introduction to the physical computer
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Introduction to the Physical Computer. Chapter Objectives. After completing this section you will be able to: Understand basic computer terms Identify common computer parts Recognize and identify common computer ports. 1- 2. Basic Computer Terms. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Chapter Objectives
After completing this section you will be able to:Understand basic computer termsIdentify common computer partsRecognize and identify common computer
ports
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Basic Computer Terms
Computer systems are composed of hardware, software, and firmware.– Hardware is something you can touch and feel.
– Software is the operating system and applications that make the hardware work; the software provides instructions for the hardware to carry out.
– The operating system is an important piece of software that coordinates the interaction between hardware and software applications, as well as the interaction between a user and the computer.
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Basic Computer Terms
A device driver is a special piece of software designed to enable a hardware component.
Firmware combines hardware and software into important chips inside the microcomputer that can be touched and felt like hardware, but have software written into them. An example is the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) chip.
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Basic Computer Parts
Microcomputer Also called a computer or PC.
A unit that performs tasks using software and comes in three basic
models:
• A desktop model that normally sits on top of a desk.
• A tower model that sits under a desk.
• A laptop model, which is portable.
A common handheld computer is called a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant).
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Figure 1.2
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Basic Computer Parts
The computer consists of:
• A case (chassis)
• A keyboard that allows users to communicate with the computer
• A monitor that displays information
• A mouse that allows data input or is used to select menus or options
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Internal Components Power supply – Converts AC
from wall outlet to DC the
computer can use, supplies DC
for internal components, and has
a fan to keep the computer cool.
Floppy drive – Storage device
for small amounts of data,
Hard drive – Common storage
device.
CD/DVD drive – Holds disks
(CDs or DVDs) that have data,
music, or software applications.
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More Internal Components
• Motherboard – The main circuit board that contains most of the electronics and is the largest electronic circuit board in the PC.
• All computer components connect to, or communicate through the motherboard.
• Adapters – Smaller circuit cards that normally plug into an expansion slot allowing other devices to interface with the motherboard.
• They also may control some devices.
• Expansion slot – A special connector on the motherboard that allows an adapter to plug in and connect to the motherboard.
• Riser board – A small board with expansion slots that plugs into the motherboard and allows adapters to connect at a different angle.
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Basic Computer Parts
Internal components of the computer also include:
• Memory – types are:RAM (Random Access Memory) – Volatile memory that holds
applications and user data while the computer is operating.ROM (Read-Only Memory) – Non-volatile memory.ROM BIOS – An important chip on the motherboard that holds the
start-up software for the computer to operate, and software instructions for communication of the input/output devices and important hardware parameters.
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Basic Computer Parts
RAM and ROM chips come in different styles:
• DIP (Dual In-line Package)
• DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module)
• RIMM (a memory module developed by Rambus)
POST (Power On Self Test) – Is part of the software contained in the motherboard BIOS that performs a basic test of the individual hardware components when the computer is turned on with the power switch.
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Basic Computer Terms
Turning the computer on with the power switch for a computer that is not running is known as a cold boot.
A warm boot is performed when a computer that is already on is restarted without using the power switch.
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External Connectors Port – A connector on the motherboard or on an adapter that allows a device to connect.
Integrated motherboards – Motherboards with ports built into them.
Male ports – Have pins that protrude out from the connector.
Female ports – Have holes in the connector to accept the male cable’s pins.
D-shell connector – A connector with more pins or holes on the top row than on the
bottom.
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External Connectors DIN connector – Round with small holes and normally keyed;
the keyboard and mouse are usually this type of connector with either 5 or 6 pins.
Keyed – A connector that has an extra metal (or plastic) piece or notch that matches an extra piece or notch on the cable, so it can only be installed one way.
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Video Ports
Video port – The DVI port has three rows of square holes and is used to connect to flat screen monitors.
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Video Ports
Figure 1.11
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USB Ports
• USB (Universal Serial Bus) port – A 4-wire connector that allows up to 127 devices to connect and transmit data at either 480Mbps, 12Mbps or 1.5Mbps.
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Figure 1.12 Figure 1.13
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USB Ports
Since the USB port is becoming so popular and since some manufacturers are NOT including some ports that have traditionally been standard.
A small USB port used on small devices such as a USB hub, PDA, digital camera, and phones is known as a mini-USB port.
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Parallel Port
Parallel port – A 25-pin female D-shell connector used to connect a printer to a computer. Other parallel devices include tape drives, scanners, Iomega’s Zip drive, and external hard drives.
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Serial Ports
Serial port – (Also known as a COM port) can be a 9-pin male D-shell connector (most common), or a 25-pin male D-shell connector.
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Serial Ports
Figure 1.17
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Mouse and Keyboard Ports
Mouse port – Usually a smaller, keyed 6-pin DIN connector commonly known as a mini-DIN or PS/2.
Keyboard port – Normally a 6-pin mini-DIN like the one used for a mouse.
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Mice
The two types of mice are mechanical and optical. A mechanical mouse uses a rubber ball inserted into
the bottom of the mouse. An optical mouse has optical sensors to detect the
direction in which the mouse ball moves. A trackball is a replacement for a mouse. A trackball’s
ball sits on top and a person uses his or her palm to move the mouse pointer.
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Keyboard
The two types of keyboard are mechanical and capacitive.
The mechanical keyboard is:
• Has mechanical switches that close when a key is depressed.
The capacitive keyboard is:
• Uses a change in capacitance to detect when a key is being depressed.
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Wireless Input Devices
• Many input devices now have cordless connectivity.• Two common devices are the keyboard and mouse.• Two types of technology is used with wireless input
devices: Infrared or Radio.
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Other Input Devices
A variety of input devices are available that connect to the serial, PS/2, USB, or IEEE
1394 port.
Digital pen – Words written with the pen are translated for input into the computer,
control the cursor, or used with a digital tablet.
Digital tablet –Allows graphical or desktop publishing information to be input.
Signature pad – Allows someone to sign his or her name to be stored digitally.
Touch screen – A special monitor that allows a finger or pen-like device to control it.
Trackball – A device that has a various size ball mounted in the center of the device. The
center of the palm or fingertip is used to move the pointer on the screen.
Track pad – An integrated window on laptop computers that allows the pointer to be
moved with the fingertip.
TrackPoint or Track Stick – A rubber point that is normally situated between keys in the
center of the keyboard that controls pointer operations.
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Sound Card Ports
Sound card – Or audio cards have several ports, but their main purpose is to convert digital computer signals to sounds (analog signals), or sounds to digital signals.
Figure 1.20
Sound Card Ports
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IEEE1394 Port
IEEE 1394 ports – A serial technology developed by Apple Computer sometimes called the FireWire port.
Figure 1.21
FireWire Ports
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Network Ports
Network ports – Used to connect a computer to other computers, including a server and are available in two types-Ethernet and Token Ring; a network cable connects to the network port.
Ethernet – These adapters are the most common type of network card with BNC, RJ-45 (most common today), a 15-pin female D-shell connector (sometimes called AUI), or any combination of all of them.
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Network Ports
Token Ring – Have two different connectors, both RJ-45 or 9-pin female D-shell.
Figure 1.26
Token Ring Ports
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Modem Ports
Modem – Connects a computer to a phone line and can be either and internal or external device.
Figure 1.27
Internal Modem Ports
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Pros and Cons of Integrated Motherboards
Pros Provides expandability because
ports are built in and allow more room for expansion cards.
Built in ports are faster than those on adapters.
Computers are easier to set up because the manufacturer configures the ports.
Systems with integrated motherboards are normally easier to troubleshoot.
Cons Motherboard must be replaced
when one port goes bad, unless it supports disabling the faulty port.
If ports cannot be disabled, there could be conflicts with adding expansion cards.
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Docking Station and Port Replicator
Docking stations and port replicators are used to add connectivity and expansion capability to laptop computers.
• A docking station is a device used to allow a laptop computer to function more like a desktop.
• The port replicator is similar to a docking station, but doesn’t normally include an expansion slot or drive storage bays.