The book begins with an introduction to basic electronics and to the numbering systems relevant to computer processing. This opening section also covers the tools and techniques you need to know when working on computers. Next, author Ron Gilster builds your hardware knowledge from the bottom up with chapters on motherboards, memory technology, disk and other storage options, bus structures, and power supplies. Discussions of input and output devices, I/O ports, printers, and basic networking follow.

Further on, the author explains how to work on computers, install new options, and implement upgrades. Gilster also discusses how to deal with customers--often a bigger challenge than diagnosing the hardware problem--and covers the DOS/Windows platform and diagnostic techniques.

An included CD contains study software and hundreds of practice questions. Whether you are preparing for the A+ exam or simply want to get a clue about how computers work, this title covers the basics well. --Stephen W. Plain