Product Description

This is a quick reference for on-the-job PC repair and maintenance! Get essential PC troubleshooting and diagnostic information from this handy pocket reference. Packed with code tables, commands, symptom summaries, solutions, and other key details, this easy-access guide gives you just the facts you need - at your fingertips. Slip it into your toolbox and take advantage of the concise advice, tables, and charts inside.The book covers virtually every major PC component, including drives, input devices, modems, motherboards, and peripherals. Diagnose - and fix - PC problems on the job with help from this easy-to-use pocket guide. This work helps you to: prepare a PC for service - manage static, check power, inspect cooling devices, scan for viruses, and more; troubleshoot floppy drives, hard drives, and CD-ROM/CDR/CD-RW drives; manage input devices, including keyboards, mice, and joysticks; diagnose motherboard problems, such as beep codes, POST codes, and CMOS setup/battery issues; and, troubleshoot video systems Install and maintain peripherals.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #307338 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 656 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
I don't know where the folks at Osborne buy their clothes, but on my planet a pocket is only slightly larger than a hand. I can put my wallet in my pocket. I can carry three or so Zip disks. But I've tried and tried, and I just can't jam in all 600+ pages of Bigelow's PC Technician's Troubleshooting Pocket Reference into any pocket I have. The thing is an inch-and-a-half thick, definitely not pocket-sized. It's satchel-sized. It's put-it-under-the-tyre-to-keep-the-trailer-from-rolling-down-the-hill sized.

Form factors aside, Bigelow's book lives up to its title; it's all troubleshooting information. Wonderful! This book is assuredly not meant to be read front to back. It works like this: start with a problem and then look up the solution. Bigelow divided the book into sections for various parts of the PC or devices connected to it. You look up the device, read about it, heed some general maintenance wisdom and then peruse the various "symptoms" and cures. Very nice, and just about the best information on troubleshooting I've seen.

On the key subject of disk partitioning, this book fits the bill--but only in troubleshooting partitioning problems. On that subject, Bigelow does a fine job, even suggesting third-party solutions. In fact, the book does contain many third-party solutions, as well as advice on what to do in Windows for troubleshooting.

This book is not for everyone. Most of the introduction is aimed at computer technicians or troubleshooting professionals. But at the price, it's a good investment. At the very least, it will make you the hero of your block when it comes to troubleshooting PCs. --Dan Gookin

From the Back Cover

A quick reference for on-the-job PC repair and maintenance!

Get essential PC troubleshooting and diagnostic information from this handy pocket reference. Packed with code tables, commands, symptom summaries, solutions, and other key details, this easy-access guide gives you just the facts you need - at your fingertips. Slip it into your toolbox and take advantage of the concise advice, tables, and charts inside. The book covers virtually every major PC component, including drives, input devices, modems, motherboards, and peripherals. Diagnose - and fix - PC problems on the job with help from this easy-to-use pocket guide.

• Prepare a PC for service - manage static, check power, inspect cooling devices, scan for viruses, and more
• Troubleshoot floppy drives, hard drives, and CD-ROM/CDR/CD-RW drives
• Manage input devices, including keyboards, mice, and joysticks
• Diagnose motherboard problems, such as beep codes, POST codes, and CMOS setup/battery issues
• Troubleshoot video systems
• Install and maintain peripherals

About the Author
Stephen J. Bigelow (Jefferson, MA) is a recognized and trusted figure in the crowded field on computer guidance. Online and in print, this expert author has earned a reputation for straightforward, reliable advice.

Customer Reviews

An invaluable reference for anyone repairing computers.
This book is filled with the information computer repair professionals need to do their jobs. The reference is split into major categories, like Input Devices, Motherboard and Drive Troubleshooting. From there you can quickly look up the specific error and find a solution. Multiple solutions are almost always provided. The collection POST codes for different manufacturers is alone worth the price of this book.

Really needs to be updated.
I've just purchased this book, and on flicking through it, I'm shocked at how out of date much of the information is. For example, various tips on improving/fixing Windows 95/98!

The world has moved on quite a bit since then, in terms both of hardware and software. This may have been a good and useful book in its day, but it is seriously in need of a new edition.

out of date
Quite well written, easy to follow but a lot of the content is of no use now