Absolute beginner's pc upgrades

Figure out when it makes more sense to buy a new system than upgrade an existing one

Find a checklist of everything you need to have on hand before performing any PC upgrade

Know when to perform your own upgrades and when to call in an expert

Upgrade your system with the latest CD-ROM or DVD drive. Maybe even install a new hard disk with more storage space than Fort Knox

Sort out the different types of RAM along with what you need and how much to get for your existing system

Add a new scanner and install a lightning-fast graphics card to get more speed from the latest games

Upgrade that pesky outdated operating system, or train your PC to use more than one

Troubleshoot hardware and software problems and deal effectively with technical support

Few can rival the combined PC knowledge of T.J. Lee and Lee Hudspeth ... just ask the 2.3 million readers they have already taught! As certified Microsoft trainers and co-founders of the PRIME Consulting Group, the expertise of Lee and Hudspeth extends into nearly every medium for teaching PC technology.

For Que', they have coauthored the Unofficial Guide to PCs, as well as a variety of Annoyances books, including Microsoft Outlook 97 and 98, Excel 97, Word 97, and the popular Microsoft Office 97 Suite. Plus, they are both routine contributors to PC Computing-helping the publication win its first Ellie, a prestigious National Magazine Award. Between writing books, winning awards, and training corporate developers, Lee and Hudspeth also spread their knowledge by authoring a monthly column in eBay Magazine and publishing The Naked PC, an e-zine geared toward "all things PC" _With a circulation of more than 56,000 readers. As you can see, Lee and Hudspeth are the PC experts people look for, and depend on.

Contents at a Glance

• Introduction
• The Lay of the Land
• Deciding to, Upgrade
• Preparing for an Upgrade
• Things You Need
• The Core Upgrades
• Upgrading the BIOS
• RAM
• CPU and Motherboard Upgrades
• Upgrading the Hard Disk
• Upgrading an Internet Connection
• Adding a Network
• 1 Upgrades to Consider
• Adding Power Protection
• Adding USB Compatibility
• Upgrading, Peripherals
• Monitor and Graphic Card
• Upgrades
• Printer Upgrades
• Speaker Upgrades
• Adding the Extras
• Adding a CD-Recordable or
• CD-Rewritable Drive
• Adding a DVD Drive
• Adding Removable Storage
• Adding a Tape Drive
• Adding a Scanner
• Soiving Problems
• Upgrading Your Operating System
• Upgrading Your Applications:
• Strategies and Advice
• Managing Disk Partitions
• Troubleshooting Hardware and
• Software Problems
• Dealing with Technical Support
• Appendixes
• Building a PC from Scratch
• laptop Upgrades
• PC Inventory Form
• Glossary