Introduction to Computers

Computing Basics
 Numbering Systems
• Binary
• Decimal
• Hexadecimal
Decimal
Binary
Hexadecimal
Bits vs. Bytes
• Bit – a single binary
• Byte – Eight bits

Ex. 192.168.1.5
1100 0000.1010 1000.0000 0001.0000 0101
Kilo, Mega, Giga and Tera
• Kilobyte (KB) – about one thousand bytes
• Megabyte (MB) – about a thousand KB
• Gigabyte (GB) – about a thousand MB
• Terabyte (TB) – about a thousand GB
Cases and Cooling
1. Power Supply
2. CPU Fan
3. System Fan
4. Motherboard
5. Optical Drive Bays
6. Hard Disk Drive
Bays
Case Fans

Tip:
Intermittent
failures, such as
random restarts,
are often heat
related problem.
Replacing a Fan
• Noisy
• Failed
Cleaning a
case

Cleaning a
case and its
fans can
improve a
computer’s
performance
Power Supplies
AC vs. DC
Wattage Power Ratings
Rails
• PSU provide a separate lines called rails for different
voltages.
• 12V – used for CPUs, case fans, and disk drives.
• A single rails provides 18A.

If hard drives are frequently failing in a computer system,

consider replacing the power supply with one that has
additional 12V rail.
1.AC Power Jack
2.Dual Voltage Power
Selection
3.Power Indicator
4.Molex Connectors
5.SATA power connector
6.Secondary
motherboard power
connection
7.Primary power
connector
Cable Keying
Replacing a Power Supply
• Turn off and remove the power plug.
• Use a suitable replacement.
• Document cable placement
Protecting Systems from Power Problems

• Surge
• Spike
• Sags and brownouts
• Blackouts
Safety Issues
• Electrical Safety
• Equipment and Self Grounding
• ESD
• Use ESD wrist strap
• Use anti static bags
• Use ESD mats
• Self grounding
• Don’t touch components or pins
Tools
Screwdrivers
Computer Vacuum
 Multimeter
• A multimeter is an electronic instrument used to measure voltage,
current, and resistance.

Digital multimeter Analog multimeter

 Toolkit
• The different types of
hardware toolkits that are
commonly used in PC
maintenance and repair are:
• Basic
• Network
• Circuit board
CHAPTER REVIEW
A computer is making a lot of noise. Of the
following choices, what is likely a problem?
a) Faulty motherboard
b) USB Flash Drive
c) Power Supply set to wrong voltage
d) Case Fan
You ordered a fan for a computer case. Where
should you connect the fan power connection?
a) AC outlet
b) Power supply connector
c) Front panel power
d) Motherboard
A power supply failed after a technician added
some hard drives to a desktop computer. You need
to change the power supply. What is likely power
rating you’ll purchase?
a) 600 W
b) 600 V
c) 300 W
d) 230 V
Which of the following can you use to protect
against power sags?

a) Commercial power
b) Power supply
c) UPS
Which of the following can contribute to ESD
damage?
a) Case Fans
b) Touching computer components while working
on a computer
c) ESD Mats