PCAS PRELIM
and motherboard.
Chapter 1:
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM
COMPUTER SYSTEM
- A computer system consists of hardware and
software components
Hardware is the physical equipment such as the
motherboard, central processing unit, read-only
memory, random access memory, storage devices,
keyboards, monitors, speakers, and printers.
Software includes the operating system and
application programs.
TYPES OF SOFTWARE
Operating System (OS) - instructs the
computer how to operate such as Windows,
Android, MAC OS, Linux, etc. These operations
may include indentifying, accessing, and
processing information while
Application Software - performs different
functions or program with specific task.
Programs vary widely depending on the type of
Information that will be accessed or generated.
HARDWARE
1. Motherboard
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
3. Random-Access Memory (RAM)
4. Power Supply
5. Video Card
6. Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
Motherboard
- The motherboard is the main printed circuit
board and contains the buses, or electrical
pathways, found in a computer.
- These buses allow data to travel between the
various components that comprise a computer.
- A motherboard is also known as the system
board, the backplane, or the main board.
- An important set of components on the
motherboard is the chip set.
- The chip set is composed of various integrated
circuits attached to the motherboard that control
how system hardware interacts with the CPU
- The CPU is installed into a slot or socket on the
motherboard.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- It is considered the brain of the computer. It is
sometimes referred to as the processor.
- Most calculations take place in the CPU.
- In terms of computing power, the CPU is the
most important element of a computer system.
- The CPU executes a program, which is a
sequence of stored instructions. Each model of
processor has an instruction set, which it
executes.
- While the CPU is executing one step of the
program, the remaining instructions and the data
are stored nearby in a special memory called
cache.
There are two(2) major CPU architectures related to
instruction sets:
Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) -
Architectures use a relatively small set of
instructions, and RISC chips are designed to
execute these instructions very rapidly.
Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC) -
Architectures use a broad set of instructions,
resulting in fewer steps per operation.
Some CPU’s incorporate hyper-threading to enhance
the performance of the CPU. With hyper-threading, the
CPU has multiple pieces of code being executed
simultaneously on each pipeline.
- Overclocking is a technique used to make a
processor work at a faster speed than its original
specification. Overclocking is not a reliable way
to improve computer performance and can result
in damaging the CPU.
- MMX is a set of multimedia instructions built into
Intel processors. MMX enabled microprocessors
can handle many common multimedia
operations that are normally handled by a
separate sound or video card.
Many CPU’s are capable of processing multiple
instructions concurrently:
- Single Core CPU - One core inside a single
CPU chip that handles all of the processing
capability. A motherboard manufacturer may
provide sockets for more than one single
processor, providing the ability to build a
powerful, multi-processor computer.
 - Dual Core CPU - two cores inside a single CPU Power Supply
chip in which both cores can process information
at the same time.
- Multi-core - processor implements
multiprocessing in a single physical package.

Random-Acess Memory (RAM)

- It is the temporary storage for data and
programs that are being accessed by the CPU.
- RAM is volatile memory, which means that the
- The power supply unit is the piece of
contents are erased when the computer is
hardware that’s used to convert the
powered off.
power provided from the outlet into
- The more RAM in a computer, the more capacity
usable power for the many parts inside
the computer has to hold and process larg
the computer case.
programs and files, as well as enhance system
- It converts the alternating current (AC)
performance.
into a continuous form of power that the
computer components need in order to
Different Types of RAM
run normally, called direct current (DC). It
Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) -
also regulates overheating by controlling
is a memory chip that is used as main memory.
voltage, which may change automatically
DRAM must be constantly refreshed with pulses
or manually depending on the power
of electricity in order to maintain the data stored
supply.
within a chip.
- The power supply unit is often
abbreviated as PSU and is also known
Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) - is a
as a power pack or power converter.
memory chip that is used as cache memory.
SRAM is much faster than DRAM and does not
Videocard
have to be refreshed as often.

Fast Page Mode DRAM (FPM Memory) - is

memory that supports paging. Paging enables
faster access to the data than regular DRAM.
Most 486 and Pentium system from 1995 and
earlier use FPM memory.

Extended Data Output RAM (EDO Memory) -

is memory that overlaps consecutive data
accesses. This speed up the access time to
retrieve data from memory, because the CPU
does not have to wait from one data access
cycle to end before another data access cycle
begins.
Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) - is DRAM that
operates in synchronization with the memory
bus. The memory bus is the data path between
the CPU and the main memory/
Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) - is
memory that transfers data twice as fast as
SDRAM. DDR SDRAM increases performance
by transferring data twice per cycle.
Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM (DDR2 SDRAM) -
is faster than DDR SDRAM memory, DDR2
SDRAM improves performance over DDR
SDRAM by decreasing noise and crosstalk
between the signal wires.
Rambus DRAM (RDRAM) - is a memory chip
tha was developed to communicate at very high
rates of speed. RDRAM chips are not commonly
used.
- A video card is a piece of computer hardware
that’s rectangular in shape with numerous
contacts on the bottom of the card and one or
more ports on the side for connection to video
displays and other devices.
- The video card is an expansion card that allows
the computer to send graphical information to a
video display device such as a monitor, TV, or
projector.
- Some other names for a video card include
graphics card, graphics adapter, display adapter,
video adapter, video controller, and add-in
boards.
Hard Drives and Floppy Drives
- A storage drive reads or writes information to
magnetic or optical storage media. The drive can
be used to store data permanently or to retrieve
information from a media disk.
- Storage drives can be installed inside the
computer case, such as a hard drive.
- For portability, some storage drives can connect
to the computer using a USB port, a FireWire
port, or an SCSI port.
- These portable storage drives are sometimes
referred to as removable drives and can be used
on multiple computers.
Common Types of Storage Drives
- A floppy drive, or floppy disk drive, is a storage
device that uses removable 3.5-inch floppy
disks. These magnetic floppy disks can store
720 KB or 1.44 MB of data.
- In a computer, the floppy drive is usually
configured as the A; drive. The floppy drive can
be used to boot the computer if it contains a
bootable floppy disk. A 5.25-inch floppy drive is
older technology and is seldom used.
- A hard drive, or hard disk drive, is a magnetic.
- Storage device that is installed inside the
computer, The hard drive is used as permanent
storage for data.
- In a computer, the hard drive is usually
configured as the C: drive and contains the
operating system and applications. The hard
drive is usually configured as the first drive in the
boot sequence.
- An optical drive is a storage device that uses
losers to read data on the optical media.
There are two (2) types of optical drives:
- CD and DVD media which can be pre-recorded
(read-only), recordable (write once), or
re-recordable (read and write multiple times)
Optical Media Types
CD-ROM - CD read-only memory media that is
pre-recorded
CD-R - CD recordable media that can be
recorded once.
CD-RW - CD rewritable media that can be
recorded, erased, and re-recorded.
DVD - ROM - DVD read-only memory
media that is pre-recorded.
DVD - RAM - DVD random access
memory media that can be recorded,
erased, and re-recorded.
DVD+/-R - DVD recordable media that
can be recorded once.
DVD+/-RW - DVD rewritable media that
can be recorded, erased, and
re-recorded.
Flash Storage Device
- Flash drive is also known as a thumb drive, is a
removable storage device that connects to a
USB port.
Drive Interfaces
Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) - also called
Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) is an
early drive controller interface that connects
computers and hard disk drives. An IDE
interface uses a 40-pin connector.
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE)
- also called ATA-2, is an updated version of the
IDE drive controller interface. EIDE supports
hard drives larger than 512 MB, enables Direct
Memory Access (DMA) for speed, and uses the
AT Attachment Packet Interface (ATAPI) to
accommodate optical drives and tape drives on
the EIDE bus. An EIDE interface uses a 40-pin
connector.
Parallel ATA (PATA) - refers to the parallel
version of the ATA drive controller interface.
Serial ATA (SATA) - refers to the serial version
of the ATA drive controller interface. A SATA
interface uses a 7-pin connector.
Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) - is
a drive controller interface that can connect up to
15 drives. SCSI can connect both internal and
external drives. An SCSI interface uses a 50-pin,
68-pin, or 80-pin connector.
Ports and Cables
Serial Ports and Cables - A serial port can be either a
DB-9 or a DB-25 male connector. Serial ports transmit
one bit of data at a time. To connect a serial device,
such as modem or printer, a serial cable must be used.
A serial cable has a maximum length of 50 feet (15.2m)
USB Ports and Cables - The Universal Serial Bus
(USB) is a standard interface that connects peripheral
devices to a computer. It was originally designed to
replace serial and parallel coconnections.
- USB devices are hot swappable, which means
that users can connect and disconnect the
devices while the computer is powered on.
- USB connections can be found on computers,
cameras, printers, scanners, storage devices,
and many other electronic devices.
Firewire Ports and Cables - FireWire is a high-speed,
hot-swappable interface that connects peripheral
devices to a computer. A single FireWire port in a
computer can support up to 63 devices.
Parallel Ports and Cables - A parallel port on a
computer is a standard Type A DB-25 female connector.
The parallel connector on a printer is a standard Type B
36-pin Centronics connector. Some newer printers may
use a Type C high-density 36-pin connector.
SCSI Ports and Cables - A SCSI port can transmit data
at rates in excess of 320 Mbps and can support up to
15 devices.
Network Ports and Cables - A network port, also
known as an RJ-45 port, connects a computer to a
network. The connection speed depends on the type of
network port.
- Standard Ethernet can transmit up to 15Mbps,
Fast Ethernet can transmit up to 100 Mbps, and
Gigabit Ethernet can transmit up to 1000 Mbps.
The maximum length of network cable is 328
feet (100m).
PS/2 Ports - A PS/2 port connects a keyboard or a
mouse to a computer. The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN
female connector.

Audio Ports - An audio port connects audio devices to
the computer. The following audio ports are commonly
used:
Line In - connects to an external source, such
as a stereo system.
Microphone - connects to a microphone.
Line Out - connects to speakers or headphones
Gameport/MIDI - connects to a joystick or
MIDI-Interfaced Device.
Video Ports and Connectors - A video port connects a
monitor cable to a computer. There are several video
port and connector types:
Video Graphics Array (VGA) - VGA has a 3 row 15-pin
female connector and provides analog output to a
monitor.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) - HDMI
has a 19-pin connector and provides digital videos and
digital audio signals.
Component/RGB - RGB has three shielded cables
(red,green,blue) with RCA jacks and provides analog
video signals.
Chapter 2:
OPERATING SYSTEM AND APPLICATION
SOFTWARE
OPERATING SYSTEM
- The Operating System is the most important
program that runs on a computer. Every
general-purpose computer must have an
operating system to run other programs and
applications.
Computer operating systems perform basic tasks, such
as:
- Recognizing input from the keyboard.
- Sending output to the display screen,
- Keeping track of files and directories on the
storage drives, and
- controlling peripheral devices, such as printers.
Main Roles of Operating System
1. Manage Hardware
2. Run Applications
3. Provide a user interface
4. Manage files
Purpose of an Operating System
1. All computers rely on an operating system(OS)
to provide the interface for interaction between
users, applications, and hardware.
2. The operating system booths the computer and
set up the file system.
Types of Operating System Interface
1. Command Line Interface (CLI) - the user types
commands at a prompt.
2. Graphical User Interface (GUI) - the user
interacts with menus and icons.
Operating System Functions
Regardless of the size and complexity of the computer
and the operating system, all operating systems perform
the same basic functions:
File and folder management - The operating
system creates a file structure on the hard disk
drive to allow data to be stored.
Application management - The operating
system manages all programs to ensure that the
correct resources are allocated to the
applications.
Control hardware access - The operating
system handles the interaction between the
applications and the hardware.
User interface - The operating system enables
the user to interact with software and hardware.
Plug and Play Technology - The operating system is
designed to automatically discover new plug-and-play
(PnP) compatible hardware, and then configure the
device, OS, and registry.
Applications Programming Interface (API)
- An API is set of tools used for creating software
applications
- The API allows programmers to create software
applications consistent with the operating
system.
Examples of API's, include the following:
1. Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) ;
Cross-platform standard specification for
multimedia graphics.
2. DirectX : Collection of API's related to
multimedia tasks for Microsoft Windows
Additional Capabilities of an Operating System
- Almost all modern operating systems can
support more than one user, task, or CPU.
1. Multi-user
2. Multitasking
3. Multiprocessing
4. Multithreading
Desktop Operating System
- The purpose of a computer determines the type
of operating system you will select. There are
two distinct types of operating system: Desktop
Operating System and Network Operating
System.
- A Desktop Operating System is intended for
use in a small office/home office (SOHO) with a
limited number of users.
- A Network Operating System (NOS) is
designed for a corporate environment serving
multiple users with a wide range of needs.
Desktop Operating Characteristics
A desktop operating system has the following
characteristics:
1. Designed to support a single user
2. Designed to run single-user applications
3. Designed to share files and folders on a
small network
4. Designed to share peripherals on a small
network.
5. Designed with increased security compared
to desktop operating systems
Common Tasks for a NOS
1. File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
2. Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP)
3. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP)
4. Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP)
5. Active Directory
6. Print Queue
Most Commonly used desktop operating system
WINDOWS
- Microsoft Windows is a family of operating
systems for personal and business computers.
- Windows dominates the personal computer
world, offering a graphical user interface (GUI),
virtual memory management multitasking, and
support for many peripheral devices.
MAC
- Mac OS is the official name of the Apple
Macintosh operating system.
- Mac OS features a graphical user interface
(GUI) that utilizes windows, icons, and all
applications that run on a Macintosh computer
have a similar user interface.
LINUX
- Linux is a freely distributed open source
operating system that runs on a number of
hardware platforms
- The Linux kernel was developed mainly by Linus
Torvalds and it is based on Unix.
Operating Systems Similarities
1. GUI interface
2. Standard "look and feel" characteristics.
3. Multithreading capabilities
4. Multitasking capabilities
5. Ability to function with most hardware.
Operating System Differences
1. Windows and MAC OS users can perform the
majority of tasks through the GUI.
2. Linux and UNIX users must understood and use
the CLI to perform some tasks.
Open Source or Proprietary?
Open Source applications can be read and
modified. There are few restrictions on
downloading, using , or rewritting open source
software. Programmers openly share code with
other programmers. Linux distributions are open
source
Proprietary applications cannot be read or
modified. Proprietary software agreements
restrict the use of the software, identifying where
and when the software may be used. Microsoft
Windows products are proprietary
Most Common Network Operating Systems
1. Novell Netware
2. Microsoft Windows Server
3. Linux
4. UNIX
Determine Proper Operating System
To determine operating system based on customer
needs.
1. Select the proper operating system to meet the
needs of your customer, gain as much
information about the costumer’s daily activities
as possible.
2. Once you have a thorough understanding of
what the customer needs, you can successfully
select appropriate software and hardware to
satisfy existing and future requirements.
What Does Your Customer Require?
- To identify applications that customers will use
and ensure compatibility
- When selecting hardware and software, the
needs of your customer should come first.
Remain neutral and listen to the needs of your
customer before deciding on any computer
hardware or software solution.
Explore customer needs by asking the following
types of questions:
- What general office applications, such as word
processing, spreadsheets, or presentation
software, does your customer require?
- What graphics, such as Photoshop or illustrator,
does your customer require?
- What animation, such as Flash, does your
customer require?
 - What business applications, such as accounting, Chapter 3:
contact management, sales tracking or COMPUTER HARDWARE INPUT, PROCESS,
database, does your customer require? OUTPUT, STORAGE AND NETWORK

Computer Hardware
Once you have determined the types of software your - refers to the physical equipment or components
customer requires, you should determine which of an electronic data processing. It is also
available products will meet these needs. Before compose of input, output and storage an
recommending applications, you should review the network devices.
existing operating systems and software applications
that your customer is using. The following are some of INPUT DEVICES
the factors to consider: - Input devices are the hardware devices which
take information from user of the computer
- Is compatibility an issue? system, convert it into electrical signals and
- Which operating system is required for current transmit it to the processor.
applications?
- Will the applications work with the existing Keyboard
hardware?
- Do any files have to be transferred between
systems?
- Is there an issue with the format of the file
systems involved?
- Are the applications standalone or networked?
- A computer hardware that is used to input text
characters and other commands.
Identify Minimum Hardware Requirements
Mouse
- Operating systems and applications have
minimum hardware requirements that must be
met for the computer to be functional. In some
cases, the application requirements may exceed
the requirements of the operating system. For
the application to function properly, it will be
necessary to satisfy any additional requirement.

- Meeting only the minimum requirements may not

be beneficial to your customer in the long term. - A device that used to point to and select items
Your customer may need to upgrade or on your computer screen.
purchase additional hardware.
Image Scanner
Increasing the following are some common
upgrades to the minimum requirements:
- RAM capacity
- Hard drive size
- Processor speed
- Video card memory and speed

Identify the equipment that your customer has in place

when you are analyzing hardware requirements. If
upgrades are required to meet minimum requirements, - A device that used to transfer images or text a
conduct a cost analysis to determine the best course of computer there are special models the negatives
action. In some cases, it may be necessary for the or to scan book.
customer to purchase new equipment. In other cases, it
may be cost-effective to upgrade the existing Web Camera
equipment.

Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)

- Most of operating systems have a hardware
compatibility list (HCL) that can be found on the
manufacturer’s website. These lists provide a
detailed inventory of hardware that has been
tested and is known to work with the operating
system. If the hardware already in place is not - It is low resolution video camera used to provide
on the list, the hardware may require upgrading. visual input.
If a hardware component is not on the list, there
may be problems once installed.
Microphone Printers and Fax Machines

- Printer are output devices that create hard

copies of computer files. Some printers
- Microphone is an input device to input sound specialize in particular applications.
that is then stored in a digital form.
- This is used to add sounds. Speakers and Headphones

OUTPUT DEVICES
- It is used to present information to the user from
a computer. Output devices take data from the
computer system and convert it to a form that
can be read by humans.

Monitor
- The most important difference between these
monitor types is the technology used to create - Speakers and headphone are output devices for
an image. audio.

Cathode-ray (CRT)
STORAGE DEVICE

Alternatively referred to as digital storage,

storage, storage media, or storage medium, a
storage device is any hardware capable of
holding information either temporarily or
permanently. The picture shows an example of a
drobo, an external secondary storage device.

- The most common monitor type, red, green, blue Magnetic Storage Device
electron beams.
- Most tv’s used this technology

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

- Magnetic storage is one of the most common

types of storage used with computers.

Optical Storage Device

- commonly used in laptops and some projectors.

It consist of two polarizing filters with a liquid
crystal solution.

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

- Another common storage device is this lasers

and lights as its method of writing and reading
data.

Flash Memory

- is a technology used in projectors, DLP

projectors use a spinning color wheel with a
microprocessor controlled array of mirrors called
a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD)
- Has started to replace magnetic media, it is
more efficient and reliable.
Paper Storage
- Early computers had no method of using any of
the above technologies for storing information,
these form is rarely used.
NETWORK DEVICES
- Network Devices are components used to
connect computers or other electronic devices
together so that they can share files or
resources like printers or fax machines.
- These devices used to setup a Local Area
Network (LAN) are most common type of
network devices used by the public.
Repeater
- Its job is to regenerate the signal over the same
network before the signal becomes too weak or
corrupted so as to extend the length to which the
signal an be transmitted over the same network.
- An important point to be noted about repeaters
is that they do not amplify the signal. When the
signal becomes weak, they copy the signal bit by
bit and regenerate it at the original strength. It is
a 2 port device.
Hub
- It is basically a multiport repeater.
- A hub connects multiple wires coming from
different branches, for example, the connector in
star topology which connects different stations.
- Hubs cannot filter data, so data packets are sent
to all connected devices.
TYPES OF HUBS
- Active Hub
- These are the hubs which have their own
power supply and can clean, boost and
relay the signal along the network. It
serves both as a repeater as well as
wiring center. These are used to extend
maximum distance between nodes.
- Passive Hub
- These are the hubs which collect wiring
from nodes and power supply from active
hub. These hubs relay signals onto the
network without cleaning and boosting
them and can’t be used to extend
distance between nodes.
Bridge
- It operates a data link layer.
- A bridge is a repeater, with add on functionality
of filtering content by reading the MAC (Media
Access Control) addresses of source and
destination.
- It is also used for interconnecting two LANs
working on the same protocol. It has single input
and single output port, thus making it a 2 port
device.
TYPES OF BRIDGES
Transparent Bridges
- These are the bridge in which the
stations are completely unaware of the
bridge’s existence i.e. whether or not a
bridge is added or deleted from the
network, reconfiguration of the station is
unnecessary. These bridges make use of
two processes i.e. bridge forwarding and
bridge learning.
Source Routing Bridges
- In these bridges, routing operation is
performed by source station and the
frame specifies which route to follow. The
hot can discover frame by sending a
special frame called discovery frame,
which spreads through the entire network
using all possible paths to destination.
Switch
- It is a multi port bridge with a buffer and a design
that can boost its efficiency and performance.
- Switch can perform error checking before
forwarding data that makes it very efficient as it
does not forward packets that have errors and
forward good packets selectively to correct port
only. In other words, switch divides collision
domain of hosts, but broadcast domain remains
same.
Router
- It is a device like a switch that routes data
packets based on their IP addresses.
- Routers normally connect LANs and WANs
together and have a dynamically updating
routing table based on which they make
decisions on routing the data packets. Router
divide broadcast domains of hosts connected
through it.
Gateway
- It is a passage to connect two networks together
that may work upon different networking models.
They basically works as the messenger agents
that take data from from one system, interpret it,
and transfer it to another system.
- Gateways are also called protocol converters
and can operate at any network layer. Gateways
are generally more complex than switch or
router.
Brouter
- It is also known as bridging router is a device
which combines features of both bridge and
router.
- Working as router, it is capable of routing
packets across networks and working as bridge,
it is capable of filtering local area network traffic.
Chapter 4:
Motherboard and Computer Ports
Mother Board (known as the Mainboard, system
board, base board, planar board or logic board, or
colloquially, a mobo). It holds and allows
communication between many of the crucial electronic
components of a system, such as the central processing
unit (CPU) and memory, and provides connectors for
other peripherals. Motherboard contains significant
sub-systems such as the central processor, the
chipset’s input/output and memory controllers, interface
connectors, and other peripheral devices.
COMPUTER PORTS:
A Computer Port is a specialized outlet on a piece of
equipment to which a plug or cable connects and ports
serve as linkage between the computer to peripheral
devices and other computers.
SOME OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A
MOTHERBOARD:
Some of the Major Components of a Motherboard:
Major components of motherboard Processor (CPU),
memory (RAM), and expansion slots attached in the
mother board and very important for the computer to
function.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- The CPU (known as the microprocessor or
the processor) is serve as the computer’s brain
and responsible for computations, fetching,
decoding and executing program instructions.
Processor Chip
- The Process Chip is identify by the processor
type and the manufacturer. The Information is
from the manufacturer which is identify the
processor that fits in the sockets.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
- Random Access Memory or RAM that stores
dynamic data temporarily and the working place
of the computer, The RAM serve place where
data and active programs occur and it loses the
contents once power is turned off or shutdown.
Basic Input/Output Systems (BIOS)
- The BIOS have all the codes required for
controlling the keyboard. Displaying the screen,
disk drives, serial communications, and a
number of miscellaneous functions. BIOS is the
link in the between the software and computer
hardware.
- The System BIOS is a ROM chip on the mother
board used during the startup routine (boot
process) to check out the systems and prepare
to run the hardware. The BIOS is stored on a
ROM chip because ROM retains information
even when no power is being supplied to the
computer.
Motherboard also include a small separate block of
memory made from CMOS RAM chips which is kept
alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even
when the PC’s power is off. This prevents
reconfiguration when the PC is powered on.
CMOS devices require very little power to operate.
The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information
about the PC’s configuration for instances:
- RAM size
- Information about CPU
- Serial and Parallel port Information
- Floppy disk and Hard disk drive types
- Power Saving settings
- Plug and Play Information
- Date and Time
Cache Memory
- A small block of high-speed memory that boosts
the PC’s performance by pre-loading information
from the (relatively slow) main memory and
passing it to the processor on demand.
- Every CPU has a built-in cache and called as
the Level 1 or the primary cache memory. This is
supplemented by an external cache memory
called the secondary cache or level 2 cache. If
there is a cache implemented outside the die,
which will be called the level 3 cache.
Expansion Bus
- Expansion bus is an input/output pathway to the
peripheral devices coming from the CPU. It is
typically made up of a peripheral devices coming
from the CPU and signals such as data,
memory, addresses, and power and control
signals are carried from component to
component by the busses. Other types of
busses are ISA and EISA.
- The Function of expansion buses is it enhances
the PC’s capabilities by slotting cards into the
expansion slots, which allows the user to add
missing features into computer.
Chipset
- A chipset is a group of tiny circuits that
coordinates the data flow back and forth from a
computer’s key components.
- A chip is also the one that controls data flow to
and from the hard disk and the devices that are
connected to the channels of IDE.
The 2 Main Chipsets of a Computer:
- The North Bridge (memory controller) controls
the transfer between the RAM and the
processor. Sometimes it is called as the GMCH
(Graphics and Memory Control Hub)
- The South Bridge (expansion controller)
handles the communication between slower
peripheral devices. The term “bridge” is
generally used for designating a component
which connects two buses.
CPU clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the
PC and provides the basic timing signal for the CPU.
Using a quartz crystal the CPU clock breathes life into
the microprocessor by feeding it a constant flow of
pulses.
Real time clock or System clock keeps track of the
time of day and makes this data available to the
software.
Time sharing clock interrupts the CPU at regular
intervals and allows the operating system to divide its
time between active users and/or applications.
Switches and Jumpers
- DIP (Dual In-Line Package) switches are small
electronic switches found on the circuit board
that can be turned on or off just like a normal
switch.
- Jumper pins are small protruding pins on the
mother board. A jumper cap or bridge is used to
connect or short a pair of jumper pins.
- Jumper caps are metal that close an electrical
circuit and sometimes used to configure
expansion boards. By placing a jumper plug over
a different set of pins; you can change a board’s
parameters.
Computer Port
- Computer port is also called as a
Communication Port as it is responsible for
communication between the computer and its
peripheral device.
- Communication ports can be divided into two
types based on the type of protocol used for
communication.
They are Serial Ports and Parallel Ports.
Serial Port
- Serial Port is an interface through which
peripherals can be connected using a serial
protocol which involves the transmission of data
one bit at a time over a single communication
line.
- The term Serial Port is used to refer the interface
that is compliant to RS-232 standard.
Common types of Serial Port
- D-Subminiature
- D-sub Connector (that carry RS-232)
- Db-25 is a variant of D-sub connector
and is the original port for RS-232 serial
communication and rarely used as a
serial port and often used as a parallel
printer port as a replacement of the
Centronics Parallel 36 pin connector.
-
Parallel Port
- Parallel Port is an interface through which the
communication between a computer and its
peripheral device is in a parallel manner i.e. data
is transferred in or out in parallel using more
than one communication line or wire.
- Printer port is an example of parallel PS/2.
 Surround Sound Connectors or 3.5mm TRS
Connector
- A 6-connector system included on majority of
computers for audio out as well as a microphone
connection.
- These 6 connectors can be used for a surround
sound configurations of up to 8 channels.

PS/2 Connector
- PS/2 connector is developed by IBM for
connecting mouse and keyboard. P/S2
connectors are color coded as purple for
keyboard and green for mouse and is has a
6-pin DIN Connector.
- This is a pinout diagram of PS/2 female
connector even though the pinout of both mouse S/PDIF/TOSLINK
and keyboard PS/2 ports same, computers do - The Sony /Philips Digital Interface Format
not recognize the device when connected to (S/PDIF) is an audio interconnect used in home
wrong port. media. It supports digital audio and can be
transmitted using coaxial RCA Audio cable or an
optical fiber TOSLINK connector.
- .TOSLINK (Toshiba Link) is most frequently
used digital audio port that can support 7.1
channel surround sound with just one cable.

DE-9 or RS-232 or Comport

- A DE-9 port is also called as a COM port and
allows full duplex serial communication between
the computer and it's peripheral.
- Used as serial interface with mouse, keyboard,
modem, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
and other external RS-232 compatible devices.

VGA Port
- VGA (Video Graphics Array) it is a D-sub
connector consisting of 15 pins in 3 rows.
- The connector is called as DE-15.
Parallel Port or Centronics 36 Pin Port - It is the main interface between computers and
- Parallel port is an interface between computer older CRT monitors.
and peripheral devices like printers with parallel
communication.
- The Centronics ports is a 36-pin port that was
developed as an interface for printers and
scanners and hence a parallel ports is also
called as a Centronics port.

AUDIO PORTS
Digital Video Interface (DVI)
- DVI is a high speed digital interface between a
display controller like a computer and a display
device like a monitor. IT was developed with an
aim of transmitting a lossless digital video
signals and replace by the analogue VGA
technology.

Audio Ports
- Audio ports are used to connect speakers or
other audio output devices with the computer.
There are three (3) types of DVI connectors based on
signal it can carry:
● DVH, DVI-D, and DVI-A,

DVH - is a port with integrated analogue and digital

signals.

DVI-D - supports only digital signals.

DVIA-A - supports only analogue signals.

Micro-DVI
- Micro-DVI port, as the name suggests is
physically smaller than Mini-DVI and is capable
of transmitting only digital signals.
- This port can be connected to external devices
with DVI and VGA interface and respective
adapters are required.

Display Port
Digital Video Interface (DVI)
- The digital signals can be either single link or
dual link where a single link supports a digital
signal up to 1920X1080 resolution and a dual
link supports a digital signal up to 2560X1600
resoution.
- The following image compares the structure of
DVH, DVI-D and DVI-A types along with the
pinouts.
- Display Port is a digital display interface with
optimal multiple channel audio and other forms
of data.
- Display Port is developed with an aim of
replacing VGA and DVI ports as the main
interface between monitor.
- Display Port has a 20-pin connector, which is
very less number when compared to DVI port
and offers better resolution.

Mini-DVI
- Mini DVI port is developed by Apple as an
alternative to Mini-VGA port and is physically
similar to one. It is smaller than regular DVI port.
- It is a 32-pin port and is capable of transmitting
DVI, composite, S-Video and VGA signals with
respective adapters.

RCA Connector
- RCA Connector can carry composite video and
stereo audio signals over three cables.
- Composite or Yellow colored - RCA Connector
that transmits analogue video signals.
- Red and White connectors - are used for
stereo audio signals (red for right channels
and white for left channels)
Component Video
- Component Video is an interface where the
video signals are split into more than two
channels and the quality of the video signals is
better that composite video and can transmit
both analogue and digital video signals.
The port of commonly found Component video uses 3
connectors and it is color coded as Green, Blue and
Red.
S-Video
- S-Video or separate Video connector is used for
transmitting only video signals.
- The picture quality is better than that of
composite.
- Out of the 4 pins, one pin is used to carry the
intensity signals (black and white) and other pin
is used carry color signals.
HDMI
- HDMI is an abbreviation of High Definition
Media Interface.
- HDMI is a digital interface to connect High
Definition and Ultra High Definition devices
like Computer monitors, HDTV'S, Blu-Ray
players, gaming consoles, High Definition
Cameras.
- The HDMI connector consists of 19 pins and the
latest versions HDMI.
Example:
- HDMI 2.0 can carry digital video signal
up to a resolution of 4096X2160 and 32
audio channels.
USB
- Universal Serial Bus (USB) replaced serial ports,
parallel ports PS/2 connectors, game ports and
power charges for portable devices.
There are three (3) kinds of USB ports:
- Type A
- Type B
- Mini USB / Micro USB
USB Type A
- USB Type-A port is a 4-pin connector.
There are different versions of Type-A USB Ports that
is common standard and supports a data rate of
400MBps.
- USB 1.1
- USB 2.0
- USB 3.0
USB 3.1 is also released and support a data rate up to
10Gbps.
USB 2.0 is black color coded and USB 3.0 is blue.
USB C
■ 1 =+5 volts
■ 2 =- Data
■ 3 =+ Data
■ 4 = Ground
RJ-45
- Ethernet is a networking technology that is used
to connect your computer to internet and
communicate with other computer or networking
devices.
- The interface that is known as Registered Jack
(RJ) and RJ-45 port in particular is used for
Ethernet over cable.
- RJ-45 connector is an 8pin 0 8 contact (8P-8C)
type modular connector.
- The un-keyed 8p - 8C modular connector is
generally referred to the Ethernet RJ-45. Often,
RJ-45 ports are equipped with two LEDs for
indication transmission and packet detection.

RJ-11
- RJ-11 is another type of Registered Jack that is
used as an interface for telephone, modem or
ADSL connections.
- RJ-45 and RJ-11 ports look alike but RJ-11 is a
smaller port and jses a 6 point - 4 contact
(6P-4C) connector even though a 6point -
2contact (6P-2C) sufficient.
E-SATA
- E-SATA is an external ports capable of
supporting both e-SATA and USB.
- Neither the SATA organization nor the USB
organization has officially approved the e-SATA
and must be used at user's risk.
Chapter 5:
Computer Power Supply
Power Supply
- A power supply is a devices that supplies
electric power to the components of the
computer unit.
- Power Supply converts Alternating-Current
(AC) Power into Direct-Current (DC) power.
- All power supplies have a power input
connection, which receives energy in the form of
electric current from a source, and one or more
power output connections that deliver current to
the load.
AC - Alternating Current comes from the outlet
DC - Direct Current goes to the PC.
Electrons - A flow of negatively charged particles called
electrons.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity Volts - 110-115v in USA other countries use
220-230v(pressure)
Amperes - The number of electron per second flowing
between two Points the amount of water per sec.
- leaving a dam thru pipe (the higher the amount
the more dangerous)
Watts - Amount of power (Typical PC today use about
500watts)
Ohms- Resistance Impedance similar to gate valve.
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 computer.
- 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 normally 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.
PARTS OF A POWER SUPPLY
Input Voltage Selector - Allows you to choose
which source or input voltage you are to use
(110v or 220v)
Power Plug Receptacle - Connect the power
supply to the main electricity supply via wall
socket or extension cord.
Power Supply Fan - Circulates air throughout
the power supply it acts as a cooling system to
the power supply.
Cover - Simply providing structural support to
the power supply and keeps dust and other
foreign object on getting into its components.
Disk Drive Connectors - Connectors that are
designed to be attached to the rear of each
drive.
Motherboard Connector - Connects to the
motherboard, to provide power to the
motherboard, processor, memory, chipset,
integrated components (such as video, LAN
universal serial bus [USB], and Firewire). And
any cord plugged into bus slots.
BASIC COMPONENTS OF A POWER SUPPLY UNIT

Transformer - it is a static device that transfers

electrical energy from the primary winding to the
secondary winding without affecting the
frequency. Reducing or increasing the voltage of
an alternating current.

Rectifier - it is a device used to change the ac

power into dc. The basic rectifier is the diode
- This diode is a unidirectional device that
acts as rectifier in the forward direction.

The three (3) basic rectifier circuits using diodes Troubleshooting A Power Supply
- Half-wave If a computer power supply is not working you may want
- Full-wave center-tapped to check the following:
- Full-wave bridge type
1. Is it Plugged in?
Filter - the filter of the power supply is used to 2. Check connection
keep the ripple component from appearing in the 3. Is it turned on?
output. It is designed to convert pulsating DC 4. Check AC Outlet
from rectifier circuits into a suitably smooth dc 5. Check surge protector or UPS Connection
level. 6. Check On and Off Switch on back of PC
7. Check Front Panel connection
Voltage regulator - A voltage regulator is 8. Check Voltage
intended to give a very steady or well-regulated 9. Check Motherboard power sockets
DC output. It is always best to have a steady 10. Check for Dust
output voltage so that the load will function 11. Check Cooling fan
properly. The output level is maintained despite 12. Overheating is it hot?
of the variation of the input voltage. 13. Check for weird and unusual noises
14. Power Supply should have a quiet humming
noise if its good.
POWER SUPPLY CABLE COLOR CODES 15. Check for erratic behavior and long shut downs.

Black Wires - those are used to provide a
ground for the current. Every other color should
be paired with a black wire.
Yellow Wires - this color denotes +12volt
- A power supply can be easily changed and are
generally not expensive, so if one fails which is
common, then replacement is usually the most
economic solutions.

Red Wires - this color denotes +5volt

Blue Wires - -12volt

White Wires - -5volt

Orange Wires - 3.3volt

Green Wires - control wire to check Dc voltage

Purple Wires - +5v on standby mode