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                  For the "less-computer-oriented" people
                                 
                           by L. Scott Caldwell
                                
                              February 5, 1996
                                
                           Edition (Version) 2.0

                            Copyright 1994 - 1996
                          
                             All Rights Reserved































                            CONTENTS
                                
                                




I.   Special Thanks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

II.  Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

III. CharityWare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

IV.  Where to Find Future Versions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

V.   Trademarks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

VI.  Disclaimer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

1.   So It's Decision Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2.   Chassis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

3.   Processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

4.   RAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

5.   Disk Drive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

6.   Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

7.   Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

8.   Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

9.   Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

10.  Multi-Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

11.  Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

12.  Protecting your Computer and your Data. . . . . . . . . . 73











Help Guide to Buying a Computer





I.        Special Thanks

I would like to thank the most important people in my life for helping me write 
this "Help Guide to Buying a Computer".  

To GOD whom has always stood by my side and helped me when I needed a good swift 
kick in the pants.

To my wife, Tanya whom has always supported me in my efforts even though 
computers, in general, frustrate her.   She did most of the editing on this 
guide to ensure that "normal" people would understand it, and to make sure all 
my "garbled" ideas came together in an understandable and coherent form.

To my Parents, for their support and understanding when I took apart the lawn
mover when I was five years old and couldn't put it back together.  They always
understood my passion for computers and things that go "beep".  Additional 
thanks goes to my father for his help with technical issues in this help guide.

To my uncle Bill and Aunt Winona for their help in the editing of this guide.  
Their eagle eyes helped to catch all those little mistakes I missed.

To my sister-in-law Teresa, for her additional editing help and suggestions.

To my cat, Jack for reminding me of the simple things in life, like playing when 
I get so frustrated by work.

Thank you all for everything... I owe you so much.


























Help Guide to Buying a Computer





II.       Introduction

     I have been involved with computers for many years of my life.  I was 
raised around them and considered them to be as normal as many people consider
televisions, radios and cars.  I  have always enjoyed using computers, working 
on them, upgrading them, etc. so it seemed only natural that I would choose 
something to do with computers as my life-long career.

     During my career with computers I have often been asked "What should I
buy?"  and "Do I really need this much computer?".  That is one of the reasons I
decided to write this "Help Guide to Buying a Computer".  Computers have come
naturally to me, but I realize they can be incredibly confusing for other 
people.  I hope this guide will assist others in that ever confusing decision of 
buying a computer. 

     This guide will cover mostly IBM and IBM compatible (compatible with IBM's 
original computer and software design) hardware and software and not Apple 
computers.  However, since some hardware used by Apple, IBM, and compatibles is 
the same, some of this information will apply to Apple.


































Help Guide to Buying a Computer





III. CharityWare

Copyright 1994 - 1996 by L. Scott Caldwell   All Rights Reserved

This guide may not be distributed for financial gain and/or this guide may not 
be included in commercial collections or compilations without express written
permission from the author.

This help guide is not free, but in fact, CharityWare. 

     CharityWare is very similar to Shareware, because they both allow you to
evaluate the product (in this case a help guide) for a total of fifteen (15) 
days, and pay for it only if you use it.  However, the following conditions are 
specific to CharityWare and not to Shareware:

-    Rather than send me (the author) the registration money, you MUST donate 
     that same registration money ($15) to a "worthwhile" Charity (church, Red  
     Cross, AIDS research, etc.).  That doesn't mean to donate it to your 
     pocket!  If you use this guide (even a small part of it), you MUST donate 
     the registration fee ($15) to Charity.  For every computer that is 
     purchased with knowledge gained from any part of this guide, there must be 
     a $15 donation made to a Charity.  I consider a donation of $15 a small 
     price to pay to get what you want in a computer and to be an informed 
     buyer.  Doing anythingother than donating the $15 fee is a violation of the 
     law.  Don't forget you may be able to write the donation off your taxes.
     
-    You also must still send the following registration form to me (without
     any money, unless you're ordering a printed copy of this guide, are in a   
     really good mood, or just have more money than you know what to do with).  
     The registration form helps me to keep track of who is using this guide.             
     Any comments about this guide (likes, dislikes, improvements, etc.) will 
     assist me in my efforts to update and add new information.
     




















Help Guide to Buying a Computer





                       REGISTRATION FORM

Help Guide to Buying a Computer - Edition 2.0
Copyright 1994 - 1996 by L. Scott Caldwell   All Rights Reserved

Mail to: L. Scott Caldwell
         10515 Scarritt
         Sugar Creek, MO 64054

If you would rather e-mail me the registration form (please e-mail the entire 
form) then send it to: scaldwel@sky.net.    

If you would like a printed copy of this guide (the latest Edition) then send 
$25.00 (US funds) along with this registration form to me.  You are still 
required to donate $15 to a Charity, even if you order a printed copy of this 
guide.

If you are ordering the printed copy of this guide, and would like the latest 
version of this guide on disk; then please specify the diskette size that is 
acceptable.

                                                         ___ 5.25"   ___ 3.5"
   
    Name: 
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

 Company: 
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

 Address: 
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

   Phone:                 E-mail address: 
         ---------------                -------------------------------------

Charity you're donating to: 
                           --------------------------------------------------

Where did you get this guide (specifically)? 
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            
Comments: 
         --------------------------------------------------------------------

         
         --------------------------------------------------------------------


         --------------------------------------------------------------------




Help Guide to Buying a Computer





IV.  Where to Find Future Editions

     If you would like to receive future editions of this guide in an electronic
format then you may obtain it from the following sources:

-    The guide can always be obtained directly from me.  Feel free to e-mail me      
     at scaldwel@sky.net, and we'll discuss getting you an updated version.

-    My Internet World Wide Web (WWW) site address is 
     http://www.sky.net/~scaldwel.  Follow the instructions on the first page to     
     receive the guide.  There are other areas of interest on my WWW page so 
     feel free to look around.

-    Call "The Passport BBS" at (816) 229-1841 (all speeds) and scan (use the   
     (L)ocate command) for a file called "HGBCE*.ZIP".  This will give you a    
     list of all editions of this guide currently available.  This edition (what 
     you're reading) of the guide is named HGBCE20.ZIP (Help Guide to Buying a 
     Computer, Edition 2.0). 

     I have already started planning for the next edition of this guide, and I 
will be adding several new chapters, charts, and more.  I really think you'll 
like it so look for it in the next few months.































Help Guide to Buying a Computer





V.   Trademarks


IBM, PC, XT, AT, PS/2 and OS/2 are trademarks of International Business 
   Machines.
Compaq is a trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation.
Intel is a trademark Intel Computer Corporation.
Hayes is a trademark of Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc.
WordPerfect and Presentations are trademarks of WordPerfect Corporation.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other trademarks are of their respective companies.










































Help Guide to Buying a Computer





VI.  Disclaimer

     I wrote this guide out of the goodness of my heart to try to help people 
who thought they could use some help buying a computer.  However, you accept 
this information with the understanding that the author (L. Scott Caldwell) 
makes no representation or warranties as to the reliability or suitability of 
this information for your particular purpose, and to the extent you use or 
implement this information in your own setting, you do so at your own risk.  
I've tried to make reasonable efforts within my means to verify this 
information.  However, the information provided in this document is FOR YOUR 
INFORMATION only and is accepted by you "AS IS."  Configuration(s) tested or 
described may or may not be the only available solution.  IN NO EVENT WILL THE 
AUTHOR (L. Scott Caldwell) BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, WHETHER DIRECT, 
CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL OR SPECIAL, ARISING OUT OF USE OF OR INABILITY TO
USE THIS INFORMATION PROVIDED.

     This guide may not be distributed for financial gain and/or this guide may 
not be included in commercial collections or compilations without the express 
written permission of the author.  This guide must be kept together in its 
entirety and may not be separated, modified, sold, leased, etc. without the 
express written permission from the author.  If you want to give a copy to a 
friend then give them a copy of the ENTIRE guide (every single page) including 
all Copyright and Disclaimer pages.  In addition, notify them that they are 
still required to send me the registration form and to donate the registration 
fee to charity.


Copyright 1994 - 1996 by L. Scott Caldwell   All Rights Reserved

Well, now that I have the legal stuff out of the way, let us proceed to the 
good stuff. 






















Help Guide to Buying a Computer



