Ideal for PC owners looking for an accessible, easy-to-follow reference, this beginner's guide to PC hardware offers expert advice on every component--processors, motherboards, memory, BIOS, CD-ROM and DVD drives, video cards, and much more. You'll also get details on external devices, including monitors, printers, keyboards, and modems. The book covers both Intel and non-Intel CPUs and USB and AGP ports.

Table of Contents:
Part I: The Basics. Chapter 1: The Personal Computer. Chapter 2: Basic PC Concepts and Terminology. Part II: Internal Components. Chapter 3: Microprocessors. Chapter 4: Motherboards. Chapter 5: Chipsets and Controllers. Chapter 6: The BIOS and the Boot Process. Chapter 7: Computer Memory. Chapter 8: Cache Memory. Chapter 9: Hard Disks and Floppy Disks. Chapter 10: CD-ROMs and DVDs. Chapter 11: Expansion Cards. Chapter 12: Video Cards. Chapter 13: System Resources. Chapter 14: Power Supply and Electrical Issues. Part III: External Components. Chapter 15: The System Case. Chapter 16: Monitors and Displays. Chapter 17: Printers. Chapter 18: Keboards, Mice, and Pointing Devices. Chapter 19: Ports and Connectors. Chapter 20: Networks and Communications. Chapter 21: Audio/Visual Devices. Part IV: System Care and Troubleshooting. Chapter 22: PC Care and Maintenance. Chpater 23: Electrical Power Issues. Chapter 24: Troubleshooting PC Hardware.