Introduction xxxvi Chapter 1 PC Technician Essentials 3 PC Tools 3 Preventing Electrostatic Discharge 4 The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Process 5 Numbering Systems Used in Computers 6 Decimal Numbering System 6 Binary Numbering System 6 Binary Versus Decimal MB/GB 10 Data Storage and Overhead 11 Hexadecimal Numbering System 14 Measuring Data Transfer and Frequency 14 Bandwidth 14 Parallel Information Transfers 15 Serial Transfers 16 Hertz (Hz) 17 Important Websites 18 Chapter 2 PC Anatomy 101 21 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 22 The Essential Parts of Any Computer 25 Front and Rear Views of a Desktop PC 25 All Around a Notebook (Laptop) Computer 27 Quick Reference to PC Components 28 Points of Failure 29 Points of Failure on a Desktop Computer 30 Points of Failure on a Notebook Computer 30 Hardware, Software, and Firmware 31 Hardware 31 Software 31 Firmware 32 Why Hardware, Software, and Firmware Are Important to Understand 33 Working Inside Your PC 33 Opening the Case of a Desktop PC 33 Taking ESD Precautions 34 Connecting Internal and External Data Cables 35 Attaching Cables to the Floppy Drive and Controller 35 Attaching the VGA Cable to a Video Card or Port 37 Installing a PCI Card 38 Hardware Resources 39 Chapter 3 Motherboards, Processors, and Adapter Cards 43 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 43 Motherboards and Their Components 47 The System Bus and I/O Bus 48 Form Factors 49 ATX and Micro ATX 49 BTX 49 NLX 51 Riser Cards and Daughterboards 51 Integrated I/O Ports 52 Memory Slots 54 Expansion Slots 54 PCI Slots 55 AGP 55 PCIe (PCI Express) Slots 56 AMR and CNR Slots 58 Mass Storage Interfaces 59 PATA/IDE 60 SATA 61 SCSI 61 Choosing the Best Motherboard for the Job 62 Installing Motherboards 63 Step-by-Step Motherboard Removal (ATX and BTX) 63 Step-by-Step Motherboard Removal (NLX) 65 Preparing the Motherboard for Installation (ATX/BTX) 66 Step-by-Step Motherboard Installation (ATX/BTX) 67 Step-by-Step Motherboard Installation (NLX) 68 Troubleshooting Motherboards 68 System Will Not Start 69 Devices Connected to the Port Cluster Don''t Work 72 Devices Connected to Header Cables Don''t Work 73 Mass Storage Devices Do Not Work Properly 74 Memory Failures 74 Card, Memory, or Heat Sink Blocked by Motherboard Layout 74 Processors and CPUs 75 Overview of Processor Differences 75 Intel Processors 75 AMD Processors 79 Processor Sockets and Packaging 83 CPU Technologies 84 Hyperthreading (HT Technology) 84 Dual-Core and Multi-Core 85 Processor Throttling 85 Microcode (MMX) 85 Overclocking 86 Cache 87 VRM 88 Speed (Real Versus Actual): Clock Speed Versus Performance 88 32-bit Versus 64-bit 89 Choosing the Best Processor for the Job 89 Performance 89 Thermal Issues 89 32-bit Versus 64-bit (x64) Compatibility 90 Other Processor Features 90 Installing Processors 90 Removing the Heat Sink 91 Removing the Processor 93 Installing a New Processor 94 Slot-Type CPU (early Pentium III, early AMD Athlon, and Others) 96 Troubleshooting Processors 98 System Runs Slower Than Rated Speed 98 Processor Failure 99 Installing Adapter Cards 99 General Installation 100 Display Adapters 103 Sound Cards 104 Video Capture Cards 104 Troubleshooting Adapter Cards 105 Device Connected to Adapter Card Doesn''t Work 105 Performing Driver and Firmware Upgrades 106 Chapter 4 BIOS 111 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 111 Understanding BIOS, CMOS, and Firmware 115 Configuring the System BIOS 117 Accessing the BIOS Setup Program 118 BIOS Settings Overview 120 Automatic Configuration of BIOS/CMOS Settings 123 Selecting Options 124 Main Menu 124 Standard Features/Settings 125 Floppy Drive BIOS Configuration 126 PATA and SATA BIOS Configuration 126 System Information 127 Integrated Peripherals 129 Onboard Devices 130 I/O Devices 131 PATA/IDE and SATA Configuration 132 Power Management 134 PnP/PCI Configurations 135 Hardware Monitor 136 Processor and Memory Configuration 137 Security Features 138 Exiting the BIOS and Saving/Discarding Changes 139 Power-On Self-Test and Error Reporting 140 Beep Codes 141 POST Error Messages 142 POST Hex Codes 143 BIOS Updates 144 Flash BIOS Update 145 BIOS Chip Replacement 147 Chapter 5 Power Supplies and System Cooling 153 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 153 Power Supplies 157 Power Supply Ratings 157 Multivoltage Power Supplies 159 Causes and Cures of Power Supply Overheating 161 Overloading 161 Fan Failure 163 Inadequate Air Flow Outside the System 163 Inadequate Air Flow Inside the System 164 Dirt and Dust 164 Replacing Power Supply Form Factors and Connectors 165 Removing and Replacing the Power Supply 168 Testing Power Supplies with a Multimeter 170 Determining Power Supply DC Voltage Levels 172 Avoiding Power Supply Hazards 174 Power Protection Types 175 Surge Suppressors 176 Battery Backup Units (UPS and SPS) 178 Power Conditioning Devices 180 Buying the Correct-Sized Battery Backup System 180 Troubleshooting Power Problems 181 System Cooling 182 Passive and Active Heat Sinks 183 North/Southbridge Cooling 184 Video Card Cooling 186 Case Fans 187 Thermal Compound 188 Liquid Cooling Systems 191 Chapter 6 RAM 195 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 195 RAM Basics 199 RAM Types 201 DRAM 201 SRAM 201 SDRAM 202 DDR SDRAM 202 DDR2 SDRAM 202 DDR3 SDRAM 203 Rambus 203 Operational Characteristics 204 Comparison of Memory Modules 205 Memory Module Width 206 Parity and Non-Parity Memory 207 ECC and Non-ECC Memory 208 Registered and Unbuffered Memory 209 Single-Sided and Double-Sided Memory 209 Installing DIMMs and Rambus RDRAM Modules 210 Troubleshooting Memory 212 Verifying RAM Compatibility 212 Overclocking Can Lead to System Instability 213 Avoid Mixing Metals in RAM and Sockets 213 Use Caution When Mismatching RAM Speeds 213 EDO Compatibility with Other RAM Types 214 "Parity Error - System Halted" Message 215 RAM-Sizing Errors at Bootup 215 Determining Whether Cache RAM Is the Source of a Memory Problem 216 Other Methods for RAM Testing 216 Preventative Maintenance for Memory 217 Chapter 7 I/O and Multimedia Ports and Devices 221 "Do I Know This Already?" Quiz 221 Understanding I/O Ports 225 USB 225 USB Port Types, Speeds, and Technical Details 225 Adding USB Ports 228 SCSI 229 Multiple Device Support with SCSI Host Adapters 229 Jumper Block and DIP Switch Settings for Device IDs 230 SCSI Standards 232 SCSI Cables 233 SCSI Signaling Types 234 Daisy-Chaining SCSI Devices 234 SCSI Host Adapter Card Installation 236 SCSI Daisy-Chain Maximum Length 236 SCSI Termination Methods 237 Serial (COM) 238 Serial Port Pinouts 240 Types of Serial Cables 241 Standard IRQ and I/O Port Addresses 243 How to Configure or Disable Serial Ports 243 Serial Port Software Configuration 244 Adding Additional Serial Ports 245 Parallel (LPT) 246 Parallel Port Configuration 248 IEEE 1394 (FireWire) 253 IEEE 1394 Ports and Cables 253 IEEE 1394 Compatible Devices and Technical Requirements 254 Installing an IEEE 1394 Card 254 PS/2 (Mini-DIN) 255 Centronics 255 1/8-inch Audio Mini-Jack 256 SPDIF Digital Audio 256 MIDI Port 257 RG-6 Coaxial 258 Understanding Input Devices 258 Keyboard 258 Mouse and Pointing Devices 259 Mouse Resource Usage 260 Bar Code Reader 260 Biometric Devices 260 Touch Screens 261 Touch Screen Interfacing to the Computer 261 Understanding Multimedia Devices 262 Webcam 262 Digital Camera 262 MIDI Music and MIDI Ports 262 Sound Card 262 Microphone 263 Video Capture Card 264 Installing Input and Multimedia Devices 264 Installing a Keyboard 265 Installing a Mouse or Other Pointing Device 265 Installing a Bar Code Reader 265 Installing a W.