Components Of Computer Systems.

1. Components Of Computer Systems. Unit 2 P1 Task1 Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

2. Contents. • Internal Unit Components. • Peripherals. • Backing Storage. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

3. Internal system unit components Processors; Motherboard BIOS; Power supply; Fan and heat sink or cooling; Hard drive configuration and controllers e.g. SATA, IDE, EIDE; Master, slave ports e.g. USB, parallel, serial; Internal memory e.g. RAM, ROM, cache; Specialized cards e.g. network, graphic cards. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

4. Processors (Internal system) A Processor is a small chip which is kept in the on the motherboard of the computer. It is the main part of the computer system as it controls everything that goes on. It contains a circuitry which processes all of the instructions in the computer’s programmes given by the user and converts it into actual movements within the computer memory. The circuitry access's data via different ports in the system, stores it within the memory. It the process’s this data and sends it to a Display screen, a printer or to a secondary storage device to be processed at a later date. Computer manufacturers are constantly trying the improve the processing chip. They aim to, increase the amount of instruction it can process, it’s speed and reduce the voltage required to work the processor so it’s more reliable as it doesn’t get too hot. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

5. Motherboard. (Internal system) The motherboard of the computer is the most important part. Without this the computer would not be able to function. This is a printed circuit board (PCB) and this many of the essential parts of the computer. It is where all of the different components of the computer are connected, such as peripherals. It also means the computer components are able to communicate with each other. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

6. BIOS. (Internal system) The BIOS is usually on a ROM chip that comes with the computer, called the ROM BIOS. It is a collection of software and it forms part of the operation system. The Bios… -starts up the PC every time it is turned on. -is a very important diagnosis tool as it, checks the hardware configuration with the configuration data, and ensures the integrity of the computer. -handles all of the inputs and outputs in the computer. When the computer is turned on the memory on it is empty. It only has one set of hardwired instructions which means when it is turned on it can go straight to a ‘jump address’ which means the BIOS can be loaded. When the BIOS is loaded it means the computer is fully booted and the user can begin to use it. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

7. Power Supply . (Internal system) The PSU is usually a black or silver box and contain a fan inside with wires coming out of it. The most important job of the PSU is to supply the PC and components of the PC with power. Internal and external are both different types of power used. The external power provides 110-220V of AC via the socket, and internal power provides 5 or 12V of DC power to the other computer components. The PSU has to convert power from the socket from AC to DC and to the required voltage for the components of the PC as that’s what they need. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

8. Fan and heat sink or cooling.(Internal system) The airflow and cooling system in the computer may never seem as important as it actually is. It plays a major part in making sure the computer system doesn’t crash or fail when being used. It does this by stopping of over heating as like most systems if they overheat they will probably fail. Older PC’s used to rely on cool air being pulled into the case by the fan. Although newer PC’s heat sick or processor cooling fan’s, or both are attached to the CPU which means hot air is being pulled out of the PC case. Most modern Chips present more problems with the hot air as they become a lot hotter than previous ones. This means they need a carful heat dissipation system to prevent them of overheating and failing. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

9. Hard drive configuration and controllers. (Internal system) The computers hard drive is usually placed with the CDs and DVDs inside the processor box. Although, external hard drives are often used and provide secondary storage and can be used for back up. These are usually connected via an input port. However, hard drives are all IDE devices and are controlled by an IDE controller wherever they are connected to. IDE controllers have two different types. These are primary and secondary. The hard drive is usually connected to a primary controller and the CD/DVD drive is usually connected to the secondary controller. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

10. SATA, IDE, EIDE. (Internal system) SATA– A cable which allows devices to be connected and share stored information between each other. This a single cable which always has a minimum of 4 wires. They have a very fast and efficient due to the cable being so small. IDE– Just like SATA is also used to connect devices and share stored information, the only thing it that IDE’s aren’t as fast and as efficient as SATA’s. This is why they are alot thicker. They also can only be up to 40cm which means they’re a limited. EIDE– Short for Enhanced IDE, this is a newer and improved IDE. These are four times faster than IDE’s and used more often now. These can also carry and hold alot more information. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

11. USB, Parallel, Serial ports. (Internal system) USB – A high speed serial connection which means low-speed and high-speed devices can be connected to the computer. This includes, mice, keyboards, scanners, printers, and digital cameras. Parallel – On the PC the it offers a 25 pin DB (data bus). This means the computer is able to connect to other devices such as printers or scanners. Serial – This requires a 25 pin male port, but PCs only use 9 of the pins. This means 9 pin male ports can also replace them. This also allows other devices to connect to the computer. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

12. Master & Slave. (Internal system) Master and slave is the relationship between the drives inside the system. ‘Master’ means there’s always one drive that has control of everything. No matter how many other drives there is there will always be one that controls everything else, this means it will give the other components of the computer commands and pass them on information which they will use to carry out actions for the user. The other drives are the ‘slave’ drives these are all the other drives that have to do everything that the master drive wants it to do and can only access information given to them by the master drive. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

13. Internal Memory (RAM, ROM, CACHE). (Internal system) RAM - Short for ‘Random access memory’. This is stored data that can be accessed in any random order. It is the most common type of memory used in computers and devices such as printers. It also means that any byte of memory can be accessed without touching any other preceding bytes. This is volatile which means it is only remember while it is being used. This doesn’t last forever and will be forgotten after a while. ROM - Short for ‘Read Only Memory’. This is data that has been stored on the computer previously. This means the data can not be deleted, or edited and can only be read by a user. This is non-volatile which means this is always remembered and never forgotten or deleted. CACHE - Cache is where information is kept in the computer so that it can be accessed very quickly and easily when it is needed. This is the easiest way for the user to access the information they need. This is only stored temporarily on the computer. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

14. Specialized Cards (network, graphic). (Internal system) Specialized cards are the cards that are inside the computer system used for certain reasons and have a certain job to do. Graphics cards - These are different in each computer depending on what computer it is and what it is used for. These hold all of the graphics used for the system that gives you a picture on your output device. Network cards - Network cards are fitted inside a computer so that it can connect with another computer network. This is fitted inside the computer and allows the computer to share and take information from the computer network. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

15. Peripherals Output Devices- This is things like, monitor, printer or potter present the result of any processing to the user. Input Devices - These are devices such as keyboards, mice, camera’s or scanners. They’re ways that the user can put data into the processor or give commands to the computer. Cabling - Different types of cabling that are used as part of the computer so that different peripherals are able to be process and transfer information between each other and the system. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

16. Output Devices. (Peripherals) Monitor – A computer monitor is an output device because it connects to the computer, which means it can have an output which is the image that you get on you r screen. Printer – A printer is also an output device because it is given commands by the user and then gives an output which has been converted by the computers processor. You can get different kinds of printers which means they can vary depending on what and where they are being used. Plotter- A plotter is similar to a printer as it prints images depending on commands made by the computer user, but used for jobs that need a lot more precision. This usually means jobs such as engineering. It uses a pen which means it can draw lines rather than just a series of dots. This also means it can use many different colours. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

17. Input devices. (Peripherals) Camera –A camera usually used for an input device on a computer is commonly known as a web camera. This is usually quite small and connected to the PC through the USB port. This allows the user of the computer to take pictures while it is connected to the PC, view them and then upload, save or print them as they want. Scanner –A computer scanner is also an input device of a computer because it can be connected to the computer and then used to scan images or documents on to the computer to then again, save, print or upload them. These can be wirelessly connected to a PC or connected through a USB port. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

18. Cabling. (Peripherals) Coaxial –A type of wire that consists of a centre wire and surrounded by installation and a grounded shield of wire. This minimizes electrical and radio interference. It I commonly used in cabling televisions and for computer networks, such as Ethernet. Optical –Optical cables can be used used to, transmit a large amount of data for communication, or transmit large amounts of electricity. It is a Fibre cable and coated with a tough layer of resin, and a layer of plastic which gives the cable extra strength and doesn't’t stop the fibre of maintaining it’s properties. Twisted Pair –This is a type of cable the consists of two wires, independently insulated and twisted around one another. This is generally used in old telephones and network cable. It generally seems to do the same job as coaxial and fibre optic cables. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

19. Printers. Inkjet- Laserjet- Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

20. Backing Storage Disks Pen Drives Optical Media Flash Memory Cards Portable Drives Fixed Drives Performance Rates Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

21. Backing Storages Disks –Disks storage can store most types of Data. It is usually used to store data to be shared between computer systems and means that if anything is lost on the computer system it can be found and re-downloaded to the system. As it is a disk it is usually read via the disk hard drive on the computer. Pen Drives –Pen drives are another type of backing storage which means again data is stored for a back up or commonly to exchange data through computer systems. As is it a pen drive it is usually connected to the computer via the USB port. Optical Media –Optical disks are not s fast as hard drives and usually takes longer for information to be accessed. This may not be a good thing but they have many other advantages which includes, having a longer life, less likely to loose their data, and can be alot cheaper which makes them easier for backups and to transfer data between computers. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

22. …Backing Storages Flash memory cards –Usually used in mobile phones or cameras. These are small removable cards. The fact that they are small means that they usually don’t have a memory as large as a hard drive. They can also cost a lot of money compared to other hard drives that can hold much more data. Portable Drives –A portable drive usually has Ilarge memory. It is a drive which contains it’s own power supply and a fan. It is external of the computer system and usually connects to the PC via a USB cable. Fixed Drives –A fixed hard drive disk is used to store operating system or applications to the computer. This is very different to a portable drive. Fixed drives requires very fast access to alot of data on the computer system. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1

23. Backing storage, Performance rates Data transfer rate – Data transfer rate will depend on the type of device how old/new the device being used actually is. For example, if you have a backing storage hard drive or a pen drive the hard drive would probably have a better transfer rate as they’re more developed. Although if the hard drive was a few years older than the pen drive then the pen drive would probably have a better transfer rate as it would be newer and more developed. The transfer rate is usually measured in Megabytes per second (MBps). Capacity – Capacity of a backing storage also depends on the type of device being used and how old it is. Using a pen drive and hard drive as examples again, hard drives usually tend to have a better overall capacity than a pen drive. However pen drives are being more developed so that they can have a better capacity rate than they already do. This means in the future there is a good chance that pen drives may have capacities as high as a hard drive. Tom Steptoe Task 1 P1