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The Visible PC. Chapter 3. Overview. In this chapter, you will learn how to Describe how the PC works Identify all the connectors and devices on a typical PC system unit Discuss the major internal components of a PC. How the PC Works. Hardware
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The Visible PC Chapter 3
Overview In this chapter, you will learn how to Describe how the PC works Identify all the connectors and devices on a typical PC system unit Discuss the major internal components of a PC
How the PC Works Hardware Pieces you can kick (mouse, monitor, motherboard, etc.) Software Operating system (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) Applications (PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Internet Explorer)
The Art of the PC Technician • The Art of the PC Technician • Hardware and software interact to accomplish the four stages • Your goal is to understand all the parts and how they interact in the various stages • By understanding how it works, you’re better able to fix it when it breaks X Broken PC PC tech Fixed PC
Name the big pieces The Complete PC
External Connections • Plug goes into a port • Port/jack accepts a plug • Connector can be either a port or a plug
External Connections (continued) There are six basic types of connections: Mini-DIN connectors USB connectors FireWire connectors DB connectors RJ connectors Audio connectors
Mini-Din Connectors DIN connectors are round and come in two sizes: DIN (ancient) Mini-DIN (a.k.a. PS/2) Always a female connector Used by a keyboard or mouse
USB Connectors Universal Serial Bus (USB) Used by many devices today Devices are hot-swappable USB B plugs into devices USB A plugs into computers USB mini-B connects to smaller devices USB B USB A
FireWire Connectors/IEEE 1394 FireWire connectors move data at incredibly high speeds Also known as IEEE 1394 Do not confuse this with the IEEE 1284 (parallel standard) Popular with video applications. Uses a six-wire connector (note the rounded edge) Some devices use a four-wire connector Hot-swappable Faster FireWire devices use a nine-wire connector
DB Connectors DB connectors have a slight D shape Male DB connectors have pins Female DB connectors have sockets DB is the oldest type ofconnector in the PC Officially called D-shell orD-subminiature
Registered jack or RJ connectors RJ-11 connectors are used by telephone lines RJ-45 connectors are used in network interface cards (NICs) RJ Connectors
Audio Connectors Audio connectors are found on sound cards Used to connect speakers, microphones, and other audio devices Mini-audio jacks Also called 1/8” jack
All the Colors of the Rainbow The connections on the back of the computer have been standardized
Cards vs. On-boards Connectors are exposed on the rear and front of PCs Some connectors attach directly to the motherboard Some connectors attach to boards that plug into the motherboard
Keyboard Keyboards connect into dedicated mini-DIN (usually purple) or USB Mini-DIN plugs and ports are usually either purple (for keyboards) or green (for mice)
Monitors Monitors connect to ports on video cards S-Video connector (left) Digital visual interface (DVI) connector (center) 15-pin blue female DB connector (right)
Sound Converts digital information into sound Converts sound from a microphone into digital data Mini-audio jacks for speakers and microphones DB-15 connector for a joystick or musical instrument Newer Sony/Phillips digital interface format (S/PDIF)
Video vs. Sound Two types of 15-pin connections 15-pins in 3 rows VGA (video connections) 15-pins in 2 rows MIDI, could connect an old joystick, or musical instrument VGA (15 pins/3 row) MIDI Port
Network Networks: groups of PCs connected together Network interface cards (NICs) typically on motherboard (can be expansion card) Typical connector is RJ-45
Mouse A mouse enables you to select graphical items on a screen Connects through mini-DIN port (light green), USB port, or Bluetooth A trackball may be used instead of mouse
Modem Modems convert analog telephone signals into digital data and vice-versa Internal modems are expansion cards External modems connect to a serial port or a USB port May use one or two RJ-11 sockets Cable from wall to computer is mandatory, and from computer to phone is optional
Printers output data from the PC onto paper Historically used a female DB-25 on the computer side and a Centronics connection on the printer side Today, printers use USB or wireless connections Printer
Joysticks Joysticks are used almost exclusively to play games on the computer Originally designed as an input device to be used like a mouse DB-15 connector (typically orange) Most joysticks use USB today
Special connector for external hard drives and optical drives eSATA
The case houses all of the internal components Protects internal components External connections in front and rear Provides access to storage devices such as CDs Case
Going Inside Most cases open with a Phillipsscrewdriver Some use thumbscrews Proprietary cases open in odd ways, like with Torx wrenches When inside, be careful! ESD issues Dropped screws (use plastic tools) Inside you’ll find internal components: Motherboard Devices attached to the motherboard Start in the center with the CPU
CPU Central processing unit (CPU) Also called a microprocessor Performs calculations Generates a lot of heat Cooling fan and/or heat sink used to keep them cool
CPU (continued) Makes Intel AMD Models Phenom Athlon Pentium Core • CPUs come in different packages: • Pin grid array (PGA) • Land grid array (LGA)
RAM Random access memory (RAM) Stores programs and data currently used by the CPU Measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB) Each piece or module of RAM called a stick Dual inline memory module (DIMM) most common today
Motherboards The motherboard is a thin, flat piece of circuit board Everything connects directly or indirectly to the motherboard Contains sockets for the CPU, RAM, power, and external devices such as mice, printers, and keyboards Expansion slots allow the addition of new components
Power Supply Provides electrical power to PC components Uses 110-VAC power from the wall outlet Has power connectors for the motherboard and other devices Uses a fan to keep itself and the PC cool inside Safety Alert! High-voltage capacitor holds power after being unplugged
Floppy Drive The floppy drive uses floppy diskettes to store data Connects to the computer via a ribbon cable Connects to the floppy controller on the motherboard Uses a connector from the power supply
Hard drives store programs and data not currently in use by the CPU Capacity is quoted in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB). A typical PC has one hard drive but may contain more Common types include: Parallel AT attachment (PATA) Serial AT attachment (SATA) Small computer systeminterface (SCSI) Uses a power cable from the power supply Hard Drive
Optical Media Drives Three groups CD Stores about 700 MB of data DVD Stores about 4-16 GB of data Blu-ray Disc (BD) Stores about 25-50 GB of data