Scott Mueller's Upgrading and Repairing PCs has long been a classic in IBM-compatible hardware circles. Now in its 11th edition, it continues to top the list of PC hardware reference books. With the release of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Linux Edition, Mueller and some Linux experts have adapted the classic to Linux, the latest thing in operating systems for Intel-standard microprocessors.
Truth be told, this book is not dramatically different from its Windows-centric cousin. It shouldn't be--hardware is hardware under both operating systems. The many versions of the SCSI specification, all well-documented here, are of interest to Linux users, as are the characteristics of different kinds of writable CD-ROMs. This material transcends operating systems.
Though the absence of a hardware compatibility list is surprising, such lists (more current than any that could appear in a book) exist on the Web. In addition to the hardware reference material, Mueller has chosen to include quite a bit of Linux-specific procedural data in this book. Readers get, for example, succinct statements of the shell commands that transfer an old hard drive's contents to a replacement and a statement of the settings that activate power management. The point: You probably won't find enough new material to justify buying this book if you already own the current Windows-centric version, since the hardware reference material is the same. But if you don't have a copy and plan to do mostly Linux work, you'll be delighted by this book. --David Wall
Topics covered: The physical, electrical, and logical characteristics of all classes of IBM-compatible personal computer hardware, with an emphasis on how that hardware interacts with the Linux 2.2 operating system. The author does a particularly great job with hard disks, the Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) specification, and video hardware.
Book Description
Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Linux Edition addresses Linux-specific hardware issues that do not arise with Windows or DOS. Based on Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 11th Edition, this book covers Linux information such as system requirements, installation and setup, drive partitioning, kernel parameters, memory, and compatibility between Linux and components and components with each other. While Windows has a slick installation that automatically determines most of the hardware in a PC, Linux users still must struggle to identify, configure, and install the hardware in their PCs. This book is an essential reference to understand how your PC hardware works, how it interacts with Linux, and how to troubleshoot, repair, and upgrade the components in a Linux system.
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