Table of Contents

• Copyright and Disclaimer
• Chapter 1: Purchasing Components
  • Be Cheap
    • Getting the Most CPU “Bang for the Buck”
    • Save Money by Knowing Your PC Needs
    • Knowing When to Upgrade
  • Selecting Your CPU
  • Selecting a Mainboard
    • Doing Your Homework
    • Evaluating Mainboard Components and Features
  • Understanding Performance Bottlenecks
  • Choosing Video Cards and Other Parts
  • Upgrade Considerations
  • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
  • Detecting and Returning Faulty Parts
  • Mail-In Rebates: Good Deal or Rip-Off?
  • Will I Save Money by Building My Own System?
    • Total System Cost
• Chapter 2: Component Overview
  • Basic Steps in Building Your PC
  • Static Electricity and Component Handling
    • Tips for Safe Component Handling
    • Planning Ahead Before Opening Components
  • Key PC Components
  • Case and Power Supply
    • Case Sizes and Form Factors
    • Matching the Power Supply to the Case
    • Power Connectors
    • Sizing the Power Supply
    • Other Case Connectors and Switches
    • Thin-Wire Connectors
    • AT and ATX Cases and Power Supplies
    • Using a Case from an Existing System
    • Matching Standoffs and Screws to Mainboard Holes
    • I/O, I/O, it’s Into or Out of the Computer We Go
  • Mainboard
  • CPU
  • Heatsink and Fan
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Video Card
  • Hard Disk Drive
  • CD-RW, DVD and Other Removable Media Drives
  • Sound Card
  • Monitor
  • Modem
  • Network Interface Card (NIC)
  • Keyboard and Mouse
  • Operating System
• Chapter 3: Installing the CPU, Heatsink, and RAM On The Mainboard
  • Installing the CPU Into Its Socket
    • Preparing the Mainboard for the CPU
    • Opening and Examining the CPU Socket
    • Inserting the CPU into the Socket
  • Installing the Heatsink/Fan
    • The Importance of CPU Cooling
    • Thermal Conducting Compound/Tape
    • Orienting the Heatsink
    • Seating the Heatsink
    • Securing the Heatsink Clip
    • Checking Installation and Connecting the Fan
  • Installing Memory (RAM)
    • Matching RAM to Mainboard RAM Requirements
    • Preparing to Install the RAM
    • Inserting the RAM Chips
    • Seating the RAM Chips
  • CPU and RAM Installation Complete
• Chapter 4: Installing The Mainboard In The Case
  • Determining How to Open the Case
  • Opening the Case
  • Examining the Drive Cages
    • 3.5” Drive Cage
    • 5.25” Drive Cage
    • 5.25” RF Shields
  • Removing the Side Panel
  • Changing The I/O Shield
    • Comparing I/O Shield to Motherboard I/O Connectors
    • Removing the Existing I/O Shield
    • Installing the New I/O Shield
  • Test Fitting and Installing the Mainboard
    • Aligning Case Standoff Locations to Mainboard Holes
    • Choosing and Installing Standoffs
    • Seating the Mainboard Against the I/O Shield
    • Securing the Mainboard to the Case
    • Physical Mainboard Installation Complete
  • Connecting Case Leads to the Mainboard
    • Connecting the Case Fan
    • Connecting Other Thin-Wire Connectors
• Chapter 5: Installing Drives
  • Installing the Floppy Drive
    • Installing the Floppy Drive in the Drive Cage
    • Testing the Floppy Drive’s Fit in the Case
  • Installing the Hard Drive
    • Setting Hard Drive Jumpers
    • Multiple Hard Drive Options and RAID
    • IDE Cables and Connectors
    • Installing the Hard Drive in the Drive Cage
  • Reinstalling the 3.5” Drive Cage
  • Installing the CD-RW Drive
    • CD-RW by the Numbers
    • Removing the CD-RW Drive Bay Cover
    • Installing the CD-RW Drive in the Drive Cage
  • Installing Other 5.25" Drives
  • Drive Installation Complete
• Chapter 6: Connecting Components
  • Allocating Drives to IDE Connectors
  • Connecting the Sound Cable
  • Connecting the Ribbon Cables
    • The Floppy Ribbon Cable
    • Installing the Floppy Ribbon Cable
    • Installing the CD-RW Ribbon Cable
    • The Hard Drive IDE Cable
    • Installing the Hard Drive IDE Cable
    • Ribbon Cable Summary
  • Connecting the Power Cables
    • Power to the Mainboard
    • Power to Floppy Drive
    • Power to Hard Drive
    • Power to CD-RW Drive and Other Devices
  • Connecting the Sound Cable (If Not Already Done)
• Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards
  • Installing the AGP Video Card
    • Finding and Removing the AGP Slot Cover
    • Seating the AGP Video Card in the Slot
    • Securing the Video Card to the Case
  • Installing PCI Expansion Cards
    • Finding a PCI Card Slot and Removing the Slot Cover
    • Seating the PCI Card in the Slot
    • Securing the PCI Card to the Case
• Chapter 8: Testing the System and Completing Assembly
  • Deciding When to Test the System
  • Preparing to Test the System
  • Powering Up the System for the First Time
  • Adjusting BIOS Settings
  • Replacing the Side of the Case and Bezel
• Chapter 9: Installing Windows XP
  • Setting the BIOS to Check the CD Drive When Booting
  • Booting the Windows XP CD – Initial Setup Screen
  • Accepting the Microsoft License Agreement
  • Partitioning and Formatting the Hard Drive
    • Selecting the Partition Size
    • Partitioning for Multiple Operating Systems
    • Choosing the File System for the New Partition
    • Formatting the New Partition
  • Copying Files to the Computer
  • Entering Regional, Language and Personal Settings
  • Entering the Windows XP Product Key
  • Naming the Computer and Setting the Date and Time
  • Copying Remaining Files to Hard Drive
  • Adjusting Monitor Settings
  • Adding Users
  • Completing Installation and Booting Windows XP from the Hard Drive
• Chapter 10: Configuring Windows XP
  • Updating Windows XP
  • Activating Windows
  • Installing Drivers For Your Devices
  • Driver Installation Example: Monitor Driver
    • Default Monitor Driver
    • Locating a New Driver
    • Installing the New Driver
  • Installing Other Drivers
  • Dealing with Driver Problems
    • Missing Drivers
    • Updating Drivers
    • Problems with Driver CDs
    • Getting a New Driver from the Manufacturer’s Website
    • Using Safe Mode to Deal with Driver Issues
  • CD Burning Software
  • Backing Up Windows XP
  • Restore Points
• Chapter 11: Installing A Dual Boot Operating System (Linux And Windows XP)
  • Overview of Dual Boot Setup
  • Installing Linux
    • Setting the PC to Boot the Linux CD
    • Beginning Installation
    • Language Selection
    • Selecting the Keyboard and Mouse
    • Selecting the Installation Type
    • Choosing the Linux Partition Creation Method
    • Automatic Partitioning
    • Choosing a Default Operating System
    • Firewall Configuration
    • Language Option Configuration
    • Time Zone Setup
    • Setting Up the Root Password
    • Installing Packages
    • Copying Files from the CDs
    • Creating a Boot Floppy
    • Selecting the Video Card and Monitor Type
    • Choosing Screen Resolution and Color Depth
  • Dual Booting and Configuring Linux
    • Creating a User Account
    • Setting the Date and Time
    • Setting Up the Sound Card
    • Additional Steps
  • Linux Installation Summary
  • Working With and Modifying the GRUB Bootloader
    • Logging in as Root
    • The Red Hat Graphical User Interface (GUI)
    • Finding and Opening the gedit Word Processor
    • Editing the GRUB Configuration File
    • Changing the Timeout Value
    • Changing the Operating System Names and Default OS
    • Restarting with the New GRUB Options
  • More Information on Linux and UNIX
• Chapter 12: Home Video -- “So, You Want to Be the Next Steven Spielberg?”
  • DVD Overview and Drive Speeds
  • DVD Formats
  • Installing Internal and External Drives
  • DVD Software
  • Video Input: FireWire 1394 versus USB 2.0
• Chapter 13: What’s Next?
  • Careers in PC Repair
  • Recommended Reading and Other Resources