The next time you’re in a bookstore computer section, check out a copy of Upgrading and Repairing PCs, by Scott Mueller. Once you see this gem of a book, you’ll be tempted to plunk down the purchase price then and there. This is easily the best PC reference book I’ve ever seen.

In its fifth edition, Mueller’s PC bible is a New York City telephone-book sized manual that contains practically everything you’d ever want to know about PCs. Weighing in with a hefty 1,394 pages, with 23 chapters and 4 appendices, it can be an indispensable aid for a PC manager.

The book is an interesting blend of text book, history manual, and technical reference. Mueller reviews the history of personal computers; provides in-depth discussion of who creates various PC standards and why; tells how to build a PC from scratch; and provides vendor lists, technical references, and more.

Upgrading and Repairing PCs is written in a clear, concise, technical style that neither talks down to readers nor goes over their heads. This is not another “dummies” book, nor is it an obscure technical manual fit only for “propeller heads.” Mueller’s book is for advanced PC users, but is still useful to anyone who needs to learn more about the PC.

The components of the PC are described in depth in individual chapters. Starting with the history of the PC, the book moves on to describe the motherboard, bus slots, CPI, memory, and even the power supply. From there, it evaluates internal hardware, such as video cards, input devices, and disk drives. Finally, Mueller describes several types of computer peripherals, and discusses building and maintaining your own systems.

In addition, the book is packaged with the Micro House Technical Library CD-ROM. The CD contains information on over 1,400 peripheral cards, including manufacturer information; model name; chip sets in use; and diagrams of jumpers,

switches, and connectors on the card. If you ever find yourself with a strange card you want to identify, or if you’ve lost the manual for a card you need to adjust, this CD could be a lifesaver.

The only downside to the book is that the technical information ages quickly and, unlike wine and cheese, it does not age well. Items that are hot today were unheard of yesterday, while certain sections of the book can be quickly outdated by the twists and turns of technology. For example, the book is very light on Windows 95, which is on the rise, while being heavy on DOS, which is on the decline. Unfortunately, that’s one of the pitfalls of technology books—changes and advances that happen between printing and publication are usually not covered.

Even with some outdated or incomplete material, the book overall is so good and so full of information that it should be on your workbench the next time you open a PC.

At $49.99 retail, Upgrading and Repairing PCs is a little expensive for the average reader, but fits comfortably into your expense account. It’s well worth the money. I give it my highest recommendation.

Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Scott Mueller. Que Corporation, 1995. ISBN: 0-7897-0321-1.