Computer Hardware
Introduction to Computer Components and Terminology
Computer Types
Personal Data Assistant (“PDA”), nowmore commonly called a “tablet” or iPad
Notebook Laptop PC Desktop PC (also called a PC
“tower”) Server
Computers are categorized as one of several types:
Differentiating Types A PDA is a handheld
computing device designed to access and store data as well as accessing stored music, personal datebook, and personal address book.
Examples of PDAs are: Palm, Blackberry, iPads, iPhones, and tablets
iPad
Blackberry Palm Pilot
iPhone
Macintosh Quad PCMacbook Air
Macbook Pro
A Notebook is a laptop computer that runs with the Mac OS®, currently “Yosemite”
Desktop PCs running the Mac OS are only manufactured by Apple Computer.
Differentiating Types
Differentiating Types
A PC is a personal computer that runs with the Windows® operating system.
PCs may be either desktop “towers” or laptop models
PCs are designed for business and personal use.
Laptop PC
Desktop PC
Differentiating Types A Server is a large
computer designed to network multiple personal computers.
Servers allow for the exchange of data among all members of the network.
Servers store data common to all users.
Tower
BladeServer
Basic PC Components
PCs are made up of hardware and software components
The various components of a PC are interconnected with very specific cables
Computers are networked with cables and switches.
Hardware
Hard Drive
The PC tower houses the mother board, hard drive and power supply.
Motherboard containing the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Memory boards
Power Supply
Input/Output Devices
Input/Output devices are used to enter and retrieve data to and from the computer.
I/O devices are the keyboard, mouse and monitor.
Data Storage
Data is any text, graphic, or photo to be stored or accessed on the computer.
Data storage devices may be built in, external, or portable.
Data storage devices include hard drives, disc drives, USB flash drives and SD memory card readers
Data Storage Devices
Compact Disc (CD)
USB Flash Drive
USB Mini Flash Drive
SanDisk (SD) Memory Card
Micro SD Memory Card and adapter
Cables and Connections
In addition to the power cord, the various components of a PC are interconnected by specific type cables.
A basic PC that is not networked or accessing the internet will have 3 cables – one for the monitor, and one each for the mouse and keyboard.
The Big PicturePower cords
USB Cables
VGA or DVI Cable
Wireless Interfaces
Wireless devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, presentation tool, etc. connect to the PC via a “dongle.”
A dongle is any wireless USB transmitter/receiver designed to communicate with a specific device.
Cables and Connections
The keyboard connects to the PC via a USB cable or dongle
Cables and Connections The mouse will connect
to the PC via a USB cable or wirelessly via a dongle.
Cables and Connections
The monitor is connected to the PC via either a 15-pin male-to-male VGA cable or
19-pin DVI cable
VGA Cable
DVI Cable
Cables and Connections Connecting to a
network or the internet is done via a Cat 5 cable with an RJ45 connector.
The internet cable is connected between the PC and a server, often through a switch.
Terminology
VGA = Video Graphic Adapter DVI = Digital Video Interface USB = Universal Serial Bus Dongle = Any USB transmitter/receiver
interface(for connecting to a mouse, keyboard, etc.)
Cat 5 = Category 5, referring to the number of twists in a given length of cable.
RJ45 = a cable termination plug for a 4-pair cable.
Cat-5 Cables The Cat-5 cable used in
this lab is made up of FOUR pairs of 24 gauge copper wire.
The individual wires are covered in color-coded plastic casings
The entire bundle is encased in blue or gray plastic
Casings shield the wires so they do not touch each other and short out
Cat-5 Cables
Wire color codes use a solid color alternating with a solid and white of the same color to make each pair.
Color pairs in the Cat-5 wire are Orange, Blue, Green, and Brown.
Basic Hardware Troubleshooting
Check that the power cables are all plugged into devices and to the wall.
Check that the monitor is connected to the PC with a VGA cable.
Check that the keyboard and mouse are connected correctly
Check that the network cable is connected between the PC and the switch, AND check that the switch is powered up.