Basic computer hardware terminology In this article we would cover basic of computer hardware. Being a system administrator you should familiar with computer hardware terminology. The Motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains the central processing unit (CPU), the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers for standard peripheral devices like the keyboard, disk drive and display screen. The chipset and other motherboard circuitry are the "smarts" of the motherboard. Their job is to direct traffic and control the flow of information inside the computer. The chipset is a critical part of any computer, because it plays a big role in determining what sorts of features the computer can support. BIOS BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. lowest-level software in the computer Acts as an interface between the hardware (especially the chipset and processor) and the operating system. The BIOS provides access to the system hardware and enables the creation of the higher-level operating systems that you use to run your applications. The BIOS is also responsible for allowing you to control your computer's hardware settings, for booting up the machine when you turn on the power or hit the reset button, and various other system functions. ROM: Read Only Memory ROM is nonvolatile. ROM chips contain permanently written data, called firmware (your BIOS lives here). ROM contains the programs that direct the computer to load the operating system and related files when the computer is powered on. ROM chips are usually recorded when they are manufactured. PROM -Programmable Read Only memory chip cannot be changed to update or revise the program inside EPROM Erasable Programmable Read Only memory Data can be erased and chip can be reused Can be erased by shining high intensity UV light through the window EEPROM Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only memory under high voltage FROM -Flash ROM is reprogrammable memory using normal voltage inside the PC- You can upgrade the logic capabilities by simply downloading new software. This saves the expense of replacing circuit boards and chips. Processing Devices
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Transcript
Basic computer hardware terminology
In this article we would cover basic of computer hardware. Being a system administrator you should
familiar with computer hardware terminology.
The Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board of a computer. It contains the central processing unit (CPU),
the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports,
expansion slots, and all the controllers for standard peripheral devices like the keyboard, disk drive and
display screen.
The chipset and other motherboard circuitry are the "smarts" of the motherboard. Their job is to direct
traffic and control the flow of information inside the computer.
The chipset is a critical part of any computer, because it plays a big role in determining what sorts of
features the computer can support.
BIOS
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System.
lowest-level software in the computer
Acts as an interface between the hardware (especially the chipset and processor) and the operating
system.
The BIOS provides access to the system hardware and enables the creation of the higher-level operating
systems that you use to run your applications.
The BIOS is also responsible for allowing you to control your computer's hardware settings, for booting up
the machine when you turn on the power or hit the reset button, and various other system functions.
ROM: Read Only Memory
ROM is nonvolatile. ROM chips contain permanently written data, called firmware (your BIOS lives here).
ROM contains the programs that direct the computer to load the operating system and related files when
the computer is powered on.
ROM chips are usually recorded when they are manufactured.
PROM -Programmable Read Only memory chip cannot be changed to update or revise the program
inside
EPROM Erasable Programmable Read Only memory Data can be erased and chip can be reused Can
be erased by shining high intensity UV light through the window
EEPROM Electrical Erasable Programmable Read Only memory under high voltage
FROM -Flash ROM is reprogrammable memory using normal voltage inside the PC- You can upgrade the
logic capabilities by simply downloading new software. This saves the expense of replacing circuit boards