Upgrading and Repairing Laptops

✍ Scribed by Scott Mueller

• Publisher: Que Publishing
• Year: 2004
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 899
• Series: Upgrading and Repairing
• Edition: 15
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Beyond cutting edge, Scott Mueller goes where no computer book author has gone before--right past all the warranty stickers, the hidden screws, and the fear factor to produce a real owner's manual that every laptop owner should have on his desk. This book shows the upgrades users can perform, the ones that are better left to the manufacturer, and how to use add-on peripherals to make the most of a laptop. The CD contains one-of-a-kind video showing just what's inside a portable PC. For readers who have ever wondered what goes on inside their portable PC, how to upgrade/repair the portable PC or how to live on the road with it, this is the one must-have book of the year!

✦ Table of Contents

UPGRADING AND REPAIRINGLAPTOPS......Page 2
Copyright © 2004 by Que......Page 3
Contents......Page 4
About the Author......Page 11
Tell Us What You Think!......Page 16
Introduction......Page 18
Laptops or Notebooks?......Page 19
Book Objectives......Page 20
A Personal Note......Page 23
CHAPTER 1 Portable Systems Background......Page 24
Defining the Portable Computer......Page 25
Evolution of the Portable Computer......Page 28
Advantages of Laptops......Page 55
The Problems of Using Portables......Page 57
General Solutions to Laptop Problems......Page 59
CHAPTER 2 Portable PC Overview: Types and Features......Page 62
Types and Classes of Portable Computers......Page 63
Major Features......Page 70
CHAPTER 3 System Maintenance and Assembly......Page 82
Preventive Maintenance......Page 83
Maintenance Tools......Page 98
Upgrading and Repairing Portables......Page 112
BIOS Setup......Page 132
Dealing with Passwords......Page 136
CHAPTER 4 Processors......Page 144
Mobile Processor Features......Page 145
Mobile Processor Packaging......Page 149
Processor Features......Page 158
Intel Mobile Processors......Page 165
AMD Mobile Processors......Page 187
CHAPTER 5 Motherboards......Page 192
System Bus Types, Functions, and Features......Page 193
Types of I/O Buses......Page 200
Motherboard Components......Page 203
System Resources......Page 220
Plug-and-Play......Page 230
CHAPTER 6 Memory......Page 232
Memory Standards......Page 233
Memory Speed......Page 234
Memory Types......Page 237
Memory Modules......Page 242
CHAPTER 7 Power......Page 262
AC/DC Power Supplies......Page 263
Batteries......Page 266
Power Management......Page 273
CHAPTER 8 Expansion Buses......Page 282
PC Cards (PCMCIA)......Page 283
High-Speed Connections......Page 291
Low-Speed Connections......Page 305
CHAPTER 9 Hard Disk Storage......Page 322
Hard Drive History and Advancements......Page 323
Areal Density......Page 324
Hard Disk Drive Operation......Page 331
Basic Hard Disk Drive Components......Page 339
Hard Disk Features......Page 349
The ATA (IDE) Interface......Page 358
ATA Standards......Page 359
ATA Features......Page 364
Serial ATA......Page 388
CHAPTER 10 Removable Storage......Page 394
Removable Media......Page 395
CD-Based Optical Technology......Page 399
DVD Technology......Page 413
Optical Disc Formats......Page 425
CD/DVD Read-Only Drives and Specifications......Page 440
Removable Magnetic Storage Devices......Page 483
Floppy Drives......Page 486
Flash Cards and Digital “Film” Memory Devices......Page 496
CHAPTER 11 Graphics and Sound......Page 506
Video Display System......Page 507
Video Display Interfaces......Page 525
Laptop Audio Hardware......Page 565
CHAPTER 12 Communications......Page 586
Modems......Page 587
Types of Cellular Systems......Page 593
Network Connections......Page 594
Connecting on the Road......Page 599
Moving Data Between Two Systems......Page 613
Communications Security......Page 615
CHAPTER 13 Keyboards and Pointing Devices......Page 620
Laptop Keyboards......Page 621
Windows Keys......Page 623
Running Windows Without a Mouse......Page 625
Keyboard Technology......Page 627
Keyboard Troubleshooting and Repair......Page 637
External Keyboard Recommendations......Page 639
Pointing Devices......Page 640
External Pointing Devices......Page 647
Wireless Input Devices......Page 650
CHAPTER 14 Portable System Accessories......Page 654
Carrying Cases......Page 655
Docking Stations......Page 658
Port Replicators......Page 660
Slabs or Slices......Page 662
Internal Device Bays......Page 663
Accessory Power Sources......Page 667
Communications......Page 670
Security Devices......Page 672
Input Devices......Page 675
Output Devices......Page 676
Presentation Equipment......Page 678
Special Interfaces......Page 681
Navigation......Page 683
Laptop Screen Accessories......Page 684
Notebook Stands......Page 686
Where to Buy......Page 687
CHAPTER 15 Software/Operating Systems......Page 690
The Boot Process......Page 691
Installing the Operating System......Page 701
Drive Letter Assignments......Page 704
Laptop Data Recovery......Page 707
CHAPTER 16 Problem Solving and Troubleshooting......Page 726
Basic Troubleshooting Guidelines......Page 727
Top Troubleshooting Problems......Page 756
CHAPTER 17 Portable Resource Guide......Page 768
Documentation......Page 769
Repair Parts......Page 772
Manufacturer Tech Support......Page 773
APPENDIX A List of Acronyms and Abbreviations......Page 780
APPENDIX B Glossary......Page 790
APPENDIX C Key Vendor Contact Information......Page 860
INDEX......Page 866