A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PCFifth Edition

Chapter 1

Introducing Hardware

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You Will Learn…

That a computer requires both hardware and software to work

About the many different hardware components inside and connected to a computer

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Hardware Needs Software to Work Hardware

Physical components of a computer

Visible part of a system

Software Set of instructions that directs hardware to

accomplish a task

The intelligence

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Functions of a Computer

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PC Hardware Components

Outside computer case: input/output devices

Inside the case: processing and storage CPU – most important component

Requirements of a hardware device Method for CPU to communicate with it

Software to instruct and control it

Electricity to power it

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Hardware Used for Input and Output Connects to computer case by ports (eg, serial,

parallel, USB, game, keyboard, mouse) Popular input devices:

Keyboard Mouse

Popular output devices: Monitor Printer

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Ports

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Input Devices

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Output Devices

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Hardware Inside the Case

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Motherboard Components

Processing CPU (most important) Chip set

Temporary storage RAM Cache memory

Electrical system Power supply

connections

Communication with other devices

Traces Expansion slots System clock

Programming/setup data Flash ROM CMOS setup chip

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The Motherboard

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The Motherboard (continued)

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The CPU

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The Chip Set

Controls most activities on the motherboard

Includes several device controllers

USB controller

Memory controller

IDE controller

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The Chip Set (continued)

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Storage Devices

Temporary (primary storage, or memory)

Temporarily holds data and instructions while processing them

Faster to access than permanent storage

Permanent (secondary storage)

Data and instructions must be copied into primary storage (RAM) for processing

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Primary and Secondary Storage

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Primary Storage Devices

Memory, or RAM, located on motherboard and other circuit boards

Volatile versus nonvolatile (or ROM) memory

Types of boards that hold memory chips

SIMMs

DIMMs

RIMMs

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Secondary Storage Devices

Hard drives

CD-ROM drives

DVD drives

Zip drives

Floppy drives

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Hard Drive

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IDE Connectors on a Motherboard

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IDE Connectors on a Motherboard (continued)

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Hard Drive’s Power Supply

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Floppy Drive Connection

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Floppy Drive Connection (continued)

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CD-ROM Drive Connection

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Motherboard Components Used for Communication Among Devices

The data bus

System of pathways used for communication and the protocol and methods used for transmission

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The Bus and Bus Lines

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Expansion Slots

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Types of Expansion Slots

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Interface (Expansion) Cards

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The Electrical System

Power supply

Most important component of computer’s electrical system

Converts/reduces electricity to voltage the computer can handle

Runs a fan directly from electrical output voltage to cool inside of computer case

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The Electrical System (continued)

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The Electrical System (continued)

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Summary

Introduction to hardware components of a computer system

Initial insight into how hardware works