Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (2nd Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I should first state that I am a BIG fan of Scott Mueller and his book series "Upgrading and Repairing PCs". Mueller is THE authority when it comes to PC hardware and I've been his fan since 1995. Thus, I decided to order his first book on the Windows operating system.
Now here's the review of U&R Windows:
Pros:
Mueller goes into the history of DOS and Windows in very intricate detail in the first chapter and it's very interesting. He then proceeds to cover Windows operating system upgrades and installation scenarios. A detailed explanation of the product activation is explained and is most intriguing. Mueller also goes over the different versions of Windows (OEM, Retail and Volume) with differences in each.
Then he goes in the various processes used in Windows startup routines in his famous "last to the minute detail" explanation of registry entries, and system processes. A healthy and detailed list of Windows services, what they are and how they work are given in chapter 4 and reading this chapter was quite enjoyable.
The rest of the book follows with networking, tweaking, troubleshooting, file systems, data recovery, securing the operating system and scripting. I was quite pleased to see a section detailing on how you can reset a Windows administrator password.
Cons:
Chapter 8 of the book, Protecting and Securing Windows, needs a serious re-write and is the most disappointing part of the book. Although 3 competing software firewall are discussed (Norton Personal Firewall, Tiny Personal Firewall and Sygate Personal Firewall), only 2 anti-virus programs (Norton Antivirus 2005 and AVG Free Edition) are discussed. Where is NOD32, Kaspersky or Mcafee?
The spyware removal section is the standard "lock, stock and barrel" answer of using Ad-Aware and Spybot to clean off spyware, with a suggestion to use HighJackThis at the very end. For an advanced Windows repair book like this, I was really expecting more from Mueller.
Completely missing from the book is mention of any of the freeware Sysinternals utilities (Filemon, Regmon, Autoruns, etc) that are so vital to troubleshooting Windows (and FREE!). A discussion of Windows PE or BartPE would make this book golden. Device detection information using system information utilites such as Everest, PCI32 or Belarc Advisor would also be an asset to this book.
Also, a scripting chapter (presumeably made by Brian Knittel, co-author of the book) goes in "deep and heavy" into scripting and seems out of place in a book like this.
Summary:
Overall, I like this book. It appears, however, that Mueller's authority is mostly in the hardware arena and not in the software one.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (2nd Edition)

The ultimate guide for anyone who wants to know how Windows ticks and how to keep it ticking.Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows, Second Edition, is the book hardcore Windows Vista and XP users have been clamoring for. Mueller, author of the bestselling Upgrading and Repairing PCs, and Knittel, famous for his bestselling Special Edition Using Windows books, now bring you an equally in-depth guide to Windows troubleshooting and repair. This comprehensive resource includes information on:Installation

Click here for more information about Upgrading and Repairing Microsoft Windows (2nd Edition)

Read More...

Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just made the move from an XP PC to an iMac so I bought this book as a reference. It not only helps with all the questions new users will have but it also answers questions that I didn't know to ask. You may be able to figure out many of the the BIG things on your own but it is always the little things can kill you - unless you have a handy reference guide like this. It is must have book for an old dog like me that needs to learn new tricks on his own. It is a small, but valuable investment that will save you lots of time. Just get it, you won't regret it.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition


Is Windows giving you pause? Ready to make the leap to the Mac instead? There has never been a better time to switch from Windows to Mac, and this incomparable guide will help you make a smooth transition. New York Times columnist and Missing Manuals creator David Pogue gets you past three challenges: transferring your stuff, assembling Mac programs so you can do what you did with Windows, and learning your way around Mac OS X. Learning to use a Mac is not a piece of cake, but once you do, the rewards are oh-so-much better. No viruses, worms, or spyware. No questionable firewalls, inefficient permissions, or other strange features. Just a beautiful machine with a thoroughly reliable system. Whether you're using Windows XP or Vista, we've got you covered. If you're ready to take on Mac OS X Snow Leopard, the latest edition of this bestselling guide tells you everything you need to know:



Transferring your stuff -- Moving photos, MP3s, and Microsoft Office documents is the easy part. This book gets you through the tricky things: extracting your email, address book, calendar, Web bookmarks, buddy list, desktop pictures, and MP3 files.Re-creating your software suite -- Big-name programs (Word, Photoshop, Firefox, Dreamweaver, and so on) are available in both Mac and Windows versions, but hundreds of other programs are available only for Windows. This guide identifies the Mac equivalents and explains how to move your data to them.
Learning Snow Leopard -- Once you've moved into the Mac, a final task awaits: Learning your way around. Fortunately, you're in good hands with the author of Mac OS X: The Missing Manual, the #1 bestselling guide to the Macintosh.

Moving from Windows to a Mac successfully and painlessly is the one thing Apple does not deliver. Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition is your ticket to a new computing experience.

Click here for more information about Switching to the Mac: The Missing Manual, Snow Leopard Edition

Read More...

The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide, 16th Edition Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Minasi's earlier editions were good (and hardcover - what happened to that?). This one was apparently rushed out without any proofreading just to keep up with the Joneses (Mueller). There are so many errors in the first two chapters, it's unbelievable... Maybe the rest of the book actually got re-written and proofed, but the first part is very disappointing and makes me unlikely to grab this volume when I need an accurate answer.
E.G.
p.17 figure 1.5 shows connectors on back of PC, points to a Centronics 36 connector, labeling it a 25-pin parallel port. Same figure labels a DB-25 port (male? female?) as "External SCSI". (Could be, if a VERY old scsi card is in there... )
p.17 "... be the expert on how many millions of polygons a particular sound card can render per second." Huh?? Since when did sound cards start rendering geometric shapes?
p.22 "Quick Steps: Installing a CPU" gives 6 steps. No mention of heatsinks/fans. Just pop it in, button up the case, and get the marshmallows ready!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide, 16th Edition

Clear, Expert Advice for PC Users of Every StripeNo matter how you use your PC--as a business tool, an entertainment center, or an Internet on-ramp--this latest edition of The Complete PC Upgrade & Maintenance Guide has you covered. Inside, you'll find the clear, expert advice on maintaining, upgrading, and troubleshooting for which this book is famous. It's all updated to cover the latest technologies and guaranteed to help you extend the life and power of your PC. You also get targeted instruction on a wide range of entertainment upgrades--ways to enhance your enjoyment of music, photo, movies, and more. Coverage includes:* Preventing hardware disasters* Upgrading memory* Replacing power supplies* Partitioning drives using NTFS and FAT32* Solving data backup challenges* Protecting your PC from viruses, worms, and spyware* Adding SCSI cards and drives* Installing DVDs, CD-ROMs, and EIDE and Serial ATA hard drives* Troubleshooting printers and scanners* Installing communications devices* Resolving mouse and keyboard problems* Installing video and sound cards* Tackling networking issues, both wired and wireless* Troubleshooting Internet connectivity* Solving laptop problems* Capturing and editing video* Managing music and image files* Watching movies on DVD* Getting the most out of new storage and networking technologies

Click here for more information about The Complete PC Upgrade and Maintenance Guide, 16th Edition

Read More...

My BlackBerry Curve Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Despite having upgraded from my Curve to a Tour last summer, I found this book to be the best smartphone reference I've had. Craig has done a great job with the layout and design, with clear explanations of the inner workings of a great family of smartphones. Even the first few pages were helpful, as I finally found the speakerphone key! The Curve is a classic powerhouse of a Blackberry smartphone, and this book is a must-have reference for not only newbies to the BB world, but also those (like me) who couldn't/didn't want to read the carrier manual or just want to know how to get more out of these devices. The color pictures are very helpful, especially for those of us that need to SEE something to understand it. Technology can be daunting to many, but Craig has written a thorough guide to not only Blackberry Curves, but also to the basics of the Blackberry world.
Thanks to Craig for a great job on a great reference!

Click Here to see more reviews about: My BlackBerry Curve

Step-by-step instructions with callouts to BlackBerry Curve photos that show you exactly what to do.Help when you run into BlackBerry Curve problems or limitations.Tips and Notes to help you get the most from your BlackBerry Curve.Full-color, step-by-step tasks walk you through getting and keeping your BlackBerry Curve working just the way you want. The tasks include:• How to get started fast with any BlackBerry Curve: 8300 Series, 8500 Series, or 8900 Series• How to make, receive, and manage calls and emails efficiently• How to use the BlackBerry Curve's powerful contact management and calendar software• How to listen to audio and watch video• How to connect to the Internet, Bluetooth devices, and your company's VPN• How to browse the Web from your BlackBerry Curve• How to use the BlackBerry Curve's messaging tools, including text, multimedia, PIN, and IM• How to find, choose, and install new BlackBerry Curve applications• How to connect with social networking sites and tools• How to use Airplane Mode to watch videos, read emails, and listen to music during flights• How to keep your BlackBerry Curve up-to-date, reliable, and running at top performance

Click here for more information about My BlackBerry Curve

Read More...

Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics (3rd Edition) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I teach Intro to Computers at a local community college. I wish this was our textbook! It's easy to read and comprehend without getting too techie. The range of topics covered is incredible. Mr. Miller keeps the explanations simple, sometimes humorous without the clutter you find in the Dummies books, and layed out in a format that is easy on the eyes and the brain. I recommend this book to my beginning students to complement what we cover in the Intro class.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics (3rd Edition)

Think setting up your new PC is going to be a challenge that you don't have time for? Think again. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition can make setting up and learning about your new computer fun and easy. Step-by-step instructions and helpful illustrations will show you how to set up your computer, begin using Microsoft Windows XP and personalize your Windows XP experience. You'll also learn how to:
Work with files and folders
Add new hardware and devices to your system
Perform maintenance and diagnose common problems
Install new software
Use the Internet
Protect your PC from viruses, spam and other nuisances
This latest edition has been updated to include coverage of Windows XP Service Pack 2, Windows Media Player 10 and 802.11g wireless networks. You'll also get the chance to explore how to use portable media players, safely shop online, buy and sell things on eBay, and how to use your digital camera and software to create digital scrapbooks. Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics, Third Edition is the most up-to-date guide for beginning computer users on the market and will be the only book you need to get up and running with your computer.

Click here for more information about Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics (3rd Edition)

Read More...