Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 84

BIT Computer Technology

LEARNING MODULE

CT122
COMPUTER SYSTEMS

I. Mission of the CTU System:

Provides advanced professional and technical instruction for special purposes,


industrial trade, teacher education, agriculture, fishery, forestry, engineering,
aeronautics and land-based programs, arts and sciences, health sciences, information
technology and other relevant fields of study. It shall undertake research, productions
and extension services, and provide progressive leadership across the areas of
specialization for global empowerment.

II. Mission of CTU – Moalboal Campus:

The college has this pledge of commitment:

1. To afford its student with efficient, effective education and training for
immediate entry into fishery and teacher education occupations
consistent with manpower resource requirements of Cebu and Region
VII.
2. To provide with opportunities for pursuing higher education in research
and graduate studies along the line of fishery education. To accelerate
community extension activities, projects and services thereby
transmitting learned fishery technology, knowledge, techniques and
skills for the community to enhance the socio-economic status of the
people.

III. Vision of CTU-Moalboal Campus:

The center of excellence and development in research, instruction, production


and extension services for progressive leadership transcending global technological,
business and industry-driven education.

1 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

IV. Aims of CTU – Moalboal Campus:

1. To produce competent, skillfully disciplined and well-trained graduates who can


become significant participants to the socio-economic development programs of
the community in particular and the country in general.

2. To provide the community with knowledgeable and effectively trained graduates


who could become capable contributors to the upliftment of manpower resources
of Moalboal and other neighboring towns.

3. To establish linkages with Department of Labor and Employment and other


related local, national and international agencies for possible job placement of
our graduates.

V. Aims/Objectives of the Industrial Technology:

1. Equip students with specialized technical competencies and entry-level skills


in various technology areas towards entrepreneurial capability or proficient
supervisory and management positions in the industry;
2. Instill the highest standard of safety;
3. Value work as an inherent nature of the individual in the area of technological
advancement;
4. Satisfy the manpower requirements of industry;
5. Excel in quality technology education;
6. Establish partnership for excellence;
7. Uphold commitment to be source of competent technicians, engineers, and
blue collar professionals;
8. Enhance collaboration with lead agencies toward environmental
management.

VI. Laboratory Orientation


6.1laboratory organization
6.2 laboratory Policies
6.3 Electrical Safety Rules
6.4 First Aid Precautions
6.5 Desirable Work Habit
6.6 Show concern in the proper use of supplies, tools, and materials

2 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

(CT 122 – COMPUTER SYSTEM)

Information Sheet 1.1.1

COMPUTING AND HEALTH and COMPUTER SYSTEM SAFETY


PROCEDURES

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Determine the computer users’ risk reduction and computer and health
information

2. Explain the different safety measures before using the computer system

3. Determine the different Safety procedure in computer system installation

4. Explain the different safety measures before


installing computer system

3 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Computing and Health

Computers are an essential tool in the work of most organizations. Although


problems can occur through their use, with the proper equipment, ergonomic
workstation design, proper techniques and working practices, the risk of
problems can be greatly reduced.
http://www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety

Appropriate information to provide to users/operators includes:

• Adjusting the work chair to assume a comfortable working position with the
forearms roughly horizontal and the top of the screen at eye level.
• Experimenting with workspace arrangements and ensuring that enough space is
available.
• In particular, placement of the screen to avoid glare and reflections.
• Ensuring appropriate leg room and provision and use of a footrest if desired.
• Using a soft touch when keying and keeping the wrists straight.
• Provision and use of a wrist support if desired (with the gel variety being the most
popular).
• Keeping the mouse or other pointing device within easy reach with the controlling
forearm supported.
• Provision and use of an alternative pointing device (eg a tablet or touchscreen) if
mouse use is very intensive and/or becomes uncomfortable.
• Keeping the screen clean (daily screen cleaning has been found to reduce eye
strain by as much as fifty per cent!)
• Making changes to working position throughout the day, as well as planning and
taking breaks from display screen equipment activity.

SAFETY PROCEDURES

Safety procedures

There are certain procedures you should follow when you are installing items
in your system. Below is information to avoid damage to your system or/and
yourself.

 Before entering inside the computer system unit, move computer off
the carpet (for static purposes). If you’re not able to then try not to
move on the carpet to keep the static from building.
 Disconnect all cables including power cord. Remove the power cord,
monitor, keyboard, mouse, phone line, network cable, speakers,
printer, scanner, USB cables, cable modem, DSL modem and anything else that
is connected. (it should look similar to the picture below)

4 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

 With everything disconnected, push the power button for 5 seconds. (with power
cord disconnected). The computer can store power even with the power cord
disconnected. Pushing the power button drains that power (only if the power cord
is disconnected). VERY IMPORTANT!!!
 Touch something metal on the case of the system to release
any static build up in your body. Computers are the best dust
collectors. Do not blow on the dust with your breath. Your
breath has moisture and electronics hate moisture.
 If you want to clean the inside of the system of dust, use
compressed air that is designed for electronics.
 While using the compressed air, do not hold down the button.
Not only will the can get cold, moisture will also form. Use
quick short bursts.
 When handling parts, do not touch the bronze teeth. Hold the parts on the edges
if at all possible.
 If you disconnect the cable that goes to the processor fan to check for noise, do
not leave system on for long with it disconnected.
 Be careful while inside system, the system has sharp edges.
 Never put your hands inside system when the system is either plugged in or
turned on.
 Do not connect or disconnect cables while the system or device is turned on.
(Unless it is USB. USB can be disconnected or connected while system is on).
Equipment can be damaged by this.

5 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.1


Direction: Write T if the statement is True
otherwise F if the statement is False. Use separate sheet for your answers.

____1. Do not connect or disconnect cables while the system or device is turned
on.
____2. Pushing the power button drains that power (only if the power cord is
disconnected)
____3. If you want to clean the inside of the system of dust, blow on the dust
with your breath.
____4. When handling parts, do not touch the bronze teeth. Hold the parts on
the edges if at all possible.
____5. Never put your hands inside system when the system is either plugged
in or turned on.
_____6. Adjusting the work chair to assume a comfortable working position with the
forearms roughly horizontal and the top of the screen at eye level.

_____7. Experimenting with workspace arrangements and ensuring that enough space
is available.

_____8. In particular, It is okay of the screen to have glare and reflections.

_____9. Ensuring appropriate leg room and provision and use of a footrest if desired.

_____10. It is not advisable not to use a soft touch when keying and keeping the wrists
straight.

6 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.1

1. T
2. T
3. F
4. T
5. T
6. T
7. T
8. F
9. T
10. F

7 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.2

COMPUTER BASIC OPERATIONS

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Determine the computer basic operations and functions

2. Identify the different computer’s input and output devices

COMPUTER BASIC OPERATIONS

Computer is essential to human life today; it gives work satisfaction in any field of
endeavors. Computers have gained significance as they have improved the efficiency
and productivity of work done. Large amounts of information in industrial and business
sectors as well as in the personal lives are stored on computers. It is better to
understand its basic operation.

8 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

5 basic operations performed by computer system

Inputting
Storing
Processing
Outputting
Controlling

The internal structure of a


computer looks like this:

Input unit:

Input unit links the external environment with the computer system. Data and instruction
must be entered to the computer before performing any competition. Data or
instructions can be entered through input devices

eg. Key board, or any other input devices.

Input unit transferred this data into binary coded in short input unit performs the
following function:

It accepts data or instructions from external world.


It converts these instructions and data in computer acceptable form.
It supplies the converted instruction & data to the computer for further
processing.

Output unit:

The job of output unit it is just the viewers of that any input unit it provides information
reasons of computation to the output of the world. Output unit links the computer with
the external world. A computer prepares results in binary code. Output unit converts
these results into human acceptable forms. In short perform the following functions.

9 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

It accepts the result produced by the computer.


It converts these coded results to human acceptable form.
It supplies the converted to the outside world.

Storage unit:

Before actual processing start, data & instructions entered to the computer must be
stored inside the computer. Similarly, results produced by the computer are required to
be stored before being passed to the output unit. The result produced by the computer
must also be stored for further processing. In short the function of storage unit:

 It stores all the data to be process.


 It stores intermodal results.
 It stores final result are realize an output device.

ALU:

ALU is the place where actual execution of the instructions takes places during the
processing operations. All calculations & comparisons are made in the ALU. The data
and instructions stored in the primary storage are transfer as where required. Primary
results are also transfer back to the ALU for the final processing. After completion of
processing the final results are send it to storage units from ALU.

Number of arithmetic & logical operation that a computer can perform is determined by
the design to perform the four basic arithmetic operations. They are +,-,*,/. The logic
operations like <,=,>.

Control unit:

ALU does not know what should be done with the data likewise; output unit does not
know when the result should be displayed. By selecting, interning and seeing to the
execution of the program the CU is able to maintain order and direct the operations of
the entire system CU doesn’t perform any actual processing on data yet it is known as a
central nervous system for the comforts of the computer.

10 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.2


IDENTIFICATION: Supply the correct answer in the space
provided.
______________1. A device use to input information such letters, and numbers, ect.
on a computer for processing.
______________2. A TV like device use to accept the result which produced by the
computer.
______________3. A computer’s unit uses to stores all the data to be process.
______________4. Is the place where actual execution of the instructions takes places
during the processing of operations.
______________5. Maintains order and direct the operations of the entire system

Ask yourself?

How computer system performs the five (5) basic operations?

11 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.2

1. Keyboard
2. Monitor
3. Storage Unit
4. ALU
5. Control unit

Activity 1.1.2 Using Command Prompt

1. RUN THE MS WORD APPLICATION


2. SAVE FILE(S) IN THE DOCUMENTS FOLDER
3. CREATE FOLDER IN C:
4. MOVE SAVE FILE IN THE CREATED FOLDER

RUBRIC

RUN THE APPLICATION – 20%


SAVE FILE - 20%
CREATE FOLDER IN C: - 20%
MOVING FILES IN C: - 20%
SPEED 3MIN - 20%
4MIN- 18%
5MIN- 15%

12 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.3

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the different computer software and its function

2. Understand different types of computer software

3. Determine the different computer software installed in a computer system

Introduction to Computer Software


The software is the information that the computer uses to get the job done.
Software needs to be accessed before it can be used. There are many terms used for
process of accessing software including running, executing, starting up, opening,
and others.
Computer programs allow users to complete tasks. A program can also be
referred to as an application and the two words are used interchangeably.
Examples of software programs or applications would be the Operating System
(DOS, Windows, UNIX, MacOS and various others), Wordprocessor (typing letters),
Spreadsheet (financial info), Database (inventory control and address book), Graphics
program, Internet Browser, Email and many others.
Tthe different types of computer software.
a) System software
b) Programming software
c) Application software

13 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

System software
System software refers to the files and programs that make up your computer's
operating system. System files include libraries of functions, system services, drivers for
printers and other hardware, system preferences, and other configuration files. The
programs that are part of the system software include assemblers, compilers, file
management tools, system utilities, and debuggers.

14 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Programming software
is a program or application that software developers use to create, debug, maintain, or
otherwise support other programs and applications. The term usually refers to relatively
simple programs that can be combined together to accomplish a task, much as one
might use multiple hand tools to fix a physical object.
The various programming language editors, like Eclipse- a java language editor,
come under this category. The various examples of programming softwares are
Turbo C, Xilinx,Assembler805, MySQL etc. Compilers, debuggers,
Integrated Development Environments (IDE), etc. are the types of
programming software. You can go through this list of programming languages to
know more.

Application Software
Application software is a subclass of computer software that employs the
capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to
perform. A simple, if imperfect analogy in the world of hardware would be the
relationship of an electric light bulb (an application) to an electric power generation plant
(a system).

Application software is differed with system software which is involved in integrating a


computer's various capabilities, but typically does not directly apply them in the
performance of tasks that benefit the user. In this context the term application refers to
both the application software and its implementation.

15 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Application Software Examples


We will see the examples of application software programs, according to the type
of application software it is. The examples of application software according to
their types is as follows:

Application Suite
Microsoft Office, iWork, Open Office, etc. are examples of application
suite, as they come bundled with a number of applications like word
processor, spreadsheet, etc.

Enterprise Resource Software


There are different kinds of software, that come under the category of
enterprise resource software. The examples of these software are customer
relationship management software, financial software, medical billing
software, departmental software, time management software, IT Helpdesk
software, church management software, manufacturing software, etc.

Content Access Software


Most of us have certainly used these kind of software. You may say
no now, but when I tell you the names of the software under this category, you
will certainly agree. As a matter of fact, you are currently using one of it. It is the
Web Browser. The other examples are media players, help browsers, etc.

Educational Software
The most commonly used educational software are the learning
management software, training software, reference software (like
encyclopedia, etc.), language earning software. Classroom
management software are made with the tutor in mind.

16 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Collaborative Software
The examples of collaborative software are the emails, blogs,
Wikipedia, etc.

Enterprise Infrastructure Software


The different database management software, document management
software, workflow management software, digital asset management
software, project management software, property management software,
etc.,are all included in the enterprise infrastructure software.

Media Development Software


Animation software, desktop publishing software, HTML editing
software, etc., are some of the media development software.
From the application software examples, it has become evident that these
software have simplified a number of tasks for a customer. At the same time,
from these examples of application software we can see that these software
have been helpful for harnessing the computing power to complete numerous
individual or organizational tasks. The application software interacting with
number of different users has also become easier, which has paved the way
for revolution in the field of communication.

More info visit: http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/application_software.htm

17 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.3

IDENTIFICATION: Identify the given examples of


application software in the space provided.
______________1. Microsoft Office, iWork, Open Office.
______________2 Web Browser, media players, help browsers, etc.
______________3. emails, blogs, Wikipedia, etc.
______________4. Animation software, desktop publishing software, HTML editing
software, etc
______________5. customer relationship management software, financial
software, medical billing software, departmental software, time management
software, IT Helpdesk software, church management software,
manufacturing software, etc.

Write T if the statement is True, otherwise write F if the statement is False.

_____1 Software needs to be accessed before it can be used


_____2. System Software have no direct control and access to your computer hardware

_____3. is a program or application that software developers use to create,


debug, maintain, or otherwise support other programs and applications.

_____4. Application software is a subclass of computer software that does not employs
the capabilities of a computer directly and thoroughly to a task that the user wishes to
perform.

_____5. Programs and Application are the two words are used interchangeably.

Ask yourself?

How application software benefits the user?

18 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.3

1. Application suite
2. Content Access software
3. Collaborative software
4. Media Development software
5. Enterprise Resource Software

1. T
2. F
3. T
4. F
5. T

Activity 1.1.4 (Installing and uninstalling Application software)


Instructions:

1. Install the following software

 Microsoft Office
 Adobe Reader
 VLC player
 Yahoo Messenger

2. Go to Program and Features (for Windows 7, 8 and 10), Add/Remove programs


(Windows Xp), verify and identify the installed application software.
3. Remove/Uninstall the installed application.

RUBRIC

INSTALLING APPLICATIONS – 40%


UNINSTALLING APLLICATIONS- 40%
SPEED <=20MIN - 20%
<= 25MIN- 18%
<= 30MIN- 15%

19 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.4

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU


MUST be able to:

1. Identify the system software installed in a


computer

2. Differentiate the different examples of system software y

3. Install Operating system software in a computer


System Software
System Software have direct control and access to your computer hardware , and
memory locations . They perform I/O operations on various memory locations , and
control the hardware , to make the application software do a task . Operating systems ,
are the main examples for system software .
Examples :
1) Microsoft Windows
2) Linux
3) Unix
4) Mac OSX
5) DOS
6) BIOS Software
7) HD Sector Boot Software
8) Device Driver Software i.e Graphics Driver etc .
9) Linker Software
10) Assembler and Compiler Software
Operating System
Operating system (OS) is one of the examples of system software which
plays the vital role in a computer. It consist of programs and data, that
runs on computers and manages computer hardware resources[1]
and provides common services for efficient execution of various
application software.
For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation,
the operating system acts as an intermediary between
application programs and the computer hardware,[2][3] although the
application code is usually executed directly by the hardware,

20 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

but will frequently call the OS or be interrupted by it. Operating


systems are found on almost any device that contains a computer—
from cellular phones and video game consoles to supercomputers
and web servers.
For other devices, an operating system creates the ability to:
•serve a variety of purposes
•interact with users in more complicated ways
•keep up with needs that change over time

All desktop computers have operating systems. The most common are
the Windows family of operating systems developed by Microsoft, the Macintosh
operating systems developed by Apple and the UNIX family of operating systems
(which have been developed by a whole history of individuals, corporations and
collaborators). There are hundreds of other operating systems available for special-
purpose applications, including specializations for mainframes, robotics,
manufacturing, real-time control systems and so on.

In any device that has an operating system, there's usually a way to


make changes to how the device works. This is far from a happy accident; one
of the reasons operating systems are made out of portable code rather than
permanent physical circuits is so that they can be changed or modified
without having to scrap the whole device.

For a desktop computer user, this means you can add a new
security update, system patch, new application or even an entirely new
operating system rather than junk your computer and start again with a new
one when you need to make a change. As long as you understand how an operating
system works and how to get at it, in many cases you can change some of the ways it
behaves. The same thing goes for your phone, too.
Regardless of what device an operating system runs, this is what exactly
can do.

Operating System Functions

21 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

At the simplest level, an operating system does two things:

1. It manages the hardware and software resources of the system. In a


desktop computer, these resources include such things as the processor,
memory, disk space and more (On a cell phone, they include the keypad, the
screen, the address book, the phone dialer, the battery and the network
connection).

2. It provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the


hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.
The first task, managing the hardware and software resources, is very
important, as various programs and input methods compete for the
attention of the central processing unit (CPU) and demand memory,
storage and input/output (I/O) bandwidth for their own purposes. In this
capacity, the operating system plays the role of the good parent, making sure
that each application gets the necessary resources while playing nicely with all the
other applications, as well as husbanding the limited capacity of the system to the
greatest good of all the users and applications.
.
The second task, providing a consistent application interface, is especially
important if there is to be more than one of a particular type of computer using
the operating system, or if the hardware making up the computer is ever open to
change.

application program interface (API) allows a software developer to write


an application on one computer and have a high level of confidence that it
will run on another computer of the same type, even if the amount of
memory or the quantity of storage is different on the two machines.

Types of Operating Systems

Within the broad family of operating systems, there are generally four types,
categorized based on the types of computers they control and the sort of
applications they support. The categories are:

Real-time operating system (RTOS) - Real-time operating systems are


used to control machinery, scientific instruments and industrial systems. An RTOS
typically has very little user-interface capability, and no end-user utilities, since the
system will be a "sealed box" when delivered for use. A very important part of an
RTOS is managing the resources of the computer so that a particular operation
executes in precisely the same amount of time, every time it occurs. In a complex
machine, having a part move more quickly just because system
resources are available may be just as catastrophic as having it not move at all
because the system is busy.

22 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Single-user, single task - As the name implies, this operating system is


designed to manage the computer so that one user can effectively do one thing
at a time. The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a
modern single-user, single-task operating system.

Single-user, multi-tasking - This is the type of operating system most


people use on their desktop and laptop computers today. Microsoft's
Windows and Apple's Mac OS platforms are both examples of operating systems
that will let a single user have several programs in operation at the same time. For
example, it's entirely possible for a Windows user to be writing a note in a word
processor while downloading a file from the Internet while printing the text
of an e-mail message.

Multi-user - A multi-user operating system allows many different users to


take advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously. The operating system
must make sure that the requirements of the various users are balanced, and
that each of the programs they are using has sufficient and separate
resources so that a problem with one user doesn't affect the entire community
of users. Unix, VMS and mainframe operating systems, such as MVS, are
examples of multi- user operating systems.
It's important to differentiate between multi-user operating systems and single-
user operating systems that support networking. Windows 2000 and Novell
Netware can each support hundreds or thousands of networked users, but the
operating systems themselves aren't true multi-user operating systems.
The system administrator is the only "user" for Windows 2000 or Netware. The
network support and all of the remote user logins the network enables are, in the
overall plan of the operating system, a program being run by the administrative user.
With the different types of operating systems in mind, it's time to look at the
basic functions provided by an operating system.

Computer Operating Systems

When you turn on the power to a computer, the first program that runs is
usually a set of instructions kept in the computer's read-only memory (ROM). This code
examines the system hardware to make sure everything is functioning properly.
This power-on self-test (POST) checks the CPU, memory, and basic input-output
systems (BIOS) for errors and stores the result in a special memory location. Once the
POST has successfully completed, the software loaded in ROM (sometimes
called the BIOS or firmware) will begin activate the computer's disk drives.
In most modern computers, when the computer activates the hard disk drive, it finds
the first piece of the operating system: the bootstrap loader.

The bootstrap loader is a small program that has a single function: t loads
the operating system into memory and allows it to begin operation. In the most
basic form, the bootstrap loader sets up the small driver programs that

23 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

interface with and control the various hardware subsystems of the computer.
It sets up the divisions of memory that hold the operating system, user
information and applications. It establishes the data structures that will hold the
myriad signals, flags and semaphores that are used to communicate within and
between the subsystems and applications of the computer. Then it turns control of the
computer over to the operating system.

The operating system's tasks, in the most general sense, fall into six
categories:
Common features

emory management

While there are some who argue that an operating system


should do more than these six tasks, and some
operating-system vendors do build many more utility
programs and auxiliary functions into their operating
systems, these six tasks define the core of nearly all operating
systems.

More info. Visit: http://www.howstuffworks.com/operating-system.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system.

24 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.4

Write T if the statement is True, otherwise write F if the


statement is False.

_____1 System Software have direct control and access to your computer hardware,
and memory locations.
_____2. Operating system (OS) is one of the examples of applicaton software which
plays the vital role in a computer.

_____3. Operating systems are found on almost any device that contains a
computer—from cellular phones and video game consoles to supercomputers
and web servers.

_____4. All desktop computers does not have operating systems.

_____5. Operating system provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal
with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.

_____6. Real-time operating systems are used to control desktop computers.

_____7. The Palm OS for Palm handheld computers is a good example of a modern
single-user, single-task operating system.

_____8. A multi-user operating system does not allows many different users to
take advantage of the computer's resources simultaneously.

_____9. Microsoft's Windows and Apple's Mac OS platforms are both examples of
single user, multitasking operating system.

____10. When you turn on the power to a computer, Operating system is the first
program that runs

Ask yourself?

How system software controls and manages hardware resources?

25 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.4

1. T
2. F
3. T
4. F
5. T
6. F
7. T
8. F
9. T
10. F

26 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.5

BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able


to:

1. Understand the BIOS software in a computer

2. Explore the BIOS settings and configuration y

3. Set boot priority in preparation for installing Operating system software in a


computer

BIOS
BIOS is one of the examples of system software
which set and configure common input/output
devices in a computer. One of the most common
uses of Flash memory is for the basic
input/output system of your computer,
commonly known as the BIOS (pronounced
"bye-ose"). On virtually every computer available,
the BIOS makes sure all the other chips, hard
drives, ports and CPU function together.
Every desktop and laptop computer in common use
today contains a microprocessor as its
central processing unit. The microprocessor is the hardware
component. To get its work done, the microprocessor executes a set of
instructions known as software.

What BIOS Does


The BIOS software has a number of different roles, but its most important role is
to load the operating system. When you turn on your computer and the
microprocessor tries to execute its first instruction, it has to get that instruction
from somewhere. It cannot get it from the operating system because the
operating system is located on a hard disk, and the microprocessor cannot
get to it without some instructions that tell it how. The BIOS provides those
instructions.

Some of the other common tasks that the BIOS performs include:

27 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

A power-on self-test (POST) for all of the different hardware components


in the system to make sure everything is working properly

Activating other BIOS chips on different cards installed in the computer - For
example, SCSI and graphics cards often have their own BIOS chips.

Providing a set of low-level routines that the operating system uses to


interface to different hardware devices - It is these routines that give the BIOS
its name. They manage things like the keyboard, the screen, and the serial and
parallel ports, especially when the computer is booting.

Managing a collection of settings for the hard disks, clock, etc.

When you turn on your computer, the BIOS do several things. This is its
usual sequence:

1. Check the CMOS Setup for custom settings


2. Load the interrupt handlers and device drivers
3. Initialize registers and power management
4. Perform the power-on self-test (POST)
5. Display system settings
6. Determine which devices are bootable
7. Initiate the bootstrap sequence

Configuring BIOS

In the previous list, you saw that the BIOS checks the CMOS Setup
for custom settings. Here's what you do to change those settings.

To enter the CMOS Setup, you must press a certain key or combination of
keys during the initial startup sequence. Most systems use "Esc," "Del,"
"F1," "F2," "Ctrl-Esc" or "Ctrl-Alt-Esc" to enter setup. There is usually a line of text
at the bottom of the display that tells you "Press ___ to Enter Setup."
Once you have entered setup, you will see a set of text screens with a
number of options. Some of these are standard, while others vary
according to the BIOS manufacturer. Common options include:

System Time/Date - Set the system time and date


Boot Sequence - The order that BIOS will try to load the operating
system
Plug and Play - A standard for auto-detecting connected devices; should
be set to "Yes" if your computer and operating system both support it
Mouse/Keyboard - "Enable Num Lock," "Enable the Keyboard," "Auto- Detect
Mouse"...
Drive Configuration - Configure hard drives, CD-ROM and floppy drives
Memory - Direct the BIOS to shadow to a specific memory address

28 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Security - Set a password for accessing the computer


Power Management - Select whether to use power management, as well
as set the amount of time for standby and suspend
Exit - Save your changes, discard your changes or restore default
settings
CMOS Setup
Be very careful when making changes to setup. Incorrect settings may keep
your computer from booting. When you are finished with your changes, you
should choose "Save Changes" and exit. The BIOS will then restart your
computer so that the new settings take effect.
The BIOS uses CMOS technology to save any changes made to the
computer's settings. With this technology, a small lithium or Ni-Cad
battery can supply enough power to keep the data for years. In fact, some
of the newer chips have a 10-year, tiny lithium battery built right into the CMOS chip!

More info. Visit : http://www.howstuffworks.com/bios.htm

29 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.5

Write T if the statement is True, otherwise write F if the


statement is False.

_____1 BIOS is one of the examples of system software which set and configures
common input/output devices in a computer.

_____2. BIOS will makes sure all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU
function together.

_____3. BIOS does not provide a set of low-level routines that the operating system
uses to interface to different hardware devices

_____4. BIOS does not initiate the bootstrap sequence.

_____5. BIOS check the CMOS Setup for custom settings.

30 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.5

1. T
2. T
3. F
4. F
5. T

Activity 6.1.1 (BIOS Settings and Operating System installation)


Instructions:
1. Prepare your windows installation cd.
2. Restart your computer.
3. Go to BIOS settings, set 1ST BOOT : CD/DVD ROM DRIVE, SAVE and EXIT.
4. Follow the steps on how to install Operating System.
5. Install the needed driver softwares and Applications

RUBRIC

HDD PARTITIONS ( 2 LOGICAL DRIVE) – 20%


OS INSTALLAION AND SET UP - 30%
SYSTEM DRIVER INSTALLATION - 20%
APPLICATION SOFTWARE - 20%
SPEED <= 45MIN - 20%
<=50MIN - 18%
<=1 HR - 15%

31 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.6

MOTHERBOARD

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Determine the different dimension and


layout of a Motherboard.

2. Identify Motherboard’s integrated


components.

3. Understand Motherboard’s characteristic


and its primary functions.

Introduction to motherboards

The primary component of a computer is the motherboard (sometimes


called the "mainboard"). The motherboard is the hub which is used to connect all
of the computer's essential components.

MOTHERBOARD’S LAYOUT
32 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo
BIT Computer Technology

As its name suggests, the motherboard acts as a "parent" board, which


takes the form of a large printed circuit with connectors for expansion cards, memory
modules, the processor, etc.

Characteristics

There are several ways in which a motherboard can be characterized, in


particular the following:

* the form factor,


* the chipset,
* the type of processor socket used,
* the input-output connectors.

Motherboard form factor

The term "form factor" is normally used to refer to the


motherboard's geometry, dimensions, arrangement, and electrical
requirements. In order to build motherboards which can be used in different
brands of cases, a few standards have been developed:

 AT baby/AT full format is a format used in the earliest 386 and 486 PCs. This
format was replaced by the ATX format, which shape allowed for better air
circulation and made it easier to access the components;
 ATX: The ATX format is an upgrade to Baby-AT. It was intended to improve ease
of use. The connection device on an ATX motherboard is designed to make
plugging in peripherals as easy as possible (for example, the IDE connectors are
located beside the disks.) What's more, motherboard components are arranged
in parallel, so as to improve heat removal.
o ATX standard: The ATX standard format is traditionally 305x244 mm. It
includes an AGP connector and 6 PCI connectors.
o micro-ATX: The microATX format is an upgrade to ATX, which has the
same primary advantages in a smaller format (244x244 mm), with a lower
cost. Micro-ATX includes an AGP connector and 3 PCI connectors.
o Flex-ATX: FlexATX is an expansion of microATX which offers
manufacturers greater flexibility when designing their computers. It
includes an AGP connector and 2 PCI connectors.
o mini-ATX: miniATX is a compact alternative to the format microATX
(284x208 mm), and includes an AGP connector and 4 PCI connectors
instead of 3 that come with microATX. It is mainly intended for mini-PCs
(barebone computers).
 BTX: The BTX format (Balanced Technology eXtended), supported by Intel, is a
format designed to improve upon the arrangement of components, so as to
optimize air circulation, acoustics, and heat dissipation. The various connectors
(memory slots, expansion slots) are aligned in parallel, in the direction in which

33 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

air circulates. Additionally, the microprocessor is located in the front end of


the case, by the air intake, where the air is freshest. The BTX power cord is
the same as with ATX power supplies. The BTX standard defines three
formats:

BTX standard, with standard dimensions of 325x267 mm;


micro-BTX, with small dimensions (264x267 mm);
pico-BTX, with much smaller dimensions (203x267 mm).

 ITX: The ITX format (Information Technology eXtended), supported by


Via, is an extremely compact format designed for miniature configurations such
as mini-PC. There are two major ITX formats:
o mini-ITX, with small dimensions (170x170 mm) and a PCI slot;

o nano-ITX, with extremely small dimensions (120x120 mm) and a miniPCI


slot. For this reason, the choice of the motherboard (and its form factor)
depends on which case is chosen. The table below summarizes the
characteristics of the various form factors.

Form factor Dimensions Slots


ATX 305 mm x 244 mm AGP / 6 PCI
microATX 244 mm x 244 mm AGP / 3 PCI
FlexATX 229 mm x 191 mm AGP / 2 PCI
Mini ATX 284 mm x 208 mm AGP / 4 PCI
Mini ITX 170 mm x 170 mm 1 PCI
Nano ITX 120 mm x 120 mm 1 MiniPCI
BTX 325 mm x 267 mm 7
microBTX 264 mm x 267 mm 4
picoBTX 203 mm x 267 mm 1
Integrated components

The motherboard includes some on-board components, meaning that


they are integrated into its printed circuitry:

* The chipset, a circuit which controls the majority of resources (including


the bus interface with the processor, cache memory and random-access
memory, expansion cards, etc.)

* The CMOS clock and battery,


* The BIOS,
* The system bus and the expansion bus.

What's more, recent motherboards generally include a number of onboard


multimedia and networking devices which can be disabled:

34 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

integrated network card;


integrated graphics card;
integrated sound card;
upgraded hard drive controllers.

The chipset

The chipset is an electronic circuit whose job is to coordinate data transfers


between the various components of the computer (including the processor and
memory). As the chipset is integrated into the motherboard, it is important to choose a
motherboard which includes a recent chipset, in order to maximize the computer's
upgradeability.

Some chipsets may include a graphics or audio chip, which means that it
is not necessary to install a graphics card or sound card. However, it is sometimes
advised to disable them (whenever possible) in the BIOS setup and to install high-
quality expansion cards in the appropriate slots.

The CMOS clock and battery

The real time clock (or RTC for short) is a circuit which synchronizes
system signals. It is made from a crystal which, as it vibrates, gives off pulses
(called timer ticks) in order to keep the system elements running on the same
time. The timer frequency (expressed in MHz) the number of times the crystal
vibrates each second, i.e. the number of timer ticks per second. The higher the
frequency, the more information the system can process.

When the computer is turned off, the power supply stops providing
electricity to the motherboard. When the computer is turned on again, the
system is still on the right time. An electronic circuit, called the CMOS
(Complementary Metal-Oxyde Semiconductor, sometimes called the BIOS
CMOS), saves some system information, such as the time, the system date,
and a few essential system settings.

The BIOS

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the basic program used as an


interface between the operating system and the motherboard. The BIOS is
stored in ROM (read-only memory, which can not be rewritten), so it uses data
contained within the CMOS to find out what the system's hardware configuration is.

35 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

The processor support

The motherboard has a slot (sometimes several, for multi- processor


motherboards) into which the processor is inserted, called the processor socket
or slot.

* Slot: A rectangular connector into which the processor is mounted vertically.

* Socket: In addition to being the general term, it also refers more specifically to
a square-shaped connector with many small connectors into which the processor
is directly inserted.

36 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Heat sink

Since the processor releases heat, it is necessary to dissipate it, to keep


the circuits from melting. This is why it is generally mounted atop a heat sink
(sometimes called a cooler or radiator), which is made of a metal which conducts heat
well (copper or aluminium) in order to increase the microprocessor's heat transfer
surface. The heat sink includes a base in contact with the processor and fins in order
to increase the heat transfer surface. A fan generally accompanies the cooler in
order to improve air circulation around it and to improve the heat transfer. The unit also
includes a fan which vents hot air from the case and let fresh air come in from
outside.

RAM connectors

Ram connectors are slots into which the RAM module/Memory module
can be inserted. (See motherboard’s layout)

Expansion slots

Expansion slots are compartments into which expansion cards can


be inserted. These are cards which give the computer new features or increased
performance. There are several types of slots:

 ISA slots (Industry Standard Architecture): For inserting ISA slots. The slowest
ones are 16-bit.
 VLB slots (Vesa Local Bus): Bus formerly used for installing graphics cards.
 PCI slot (Peripheral Component InterConnect): used for connecting PCI cards,
which are much faster than ISA cards and run on 32 bits
 AGP slot (Accelerated Graphic Port): A fast port for a graphics card.
 PCI Express slot (Peripheral Component InterConnect Express): Faster bus
architecture than AGP and PCI buses.
 AMR slot (Audio Modem Riser): This type of slot is used for connecting mini-
cards to PCs which are built for it.

The input-output connectors.

The motherboard has a certain number of input/output sockets found


on the rear panel.

37 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Most motherboards have the following connectors:

A serial port, for connecting old peripherals;


A parallel port, mainly for connecting old printers;
USB ports (1.1, low-speed, or 2.0, high-speed), for connecting more
recent peripherals;
RJ45 connector (called LAN or ethernet port) used for connecting the
computer to a network. It corresponds to a network card integrated into the
motherboard;
VGA connector (called SUB-D15), for connecting a monitor. This
connector interfaces with the built-in graphics card;
Audio plugs (Line-In, Line-Out and microphone), for connecting sound
speakers or a hi-fi system, as well as a microphone. This connector
interfaces with the built-in sound card;

The FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS

The FRONT PANEL CONNECTORS are located at the front of the SYSTEM UNIT with
respect to the POWER ON/OFF BUTTON, COMPUTER POWER INDICATOR LIGHT
and HARD DISK DRIVE activity light.

Note: Please refer to your Motherboard’s manual for the correct position/location
of the front panel with a label “ F_PANEL”.

38 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.6


IDENTIFICATION: Supply the correct answer in the space
provided.
______________1. The hub which is used to connect all of the computer's essential
components.
______________2. Used to refer to the motherboard's geometry, dimensions,
arrangement, and electrical requirements.
_____________3. Is an electronic circuit whose job is to coordinate data transfers
between the various components of the computer (including the processor and
memory).
_____________4. A circuit which synchronizes system signals. It is made from a crystal
which, as it vibrates, gives off pulses (called timer ticks) in order to keep the system
elements running on the same time.
_____________5. Basic program used as an interface between the operating system
and the motherboard.

_____________6. A rectangular connector into which the processor is mounted


vertically.

_____________7. It is made of a metal which conducts heat well (copper or aluminum)


in order to increase the microprocessor's heat transfer surface.
_____________8. A square-shaped connector with many small connectors into which
the processor is directly inserted..

_____________9. Are slots into which the RAM module/Memory module can be
inserted.

____________10. Are compartments into which expansion cards can be inserted.

Ask yourself?

How can a motherboard be characterized?

39 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.6

1. Motherboard
2. Form factor
3. Real Time Clock
4. Chipset
5. BIOS
6. Processor’s Slot
7. Heat sink
8. Processor’s socket
9. Ram connectors
10. Expansion slots

40 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.7

PROCESSOR

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Understand the processor’s operation.

2. Determine the two fields of instruction.

3. Classify the group of instruction according


to its category.

Processor

Introduction

The processor (CPU, for Central


Processing Unit) is the computer's brain. It
allows the processing of numeric data, meaning
information entered in binary form, and the execution
of instructions stored in memory.

The first microprocessor (Intel 4004) was invented in 1971. It was a 4-bit
calculation device with a speed of 108 kHz. Since then, microprocessor power has
grown exponentially. So what exactly are these little pieces of silicone that run our
computers?
Intel 4004

Operation

The processor (called CPU, for Central Processing Unit) is an electronic


circuit that operates at the speed of an internal clock thanks to a quartz crystal that,
when subjected to an electrical currant, send pulses, called "peaks". The clock
speed (also called cycle), corresponds to the number of pulses per second, written in
Hertz (Hz). Thus, a 200 MHz computer has a clock that sends 200,000,000 pulses per
second. Clock frequency is generally a multiple of the system frequency (FSB, Front-
Side Bus), meaning a multiple of the motherboard frequency.

41 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

With each clock peak, the processor performs an action that corresponds
to an instruction or a part thereof. A measure called CPI (Cycles Per Instruction) gives
a representation of the average number of clock cycles required for a microprocessor
to execute an instruction. A microprocessors’ power can thus be characterized by
the number of instructions per second that it is capable of processing. MIPS (millions of
instructions per second) is the unit used and corresponds to the processor frequency
divided by the CPI.

Instructions

An instruction is an elementary operation that the processor can


accomplish. Instructions are stored in the main memory, waiting to be processed by the
processor. An instruction has two fields:

the operation code, which represents the action that the processor
must execute;

the operand code, which defines the parameters of the action. The
operand code depends on the operation. It can be data or a memory
address.

The number of bits in an instruction varies according to the type


of data (between 1 and 4 8-bit bytes).

Instructions can be grouped by category, of which the main ones are:

Memory Access: accessing the memory or transferring data


between registers.

Arithmetic Operations: operations such as addition, subtraction,


division or multiplication.

Logic Operations: operations such as AND, OR, NOT, EXCLUSIVE


NOT, etc.
Control: sequence controls, conditional connections, etc.

42 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.7

Direction: Write T if the statement is True


otherwise F if the statement is False. Use separate sheet for your answers.

____1 The Processor allows the processing of numeric data, meaning information entered in
binary form, and the execution of instructions stored in memory.
____2. The first microprocessor (Intel 40004) was invented in 1971. It was a 4-bit
calculation device with a speed of 108 kHz
____3 The clock speed (also called cycle), corresponds to the number of pulses per second,
written in Hertz (Hz).
____4. An instruction is a secondary operation that the processor can accomplish.
____5. The operation code, which defines the parameters of the action. The
operand code depends on the operation. It can be data or a memory address.

Ask yourself?

How will processor process data?

43 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.7

1. T
2. F
3. T
4. F
5. F

44 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.8

PC CASE AND POWER SUPPLY UNIT

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the computer’s case and its sizes

2. Locate the Power Supply Unit on the

computer case.

3. Recognize the different voltage output on

the power supply unit.

4. Classify power supply unit by its type.

PC Case

The casing

The case (or chassis) of a computer is the metallic box which houses the various
internal components. Cases also have other uses, such as blocking noise produced
by the computer, and protection from electromagnetic radiation. There are norms for
guaranteeing such protection in a manner compliant with existing regulation.

The main considerations when choosing a case are its form factor, its
dimensions, how many drive slots it has, its power requirements, the connectors it has
on the side, and finally its design and color. Although the cases that housed the first

45 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

PCs all looked alike, today cases come in all shapes; some are even transparent, so
that users can "soup up" their computers, such as by installing neon lights inside (this is
called "case modding.")

POWER SUPPLY UNIT

Power supply

Most cases come with a power supply. The power supply provides electrical
current to all of the computer's components. In the United States and Canada, power
supplies deliver 110V current at 60 Hz, while in Europe the standard is 220V at a
frequency of 50 Hz, which is why most computer power supplies have a switch so that
you can choose the voltage.

It is essential to make sure that the switch is in the correct position for the right
voltage, so that there is no risk that the CPU components will deteriorate. The power
supply must have enough power to provide electricity to all of the computer's devices.

Form factor

Form factor refers to the format of the motherboard slot, the kinds
of connectors used, and how they are laid out.

Ventilation

A case houses all of the computer's internal electronic components.


Sometimes, a computer's electronics can reach very high temperatures. For this
reason, you must choose a case with good ventilation, meaning that it has as many
fans as possible, as well as air vents. It is recommended to choose a case
which includes at least an air intake in front, a removable air filter, and an air outlet
in the rear.

Connections

For obvious reasons involving ease of use, more and more


cases are including a panel of connectors on the side. In order to

46 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

work, these connectors must be hooked up internally to the


motherboard.

ATX 24 pin 12V Power Supply Pinout

Pinout for the Standard ATX 24 pin 12V Motherboard


Power Connector

The ATX 24 pin power supply connector is the standard motherboard


power connector in computers today.

24 Pin Motherboard Power Connector

Note: The original ATX standard supported a 20 pin connector with a very similar
pinout as the 24 pin connector but with pins 11, 12, 23, and 24 omitted.

Below is the complete pinout table for the standard ATX 24 pin 12V power
supply connector as of Version 2.2 of the ATX Specification (PDF).

Note: If you're using this pinout table to test power supply voltages, be aware that the
voltages must be within ATX specified tolerances.

You can see other ATX power supply connector pinouts in my ATX Power
Supply Pinout Tables list presented on table 1 on the next page.

47 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Table 1

ATX 24 pin Power Connector Pinout (ATX v2.2)

Pin Name Color Description


1 +3.3V Orange +3.3 VDC
2 +3.3V Orange +3.3 VDC
3 COM Black Ground
4 +5V Red +5 VDC
5 COM Black Ground
6 +5V Red +5 VDC
7 COM Black Ground
8 PWR_ON Gray Power Good
9 +5VSB Purple +5 VDC Standby
10 +12V1 Yellow +12 VDC
11 +12V1 Yellow +12 VDC
12 +3.3V Orange +3.3 VDC
13 +3.3V Orange +3.3 VDC
14 -12V Blue -12 VDC
15 COM Black Ground
16 PS_ON# Green Power Supply On
17 COM Black Ground
18 COM Black Ground
19 COM Black Ground
20 NC White -5 VDC (Optional - Removed in ATX12V v2.01)
21 +5V Red +5 VDC
22 +5V Red +5 VDC
23 +5V Red +5 VDC
24 COM Black Ground

Power Supplies contain dangerous voltages and should only be opened by


experienced and qualified engineers, there are no user serviceable parts inside.

Always disconnect the PSU from the mains supply before removing the cover of the
PC.

48 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

What is a power supply and what does it do?


The

Power supply unit (PSU) in a PC regulates and delivers the power to the components
in the case.

Standard power supplies turn the incoming 110V or 220V AC(Alternating Current) into
various DC (Direct Current) voltages suitable for powering the computer's components.

Power supplies are quoted as having a certain power output specified in Watts, a
standard power supply would typically be able to deliver around 350 Watts.

The more components (hard drives, CD/DVD drives, tape drives, ventilation fans, etc)
you have in your PC the greater the power required from the power supply.

By using a PSU that delivers more power than required means it won't be running at
full capacity, which can prolong life by reducing heat damage to the PSU's internal
components during long periods of use.

Always replace a power supply with an equivalent or superior power output (Wattage).

There are 3 types of power supply in common use:

 AT Power Supply - still in use in older PCs.


 ATX Power Supply - commonly in use today.
 ATX-2 Power Supply - recently new standard.

The voltages produced by AT/ATX/ATX-2 power supplies are:


 +3.3 Volts DC (ATX/ATX-2)
 +5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
 -5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
 +5 Volts DC Standby (ATX/ATX-2)

49 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

 +12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)


 -12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
A power supply can be easily changed and are generally not expensive, so if one fails
(which is far from uncommon) then replacement is usually the most economic solution.

The Power Supply connector

50 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

POWER SUPPLY PINOUT AND VOLTAGE OUTPUT

USE TO POWER THE PROCESSOR

USE TO POWER OLD DEVICES

Best Source Of Information


First up,
USE TO POWER what's
OLD CD the best source of information
AND HARD to learn about
USE TO POWER ON RECENT
computerDISK
power supply
DRIVE (IDE CONN) connectors? It's definitely the DEVICES
motherboard
(DVD AND HDD)
manual. Most motherboard manuals have specific instructions on
how to hook up the computer power supply connectors to the
motherboard. Review the manual carefully to make sense of those
connectors.

USE TO POWER THE MOTHERBOARD

Types Of Power Supply Connectors

What are the types of computer power supply connectors, you ask? Well, here they are:

 Power to hard disk drives There are connectors which power the hard disk
drives - you hook these up directly to the power suppy unit using the power
cables supplied.

 Power to the CPU The CPU is powered by a power supply connector hooked up
to the motherboard. This is usually a small little connector you need to be familiar
with your motherboard manual to ascertain what connector this is.

 Power to graphics card Most of the heavy duty graphics cards in PCs have a
separate line to power them. The power supply connector to graphics cards

51 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

might come from the power supply unit, or the motherboard.

 Power to LEDs and lights Your computer case will have LEDs and lights to
indicate activity in the computer (e.g. hard disk drive activity). To power these
lights, there are some small power supply connectors between the power supply
unit and the motherboard. Power supply connectors for your computer case's
lights

Be Careful With The Power Supply Connectors

Whenever you're dealing with the computer power supply, please


ensure that you've grounded yourself properly. Very often, I hear of
motherboards being short-circuited simply because the user forgot to
ground himself or herself before meddling with the computer power supply
connectors.

More info. Visit: http://en.kioskea.net/contents/hardware/

52 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

FRONT VIEW OF A PC CASE

AUDIO AND USB PORT CONNECTOR


AUDIO AND USB PORT

POWER BUTTON

POWER INDICATOR LIGHT

RESET BUTTON

HDD ACTIVITY LED LIGHT

Note: Please refer to your Motherboard’s manual for the correct position/location
of the audio and USB connection with a label “ USB_1… and AUDIO”.

53 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.8


IDENTIFICATION: Supply the correct answer in
the space provided.

______________1. A metallic box which houses the various


internal components.
______________2. Provides electrical current to all of the computer's components.
______________3. A connector use to power the processor (CPU).
______________4. A connector use to power the ATX motherboard.
______________5. Use to power recent devices such DVD and HDD.

Ask yourself?

How will Power supply unit (PSU) regulates voltage output?

____________________________________

Activity 1.1.8

Connecting PSU and F_Panel in the Motherboard

Instruction:
1) Insert the Power supply unit on the case.
2) Insert the 24 pins and 4 pins on their respective connector.
3) Connect the Front panel connector on their respective connector.
4) Connect the power cable (System unit) and then press the power
button. (System will turn on)
RUBRIC:

Appropriate connection of the PSU to the Motherboard - 50%


Appropriate connection of the front panel connectors - 40%
Speed Time<= 5 min- 10%
Time<=10 min- 5%

54 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.8

1. PC case
2. Power supply unit
3. ATX 4-PIN 12V
4. ATX 24/20 PIN POWER CONNECTOR
5. SATA CONNECTOR

55 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.1.9

COMPUTER’S MEMORY

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the two main categories of computer memory.

2. Determine the technical characteristics of memory.

3. Sort out the different types of memory

4. Identify the different RAM module format.

Memory

The term "memory" applies to


any electronic component capable of
temporarily storing data.

There are two main categories of memories:

 internal memory that temporarily memorizes data while programs are running.
Internal memory uses micro conductors, i.e. fast specialized electronic circuits.
Internal memory corresponds to what we call random access memory (RAM).
 auxiliary memory (also called physical memory or external memory) that stores
information over the long term, including after the computer is turned off.
Auxiliary memory corresponds to magnetic storage devices such as the hard
drive, optical storage devices such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs, as well as
read-only memories.

Technical Characteristics

The main characteristics of a memory are:

 Capacity, representing the global volume of information (in bits) that the memory
can store
 Access time, corresponding to the time interval between the read/write request
and the availability of the data
 Cycle time, representing the minimum time interval between two successive
accesses
56 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo
BIT Computer Technology

 Throughput, which defines the volume of information exchanged per unit of


time, expressed in bits per second
 Non-volatility, which characterizes the ability of a memory to store data when it
is not being supplied with electricity

The ideal memory has a large capacity with restricted access time and cycle time, a
high throughput and is non-volatile.

However, fast memories are also the most expensive. This is why memories that use
different technologies are used in a computer, interfaced with each other and organized
hierarchically.

The fastest memories are located in small numbers close to the processor. Auxiliary
memories, which are not as fast, are used to store information permanently.

Types of Memories

Random Access Memory

Random access memory, generally called RAM is the system's main


memory, i.e. it is a space that allows you to temporarily store data when a program is
running.

Unlike data storage on an auxiliary memory such as a hard drive, RAM


is volatile, meaning that it only stores data as long as it supplied with electricity.
Thus, each time the computer is turned off, all the data in the memory are
irremediably erased.

Read-Only Memory

Read-only memory, called ROM, is a type of memory that allows you to


keep the information contained on it even when the memory is no longer receiving
electricity. Basically, this type of memory only has read- only access. However, it is
possible to save information in some types of ROM memory.

57 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Flash Memory

Flash memory is a compromise between RAM-type memories and


ROM memories. Flash memory possesses the non-volatility of ROM
memories while providing both read and write access However, the access times
of flash memories are longer than the access times of RAM.

Types of Random Access Memory

There are generally two broad categories of random access memory:

 DRAM memories (Dynamic Random Access Module), which are inexpensive.


They are used essentially for the computer's main memory
 SRAM memories (Static Random Access Module), which are fast and costly.
SRAM memories are used in particular for the processor's cache memory.

Types of DDR-SDRAM

DDR-SDRAM

The DDR doubles the frequency of reading/writing, with a clock at the same
frequency, by sending data to each leading edge and to each trailing edge.

DDR2-SDRAM

DDR2 (or DDR-II) memory achieves speeds that are twice as high as those of
the DDR with the same external frequency.

DDR2 also has more connectors than the classic DDR (240 for DDR2 compared
with 184 for DDR).

DDR3-SDRAM
Double data rate type three SDRAM (DDR3 SDRAM) is a type of synchronous
dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM) with a high bandwidth ("double data rate")
interface, and has been in use since 2007. It is the higher-speed successor to DDR and
DDR2 and predecessor to DDR4 synchronous dynamic random-access memory
(SDRAM) chips. DDR3 SDRAM is neither forward nor backward compatible with any
earlier type of random-access memory (RAM) because of different signaling voltages,
timings, and other factors.
DDR3 is a DRAM interface specification. The actual DRAM arrays that store the data
are similar to earlier types, with similar performance.

58 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Types of DDR-SDRAM module format

FOR DESKTOP USE

59 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

FOR LAPTOP USE

60 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

COMPARISSON OF THE THREE RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM –


DDR)

The table below illustrates the significant differences among the three (3)
Random Access Memory (RAM) DDR type. Particularly on the Data Rate and Supply
Voltage.

Installing Memory Module

More info. Visit : http://en.kioskea.net/contents/hardware/

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/437548/Asus-P5gz-Mx.html?page=29#manual

61 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.1.9


Direction: Write T if the statement is True
otherwise F if the statement is False. Use separate sheet for your answers.

____1Internal memory is a memory that temporarily memorizes data while programs are
running.
____2. Cycle time represents the minimum time interval between successive accesses
____ 3. RAM is a type of memory that allows you to keep the information contained
on it even when the memory is no longer receiving electricity
____4. ROM is the system's main memory, i.e. it is a space that allows you to
temporarily store data when a program is running.
___5. Capacity represents the global volume of information (in bits) that the memory
can store

Ask yourself?

What is the role of memory?

Activity 1.1.9

INSERTING and REMOVING MEMORY MODULE CARD (RAM)

Instruction: 1.Insert the memory card in the motherboard and turn on the system .

2. Remove the memory card and turn on the system and take some
observation.

RUBRIC

Correct setting of memory card (provided that the computer had a BIOS display)
– 50%

Remove the memory card, then turn on the PC, explain your observation what happen
to the system when you remove the memory card (RAM)?. Explain the importance of
RAM on a PC. -50%

--------

100%

62 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.1.9

1. T
2. F
3. F
4. F
5. T

63 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.2.1

HARDISK DRIVE

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the structure of Hard disk drive.

2. Determine the technical characteristics of Hard disk drive.

3. Identify the structure of hard disk drive

4. Understand the importance of hard disk drive in a computer.

HARDISK DRIVE

The role of the hard drive

The hard drive is the


component which is used to permanently
store data, as opposed to RAM, which
is erased whenever the computer is
restarted, which is why the term mass
storage device is sometimes used to
refer to hard drives.

The hard drive is connected to the motherboard using a hard drive


controller which acts as an interface between the processor and the hard drive.
The hard drive controller manages the drives linked to it, interprets commands sent by
the processor and routes them to the drive in question. Hard drives are generally
grouped by interface as follows:

 IDE
 SCSI
 Serial ATA

When the USB standard appeared, external cases which could


connect a hard drive using a USB port were released, making hard drives easy
to install and increasing storage capacity for making backups. These are called
external hard drives, as opposed to internal hard drives which are plugged directly
into the motherboard; still, they are the same disks, even though they are connected
to the computer using a case plugged into a USB port.

64 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Structure

A hard drive is made up of not just one, but several rigid metals, glass, or
ceramic disks, stacked very close to one another and called platters.

The disks turn very quickly around an axle (currently several thousand
revolutions per minute) in a counter-clockwise direction. A computer works in binart
mode, meaning that the data is stored in the form of 0s and 1s (called bits). Hard
drives hold millions of these bits, stored very close to one another on a fine magntic
layer a few microns thick, which is covered by a protective film.

They are read and written using read heads located on both sides of the
platters. These heads are electromagnets which raise and lower themselves in order
to read or write data. The read heads are only a few microns from the surface,
separated by a layer of air created by the rotation of the disks, which generates a
wind of about 250km/h (150 mph)! What's more, these disks are laterally mobile,
so that the heads can sweep across their entire surface.

However, the heads are linked to one another and only one of them
can read or write at a given moment. The term cylinder is used to refer to all the
data stored vertically on each of the disks.

This entire precision mechanism is contained within a fully airtight case,


as the smallest particle can degrade the disk's surface. This is why hard drives are
closed shut with seals, and the warning "Warranty void if removed", as only hard
drive manufacturers can open them (in particle- free "cleanrooms").

65 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

How it works

The read/write heads are said to be "inductive", meaning that they can generate a
magnetic field. This is especially important in writing: The heads, by creating positive
or negative fields, polarise the disk surface in a very tiny area, so that when they
are read afterwards, the polarity reversal completes a circuit with the read head,
which is then transformed by an analog-digital converter (ADC) into a 0 or 1 which can
be understood by the computer.

The heads start writing data from the edge of the disk (track 0), then
move onward towards the centre. The data is organized in concentric circles called
"tracks", which are created by low-level formatting.

The tracks are separated into areas (between two radii) called
sectors, containing data (generally at least 512 octets per sector).

The term cylinder refers to all data found on the same track of
different platters (i.e. above and below one another), as this forms a
"cylinder" of data.

66 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Finally, the term clusters (also called allocation units) refers to


minimum area that a file can take up on the hard drive. An operating
system uses blocks, which are in fact groups of sectors (between 1 and 16
sectors). A small file may occupy multiple sectors (a cluster).

Technical specifications

 Capacity: Amount of data which can be stored on a hard drive.


 Transfer rate: Quantity of data which can be read or written from the
disk per unit of time. It is expressed in bits per second.
 Rotational speed: The speed at which the platters turn, expressed in
rotations per minute (rpm for short). Hard drive speeds are on the order of 7200
to 15000 rpm. The faster a drive rotates, the higher its transfer rate. On the
other hand, a hard drive which rotates quickly tends to be louder and heats up
more easily.
 Latency (also called rotational delay): The length of time that
passes between the moment when the disk finds the track and the
moment it finds the data.
 Average access time: Average amount of time it takes the read head
to find the right track and access the data. In other words, it represents the
average length of time it takes the disk to provide data after having received
the order to do so. It must be as short as possible.
 Radial density: number of tracks per inch (tpi).
 Linear density: number of bits per inch (bpi) on a given track.
 Surface density: ratio between the linear density and radial density
(expressed in bits per square inch).
 Cache memory (or buffer memory): Amount of memory located on the
hard drive. Cache memory is used to store the drive's most frequently-accessed
data, in order to improve overall performance;
 Interface: This refers to the connections used by the hard drive. The
main hard drive interfaces are:
o IDE/ATA
o Serial ATA
o SCSI
o However, there are external cases used for connecting hard drives with
USB or FireWire ports.

More info. Visit: http://en.kioskea.net/contents/hardware/

67 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.2.1


IDENTIFICATION: Supply the correct answer in the
space provided.

______________1. A hard drive is made up of not just one, but several rigid metals,
glass, or ceramic disks, stacked very close to one another.
______________2 The tracks are separated into areas (between two radii) containing
data (generally at least 512 octets per sector).
______________3. The speed at which the platters turn, expressed in rotations
per minute (rpm for short).
______________4 Acts as an interface between the processor and the hard drive.
______________5. Refers to the connections used by the hard drive.

Ask yourself?

1. How to connect a hard disk drive in the motherboard?


2. How important is the Hard disk drive in a computer?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ __ _

Activity 1.2.1

Hard disk drive connection to the motherboard

1. Properly connect the hard disk drive to the motherboard.


2. Turn on your PC and observe proper boot sequence on the BIOS setting.
3. Answer the questions below.

Questions:
1. Did the system properly boot the Operating System?, Why? (50%)
2. How do you describe the importance of hard disk drive in a computer?(50%)

68 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.2.1

1. Platter
2. Sector
3. Rotational Speed
4. Hard drive controller
5. Interface

69 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.2.2

GRAPHICS CARD

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the structure of Video card.

2. Determine the video card main components.

3. Identify the different connectors.

4. Understand the importance of Video card in a computer.

Graphics cards - Video cards

2D Accelerator Cards

A graphics card, sometimes


called a graphics adapter, video
card or graphics accelerator, is a
computer component which converts digital data into a graphical form which can be
displayed on a monitor. The initial role of a graphics card was to send pixels to a
screen, as well as a variety of simple graphical manipulations:

Moving blocks (such as the mouse cursor);


ray tracing;
polygon tracing;
etc.

More recent graphics cards now have processors built for handling
complex 3D graphical scenes.

70 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

A video card's main components are:

A Graphical Processing Unit (or GPU for short), the heart of a graphics card,
which processes images based on the encoding being used. The GPU is
a specialized processor with advanced image processing capabilities,
especially for 3D graphics. Because of the high temperatures that the
graphics processor can reach, a radiator and fan are often mounted
on it.

The job of the video memory is to store images processed by the GPU before
they are displayed by the monitor. The larger the video memory, the better the
graphics card can handle textures when displaying 3D scenes. The term
frame buffer is generally used to refer to the part of the video memory which
stores images before they are shown onscreen. Graphics
cards rely heavily on the type of memory that the card uses, as their
response time is crucial for displaying images quickly, as is the
amount of memory, which affects the number and resolution of the
images that may be stored in the frame buffer.

The RAMDAC (random access memory digital-analog converter) is used


for converting digital images stored in the frame buffer as analog signals to
send to the monitor. The RAMDAC's frequency determines the refresh rate
(number of images per second, expressed in Hertz - Hz) that the graphics
card can support.

The video BIOS contains the graphics card's settings, in particular the graphics
modes that the adapter supports.

The interface: This is a kind of bus used to connect the graphics card to the
motherboard. The AGP bus is specifically designed to handle high
dataflow, which is necessary when displaying video or 3D sequences. The
PCI Express bus performs better than the AGP bus that it has ended up
replacing.

71 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

The connections:

Standard VGA interface: Most graphics cards are built with a 15-pin
VGA (Mini Sub-D, with 3 rows of 5 pins each), usually coloured blue,
which is mainly used to connect the adapter to a CRT monitor. This type
of interface is used to send 3 analog signals to the screen, corresponding
to the red, blue, and green components of the image.

The DVI (Digital Video Interface), found in some graphics cards, is


used to send digital data to monitors which can support the interface. This
bypasses the need to convert digital data into analog and then back again.

o S-Video interface: More and more graphics cards these days have an S-
Video socket built in, so that the computer's output can be viewed on a
television screen. This is why it is often called a "TV-out" plug.

3D Accelerator Cards

The field of 3D is much more recent, and is becoming more important. Some
PCs can now compute faster than certain workstations.

Computing a 3D scene is a process which is roughly divided


into four steps:

* script: laying out elements

* geometry: creating simple objects

* setup: cutting the objects into 2D triangles

* rendering: applying textures to the triangles.

72 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

RECENT VIDEO CARD CONNECTORS

73 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.2.2

Direction: Write T if the statement is True


otherwise F if the statement is False. Use separate sheet for your answers.

____1. The initial role of a graphics card was to send pixels to a screen, as well as a
variety of simple graphical manipulations
____2. The GPU is a specialized processor with advanced image processing
capabilities, especially for 2D graphics.
____ 3. The job of the video memory is to store images processed by the CPU before
they are displayed by the monitor.
____4. The AGP bus is specifically designed to handle high dataflow, which is
necessary when displaying video or 3D sequences.
___5. The PCI Express bus performs better than the AGP bus that it has ended up
replacing.

Ask yourself?

How can a Video card process video/graphical output?

..

74 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.2.2

1. T
2. F
3. F
4. T
5. T

75 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.2.3

OPTICAL (CD/DVD/BL) DISC DRIVE

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Identify the different format of Optical disc drive.

2. Determine the different data storage on a disc.

3. Understand the role of an Optical disc drive.

OPTICAL DISC DRIVE


Optical drives retrieve and/or store data on optical
discs like CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray discs), any
of which hold much more information than
previously available portable media options like
the floppy disk.
The optical drive normally goes by other names
like disc drive, ODD (abbreviation), CD drive, DVD
drive, or BD drive.
Some popular optical disc drive makers
include LG, Memorex, and NEC. In fact, one of
these companies probably manufactured your computer or other devices optical drive
even though you never see their name
anywhere on the drive itself.

Optical Disc Drive Media Formats

Most optical drives can play and/or


record onto a large number of different
disc formats.
Popular optical drive formats include
CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-
RAM, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW,
DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL,
BD-R, BD-R DL & TL, BD-RE, BD-RE
DL & TL, and BDXL.

76 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

The "R" in these formats means "recordable" and the "RW" means "rewritable." For
example, DVD-R discs can be written to just once, after which the data on them cannot
be changed, only read. DVD-RW is similar but since it's a rewritable format, you can
erase the contents and write new information to it at a later time, as often as you'd like.

Recordable discs are ideal if someone is borrowing a CD of photos and you don't want
them to accidentally delete the files. A rewritable disc may be handy if you're storing file
backups that you'll eventually erase to make room for newer backups.

Discs that have the "CD" prefix can store around 700 MB of data, while DVDs can keep
around 4.7 GB (nearly seven times as much). Blu-ray discs hold 25 GB per layer, dual
layer BD discs can store 50 GB, and triple and quadruple layers in the BDXL format can
store 100 GB and 128 GB, respectively.

Be sure to reference your optical drive's manual before purchasing media for your drive
to avoid incompatibility issues. by Tim Fisher.

https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-an-optical-disc-drive-2618157

Logical structure
The Orange Book
dictates that a CD-R,
whether it is an audio
CD or a CD-ROM, is
made up of three
areas which form the
information area:
Lead-in Area
(sometimes called the
LIA) only contains
information which
describes the contents
of the disc (in the
TOC, Table of
Contents). The Lead-in Area extends from a radius of 23 mm from the edge to a radius
of 25 mm. This size is required by the need to be able to store information about a
maximum of 99 tracks. The Lead-in Area lets the CD player/drive follow the spiraling
pits in order to synchronize itself with the data found in the program area.
Program Area is the section of the disc which contains the data. It starts 25 mm
out from the center, extends to a radius of 58mm, and can contain the equivalent of 76
minutes of audio data. The program area can contain up to 99 tracks (or sessions),
each at least 4 seconds long.
77 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo
BIT Computer Technology

Lead-Out Area (or LOA), containing null data (silence on an audio CD) marks
the end of the CD. It starts at a radius of 58 mm and must be at least 0.5 mm in width
(radially). The Lead-Out Area must contain at least 6750 sectors, or 90 seconds of
silence at minimum speed (1X).

Writing methods
Monosession: This method creates a single session on the disc and does not allow
new data to be added later.
Multisession: Unlike the previous method, this one lets a CD be written to several
times, by creating a 14MB-long table of contents (TOC) de 14Mo for each session.
Multivolume: This is multisession recording which considers each session as a
separate volume.
Track At Once: This method is used for disabling the laser between two tracks, in
order to create a two-second pause between each track on an audio CD.
Disc At Once: Unlike the previous method, Disc At Once writes a whole CD all at
once (without pausing).
Packet Writing: This methods lets data be recorded in packets.

Technical specifications

A CD/DVD-ROM drive is defined by the following:

Speed: The speed is calculated relative to the speed of an audio CD player (150
KB/s). A drive which can reach speeds of 3000KB/s would be called 20X (20 times
faster than a 1X drive).
Access time: This represents the average time it takes to go from one part of the CD
to another.
Interface: ATAPI (IDE) or SCSI and SATA;

More info. Visit:


http://en.kioskea.net/contents/hardware/

78 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Self- Check 1.2.3

IDENTIFICATION: Supply the correct answer in the space


provided.
____1. Retrieve and/or store data on optical discs like CDs, DVDs, and BDs (Blu-ray
discs).
____2. Data storage capacity of a CD.
____ 3. The section of the disc which contains the data.
____4. This method creates a single session on the disc and does not allow new data to
be added later.
___5. Represents the average time it takes to go from one part of the CD to another.

Ask yourself?

How will you store data on a Optical disc (


CD/DVD/BLUERAY)?

..

79 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

ANSWER KEY 1.2.3

1. OPTICAL DISC DRIVE


2. 700MB
3. PROGRAM AREA
4. MONOSESSION
5. ACCESS TIME

80 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Information Sheet 1.2.4

BUILD A COMPUTER STEP BY STEP

Learning Objectives:

After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:

1. Understand how to build a computer step by step.

2. Determine the proper components in building your own Personal Computer

(PC).

3. Build/Assemble computer components/parts in professional manner

How to Build a
Computer Step by Step
Assembling your own computer is a
great way to pick out the best parts of the
computers, according to your requirement. It is also
a money saving deal. Mentioned in this article, are the steps on how to build a computer
to make it adaptable for 'personal' computing use.

Often readymade desktops will not have the configurations which match
one's needs and satisfaction. Many times those computers that have good
configurations which you like are overpriced. The readymade personal computers
look fancy, compared to assembled ones. On the other hand, opting for computer
assembly step by step, will not only give you freedom to choose the best parts of
different manufacturers, but will also allow you to build a computer at a much lower
price, which will be a powerhouse with good processing speed and video quality.
You will also get warranties on different electronic parts individually, and when any
hardware problem occurs you will know how to troubleshoot it, as you will be
undertaking the process of how to build a computer step by step yourself. Here, is
81 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo
BIT Computer Technology

some technical information and good manufacturers of the various parts of a


computer, that will help you in building a computer step-by-step.

Selecting the Components


Given below are the different
components' information, which will help you
in buying the various computer parts.

Processor: The speed of the computer is very


important and having a powerful processor
means good computer speed. Go for a processor
which is 2GHz minimum and RAM; ensure that it
is higher in case you want computers where
you will be playing some extreme games, or doing
some hi-tech designing. The best brands are AMD, Cyrix and Intel. Make sure your
motherboard is compatible with the processor you are buying. More on computer
motherboard types and 32bit vs 64bit processors.

Hard Drive: A hard disk is used for data storage. Choose the capacity of hard disk
depending on the data storage that you will require. I have a Seagate hard disk of 160
GB, with 5 years warranty. Nowadays, the prices have come down, so you can opt
for a hard disk of 250 GB at an affordable price. Make sure you buy a hard disk of a
good brand which comes with warranty, as hard drives crash at an alarming frequency
and a warranty will help you get it repaired or replaced for free. Read more on,
computer hard drive formatting tips.

Graphics Card: A good graphics card will give you good picture quality, and is a must
for people who will be designing or gaming using their machines. NVDIA is a well
known brand; you can go for a graphics card of NVDIA Geforce series having
capacity of 512MB, or more in case you want to use complex designing softwares.

Cache Memory: This is not a very important feature, but make sure you buy a cache
over 512 K. Cache doesn't increase the computer speed, but acts just like RAM
except it is faster.

CD-Rom: Don't go for CD-ROM with less than 24x speed drive. Make sure you get
a good warranty; look for brands like Sony and Creative during computer buying.
These brands' CD-ROMs are long lasting and ensure a good performance.

82 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

Cabinet/PC Case: PC case doesn't cost much, so you can take a look at the catalogs
and check how fancy you want the PC case to look and buy one accordingly. Make
sure you buy a computer case which fits properly with the power supply. Some of
the decent ones are by ATX.

Ports: Make sure your PC has the ports to connect different parts. Having some
extra USB ports is always an added advantage, as you will be able to connect some
external devices in future. So go for at least 4 ports. Another important tip I would like
to add is to have the jack to plug your headphones or speakers in front of the PC
case, rather than conventional back ones. This will give you easier access, to plug
and unplug your audio devices.

Keyboard: There are a variety of fancy computer keyboards available in the market.
However, a sturdy decent keyboard is advisable. Microsoft is a great choice among
computers, and they provide a life time warranty too.

Mouse: Just like keyboards, go for a simple sturdy computer mouse rather than
going for any fancy, extremely small or strange shaped ones. Logitech and
Microsoft are good choices and they also have a good warranty period.

Monitor: I have a decent sized CRT and so I can't really recommend computer
monitors with much assurance, but you can opt for a LCD monitor according to the
size you need and go for the fancy ones if you wish to spend. Make sure you get one
with a good warranty, and consider getting a glare filter fixed on it to protect your
eyes.

Accessories: Scanners, printers, webcams, speakers, mikes etc. buying these


accessories depends on your need. One important component is the UPS which
protects your computer from fluctuations of the electric power supply, and also
keeps the computer running for few minutes so that you can save your stuff, and
safely shut down your machine. Read more on computers parts list.

Computer Assembly Step by Step

It is advisable that you get the components in


your PC case for your desktop computer,
installed by a professional as it is an important
job. Then just plug in the connection of the

83 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo


BIT Computer Technology

monitor, keyboard and mouse. In case you wish to assemble the computer parts in your
PC case, here are some tips.

 Unscrew the PC case cover, and install the power supply unit in case it is not
already pre-installed. Set the voltage and then place the motherboard on an anti-
static bag, and make sure the lever of the motherboard is up.
 Fix the processor, by matching the pin to the correct place on motherboard, and
push the lever down to lock it. Then install the heat sink, and secure it on top of
the processors by using the clips.
 Then fix the RAM on the motherboard, and fix the motherboard in the PC case.
Learn more about, how to install a new motherboard.
 The next step in how to build a computer step by step, is to connect the
motherboard to the case wires and power supply unit.
 Then install the hard drive, CD-ROM in the PC case.

To understand how to build a computer step by step, when you want to fix all the
components right from the processor onto the motherboard to installing the CD-
ROM, look online for video tutorials as it will make it easier for you to see what the
slots look like, so that you can fix them in the right place and manner. So, select
the components wisely, and enjoy a powerful performing personal computer
machine for years!

http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/how-to-tech/build-a-computer.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wDlhcu2yr0

ACTIVITY 1.2.4 ( PC ASSEMBLY)

Steps:

1. Secure a motherboard from your instructor.


2. Read the manual of the motherboard regarding the
compatible hardware to be attached.
2.1. Processor
2.2. RAM ( Memory ) Module
2.3. Graphics (video card) card.
3. Secure the following from your instructor.
3.1. Hard Disk drive.
3.2 Keyboard and mouse.
4. Assemble the parts and install operating system (OS).
5. After installing the OS, install the driver(s) needed to the
system.

Note: All PC Assembly should be done individually.


84 Dr. Wym V. Dionaldo

Вам также может понравиться