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How Computers Work

How Computers Work. The Four Basic Operations The Boot Process Hardware Components & Their Functions. The Four Basic Computer Operations. Input – Getting data from the outside world into the computer Processing – Manipulating the information

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How Computers Work

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  1. How Computers Work • The Four Basic Operations • The Boot Process • Hardware Components & Their Functions

  2. The Four Basic Computer Operations Input – Getting data from the outside world into the computer Processing – Manipulating the information Output – Presenting data from the computer to the outside Storage – Efficiently and inexpensively holding data for later use.

  3. Hardware to Provide Four Functions

  4. The Boot Process The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup program loads and runs The Power-On-Self-Test (POST) runs The Operating System loads System Configuration System utilities load

  5. PC Components Processor (CPU) Power Supply Motherboard Memory (Random Access Memory) Hard Drives Removable Media Drives Video, Audio Functionality Case Monitor Mouse, Keyboard

  6. The Processor • Single core vs. Dual core vs. Quad Core • Intel vs. AMD • Trade-off between price and speed • The newest, fastest processors are always overpriced. Best "bang for the buck" is with the next step down.

  7. Central Processing Unit (CPU) Intel CPU's have pins on the socket, pad connectors on the underside of the CPU. AMD CPU's have pins on the underside of the CPU and holes on the socket.

  8. System Memory (RAM) • Volatile, loses its contents when the power is turned off. • All program instructions must be loaded into RAM before they're executed.

  9. Random Access Memory (RAM) Notice the notch in the pins, and that the two sections of pins are different sizes. This makes it difficult to install RAM incorrectly.

  10. System Memory (cond) • How much memory is required? • Windows XP or Windows Vista – Generally, 1 GB of memory is enough for XP, 2GB recommended for Vista. • Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core Processor – If the user will really make use of the other cores, add more memory. • What kind of memory? • CPU and Motherboard will specify what type of RAM to use.

  11. Storage Hard Drives – Long term storage, not volatile. Stores data magnetically. How much, based on applications used Standard Business PC's – 60 to 120 GB. Media PC's need more – 250 to 320 GB. What type (SATA or PATA)? Optical Drives CD Burner, DVD-ROM, DVD Burner (Single Layer or Dual Layer) How many? Two really make copying disks easy.

  12. Hard Drive Components Enclosure Data Platters Read/Write Heads 40-Pin IDE Connector Jumpers Molex Power Connector

  13. Hard Drive Form Factors 1 inch – Made to fit in a Compact Flash Card slot 1.8 inch – UltraLight Notebook PC’s, MP3 Players, Digital Video Cameras 2.5 inch – Notebook PC’s 3.5 inch – Desktop PC’s

  14. Hard Drives • IDE (ATA) • EIDE – ATA2 aka Fast ATA • ATA3 – Ultra ATA - Improved interface, hard drives can report status information to the MB. • Two devices per channel (or cable) • SATA – Serial ATA • One device per channel • SCSI – Many devices can be daisy-chained.

  15. SATA vs IDE (PATA)

  16. SATA vs IDE 2

  17. Motherboard Layout Rear I/O Panel Memory (RAM) Sockets CPU Socket Main ATX Power Connector IDE Connector PCI Expansion Card Slots SATA Hard Drive Connectors Floppy Drive Connector

  18. Choosing a Motherboard • Supports the chosen Processor • Storage connectors ( PATA [aka IDE], SATA150, SATA 3.0) • Memory type and amount • Built-ins (Video, Audio, LAN) • Graphic Card support (PCI-e, AGP) • PCI Expansion slots • RAID support

  19. PC Power Supplies

  20. Choosing a Power Supply Enough power for high class video cards Special connectors available for SATA Hard Drives and PCI-E video cards Motherboard may have a 20-pin or 24-pin main connector

  21. Case Form Factors

  22. Factors in Choosing a Case 4 Form Factors Desktop Mid-Size Tower Full-Size Tower Little, Teeny, Tiny Cases (VSFF) External and Internal Drive Bays Front (Top) Panel Multi-Media Connectors Cooling System (can also add-on)

  23. Display • Made up of two components • Monitor • Video card or circuitry

  24. Monitors • CRT • Cheaper • Takes up more desktop real estate • Can tire your eyes • Flat Panel • More expensive • Saves space • Sharper Image

  25. Video Cards • PCI • Fits in a standard expansion slot • General purpose video • Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) • AGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X, AGP Pro 4X/8X • PCI Express (PCIe) • PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16 • Video circuitry is often built-in to the motherboard

  26. Replacing a Video Card • Make sure you don't buy too much card for the monitor. • It doesn't matter if the original video was built-in to the motherboard. Installing a video card and loading drivers "takes over" from the old video. • Get a card the motherboard supports.

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