Most of the problems that people have with their PCs are software-based and easily fixable,at little or no expense--if you know how! This book walks the Reader step-by-step through the same troubleshooting and correction processes that experts use when people pay them $50 per hour or more to work on the PCs. This book thoroughly covers the software side of PC troubleshooting, repair and maintenance, which is by far the most common side on which problems occur on the average PC.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Faithe Wempen, maven of beginner guides to Microsoft products, rounds out the In a Weekend series with Tune Up Your PC in a Weekend. The book talks up to PC users who have a bit of knowledge--it assumes you're pretty resourceful and won't balk at terms like BIOS and TweakUI, for example--but it also explains those terms and concepts in language that is eminently accessible.
The basics of how your hardware functions lay the groundwork for the lessons, which are organized catchily (but perhaps a bit tritely) as the mornings, afternoons, and evenings of one weekend--lucky you if you have the luxury of an errand- and obligation-free weekend. The book talks you through why you need to take care of a few things, like backing up your files, before you do any tuning up. There's a good troubleshooting section in case you're having problems. Don't expect to breeze through it, though--it's arranged prosaically--no quick reference lookups here. (Moreover, the index is fine if you have a solid technical vocabulary.) There is plenty of information about Windows you can't get from Microsoft, because no one wants you to have it, about hidden files and how to make changes to the Registry. Granted, you could wreak havoc in your system if you hit one wrong key, but Wempen diligently teaches you how not to. You're expected to have all your system assessment completed and any problems fixed by Saturday afternoon. Good luck.
Next you'll tackle the heavy stuff--enhancing the performance of your PC and (if necessary) doing a clean reinstall. You'll learn how to do everything from defragmenting your hard disk; configuring virtual memory; eliminating unnecessary, space-hogging programs; and compressing a disk to managing your shortcuts. Scheduling basic recurring maintenance tasks is addressed too.
Sunday morning will have you busily planning upgrades to your system. Do you need a new hard disk? If so, what kind? How about other peripherals, your plans for storage, your modem, printers, scanners, and so on? There's a helpful guide that shows how to buy these products, and then of course a lengthy Sunday afternoon session on how to install and configure your peripherals once you've gotten your hands on them.
The process of actually doing the tune-up has been laid out for you and is probably more time-consuming than the title of the book lets on. If you're PC-astute and are driven to succeed, you might be able to do it. At any rate, the project will be fun and challenging with this book at your side. --Teri Kieffer --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.
About the Author
Faithe Wempen, M.A., has written over 60 books on computer hardware and software, and is a Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor and an A+ Certified computer technician. She is a freelance computer support technician and trainer, teaches courses in Microsoft Office and computer concepts at Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI), and is a frequent contributor to technical magazines and Web sites including Microsoft Office Solutions magazine and TechProGuild.com. Faithe is a Contributing Editor at CertCities.com for Microsoft Office and A+, an online instructor and course developer for the Hewlett-Packard Learning Center Online, and on the advisory team for the A+ Certification program at Training, Inc. She lives in Noblesville IN, where she co-owns and manages Sycamore Knoll Bed and Breakfast.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really practical,
This review is from: Tune Up Your PC In a Weekend (In a Weekend (Premier Press)) (Paperback)
I've seen lots of upgrade and repair books, but they were all full of tables of historical info and other stuff I didn't need. This book was great because it ran through practical things like the utilities to use in Windows to correct registry problems and disk errors. I now feel like I can solve most of the messes I get myself into with Windows. Thanks Faithe!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tune Up Your PC,
By Anita Clark (Mobile AL) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Tune Up Your PC In a Weekend (In a Weekend (Premier Press)) (Paperback)
The book is easy to understand and has excellent step-by-step procedures to follow so that you feel confident in what Faithe Wempen is instructing you to do. She also gives you a variety of other possibilities when the step-by-step procedures may not work in your particular case. It's as if she has 'every base covered'. I think a person, especially a beginner like myself, will definitely understand how to work on a PC after studying this book. It's also a very good reference book for beginners as well as those who are very knowledgeable about computers. This is a "MUST HAVE" book for any computer user.
5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
There's some good information here, but...,
By A Customer
This review is from: Tune Up Your PC In a Weekend (In a Weekend (Premier Press)) (Paperback)
First the good stuff:- good explanations of what goes on in the PC Otherwise, I'd steer clear of this one. Here's my very short summary: If your PC doesn't work the way you want it to: - try diddling all the Windows stuff on it If you're a total newbie/computerphobe, this book might help (though I can't see too many computerphobes donning anti-static straps and cracking open their cases after reading this book). But it really is oriented to an audience with minimal tech skill or interest--which limits things significantly. I was disappointed to see no mention at all of any alternatives to Windows, particularly in discussing options for older systems. It would have been nice to see Linux/BSD offered as an option for keeping these perfectly functional systems functioning, rather than junking them and spending another $600-1,000 for a new PC with the latest version of Windows. But most disappointing was the lack of any significant non-OS related tuning tips beyond RAM/CPU/hard drive upgrades. For example, one I got just last week from a local service tech was to install PCI video cards in a lower-numbered slot because the higher-numbered slots get lower priority. There was nothing like that here; I wonder too about tips on RAM placement, issues of cooling and power, stuff like that. So, basically, this book is worth it only if: - you use Windows ...The price is OK, but personally, I'd rather switch to Red Hat Linux and spend [more] on a serious hardware book like Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs".
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