Computer Hardware

Chapter 2 Computer Concepts

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Preview and Objectives

Explain why most

computers are digital Describe the role of the microprocessors ALU, control unit, registers, and instruction set List the factors that affect microprocessor performance Explain how RAM works and how it differs from disk storage List important facts about RAM

Describe the difference

between magnetic and optical storage Compare storage technologies Describe the components of the expansion bus, expansion slots, and cables Explain hardware compatibility considerations Differentiate between a CRT and LCD monitor Compare and contrast technologies and applications for various types of printers
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Data Representation and Digital Electronics

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Digital Data Representation

The form in which Digital devices work

information is conceived manipulated, and recorded. Bit (binary digit)

0 (off), 1 (on)

Byte
8 bits, About one

character of data

with distinct numbers or digits such as 0 and 1. Analog devices operate on continuously varying data between two numbers (.5, .33, etc.)

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Numeric Data Representation Codes

Numeric data

consists of numbers that represent quantities and that might be used in arithmetic operations Binary (0, 1) vs. decimal number system (0-9)
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Character Data Representation Codes

Character data is composed of

letters, symbols, and numerals that will not be used in mathematical operations ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) uses 7 bits to represent data Extended ASCII uses 8 bits to represent data EBCDIC (extended binary-coded decimal interchange code) uses 8 bits to represent data (used on old IBM mainframes) Unicode uses 16 bits to represent data (allows foreign languages)

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Digital Data Representation

Computers know how to distinguish between

numbers that will be represented as character data and numbers as numeric data. To avoid confusion, most computer files contain a file header with information on the code that was used to represent the file data. To work with sounds and pictures, a computer must digitize (convert) colors, notes, and instrument sounds into 1s and 0s.
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Bits and Bytes

One gigabyte is One bit is a single 0 or 1. One byte consists of 8

bits One kilobyte consists of 1,024 bytes. One megabyte is 1,024 kilobytes or approximately 1 million bytes.

1,024 megabytes or approximately 1 billion bytes One terabyte is 1,024 gigabytes or approximately 1 trillion bytes.

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Digital Electronics
Computers process

data in the form of electrical pulses that can travel over circuits. These electrical pulses are represented by 0s and 1s where 0 is off and 1 is on.

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The System Unit

Processes data into information

The system unit components:

Front panel Back Power supply Hard disk drive Motherboard Expansion cards

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The Front Panel

Power controls
Cold boot & Warm boot (Ctrl+Alt+Del) Standby & hibernation

Drive bays
For storage devices Internal /External

Ports

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Drive bays

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The back
The back has Ports for peripheral devices. These

ports include: Parallel - This port is commonly used to connect a printer. Serial - This port is typically used to connect an external modem. Universal Serial Bus (USB) - Quickly becoming the most popular external connection, USB ports offer power and versatility and are incredibly easy to use. FireWire (IEEE 1394) - FireWire is a very popular method of connecting digital-video devices, such as camcorders or digital cameras, to your computer.
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The Back
Ports for peripheral devices Types of ports:
Serial Parallel VGA

USB
Connectivity

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Inside the System Unit

Todays

computers contain relatively few parts. Desktop computers are designed with the expectation that owners will open the case and add or replace various components.
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Integrated Circuits (Chips, Microchips)

DIP (Dual In-line Pin) DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) PGA (Pin-Grid Array) SEC (Single-Edge Contact)
http://chemistry.beloit.edu/Chip/ How small is small Photolighography

Movies at:

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Motherboard
Motherboard - This is the main circuit board that all of

the other internal components connect to. The CPU and memory are usually on the motherboard. Other systems may be found directly on the motherboard or connected to it through a secondary connection. The motherboard also provides sockets for chips and slots for small circuit boards like memory cards, video graphics cards, and modem cards.

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Part B

Microprocessors and Memory

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Microprocessor Basics
The microprocessor, or just

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processor, is an integrated circuit designed to process instructions. It is the most important component of a computer and usually the most expensive. It contains as many as 50 million miniaturized electronic components and is only 30 nanometers thick about the thickness of 300 atoms.

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Arithmetic Logic Unit

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Performs arithmetic operations such as addition and

subtraction Performs logical operations such as comparing two numbers Registers hold data that is being processed Accumulator holds results of processing

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Control Unit
Control Unit Directs and coordinates processing for the entire

computer system Schedules processing by insuring the data and instructions arrive in the ALU Instruction pointer keeps track of the sequence of instructions that is supposed to be processed. Instruction register is where an instruction is stored prior to its execution.

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Instructions & Instruction Cycle

Instructions tell the Instruction Cycle is the

computer to perform a specific operation. The list of instructions that a microprocessor can perform is called its instruction set. These instructions are hard-wired into the processors circuitry
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cycle in which a computer executes a single instruction 4 steps per instruction cycle
1. Fetch instruction 2. Interpret instruction 3. Execute instruction 4. Increment instruction pointer
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Microprocessor Performance
Microprocessor clock is a timing device that sets the pace

for executing instructions. Megahertz (MHz) means the clock executes millions of instructions per second and gigahertz (GHz) means the clock executes billions of instructions per second. Word Size is the number of bits the CPU can manipulate at one time (32 or 64 bits) Cache is high speed memory that allows a microprocessor to access data more rapidly than from memory located elsewhere on the motherboard. (Level 1built in, Level 2-separate) Instruction Set Complexity (CISC or RISC)

Processing Types
Serial processing is when the processor must

complete all of the steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction. Pipelining allows the processor to execute an instruction before it completes the previous one Parallel processing is done by computers with more than one processor Benchmarks are a series of laboratory tests conducted to gauge the overall speed of a microprocessor.
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Todays Microprocessors
Intel is the worlds largest chip maker.
Intel introduced the original Pentium

microprocessor in 1993 and in 2000 it introduced the Pentium 4. Intel also makes a budget Pentium chip called the Celeron which saves $100-300 on the price of a computer. When its time to upgrade, computer users do not usually replace the microprocessor on their computer because of its cost. Its usually easier and more cost effective to buy a new computer system.
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Memory
RAM Virtual ROM CMOS

Random Access Memory (RAM)

RAM Stores data and program instructions the CPU is currently working on

RAM is the waiting room for the computers

processor. RAM differs from disk storage in that it holds data temporarily in circuitry while disk storage places data more permanently on floppy disks, hard disks, and CDs. RAM is volatile, meaning that it requires power to hold data when the power goes off, all the RAM data is lost. The capacity of RAM is measured in megabytes. Todays computers come equipped with 128MB of RAM.
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Virtual Memory
The computers ability to use the hard disk to

simulate RAM Occurs when available RAM is running low

Multitasking often uses virtual memory

The operating system moves least-used data to

the hard drive to free RAM for another task

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Types of RAM
Most of todays personal computers use SDRAM

(Synchronous dynamic RAM) which is fast and relatively inexpensive. RDRAM (Rambus dynamic RAM) is faster and more expensive than SDRAM. RAM is usually configured as a series of DIPs soldered onto a small circuit board called
DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Module) RIMM (Rambus In-line Memory Module) SO-RIMM (Small outline Rambus In-line Memory Module)

RAM speed is measured in nanoseconds which is

equal to one billionth of a second. The lower the RAM speed, the faster the RAM.
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ROM and CMOS

Holds instructions to start up the CMOS: Complementary

computer ROM: (Read Only Memory) Nonvolatile: remembers data even without power. Begins executing when computer is initially turned on (booted) ROM BIOS: (Basic Input-Output System) has instructions that tell the computer how to access the disk drives, find the operating system, and load it into RAM.
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Metal Oxide Semiconductor A semi-permanent way of keeping computer configuration data, such as
number and type of hard

disks
Powered by the battery in

the mother board

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Part C

Storage Devices

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Storage
A storage medium is the disk, tape, CD, DVD,

paper, or other substance that contains data. A storage device is the mechanical apparatus that records and retrieves data from a storage medium. The process of storing data is often referred to as writing data or saving a file because the storage device writes the data on the storage medium to save it for later use.
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Magnet Tapes

Files

Files

Files

Files

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Magnetic Tape
Same medium as audio cassette tapes

Data stored by magnetically rearranging atoms on

tape Uses sequential data access Primarily used for backing up large amounts of data
o (Sequential data access requires winding through the tape to get to a specific piece of information if it is at the end. o The advantage to magnetic tape is that it is cheap.)

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Magnetic and Optical Technologies

Magnetic storage uses hard disk, floppy disk, and

tape storage media and stores data by magnetized microscopic particles on the disk or tape surface. A read-write head mechanism in the disk drive reads and writes the magnetized particles that represent data. Optical storage uses CD and DVD storage media and stores data as microscopic light and dark spots on the disk surface. The dark spots are called pits and the light spots are called lands. 8/6/2012 36

Adding Storage Devices

The system unit case for a desktop computer

contains several storage device parking spaces called drive bays. If you have an empty bay of the right type and size, you can add a storage device. Bays come in two widths:
5 and 3

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Choosing a Storage Technology

Versatility: the ability of a storage device to access data from more

than one type of storage media Durability: The ability of a storage medium to withstand damage or mishandling. Speed
Access time: The average time it takes a computer to locate data on the

storage medium. (measured in milliseconds) Random access (direct access): The ability of a storage device to jump directly to the requested data. Sequential access devices must read from the beginning to end in order (tape drive). Data transfer rate: The amount of data that a storage device can move from the storage medium to the computer per second.
Capacity: The amount of data a storage medium can store.

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Floppy Disk Technology

Small magnetic disks

Transfer data between computers

Use direct data access (random access) 2.5 disk holds 1.44 MB

Iomegas ZIP disk can store 100 MB or More

o (The disk is enclosed in a plastic case to protect it from dirt and dust. Break a disk it open to show students the magnetic disk inside. o Random access is allowed by spinning the disk and moving a read/write over its surface.)

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Hard Disk Technology

A hard disk platter is a flat, rigid disk made of

aluminum or glass and coated with a magnetic oxide. A hard disk consists of multiple hard disk platters. A hard drive mechanism includes a circuit board called a controller that positions the disk and readwrite heads to locate data. Disk drives are classified according to the type of controller.

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Hard Disk Technology (cont.)

Direct memory access (DMA) allows a

computer to transfer data directly from a drive into RAM without intervention from the processor. Ultra DMA (UDMA) is a faster version of DMA technology. A head crash occurs when a read-write head physically touches a disk platter. RAID (redundant array of independent disks) contains many disk platters, provides redundancy, achieves faster data access than standard hard disks.
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Tape Storage Technology

A tape backup is a copy of the data on the hard

disk that is stored on magnetic tape and used to restore lost data. Data on a tape drive is arranged as essentially a long sequence of bits that begins at one end of the tape and stretches to the other end. Tape is not practical as a computers main storage device. However, for backing up data, it takes about 15-20 minutes to back up 1 GB of data.
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CD Technology
CD-ROM (compact disc read only memory)

contains data that has been stamped on the disk surface when it was manufactured. CD-ROM's are inexpensive to manufacture making them an ideal way for software publishers to distribute large programs and data files. Read only means that the computer can retrieve data from a CD-ROM but cannot save any new data on it or delete data from it. A CD-ROM can store up to 680MB of data.
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CD-R & CD-RW Technologies

CD-R (compact disc CD-RW (compact disc-

recordable) technology allows you to create your own CDs by recording data or music on a CD-R disk using a special CD-R drive. The data on a CD-R disk cannot be erased or modified once you have recorded it, but more data can be added until it is 44 full.

rewritable) technology allows you to write data on a CD, then change that data. The process requires special CD-RW disks and a CD-RW drive which uses phase change technology to alter the crystal structure on the disk surface.
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DVD, DVD+RW, & DVD-RAM Technologies

DVD (digital video DVD+RW uses

phase

change technology very /versatile disc) is a similar to CD-RWs. variation of CD technology that is designed to provide DVD-RAM uses a blend of technologies to record data. enough storage capacity for a full-length movie. (4.7 Disks created by a DVDRAM drive cannot be used in GB or more) a DVD+RW drive and vice A DVD-ROM disk is versa. stamped with data and There are already computers cannot be changed. with one device that can read CD-ROMs, DVDROMS, and write DVDs.
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Part D

Input and Output Devices

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Data bus, Expansion bus, Expansion Cards & Slots

Data travels from one component to another over

circuits called a data bus. One part of the data bus runs between RAM and the microprocessor The expansion bus is the segment of the data bus that runs between RAM and peripheral devices. Expansion slot is a socket where expansion cards are plugged in.

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Types of Expansion Slots

ISA:Industry Standard Architecture: old and slow

PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect: faster

AGP:Accelerated Graphics Port: fast, for graphics

cards

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Expansion Cards, Slots, & Ports

Expansion card is a circuit board that plugs into an

expansion slot (graphics, network, modem, etc.) Expansion port is for connecting peripheral devices to the computer (printer, speakers, scanner, etc.)

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Notebook Expansion
Notebooks have a

PCMCIA slot (personal computer memory card international association) is a special expansion slot designed specifically for installing PCMCIA cards. Typically, a notebook has one slot that can hold two cards.

Installing Peripheral Devices

It is not very difficult to install a peripheral

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device. Some devices require software called a device driver which sets up communication between your computer and the device. Todays PCs include a feature called Plug and Play (PnP) that automatically recognizes when a new device has been added to the system. If PnP doesnt work, you may have to check 8/6/2012

Computer Display Systems

Graphics card controls signals sent to the monitor

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors were first and use a

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gun-like mechanism to spray the screen with dots of color. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors produce an image by manipulating light within a layer of liquid crystal cells. Screen size is measured diagonally across the computer screen (i.e. 17 monitor) Viewable image size (vis) is the actual monitor size minus the width of the black border at the edges of the monitor. Dot pitch is the measure of image clarity; a smaller dot pitch means a crisper image. Maximum resolution is the maximum number of pixels a monitor can display. (640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1600 x 1200)

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Notebook Displays
LCD monitors are used to cut weight and

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conserve power Passive matrix screen can blur moving images Active matrix screen (or TFT: Thin Film Transistor) updates more quickly and provides crisp display. SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) is 800 x 600 resolution. XGA (Extended Graphics Array) is 1024 x 768 resolution. 8/6/2012

Printer Considerations
Resolution: The quality or sharpness of printed

images depend on the density of the grid of dots that create an image (measured in dots per inch, or dpi) Print speed: The number of pages per minute (ppm) or characters per second (cps) that a printer can produce.

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Ink Jet Printers

An ink jet printer has a nozzle-like print head

that sprays ink onto paper to form characters and graphics.

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600 2,880 dots per inch (dpi) Can print color Very inexpensive ($59 at Safeway) Cartridge replacement = $25-$35 Per page cost = 5 - 15 cents Up to 15 pages per minute (ppm) Requires special paper for photographic quality
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Other Printer Types

Solid ink printer
Melts sticks of crayon-like ink and then sprays the liquefied

ink through the print heads tiny nozzles Photographic quality on normal paper.

Thermal transfer printer

Uses a page-sized ribbon that is coated with cyan,

magenta, yellow, and black wax. The print head consists of thousands of tiny heating elements that melt the wax onto specially coated paper or transparency film. Expensive but makes high-quality color transparencies

Dye sublimation printer

Uses technology similar to wax transfer except that the

page-sized ribbon contains dye instead of colored wax Best color but $3 - $4 per page
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Laser Printers
A laser printer paints dots of light on a light-

sensitive drum. Electrostatically charged ink (toner) is applied to the drum and transferred to the paper.
600 1,200 dots per inch (dpi) Cost = $400 and up Cartridge replacement = $80 and up Per page cost = 2 cents

8-25 pages per minute depending on model

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Printer Languages
Printers use their own

language to construct a page before printing it. Printer Control Language (PCL) is the most widely used language. Postscript language, however, is preferred by many publishing professionals.

Dot Matrix Printers

A dot matrix (impact) printer produces

characters and graphics by using a grid of fine wires. As the print head moves across the paper, the wires strike the ribbon and paper. (1970s technology).
140 dots per inch (dpi) Cost = ? (cheap) Ribbon replacement = $4

Per page cost = .5 cent or so

Up to 455 characters per second (cps): 5 ppm

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