Explains how to upgrade and repair processors, memory, connections, drives, multimedia cards, and peripherals.

Learn to diagnose and fix simple PC problems with this easy-to-follow guide When something goes wrong with your computer, it's frustrating and potentially expensive. With Fix Your Own Computer For Seniors For Dummies, you can find out what's wrong, how to fix it, whether you need to call in professional help, and how to practice preventive maintenance. This friendly guide avoids techie jargon and shows you how to diagnose the problem, find out whether the software or hardware is at fault, make simple repairs, and add external devices such as scanners, printers, and hard drives. It also helps you maintain your computer through basic steps like defragmenting the hard drive and cleaning out files - techniques that can prevent a lot of problems from occurring in the first place. Written specifically for first-time computer users, this book explains how to diagnose basic PC problems, understand error messages, and fix common issues Specific step-by-step procedures guide you through basic repairs such as replacing the hard drive Explains common mistakes and how to avoid them Outlines the steps for preventive maintenance, such as how to defragment the hard drive, clean files, delete old files, and organize files Explores ways to expand and enhance a computer with external devices including hard drives, Web cameras, Web phones, scanners, printers, flash drives and other hardware Shows what you can fix yourself and when to seek help from a repair service or the manufacturer Easy to read and follow, Fix Your Own Computer For Seniors For Dummies will boost your confidence when dealing with your computer and with professional technicians, too.

Self help computer repair book written for non-technical computer people and seniors.

Most computer users think that fiddling with the insides of their PC is taboo. They fear that by removing the screws that hold the case on, they're crossing into forbidden territory. And even for those who know they can open the box and fix or upgrade their PC, analysis paralysis often stops them in their tracks: Which upgrades offer the best bang for the buck? How do you pinpoint the faulty component that's making your system freeze? What about compatibility issues? Get ready to get unstuck and get your PC running fast and running right. Repairing and Upgrading Your PC delivers start-to-finish instructions, simple enough for even the most inexperienced PC owner, for troubleshooting, repairing, and upgrading your computer. Written by hardware experts Robert Bruce Thompson and Barbara Fritchman Thompson, this book covers it all: how to troubleshoot a troublesome PC, how to identify which components make sense for an upgrade, and how to tear it all down and put it back together. This book shows how to repair and upgrade all of your PC's essential components: Motherboard, CPU, and Memory. Choose the optimal match of these core components to keep your PC running at top speed Hard Drive, Optical Drive, and Removable Storage Give your computer what it needs for long-term and short-term storage Audio and Video. Enhance your computing experience with the right sound and graphics devices for your needs Input Devices. Pick the best keyboard and mouse to keep your hands happy and healthy Networking. Set up secure wireless networking to keep the bits flowing between your computers and the outside world Cases and Power Supplies. Keep everything running cool and reliably With its straightforward language, clear instructions, and extensive illustrations, this book makes it a breeze for PC owners of any skill level to work on their computer.

Why throw away that broken PC? You can fix it - really! Fixing it will save you much needed cash - and keeping your hardware out of the trash is good for the environment, too. Best of all, you don't need to be a technical expert to do most typical computer repairs - and this book proves it. If you've found other computer repair books too complicated (or too cute), you're in the right place. McFedries covers everything you need to know, get, and do, in plain English, with plenty of crystal-clear pictures.

If you’ve dreamed about having a customized multimedia PC or one tricked out for your favorite games, build your own and make your dreams come true! Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies makes it easy. Not only is building your own PC a really rewarding project, it can also save you a nice chunk of cash. This step-by-step guide helps you decide what you need, teaches you what all those computer terms mean, and tells you exactly how to put the pieces together. It shows you: What tools you need (not as many as you might think!) All about operating systems How to install CD and DVD drives The scoop on sound and video, and how to put a sound system together from start to finish How to connect a monitor and install a modem All about setting up and configuring the hard drive Secrets for securing your system, and more Included is a bonus DVD showing you how to install the motherboard, CPU, RAM, ports, hard drive, video and sound cards, a DVD drive, and more. With Build Your Own PC Do-It-Yourself For Dummies, you can have the computer you want plus the satisfaction of doing it yourself! Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

From buying and selling PC hardware to product development and selling services, this book offers a realistic picture of making it on one's own. The book mixes practical advice and cautions with real-world anecdotes of successes and failures.

The all-time bestselling PC reference, fully updated for the newest technologies! Previous editions of this fun and friendly PC guide have sold more than three million copies, making it the bestselling PC reference in the world. Dan Gookin, the author whose straightforward and entertaining style is the foundation of the For Dummies series, gives you the same easy-to-follow guidance in this edition, fully updated for Windows 8, using the cloud, and all the newest PC bells and whistles. It's perfect for the absolute beginner as well as for anyone switching to the latest hardware and software. Updated with information on all the latest upgrades, this edition of a worldwide bestseller covers all the essentials of using a PC, and presents them in a fun, non-intimidating style Popular technology author Dan Gookin starts at the beginning with all the basics that other books assume everyone knows Covers setting up your PC, exploring the Windows 8 interface, using network hardware and software, getting online and browsing with the newest version of Internet Explorer, setting up an e-mail account, connecting to the cloud, and using cloud-based services Shows you how to install and upgrade programs and manage files and folders Explores working with digital photos, downloading music, watching movies, and participating in social media PCs For Dummies, 12th Edition is the jargon-free, easy-to-use guide to everything you need to know about your PC.

Shows tech hobbyists how to build the perfect PC, whether they want to create the ultimate gaming machine or combine new and recycled parts to construct an inexpensive computer for a child The do-it-yourself craze is sweeping through the tech community, and this guide is now significantly revised and updated to cover the wide array of new hardware and accessories available Step-by-step instructions and dozens of photos walk first-time computer builders through the entire process, from building the foundation, and adding a processor and RAM, to installing a video card, configuring a hard drive, hooking up CD and DVD drives, adding a modem, and troubleshooting problems

A Do-It-Yourself Guide To Troubleshooting and Repairing Your EASY, comprehensive technology troubleshooter! PCs, smartphones, tablets, networks, cameras, home theater and more—all in one book! We all use technology—and we all have problems with it. Don’t get frustrated... and don’t waste money on costly repair or support calls! Solve the problems yourself, with the one guide that makes it easy: The PC and Gadget Help Desk. Using clear pictures, handy “symptom tables,” and easy-to-use flowcharts, Mark Edward Soper walks you step-by-step through identifying, solving, and preventinghundreds of today’s most aggravating tech problems. Soper covers all your major platforms: iPhones, iPads, Android devices, Windows systems, and more. He even helps you fix the weird problems that happen when you use them together! Regain lost Internet access and fix broken Wi-Fi connections Solve problems with viewing and sharing media or other files Track down power problems wherever they arise Troubleshoot printing problems and print from smartphones or tablets Fix missing video or audio on your HDTV or home theater system Get syncing working right on your Apple or Android device Improve your PC’s 3D gaming performance Identify and replace flaky memory chips Prevent overheating that can damage your equipment Solve common problems with digital cameras and DV camcorders Troubleshoot iOS or Android antennas, updates, screens, and connectivity Get FaceTime working right on your iPhone or iPad Troubleshoot eReaders and display your eBooks on additional devices Sensibly decide whether to upgrade, repair, or replace Mark Edward Soper has spent 30 years as an instructor and corporate trainer, helping thousands of people work more happily with personal technology. He is the author of PC Help Desk in a Book, and is the co-author of Leo Laporte’s PC Help Desk, as well as more than 25 other books on Windows, digital imaging, networking, the Internet, IT certification, and computer troubleshooting. Soper is a CompTIA A+ Certified computer technician and Microsoft Certified Professional. BONUS ONLINE VIDEOS: Includes access to free, studio-quality how-to videos that make troubleshooting and repair even easier!