Introduction to the Physical Computer

1. Introduction to the Physical Computer

2. Chapter Objectives After completing this section you will be able to: Understand basic computer terms Identify common computer parts Recognize and identify common computer ports 1-2

3. Basic Computer Terms • Computer systems are composed of hardware, software, and firmware. • Hardware is something you can touch and feel. • Software is the operating system and applications that make the hardware work; the software provides instructions for the hardware to carry out. • The operating system is an important piece of software that coordinates the interaction between hardware and software applications, as well as the interaction between a user and the computer.

4. Basic Computer Terms • A device driver is a special piece of software designed to enable a hardware component. • Firmware combines hardware and software into important chips inside the microcomputer that can be touched and felt like hardware, but have software written into them. • An example is the BIOS(Basic Input/Output System) chip.

5. Basic Computer Parts • Microcomputer • Also called a computer or PC. • A unit that performs tasks using software and comes in three basic models: • A desktop model that normally sits on top of a desk. • A tower model that sits under a desk. • A laptop model, which is portable. • A common handheld computer is called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Figure 1.2

6. Basic Computer Parts • The computer consists of: • A case (chassis) • A keyboardthat allows users to communicate with the computer • A monitor that displays information • A mouse that allows data input or is used to select menus or options

7. Basic Computer Parts Tower Computer Figure 1.3

8. Internal Components • Power supply – Converts AC from wall outlet to DC the computer can use, supplies DC for internal components, and has a fan to keep the computer cool. • Floppy drive – Storage device for small amounts of data, • Hard drive –Common storage device. • CD/DVD drive –Holds disks (CDs or DVDs) that have data, music, or software applications.

9. More Internal Components • Motherboard– The main circuit board that contains most of the electronics and is the largest electronic circuit board in the PC. • All computer components connect to, or communicate through the motherboard. • Adapters – Smaller circuit cards that normally plug into an expansion slotallowing other devices to interface with the motherboard. • They also may control some devices. • Expansion slot – A special connector on the motherboard that allows an adapter to plug in and connect to the motherboard. • Riser board– A small board with expansion slots that plugs into the motherboard and allows adapters to connect at a different angle.

10. Basic Computer Parts Dell Laptop Battery Figure 1.6

11. Basic Computer Parts • Internal components of the computer also include: • Memory–types are: • RAM(Random Access Memory) – Volatile memory that holds applications and user data while the computer is operating. • ROM(Read-Only Memory) – Non-volatile memory. • ROM BIOS –An important chip on the motherboard that holds the start-up software for the computer to operate, and software instructions for communication of the input/output devices and important hardware parameters.

12. Basic Computer Parts Motherboard with Expansion Slots and Adapters Figure 1.9

13. Basic Computer Parts • RAM and ROM chips come in different styles: • DIP (Dual In-line Package) • DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) • RIMM (a memory module developed by Rambus) • POST(Power On Self Test) – Is part of the software contained in the motherboard BIOS that performs a basic test of the individual hardware components when the computer is turned on with the power switch.

14. Basic Computer Terms • Turning the computer on with the power switch for a computer that is not running is known as a cold boot. • A warm boot is performed when a computer that is already on is restarted without using the power switch.

15. External Connectors • Port– A connector on the motherboard or on an adapter that allows a device to connect. • Integrated motherboards –Motherboards with ports built into them. • Male ports – Have pins that protrude out from the connector. • Female ports –Have holes in the connector to accept the male cable’s pins. • D-shell connector – A connector with more pins or holes on the top row than on the bottom.

16. External Connectors • DIN connector – Round with small holes and normally keyed; the keyboard and mouse are usually this type of connector with either 5 or 6 pins. • Keyed–A connector that has an extra metal (or plastic) piece or notch that matches an extra piece or notch on the cable, so it can only be installed one way.

17. Video Ports • Video port – The DVI port has three rows of square holes and is used to connect to flat screen monitors. Video Ports Figure 1.11

18. USB Ports • USB (Universal Serial Bus) port – A 4-wire connector that allows up to 127 devices to connect and transmit data at either 480Mbps, 12Mbps or 1.5Mbps. Figure 1.13 Figure 1.12

19. USB Ports • Since the USB port is becoming so popular and since some manufacturers are NOT including some ports that have traditionally been standard. • A small USB port used on small devices such as a USB hub, PDA, digital camera, and phones is known as a mini-USB port.

20. Parallel Port • Parallel port – A 25-pin female D-shell connector used to connect a printer to a computer. Other parallel devices include tape drives, scanners, Iomega’s Zip drive, and external hard drives.

21. Serial Ports • Serial port – (Also known as a COM port) can be a 9-pin male D-shell connector (most common), or a 25-pin male D-shell connector. Serial Ports Figure 1.17

22. Mouse and Keyboard Ports • Mouse port – Usually a smaller, keyed 6-pin DIN connector commonly known as a mini-DIN or PS/2. • Keyboard port –Normally a 6-pin mini-DIN like the one used for a mouse.

23. Mice • The two types of mice are mechanical and optical. • A mechanical mouse uses a rubber ball inserted into the bottom of the mouse. • An optical mouse has optical sensors to detect the direction in which the mouse ball moves. • A trackball is a replacement for a mouse. A trackball’s ball sits on top and a person uses his or her palm to move the mouse pointer.

24. Keyboard • The two types of keyboard are mechanical and capacitive. • The mechanical keyboard is: • Has mechanical switches that close when a key is depressed. • The capacitive keyboard is: • Uses a change in capacitance to detect when a key is being depressed.

25. Wireless Input Devices • Many input devices now have cordless connectivity. • Two common devices are the keyboard and mouse. • Two types of technology is used with wireless input devices: Infrared or Radio.

26. Other Input Devices • A variety of input devices are available that connect to the serial, PS/2, USB, or IEEE 1394 port. • Digital pen – Words written with the pen are translated for input into the computer, control the cursor, or used with a digital tablet. • Digital tablet –Allows graphical or desktop publishing information to be input. • Signature pad – Allows someone to sign his or her name to be stored digitally. • Touch screen – A special monitor that allows a finger or pen-like device to control it. • Trackball – A device that has a various size ball mounted in the center of the device. The center of the palm or fingertip is used to move the pointer on the screen. • Track pad – An integrated window on laptop computers that allows the pointer to be moved with the fingertip. • TrackPoint or Track Stick – A rubber point that is normally situated between keys in the center of the keyboard that controls pointer operations.

27. Sound Card Ports • Sound card – Or audio cards have several ports, but their main purpose is to convert digital computer signals to sounds (analog signals), or sounds to digital signals. Sound Card Ports Figure 1.20

28. IEEE1394 Port • IEEE 1394 ports – A serial technology developed by Apple Computer sometimes called the FireWire port. FireWire Ports Figure 1.21

29. IEEE1394 Port IEEE 1394 Adapter Ports Figure 1.22

30. Network Ports • Network ports – Used to connect a computer to other computers, including a server and are available in two types-Ethernet and Token Ring; a network cable connects to the network port. • Ethernet– These adapters are the most common type of network card with BNC, RJ-45 (most common today), a 15-pin female D-shell connector (sometimes called AUI), or any combination of all of them.

31. Network Ports Ethernet Ports Figure 1.24

32. Network Ports • Token Ring – Have two different connectors, both RJ-45 or 9-pin female D-shell. Token Ring Ports Figure 1.26

33. Modem Ports • Modem– Connects a computer to a phone line and can be either and internal or external device. Internal Modem Ports Figure 1.27

34. Pros Provides expandability because ports are built in and allow more room for expansion cards. Built in ports are faster than those on adapters. Computers are easier to set up because the manufacturer configures the ports. Systems with integrated motherboards are normally easier to troubleshoot. Cons Motherboard must be replaced when one port goes bad, unless it supports disabling the faulty port. If ports cannot be disabled, there could be conflicts with adding expansion cards. Pros and Cons of Integrated Motherboards

35. Pros and Cons of Integrated Motherboards Figure 1.28

36. Docking Station and Port Replicator • Docking stationsand port replicatorsare used to add connectivity and expansion capability to laptop computers. • A docking station is a device used to allow a laptop computer to function more like a desktop. • The port replicator is similar to a docking station, but doesn’t normally include an expansion slot or drive storage bays.

37. Docking Station and Port Replicator Toshiba Laptop in a docking station Figure 1.29

38. Common Computer Ports Being able to quickly and accurately identify computer ports is a critical skill. Common Computer Ports Table 1.2