Technical

Non-Technical INPUT & OUTPUT

The CPU [Central Processing Unit] otherwise known as the processor is an electroniccircuit that executes computer programs.

The CPU is hosted in a single chip called “Microprocessor.”

The CPU is inserted directly into a CPU Socket, Pin side down with ZIF [Zero Insertion Force.]

When Replacing or Upgrading a CPU you need to checkthe motherboard manufacturer’s specifications before attempting this to see if the CPU is compatible.

The speeds of CPU’s is measured in MHz [Megahertz]

Technical CPU

ROM [Read-Only Memory] computer memory is where data is pre-recorded. Once data has been written on a ROM chip. It cannot be removed but can be only read.

ROM retains the data when the computer is powered off.

ROM memory is used extensively used in calculators and peripheral devices such as laser printers.

ROM is referred to as Non-volatile.There is a variation of ROM, Which is PROM

these chips are manufactured as blanks and data can be written with a special programme called PROM programme.

Technical Ram & Rom

RAM [Random Access Memory] computer memory which can be accessed randomly, this kind of memory is commonly found on computers and other devices, such as printers.

There are two different types of RAMDRAM [Dynamic Random Access Memory]DRAM needs to be refreshed thousands of times

per second, It also supports access times for about 60 nanoseconds.

The other type of RAM is SRAM[Static Random Access Memory]

SRAM is faster than DRAM as it does not need to be refreshed it can also give access times as low as 10 nanoseconds but requires more power. SRAM is faster than DRAM but is not as common due to the cost of it.

You can only Read and Write on a RAM chipBoth Rams are Volatile as they lose their

content when power is turned off.

EPROM [Erasable Programme Read-Only Memory]

Is a special type of memory which retains content until it is exposed to UV light [Ultraviolet Light].

UV lights clears data of the Eprom chip making it possible to reprogram the chip, to write and erase content on EPROM a special device is needed a ‘PROM programmer.’

EPROM chips can be used widely in personal computers because it enables the manufacture to change the contents of the PROM before the computer is shipped, This means New version can be installed and bugs can be removed before a delivery.

Technical Eprom

Technical Flash Memory

Flash Memory is a data storage device, This memory is commonly used on digital cameras,USB flash drives and video games. Flash memory is very similar to EEPROM.

Flash Memory USB is hot swappable meaning it can be used whenever needed on a computer, Which also means that it is a peripheral device.

You can get different USBs which have different speeds and capacities to hold data.

Flash drives are not Volatile like RAM but Flash Memory can keep its data intact even when power is turned off, This means Flash Memory is Non Volatile as the chip keeps the data saved.

PCI [Peripheral Component Interconnect]This is a computer bus standard developed by Intel

Corporation.Modern computers contains these PCI bus. PCI are also used on MAC computers, a PCI slot is a

64-bit bus but is usually implented as a 32-bit bus.As video adapter,processors and sound cards have

got faster and more powerful, but the PCIs has stayed the same, The 32 bits can only handle up to 5 devices. Where as the 62 bit PCI provide more bandwidth.

The idea of a bus is simple it lets you connect the component to the computers processor.

The expansion card for a PCI slot is a PCI card which is inserted into a PCI slot in order for it to function.

Technical PCI & PCIe

PCIe [Peripheral Component Interconnect Express]This is a computer expansion bus which was

designed to replaced PCI,AGP and PCI-X bus standards, The PCIe was also designed to match the higher speeds of the present CPUs.

A PCIe provides more bandwidth and compatibility with the present OS [Operating System] compared to the PCI.

The newer standard for a personal computer is called PCIe 3.0 this allows us faster exchange of data.

PCIe slot is also smaller in size compared to the AGP,PCI and PCI-X

SATA [Serial Advanced Technology Attachment]This is a computer bus interface which

connects host bus adapters to high storage devices such as HDD and optical drives.

SATA cables are long thin, 7 pin cable. One side of the cable is inserted into a port labelled SATA and the other side is inserted into the back of a storage device.

A SATA bus was produced to replace the older PATA standards offering many advantages compared to the older interface, Such as hot swappable and faster data transfer.

SATA device are based on Serial Signalling Technology.

Technical SATA & PATA

PATA [Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment] is a used for connecting storage devices like hard drives and optical drives into computer systems.

PATA cables are long, flat cable with 40-pin. One side of the cable is inserted into a labelled IDE port where as the other side is inserted into a port storage device.

PATA cables come in 40 or 80 wire designs, PATA cable maximum workable cable length is 46 centimetre which mean it is practically used for internal drives.

PATA device are based on Parallel Signalling Technology,

SCSI [Small Computer System Interface] This is a parallel interface standard, It is a set of ANSI standard electronic interface which is used for attaching peripheral devices [External Devices] to a computer.

All Apple Macs have this with the exception of the earliest MACs but the recent IMacs come with a SCSI port.

A SCSI interface provide the fastest data transmission rate which goes up to 80 Megabytes Per Second than a standard Serial and Parallel Port.

SCSI has many different types of variation offering different positive and negative aspects.

Technical SCSI & Solid State

Solid State Drive [SSD] is data storage device which is similar to a USB Flash Drives as they both use Non Volatile memory chips which allows the memory to stay intact even when the computer is turned off.

A SSD is basically a Hard Disk Drive but it contains flash memory chips which means there are a few advantages compared to a Hard Disk Drive such as a SSD will access data faster with less power usage and also is more reliable

Disk Formatting is process that prepares a HDD [Hard Disk Drive] or other storage medium for use. In some case the formatting process may set up some empty file system.

There are two types of Disk Formatting such as -Physical Disk Formatting -Logical Disk Formatting

When formatting a HDD, The hard disk drive must be physically formatted before it can be logically formatted. Physical formatting basically divides the hard drive into their basic physical elements, such as the tracks, sectors and cylinders.

After the physically formatting process is completed successfully it must then be logically formatted. Logical formatting places a file system on the disk allowing the OS [Operating System] to use the available disk space to store and retrieve files.Formatting your entire HDD with one file system can limit the number and types of OS you can install on the hard disk drive.

Technical FORMATTING

Disk Partitioning is a process which divides the HDD [Hard Disk Drive] into multiple logical storage units in order to organize her/his data more effectively, these separate data areas are known as partitions. A partition program can be used to modify, delete or create a partition.

When a disk has been divided into several partitions, directories and files of different categories may be stored into different partitions. Having more partitions provides more control but having to many partition may become very hard to control.

When creating HDD partitions most OS use ‘fdisk’ command to create a HDD partition. Some OS also have graphical tools that accomplish the same task.

Technical PARTITIONING

The CPU [Central Processing Unit] carries out the instructions of a computer program and essential is the computers brain. The CPU is the most important element of a computer system.

Non-Technical CPU

ROM [Read-Only Memory]ROM retains information when personal computer is turned off.ROM is used in computers and other electronic devices.ROM cannot be modified or can be modified but slowly and difficult to do so.

Non-Technical Ram & Rom

RAM [Random Access Memory]Ram doesn’t retain information

when the power to your computer is turned off.

Two types variations of RAMDRAM [Dynamic Random

Access Memory]SRAM [Static Random Access

Memory]

EPROM [Erasable Programme Read-Only Memory] retains information when personal computer is turned off.

Programmed individually by electronic devices which supplies high voltages than a usually digital circuit.

Data on EPROM can be erased by exposing the chip to ultraviolet light.

Non-Technical EPROM

Non-Technical Flash Memory

Flash Memory is memory storage device can be hot swappable as you can use it when ever you want on a computer which means it is a external device.

You can get different USBs consisting of different speeds and capacity.

Flash memory unlike RAM does not lose its data when a computer is turned off.

PCI [Peripheral Component Interconnect]Is a computer standard bus which most modern computers consist of.

PCI slots hold PCI cards.

Non-Technical PCI & PCIe

PCIe [Peripheral Component Interconnect Express]A computer expansion bus was designed to replace the older PCIs and to match the more powerful CPUs.

PCIe has more advantages than a PCI,AGP and PCI-X standard.

SATA [Serial Advanced Technology Attachment]SATA ports connects high storage devices and optical drives into computer systems.SATA cables are plugged into a SATA port and the other side of the cable is plugged into a storage device.SATA has many more advantages than PATA as it was produce to replace PATA.

Non-Technical SATA & PATA

PATA [Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment]PATA ports connect storage devices and optical drives into computer systems.PATA cables are plugged into a IDE port and the other side of the cable is plugged into a storage device.PATA cables used to work with internal drives.

SCSI [Small Computer System Interface]Is a parallel interface which is used to attach external devices to the computer.SCSI provides faster data transmissions than a standard Serial and Parallel Port.

Non-Technical SCSI & Solid State

Solid State [SSD] Storage device which does not lose data when turned off.A SSD access data faster with less power usage and is more reliable compared to a Hard Disk Drive [HDD]

Non-Technical FORMATTING

Disk formatting is a simple process which prepares some space for the hard disk drive, the process many sometimes make some empty files.

Theres two types of formatting, Physical and Logical in order to complete the formatting successfully you need to first complete the Physical Disk Formatting successful in order to do Logical Disk Formatting which then can be completed to complete the formatting process.

Non-Technical PARTITIONING

Disk partitioning is a process which divides the Hard drive to create multiple storage spaces. In order to perform a partition you need a program which will let you partition the Hard drive.

The more partitions created the easier it is to control data but to many can make it difficult.

Input TOUCH SCREEN GRAPHICSTABLET GAMES

CONTROLLER

MICROPHONE KEYBOARDFINGERPRINT

SCANNERMOUSESCANNERWEBCAMDIGITAL

CAMERABARCODE

READERTOUCHPADS

INPUT & OUTPUTOutput

PRINTER MONITOR SPEAKERSPROJECTORLED PROJECTION

PANEL

BOTHMODEMS NETWORK

CARDSTOUCH SCREENHEADSETS

To connect these devices to the computer you can use these interfaces:

USBPS/2DVIVGASCSIIEEE 1394 EthernetSerialTRSParallel

IDE Connection

RAM

ATX Power

Back Panel Connector

DDR DIMM Memory

Slots

PCI Slots

Central Processing Unit

Northbridge Chipset

Southbrid

ge Chipset

CD-In Header

AGP 8X Slot

BIOS

USB 2.0 Header