Computer Hardware

Introduction to Computer Components and Terminology

Computer Types

Personal Data Assistant (“PDA”), nowmore commonly called a “tablet” or iPad

Notebook Laptop PC Desktop PC (also called a PC

“tower”) Server

Computers are categorized as one of several types:

Differentiating Types A PDA is a handheld

computing device designed to access and store data as well as accessing stored music, personal datebook, and personal address book.

Examples of PDAs are: Palm, Blackberry, iPads, iPhones, and tablets

iPad

Blackberry Palm Pilot

iPhone

Macintosh Quad PCMacbook Air

Macbook Pro

A Notebook is a laptop computer that runs with the Mac OS®, currently “Yosemite”

Desktop PCs running the Mac OS are only manufactured by Apple Computer.

Differentiating Types

Differentiating Types

A PC is a personal computer that runs with the Windows® operating system.

PCs may be either desktop “towers” or laptop models

PCs are designed for business and personal use.

Laptop PC

Desktop PC

Differentiating Types A Server is a large

computer designed to network multiple personal computers.

Servers allow for the exchange of data among all members of the network.

Servers store data common to all users.

Tower

BladeServer

Basic PC Components

PCs are made up of hardware and software components

The various components of a PC are interconnected with very specific cables

Computers are networked with cables and switches.

Hardware

Hard Drive

The PC tower houses the mother board, hard drive and power supply.

Motherboard containing the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Memory boards

Power Supply

Input/Output Devices

Input/Output devices are used to enter and retrieve data to and from the computer.

I/O devices are the keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Data Storage

Data is any text, graphic, or photo to be stored or accessed on the computer.

Data storage devices may be built in, external, or portable.

Data storage devices include hard drives, disc drives, USB flash drives and SD memory card readers

Data Storage Devices

Compact Disc (CD)

USB Flash Drive

USB Mini Flash Drive

SanDisk (SD) Memory Card

Micro SD Memory Card and adapter

Cables and Connections

In addition to the power cord, the various components of a PC are interconnected by specific type cables.

A basic PC that is not networked or accessing the internet will have 3 cables – one for the monitor, and one each for the mouse and keyboard.

The Big PicturePower cords

USB Cables

VGA or DVI Cable

Wireless Interfaces

Wireless devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, presentation tool, etc. connect to the PC via a “dongle.”

A dongle is any wireless USB transmitter/receiver designed to communicate with a specific device.

Cables and Connections

The keyboard connects to the PC via a USB cable or dongle

Cables and Connections The mouse will connect

to the PC via a USB cable or wirelessly via a dongle.

Cables and Connections

The monitor is connected to the PC via either a 15-pin male-to-male VGA cable or

19-pin DVI cable

VGA Cable

DVI Cable

Cables and Connections Connecting to a

network or the internet is done via a Cat 5 cable with an RJ45 connector.

The internet cable is connected between the PC and a server, often through a switch.

Terminology

VGA = Video Graphic Adapter DVI = Digital Video Interface USB = Universal Serial Bus Dongle = Any USB transmitter/receiver

interface(for connecting to a mouse, keyboard, etc.)

Cat 5 = Category 5, referring to the number of twists in a given length of cable.

RJ45 = a cable termination plug for a 4-pair cable.

Cat-5 Cables The Cat-5 cable used in

this lab is made up of FOUR pairs of 24 gauge copper wire.

The individual wires are covered in color-coded plastic casings

The entire bundle is encased in blue or gray plastic

Casings shield the wires so they do not touch each other and short out

Cat-5 Cables

Wire color codes use a solid color alternating with a solid and white of the same color to make each pair.

Color pairs in the Cat-5 wire are Orange, Blue, Green, and Brown.

Basic Hardware Troubleshooting

Check that the power cables are all plugged into devices and to the wall.

Check that the monitor is connected to the PC with a VGA cable.

Check that the keyboard and mouse are connected correctly

Check that the network cable is connected between the PC and the switch, AND check that the switch is powered up.