Computer Hardware , Basic

Maintenance and Networking

Motherboards
Motherboards (also called mainboards)
are actually a carryover from architecture
used for years in mainframe computers.
Various circuit cards performing various
functions all plug into many similar sockets
on a common circuit board. Each circuit
card performs a unique function in the
computer and gets its power from the
socket.
The Abit KT-7A supports
Advanced Micro Devices
(AMD) processors and
has the KT-133A chipset.
The card slots on the Abit
KT-7A, from bottom to top
in the image below,
shows that ISA has one
slot, PCI has six slots and
AGP has one slot. A
special fan cools the
chipset.
MSI 694D Pro AR Dual Flip Chip
Socket 370 motherboard
A partial view of the
TechRam S3ProM
motherboard shows
slots: From bottom
to top, ISA has one
slot, PCI has two
slots, audio modem
riser (AMR) has one
slot, and AGP has
one slot.
Abit KT-7A AMD Processor
Motherboard
Microprocessors
A microprocessor -- also known as a CPU or
central processing unit -- is a complete
computation engine that is fabricated on a
single chip. The first microprocessor was the
Intel 4004, introduced in 1971. The 4004 was
not very powerful -- all it could do was add
and subtract, and it could only do that 4 bits
at a time. But it was amazing that everything
was on one chip. Prior to the 4004, engineers
built computers either from collections of
chips or from discrete components
(transistors wired one at a time). The 4004
powered one of the first portable electronic
calculators.
Microprocessor Progression: Intel
Name Date Transistors Microns Clock speed Data width MIPS
8080 1974 6,000 6 2 MHz 8 bits 0.64
8088 1979 29,000 3 5 MHz
16 bits
8-bit bus
0.33
80286 1982 134,000 1.5 6 MHz 16 bits 1
80386 1985 275,000 1.5 16 MHz 32 bits 5
80486 1989 1,200,000 1 25 MHz 32 bits 20
Pentium 1993 3,100,000 0.8 60 MHz
32 bits
64-bit bus
100
Pentium II 1997 7,500,000 0.35 233 MHz
32 bits
64-bit bus
~300
Pentium III 1999 9,500,000 0.25 450 MHz
32 bits
64-bit bus
~510
Pentium 4 2000 42,000,000 0.18 1.5 GHz
32 bits
64-bit bus
~1,700
Information about this table:
The date is the year that the processor was first
introduced. Many processors are re-introduced at higher
clock speeds for many years after the original release
date.
Transistors is the number of transistors on the chip. You
can see that the number of equivalent transistors on a
single chip has risen steadily over the years.
Microns is the width, in microns, of the smallest wire on
the chip. For comparison, a human hair is 100 microns
thick. As the feature size on the chip goes down, the
number of transistors rises.
Clock speed is the maximum rate that the chip can be
clocked at. Clock speed will make more sense in the
next section.
Information about this table:
Data Width is the width of the
ALU. An 8-bit ALU can
add/subtract/multiply/etc. two
8-bit numbers, while a 32-bit
ALU can manipulate 32-bit
numbers. An 8-bit ALU would
have to execute four
instructions to add two 32-bit
numbers, while a 32-bit ALU
can do it in one instruction.
MIPS stands for "millions of
instructions per second" and
is a rough measure of the
performance of a CPU.
Computer Memory
memory is technically any form
of electronic storage, it is used
most often to identify fast,
temporary forms of storage. If
your computer's CPU had to
constantly access the hard drive
to retrieve every piece of data it
needs, it would operate very
slowly. When the information is
kept in memory, the CPU can
access it much more quickly.
Most forms of memory are
intended to store data
temporarily.
Types of Electronic Memory
RAM
ROM
Flash memory
Memory Sticks
Video memory
BIOS

RAM memory modules
From the top: SIMM, DIMM and SODIMM
Memory Basics
The CPU accesses
memory according to a
distinct hierarchy. Whether
it comes from permanent
storage (the hard drive) or
input (the keyboard), most
data goes in random
access memory (RAM)
first. The CPU then stores
pieces of data it will need
to access, often in a
cache, and maintains
certain special instructions
in the register.
ROM
Read-only memory (ROM), also known
as firmware, is an integrated circuit
programmed with specific data when it is
manufactured. ROM chips are used not
only in computers, but in most other
electronic items as well.
RAM
Random access memory (RAM) is
the best known form of computer
memory. RAM is considered
"random access" because you can
access any memory cell directly if
you know the row and column that
intersect at that cell.
The opposite of RAM is serial
access memory (SAM). SAM
stores data as a series of memory
cells that can only be accessed
sequentially.
Cable Key
IDE devices use a ribbon
cable to connect to each
other. Ribbon cables have all
of the wires laid flat next to
each other instead of bunched
or wrapped together in a
bundle. IDE ribbon cables
have either 40 or 80 wires.
There is a connector at each
end of the cable and another
one about two-thirds of the
distance from the
motherboard connector.
USB Ports
Just about any computer
that you buy today comes
with one or more
Universal Serial Bus
connectors on the back.
These USB connectors
let you attach everything
from mice to printers to
your computer quickly
and easily. The operating
system supports USB as
well, so the installation of
the device drivers is quick
and easy, too.
Sample List of USB Devices

Printers
Scanners
Mice
Joysticks
Digital cameras
Webcams
Modems
Speakers
Telephones
Network connections

The rectangular socket is a typical
USB socket on the back of a PC
The USB standard uses "A" and "B"
connectors to avoid confusion:
"A" connectors head
"upstream" toward
the computer.
"B" connectors head
"downstream" and
connect to individual
devices.
Serial Ports
Considered to be one of the most
basic external connections to a
computer, the serial port has
been an integral part of most
computers.
Serial ports provide a standard
connector and protocol to let you
attach devices, such as modems,
to your computer.
The Serial Connection
Parallel Ports
Parallel ports were
originally developed by
IBM as a way to connect
a printer to your PC.
When IBM was in the
process of designing the
PC, the company wanted
the computer to work with
printers offered by
Centronics, a top printer
manufacturer at the time.
A typical parallel port on the
back of your computer
Parallel ports can be used to connect a host of
popular computer peripherals:
Printers
Scanners
CD burners
External hard
drives
Iomega Zip
removable drives
Network
adapters


Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)

PCI cards use 47 pins
A typical PCI card
AGP
Accelerated Graphics
Port AGP and AGP
graphics cards are now
the standard for
processing graphics on
computers. Like all
hardware, the technology
and specifications are
constantly improving.
Hard Disks
Hard disks were
invented in the 1950s.
They started as large
disks up to 20 inches
in diameter holding
just a few megabytes.
They were originally
called "fixed disks").
PC Power Supplies
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 Supply Wattage
PC Item Watts
Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) card 20 to 30W
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) card 5W
small computer system interface (SCSI) PCI card 20 to 25W
floppy disk drive 5W
network interface card 4W
50X CD-ROM drive 10 to 25W
RAM 10W per 128M
5200 RPM Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard disk drive 5 to 11W
7200 RPM IDE hard disk drive 5 to 15W
Motherboard (without CPU or RAM) 20 to 30W
550 MHz Pentium III 30W
733 MHz Pentium III 23.5W
300 MHz Celeron 18W
600 MHz Athlon 45W
Computer Keyboards
The part of the computer
that we come into most
contact with is probably
the piece that we think
about the least. But the
keyboard is an amazing
piece of technology.
An Apple Extended keyboard
Types of Keyboards
101-key Enhanced keyboard
104-key Windows keyboard
82-key Apple standard keyboard
108-key Apple Extended keyboard
Data Interface
Most mice in use today use the
standard PS/2 type connector.
These pins have the following
functions
1. Unused
2. +5 volts (to power the chip and
LEDs)
3. Unused
4. Clock
5. Ground
6. Data
A typical PS/2 connector:
Assume that pin 1 is located
just to the left of the black
alignment pin, and the
others are numbered
clockwise from there.
BIOS
BIOS
One of the most common uses of Flash memory is for
the basic input/output system of your computer,
commonly known as the BIOS (pronounced "bye-ose").
On virtually every computer available, the BIOS makes
sure all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU
function together.
The BIOS is special software that interfaces the major
hardware components of your computer with the
operating system. It is usually stored on a Flash memory
chip on the motherboard, but sometimes the chip is
another type of ROM.
What BIOS Does
When you turn on your computer, the BIOS
does several things. This is its usual
sequence:
1. Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings
2. Load the interrupt handlers and device drivers
3. Initialize registers and power management
4. Perform the power-on self-test (POST)
5. Display system settings
6. Determine which devices are bootable
7. Initiate the bootstrap sequence
Configuring BIOS
To enter the CMOS Setup,
you must press a certain key
or combination of keys during
the initial startup sequence.
Most systems use "Esc,"
"Del," "F1," "F2," "Ctrl-Esc" or
"Ctrl-Alt-Esc" to enter setup.
Once you have entered
setup, you will see a set of
text screens with a number of
options.
Common options include:
System Time/Date - Set the
system time and date
Boot Sequence - The order
that BIOS will try to load the
operating system
Plug and Play - A standard
for auto-detecting connected
devices; should be set to
"Yes" if your computer and
operating system both
support it
CMOS Setup
Preventive Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance
Cleaning of Computer, Keyboard and
Printer
Cleaning of Pointing Device
Taking care of Computer
To take care of your CDs

Cleaning of Computer, Keyboard and
Printer
Turn off the computer and
unplug the power cord
Isolate your body to any
negative area/s.
Use soft cloth moistened
with water an gently wipe
the exterior of the
computer, keyboard and
printer.
Cleaning of Pointing Device
Open the circular
cover underneath
the mouse
Take out the rubber
ball and wipe it with
a soft, damp cloth
Put the ball and
close the cover
Taking care of Computer
Do not expose the
computer to direct sunlight
Do not subject the
computer to magnetic fields
Do not expose the
computer to dust and dirt
Never place the system on
uneven surfaces
To take care of your CDs
Keep your disc in its case
when not in use to avoid
scratches or other damage.
When cleaning disc, use a
clean, dust free cloth and
wipe in a straight line from
the center to the edge.
Clean your CD drive
periodically.
Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting
No Display
No Power
Boot-up Problem
Keyboard Problem
Mouse Problem
Floppy Disk Drive Problem
Printing Problem
No Display
Check cable
connections
Try restarting the
computer
Test the computer
with other
monitor
No Power
Check AC output voltage
Check power cable connections
Check the computer power supply
Boot-up Problem
Check CMOS
configuration
Remove any disk
inserted in the
floppy/cd drive
Keyboard Problem
Check connections
Test with other keyboard
Re-start the system

Mouse Problem
Reset connection
Replace with other mouse
Try restarting

Floppy/CD Disk Drive Problem
Check CMOS configuration
Try using another set of disks/CDs
Clean drive with Disk Cleaner

Printing Problems
Check printer power
Check cable connections
Check ink cartridge
Replace printer cable
Check the printer driver, may need to be
installed
Operating Systems
The operating system
defines our computing
experience. It's the first
software we see when
we turn on the computer,
and the last software we
see when the computer
is turned off.
It's the software that
enables all the programs
we use.
At the simplest level, an operating
system does two things:
It manages the hardware
and software resources of
the computer system. These
resources include such
things as the processor,
memory, disk space, etc.
It provides a stable,
consistent way for
applications to deal with the
hardware without having to
know all the details of the
hardware.
The operating system's tasks, in the
most general sense, fall into six
categories:
Processor management
Memory management
Device management
Storage management
Application interface
User interface