Most of the items the authors offer as upgradable are pieces of the PC that are necessary for its operation or devices that will improve its current operation. The equipment discussed includes the power supply, additional RAM, floppy and hard disks, keyboards, and printers. Modems are not included. The authors do not recommend specific manufacturers but define the common terms a novice would need to know to intelligently evaluate different brands. For example, under “monitors,” the distinction between analog and digitally driven monitors is defined.

This book assumes a novice level of understanding of computer systems. The authors explain computer jargon terms as they appear in the text, with an effort to use terms not already defined. Two chapters cover the outside and inside views of the PC, including switches (power and reset), jumpers, ICs, and opening the case. Most of the illustrations are line drawings.

The simple additions include both additions to the basic PC, such as printers and uninterruptable power supplies, and modifications, such as a better monitor or keyboard. The authors indicate that many of the devices require an expansion board, which they describe how to install. The user is referred to the manufacturer’s literature for specific switch settings for the expansion board. Memory is discussed in the expansion board section, which touches on the distinctions between expanded and extended memory.

A chapter deals with storage devices, hard disks, floppies, and tapes. The different types of controllers and cabling required for each storage device are examined. A typical installation and configuration sequence that includes low-level and high-level formatting for the PC system to use a new hard disk is discussed. Backup procedures are stressed in this chapter, since tape drives are included here.

The chapter on adding chips gives hints on chip installation for memory and coprocessors. Serious modifications include replacing the power supply, modifying the CPU with accelerator cards, replacing the entire motherboard, and changing the BIOS.

Having changed or added to the hardware, the software has to be modified. The software being modified is the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files.

A short chapter covers different operating systems and environments for a PC. The chapter on troubleshooting covers some simple things a user might do to bring back a nonworking PC, including cleaning the write protect sensor for floppy drives.

“Building Your Own PC” steps through the selection of readily available components that can be combined. Rationales for choosing the case, power supply, motherboard, display, and so on are presented and an example vendor is chosen. No vendors are recommended. The authors then go over the installation procedure they used for their component collection, supplying hints on the construction.

One third of the book is appendices. These include vendor lists for computers, motherboards, and other computer components. The vendor lists are in vendor alphabetical order rather than component order. Another appendix contains 40 pages of vendor model numbers for hard disks with information on number of heads, cylinders, interface, and form factor. The third appendix contains a cable pinout for external cables.

For a novice computer user, this book is a nice introduction to upgrading a PC.