Irq, Dma, and: Resolving and Preventing PC System Conflicts

Well, I didn't know anything about IRQ's DMA's or I/O before I read this book. I actually managed to get to understand most of it. The nice thing about this book is that it provides great examples of working systems and common mistakes in troubled systems. It also provides glorious insight into why the PC is so riddled with "legacy" troubles. Even though the book is beginning to show its age, so is Windows/DOS. If you ever need to install any used devices or soundcards or cameras or whatever, this book is for you. There is only a small section describing the Registry, the single most important cluster of files on a PC, but Microsoft has always been evasive about these kinds of things and the Registry has many mysterious names and invisible files and can change at any time. Fortunately, however, the book does at least explain the basic function of the Registry, and provides a few clues as to how to deal with it during troubled times. C:\> ATTRIB -r -h -s -a C:*.* /S<p>My favorite thing about this book is that it reveals in specific terms, why you just can't go loading up a system with tons of accessories. This is a shock to most of us consumers, who aren't learned in the black arts of raising and nurturing a computer responsibly. <p>That is all, I have spoken.

This book outlined the steps I needed to take to get my computer configured properly. Before this book, I had never even successfully installed a modem! Now I have built a complete computer, from nothing! I now understand conflicts, and other strange error messages. The author truly knew his stuff. He was right on the money with his detailed explanations. This book is for anyone who wants to learn how to properly configure a system. Though this book is slightly dated, it is still a good reference.

I was able to read this for the most part, from cover to cover, and stay with it. Although it's not a big fat book, typical for this price range, it contains a lot of useful information. As an intermediate pc user, I found this book to be as technical as I needed it to be, and then some, and yet was easy enough to understand. I have 16 pages bookmarked, describing things that I need to do or implement, to maximize, fine tune, and fix my pc. I love the fact that it comes with a program on diskette, which is extremely useful for its simplicity. There are very useful charts and lists describing various configuration scenarios, which help in understanding the text. The only reason I didn't rate it a 10, was the (list) price I had to pay, and I wanted just a little bit more... text, examples, possible scenarios. Still, it's definitely a keeper

This is a Ten. Read it, it will save you hours of frustration. If you have windows95 buy this book. The knowledge contained can cure your plug and play problems. The book is well written and easily understood. The section on problem resolution makes this book the best I've read concerning IRQ's, DMA's and hardware conflicts.