading computers is all Trial and Error. If one thing doesn't work out one way, just try it again some other way.

I also have to mention that any of the For Dummies books are worth checking out. Believe it or not, for learning DOS I read DOS For Dummies. For being a Computer Technician DOS is one of the most useful things I've learned. If you don't know it I don't see how anyone could be a very good Technician.


Learned more from this book than in computer class!   December 9, 1998
26 out of 28 found this review helpful

I'm a computer support student at a local community college. The textbook we use is HUGE and VERY technical. I bought this "For Dummies" book on a friday afternoon, and learned more from it in just a few hours than I had learned in the first 3 weeks of class!! I could'nt possibly get through my classes without it. It explains things in a way that I can understand.... and it takes a lot of the intimidation out of the process of learning this subject!


Great Book!   June 26, 2000
Christian J. Savage (California, The Silicon Valley State)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Upgrading & Fixing PC's. That says it right there. I have owned this book for several years, and I have found it to be an invaluble resource in all my times of trouble. Anytime I had a problem, it was right there ready to answer anything I had coming. It's perfect layout, combined with a GREAT index (everything from A/B Serial Port switches to Zero Insertion Force Sockets) make this a GREAT book. After all, would we expect anything less from the Dummies series?


Very good if you want to do it yourself cheaper   January 30, 1999
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

As with all the "Dummies" books, this one was very easy to read. It was set up in a logical order for you to get to know the things inside your computer and what they do for you. How to upgrade and replace parts is explained in easy to read and understandable language. There are also some important technical tips. Id highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to add or replace a new hard drive, upgrading ram or memory, swap out a powersupply, upgrade to a faster modem almost anything.......... The inside of the computer doesnt seem quite as mysterious and scarey once you know what youre lookin at and know what you have to do.