Computer Basics1. Desktop Computer Cases2. Motherboards3. Central Processing Unit (CPU)4. Computer Memory(CPU)5. Hard DriveDisk(HDD)6. CD/DVD Drives7. Video Cards8. Sound Card9. Monitors10. Network Card

2. Computer Power SupplyA power cable connects from thepower point to the power supplywhere it supplys the motherboard andother components with power.most common power supply - ATXPower Supply.AT Power Supply, few years ago butthis has become less common.The computer power supply is placedinside the computer case generallynear the top of the casesometimes necessary to buy a minipower supply for some cases There are usually power ports on themotherboard for the fans in the casebut if not it is possible to buy anadapter that will convert power fromthe 4-pin power cable to a fan powercable.

3. Computer Motherboards A motherboard is the mother to allthe computer parts. In other words,everything in a computer connects tothe motherboard.A typical motherboard hasattachment points for all the commoncomponents in a computer. These arethe Power Supply, CPU (CentralProcessing Unit), hard drive, RAM(Random Access Memory), graphicscard, CD drive and other peripheraldevices such as sound cards, networkcards etc.In recent motherboards, the soundcards and even the network cards arebuilt into the motherboard making itunnecessary to purchase additionalcards.

4. Different MotherboardComponentsCPU SocketCMOSBIOSMemory SlotsPower ConnectorsIDE ConnectorsSATA ConnectorsCMOS BatteryAGP Graphics SlotPCI-Express Graphics SlotPCI SlotsChipset 5. CPU Socket A CPU socket is a connectorbuilt into the motherboardwhere the CPU (centralprocessing unit) goes. Mostmotherboards use the PGA(Pin Grid Array) architecturewhich means that there is agrid of holes, in which aparticular CPUs pins will fitinto. Several of the recent LGA(land grid array) motherboardsnow have pins in the socketwhile the CPU has contact padsthat match the pins.

6. CMOS Complementary MetalOxide Semiconductor Memory which containsBIOS information The CMOS batterypowers the CMOSMemory so that all thisdata wont be lost. Motherboard Battery

7. Computer Bios Basic Input/Output System. to identify and make sure that the major computercomponents such as the,CPU, Hard Drive and Optical Drives The Bios contains code needed to run the keyboard,screen, disk drives and other functions. It is typically storedon the ROM (Read Only Memory) Bios, which means that ifthe computer suffers a major catastrophe (such as a brokenCPU, or dead hard drive) then the Bios information remainsunharmed and the computer will still be able to functionafter these components are replaced. The Bios is what makes the computer boot from theoperating system, it makes it initiate thePOST (Power On Self Test). The more recent computer biosare flash compatible. This means that they can be updatedto a more recent version.

8. BIOS Setup Utility The computer BIOS setup utility (also known as theCMOS setup) is the place where you can change a fewbasic computer hardware settings. The BIOS and CMOSoften get confused but there is quite a difference. The BIOS contains all the settings and the CMOSmemory is a piece of RAM that remembers all the info. In the case of many computers pressing delete or F10in the booting process will bring you to the BIOS setuputility. If these dont work, then your computer willspecify on startup such as (press ******* to entersetup) or it will be mentioned in your manual. There isno harm in looking at the setup, so find your key andhave a look (just make sure you dont save on exit).

9. Main TabWhen your in the setup, you canchange many options. You can changethe order of booting, which device doyou want the computer to boot to etc.You can decide whether to disableparticular devices (such as onboardsound or network cards). You canchange the date or time and you canalso reset the CMOS back to factorysettings. This will return the BIOS backto default, which isnt the greatestidea in the world unless you knowwhat your doing.The settings in the BIOS depend oneach manufacturer. Here I will giveyou a little run down on the Tabs andwhat they could have in them.

10. Advance tabIn the advance tab you often findinformation on the IDE configuration, theFloppy Configuration, the Boot Settingsconfiguration. You can further investigateby pressing enter over the IDEconfiguration and then looking at theitems listed. It will have all your harddrives and cd/dvd drives listed here. Ifyou have two hard drives connected thentwo will show up here.This is a great place to check if your harddrive is being recognized. If the new harddrive or cd/dvd drive is not recognized inhere, then your operating system willdefinetely not find it. If your hard drive isrecognized here but not by windows thenthere is some problem with youroperating system, but not your computer.You can zoom in even more by pressingenter and have a look at a specific harddrive in detail. You can see its exact size,the vendor and the mode and otherspecifications.

11. Power Tab The power tab is self-explanatory. It just givesyou power options that you can change. Iwould recommend leaving these as they are.

12. Boot tabThe boot tab of the BIOS setup givesyou all the options for when you bootup. You can order the preference inbooting. You can choose whether youwant to boot from the Floppy Drive,CD drive, or hard drive and in whatorder. This is probably the mostchanged setting in the BIOS setup. Iwould also leave as they are unlessyou need to specifically boot fromanother location.In more recent computers you canchange it to boot via a network, orthrough USB. Check outthis page on the boot process for moreinformation on what a computer doeswhen it starts.

13. Security Tab In this tab you can change all the passwords,or assign passwords to the BIOS. This can be arisky thing to do because you could forgetyour password, but if you do there is a way offixing it. Follow this tutorial to learn how.

14. Exit tabThe Exit tab is more completed thenyou would expect. There are a numberof options here. You can exit savingyour changes, you can exit discardingchanges, you can load optimal defaultsand also the failsage defaults. Iwouldnt recommend going back tothese defaults as they will changeeverything, unless you know whatyour doing.

15. Boot Process The boot process is something that happens every time you turn your computeron. You dont really see it, because it happens so fast. You press the power buttoncome back a few minutes later and Windows XP, or Windows Vista, or whateverOperating System you use is all loaded.1. The first step your computer does when you press the power button, is to turn theComputer Power Supply on. Once a Power Good signal is sent to themotherboard, the CPU then (understanding that the power supply is stable) looksfor the ROM bios.2. The CPU looks to the ROM bios for the first instruction, and the first instruction isto run the POST (Power-On-Self-Test).3. The POST first checks the bios and then tests the CMOS RAM. If there is noproblems with this then POST continues to check the CPU, hardware devices suchas the Video Card, the secondary storage devices such as the Hard Drive, FloppyDrives, Zip Drive orCD/DVD Drives.4. If there are any errors found then an error message is displayed on screen or anumber of beeps are heard. These beeps are known as POST beep codes. Thereason the computer sometimes uses beep codes instead of displaying an errormessage is because the video card has not yet been initiated or there may be anerror with the card.

5. Next the bios finds the video card and runs the video cards bios. This usually is thefirst thing that modern machines display on the screen. After that the computerlooks at the other devices and runs their bios if they have one

6. The bios then displays the system configuration.

7. During the display more tests are conducted including the test that shows yourcomputer testing the memory. If there are any problems found from now on theywill be displayed in a text message on the screen.

8. After that the bios searches for something that it can boot from. This can be set inthe CMOS under boot sequence. It can be set to the A: Drive (Floppy) C: (HardDrive, Primary Partition) D: (CD/DVD Drive) or others such as the USB drive ornetwork card (depending on the bios).

9. Once the target boot device has been selected the bios will search for the MasterBoot Record (MBR). If it is searching for a hard drive it looks at cylinder 0, head 0,sector 1.

10. Once a valid volume boot sector is found the bios has done its job and hands overcontrol to the Operating System that completes the booting process. It will alsoconduct a few hardware tests. 17. 11. If no valid boot record is found the computer will display an error such as thefollowing:Non-System Disk or disk errorReplace and press any key when ready12. If a valid boot record is found but it cannot read the Master Boot Record then thecomputer will display a message such as:Disk boot failure, insert system disk and press enter 18. Power On Self Test (POST) The Power On Self Test happens each time you turn your computeron. It sounds complicated and thats because it kind of is. Yourcomputer does so much when its turned on and this is just part ofthat. The POST is an automated test that is controlled by the Bios. Ithappens during the boot process. The first step of the POST, whichis operated by the Bios, is to verify the Bios code. After it has completed that, the POST then continues to check allthe computer hardware. If there are no errors the POST willproceed very quickly. However if any errors are found, these will bedisplayed via an error message, or if the video hasnt been turnedon, or if there is some error in it, then the computer will make anumber of beeps. These are known as the POST beep codes. The computer may make one or two beeps on startup anyway,however these are normal. It is only when the beep continues andyour computer does not start up correctly. Then you may haveproblems. 19. Master Boot Record (MBR) The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a small program that starts when thecomputer is booting, in order to find the operating system (eg. WindowsXP). This complicated process (called the Boot Proces) starts with thePOST (Power On Self Test) and ends when the Bios searches for the MBRon the Hard Drive, which is generally located in the first sector, first head,first cylinder (cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1). The bios will search for the MBR in a few places such as the hard drive,floppy drive, cd/dvd and USB and the order of what is searched can bechanged in the CMOS. Once the bios has found the Master Boot Record then the comptertransfers control over to the MBR, which then proceeds to load theoperating system. You can create the MBR with Windows/Dos with thecommand FDISK/MBR. The Master Boot Record was specifically targeted by viruses early on. Avirus in your MBR was fatal to the computer and involved a lot of work forthe user to fix the MBR. Dont worry though, most MBR viruses infect the computer via a CD orFloppy Disk. 20. IDE Cables andConnectorsThe connector to which you will insertan IDE cable (supplied withmotherboard) IDE cables connectdevices such as hard disks, CD Drivesand DVD Drives. current 4 standards of IDE devicesare ATA 33/66/100 and 133. the numbers specify the amount ofdata in Mb/s in a max burst situation. 21. Serial ATA Connector(11) more commonly seen as S-ATA. to connect HDD much faster than ifconnected via IDE S-ATA hard disks are fast becomingthe norm for hard drive technology 22. PCI SlotsThe Peripheral Component Interconnect slots, commonly known as the PCIslots, refers to a computer bus. Thecomputer bus is used by the computerto connect to peripheral add-ondevices, such as a pci video card,network cards, sound cards, tv tuners,firewire cards, graphics cards andmany other types of extension cards. PCI expansion slot was introduced byIntel, but can be found in both PCsand Macs.PCI was then succeeded by the PCI-Eor (PCI Express slot), but PCI is stillfound in most computers becausemany expansion devices dont needPCI-E capabilities. also possible to get a PCI card thathad more PCI expansion slots on it.Better buy bigger case for some moreUSB ports, wireless card, TV tunner 23. Computer Sound CardA computer sound card is anadditional card that is often includedin the motherboard. This computercomponent is not compulsory but it isuseful to have as most programs use asound card.translates signals into sounds that canbe played back through speakers.motherboards have a sound card builtinA pc sound card is placed into the PCIslots of a motherboard.The largest port is the Midi/Gameport, which is used for connecting ajoystick or gaming controller to. Theother three ports look similar and aregenerally green, pink and blue. 24. The pink port is for a microphone which can record sound to the computer. The green port is line out andthis is where the speakers are connected to produce sound from the computer. The blue port is line inand this is for connecting a CD-player or cassette tape to the computer.Sound Card Manufactures:1. Realtek 25. Network Carda network card is a piece of computerhardware, that is designed to allowcomputers to communicate over anetwork. 26. Types of Network CardsThere are also different types of network cards.1.wireless network cards,2.usb network adapters,3.typical network cards4.and more.Benefits of wireless network1.Setup2.Security3.Cheaper4.Speed 27. Types of Network CardsThere are also different types of network cards.1.wireless network cards,2.usb network adapters,3.typical network cards4.and more.Benefits of wireless network1.Setup2.Security3.Cheaper4.SpeedEg: Wi fi, Wi max, Bluetooth, Infra Red 28. AGP Graphics SlotAccelerated Graphics Port specific point to point video cardinterface that is used to connect thecard to your computers processor andmemory. It is most commonly used for videogames first released in the late 1990s 29. Computer Video Card very important component in a computerWithout this we cant any information onmoniter.it transfers video signals through a cable to yourmonitorvideo card can either be built into themotherboard or be a separate card that is placedin either the AGP or PCI-Express Slots.The computer graphics cards major job in acomputer is to convert graphic patterns intosignals for the monitors screen.2D and 3D effects 30. several ways the computergraphics card transfers thesignal to the monitor.1. VGA (Video Graphics Array)port -most common way2. DVI (Digital VideoInteractive) port Some graphic card allows toconnect two monitors S-Video (TV Out)Measuring the Video Card1. MB (Megabyte)2. similar to RAM but smaller,3. E.g., 16MB, 32MB, 64MB, type of memory it has(DDR, DDR2, DDR3 orDDR4) and by its chipset.

31. List of graphics card manufacturers:1.Galaxy NVIDIA Geforce 8400 GS 512 MB DDR32.Galaxy NVIDIA GeForce 210 1 GB DDR33. Sapphire AMD/ATI Radeon HD 5450 1 GBDDR34.Asus NVIDIA GeForce EN210 1 GB DDR35.Sapphire AMD/ATI Radeon HD 6450 1 GBDDR3

32. Computer Network Cables When connecting computer network cards to eachotheror even to a hub/switch or router, you need networkcables.Types of Computer Network CablesCat 3 - typically used for voice cabling and the slower10Mb Ethernet. These were a popular cabling format inthe 1990s.Cat 5 - used for the 10/100Mb Ethernet networks andalso used for voice cabling, token ring and ATM. Cat 5cables were superceded by the superior Cat 5e cabling.Cat 5E - an improved version of Cat5 cabling thatprevents cross-talk and is rated at a much higher350Mhz. Cat5e cables are also used for the 10/100Mbnetworks and the 1000Mb (or Gigabit Ethernet)networks.

33. Cat 6-usedforthe10/100/1000Mbnetworks.SimilartotheCat5ecablesbutwithlargergaugewires.PeopleincorrectlyassumethatgettingCat6cableswillautomaticallyincreaseyournetworkspeedstoGigabit(1000Mb)speeds.However,thisisonlypossibleifeverythinginyournetwork(cards,switchandcablesareallGigabitcertified).Cat 7-alsoknownasclassF,thisfully-shieldedcableisrelativelynewandisntusedasmuchatthemoment.Cat7cablessupportfrequenciesofupto600Mhz.ReadmoreonCat7cables.Basically two types of ethernet cables1.StraightThroughCables2.CrossoverCablesStraight Through Cablesbothendsofthecableswillbeidentical.usedforconnectingaPCtoahub/switchorforconnectingaroutertoaswitch.hub/switchperformsthecrossoverforyouCrossover Cablesbothendsofthecableswillbedifferent.UsedconnectingonePCdirectlywithanotherPC

34. Computer CPU/Processors:brainofthecomputer.CentralProcessingUnitplacedinthecpusocket.itformsanelectricalinterfacewiththemotherboard.havemillionsoftransistorsIntelreleasedthefirstCPUprocessor

35. Specifications of processors :SocketType:LGA775Architecture:32-bit,64-bitNumberofCoresNumberofThreadsSpeed:3GHz,1.80MHz 36. List of processors manufacturers:AMDCyrixIntel(Pentium,i3,i5,i7)

37. DIMM (Double InlineMemory Module) slots:MostusedMemoryslots.fourstandardsofDIMMs1.DR(SingleDataRate),2.DDR(DoubleDataRate),3.DDR24.DDR3.DDRRAMwillonlygointoamotherboardsupportingDDR.DDRRAM(name)400mhz(speedoftheRAM)256mb(RAMsize).sizesare,16mb,32mb,64mb,128mb,512mb,1Gband2Gb.

38. Computer RAMrandomaccessmemoryvolatiledatastoragedevice.Whenthecomputeristurnedoffallthedatastoredonthecomputermemoryislost.byteofdatacanbeaccesseddirectlybythecomputerinsteadofitsearchingItisplacedatDIMMslotatmotherboard. 39. RAMMeasurement:ns(nanoseconds)whichequalsonebillionthofasecond.measuredinMHz(megahertz),GHz(gigahertz)inSDRAMTypes of RAM1.DynamicRAM(DRAM)2.StaticRAM(SRAM)DynamicRAMmorecommonLowcostneedstorefreshedthousandsoftimespersecond.StaticRAMdoesnotneedtoberefreshedFasterHighcost 40. List of RAM manufacturers:1. Kingston2. Corsair3. Transcend 41. Firewire header(1)alsoknownasIEEE1394Itisbasicallyahighperformanceserialbusfordigitalandaudioequipmenttoexchangedata.But,itisprecededbyUSB.MuchfastthanUSB.USB Ports(12)ToconnectUSBenableddevicessuchasPendriveetc..USB1.1,slowerthanUSB2.0. 42. Specifications of Motherboard Form Factor:Arrangementofcomponentstoreduceheat.E.g.ATX(AdvancedTechnologyeXtended),BTX(BalancedTechnologyExtended)andmore. Socket Type:PlacewhereCPU/Processorsisplaced.E.g.LGA(landgridarray),PGA(pingridarray)andmore.Compatible Processors:E.g. IntelCorei7,IntelCorei5Memory Configuration:32GBDDR3DualChannelDIMM Memory Frequency:E.g. 1333MHzPCI SlotsChipsetE.g.AMD,Intel(Best),CyrixPCIe x1 Slots, Generation:2, 2.0PCIe x16 Slots, Generation:1, 2.0 43. ChipsetAmotherboardchipsetcontrolsallthedatathatflowsthroughthedatachannels(buses)ofthemotherboard.Theprimaryfunctionofthemotherboardchipsetistodirectthisdatatothecorrectareasofthemotherboard,andthereforethecorrectcomponents.Differentchipsetscontaindifferentfeaturesandcomponents.CategoriesofChipset1.NorthBridge(withheatsink)(4)2.SouthBridge(10)NorthBridge(withheatsink) numberofintegratedcircuitstoprovidespecificfunctions. Suchasmodem.SouthBridge IthandlesthingslikethePCIbus,onboardNetworkandsoundchipsaswellastheIDEandS-ATAbuses. 44. List of Motherboard manufacturers:1.Intel2.Asus3.Gigabyte4.MSI5.Sapphire6.ASRock 45. Computer Hard DrivewherecomputerdataisstoredSecondarymemorywhenthecomputeristurnedofftheinformationwillstillbethere.usescircularplatterstostoredata.Theheadofthisarmreadsdataevenwhenthediskisrunningat7200rpms(acommonharddrivespeed).nowdoupto15,000rpmsavailable 46. Hard Drive Connectors1.IDERibbonCable2.SCSICable3.SATACableHarddrivecapacitiesvarybetween1Gb(orless)to2Tb(maybeevenbigger).Hard Drive ManufacturersWesternDigitalSeagateSamsungIomegaHitachi 47. CD RW DrivesCDRWdrivesandotherdrivessuchasCDROMs,DVDROMsandDVDRWshavebecomeacrucialcomponentofacomputer.CDdrivesareoutdatedreplacedbyDVDRWDrivesCDROM-CompactDiscReadOnlyMemory 48. CD Drive Cables1.IDERibbonCable2.SATA(SerialATA)CableSATAcablesisthattheyaresmallerandthetransferrateishigher.CDdrivethereisusuallysomenumberswithaxsymbolafterit.Thisstandsfortimes,forexamplecommonspeedsare4x,8x,16x,18x,24x,32x,40xand52x.CDRWdriveshavespeedslike24x-10x-40xor52x-32x-52x.Choosing a CD DrivehavingaDVDdriveandaDVDBurnerSATA(serialata)DVDdriveCD Drive Manufacturers1.LG(Best)2.ASUS 49. DESKTOP COMPUTER CASES:HometoallthecomputercomponentsIncludeHDD,CDdrive,floppydriveandPSU.Computerchassis/Cabinet/Box/Tower/Enclosure/Housing/Baseunit/Case.Keepspaceforcoolingincludecooler. 50. Choosing a Computer Case 1. Whats your budget 2. Whats your needs Number of HDD spaces, USB ports,CD drives two fans at least 3. Computer Case Style black or white case, a fancy or plain case four types of computer case form factors Based on motherboards form factor. ATX (most commonly used today), BTX, LPX,NLX, backplane systems, and the outdated AT form factor. 51. Full TowerFull-tower cases aregenerally big with a heightthat is about or more than30 inches (more than 76cm). The number ofinternal drive bays insidethese cases can bebetween 6 and 10. 52. Mid TowerAnother case that might be a stepdown, would be classified as a midtower case. Mid-tower cases are themost widely used computer cases. MidTower cases are about 18 to 24 (45 to60 cm) inches high and they usuallycontain 2 to 4 internal drive bays and asimilar number of external bays (forCD/DVD readers and similar). 53. Mini TowerMini-tower usually have up to 2 orsometimes 3 internal drive bays. Mini-cases normally stand at a height of 12to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm).Expandability is a problem with thesecases. 54. Slim Line CaseSlim line cases are simply tower casesturned on their sideways. They canhold a monitor on top of the case. 55. Small Form Factor (SFF)CaseSmall form factor or SFF cases arecustom cases that are designed tominimize the spatial volume of adesktop computer. SFFs are availablein a variety of sizes and shapes,including shoe boxes, cubes, and book-sized PCs. 56. Thermaltake SopranoSpecifications:Form Factor: ATX Mid-TowerCompatible Motherboards: ATXBezel Type: Swing OutSide Panel Type: Clear, VentedMaterial: SteelExternal 5.25" Drive Bays: 4External 3.5" Drive Bays: 2Internal 3.5" Drive Bays: 5Expansion Slots: 7Front USB Ports: 2Front Audio Ports: 2120mm Fan Ports: 2120mm Fans Included: 1Depth: 19.75"Width: 8"Height: 17.5" 57. List of computer case manufacturers: Antec Coolermaster Thermaltake Silverstone Lian Li Aerocool 58. Computer Monitor viewing display of a computer.types of monitors1.CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)2.LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)connects to the computers videocardRAM/HDD Info Processor Video Card Monitordoes not store information computer can run without a monitorCRT monitor connected by VGA(VideoGraphics Array) port.LCD monitor connected eitherthrough the S-VGA port or the DVI(Digital Video Interface) Port. 59. A pc monitor is measured in inches.Specifications of MonitorGENERALDisplayResolutionHDDISPLAY FEATURESNumber of ColorsPixel PitchList of Monitor Manufactures:1.LG2.Samsung(Best)3.Wipro4.Dell 60. Best Keyboard/MouseManufactures1. Microsoft2. Logitech (At Budget)Types:1. PS/2 Keyboard/ Mouse2. USB Keyboard/ Mouse

61. Best SpeakerManufactures Bowers & Wilkins MM-1 Audyssey Logitech Bose harman/kardon SoundSticks IIIKlipsch ProMedia 2.1 Orb Audio Mini-T Amp and Speakers Creative Inspire S2 Edifier PrismaBT UCube by UltraLinkJBL 5.1 5 Satellites, 1 Subwoofer5.0 5 Satellites, 0 Subwoofer 62. Web Cams Specifications GENERALConnectivity such as USB 2.0Built In MicrophoneVIDEO AND IMAGEStill Image Sensor Resolution:1.3 megapixelIsHDSensor Type: VGAVideo Capture Resolution:640 x 480Digital Zoom:4 XHas Night Vision: 4 LEDBest Web Cam ManufacturesLogitech 63. Printers Based on function:1.Single function: Only print2.Multi function: Print, Scan,Copier(XEROX), FAXBased on type:1.Inkjet printers use liquid ink sprayed throughmicroscopic nozzles onto thepaper Less paper minute Low cost(i.e. Multifunction) Less Quality2. Laser printers use a toner cartridge (filledwith fine powder) and a heatedfuser. More paper minute High cost(i.e. Multi function) More QualityBest Printers Manufactures:HPSamsung