List of Figures

Chapter 1: Overview

Figure 1.1: A typical PC system.

Chapter 2: System Configuration and Computer Hygiene

Figure 2.1: A sample of a setup screen.

Figure 2.2: Another setup screen.

Figure 2.3: Services applet.

Figure 2.4: Configuring a service.

Figure 2.5: 9x Windows Setup tab.

Figure 2.6: XP Windows Components Wizard.

Figure 2.7: System Properties in Windows 9x.

Figure 2.8: System Properties in Windows 2000.

Figure 2.9: System Properties in Windows XP.

Figure 2.10: Windows 2000 Startup and Recovery settings.

Figure 2.11: A WinZip self-extracting file.

Figure 2.12: Device Manager indicating problematic hardware.

Figure 2.13: Jumpers and microswitches.

Figure 2.14: Device Manager IRQ View in newer computer.

Figure 2.15: Windows 2000 Startup menu.

Figure 2.16: Changing resources manually.

Figure 2.17: 9x System Properties, Performance tab.

Figure 2.18: Processes tab of Windows XP Task Manager.

Figure 2.19: Performance tab of Windows XP Task Manager.

Figure 2.20: Overloaded system tray.

Figure 2.21: MSConfig.

Figure 2.22: Sysedit open to AUTOEXEC.BAT.

Figure 2.23: A computer dedicated to virus scanning and data backup.

Chapter 3: Motherboards and Their Components

Figure 3.1: ATX motherboard.

Figure 3.2: DIMM slots.

Figure 3.3: AGP video slot.

Figure 3.4: DVO video header connector.

Figure 3.5: A combination ISA/PCI slot.

Figure 3.6: ISA cards’ pins are much bigger and farther apart than PCI cards’ pins.

Figure 3.7: ATX power connector.

Figure 3.8: If the motherboard has this 12-volt connector, it must be connected. The connector from the power supply is in the inset.

Figure 3.9: AT power connector.

Figure 3.10: IDE and floppy disk drive connectors.

Figure 3.11: A computer with built-in sound and video.

Figure 3.12: Power supply voltage switch.

Figure 3.13: Elevated mounting holes.

Figure 3.14: Standoff assortment.

Figure 3.15: Replacing a lithium coin cell battery.

Figure 3.16: Permanently installed battery and replacement battery terminals (four pins).

Figure 3.17: Removing a BIOS chip.

Figure 3.18: The thermal pad goes on the bottom of the heat sink.

Figure 3.19: Installing a processor, fan, and heat sink.

Figure 3.20: 3-pin processor fan connectors.

Figure 3.21: Removing the screw that holds an expansion card in place.

Figure 3.22: Installing a slot cover.

Figure 3.23: Common ports.

Chapter 4: Cases and Power Supplies

Figure 4.1: A typical ATX case.

Figure 4.2: Attaching an I/O shield.

Figure 4.3: Removing a side panel.

Figure 4.4: One-piece case cover.

Figure 4.5: The ubiquitous CEE AC power cord.

Figure 4.6: ATX DC power connectors.

Figure 4.7: Power supply assortment.

Chapter 5: Memory (RAM)

Figure 5.1: A 184-pin DIMM.

Figure 5.2: This computer has 261,424 KB of physical memory.

Figure 5.3: Numbered DIMM slots.

Figure 5.4: Match the indentation with the notch.

Figure 5.5: An installed module.

Figure 5.6: Inserting a SODIMM in a notebook computer.

Chapter 6: Magnetic Disk Drives

Figure 6.1: A standard PC EIDE hard drive.

Figure 6.2: Hard drive information in a BIOS setup program.

Figure 6.3: Disk Management on a simple Windows 2000 system.

Figure 6.4: Removing the screws that secure the drive to the cage.

Figure 6.5: Removing the power and data connectors from an EIDE hard drive.

Figure 6.6: This jumper panel is set for master.

Figure 6.7: This ribbon cable supports cable select.

Figure 6.8: Finding pin 1.

Figure 6.9: An EIDE ribbon cable connected to the connector on the motherboard. Notice the “40” on the opposite side of the cable’s stripe, indicating pin 40.

Figure 6.10: 2.5-inch hard drive connector.

Figure 6.11: Windows Backup.

Figure 6.12: Standard opening, standard drive.

Figure 6.13: Proprietary opening, proprietary drive.

Figure 6.14: The large connector is for hard drives, optical drives, and 5.25-inch floppy drives. The small connector is only for 3.5-inch floppy drives.

Figure 6.15: One floppy cable with a twist.

Figure 6.16: A bay usable for a floppy drive.

Figure 6.17: Pin 1 markings can be vague.

Figure 6.18: Pin 1 marking on the motherboard.

Chapter 7: CD and DVD Drives

Figure 7.1: A typical CD-ROM drive installation.

Figure 7.2: Audio header connectors on a motherboard.

Figure 7.3: Optical drive, audio connector.

Figure 7.4: Windows XP CD burner controls.

Figure 7.5: Freeing a captive disc.

Chapter 8: Video, Sound, Modems, and Network Adapters

Figure 8.1: VGA connectors.

Figure 8.2: Display Properties.

Figure 8.3: AGP retention clip.

Figure 8.4: A sound card’s audio connectors.

Figure 8.5: A sound card jack panel.

Figure 8.6: Three different types of modems.

Figure 8.7: PC-Card modems.

Figure 8.8: Advanced modem properties.

Figure 8.9: Naming a HyperTerminal connection.

Figure 8.10: Auto-detecting the modem in HyperTerminal.

Chapter 9: Input Devices

Figure 9.1: Pointing device assortment.

Figure 9.2: A typical Mouse applet from Windows Me.

Figure 9.3: Badly labeled PS/2 ports.

Figure 9.4: Opening the bottom of a ball mouse.

Figure 9.5: The Windows key.

Figure 9.6: Speed page of the Keyboard applet in Windows 2000.

Figure 9.7: Input Locales page of the Keyboard applet in Windows 2000.

Figure 9.8: The removable panel type of laptop keyboard removal.

Figure 9.9: Treat the ribbon cable with care.

Figure 9.10: The “K” screw.

Chapter 10: Troubleshooting Internet Connections

Figure 10.1: Connect the phone line to the phone jack.

Figure 10.2: Dial-up Networking in Windows Me.

Figure 10.3: A connection’s General properties page in Windows Me.

Figure 10.4: My Locations.

Figure 10.5: Area Code Rules.

Figure 10.6: The Windows Me Dialing page.

Figure 10.7: Choose the third option with Windows 2000.

Figure 10.8: Choose the second option with Windows XP.

Figure 10.9: 2000’s wizard page with the “Use area code and dialing rules” check box selected.

Figure 10.10: Configure a separate set of rules for each location.

Figure 10.11: Calling card use in 2000.

Figure 10.12: Adding a new calling card in 2000.

Figure 10.13: Selecting a broadband connection in XP.

Figure 10.14: An assortment of DSL filters.

Figure 10.15: The Internet Options General page from XP.

Figure 10.16: The Privacy page.

Figure 10.17: The Content page.

Figure 10.18: The Connections page.

Figure 10.19: Viewing the Internet connection speed.

Figure 10.20: Add an e-mail account.

Figure 10.21: General properties.

Figure 10.22: The Servers page.

Figure 10.23: The Connection page.

Figure 10.24: The Advanced page.

Figure 10.25: AOL System Information.

Chapter 11: Troubleshooting

Figure 11.1: A sample System Information report on Windows XP. Note the open Tools menu.

Figure 11.2: The Micro 2000 POST card.

Figure 11.3: The Printers folder.

Figure 11.4: A print queue.

Figure 11.5: The registry has five keys.

Figure 11.6: Keys, values, and data.

Figure 11.7: Regedit’s Edit menu.

Figure 11.8: Windows 98 System File Checker.

Figure 11.9: SFC prompts you to restore the corrupted file.

Figure 11.10: 2000/XP SFC command switches.

Figure 11.11: C:\Windows\Options\Cabs\Setup.exe from Windows 98.

Chapter 12: Things Not to Do with a Computer

Figure 12.1: Don’t try this at home.

Chapter 15: Motherboards, Power, BIOS, and Expansion Buses

Figure 15.1: Baby AT (socket 7) motherboard and components.

Figure 15.2: ATX (Slot 1) motherboard and its components.

Figure 15.3: P9 and P8 power supply connector wiring.

Figure 15.4: Baby AT motherboard.

Figure 15.5: ATX motherboard.

Chapter 16: Processors and Cache

Figure 16.1: Processor liquid cooling process.

Figure 1.1: A typical PC system.

Figure 2.13: Jumpers and microswitches.

Figure 2.23: A computer dedicated to virus scanning and data backup.

Figure 3.8: If the motherboard has this 12-volt connector, it must be connected. The connector from the power supply is in the inset.

Figure 3.9: AT power connector.

Figure 3.19: The thermal pad goes on the bottom of the heat sink.

Figure 3.20: 3-pin processor fan connectors.

Figure 3.23: Common Ports.

Figure 5.6: Inserting a SODIMM in a notebook computer.

Figure 6.10: 2.5-inch hard drive connector.

Figure 7.5: Freeing a captive disk.

Figure 8.3: AGP retention clip.

Figure 8.5: A sound card jack panel.

Figure 9.8: The removable panel type of laptop keyboard removal.

Figure 9.9: Treat the ribbon cable with care.

Figure 11.2: The Micro 2000 POST card.

Chapter 17: Understanding Memory

Figure 17.1: A 30-pin SIMM (memory module).

Figure 17.2: A 72-pin SIMM (memory module).

Figure 17.3: A 168-pin DIMM (memory module).

Figure 17.4: A small-outline dual inline memory module (SODIMM).

Figure 17.5: A micro dual inline memory module (MicroDIMM).

Figure 17.6: A rambus inline memory module (RIMM).

Figure 17.7: A memory module.

Figure 17.8: A memory module.

Figure 17.9: A memory module.

Figure 17.10: A memory module.

Figure 17.11: A memory module.

Chapter 18: System Resources and Input Devices

Figure 18.1: Eight-bit byte and base 2 increments.

Figure 18.2: Windows 2000 display of IRQ settings.

Figure 18.3: Windows 2000 direct memory access (DMA) assignments.

Chapter 19: Basic Output Devices

Figure 19.1: Representation of a triad pixel element.

Figure 19.2: Windows 2000 Display Properties window.

Figure 19.3: Windows Energy Star Compliance logo.

Figure 19.4: Windows print queue with print jobs waiting to print.

Figure 19.5: The electrophotographic (EP) laser printing process.

Chapter 20: Storage Devices and Interfaces

Figure 20.1: A single side of a platter sector and track.

Figure 20.2: A hard drive with built-in connectors.

Figure 20.3: A Serial ATA cable.

Figure 20.4: Serial ATA motherboard connections.

Chapter 21: Cables, Connectors, and Ports

Figure 21.1: ATX form factor and external ports.

Figure 21.2: A parallel printer cable.

Figure 21.3: Male and female DB 9-pin and DB 25-pin serial connectors.

Figure 21.4: A 5-pin DIN and 6-pin mini-DIN connector.

Figure 21.5: A typical Type A USB connector.

Figure 21.6: A FireWire connector.

Figure 21.7: Basic SCSI connectors and their pin configurations.

Figure 21.8: A BNC and BNC T-connector.

Figure 21.9: An RJ-11 connector.

Figure 21.10: An RJ-45 connector.

Figure 21.11: A basic wireless network.

Figure 21.12: 802.1X wireless authentication.

Chapter 22: Basic Networking

Figure 22.1: A bus topology network.

Figure 22.2: A star topology network.

Figure 22.3: A ring topology network.

Chapter 23: Operating System Fundamentals and DOS

Figure 23.1: Checking the version of Windows in System Properties.

Figure 23.2: Checking the Windows Version at a Windows 2000 command prompt.

Figure 23.3: Windows 9x display of file attributes.

Figure 23.4: The /? switch results displayed at a Windows 2000 command prompt.

Figure 23.5: MS-DOS prompt advanced program settings.

Figure 23.6: The results of SYSEDIT in Windows 2000.

Chapter 24: Windows 9x

Figure 24.1: The Windows 9x Registry.

Figure 24.2: System Monitor.

Figure 24.3: Windows Task Manager.

Figure 24.4: Windows 9x Device Manager.

Figure 24.5: Windows 9x Display Properties Settings Window.

Figure 24.6: Graphics Adapter Properties Window.

Figure 24.7: Windows 9x Virtual Memory Settings.

Figure 24.8: The Disk Cleanup Window.

Figure 24.9: Add/Remove Programs Properties Window.

Figure 24.10: Network Configuration Window for Windows 9x.

Chapter 25: Windows NT

Figure 25.1: The Startup/Shutdown tab of the System’s Properties window.

Figure 25.2: Windows NT Registry Editor displaying subkeys and values.

Figure 25.3: The Windows NT User Manager.

Figure 25.4: Sharing a folder in Windows NT.

Figure 25.5: Windows NT Security tab.

Figure 25.6: Windows NT Disk Administrator.

Chapter 26: Windows 2000

Figure 26.1: Choosing a default OS in the Startup and Recovery window.

Figure 26.2: The Driver Signing Options window.

Figure 26.3: The computer Management window

Figure 26.4: The Windows 2000 Backup utility.

Figure 26.5: Setting compression and encryption attributes.

Figure 26.6: The Add Printer Wizard suggesting a Manual Mode printer installation.

Chapter 27: Windows Me

Figure 27.1: Windows Me Display Properties applet.

Figure 27.2: Windows Me System Configuration Utility.

Figure 27.3: Windows Me System Restore—Restore Point Selection applet.

Figure 27.4: Windows Me System Properties applet-Hardware Profiles tab.

Figure 27.5: Windows Me Password Properties User Profiles tab.

Figure 27.6: Windows Me Users Personalized Items Settings selection.

Figure 27.7: Windows Me dial-up networking connection properties Networking tab.

Figure 27.8: Windows Me Network Configuration tab.

Figure 27.9: Windows Me Internet Explorer Security Settings window.

Chapter 28: Windows XP

Figure 28.1: The Windows XP Upgrade Advisor: updating the setup files.

Figure 28.2: The enhanced Driver tab featuring the new Roll Back Driver.

Figure 28.3: Enabling Auditing with Local Security Policies.

Figure 28.4: The Network Setup Wizard.

Figure 28.5: Enabling Internet Connection Firewall.

Figure 28.6: Pinging localhost (127.0.0.1)