Copyrighted Material

Home , Bulletin board system, Zero insertion force

32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 323

Index

AGP (accelerated graphics port) • Numerics • slot, 54, 70–71 3-D accelerator chip, 30 video card, 90–91, 285 3-D spatial imaging, 158–159 AIFF format, 156 3-D video card, 32–33, 91–94 air, canned, 49 ➪ ➪ ➪ 3DMark05 utility (FutureMark), 91 All Programs Accessories System Tools 8-bit audio, 155 Disk Defragmenter, 306 16-bit audio, 155 AMD series CPU 24-bit color, 233 Athlon 64 series, 63, 64 24-bit sound, 154–155 Athlon XP, 64–65 32-bit PCI card, 154 overview of, 15 56 Kbps modem specification, 176 Sempron processor, 62, 63 64-bit support, 64 analog signal, 223 486 computer, 92 antiglare coating on monitor, 103 antistatic packaging, 11 antistatic strips, 53 • A • antivirus program, 207, 271 Apple iPod music player, 156 AAC format, 156 archiving, 123, 147 AC wiring, network using, 216 assembly, tips for accelerated graphics port (AGP) ask for help, 277–278 slot, 54, 70–71 check cables, 279–280 video card, 285 gather parts, 277 access time keep track of tiny objects, 276 of CD-ROM/DVD drive, 142 leave case off, 279 of hard drive, 117 read instructions, 275–276 AC-3 technology, 145 set up work space, 276 ad filtering, 254 start parts box, 278 adapter card. See also SCSI adapter card; take time, 279 sound card; video card use magnetic screwdriver, 278 care of, 11 assessing needs FM stereo/TV tuner, 254–255 basic designs, evaluating, 23–24 installing, 11 COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL economy-class design, 24–25 plugging in, 19, 20 power use design, 26–27 port, installing, 83–85 questions to ask, 21–23 for satellite Internet connection, 250 standard edition design, 25–26 types of, 20 AT connector, 75 Ad-Aware SE (LavaSoft), 272 Athlon 64 series processor (AMD), 63, 64 Adobe Athlon XP series processor (AMD), 64–65 Photoshop Elements, 147, 273 ATI (manufacturer), 93 Premiere Pro, 240 ATX standard size guidelines, 52 ads, classified, used parts and, 38 AU format, 156 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 324

324 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

audio CD, 139, 146 bit, 173–174 audio controls for CD-ROM/DVD drive, 142 bit rate, 154 audio formats, 156 bits per second (bps), 173, 174 audiophile sound card, 33 boom microphone, 162 author boot password, 52 Batboard BBS of, 173 boxes, saving, 12 e-mail address of, 10 bps (bits per second), 173, 174 Web site of, 24, 35 Briere, Danny (Wireless Home Networking Avanquest Publishing System For Dummies), 217 Commander, 286 broadband connection AVerTV Go 007 FM Plus card, 255 charges for, 226–227 AVI format, 240 description of, 19, 171, 221 determining need for, 222 ISP, finding, 227–228 • B • modem speed and, 176 background and performance, 283 network and, 208 backing up data Bruce, Walter (Wireless Home Networking floppy disk and, 289 For Dummies), 217 importance of, 120–121 buffer, 117–118 Iomega Zip removable-media drive bulletin board system (BBS) and, 122–124 history of, 173 options for, 289–290 used parts and, 38 power use of computer and, 269–270 burn-in, 107 tape drive and, 121–122 bus mastering, 199 to Web, 255–256 buttons on case, 50 basic designs buying components. See also used parts economy-class, 24–25 by mail order, 34–35 overview of, 23–24 motherboard, 51 power use, 26–27 new, 33 standard edition, 25–26 online, 36 Batboard BBS, 173 researching before, 33–34 battery, rechargeable, 82 BBS (bulletin board system) history of, 173 • C • used parts and, 38 CA (commonsense assembly), 11–13 benefits of building PC cable modem, 225 brand-names, using, 266 cables bundled software costs, avoiding, 265 bidirectional parallel printer, 243 freedom of choice, 263–264 care of, 11 learning experience, 264 checking, 279–280 money, saving, 261–262 connecting components and, 19–20 monster myth and, 262–263 interchangeable, 107 recycling parts, 262 for modem, 178–179 repairing and replacing parts, 264–265 network, 214 salespeople, avoiding, 265–266 for SCSI external device, 197 warranty, full, on each part, 266 serial compared to parallel, 114 BIOS, 54 twisted-pair, 212–213, 218 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 325

Index 325

cache for power use design, 28 CD-ROM/DVD drive and, 142 scavenging, 138 controller memory, 120 speed of, 137–139 hard drive and, 117–118 for standard edition design, 26 SCSI adapter card and, 199 testing, 152 caddy CD-ROM drive, 140, 141 tower system, 140 caller ID, 181 X factor and, 283–284 camcorder, digital video, 147, 240 CD-RW disk, Zip disk compared to, 124 camera, digital, 236–239 CD-RW drive, 148–149 capturing digital video, 239–241 Celeron processor, 62–63 case certification of network adapter card, 213 cleaning, 273 chaining, 191–192, 194–195, 197–198 description of, 14–15 Chambers, Mark for economy-class design, 25 Batboard BBS of, 173 fans and, 48–49 CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, features of, 44–45, 49–50 2nd Edition, 135–136 front-panel port expander for, 77 e-mail address of, 10 key lock on, 50, 52 PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For leaving off during assembly, 279 Dummies, 3rd Edition, 303 motherboard, installing, 54–57 Scanners For Dummies, 230 mounting hardware for motherboard Web site of, 24, 35 and, 45 children and PC, 291 power supply and, 47–48 choosing components, 263–264, 266 for power use design, 27 circuit board, care of, 11 slots on back of, 50–51 cleaning for standard edition design, 26 case, 49 types of, 45–47 CD or DVD, 150 CD hardware, 273–274 audio, 139 mouse, 79 caring for, 150 client, 206, 209 ejecting, 150 client-server network, 208–209 recording, 31, 146–148 clip-on microphone, 162 CD & DVD Recording For Dummies, 2nd closing slot holes in back of case, 50–51 Edition (Chambers), 135–136 CMOS (complementary metal-oxide CD binder, 272 semiconductor), 131 CD recorder, 145–146, 289 CNET.com Web site, 34 CD-R, compatibility and, 148 COD shipping, 35 CD-ROM disk, 139 color CD-ROM drive of faceplate, 44 caddy compared to tray systems, 140–141 video card and, 94–95 description of, 18 color configuration, 104 for economy-class design, 25 color depth, 95, 233 external, 137, 139 color printing, 243 features of, 141–142 COM port, 75 installing, 150–151 commonsense assembly (CA), 11–13 internal, 136–137, 139 communication and network, 206–207 jukebox, external, 139–140 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 326

326 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

communication technologies, comparing, power, 113 223–226 ribbon cable, 113, 125, 126 compatibility RJ-45, 212 of CD and DVD types, 148–149 controller card, 119–120 of RAM modules, 68 controls SCSI interface and, 191 audio, for CD-ROM/DVD drive, 142 of software and operating system, 297 on monitor, 104 complementary metal-oxide on speakers, 164 semiconductor (CMOS), 131 convenience of networking, 206 components. See also buying components; cookie, 254 connecting components; scavenging cooling system, 48–49 parts; specific parts cooperation and network, 207 care of, 11 copyright restrictions, 146, 242, 290 cleaning, 49, 79, 150, 273–274 Corel Paint Shop Pro, 235, 236 connecting, 19–20 cost disassembling, 291–292 of broadband connection, 226–227 documentation on, 12, 275–276 building PC and, 261–262 overheating of, 48 of CD recorder, 145 refurbished, 288 of digital camera, 236 researching before buying, 33–34 of DVD recorder, 145 selecting, 263–264, 266 of Ethernet network, 211 as standardized, 13–14 of home phoneline network kit, 215 compressing of inkjet printer, 243, 244 data, 174 of internal CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136 digital images, 238 of joystick, 32 digital video, 96 of jukebox, 140 Computer Shopper (magazine), 51 of laser printer, 241 computer stores, used parts and, 37 of LightScribe DVD+R discs, 148 conferencing, 222 of Logitech io 2 digital pen, 233 configuring of monitor, 15 hard drive, 130–131 of motherboard, 16 modem, 185 of new components, 33 connecting components of REV drive, 124 external ports, 85–86 of satellite Internet connection, 251 external SCSI device, 202 of scanner, 230 external serial modem, 183–184 of SCSI adapter cards and devices, external USB modem, 184–185 191, 198 monitor, 106–107 shipping costs and, 35 overview of, 19–20 of speakers, 163 power supply, 58 of subwoofer, 165 speakers, 163, 166–167 of video card, 97 switches and lights, 58–59 of voice modem, 180 twisted-pair cables, 218 of Zip drives and disks, 123 connections, checking, 12, 279–280 cover, leaving off during assembly, 12 connectors CPU chip (processor) external SCSI, 202 Celeron and Sempron, 62–63 male and female, 75 description of, 15, 61 on motherboard, 15 for economy-class design, 25 ports, requirements for, 17–18 fan for, 48–49, 67 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 327

Index 327

hyperthreading technology and, 63 digital data, 138 installing, 65–67 digital readout, 49 minimum requirements for, 52–53 digital signal, 224 Pentium and Athlon, 63–65 digital subscriber line (DSL) Pentium III, 288–289 description of, 225–226 for power use design, 27 determining need for, 222 selecting, 62 ISDN compared to, 223 speed of, 15, 62 digital video for standard edition design, 26 capturing, 239–241 upgrading, 283 MPEG and, 97 CPU socket, 65 overview of, 96 Creative Labs, 154–155 digital video disc (DVD) cyberspace, 173 caring for, 150 description of, 99, 142–144 ejecting, 150 • D • recording, 146–148 Daily .WAV Web site, 156 rewriteable versions of, 148 daisy chaining, 197–198 digital visual interface (DVI) output, 97–98 DAT (digital audio tape) drive, 122, 129–130 DIMM (dual inline memory module), 68 data DIP (dual inline packaging) switch, 56, 196 digital, 138 Director (Macromedia), 240 moving on CD or DVD, 147 DirectX, 302 data, backing up discharging static electricity, 53 floppy disk and, 289 display power management signaling importance of, 120–121 (DPMS) support, 98 Iomega Zip removable-media drive distinctive ring service for telephone and, 122–124 line, 179 options for, 289–290 document power use of computer and, 269–270 copyright restrictions and, 242 tape drive and, 121–122 electronic, turning faxed document to Web, 255–256 into, 180 data compression, 174 documentation, reading, 12, 275–276 data storage, 18, 111–112. See also floppy Dolby Digital Surround sound, 144, 145, 159 disk drive; hard drive; removable DOS, 298–299 storage drive DOS file system, 285 DDR (double data rate) and DDR2 memory dot matrix printer, 242 modules, 67–68 dot pitch, 100–101, 102 defragmenting hard drive, 281–282, 306 double data rate (DDR and DDR2) memory designs modules, 67–68 economy-class, 24–25 downloading multimedia, 222 power use, 26–27 DPMS (display power management standard edition, 25–26 signaling) support, 98 desktop case, 46 drafting, peripherals for, 28–30 diagnostics software, 270 Dragon NaturallySpeaking (ScanSoft), dial-up connection and modem speed, 161, 272 176, 224 Drag-to-Disc (Roxio), 146 digital audio tape (DAT) drive, 122, 129–130 drawing tablet, 29, 80 digital camera, 236–239 drive bays, 15, 44 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 328

328 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

drive cage, 117 drive cage kit, 126 • E • drive controller, 53 eBay Web site, 16, 38 driver support for video card, 91 economy-class basic design Driver Zone Web site, 91, 157 features of, 24–25 DSL (digital subscriber line) pizza-box case and, 45 description of, 225–226 editing determining need for, 222 digital video, 97, 240 ISDN compared to, 223 faxed document, 180 dual display feature of video card, 98 images, software for, 273 dual inline memory module (DIMM), 68 EIDE (enhanced IDE) dual inline packaging (DIP) switch, 56, 196 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136 dual transmission feature of voice CD-ROM/DVD drive, installing, 150–151 modem, 181 description of, 53 dust hard drive, 112–113, 116 CD or DVD and, 150 hard drive, installing, 125–127 cleaning from case, 49 8-bit audio, 155 removing from hardware, 273–274 ejecting CD or DVD from drive, 150 DVD (digital video disc) electricity, working with, 19 caring for, 150 electronic document, turning faxed description of, 99, 142–144 document into, 180 ejecting, 150 e-mail movies, recording, 147–148 sending faxed document as recording, 146–148 attachment to, 180 rewriteable versions of, 148 voice, 161 DVD drive e-mail address of author, 10 CDs and, 143 emulator, 297 evaluating need for, 144 Energy Star compliant monitor, 103 external, 137, 139 enhanced IDE (EIDE) features of, 141–142 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136 installing, 150–151 CD-ROM/DVD drive, installing, 150–151 internal, 136–137, 139 description of, 53 jukebox, external, 139–140 hard drive, 112–113, 116 speed of, 137–139 hard drive, installing, 125–127 system requirements for, 144 entry-level design, 24–25 testing, 152 ergonomic keyboard, 81 tower system, 140 ergonomics, 270–271 video card and, 145 error control, 174 X factor and, 283–284 ESDI drive, 115 DVD recorder EtherFast 10/100 Network in a description of, 145–146 Box (Linksys), 211 storing data and, 289 Ethernet network port, 18 Zip drive compared to, 123 Ethernet network topology, 209–211 DVD-R, compatibility and, 149 expansion and SCSI adapter card, 190 DVI (digital visual interface) output, 97–98 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 329

Index 329

external drive installing, 128–129 CD-ROM/DVD, 137, 139 for power use design, 27 hard, 121 selecting, 119 external modem for standard edition design, 26 overview of, 176–178 floppy disk, limitations of, 289 serial, connecting, 183–184 floppy drive cable connector, 20 USB, connecting, 184–185 FM (frequency modulation), 157–158 external port, connecting, 85–86 FM stereo/TV tuner adapter card, 254–255 external SCSI device, connecting, 202 force feedback joystick, 32 extra keys on keyboard, support for, 81 formats audio, 156 CD and DVD recording, 148–149 • F • digital video, 240 faceplate, color of, 44 formatting hard drive, 131–132 family use of computer, determining, 22 486 computer, 92 fans frame rate, 241 in case, 48–49 frequency modulation (FM), 157–158 CPU and, 48–49, 67 front-panel port expander, 77 description of, 15 full duplex, 161 troubleshooting, 72 FutureMark 3DMark05 utility, 91 fax/modem, 178–180 female connector, 75 56 Kbps modem specification, 176 • G • file server, 209 Game Commander 3 (Mindmaker), 252–253 fingerprint scanner, 52 game port, 78 fingerprints on CD or DVD, 150 gaming fingertip mouse, 80–81 case for computer for, 45–46 firewall, 253–254 Logitech Wingman Force 3D joystick, FireWire 256–257 internal devices and, 190–191 networks and, 205 port, 17, 76–77, 137 peripherals for, 31–33 flash BIOS, 54 3-D spatial imaging sound card Flash drive, 290 and, 158–159 flash RAM, 236–237, 238 3-D video card and, 91–93 flash ROM, 199 voice command and, 252–253 flat screen monitor, 103 garage sales and used parts, 38 flatbed scanner, 230–231 GIF (graphic interchange format), 273 flat-panel monitor, 96, 103 GPU (graphics processing unit), 90 flat-panel speakers, 164 graphical user interface (GUI), 296, 304 floppy disk drive graphics, peripherals for, 28–30 cleaning, 274 grounding self, 12 decline of, 118–119 groupware, 205 description of, 18 groupware system, 207 for economy-class design, 25 GUI (graphical user interface), 296, 304 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 330

330 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition • H • • I • hacker, original meaning of, 13 IBM half duplex, 161 Lotus Notes, 207 handheld scanner, 232–233 ViaVoice, 272 handshaking, 174 IDE (integrated drive electronics) hard copy, 178 drive, 115 hard drive IDG.net Web site, 34 configuring, 130–131 IEEE1394 high-performance serial bus, 76 controller, connecting, 124–125 images data storage and, 18, 111–112 editing, 273 defragmenting, 281–282, 306 peripherals for, 28–30 for economy-class design, 25 importing faxed document, 180 enhanced IDE (EIDE), 112–113, 116 industry standard architecture (ISA) external, 121 slot, 54 features of, 117–118 infrared port, 78 formatting, 131–132 inkjet printer, 242, 243–244 history of and acronyms associated installing with, 115 adapter card, 11 installing EIDE, 125–127 CD-ROM drive, 150–151 installing SATA, 128 CPU, 65–67 for power use design, 27 directions for as generic, 2 scavenging, 118, 132 DVD drive, 150–151 Serial ATA (SATA), 113–115 EIDE hard drive, 125–127 small computer system interface external ports, 85–86 (SCSI), 115–116, 190 external SCSI device, 202 for standard edition design, 26 external serial modem, 183–184 types of, 112 external USB modem, 184–185 hardware. See also specific components floppy disk drive, 128–129 auto configuration of, 296 internal modem, 181–182 cleaning, 49, 273–274 internal SCSI device, 200–201 refurbished, 288 internal tape backup drive, 129–130 hardware MPEG support, 97 keyboard, 86 headset microphone, 163 memory modules, 69–70 heat and CD or DVD, 150 motherboard, 54–57 help, asking for, 277–278 mouse, 87 Hewlett-Packard Scanjet, 230 multiple SCSI cards, 193 high-speed Internet access, 171, 172 network interface card, 217–218 Home Networking For Dummies, 3rd Edition operating system, 305–306 (Ivens), 208 port adapter card, 83–85 home office peripherals, 30 printer with parallel port interface, home phoneline network, 215 244–245 hub, USB, 216 printer with USB connection, 245–246 Hurley, Pat (Wireless Home Networking SATA hard drive, 128 For Dummies), 217 scanner, 245–246 hyperthreading technology, 63 SCSI adapter card, 199–200 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 331

Index 331

sound card, 165–166 ISP (Internet Service Provider), static electricity and, 53 finding, 227–228 subwoofer, 169 ISPs.com Web site, 228 video capture device, 245–246 Ivens, Kathy (Home Networking For video card, 105–106 Dummies, 3rd Edition), 208 instructions, reading, 12, 275–276 integrated audio, 155 integrated drive electronics (IDE) • J • drive, 115 Jasc Paint Shop Pro, 273 Integrated Services Digital Network joystick, 32, 256–257 (ISDN), 223 jukebox, external, 139–140 Intel jumper Celeron processor, 62–63 EIDE hard drive and, 113 Pentium Extreme Edition, 63, 64 installing motherboard and, 56–57 Pentium 4, 64 SCSI adapter card or device and, Pentium series CPU, 15 193–194, 196 Pentium III CPU, 288–289 interface and speed, 282 internal CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136–137, 139 • K • internal modem keeping track of tiny objects, 276 description of, 176–178 key lock on case, 50, 52 installing, 181–182 keyboard internal SCSI device, adding, 200–201 cleaning, 274 Internet description of, 17 communication technologies, compar- drawer for, 271 ing, 223–226 installing, 86 history of, 173 port for, 75 network and, 207–208 testing, 87 security tools for, 253–254 types of, 81–82 Internet access, high-speed, 171, 172. See keyboard/mouse combo, 82 also broadband connection; satellite Internet connection Internet router, 208 • L • Internet Service Provider (ISP), labeling ports, 78 finding, 227–228 LAN (local area network) Internet telephone, 161 AC wiring and, 216 interpolated resolution, 234–235 communication and, 206–207 Iomega components of, 211–213 REV drive, 124 contact and, 207–208 Zip removable-media drive, 122–124 convenience and, 206 iPod music player (Apple), 156 cooperation and, 207 ISA (industry standard architecture) description of, 205–206 slot, 54 NIC, installing, 217–218 ISDN (Integrated Services Digital operating system and, 211, 297 Network), 223 telephone wiring and, 215 testing and configuring, 219–220 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 332

332 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

LAN (continued) twisted-pair cable, connecting, 218 • M • USB port and, 216 MacDrive 6 (Mediafour Productions), wireless, 216–217 251–252 laser printer, 241, 244 Macromedia Director, 240 LavaSoft Ad-Aware SE, 272 magazines, computer, 34 LCD monitor, 96 magnetic screwdriver, 12, 278 LCD viewfinder, 237 magnetic shielding of speakers, 164 learning experience, building PC as, 264 mail-order company, buying from, 34–35 leasing, 292 male connector, 75 legacy applications, 296 manuals for parts, 12 lighting manufacturers of case, 49 of BIOS chipsets, 54 work space, 11 of CPU, 15 lights of digital cameras, 236 connecting, 58–59 of scanners, 230 on network adapter card, 213 of 3-D video cards, 93 power and hard drive activity master/slave jumper set, 113 indicators, 49 maxims, 5 troubleshooting, 72 Maximum PC (magazine), 34 LightScribe drive, 148 Mediafour Productions MacDrive 6, Linksys EtherFast 10/100 Network 251–252 in a Box, 211 message, displaying on screensaver, 107 Linux, 303–305 MFM drive, 115 liquids, keeping away microphone from CD or DVD, 150 adding, 168–169 from computer, 13 types of, 162–163 lithium ion battery, 82 uses of, 160–161 LNB (low noise block), 250 Microtek ScanMaker series, 230 local area network (LAN) MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) AC wiring and, 216 description of, 31 communication and, 206–207 port, 78, 160 components of, 211–213 Mindmaker Game Commander 3, 252–253 contact and, 207–208 minitower case, 47 convenience and, 206 MLC Books Online Web site, 35 cooperation and, 207 modding case, 49 description of, 205–206 modem NIC, installing, 217–218 cable, 225 operating system and, 211, 297 configuring and testing, 185 telephone wiring and, 215 data/fax/voice, 30 testing and configuring, 219–220 description of, 18–19, 171–172 twisted-pair cable, connecting, 218 DSL, 225 USB port and, 216 fax technology and, 178–180 wireless, 216–217 56 Kbps specification, 176 Logitech history of, 173 io 2 digital pen, 233 internal compared to external, Wingman Force 3D joystick, 256–257 172, 176–178 Lotus Notes (IBM), 207 internal, installing, 181–182 low noise block (LNB), 250 multilink, 226 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 333

Index 333

for power use design, 28 mouse for satellite Internet connection, 248 cleaning, 274 scavenging, 177–178 description of, 73 software for, 185 installing, 87 speed of, 173–174 port for, 76 for standard edition design, 26 types of, 79–81 standards for, 174–175 mouse/keyboard combo, 82 voice type, 180–181 MOV format, 240 modem-on-hold, 175 MPEG (Moving Pictures Expert Group), monitor 96, 97, 240 cleaning, 274 MPEG-2, 99 connecting, 106–107 MPEG-2 decoder, 145 description of, 16–17, 99 MP3 format, 31, 156, 159 disassembling, 292 multiboot feature, 297–298 dot pitch and, 100–101, 102 multifunction keyboard, 82 for economy-class design, 25 multifunction printer, 242 features of, 102–104 multilink analog connection, 248 for power use design, 28 multilink modem, 226 refresh rate, 101–102 multiple drive, slave unit setting for resolution, video card, and, 95–96 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 151 screensaver and, 107 music, peripherals for, 30 size of, 100 Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) for standard edition design, 26 description of, 31 troubleshooting, 108 port, 78, 160 monster myth, 262–263 MyDVD Studio (Sonic), 147 motherboard myths about assembling PC, 10 adapter card, installing on, 11 built-in controller on, 119–120 buying, 51 • N • CPU chip, installing on, 65–67 native file system, 285–286 description of, 15–16 native resolution, 96 for economy-class design, 25 needs, assessing Energy Star compliant, 103 basic designs, evaluating, 23–24 features of, 52–54 economy-class design, 24–25 installing, 54–57 power use design, 26–27 integrated video card and, 91 questions to ask, 21–23 mounting hardware for, 45 standard edition design, 25–26 populated, 61 negative/slide scanner, 232 ports and, 73–74 network. See local area network power supply, connecting, 58 network architecture for power use design, 27 client-server, 208–209 RAM modules, installing, 69–70 Ethernet, 209–211 SCSI and, 191 overview of, 208 size of, 52 peer-to-peer, 209 slots on, 70–71 network interface card (NIC) for standard edition design, 26 description of, 211, 213–214 switches and lights, connecting, 58–59 installing, 217–218 testing, 71–72 network use of computer, assessing, 23 mounting hardware for motherboard, 45 New Connection Wizard dialog box, 220 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 334

334 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

Newegg Web site, 16, 34, 36, 38 parallel port, 17, 76 newsgroups, 34 partitioning, 131–132 NIC (network interface card) parts box, starting, 278 description of, 211, 213–214 parts manuals, 12 installing, 217–218 password protection node, 208 boot password, 52 Norton AntiVirus (Symantec), 207, 271 screensaver and, 107 Norton Personal Firewall (Symantec), unnecessary, 290 253–254 PATA (Parallel ATA) drive, 113 Norton SystemWorks (Symantec), 270, 282 patch cable, 214 NT file system (NTFS), 286 PC Magazine, 34 null modem cable, 178 PC Magazine Web site, 34 NVIDIA (manufacturer), 93 PC World Web site, 34 PCI (peripheral component interconnect) technology • O • bus slot, 70–71 obsolete computer, scavenging parts from, bus sound card, 154–155 36–37 overview of, 54 OCR (optical character recognition), slots, minimum required, 54 29, 235 PCI-Express slot, 54 onboard drive controller, 53 PCI-Express video card, 90–91, 285 onboard ports, 53 PCM upstream, 175 online, ordering parts, 36 PCs All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies, OnSale Online Auction Supersite, 38 3rd Edition (Chambers), 303 opening slot, 84 peer-to-peer network, 209 operating system pen scanner, 233 DOS, 298–299 Pentium series CPU (Intel) features of, 295–297 Extreme Edition, 63, 64 installing, 305–306 overview of, 15 Linux, 303–305 Pentium 4, 64 multiple, running, 297–298 Pentium III, 288–289 selecting, 211, 295 performance Windows 95, 98, and Me, 299–300 background and, 283 Windows 2003 Server, 300 CPU and, 283 Windows XP, 301–303 defragmenting hard drive and, 281–282 optical character recognition (OCR), hyperthreading technology and, 63 29, 235 interface and, 282 optical drive, 138 native file system and, 285–286 optical trackball, 80 RAM and, 62, 282 organizing software, 272 resident programs and, 284–285 overclocking, 283 Turbo button and, 286 overheating of components, 48 used parts and, 38 video card and, 285 X factor and, 283–284 • P • peripheral Paint Shop Pro (Jasc), 147, 235, 236, 273 audiophile sound card, 33 Parallel ATA (PATA) drive, 113 CD recorder, 31 parallel cable, 114 digital camera, 236–239 drawing tablet, 29 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 335

Index 335

joystick, 32 SCSI, 78 MIDI, 31 serial, 75 modem, data/fax/voice, 30 for standard edition design, 26 MP3, 31 types of, 74 overview of, 15, 229 USB, 76, 77, 216 printer, 30, 241–244 power cable, 20 scanner, 29, 30, 230–236 power connector, 113 subwoofer speaker, 33 power supply video card, 3-D, 32–33 connecting, 58 peripheral component interconnect description of, 47–48 (PCI) technology disassembling, 292 bus slot, 70–71 power use of computer bus sound card, 154–155 assessing, 22 overview of, 54 backing up data and, 269–270 slots, minimum required, 54 CPU for, 63 permission and copyright restrictions, 242 design for, 26–27 Phillips screwdriver, 9 diagnostics software and, 270 photo album, digital, 147 drive controller and, 53 photo management, 238 ergonomics and, 270–271 photo scanner, 232 pointing device and, 268 photographer’s lens cloth, 150 software organization and, 272 Photoshop Elements (Adobe), 147, 273 UPS and, 268–269 pins, locating, 58–59 voice command and, 272–273 pirated software, 291 power user, description of, 44, 267–268 pixel, 95 powerline adapter plug, 216 pizza-box case, 45 Premiere Pro (Adobe), 240 platters, 117 price plug and play adapter card, 198 of broadband connection, 226–227 plug and play video card, 105 building PC and, 261–262 pointing device, 73, 268. See also of CD recorder, 145 mouse; trackball of digital camera, 236 populated motherboard, 61 of DVD recorder, 145 port adapter card, installing, 83–85 of Ethernet network, 211 ports of home phoneline network kit, 215 description of, 73 of inkjet printer, 243, 244 for economy-class design, 25 of internal CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136 external, connecting, 85–86 of joystick, 32 FireWire, 17, 76–77, 137 of jukebox, 140 game, 78 of laser printer, 241 infrared, 78 of LightScribe DVD+R discs, 148 keyboard, 75 of Logitech io 2 digital pen, 233 labeling, 78 of monitor, 15 MIDI, 78, 160 of motherboard, 16 motherboard and, 73–74 of new components, 33 onboard, 53 of REV drive, 124 parallel, 76 of satellite Internet connection, 251 for power use design, 28 of scanner, 230 PS/2 mouse, 76 of SCSI adapter cards and devices, requirements for, 17–18 191, 198 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 336

336 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

price (continued) shipping costs and, 35 • R • of speakers, 163 radiation and monitor, 103–104 of subwoofer, 165 RAID (redundant array of independent of video card, 97 disks) support, 120 of voice modem, 180 RAM (random access memory) of Zip drives and disks, 123 adding, 282 Price Watch Web site, 16, 34, 36, 262 description of, 61 primary use of computer, determining, 22 motherboard and, 54 printer performance and, 62 description of, 18 troubleshooting, 108 home office or small business and, 30 types of, 67–68 parallel port and, 76 video card and, 94–96 with parallel port interface, RAM, system installing, 244–245 for economy-class design, 25 scavenging, 242 for power use design, 27 types of, 241–243 for standard edition design, 26 with USB connection, installing, 245–246 RAM modules printing faxed document, 180 compatibility of, 68 processor (CPU chip) description of, 15 Celeron and Sempron, 62–63 installing, 69–70 description of, 15, 61 video, additional, 30 for economy-class design, 25 video cards and, 17 fan for, 48–49, 67 Rambus dynamic random access memory hyperthreading technology and, 63 (RDRAM), 68 installing, 65–67 random access memory (RAM) minimum requirements for, 52–53 adding, 282 Pentium and Athlon, 63–65 description of, 61 Pentium III, 288–289 motherboard and, 54 for power use design, 27 performance and, 62 selecting, 62 troubleshooting, 108 speed of, 15, 62 types of, 67–68 for standard edition design, 26 video card and, 94–96 upgrading, 283 raw resolution, 234 Procomm Plus (Symantec), 180, 206 RDRAM (Rambus dynamic random ➪ ➪ ➪ Programs Accessories System Tools access memory), 68 Disk Defragmenter, 282, 306 reading pseudostandard, 175 documentation, 12, 275–276 PS/2 connector, 75 Macintosh disks, 251–252 PS/2 port, 76 README file, 306 public domain, 242 receipts, saving, 12 receive-only satellite system, 249 • Q • recording CD or DVD, 146–148 reducing size of video clip, 241 QIC-80 standard, 121 redundant array of independent disks (RAID) support, 120 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 337

Index 337

refresh rate, 97, 101–102 SCAM (SCSI configured automatically), 194 refund for returned part, 35 Scanjet (Hewlett-Packard), 230 refurbished hardware, 288 ScanMaker series (Microtek), 230 removable storage drive, 18, 122–124 scanner removing resident programs, 284–285 color depth and, 233 rendering, 92 description of, 230 repairing and replacing parts, 264–265 fingerprint, 52 researching before buying graphics applications and, 29 components, 33–34 home office or small business and, 30 resident programs, removing, 284–285 installing, 245–246 resistor pack, 196 resolution and, 234–235 resolution single-pass, 233–234 digital camera and, 238 TWAIN-compatible, 235 inkjet printer and, 244 types of, 230–233 scanner and, 234–235 Scanners For Dummies (Chambers), 230 video card and, 95–96 ScanSoft Dragon NaturallySpeaking, response time, 103 161, 272 restocking fee, 35 scavenging parts REV drive (Iomega), 124 benefits of, 38–39, 262 revolutions per minute (rpm), 117 CD-ROM drive, 138 ribbon cable connector, 113, 125, 126 description of, 14 RJ-45 connector, 212 external modem, 177–178 RLL drive, 115 hard drive, 118, 132 rocker, 56 internal modem, 182 router, 208 from obsolete computers, 36–37 Roxio Drag-to-Disc, 146 printer, 242 rpm (revolutions per minute), 117 refurbished, 288 sound card, 155, 157 sources for, 37–38 • S • video card, 91, 95 salespeople, avoiding by building PC, warranty and, 5 265–266 scratch on CD or DVD, 150 SATA (serial ATA) screensaver, 107 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136–137 screwdriver description of, 53 magnetic, 12, 278 hard drive, 113–115, 116 Phillips, 9 hard drive, installing, 128 SCSI (small computer system interface) support for, 120 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 137 Satellite Communication Services Small compatibility and, 191 Office VSAT Service, 248 description of, 53 satellite Internet connection expansion and, 190–191 components of, 249–250 external device, 197–198 determining need for, 251 external device, connecting, 202 overview of, 226, 248–249 hard drive, 115–116 price of, 251 ID numbers, 192–194 saving boxes and receipts, 12 internal device, adding, 200–201 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 338

338 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

SCSI (continued) of motherboard, 52 port, 78 of power supply, 48 speed and, 189–190 of video clip, reducing, 241 terminators, 194–196 slots troubleshooting devices, 203–204 on back of case, 50–51 working with, 191–192 on motherboard, 54 SCSI (small computer system interface) opening, 84 adapter card types of, 70–71 features of, 198–199 small business peripherals, 30 installing, 199–200 small computer system interface (SCSI) installing multiple, 193 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 137 testing, 203 compatibility and, 191 SCSI configured automatically (SCAM), 194 description of, 53 secondary use of computer, expansion and, 190–191 determining, 22 external device, 197–198 security computer, 52 external device, connecting, 202 selecting components, 263–264, 266 hard drive, 115–116 Sempron processor, 62–63 ID numbers, 192–194 serial ATA (SATA) internal device, adding, 200–201 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 136–137 port, 78 description of, 53 speed and, 189–190 hard drive, 113–115, 116 terminators, 194–196 hard drive, installing, 128 troubleshooting devices, 203–204 support for, 120 working with, 191–192 serial cable, 114 small computer system interface (SCSI) serial modem, connecting, 183–184 adapter card serial port, 75 features of, 198–199 server, 209, 297 installing, 199–200 setting installing multiple, 193 SCSI ID number, 193–194 testing, 203 termination on SCSI adapter cards Small Office VSAT Service (Satellite and peripherals, 196 Communication Services), 248 shareware, 147 SMP (symmetric multiprocessing), 300 sheetfed scanner, 231 software shelf for keyboard, 82 antivirus, 207, 271 shipping costs, 35 bundled with PC, 265 shoe-box case, 45–46 bundled with video card, 98 Shopper.com Web site, 36 compatibility of with operating single drive, master unit setting, 126 system, 297 single inline memory module (SIMM), 68 diagnostics, 270 single-pass scanning, 233–234 image editing, 273 16-bit audio, 155 for modem, 185 64-bit support, 64 for multifunction keyboard, 82 size for network, installing, 219–220 of case, 15, 44 organizing, 272 of hard drive, 18, 117 pirated, 291 of monitor, 17, 100 shareware, 147 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 339

Index 339

for sound card, 157, 168 standards spyware removal, 272 modem, 174–176 versions of, 292 QIC-80, 121 video-editing, 240 super video graphics array (SVGA), 95, 99 voice command, 273 TWAIN, for scanners, 235 Sonic MyDVD Studio, 147 video graphics array (VGA), 95 Sound Blaster Live! sound card, 155 wireless networking, 217 sound card star Ethernet network topology, 210 audiophile, 33 Start➪All Programs➪Accessories➪ description of, 18, 154 Communications➪New Connection installing, 165–166 Wizard, 219 integrated, 155 Start➪All Programs➪Accessories➪ microphone and, 160–163 Entertainment➪Sound Recorder, 161 MIDI ports and, 160 Start➪Control Panel➪Add or Remove MP3 format and, 159 Programs, 284 PCI bus, 154–155 startup, stopping program from loading for power use design, 28 during, 285 software for, 157, 168 static electricity, 12, 53, 65 speakers and, 163–164 stereo positioning, 33 for standard edition design, 26 storage capacity surround sound and, 159 of DVD, 142–144 testing, 168 of hard drive, 117, 146 3-D spatial imaging and, 158–159 storage of digital video, 96 types of, 154–155 subwoofer speaker wavetable technology, 157–158 description of, 33, 164–165 Sound Recorder (Windows), 161 installing, 169 speakerphone feature of voice modem, 181 surge protector, 108, 269 speakers surround sound, 159 built-in, on monitor, 104 SVGA (super video graphics array) on case, 50 standard, 95, 99 connecting, 163, 166–167 SwapDrive Backup service, 256 description of, 18 swapping, 282 features of, 164 switch subwoofer, 33, 164–165, 169 connecting, 58–59 surround sound and, 159 dual inline packaging (DIP), 56, 196 speed for Ethernet network, 213 of CPU, 15, 62 Symantec interface and, 282 Norton AntiVirus, 207, 271 of operating system, 295 Norton Personal Firewall, 253–254 SCSI and, 189–190 Norton SystemWorks, 270, 282 of 3-D video card, 94 Procomm Plus, 206 of video card, 91 Web site, 180 SpyBot Search & Destroy program, 272 symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), 300 spyware removal program, 272 System Commander (V Communications), stability of operating system, 296 286, 298 standard edition design, 24–25 system tray, 284 standard mouse, 79 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 340

340 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

Trojan horse denial, 254 • T • Trojan horse program, 291 tape drive troubleshooting cleaning, 274 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 152 description of, 121–122 initial boot, 108–109 installing internal, 129–130 initial power test, 72 TCP/IP support, 302 SCSI devices, 203–204 technical support, 277, 306 true color scanner, 233 telecommuting, 222 trueSpace rendering program, 92–93 telephone, Internet, 161 Turbo button, 286 telephone line TV card, 98, 255 for satellite Internet connection, 248 TV output, 98 second, 179 TWAIN-compatible scanner, 235 telephone wiring, network using, 215 24-bit color, 233 terminating device chain, 191–192, 24-bit sound, 154–155 194–196, 197–198 twisted-pair cables, 212–213, 218 terminator, 194–196 testing • U • after formatting hard drive, 132 CD-ROM/DVD drive, 152 uncompressing digital video, 96 initial boot, 107–109 uninstalling resident programs, 284–285 keyboard, 87 uninterruptible power supply (UPS), LAN, 219–220 108, 268–269 modem, 185 universal serial bus (USB) motherboard, 71–72 hot-swap feature, 185 SCSI adapter card, 203 internal devices and, 190–191 sound card, 168 universal serial bus (USB) port 32-bit PCI card, 154 description of, 17, 76, 77 3-D accelerator chip, 30 external CD-ROM/DVD drive and, 137 3-D spatial imaging, 158–159 network and, 216 3-D video card, 32–33, 91–94 UNIX, 303, 305 3DMark05 utility (FutureMark), 91 upgrades throughput, 173 to CPU, 283 tilt/swivel pedestal for monitor, 104 to modem, 176 time requirement, 10, 13, 279 to SCSI adapter card, 199 Tom’s Hardware Web site, 34, 94 to 3-D accelerator chip, 30 tool of choice, 9 UPS (uninterruptible power supply), touchpad, 80 108, 268–269 tower case, 46–47 USB (universal serial bus) tower drive array, 140 hot-swap feature, 185 trackball internal devices and, 190–191 cleaning, 274 USB Flash drive, 290 description of, 79–80, 268 USB modem, connecting, 184–185 transfer rate, 137–138, 142, 223–224 USB (universal serial bus) port Travan drive, installing, 129–130 description of, 17, 76, 77 Travan technology, 121–122 external CD-ROM/DVD drive and, 137 tray CD-ROM drive, 140–141 network and, 216 triple-pass scanning, 234 Used Computer Mall Web site, 38 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 341

Index 341

used parts VLB (VESA Local Bus), 92 benefits of, 262 voice command CD-ROM drive, 138 dictation and, 161 external modem, 177–178 gaming and, 252–253 hard drive, 118, 132 power use of computer and, 272–273 internal modem, 182 voice e-mail, 161 from obsolete computers, 36–37 voice modem, 180–181 printer, 242 voice recording, 160–161 refurbished, 288 voltage, 19, 48 sound card, 155, 157 VPN (virtual private networking), 226 sources for, 37–38 video card, 91, 95 warranty and, 5 • W • user groups WAN (wide area network), 226 product information and reviews and, 34 warranty used parts and, 37 full, on each part, 266 on hard drive, 118 on monitor, 105 • V • refurbished hardware and, 288 V Communications System Commander, scavenged parts and, 5 286, 298 WAV format, 156 VESA Local Bus (VLB), 92 wavetable technology, 157–158 VGA (video graphics array) standard, 95 Web sites ViaVoice (IBM), 272 Adobe, 147 video capture device ATI, 93 description of, 240 of author, 24, 35 installing, 245–246 AverMedia Technologies, Inc., 255 video card backing up data to, 255–256 description of, 16–17, 89–90 for checking prices, 16 for economy-class design, 25 Creative Labs, 154–155 features of, 97–98 Daily .WAV, 156 installing, 105–106 Dragon NaturallySpeaking, 161, 272 integrated, 91 Drag-to-Disc (Roxio), 146 memory and, 94–96 Driver Zone, 91, 157 MPEG-2 decoder and, 145 Game Commander 3 (Mindmaker), performance and, 285 252–253 for power use design, 28 Iomega Zip removable-media drive, 122 price of, 97 ISP, finding, 228 scavenging, 91, 95 Linksys, 211 for standard edition design, 26 Linux Kernal Archives, 304 3-D, 32–33, 91–94 Logitech io 2 digital pen, 233 types of, 90–91 Lotus Notes, 207 video graphics array (VGA) standard, 95 Mediafour Productions, 251 video panning, 98 MyDVD Studio, 147 video use of computer, determining, 22 NVIDIA, 93 videoconferencing, 222 online shopping, 36 virtual memory, 282 Paint Shop Pro, 235 virtual private networking (VPN), 226 Price Watch, 34, 36, 262 32_767727 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 10:48 PM Page 342

342 Building a PC For Dummies, 5th Edition

Web sites (continued) Wireless Home Networking For Dummies product information, reviews, and (Briere, Bruce, and Hurley), 217 comparisons, 34 wireless keyboard, 82 scanner manufacturers, 230 wireless mouse, 79, 268 Small Office VSAT Service (Satellite wireless network, 216–217 Communication Services), 248 WMA format, 156 spyware removal programs, 272 work space, 10, 11, 276 SwapDrive Backup service, 256 Symantec, 180, 207 System Commander, 286 • X • trueSpace rendering program, 92–93 X factor, 283–284 used parts and, 38 ViaVoice, 272 video-editing programs, 240 • Y • Webcam, 240 Y power cable adapter, 277 wide area network (WAN), 226 Windows 95, 98, and Me operating systems, 299–300 • Z • Windows Sound Recorder, 161 ZDNet Web site, 34 Windows 2003 Server, 300 Zip removable-media drive Windows XP, 301–303 (Iomega), 122–124 New Connection Wizard, 219 ZIF (zero insertion force) socket, 65 Service Pack 2 firewall, 253 zoom feature on digital camera, 238 Setup program, 132 WinFax PRO (Symantec), 180 Wingman Force 3D joystick (Logitech), 256–257