Servicing Personal Computers

This text sets out to describe the basic principles and practice of personal computer servicing and is intended for the enthusisast as well as the professional computer technician. The aim has been to produce both a handy reference manual and a text which contains detailed background information. Chapter one begins with an introduction to microcomputers and microprocessors and continues with a description of typical devices. Chapter two covers the broader aspects of setting up a workshop as well as providing details of the equipment that should be included. Chapter three is devoted to fault-finding and begins by discussing common faults and the level of skill required in their diagnosis. Chapter four deals with tapes and disk drives, whilst five covers servicing printers and monitors, including the adjustment of monochrome monitors. The final chapter is a reference section Servicing Personal Computers, Third Edition focuses on processes, techniques, and methodologies involved in servicing personal computers. The publication first elaborates on microcomputer systems and test equipment. Discussions focus on data communications test equipment, choosing test gear, microprocessors, random access memory, parallel input and output, memory mapped input and output, and raster scan displays. The manuscript then takes a look at fault diagnosis and tape and disk drives. Concerns include disk and cassette drives, initial check procedure, testing the CPU board, and fault finding on an RS-232 interface. The book examines printers and monitors, servicing the IBM PC and compatibles, and servicing 68000-based microcomputers. Topics include fault finding 68000-based micromputers, Apple Macintosh, 68000 based systems, 68030 and 68040, support devices, useful memory locations, 8086 and 8088 microprocessors, and user and supervisor modes. The publication is a vital source of data for computer engineers and researchers interested in servicing personal computers. Content: Dedication, Page ii Front Matter, Page iii Copyright, Page iv Preface, Pages vi-vii Conventions used in this book, Page viii 1 - Microcomputer systems, Pages 1-69 2 - Test equipment, Pages 70-99 3 - Fault diagnosis, Pages 100-148 4 - Tape and disk drives, Pages 149-186 5 - Printers and monitors, Pages 187-217 6 - Servicing the IBM PC and compatibles, Pages 218-263 7 - Servicing 68000-based microcomputers, Pages 264-285 Reference section, Pages 287-303 Index, Pages 304-312 Describes the basic principles and practice of personal (single-user) computer servicing and is intended for the enthusiast and the professional technician. It covers test equipment, fault diagnosis, tape and disk drives, printers and monitors and the servicing of IBM-compatibles.