Troubleshooting Your PC - Softcover

Each problem or condition gets its own spread of a page or two. On those pages, readers find a section called "Source of the problem" that explains, in prose, what's going on and what strategy is appropriate for fixing the trouble. A second section, called "How to fix it," is a step-by-step procedure that walks the reader through the recommended fix. Both of these sections would be stronger if they relied more heavily on diagrams, since not everyone can visualize mechanical procedures that are described in words. Nonetheless, the material here should help you straighten out most consumer-fixable hardware difficulties on post-1997 personal computers. --David Wall

Topics covered: Personal computer hardware troubleshooting for people who aren't experienced in the area. The authors address the resolution of critical problems--blank screens at startup, ominous noises, that kind of thing--and hardware upgrade procedures, such as installing hard drives and DVD-ROM drives.