Computer System Servicing - 10

MODULE 3-4 – Motherboard/Keyboard

Motherboard

The motherboard is also known as logic board, baseboard, system board, mainboard, main circuit board,
planar board, and mobo in a short way. It is a sheet of plastic that holds all the circuitry to connect the various
components of a computer system. It holds together many of the crucial components of a computer, including the
central processing unit (CPU), memory and connectors for input and output devices.

The motherboard is the PC's center of activity. All devices in a computer are in some way connected to the
motherboard. It hosts the largest single collection of chips of any PC component and serves as the "street system"
for the grid of wires that link all the components, making it possible for them to communicate.

TYPES OF MOTHERBOARD

Motherboards are present in Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, and Smartphone and the components and
functionalities are the same. But the size of the components and the way they are accommodated on the board
varies due to space availability.

Below are the different types of Motherboards:

1. ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) - Designed as an evolution of the Baby AT form factor, ATX marks a
profound change in the architecture of the motherboard and other components such as the cabinet and the
power supply. Within the motherboard there are significant changes such as the location of the CPU socket,
which is now placed near the power supply, thus allowing the flow of air caused by the fan of the source and
not to be interfered with by any element as it happened with the technology Baby AT.
2. Micro ATX - It is an evolution of ATX. Its measures are 9.6 × 9.6 inches. The Micro-ATX supports up to four
expansion slots that can combine freely with ISA, PCI, PCI / ISA shared, and AGP. Mounting holes changed
from the Standard ATX, since the measurements are different, but they are also compatible with most ATX
cabinets.
3. Mini-ITX - Mini ITX is a low-power consumption motherboard format of 6.7 × 6.7 inches. Its dimensions are
the most characteristic factor of this type of form factor. Although this type of motherboard was designed
with the aim of empowering teams of low consumption, at present there are no limits and they have grown
by giant steps in terms of benefits.
4. Nano-ITX - The Nano-ITX is another type of motherboard form factor, that measures 4.7 × 4.7 in. Nano-ITX
are fully integrated boards designed to consume very low power. This type of motherboard can be used in
 many applications, but it was specially designed for smart entertainment, like PVRs, media centers, smart
TVs, in-vehicle devices, and more.
5. Pico-ITX - The Pico-ITX is the smallest type of motherboard form factor in this list. Its measurements are 3.9 ×
2.8 in and it is 75% smaller than the Mini-ITX. This motherboard was designed and developed by VIA, to
open up innovation for smaller and smarter IoT devices. The Pico-ITX with an x86-based-platform and low-
power consumption board is a great choice for embedded systems applications, such as industrial
automation, in-vehicle computers, digital signage, and more.

Motherboard components

1. CPU socket - A socket is a place where the microprocessor or CPU sits on the motherboard. Due to the socket,
a microprocessor doesn’t need to be soldered to the motherboard. We can remove it anytime, as per our will.
2. DRAM slots - These are the long slots attached to the motherboard to install DIMM chips on the computer.
DIMM stands for Dual Inline Memory Module, which consists of DRAM integrated circuits. The Dynamic
Random Access Memory (DRAM) is a volatile memory that stores the data and files being executed by the
CPU. Many variants of DRAM exist like DDR, DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and more recently DDR5.
3. ATX power supply – power connectors are used to distribute the power from the main supply to various
components like RAM, CPU, chipset, and expansion cards.
4. IDE Connectors – IDE is Integrated Drive Electronics, also called as ATA or Parallel ATA (PATA).IDE controller is
responsible for controlling the hard drive.
5. Northbridge - It uses the memory controller to contact the RAM chip to transfer data between CPU and RAM.
In addition to this, it also establishes communication with the PCI Express bus.
6. Southbridge - It links to the USB ports, SATA interface. It doesn’t directly report to the CPU, and all the
information has to pass through the northbridge before reaching the CPU.
7. AGP Slot - The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a high-speed point-to-point channel for attaching a video
card to a computer system, If you have a modern motherboard, you will almost certainly notice a single
connector that looks like a PCI slot.A fast port for a graphics card.
8. PCI Slots - It is used to install additional components like Wireless adapters, graphics cards, etc. PCI is an
expansion bus that is used to transfer data between the computer (i.e., CPU and RAM) and the connected
peripheral devices.
9. CMOS Backup Battery - CMOS is complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor is used to store BIOS setting in
computer motherboard. CMOS Battery also store date and time.
10. Integrated connectors for peripherals such as USB, mouse, keyboard, display, audio, Ethernet, etc.

Computer Keyboard

A computer keyboard is an input device used to enter characters and functions into the computer system by
pressing buttons, or keys. It is the primary device used to enter text. A keyboard typically contains keys for individual
letters, numbers and special characters, as well as keys for specific functions.

The layout of these keys is derived from the original layout of keys on a typewriter. The most widely used
layout in the English language is called QWERTY, named after the sequence of the first six letters from the top left.
Parts of the Keyboard

1. Alphanumeric Keys – A combination of letters, numbers and special characters that were found on a
typewriter--mostly numbers and letters.
2. Function Keys – The Function keys provide special functions depending on the program in use.
3. Modifier Keys (Ctrl, Alt, Windows, Shift)- Modifier keys are special keys that modify the normal action of
another key, when the two are pressed in combination. For example, Alt+F4 in Microsoft Windows will close
Alphanumeric Keys pressing just F4 will probably do nothing, unless assigned a
the program in an active window. In contrast,
specific function. in a particular program.
4. Cursor/Navigation Keys – Navigation keys help you move the flashing cursor/mouse pointer across the
display.
5. Numeric keys / Numpad – The numeric keypad makes it easy to type numbers quickly and with only one
hand.
6. Indicator Lights - These lights show whether or not the num lock, caps lock, or scroll lock are enable or
disabled.

Proper finger placement on keyboard

 Your hands should be in the starting position when you are going to type:
- left hand fingers: pinky, ring, middle, forefinger should be on keys "a", "s", "d", "f" accordingly;
- right hand fingers: pinky, ring, middle, forefinger should be on keys "j", "k", "l", ";" accordingly.
There are marks like pimples on the keys "f" and "j" four your convenience, so you can feel them with your
index fingers. Your thumbs should be on the Space key.
 Each finger should press certain keys so that it can reach easier accordingly to the picture (finger zones are
highlighted*). You should return your finger to the starting position after pressing a key and if the next key
should be pressed with another finger.
 It is recommended to keep your hands aweigh. Your elbows should be bent at a right angle. This way your
keyboard should be at the elbow level. Also it's desirable to use an ergonomic keyboard (it’s broken down
into two parts), sit on a good chair with a straight posture. Your monitor should be slightly below your eye
level, normal (the line that is perpendicular to the plane) from the monitor center should be directed to the
eyes.
Activity Sheet 3
Name: ______________________________________________________ Section: _______________
Answer the following questions. (Performance Task)

1. Briefly describe the function of the motherboard. (5 pts)

2. List at least 5 components found on the motherboard.

3. Enumerate the different types of Motherboard.

Label the components of a motherboard. (Written Work)

6
5 9
3 4

2
7

10

1
8

Write your answer on the space provided.

1. ____________________ 6. ____________________
2. ____________________ 7. ____________________
3. ____________________ 8. ____________________
4. ____________________ 9. ____________________
5. ____________________ 10. ___________________
Activity Sheet 4
Name: ______________________________________________________ Section: _______________
Illustrate the proper finger placement on the keyboard. (blue-pinky, yellow-ring, green-middle, pink-
index and orange-thumb) (Performance Task)

Prepared by: Checked by:

KENNETH M. MORALES CONSUELO N. RONQUILLO

Teacher I HT – VI - TLE