How Computers WorkHow Computers Work•The Four Basic Operations

•The Boot Process

•Hardware Components & Their Functions

The Four Basic Computer The Four Basic Computer OperationsOperations

Input – Getting data from the outside Input – Getting data from the outside world into the computerworld into the computer

Processing – Manipulating the Processing – Manipulating the informationinformation

Output – Presenting data from the Output – Presenting data from the computer to the outsidecomputer to the outside

Storage – Efficiently and Storage – Efficiently and inexpensively holding data for later inexpensively holding data for later use.use.

Hardware to Provide Hardware to Provide Four FunctionsFour Functions

The Boot ProcessThe Boot Process

1. The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup program loads and runs

2. The Power-On-Self-Test (POST) runs

3. The Operating System loads

4. System Configuration

5. System utilities load

PC ComponentsPC Components Processor (CPU)Processor (CPU) Power SupplyPower Supply MotherboardMotherboard Memory (Random Access Memory)Memory (Random Access Memory) Hard DrivesHard Drives Removable Media DrivesRemovable Media Drives Video, Audio FunctionalityVideo, Audio Functionality CaseCase MonitorMonitor Mouse, KeyboardMouse, Keyboard

The ProcessorThe Processor

Single core vs. Dual core vs. Quad Single core vs. Dual core vs. Quad CoreCore

Intel vs. AMDIntel vs. AMD Trade-off between price and speedTrade-off between price and speed

• The newest, fastest processors are The newest, fastest processors are always overpriced. Best "bang for the always overpriced. Best "bang for the buck" is with the next step down.buck" is with the next step down.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)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.

System Memory (RAM)System Memory (RAM)

Volatile, loses its contents when the Volatile, loses its contents when the power is turned off.power is turned off.

All program instructions must be All program instructions must be loaded into RAM before they're loaded into RAM before they're executed.executed.

Random Access Memory (RAM)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.

System Memory (cond)System Memory (cond) How much memory is required?How much memory is required?

• Windows XP or Windows Vista – Windows XP or Windows Vista – Generally, 1 GB of memory is enough for Generally, 1 GB of memory is enough for XP, 2GB recommended for Vista.XP, 2GB recommended for Vista.

• Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core Processor – If Dual-Core vs. Quad-Core Processor – If the user will really make use of the the user will really make use of the other cores, add more memory.other cores, add more memory.

What kind of memory?What kind of memory?• CPU and Motherboard will specify what CPU and Motherboard will specify what

type of RAM to use.type of RAM to use.

StorageStorage Hard Drives – Long term storage, not Hard Drives – Long term storage, not

volatile. Stores data magnetically.volatile. Stores data magnetically.• How much, based on applications usedHow much, based on applications used

Standard Business PC's – 60 to 120 GB.Standard Business PC's – 60 to 120 GB. Media PC's need more – 250 to 320 GB.Media PC's need more – 250 to 320 GB.

• What type (SATA or PATA)?What type (SATA or PATA)? Optical DrivesOptical Drives

• CD Burner, DVD-ROM, DVD Burner (Single CD Burner, DVD-ROM, DVD Burner (Single Layer or Dual Layer)Layer or Dual Layer)

• How many? Two really make copying How many? Two really make copying disks easy. disks easy.

Hard Drive ComponentsHard Drive Components

Data Platters

Read/Write Heads

Enclosure

40-Pin IDE Connector

Jumpers

Molex Power Connector

Hard Drive Form FactorsHard Drive Form Factors

3.5 inch – Desktop PC’s

2.5 inch – Notebook PC’s

1.8 inch – UltraLight Notebook PC’s, MP3 Players, Digital Video Cameras

1 inch – Made to fit in a Compact Flash Card slot

Hard DrivesHard Drives IDE (ATA)IDE (ATA)

• EIDE – ATA2 aka Fast ATAEIDE – ATA2 aka Fast ATA• ATA3 – Ultra ATA - Improved interface, ATA3 – Ultra ATA - Improved interface,

hard drives can report status hard drives can report status information to the MB.information to the MB.

• Two devices per channel (or cable)Two devices per channel (or cable) SATA – Serial ATASATA – Serial ATA

• One device per channelOne device per channel SCSI – Many devices can be daisy-SCSI – Many devices can be daisy-

chained.chained.

SATA vs IDE (PATA)SATA vs IDE (PATA)

SATA vs IDE 2SATA vs IDE 2

Motherboard LayoutMotherboard Layout

Memory (RAM) Sockets

CPU Socket

Rear I/O Panel

SATAHard Drive Connectors

PCI Expansion Card Slots

IDE Connector

Main ATX Power Connector

Floppy Drive Connector

Choosing a MotherboardChoosing a Motherboard

Supports the chosen ProcessorSupports the chosen Processor Storage connectors ( PATA [aka IDE], Storage connectors ( PATA [aka IDE],

SATA150, SATA 3.0)SATA150, SATA 3.0) Memory type and amountMemory type and amount Built-ins (Video, Audio, LAN)Built-ins (Video, Audio, LAN) Graphic Card support (PCI-e, AGP)Graphic Card support (PCI-e, AGP) PCI Expansion slotsPCI Expansion slots RAID supportRAID support

PC Power SuppliesPC Power Supplies

Choosing a Power SupplyChoosing a Power Supply

Enough power for high class video Enough power for high class video cardscards

Special connectors available for SATA Special connectors available for SATA Hard Drives and PCI-E video cardsHard Drives and PCI-E video cards

Motherboard may have a 20-pin or Motherboard may have a 20-pin or 24-pin main connector24-pin main connector

Case Form FactorsCase Form Factors

Factors in Choosing a CaseFactors in Choosing a Case 4 Form Factors4 Form Factors

• DesktopDesktop• Mid-Size TowerMid-Size Tower• Full-Size TowerFull-Size Tower• Little, Teeny, Tiny Cases (VSFF)Little, Teeny, Tiny Cases (VSFF)

External and Internal Drive BaysExternal and Internal Drive Bays Front (Top) Panel Multi-Media Front (Top) Panel Multi-Media

ConnectorsConnectors Cooling System (can also add-on)Cooling System (can also add-on)

DisplayDisplay

Made up of two componentsMade up of two components• MonitorMonitor• Video card or circuitryVideo card or circuitry

MonitorsMonitors

CRTCRT• CheaperCheaper• Takes up more desktop Takes up more desktop

real estatereal estate• Can tire your eyesCan tire your eyes

Flat PanelFlat Panel• More expensiveMore expensive• Saves spaceSaves space• Sharper ImageSharper Image

Video CardsVideo Cards PCIPCI

• Fits in a standard expansion slotFits in a standard expansion slot• General purpose videoGeneral purpose video

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)• AGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X, AGP Pro 4X/8XAGP 2X/4X, AGP 4X/8X, AGP Pro 4X/8X

PCI Express (PCIe)PCI Express (PCIe)• PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, PCIe x16

Video circuitry is often built-in to the Video circuitry is often built-in to the motherboardmotherboard

Replacing a Video CardReplacing a Video Card

Make sure you don't buy too much Make sure you don't buy too much card for the monitor.card for the monitor.

It doesn't matter if the original video It doesn't matter if the original video was built-in to the motherboard. was built-in to the motherboard. Installing a video card and loading Installing a video card and loading drivers "takes over" from the old drivers "takes over" from the old video.video.

Get a card the motherboard supports.Get a card the motherboard supports.