Course: Bsc ITSubject: Computer Organisation And Architecture

QUESTION 1.

Select an architecture of the motherboard and write down the importance of this architecture in relation to other motherboard architectures.

Answer

• DEFINATION OF A MOTHERBOARD

Motherboard also known as the system board is the physical arrangement in a computer that contain the computer’s basic circuitry and components. On the typical motherboard, circuitry is in printed or affixed to the surface of a firm planner surface and usually manufactured in a single step.

NON-INTEGRATED MOTHERBOARDA non-integrated motherboard: uses installable components and expansion cards. For example, a non-integrated system board may allow you to upgrade the video card by removing the old one and installing a new one. Non-integrated motherboards typically have several PCI expansion slots as well.

MOTHERBOARD ARCHITECTURE

Prior to invention of the microprocessor, a computer consisted of multiple printed circuit board in a card cage case with component connected by a BLACKPLANE as set of interconnected socket. In very old design or wirers were discrete connection between card connection pin, and printed circuit board soon become the standard practice.

The central processing unit(CPU), memory and peripherals wire housed on individual printed circuit boards, which are plugged into the backplane.

During the 1980s it became economical to move an increasing number of peripheral function into the motherboard.

TYPES OF COMPUTER MOTHERBOARD

The types of system board should not be confused with the form factors. There are basically two types of motherboard.

• INTEGRATED MOTHERBOARD: the integrated system board has most of its component soldered on the motherboard unlike expansion card that are detachable. This type of motherboard has an advantage and also a drawback, it main advantage is its simplicity as much space is conserved, portable and perhaps cheaper to manufacture.

The major drawback is when the board component is faulty the entire system board has to be replaced. However, such faulty component in some motherboard can be disable and replaced by an expansion card.But this have to be done by a highly experienced technician. Sometimes the cost of doing so many outweigh its benefits.

• NON-INTEGRATED MOTHERBOARD: the non integrated system board has expansion slot with some of its component detachable like the video adaptor, disc controller etc. the major advantage of this type of system board is flexibility with respect to the replacement of faulty component, when an expansion card is faulty it can easily be replaced.

DIAGRAM OF THE MOTHERBOARD

COMPONENTS OF A MOTHERBOARD

The following are the main component found on a computer motherboard.

• MEMORY AND THEIR SLOTS: the computer memory(RAM) is one of the most important parts of the system board. the number of memory chips of a motherboard depend on the type of computer and it capacity. Their slots are usually white and black and very close to each other.

• EXPANSION CARDS: are the typically component of non integrated system board as indicated earlier in the discussion. An example is the graphic card. However this can be

integrated into the motherboard it depends on the type of circuitry.

• CPU AND SLOTS: the central processing unit and the socket is prolific part of a computer. It is located right on the motherboard and it is easily identifiable as a result of the heat sink or cooling fan directly on it.

• BIOS CHIP: just like the CPU the BIOS chip occupies a top position in terms of the other of importance on the system board. Its direct the CPU with respect to how it relate with other parts of the computer. The BIOS chip or integrated circuit is fixed on board and it is also easily identifiable

• CMOS BATTERY: the complementary metal oxide semiconductor(CMOS) is a small battery on the system board that powers the CMOS memory. The CMOS memory keep very important settings on the computer such as date, time, configuration of the hard drive etc.in such a way that when the computer is switched off such settings are maintained in other for this to be, the memory most always have power on.

• POWER SUPPLY AND CONNECTORS: This is the electrical unit of the system it is the unit that supplies power as required for the smooth running of the computer. If it is bad the system will not power on.

• KEYBOARD CONNECTOR: this is one of the most important input device for a desktop computer. It connector is located on the motherboard. Keyboard connectors have two main types. The AT and the PS/2 connector. The AT has round connecting interface into the motherboard while the PS/2 is rectangular in shape and is smaller. Modern motherboards come with both connecting ports

• MOUSE CONNECTOR: This mouse is also a very important input device on the computer. Its connecting port is located on the motherboard. The connecting interface is usually round.

• FLOPPY AND HARD DISC CONNECTOR: the hard drive is the mass storage device of the computer system. Same with the floppy disc. They are on board connecting interface that enables the computer to communicate with both drivers.

• EXPANSION SLOTS: expansion slot on the motherboard or a riser board make it possible for an additional card or board to be connected to the main board. There are different types serving different purpose. Mostly you across PCI, PCI express and AGP expansion slot. And for those computer manufactured before 1997,their slots are slightly different from what is obtainable today, though most of them are been faced out.

• PERIPHERAL PORTS AND SLOTS: The function performed by the computer required in most cases an external device connection either for uploading or for downloading data as the case maybe. They are various peripheral ports and slots met for there purpose. The most important peripheral port are the universal serial port(USB), serial Ethernet, parallel, video, sound and game port.

• JUMPER AND DIP SWITCHES: jumper and dip switches are used to configure the system board serving as a regulator for the amount of voltage supplied as required by the

various component on the motherboard especially the processor this is automatic in some recent motherboards form factors.

IMPORTANCE OF THIS ARCHITECTURE

• It containes one AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot

• Five or six PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) Slots

• Enhanced Industrial Standard Architecture slots

• Two to four DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module) sockets

• One CPU (Central processor socket) socket or slot

• One parralel port (LPT1)

• Two serial ports (COM1 & COM2)

• Two USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connectors

• One Floppy Drive Port

• Two EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) Sockets

• One PS/2 mouse connector

QUESTION 2

List some of the PC manufaturers that employ the use this architecture in their system development with an example each.

Answer

• Compaq - Acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002. Defunct as a subsidiary as of 2010.

• Convex Computer - purchased by Hewlett-Packard in 1995• Corona Data Systems - among the original "IBM PC Compatible" clone makers• International Computers Limited.

• Sharp Corporation• Abit • ASUS computers

• Biostar • eVGA • Foxconn • Hewlett-Packard (HP) computers

• Acer Computer Systems

• Apple computers

• Microsoft computer systems

• Samsung computer systems

• Dell computer systems

QUESTION 3:

Describe the steps involved in building a desktop computer, stating the precautions involved in assembling, the tools used and the importance of the assembled computer.

ANSWER

How to Build a Personal Desktop Computer

Step 1. Prepare the Mainboard (motherboard) which is the NVIDA model. If you want to assemble the well-liked device, you should use Intel G31, GMA3100, or AMD 780 Mainboard.

2. Mount the CPU in the socket of the Mainboard. You must choose the correct CPU for your motherboard, and install it according to its instructions. Be careful not to install the CPU in wrong. Not only would your computer not work, it could short-circuit and damage your motherboard.

3.Connect the CPU cooler to the Mainboard.

4. Attach the RAM (memory) modules in the corresponding slots. The motherboard should have rows of slots that have 2 or 3 sections that are different lengths. Make sure the pins on the RAM cards line up with the pins on the motherboard connector. Don't get the RAM slots mixed up with PCI slots. The PCI slots are usually wider.

5. Open the case and mount the power supply which is M-ATX type. Make sure to connect all the connections to the drives and the motherboard.

6. Attach the Mainboard back plate to the case and check the Mainboard mounting positions. The motherboard's instructions should tell the position of the motherboard.

Step 7. suitably position the mainboard in the case.

Step 8. Mount the Hard disk and connect it to the power supply and the motherboard. There should be separate connections for the power supply and the motherboard. In SATA Hard disk case, should remove the jumper.

9. Connect the SATA connectors to the drives and the USB connectors and the case switches to the motherboard. The case and motherboard's instructions should tell where to connect the cables. [[Image:Step9_790.JPG|300px|]

Step 10. Connect the 20 or 24 pin ATX connector and the 4-pin power supply control connector to the motherboard.

11. Mount the DVD-ROM drive. After connecting the ATA cable to the device, hook it up to the power supply.

Step 12. Finally, select a compatible operating system, and follow the instructions to install.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Before you take the plunge and begin to build your new PC, be sure to take note of the following precautions and advice we offer (often as a product of a painful and/or expensive experience!)Electric ShockWhen working on your PC or any mains-powered equipment, always disconnect it completely from the mains wall socket.Never dismantle the actual PSU in your PC. This unit contains potentially lethal mains voltages, even when it is disconnected from the supply. They are not user-repairable. If it fails, replace it with a new one.Sharp EdgesBeware of sharp edges inside PC Cases and the small solder pins on boards. A harmless-looking case edge can be as sharp as a razor, and remove large chunks of flesh if accidentally nudged with a slipping hand.ConnectionsAlways remember to completely disconnect the power before connecting/disconnecting components or cables.When making cabling connections of any kind, use firm, even pressure but never excessive force. Small signal pins are very easily damaged if connected incorrectly. If it just won't fit, try to establish a reason rather than giving it a 'hopeful' shove. Most connectors have some kind of alignment system to prevent incorrect connection.HandlingPC devices/peripherals are generally very delicate in nature. Handle them with extreme care and always employ some method to disperse static electricity. A good trick here is to keep in mind how much it costs to replace when you take it out of the packaging!CleaningWith the exception of the exterior of the case, never try to clean any part of your system with any liquid detergents or cloths.If you find a build-up of dust inside the machine after some time, disconnect the unit completely,

remove the case sides and use an Air Duster to blow out the dust from the case. Air Duster should be available from most electronic supply shops, and is basically a can of clean, compressed air.The key to working with PC's is to stay calm, check your work over and over again, and if it still doesn't work, ask someone who knows.