1. Computer Hardware Ruth Watson
Chapter 6
Computer Hardware
Ruth Watson
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

2. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Objectives (1 of 2)
Explain the difference between RAM and ROM
Explain the difference between RAM and storage
Explain what a motherboard is
Explain what a processor does
Explain the what RAID is
Explain what a UPS is
Demonstrate how to write-protect a disk
Explain the difference between a partition and a disk
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3. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Objectives (2 of 2)
Explain the role of the boot.ini file
Explain why binary math is important to computers
Explain the difference between a modem and a network interface card
Explain the difference between a parallel and serial connection
Identify at least 4 different ports, by sight, on a computer
Demonstrate how to clean a mouse
Explain what a driver is
Explain what an interrupt is
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4. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Introduction
Computers are made up of hardware and software
The software tells the hardware what to do
Computers receive input via the keyboard and mouse or other input devices
Processing happens though the motherboard via ROM, RAM, and the processor
The output comes through the monitor, printer, sound card, or more
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

5. Important Terms to Understand
EIDE
Floppy disk
Gigahertz
Hard disk
IDE
IEEE
IEEE 1394
Interrupt
I/O
IRQ
ISA
Master/slave
Memory
Microprocessor
Modem
Motherboard
Network interface card
Parity
Partition
PCI
Plug and play
Port
RAM
ROM
SCSI
Sector
Virtual Memory
Volume
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What Is a Computer?
Microprocessor
Internal Memory
Auxiliary Storage
Input Units
Output Units
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

7. Any Computer System Memory Central processing unit Input Output (CPU)
Disk
Auxiliary Storage
Output
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

8. Internal Hardware Components
CD-ROM
CPU
Expansion slots
Floppy drive
Hard disk
Memory chip
Motherboard
Power supply
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9. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Back of the Computer
Cooling Fan
Power Supply
Keyboard Connector
Mouse Connector
Parallel Printer Port
Video Connector
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10. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Processor
Brain of the computer
Current chips for PC
Intel (Celeron, Pentium III, and Pentium IV)
AMD (K-6 and Athlon)
Which do I buy?
Pentium or Athlon for graphic-intensive programs
K-6 or Celeron for business and Internet browsing
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Types of Disks
Floppy Disk
Most common is 1.44Mb
LS-120 disk is 120Mb
High Capacity Removable Storage
Zip disks
Jazz Disks
CD-R
CD-RW
Hard (Fixed) Disk
Most common are 2.0 GHz or higher
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Care of a Disk
Disk can be damaged easily
Power spikes can harm hard disks
A UPS can help with power surges
Floppy disks can be damaged when exposed to extreme heat or cold conditions
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Monitor Size and Resolution
Monitors come in different sizes: 17,” 19,” and 21”
Resolution is expressed in pixels
800 x 600
1024 x 768
The higher the resolution, the more you can see
Larger monitors let you run at higher resolutions
e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably
A graphics card (video display adapter) speeds processing
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14. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Formatting a Disk
Formatting prepares a disk to accept data
Formatting can also delete any data already stored on the disk
Full format wipes everything out
Quick format deletes pointers only, but data is overwritten later
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15. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Multiple Drives
Each storage device has its own drive letter
C: is usually the first hard drive
Partitioned hard drives also contain their own letters
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16. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Partitions
Partitioning means to slice up one hard drive into separate areas
Installing one Office program would not affect the installing of another version on the second half
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17. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Boot Options
The boot file boot.ini is responsible for creating boot options for your OS
The boot file gives you the option to go into different OS installed on either side of a partition
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

18. Storage- Internal Memory (RAM)
Temporary (erased when power is turned off)
Measured in bytes
1 Byte = 1 character (8 bits)
1 Kilobyte = 210 (~1,000 bytes)
1 Megabyte = 220 (~1,000,000 bytes)
1 Gigabyte = 230 (~1,000,000,000 bytes)
Need 512 MB of RAM
Keep multiple programs & data files in memory
Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory
ROM is read only memory that contains instructions burned in at the computer factory
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

19. Data Transfer and Format
Data travels along the computer bus via a series of pathways
connects the hardware components to the processor
The wider the pathway, the faster the data moves
Data is transferred in the form of electronic signals represented by two states: 0 or 1 (off or on)
ASCII code translates computer language into something we can understand
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

20. Network Interface Cards and Modems
A NIC card connects two or more computer together to share information and resources
Connected to the back through a RF45 connector
A modem connects the computer to the Internet
A modem is connected to the back with a RJ11 connector
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21. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Additional Components
Ink Jet Printers
B/W or color
Smears
Laser Printers
Highest quality output
Speakers
Keyboard
Mouse
Trackball
Scanner
Joystick
Pens
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

22. Peripheral Devices- Drivers
Most peripheral devices require a driver to operate
Windows comes with many drivers for common mouse, keyboard, and other devices
Most manufacturing Web sites have drivers available for download
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6

23. Peripheral Devices- Interrupts
Interrupts (mouse clicks, keyboard taps, etc.) are handled by the processor
Interrupts travel on IRQs (Interrupt Request Lines)
Windows reserves IRQs for your devices
Preview the Device Manager to see which ones are reserved
Interrupt conflicts can cause your computer to lock up
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Installing Hardware
Hardware can be upgraded
Increase RAM
Increase your Processor
Add another drive
Must understand your system to purchase the correct upgrades
Add/Remove hardware components using Add/Remove Hardware Wizard
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Summary
Sometimes you will want to open up your computer and to add upgraded hardware
IT professionals must understand
the role of the processor,
what ROM does,
the difference between RAM and storage space
and how to partition your hard disk
Newer computer systems do a better job handling interrupt conflicts
Newer computer systems have more drivers to add upgrades
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26. Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6
Questions?
Operating Systems Concepts 1/e Ruth Watson Chapter 6