CHAPTER I

[COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING]

MODULE FOR GRADE 9

Abstract

This module show you some of the most

important things you need to know about
computers, including how to set up your
computer, how to interact with the desktop
and operating system, and what kinds of
computers are available. We'll also introduce
you to some basic troubleshooting strategies
you can use if your computer isn't working
correctly. This module also introduces the
origin of computer and how computer evolve
from history.

0
Computer is a general purpose device that can
be programmed to carry out a set of arithmetic
or logical operations automatically. Since a
sequence of operations can be readily changed,
the computer can solve more than one kind of
problem.

Conventionally, a computer consists of at least

one processing element, typically a central
processing unit (CPU), and some form of
memory. The processing element carries out
arithmetic and logic operations, and a
sequencing and control unit can change the
order of operations in response to stored
information. Peripheral devices allow
information to be retrieved from an external
source, and the result of operations saved and
retrieved.

Contrary to popular belief, computers existed from antiquity. Any tool used for calculation could be
referred to as a computer. The earliest computers were tally sticks in use since around 20,000 BC.
Mechanical analog computers started appearing in first century and were used in medieval era for
astronomical calculations. In World War II, mechanical analog computers were used for specialized
military applications. During this time the first electronic digital computers were developed. Originally
they were the size of a large room, consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal
computers (PCs).

Computer System is a connection of electronic devices that link together forming a system
in order to perform automatic electronic data processing (EDP) using software. It can
manipulate and store data for the user's retrieval. It has the capacity to manipulate data to
meaningful information. This data can also be stored for later use or further manipulation.

FEATURES OF COMPUTERS
There are certain qualities possessed by the computer that tend to make it advantageous
over other means of data processing. Some of these advantageous include:

1. High Speed: Computers are electronic devices and as such, can operate at the speed of electricity.
This makes the computer so fast in operation that in a matter of seconds, the computer can
accomplish what will take human being days to accomplish.

2. Accuracy: Computers do not make mistakes in so far as they are accurately programmed and
are not faulty in terms of components . Because computers can operate error-free, they can be
trusted to produce accurate results, which is very vital the user.

3. Reliability: Just as they are accurate, computers are reliable and consistent in the information
produced by it. Given the same program and same data, the result produced should be the same at
all times. That is why computer-type devices like microprocessors are introduced into the household
appliances and automobiles to increase their longevity and reliability. This does not mean that the
computer cannot break down. When the computer breaks down, it is no longer operational and it is
said to be down. The amount of time that the computer stays in an inoperable condition is referred
to as downtime.

3. Versatility: Computers are versatile. They can be used in many fields. Some areas in which the
computer can be used include payroll, exam marking, accounting, military, teaching and learning,
designing and manufacturing, entertainment, airline seat reservation, etc.

4. Mass Storage Capability: Computers can store very large amounts of data for long periods of
time.

5. Precision: It is possible to represent information, especially numerical quantities, to any

(reasonable) desired degree of magnitude. This quality is very useful in scientific and engineering
applications.

6. Security: Because data and information in computer systems are stored in machine-readable
forms, they are protected to some extent from people who have no access to the computer by the
use of passwords or some other form of identification. Thus, we can say that the computer provides
a measure of security for data and information stored in it.
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BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER
The history of computer is really as antique as the history of man. The first form of computing
was counting, adding and other arithmetic operations which were performed by the aid of the
human body, Human parts such as the foes and fingers were used in counting while the eyes acted
like the present day computer monitor. The human brain acts as the processor for processing of
raw data. Other objects used were drawings of lines, sticks, stones etc.

'Who invent the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many
inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of
machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention. No one
person may be credited with the invention of computers, but several names stand proud in the crowd.

The first computers were people! That is, electronic computers (and the earlier mechanical
computers) were given this name because they performed the work that had previously been
assigned to people. "Computer" was originally a job title: it was used to describe those human beings
(predominantly women) whose job it was to perform the repetitive calculations required to compute
such things as navigational tables, tide charts, and planetary positions for astronomical almanacs.
Imagine you had a job where hour after hour, day after day, you were to do nothing but compute
multiplications. Boredom would quickly set in, leading to carelessness, leading to mistakes. And even
on your best days you wouldn't be producing answers very fast. Therefore, inventors have been
searching for hundreds of years for a way to mechanize (that is, find a mechanism that can perform)
this task.

ADDING MACHINE

Abacus was an early aid for mathematical computations. Its only value is that it aids the memory
of the human performing the calculation. A skilled abacus operator can work on addition and
subtraction problems at the speed of a person equipped with a hand calculator (multiplication and
division are slower). The abacus is often wrongly attributed to China. In fact, the oldest surviving
abacus was used in 300 B.C. by the Babylonians. The abacus is still in use today, principally in the
far east. A modern abacus consists of rings that slide over rods, but the older one pictured below
dates from the time when pebbles were used for counting (the word "calculus" comes from the Latin
word for pebble).

A very old abacus Chinese Abacus

PASCALINE or PASCAL MACHINE: The first true

adding machine was invented in 1642 by the Frenchman
Blaise Pascal. He was nineteen at the time and was
motivated by a desire to reduce the numerical labor
involved in his father's work. In Pascal's machine,
numbers to be added were entered on dials, and the
result was read from dial positions.
Pascal Machine
Just a few years after Pascal, the German Gottfried
Wilhelm Leibniz (co-inventor with Newton of calculus)
managed to build a four-function (addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division) calculator that he called the
stepped reckoner because, instead of gears, it
employed fluted drums having ten flutes arranged
around their circumference in a stair-step fashion.
Although the stepped reckoner employed the decimal
number system (each drum had 10 flutes), Leibniz was the first to advocate use of the binary
number system which is fundamental to the operation of modern computers. Leibniz is considered
one of the greatest of the philosophers but he died poor and alone.

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 MECHANICAL COMPUTER

CHARLES BABBAGE (1791-1871)

By 1822 the English mathematician Charles
Babbage was proposing a steam driven calculating
machine the size of a room, which he called the
Difference Engine. This machine would be able to
compute tables of numbers, such as logarithm tables.
He obtained government funding for this project due
to the importance of numeric tables in ocean
navigation. By promoting their commercial and
military navies, the British government had managed
to become the earth's greatest empire. But in that
time frame the British government was publishing a
seven volume set of navigation tables which came
with a companion volume of corrections which
Difference Engine showed that the set had over 1000 numerical errors.
It was hoped that Babbage's machine could eliminate
errors in these types of tables. But construction of Babbage's Difference Engine proved exceedingly
difficult and the project soon became the most expensive government funded project up to that point
in English history. Ten years later the device was still nowhere near complete, acrimony abounded
between all involved, and funding dried up. The device was never finished.

Babbage was not deterred, and by then was on to his next

brainstorm, which he called the Analytic Engine. This device,
large as a house and powered by 6 steam engines, would be
more general purpose in nature because it would be
programmable, thanks to the punched card technology of
Jacquard. But it was Babbage who made an important
intellectual leap regarding the punched cards. In the Jacquard
loom, the presence or absence of each hole in the card physically
allows a colored thread to pass or stops that thread. Babbage
saw that the pattern of holes could be used to represent an
abstract idea such as a problem statement or the raw data
required for that problem's solution. Babbage saw that there was
no requirement that the problem matter itself physically pass
thru the holes.

Furthermore, Babbage realized that punched paper could be

employed as a storage mechanism, holding computed numbers
for future reference. Because of the connection to the Jacquard
loom, Babbage called the two main parts of his Analytic Engine
A small section of the type of the "Store" and the "Mill", as both terms are used in the
weaving industry. The Store was where numbers were held and
mechanism employed in
the Mill was where they were "woven" into new results. In a
Babbage's Difference Engine modern computer these same parts are called the memory unit
and the central processing unit (CPU).

The Analytic Engine also had a key function that distinguishes computers from calculators: the
conditional statement. A conditional statement allows a program to achieve different results each
time it is run. Based on the conditional statement, the path of the program (that is, what statements
are executed next) can be determined based upon a condition or situation that is detected at the
very moment the program is running.

Babbage befriended Ada Byron, the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byron (Ada would
later become the Countess Lady Lovelace by marriage). Though she was only 19, she was fascinated
by Babbage's ideas and thru letters and meetings with Babbage she learned enough about the design
of the Analytic Engine to begin fashioning programs for the still unbuilt machine. While Babbage
refused to publish his knowledge for another 30 years, Ada wrote a series of "Notes" wherein she
detailed sequences of instructions she had prepared for the Analytic Engine. The Analytic Engine
remained unbuilt (the British government refused to get involved with this one) but Ada earned her
spot in history as the first computer programmer. Ada invented the subroutine and was the
first to recognize the importance of looping.

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 DIGITAL COMPUTER

Atanasoff-Berry Computer
In late 1939, John Atanasoff teamed up with
Clifford Berry to build a prototype. They created the first
computing machine to use electricity, vacuum tubes,
binary numbers and capacitors. The capacitors were in a
rotating drum that held the electrical charge for the
memory. The final product was the size of a desk, weighed
700 pounds, had over 300 vacuum tubes, and contained a
mile of wire. It could calculate about one operation every
15 seconds, today a computer can calculate 150 billion
operations in 15 seconds. Too large to go anywhere, it
remained in the basement of the physics department.

Mark 1

Howard Aiken and Grace Hopper

designed the MARK series of computers
at Harvard University. The MARK series
of computers began with the Mark I in
1944. Imagine a giant roomful of noisy,
clicking metal parts, 55 feet long and 8
feet high. The 5-ton device contained
almost 760,000 separate pieces. Used
by the US Navy for gunnery and ballistic
calculations, the Mark I was in operation
until 1959.

The computer, controlled by pre-

punched paper tape, could carry out addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and reference to
previous results. It had special subroutines for logarithms and trigonometric functions and used 23
decimal place numbers. Data was stored and counted mechanically using 3000 decimal storage
wheels, 1400 rotary dial switches, and 500 miles of wire. Its electromagnetic relays classified the
machine as a relay computer. All output was displayed on an electric typewriter. By today's
standards, the Mark I was slow, requiring 3-5 seconds for a multiplication operation.

ENIAC I
In 1946, John Mauchly and John Presper Eckert developed the ENIAC I (Electrical Numerical
Integrator And Calculator). The American military sponsored their research; the army needed a
computer for calculating artillery-firing tables, the settings used for different weapons under varied
conditions for target accuracy. The ENIAC contained 17,468 vacuum tubes , along with 70,000
resistors, 10,000 capacitors, 1,500 relays, 6,000 manual switches and 5 million soldered joints. It
covered 1800 square feet (167 square meters) of floor space, weighed 30 tons, consumed 160
kilowatts of electrical power. There was even a rumor that when turned on the ENIAC caused the
city of Philadelphia to experience brownouts, however, this was first reported incorrectly by the
Philadelphia Bulletin in 1946 and since then has become an urban myth.

In one second, the ENIAC (one thousand times faster than any other calculating machine to
date) could perform 5,000 additions, 357 multiplications or 38 divisions. The use of vacuum tubes
instead of switches and relays created the increase in speed, but it was not a quick machine to re-
program. Programming changes would take the technicians weeks, and the machine always required
long hours of maintenance. As a side note, research on the ENIAC led to many improvements in the
vacuum tube.

UNIVAC
The Universal Automatic Computer or UNIVAC was a computer milestone achieved by Dr.
Presper Eckert and Dr. John Mauchly, the team that invented the ENIAC computer .

John Presper Eckert and John Mauchly, after leaving the academic environment of The Moore School
of Engineering to start their own computer business, found their first client was the United States
Census Bureau. The Bureau needed a new computer to deal with the exploding U.S. population (the
beginning of the famous baby boom). In April 1946, a $300,000 deposit was given to Eckert and
Mauchly for the research into a new computer called the UNIVAC.

On March 31, 1951, the Census Bureau accepted delivery of the first UNIVAC computer. The final
cost of constructing the first UNIVAC was close to one million dollars. Forty-six UNIVAC computers
were built for both government and business uses. Remington Rand became the first American
manufacturers of a commercial computer system. Their first non-government contract was for
General Electric's Appliance Park facility in Louisville, Kentucky, who used the UNIVAC computer for
a payroll application.

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UNIVAC Specs
 The UNIVAC had an add time of 120 microseconds; multiply time of 1,800 microseconds and
a divide time of 3,600 microseconds.
 Input consisted of magnetic tape with a speed of 12,800 characters per second with a read-
in speed of 100 inches per second, records at 20 characters per inch, records at 50 characters
per inch, card to tape converter 240 cards per minute, 80 column punched card input 120
characters per inch, and punched paper tape to magnetic tape converter 200 characters a
second.
 Output media/speed was magnetic tape/12,800 characters per second, uniprinter/10-11
characters per second, high speed printer/600 lines per minute, tape to card converter/120
cards per minute, Rad Lab buffer storage/Hg 3,500 microsecond, or 60 words per minute.

Comparison of UNIVAC Computer to Modern Computer

UNIVAC MODERN COMPUTER UNIVAC MODERN COMPUTER

Keyboard
COMPUTER Unityper
MILITARY CONSOLE
CONSOLE

Computer Monitor Computer Monitor

UNIVAC CHASSIS Board
And Tube-Based Mainboard
Circuitry

RAM or Memory
Memory Units

Magnetic Drum Storage

Hard Disk Drive Storage

Uniprinter Printer

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 MICROPROCESSOR

Transistor Integrated Circuit 4004 Microprocessor

The integrated chip greatly improved the use for transistors, but it could only do what it was originally
programmed to do. It couldn't change programs, and it certainly couldn't remember anything.

This transformation was a result of the invention of the microprocessor. A microprocessor (µP) is
a computer that is fabricated on an integrated circuit (IC). Computers had been around for 20 years
before the first microprocessor was developed at Intel in
1971. The “micro” (µ) in the name microprocessor refers
to the physical size. Intel didn't invent the electronic
computer. But they were the first to succeed in cramming
an entire computer on a single chip (IC). Intel was started
in 1968 and initially produced only semiconductor memory.
In 1969 they were approached by Busicom, a Japanese
manufacturer of high performance calculators. Busicom
wanted Intel to produce 12 custom calculator chips: one chip
dedicated to the keyboard, another chip dedicated to the
display, another for the printer, etc. But integrated circuits
were (and are) expensive to design and this approach would
have required Busicom to bear the full expense of
developing 12 new chips since these 12 chips would only be
of use to them.
BUSICOM Desk Calculator
But a new Intel employee (Ted Hoff) convinced BUSICOM to instead accept a general purpose
computer chip which, like all computers, could be reprogrammed for many different tasks (like
controlling a keyboard, a display, a printer, etc.). Intel argued that since the chip could be
reprogrammed for alternative purposes, the cost of developing it could be spread out over more
users and hence would be less expensive to each user. The general purpose computer is adapted to
each new purpose by writing a program which is a sequence of instructions stored in memory.
Busicom agreed to pay Intel to design a general purpose chip and to get a price break since it would
allow Intel to sell the resulting chip to others. But development of the chip took longer than expected
and Busicom pulled out of the project. Intel knew it had a winner by that point and gladly refunded
all of Busicom's investment just to gain sole rights to the device which they finished on their own.

Thus became the Intel 4004, the first microprocessor (µP). The 4004 consisted of 2300 transistors
and was clocked at 108 kHz (i.e., 108,000 times per
second). Compare this to the 42 million transistors and
the 2 GHz clock rate (i.e., 2,000,000,000 times per
second) used in a Pentium 4.

Intel followed the 4004 with the 8008 and 8080. Intel
priced the 8080 microprocessor at $360 dollars as an
insult to IBM's famous 360 mainframe which cost
millions of dollars. The 8080 was employed in the MITS
Altair computer, which was the world's first personal
computer (PC
Altair 8800, First PC
A Harvard freshman by the name of Bill Gates decided to drop out of college so he could concentrate
all his time writing programs for this computer. This early experienced put Bill Gates in the right
place at the right time once IBM decided to standardize on the Intel microprocessors for their line of
PCs in 1981. Gates originally established his reputation as the co-founder of Microsoft, the world’s
largest PC software company, with Paul Allen. Since then he has served as a long term CEO and
chairman of the company.

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 TYPES OF COMPUTERS

1. SUPERCOMPUTER: The most powerful

computers in terms of performance and data
processing are the supercomputers. These are
specialized and task specific computers used by large
organizations. These computers are used for research
and exploration purposes, like NASA uses
supercomputers for launching space shuttles,
controlling them and for space exploration purpose.

The supercomputers are very expensive and

very large in size. It can be accommodated in large
air-conditioned rooms; some super computers can
span an entire building.

2. MAINFRAME. Although Mainframes are not as powerful as supercomputers, but certainly they
are quite expensive nonetheless, and many large firms & government organizations uses Mainframes
to run their business operations. The Mainframe
computers can be accommodated in large air-
conditioned rooms because of its size. Mainframes
can also process & store large amount of data.
Banks educational institutions & insurance
companies use mainframe computers to store data
about their customers, students & insurance policy
holders. The chief difference between a
supercomputer and a mainframe is that a
supercomputer channels all its power into
executing a few programs as fast as possible,
whereas a mainframe uses its power to execute
many programs concurrently. In some ways,
mainframes are more powerful than
supercomputers because they support more simultaneous programs. But supercomputers can
execute a single program faster than a mainframe.

3. WORKSTATION: Another type of computer is a workstation. A

workstation is simply a desktop computer that has a more powerful
processor, additional memory and enhanced capabilities for
performing a special group of task, such as 3D Graphics, game
development or Desktop Publishing.

4. SERVER: A computer that has been optimized to provide services

to other computers over a network. Servers usually have powerful
processors, lots of memory and large hard drives.

5. Personal Computer - it can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for
an individual user.

Different Types of Personal Computer

Types of Personal Computers

Actual personal computers can be generally classified by size and chassis / case. A computer
case also known as a computer chassis, tower, system unit, cabinet, base unit or simply case
and sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "CPU" or "hard drive", is the enclosure that contains
most of the components of a computer. Every computer system requires at least one chassis to
house the circuit boards and wiring. The chassis also contains slots for expansion boards. There are
four (4) basic flavors of chassis designs–desktop models, tower models, portable and all-in-
one–but there are many variations on these 4 basic types. Then come the portable computers that
are computers small enough to carry. Portable computers include notebook and subnotebook
computers, hand-held computers, palmtops, and PDAs.

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 Tower model
The term refers to a computer in which the power supply, motherboard, and mass
storage devices are stacked on top of each other in a cabinet. Tower case includes full
tower, midi and mini. The main advantage of tower models is that ther e are fewer
space constraints, which makes installation of additional storage devices easier.

Desktop model
A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting
on top of the computer. Desktop model computers are broad and low, whereas tower
model computers are narrow and tall.

Portable Model
This type of case is usually the lightest and the most portable in the market. Commonly used by
Notebooks, Laptops, Tablet PC Case, and PDA’s (Personal Digital Assistant) such as a palm pilot
and blackberry.

All-in-one-model
This type of case is very popular with Apple computers, it is slim and cool looking, and
the only drawback of course is if some component breaks inside your kind out of luck.

PORTABLE COMPUTER
LAPTOP COMPUTER
Also called notebooks, laptops are portable computers that integrate the
display, keyboard, a pointing device or trackball, processor, memory and hard
drive all in a battery-operated package slightly larger than an average
hardcover book.

Subnotebook / Netbook computer

A portable computer that is slightly lighter and smaller than a full-sized

notebook computer. Typically, subnotebook computers have a smaller
keyboard and screen, but are otherwise equivalent to notebook computers.

Hand-held computer
A portable computer that is small enough to be held in one’s hand. Although extremely
convenient to carry, handheld computers have not replaced notebook computers because of their
small keyboards and screens. The most popular hand-held computers are those that are specifically
designed to provide PIM (personal information manager) functions, such as a calendar and
address book. Some manufacturers are trying to solve the small keyboard problem by replacing
the keyboard with an electronic pen. However, these pen-based devices rely on handwriting
recognition technologies, which are still in their infancy. Hand-held computers are also called PDAs,
palmtops and pocket computers.

Palmtop

A small computer that literally fits in your palm. Compared to full-size

computers, palmtops are severely limited, but they are practical for certain
functions such as phone books and calendars. Palmtops that use a pen
rather than a keyboard for input are often called hand-held computers or
PDAs.

PDA
Short for personal digital assistant, a handheld device that combines computing, telephone/fax, and
networking features. A typical PDA can function as a cellular phone, fax sender, and personal
organizer. Unlike portable computers, most PDAs are pen-based, using a stylus rather than a
keyboard for input. This means that they also incorporate handwriting recognition features. Some
PDAs can also react to voice input by using voice recognition technologies. The field of PDA was
pioneered by Apple Computer, which introduced the Newton Message Pad in 1993. Shortly thereafter,
several other manufacturers offered similar products. To date, PDAs have had only modest success
in the marketplace, due to their high price tags and limited applications. However, many experts
believe that PDAs will eventually become common gadgets.

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COMPUTER HARDWARE
Computer Hardware is the collection of physical parts of a computer system. Computer hardware
are the physical structure of the computer that you can touch and view. This includes the computer
case, monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It also includes all the parts inside the computer case, such as
the hard disk drive, motherboard, video card, and many others.

COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER HARDARE

CPU
 Video Card
 Primary Memory
 Sound Card
 Arithmetic Logic Unit
 LAN Card
 Control Unit

PROCESSING
 KEYBOARD
 MOUSE O
I
 SCANNER U
 MICROPHONE N  PRINTER
MAINBOARD T  MONITOR
 CD/DVD-ROM P  SPEAKER
DRIVER P
U  HEADPHONE
 CAMERA U
 GAMEPADS/
T
STORAGE T
JOYSTICK

 PRIMARY STORAGE
- MAIN MEMORY or
Random Access Memory (RAM)
 SECONDARY STORAGE
- Hard Disk Drive
- External Memory Drive
- Solid State Drive (SSD)
- Memory Card (MC)

A. INPUT DEVICES – are computer device that allows user to input data or information into the
computer.

MOUSE – a pointing device that controls the mouse pointer

or cursor and is use to open data and other programs.

KEYBOARD – a device use to convert numbers, letters and

other characters to the computer.

SCANNER – a computer input device that copies images and

texts on a piece of paper and converts them into digital signal
that a computer can store and process.

DVD/CD-ROM Drive - a device that reads and interprets

data in CD’s and DVD’s.

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 OTHER INPUT DEVICES

PSP – Gamepad X-BOX Gamepad Microphone CAMERA

B. PROCESSING DEVICE – is any device in a computer that handles this intermediate stage;
responsible for controlling the storage and retrieval of information. Common examples of
processing devices include a computer's motherboard, central processing unit, and graphics
processing unit, network card, and sound card.

Central Processing Unit (CPU) – is responsible for taking

data inputted by the user and then performing any necessary
processing, for example sorting the data, performing
calculations on it, saving it to the computer's memory etc. The
fundamental operation of most CPUs, regardless of the physical
form they take, is to execute a sequence of stored
instructions called a program.
Components of CPU
1. Primary Memory or Main Storage –
The section of CPU that holds instructions, data and
intermediate and final results during processing.

2. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - part of the CPU that

performs mathematical operation (addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division) as well as logical comparisons.

3. Control Unit (CU) – part of the CPU that directs the

sequence of operations and controls the action of the various
units by electrical signals. The control unit receives
instructions from software or computer programs and
executes them.

Expansion Module Cards – these are printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion
slot of a motherboard to add additional functionality to a computer system. The primary purpose
of an expansion card is to provide or expand on features not offered by the motherboard.
Example of Expansion cards:
a. Video Card b. Sound Card c. Network Interface Card

Video Card - is an expansion card that is connected to the

motherboard and is used to process images so that it can be
displayed on the monitor. It serves as the visual link between
the user and its computer, allowing the user to view and
manage the computer’s software data. Video card is also known
as graphics card, graphics adapter, video adapter.
Modern Video Graphics Adapter can have the following
components:
1. Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), also occasionally called
AMD-Radeon
visual processing unit (VPU), is a specialized electronic
HD-5450
circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to
Video-Card
accelerate the building of images in a frame buffer intended
for output to a display.
2. Video memory - The memory capacity of most modern
video cards ranges from 128 MB to 8 GB. Since video
memory needs to be accessed by the GPU and the display
circuitry, it often uses special high-speed or multi-port
memory. Around 2003, the video memory was typically
based on Double Data Rate (DDR) technology. During
and after that year, manufacturers moved towards DDR2,
GDDR3, GDDR4 and GDDR5. The effective memory clock
rate in modern cards is generally between 1 GHz to 7 GHz.
3. Video BIOS - The video BIOS or firmware contains a
minimal program for initial set up and control of the video
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 card. It may contain information on the memory timing,
operating speeds and voltages of the graphics processor,
RAM, and other details which can sometimes be changed.
The usual reason for doing this is to overclock the video card
to allow faster video processing speeds, however, this has
the potential to irreversibly damage the card with the
possibility of cascaded damage to the motherboard.
4. OUTPUT INTERFACES

a. High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)- is a

compact audio/video interface for transferring
uncompressed video data and
compressed/uncompressed digital audio data from an VGA
HDMI-compliant device ("the source device") to a
compatible digital audio device, computer monitor, HDMI
video projector, or digital television.
b. Video Graphics Array (VGA) is an analog-based DVI
Display Port
standard adopted in the late 1980s designed for Cathode
Ray Tube (CRT) displays, also called VGA connector.
c. Display Port - is a digital display interface developed
by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).
The interface is primarily used to connect a video source
to a display device such as a computer monitor, though
DVI Port
it can also be used to transmit audio, USB, and other
forms of data. VESA designed it to replace VGA, DVI,
and LVDS.
d. S-Video - Short for Super-Video, a technology for
transmitting video signals over a cable by dividing the
video information into two separate signals: one for
color (chrominance), and the other for brightness
(luminance). When sent to a television, this produces HDMI Port
sharper images than composite video, where the video
information is transmitted as a single signal over one
wire.
e. Digital Visual Interface (DVI) - Digital-based
standard designed for displays such as flat-panel
displays (LCDs, plasma screens, wide high-definition
television displays) and video projectors DISPLAY Port

Sound Card - Alternatively referred to as a sound board or audio card, a sound card is an
expansion card or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sound that
can be perceived by the user through a peripheral device like speakers or headphones. Although the
computer does not need a sound device to function, they are included on every machine in one form
or another; either in an expansion slot (sound card) or on the motherboard (onboard).

Sound Card Connections

The picture gives an example of what a sound card audio ports or audio jacks may look like on
the back of your computer, associated colors, and the connector symbols usually found next to each
of the connections.
 Digital Out (White or Yellow) (words: "Digital" or "Digital Out") - Used with surround
sound or loudspeakers.
 Sound in or line in (Blue) - Connection for external audio sources, e.g. tape recorder,
record player, or CD player.
 Microphone or Mic (Pink) - The connection for a microphone or headphones.
 Sound out or line out (Green) - The primary sound connection for speakers or headphones.
This sound card also has a second (black) and third (orange) sound out connector.
 MIDI or Joystick (15 pin yellow connector) - Used with earlier sound cards to connect
MIDI keyboard or Joystick.
Tip: Usually the cables connecting to the devices are also color-coded and will match or be close to
the colors the cables connect into. For example, the end of the speakers cord may have a green line
or be completely green.

11
Uses of Sound Card
 Games
 Audio CDs and listening to music  Educational software
 Watch movies  Business presentations
 Audio conferencing  Record dictations
 Creating and playing Midi  Voice recognition

Network Interface Card/Controller (NIC) - is also referred to as an Ethernet

card and network adapter. It is an expansion card that enables a computer to
connect to a network; such as a home network, or the Internet using an Ethernet
cable with an RJ-45 connector or wireless connection using WIFI. Many NICs today
are built-in on mainboard with speed of up to 10 Mbps.

C. OUTPUT DEVICE – are devices that interprets the data being process by the CPU and other
processing devices. It is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the
results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer)
which converts the electronically generated information into human-readable form.

Monitor - Alternatively referred to as a video display terminal (VDT) and video display unit
(VDU), a monitor encompasses a display screen for video images and casing that holds it. In its
most common usage, monitor refers only to devices that contain no electronic equipment other than
what is essentially needed to display and adjust the characteristics of an image.
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Flat-Panel Display
Liquid Crystal Display LED

3D Printer - 3D printer is a sophisticated printing device that uses

a design from a digital image to produce an identical physical object
using materials such as metal alloys, polymers, or plastics. 3D
printers are used in many disciplines--aerospace engineering,
dentistry, archaeology, biotechnology, and information systems are
a few examples of industries that utilize them.

Projector
Often no larger than a toaster and only weighing a few pounds, a
projector is an output device that can take images generated by a
computer and reproduce them on a large, flat (usually lightly colored)
surface. For example, projectors are used in meetings to help ensure
that all participants can view the information being presented. The
picture is that of a View Sonic projector.

OTHER OUTPUT DEVICES

Speaker headphone Printer

D. STORAGE DEVICES - Alternatively referred to as storage, storage media, or storage

medium, a storage device is any hardware capable of holding information.
There are two types of storage devices used in computers; a primary storage device, such as
RAM, and a secondary storage device, like a hard drive. Secondary storage can be a removable,
internal, or external storage.

12
 *Note: Volatile Memory – a computer memory that requires power to maintain the stored information.
(ex. RAM)
Non-Volatile Memory - is a computer memory that can retain the sored information even when not
powered. (ex. Hard Disk, Flash Drive)

I. PRIMARY STORAGE DEVICES - Alternatively referred to as internal memory, main memory,

and primary memory, a primary storage device is a medium that holds data for short periods
of time while a computer is running. Although it has a much lower access time and faster
performance, it is also about two orders of magnitude more costly than secondary storage.
1. Memory Module – a device that is used to store data or programs on a temporary or permanent
basis, for use in an electronic digital computer. It is a broad term which refers To Random Access
memory (RAM).

Memory Module
DDR3 - RAM
People in the computer industry commonly use the term "memory" to refer to RAM (Random
Access Memory). While all forms of memory work together, RAM is considered the main
memory since most data, regardless of its source, is stored in RAM before it is registered in any
other storage device. Consequently, RAM is used millions of times every second. A computer uses
RAM to hold temporary instructions and data needed to complete tasks. This enables the computer's
CPU (Central Processing Unit), to access instructions and data stored in memory very quickly.
Different RAM Types and its uses
1) SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM) - is a generic name for various kinds of dynamic random
access memory (DRAM) that are synchronized with the clock speed that the microprocessor
is optimized for. This tends to increase the number of instructions that the processor can perform
in a given time.
2) Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) - direct Rambus DRAM or DRDRAM (sometimes just called Rambus
DRAM or RDRAM) is a type of synchronous dynamic RAM. RDRAM was developed by Rambus
Inc., in the mid-1990s as a replacement for then-prevalent DIMM SDRAM memory architecture.
RDRAM was initially expected to become the standard in PC memory, especially after Intel agreed
to license the Rambus technology for use with its future chipsets. However, RDRAM got embroiled
in a standards war with an alternative technology - DDR SDRAM, quickly losing out on grounds
of price, and, later on, performance. By around 2001, RDRAM was no longer supported by any
mainstream computing architecture.
3) DDR (Double Data Rate SDRAM) - Double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access
memory (DDR SDRAM) is a class of memory integrated circuits used in computers. DDR SDRAM,
also called DDR1 SDRAM, has been superseded by DDR2 SDRAM and DDR3 SDRAM. SDRAM
with a certain clock frequency achieves nearly twice the bandwidth of a SDR SDRAM running at
the same clock frequency, due to this double pumping.

EXAMPLE OF DDR-SDRAM SPECS AND STANDARDS: CHIPS AND MODULES

Standard Memory Cycle I/O bus Data VDDQ Module Peak Timings
name clock time[4] clock rate (V) name transfer (CL-
(MHz) (ns) (MHz) (MT/s) rate tRCD-
(MB/s) tRP)
DDR-200 100 10 100 200 PC-1600 1600
DDR-266 133⅓ 7.5 133⅓ 266⅔ 2.5±0.2 PC-2100 2133⅓ 2.5-3-3
DDR-333 166⅔ 6 166⅔ 333⅓ PC-2700 2666⅔
DDR-400A 2.5-3-3
DDR-400B 200 5 200 400 2.6±0.1 PC-3200 3200 3-3-3
DDR-400C 3-4-4

13
Notch comparison of DDR-SDRAM.

FORM FACTORS OF MEMORY MODULE: DIMM vs. SIMM

Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM) - consist of

memory chips soldered onto a modular printed circuit
board (PCB), which inserts into a socket on the
motherboard. 72 pin SIMMs transfer 32 bits of data at a
time, therefore in modern microcomputers with a 64-bit
data bus two SIMMs have to be paired up in order to
function.

Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM) closely

resemble SIMMs. The principal difference between the
two is that on a SIMM, pins on opposite sides of the board
are "tied together" to form one electrical contact; on a
DIMM, opposing pins remain electrically isolated to form
two separate contacts. 168-pin DIMMs transfer 64
bits of data at a time and are typically used in computer
configurations that support a 64-bit or wider memory
bus. Some of the physical differences between 168-pin
DIMMs and 72-pin SIMMs include: the length of module,
the number of notches on the module, and the way the
module installs in the socket.

Small Outline DIMMS - A type of memory commonly

used in notebook computers is called SO DIMM. The
principal difference between a SO DIMM and a DIMM is
that the SO DIMM, because it is intended for use in
notebook computers, is significantly smaller than the
standard DIMM. The 72-pin SO DIMM is 32 bits wide and
the 144-pin SO DIMM is 64 bits wide.

II. SCONDARY STORAGE DEVICES - secondary storage device refers to any non-volatile storage
device that is internal or external to the computer. It can be any storage device beyond the primary
storage that enables permanent data storage.
Hard Disk Drive

Flash Drive
DVD
A secondary storage device is also known as an auxiliary storage device or external storage.
Typically, secondary storage allows for the storage of data ranging from a few megabytes to
petabytes. These devices store virtually all programs and applications stored on a computer,
including the operating system, device drivers, applications and general user data. Most of the
secondary storage devices are internal to the computer such as the hard disk drive, the tape disk
drive and even the compact disk drive and floppy disk drive.

14
 CLASSIFICATION OF SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES

Secondary Storage
Devices

Direct Sequential Access

Access Devices
Devices

Magnetic External Storage

Disc Optical Disc
Devices

Digital Flash
Compaq
Floppy Hard Versatile Drive
Disc
Disk Disk Disc
(CD)
(DVD) Solid
State
Blu-Ray
Drive

Magnetic Media
Magnetic media stores data by assigning a magnetic charge to metal. This metal is then processed
by a read head, which converts the charges into ones (1) and zeros (0). Historically, magnetic
media has been very popular for storing programs, data, and making backups. However, solid state
technology is starting to be used more and more, storing programs and data on new devices such
as mobile phones and cameras.

1. Hard Disk Drive - is a data storage device used for storing and
retrieving digital information using rapidly rotating disks (platters)
coated with magnetic material. An HDD retains its data even when
powered off. Data is read in a random-access manner, meaning
individual blocks of data can be stored or retrieved in any order
rather than sequentially. An HDD consists of one or more rigid
("hard") rapidly rotating disks (platters) with magnetic heads
arranged on a moving actuator arm to read and write data to the
surfaces.

Types of PC Hard Drives Interfaces

The hard disk interface defines the physical and logical means by which the hard disk connects to
the PC. A modern PC uses one or both of the following hard disk interfaces:

 Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA)

AT Attachment (ATA) was by far the most common hard disk interface used in PCs from the
early 1990s through 2003. ATA is sometimes called Parallel ATA or PATA, to differentiate it from
the newer Serial ATA (SATA) interface. ATA is also often called IDE (Integrated Drive
Electronics).
Hard Disk Drive

IDE Cable
Connection of IDE cable and Power Supply Cable

15
PATA (IDE) Drives Configuration:
Handling Precautions before you start
 Do not drop or bump the drive.
 Keep the drive in the protective anti-static container until ready to install.
 Protect the drive from static discharge by wearing a grounded wrist strap. Attach the wrist
strap to the metal chassis of your computer.
 Handle the drive by the edges of the frame.
 Do not apply pressure or attach labels to the circuit board or the top cover of the drive.
 Turn off the power to the host system before installation.

Setting the Jumpers

Master or Single Drive - Use this setting if the drive is
the only drive on the ATA interface cable.
Drive is Slave - Use this setting if the drive is an
additional drive on the cable and the original drive is set
as Master.
Master with non-ATA compatible drive - Use this if the
drive is Master to a CD-ROM, tape drive or other non-ATA
drive. And here one thing to note is that it is preferred to
have the CD-ROM and other non-hard drive products on
the secondary ATA channel.
Cable-Select Option (Default) - Use with Ultra ATA
cables. This allows the cable to select if the drive is master
or slave based on the position on the cable. The Master
drive goes on the black connector at the end of the cable,
the slave drive connects to the gray connector in the
middle and the host adapter connects to the blue
connector at the other end of the cable.
Limit Capacity Option - This option may be required if the system the drive is being installing
into does not support the full capacity of the drive. If the limit capacity jumper is installed you will
need to use a drive overlay program such as the one installed by Disc Wizard Starter Edition.

Note: Before you install the new drive make sure you unplug the power connector from the computer. Anytime you mess with anything
inside your computer it is a good idea to unplug it. It's also a good idea to touch the power supply before you go sticking your hands
in there! Static discharge can jump and do some bad things. Just touch the power supply for a precaution.

Serial ATA (SATA) is a computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to mass storage
devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. Serial ATA succeeded the older Parallel ATA
(PATA), IDE, standard.
Advantage of SATA:
 reduced cable size and cost (seven conductors instead of
40 or 80),
 native hot swapping,
 faster data transfer through higher signaling rates, and
 more efficient transfer through an (optional) I/O queuing
protocol.

2. Floppy Disk - floppy disk, also called a diskette, is a disk storage medium composed of a disk
of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric
that removes dust particles. Floppy disks are read and written by a floppy disk drive (FDD). Floppy
disks, initially as 8-inch (200 mm) media and later in 5¼-inch (133 mm) and 3½-inch (90 mm) sizes,
were a ubiquitous form of data storage and exchange from the mid-1970s well into the 2000s.
By 2010, computer motherboards were rarely
manufactured with floppy drive support; 3½-inch floppy
disks can be used with an external USB floppy disk
drive, but USB drives for 5¼-inch, 8-inch and non-
standard diskettes are rare or non-existent, and those
formats must usually be handled by old equipment.

8-inch, 5¼-inch, and 3½-inch floppy disks

OPTICAL DISC
Alternatively referred to as optical media and optical storage, an optical disc drive (ODD) or
optical disk is any storage media that holds content in digital format and is read using a laser
assembly is considered optical media. The most common types of optical media are Blu-ray, CDs,
and DVDs. Computers can read and write to CDs and DVDs using a CD Writer or DVD Writer drive,
and a Blu-ray is read with a Blu-ray drive. Drives such as a CD-R and DVD-R drive that can read and
write information to discs are known as magneto-optic (MO).

16
 There are three main types of optical media: CD, DVD, and
Blu-ray disc. CDs can store up to 700 megabytes (MB) of
data and DVDs can store up to 8.4 GB of data. Blu-ray
discs, which are the newest type of optical media, can store
up to 50 GB of data. This storage capacity is a clear
advantage over the floppy disk storage media (a magnetic
media), which only has a capacity of 1.44 MB. Another
advantage that optical media have over the floppy disk is
that it can last up to 7 times longer, due to its improved
durability.
What's the difference between a "disc" and a "disk?"
They're pronounced the same, but, technically speaking, there is a distinct difference between a disc and a disk.
Discs
A disc refers to optical media, such as an audio CD, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, or DVD-Video disc. Some discs are read-
only (ROM), others allow you to burn content (write files) to the disc once (such as a CD-R or DVD-R, unless you do a
multisession burn), and some can be erased and rewritten over many times (such as CD-RW, DVD-RW, and DVD-RAM discs).
Disks
A disk refers to magnetic media, such as a floppy disk, the disk in your computer's hard drive, an external hard drive. Disks
are always rewritable unless intentionally locked or write-protected. You can easily partition a disk into several smaller
volumes, too.
Disks are usually sealed inside a metal or plastic casing (often, a disk and its enclosing mechanism are collectively known
as a "hard drive").
External Storage Devices - this takes the form of a stand-alone device that is separate from the
computer. External drives are connected to the computer with a cable plugged into a suitable
interface such as an USB port. Data then passes back and forth across the interface.
Advantage:
 portable and so data is easily moved from one location to another.
 External drives also allow safe backup of internally stored data.
Disadvantage:
 data transfer is slower and they also take up space around the computer.
 Constant plugging in and out can also physically wear out the port over time.

Flash Drive - A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a
computers USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash drives
are touted as being easy-to-use as they are small enough to be carried in a
pocket and can plug into any computer with a USB drive. USB flash drives
have less storage capacity than an external hard drive, but they are smaller
and more durable because they do not contain any internal moving parts.
USB flash drives also are called thumb drives, jump drives, pen drives,
key drives, tokens, or simply USB drives.

Memory Cards - An electronic flash memory storage disk commonly used

in consumer electronic devices such as digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile
phones, and other small portable devices. Types of memory cards
include PCMCIA, CompactFlash, SD Card, MiniSD, xD-Picture Card and
others. Memory cards are usually read by connecting the device containing
the card to your computer, or by using a USB card reader.

SOLID STATE DRIVE - A solid-state drive (SSD) (also known as a solid-state

disk though it contains no actual disk, nor a drive motor to spin a disk) is a
data storage device that uses integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store
data persistently. SSD technology uses electronic interfaces compatible with
traditional block input/output (I/O) hard disk drives, thus permitting simple
replacement in common applications. Additionally, new I/O interfaces, like
SATA Express, have been designed to address specific requirements of the
SSD technology.

Solid State Drive vs Hard Disk Drive

17
MOTHERBOARD - A motherboard (sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system
board, planar board or logic board, or colloquially, a mobo) is the main printed circuit board (PCB) found
in computers and other expandable systems. It is the main circuit board inside a computer that connects the
different parts of a computer together. It has sockets for the CPU, RAM and expansion cards (e.g. discrete
graphics cards, sound cards, network cards, storage cards), and it also hooks up to hard drives, disc
drives and front panel ports with cables and wires.

 BIOS – Basic Input Output System

The main function of the BIOS is to give instructions for the power-on self test (POST). This self
test ensures that the computer has all of the necessary parts and fuctionality needed to successfully
start itself, such as use of memory, a keyboard and other parts, if errors are detected during self
test, the BIOS instruct the computer to give a beep code that reveal the problem. Computer error
codes are typically a series of beeps heard shorly after start-up.

18
 Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) – refers to a battery-powered memory
chip in your computer that stores startup information. Your computer's basic input/output system
(BIOS) uses this information when starting your computer.
 CMOS – Battery - A small battery, called a CMOS battery, keeps the CMOS
powered

 CHIPSET – refers to a specific pair of chips on the motherboard: The NORTHBRIDGE and the
SOUTHBRIDGE.
a) Northbridge – links the CPU to very high speed devices, especially main memory (RAM)
and graphics controllers (video card).
b) Southbridge – connects to the lower-speed buses (such as PCI). In many modern chipsets,
the southbridge actually contains some on-chip integrated peripherals, such as Ethernet,
USB, and audio devices.

MOTHERBOARD CHIPSET ARCHITECTURE

CPU SOCKET / CPU Slot - is an electrical component attaches to a printed circuit board (PCB) and
is designed to house a CPU (also called a microprocessor). CPU socket structure is largely depended
on the type of CPU it is designed to house. Older and some newer CPU (such as AMD) are based
on the PIN GRID ARRAY (PGA) architecture in which short, stiff pins are arrange in a grid on the
underside of the processor are mated with holes in the socket of mainboard. To minimize the risk of
bent pins, zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets allow the processor to be inserted without any resistance
and the lock in place with a lever or latch.

19
 Types of Processor SOCKETS or SLOTS
PIN GRID ARRAY (PGA)

PGA CPU
PGA Socket / SLOT
LAND GRID ARRAY (LGA)

LGA CPU
LGA Socket / SLOT
Memory Sockets and Slots (RAM Slots) – is commonly refers to the slot in a motherboard were
the extended memory modules are installed. Depending on the motherboard, there may be 2 to 4
memory slots (sometimes more on high-end motherboards) and are what determine the type of RAM
used with the computer. The most common types of RAM are SDRAM and DDR for desktop computers
and SODIMM for laptop computers, each having various types and speeds.

Type of Memory Slot/Socket

SIMM Slots - The memory module slot for SIMM RAM came
in varying sizes depending on the number of pins it was meant
to receive. 30-pin slots were shorter and typically used in
laptops while the 64-pin and 72-pin slots were found on
desktop motherboards. SIMM RAM had to be installed at an
angle and pushed upright into place. There was a notch on
both ends of the memory module that was clipped by arms on
opposite ends of the slot.

DIMM Slots - slots for DIMMs feature clips at opposite ends

to hold the memory module in place. Unlike the SIMM slots,
DIMM slots allow for straight-forward installation of memory
modules. Modules can be pressed straight into the slot and
clipped into place. Because there is a wide variety of pin sizes
for DIMMs, the slots likewise vary in size.

EXPANSION SLOTS -Alternatively referred to as a bus slot or expansion port, an expansion

slot is an opening located inside a computer on the motherboard or riser board that allows additional
boards to be connected to it. For example, if you wanted to install a new video card in the computer
you'd purchase a video expansion card and install that card into the compatible expansion slot.
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is an advanced port
designed for Video cards and 3D accelerators. Designed by
Intel and introduced in August of 1997, AGP introduces a
dedicated point-to-point channel that allows the graphics
controller direct access the system memory.

Audio/Modem Riser (AMR) September 8, 1998 – allows

OEMs to make one card that has the functionality of either
Modem or Audio or both Audio and Modem on one card. This
specification allows for the motherboard to be manufactured
at a lower cost and free up industry standard expansion slots
in the system for other additional plug-in peripherals.
Communication and Network Riser, CNR is a specification
that supports Audio, Modem, USB, and LAN interfaces of core
logic chipsets. This technology and the CNR slot was first
introduced by Intel February 7, 2000 and was mainly
developed by leading hardware and software developers who
helped release the AMR (Audio Modem Riser) slot.

20
 Peripheral Component Interconnect, PCI was introduced
by Intel in1992. The PCI bus came in both 32-bit (133MBps)
and 64-bit versions and was used to attach hardware to a
computer. Although commonly used in computers from the
late 1990s to the early 2000s, PCI has since been replaced
with PCI Express.
PCI Express is a serial bus designed to
replace PCI and AGP and is available in different formats: x1,
x2, x4, x8, x12, x16, and x32. The data transmitted over PCI-
Express is sent over wires called lanes in full duplex mode
(both directions at the same time)

IDE Controllers (Connectors) – Integrated Drive

Electronics, Parallel ATA (PATA) is an interface standard for the
connection of storage, devices such as hard disks, solid-state
drives and CD-ROM drives in computers.

SATA CONTROLLER (Connectors) – Serial Advanced

Technology Attachment (SATA) is a computer bus primarily
designed for transfer of data between a computer and storage
devices (hard disk, Optical Drives).

Power Supply - The power supply in your PC provides all of

the different voltages your computer needs to operate
properly. In a personal computer (PC), the power supply is the
metal box usually found in a corner of the case. The power
supply is visible from the back of many systems because it
contains the power-cord receptacle and the cooling fan.
Power supplies, often referred to as "switching power
supplies", use switcher technology to convert the AC input to
lower DC voltages. The typical voltages supplied are:
 3 volts
 5 volts
 12 volts

Power Supply Terminal

PC Main power connector (usually called P1): This is the
connector that goes to the motherboard to provide it with
power. The connector has 20 or 24 pins. One of the pins
belongs to the PS-ON wire (it is usually green). This
connector is the largest of all the connectors. A power supply
with a 24-pin connector can be used on a motherboard with
a 20-pin connector. In cases where the motherboard has a
24-pin connector, some power supplies come with two
connectors (one with 20-pin and other with 4-pin) which can
be used together to form the 24-pin connector.

ATX12V 4-pin power connector (also called the P4 power connector). A second connector that goes
to the motherboard (in addition to the main 24-pin connector) to supply dedicated power for the
processor. For high-end motherboards and processors, more power is required, therefore EPS12V
has an 8-pin connector.
4-pin Peripheral power connectors: These are the other,
smaller connectors that go to the various disk drives of
the computer. Most of them have four wires: two black,
one red, and one yellow. Unlike the standard mains
electrical wire color-coding, each black wire is a ground,
the red wire is +5 V, and the yellow wire is +12 V. In
some cases these are also used to provide additional
power to PCI cards such as FireWire 800 cards.
Auxiliary power connectors: There are several types of
auxiliary connectors designed to provide additional power
if it is needed.

21
INPUT/OUTPUT (I/O) Ports – part of the motherboard components which interfaces with external
computer hardware (mouse, keyboard, printer or monitor) to allow communication with the system
so that the peripheral can send and receive information from the computer.
PS2 Parallel Port
Mouse Connector LAN Port
Connector Line-In Port

Line Out
Port
(Speaker)

PS2
VGA Serial Port USB Port Microphone
Keyboard
Display Port
Connector
Connector
 Personal System/2 (PS/2) connector is a 6-pin connector used to connect peripheral devices,
usually a mouse or keyboard, with a computer. Its name comes from the IBM series of personal
computers, known as the Personal System/2. The PS/2 connector is the replacement of an older
standard, DE 9 RS.232, used for mouse and keyboard connections. This type of architecture
transfers data through a 16-bit or 32-bit bus.
 Line Printer Terminal (LPT) or Parallel Port - is a type of interface on a personal computer
(PC) transmitting or receiving data to a peripheral device such as a printer. The data is transmitted
over a parallel cable extending no more than the standard 6 feet.
 Serial Port or COM Port – is a logical device used to designate the computer serial ports. A 9 –
pin connector used by pointing devices, modems, and infrared modules can be connected to COM
ports.
 USB Ports – Universal Serial Bus, a 4-pin serial cable bus that allows up to 127 plug-n-play
computer peripherals. This allows attaching or detaching of peripherals while the host is in
operation. Supports synchronous and asynchronous transfer types over the same set of wires up
to 12Mbs. USB 2.0 provides 40 times the transfer rate compared to USB 1.0. USB 3.0 is ten (10)
times faster than USB 2.0.
 GAME/MIDI Port - The game port is a device port found on IBM PC compatible systems
throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It was the traditional connector for joystick input devices until
superseded by USB in the 21st century.
 LAN Port – used in Computer Communication (NETWORKING).
 AUDIO/SOUND Port – used for sound input/output as well as for microphone interfaces.

SYSTEM CASE - A
computer case also known
as a computer chassis,
tower, system unit,
cabinet, base unit or
simply case and
sometimes incorrectly
referred to as the "CPU" or
"hard drive, is the enclosure
that contains most of the
components of a computer
(usually excluding the
display, keyboard and
mouse).
Cases are usually
constructed from steel or
aluminum. Plastic is
sometimes used, and other
materials such as glass,
wood and even Lego blocks
have appeared in home-
built cases.

22
 SYSTEM UNIT DISASSEMBLY PROCEDURE
This is one of the most important thing to learn in taking TESDA NC II Computer Servicing
Exam. You need to learn the step by step procedure on how to open and disassemble system unit.
In this tutorial, we are going to use a tower casing model because it’s the easiest design to
disassemble.

Questions to Think about or discuss before you begin dissembling.

1. Where should I work during disassembly?
2. Should I document everything I do or everything I remove?
3. Am I taking the best Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) precautions available to me right now?
4. When you remove an expansion card what kind of card is it?
5. When removing a drive, what kind of drive is it?
6. When removing wires or cables, what are the cables for?
7. IS my anti-static strap hooked up?
8. Can you identify every hardware attach to the motherboard?

Before You Begin?

1. Have a pen and ready. Documentation is really important.
2. Make sure you have the tools you need and they’re all close by and handy
3. Be sure to have a container to keep the screws
4. Make sure you have the resource material, drivers or software that you may need.
5. If possible, enter the CMOS setup and record the information available.
6. If possible work on environment with enough space for the computer unit to fit in.
7. Disassembly is a major surgery, do a full backup of the system.

COMPUTER DISASSEMBLY
Materials/Equipment
 Screwdriver (Philip Screwdriver and Flat Screwdriver)
 System Unit (preferably tower model)
 Small Container or box (for screws)
 Documentation Paper (List of Computer Hardware found on the system unit)
 Anti-Static Wrist wrap or Anti-Static Mat
 Wear rubber shoes (if there is any)

PROCEDURE
Before doing anything on the computer, the first thing that you should do is to wear the antis-
static wrist wrap or by wearing a rubber shoes. This precautions enables you to prevent any damage
to the system as a result of electrostatic discharge. Remember, computers are compose of Integrated
Circuits or chips that can be damage due to electrostatic discharge.
I – UNPLUGGING the Cables
Unplug every cables attach to the computer, such as:
 Power Cords  Ethernet cables
 USB cables  Modem
 Mouse  AM\FM Antenna
 Keyboard  Cable TV

Now that your PC is already unplug, bring your PC to a clean work space. Using a Philip Screwdriver,
do the following below: (references: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com)
A – Removing the Case
Step 1. With all cables Step 3. Remove the
disconnected from the panel from the
computer, loosen all computer system.
the screws
(thumbscrew, screw)
located at the rear of
the computer.

Step 2. Grasp the The right side panel is

handle on the panel, now removed,
and pull toward the providing access to
back of the computer. the parts inside the
computer.

B. Removing the Power Supply

Step 1. Remove the Step 2. Loosen the
screw attach to the screw of power supply
power supply (as seen inside the system
on the right). unit.

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 Step 3. Unplug the
power connectors inside
the computer (hard disk
drive, CD/DVD ROM
drive, Floppy disk drive,
and 2 motherboard
connector.
DVD/CD ROM Floppy Drive Mainboard
Connector Connector Connector

Mainboard Mainboard Hard Drive

Connector Connector Connector
Step 4. After removing
the screw, slide the
power supply to the
front of your computer
case, after that you will
be able to remove your
power supply.
Step 1 Step 2

C. Removing the Video Card

Step 1. Locate and Step 2. Gently pull on

unscrew/unclip the the expansion slot
graphics card from the lever to unlock the
case’s mounting card from the slot.
bracket.

Step 3. Slide the card Step 4. For Safety,

out of the graphics place the graphics card
slot, and remove it in an antistatic bag
from the computer

D. Removing the Drives (CD\DVD ROM Drives, Floppy Disk Drives and Hard Disk Drives)
1. Hard Disk Drive (PATA Drives)
Step 1. Locate the hard drive inside the computer Step2. Remove the IDE ribbon cable
case. The hard drive is a
rectangular metal box the
size and width of a small
book. By convention, most
computers locate the hard
drive near the front of the
case, near other drives (like
your optical drive).

SATA Drives
Step 1. First, unplug the Step 2. To remove
connector at the back of the hard drive
the slot, and unplug the from the side of
other end from the the slot, unscrew
motherboard. Also the four screws
unplug the SATA cable securing it in
from the motherboard place. You must
and the hard drive. The be very careful
portable hard drive slot not to drop the hard drive, since it is very
is secured the same way the CD/DVD drive is, with a delicate!
tab. Pull on the tab, then slide the slot out.

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CD/DVD ROM Drives
Step6. CD/ DVD Drive(s)-First, unplug the ribbon from the back
of the drive. Once that is completed, pull on the tab securing the
drive in place, then push it out from the inside

E. Removing the DIMM (RAM)

Step 1. Removing a Memory Module (RAM)
To remove a DIMM, press the holding clips on
both sides of the socket outward to release the
DIMM.

Step 2. Pull the DIMM upward away from the

DIMM slot of mainboard.

F: Motherboard - The motherboard has seven screws holding it

to the frame, which are indicated by large white circles around
them. Remove them and then lift the motherboard out of the
frame.

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