Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition 4th Edition

by Morris Rosenthal (Author)

42 ratings

ISBN-13: 978-0072255591

ISBN-10: 0072255595

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This visual how-to manual is loaded with photographs and images to help you see exactly how to assemble from scratch--or simply upgrade--your PC easily. Organized in three main sections, this easy-to-follow guide will lead you through making preparations to build your PC, which includes guidance selecting and purchasing the right parts. Next, you’ll learn how to build the actual computer, including internal components, and finally, there’s a section on maintaining and troubleshooting, to help keep your creation on its best behavior.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This visual how-to manual is loaded with photographs and images that show you exactly how to assemble from scratch--or even upgrade--a PC in no time. You’ll learn, step-by-step, how to find the best components for your budget and your performance requirements, assemble and connect the parts, install the operating system, troubleshoot common problems, and much more. Build Your Own PC is a start-to-finish, illustrated guide to the skills, tools, and accessories you’ll need to create a cost-effective, customized machine.

Learn about all the basic PC components and their functions
Select and purchase parts based on performance and cost
Explore different case designs and assembly techniques
Build with the latest Intel Pentium 4 technology
Assemble an Athlon 64 or Athlon 64 FX in Socket 939
Install Windows XP
Troubleshoot hardware problems common to new builds
Follow along with more than 200 photos and illustrations

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Morris Rosenthal is a best-selling author and computer consultant. He has built or repaired thousands of PCs and has trained many PC technicians. Morris has been featured on the Dateline MSNBC Web site and in the national press as an expert on computer repair and purchasing issues.

About the Author

Morris Rosenthal (Springfield, MA) is an independent computer hardware consultant who holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering. He is the author of The Hand-Me-Down PC.

Product details

Series: Build Your Own
Paperback: 240 pages
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Osborne Media; 4 edition (October 20, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0072255595
ISBN-13: 978-0072255591
Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 0.5 x 10.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
Customer Reviews: 42 customer ratings
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #704,988 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #174 in PC Hardware
- #1987 in Electrical & Electronics (Books)
- #79 in Computer Hardware Upgrade & Repair

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Customer reviews

5 star		49%
4 star		21%
3 star		12%
2 star		6%
1 star		12%

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Amazon Customer

Valuable Resource For Your First Build

Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013

Verified Purchase

I bought this book in 2005 - so my review is being made with that in mind. In 2005, this book was relatively up to date. The book features clear diagrams and instructions and guidelines on how to choose hardware that is compatible, which is mainly what I was looking for. It did an excellent job. It was the first build I'd ever done, and the information in this book gave me the confidence and knowledge that I needed to move forward with picking out hardware and assembling it.

That said, the book is fairly outdated now, and even at the time that I was using it, the information for what was "bleeding edge" was already out of date. Don't buy this book for its hardware recommendations - buy it for the general guidelines on assembly and picking compatible hardware.

One person found this helpful

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D. Stoddard

First Time Computer Builder

Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2000

Verified Purchase

This guy has built some computers before. He has some excellent insights into the computer parts and functions. What you need versus what you want..."don't buy tomorrows technology today...you can easily upgrade it later saving hundreds ($500). Some good advice. I felt good about going forward with the build.
As the author states, he can't write in detail about everything. So, you should be prepared to pay ten cents per page for his book. He's not wordy...and he's got a sense of humor if your in the right frame of mind. The computer building business must be getting tougher to make a buck these days.
I researched my parts using what Vendors were using in thier builds and then researched them via the internet. Try Pricewatch.com; Motherboards.com; and use a search engine for computer component reviews. Then talk to the sales people...they'll help you for a sell.
Even if you buy your computer prebuilt, you should go through the reading and research so you can pick out a computer with right components you need and not just buzzword names.
Go ahead a try to build one. If you get in trouble, just be prepared to let the computer store down the road bail you out for a nominal fee.

34 people found this helpful

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Timbus

needs more on the shopping of parts, and troubleshooting

Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2000

Verified Purchase

I am sure this is a great show by example book. with just enough knowledge mentioned, this book simplifies the task of building a PC. And quite amazingly, it is rather up to date. However, I only wish the author could spare a little ink on how to purchase different parts. After all, assembling all the parts together is not difficult at all, because it is no more than finding the right plugs and connect them (from our point of view, there is very little difference between a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM). It is the hunting for the parts that get me (and probably a lot of other readers as well). Also the book goes something like this, "it seems that the BIOS does recognize the CPU with correct speed... excellent, now let's get it over with..." But what if something does go wrong? what if there is a hardware conflict, or what if some parts are defective? How would you tell which part is bad, and what the solution would be? Even a loose connection in the video card could seem to be a disaster to a beginner simply because he/she does not have the experiences to judge what and where the problems occur.

24 people found this helpful

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Troy Brumley

clear and easy

Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2013

Verified Purchase

Good clear pictures with just enough words to explain what to do or what not to do. If you are comfortable putting an expansion card in a PC, you will probably be able to build a system with this for help. There is no detailed advice on how to spec out a system, but I was looking for something to keep at my side while I assemble a system.

2 people found this helpful

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Mr. Hammer

Nice Book, But it's the 21st Century ... how about a splash of color?

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2005

Verified Purchase

I bought two books to learn how to build a PC. This one and "Building the Perfect PC".

Building the Perfect PC has Color Photos. This one has Black & White Photos. The Color photos of the other book are sooo much nicer. But this book is written much better.

I'd give this book 5 stars if it had color photos. But B&W drops the rating to 4.

I built a PC from scratch, and it worked the day I built it. :-D

9 people found this helpful

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Ranger100

Color photos do not display well on my black & ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2016

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Color photos do not display well on my black & white only Kindle. The book (or pamphlet) is very elementary and intended only for the builder considering his first build. $1.99 is about the right price.

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Lots of pages

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2019

Verified Purchase

Do not buy this for bbq recipes

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stephenstefl

Build your own PC

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2014

Verified Purchase

Went through this book in about 10 minutes. Lots of information, all in pictures. Easy to follow, and makes sense. Good book...

One person found this helpful

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Top international reviews

Amazon Customer

Good read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 2, 2019

Verified Purchase

Good illustrations and very easy to follow instructions for the beginner and competent PC users alike. Very informative.

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j b temperley

very useful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

Yes, I built a computer with a 4 drive raid, which was fine and dandy until three out of four hard drives failed! I never found out why. As I am now 85, I shall probably not build another! I replaced the drive and gave the computer away to a charity and have not hrd any complaints.

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Mr. Harriston Miller

My personal Build Your Own PC, 4th Edition book review

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2013

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Useful information publication which offers good illustration for a novice PC builder like myself
Worth well the purchase for a person on a tight budget

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