Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC (Paperback)

~ Michael Miller (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Upgrading and Fixing Your PC is a comprehensive, non-technical guide to upgrading your computer and fixing common problems. It provides step-by-step instructions for specific types of upgrades, fast and easy ways to troubleshoot common computer problems - and how to restore your system to working order after a bad upgrade.

Included are instructions for the following types of system enhancements: * Adding new USB, serial, parallel, and FireWire ports * Adding bigger hard disks and more system memory * Upgrading to better mice and keyboards * Upgrading to new printers, faxes, and scanners * Upgrading to bigger monitors and more powerful video cards * Upgrading for digital photography and digital video editing * Upgrading for TV and DVD viewing * Upgrading for digital music playback * Upgrading for enhanced game play * Installing a wired or wireless network * Speeding up your Internet connection * Upgrading your operating system to Windows XP

About the Author

Michael Miller is a successful and prolific author with a reputation for practical advice and technical accuracy and an unerring empathy for the needs of his readers.

Mr. Miller has written more than four dozen how-to and reference books since 1989, for Que and other major publishers. His most recent books include Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Absolute Beginner's Guide to eBay, and TechTV's Microsoft Windows XP for Home Users, 2nd Edition. He is known for his casual, easy-to-read writing style and his practical, real-world advice¿as well as his ability to explain a wide variety of complex topics to an everyday audience.

Mr. Miller is also president of The Molehill Group, a strategic consulting and authoring firm based in Carmel, Indiana. As a consultant, he specializes in providing strategic advice to and writing business plans for Internet- and technology-based businesses.

You can email Mr. Miller directly at [e-mail]. His Web site is located at www.molehillgroup.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: Que (September 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789730456
• ISBN-13: 978-0789730459
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,141,717 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I point askers of basic questions to this book, October 9, 2003

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

As a teacher of computers at the community education level, I am often asked questions about the basics of computer use. Topics such as, "how can I speed up my computer?", "do I need more memory?", or "My computer isn't working right, what do I need to do to fix it?" If I have time, I will try to answer the question, but in most cases, I try to steer them to a resource that I think will give them the answer. Now, I know of a resource that will most likely give them an answer to any basic problem.
Miller is quite explicit in drawing a line on do-it-yourself hardware repairs. His general criteria is that if it takes more than a screwdriver, then you should let a technical person handle it. This is of course very sensible and he covers most of the basic operations that a beginner can do. One glaring omission in this section is that there is no mention of the possible presence of a seller warranty sticker. While someone may be eager to fix it, you should always think twice before breaking the sticker and possibly voiding a warranty that could solve the problem at no cost.
Other areas covered in the book are basic system maintenance that can be done using Windows utility software, how to troubleshoot basic problems such as no sound, boot failures, saving sound files to CDs and DVDs, installing basic hardware such as scanners, system freezes and other common problems. In all cases, he steps you through the most likely and simplest of causes, always advising the seeking of professional help if the problem seems to be beyond his advice.
Students are always seeking free computer advice and assistance, now I can simplify my response down to the simple statement of telling them to look in this book.

4.0 out of 5 stars Also a Great Resource for Planning A Used PC Purchase, May 8, 2009

By	Gorbo "Gorbo" (San Rafael CA United States) - See all my reviews

For the "Geek" inside you. Well written and not overly technical. Every PC owner should have this as their personal System Administration manual.