Customer Reviews

Upgrading and Fixing PCs for Dummies, Sixth Edition

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first owned a PC when I was 14 and when my mom bought it for me I didn't know the difference between Windows and DOS and didn't even know what RAM or a CPU was. When I bought this I didn't really have any experience with using a PC, so after learning how to use one for awhile I purchased this book and read it.

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.

Kind of a combination introduction/overview to the state of PC technology today, with an emphasis on helping readers new to the subject in maximizing any PCs performance. This is an excellent book! Covers all the latest in Windows XP configuration and upkeep, as well as buzzwords like DVD-RW, DVD+RW, CDRW/DVD, 802.11b, 802.11a, wireless access points, fast Ethernet, FireWire, USB 2.0, MP3s, WMAs, LCDs, DVI-I, DV camcorders, digital cameras, scanners, printers, modems, NTFS, ATX, AGP 3.0 8x, DDR SDRAM,... etc. EVERYTHING current to today's PCs is given a brief mention. I especially like the Appendix, "The Rathbone Reference of Fine Ports", which clearly explains the most common of today's PC connections, as well as the ones that are going out of style. Very helpful! This book strikes a great balance between being too simple and being too advanced. It's the perfect companion to the "Windows for Dummies" series, right along with another recent book, "Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies", by Dan Gookin. Highly recommended!

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!

I've thought a lot about what audience would find this book helpful, and I can't come up with one. It seems intended for people who know zero about PCs. (For example, the author explains how to pronounce CPU - "See Pee You") He also makes an extreme effort to present PCs as non-intimidating. (The book promises "If you can open a bag of Cheetos, then you can upgrade and repair your PC".)

In reality, repairing a PC is a bit more difficult than opening chips, and that's where this book fails. If you truly know zip, zero, nothing about computers, you won't be fixing any major problem after reading this. And if you do know much of anything about PCs, you won't find anything informative here.

What the book does provide is a lot of good, general knowledge to those who know little or nothing about PCs. It might be handy as a guide to a computer novice for something super basic like installing a modem or more memory. I can't imagine it being used as a reference for any serious repair use. If that novice needs much of a repair or upgrade, I suspect he'll be in the market for an experienced tech.

So...if you just want to do basic upgrade (not repair)on your PC and you're generally mechanically handy but timid around PCs, you might find this book useful. If you truly know nothing about computers and expect to fix one after reading this book, prepare to be disapointed. I would recommend Michael Meyers A+ Certification Guide as a much better technical resource for the uninitiated.

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?

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.

I just cannot find my copy of this book. With this book, I've been brave enough to pop open my computer and install things like a TV-tuner card, more powerful memory cards, cd-burners. People think I'm a computer whiz.

Without this book, my new hard drive sits on the shelf for six months. I open my cpu and say, "Looks like I need one of them ribbon thingees. What's that called?" I'm on Amazon today to buy another copy because I just cannot function otherwise.

I volunteer for a charity that takes donated old PCs from companies, gets them working, and gives them to people who can't afford to buy computers. I bought the book for ideas. The book was useful; there was lots of stuff I needed reminding about. But it tries to help both people with 386s and people with Pentium IIIs at the same time, and it's too wide a range. Also, it needs re-editing (e.g. a reference to a serial printer later in the chapter wasn't there, and there were other minor goofs as well). It probably really needs to be two books: one for fixing up old PCs and one for Pentiums and later.

I've thought a lot about what audience would find this book helpful, and I can't come up with one. It seems intended for people who know zero about PCs. (For example, the author explains how to pronounce CPU - "See Pee You") He also makes an extreme effort to present PCs as non-intimidating. (The book promises "If you can open a bag of Cheetos, then you can upgrade and repair your PC".)

In reality, repairing a PC is a bit more difficult than opening chips, and that's where this book fails. If you truly know zip, zero, nothing about computers, you won't be fixing any major problem after reading this. And if you do know much of anything about PCs, you won't find anything informative here.

What the book does provide is a lot of good, general knowledge to those who know little or nothing about PCs. It might be handy as a guide to a computer novice for something super basic like installing a modem or more memory. I can't imagine it being used as a reference for any serious repair use. If that novice needs much of a repair or upgrade, I suspect he'll be in the market for an experienced tech.

So...if you just want to do basic upgrade (not repair)on your PC and you're generally mechanically handy but timid around PCs, you might find this book useful. If you truly know nothing about computers and expect to fix one after reading this book, prepare to be disapointed.

The dummies books always tend to be good. This is a good book if you want some basic knowledge of computer support. I've used it as giveaways for my Tech Support Forums website. Everyone seemed to like it.