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2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public 1Version 4.0
Personal Computers
and Applications
Networking for Home and Small Businesses
Chapter 1
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Objectives Identify the purpose and uses of personal computers
and describe local and network applications.
Compare and contrast different types of computingdevices.
Explain the binary representation of data.
Determine appropriate components and peripheraldevices to meet requirements.
Install, verify, and upgrade computer components andperipherals.
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Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers Multiple uses for computers
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Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers Common local and network applications
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Computer Applications
Business/Industry
Educational tools or for use by the legal profession
General Use
Local stored on the hard drive of the computer
Network designed to run over a network
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Types of Computing Devices Different types of Computers
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Features of Servers High performance computers used in businesses and
other organizations to provide services to end users orclients
Services that need to be available to users at all times
Often contain redundant parts to prevent failure ordowntime
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Portable Devices
Laptops or notebooks
Can be attached to a docking station
Allows users to utilize a larger monitor or other external devices
PDA (personal digital assistant)
Handheld or palmtop
Small devices that provide storage for calendars and otherinformation
Portability is the key to always having access
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Binary Representation of Data Digital (binary) representation of various common forms
of data Base 2 number system
Bit an individual binary digit
Each bit can have only two possible states on or off or 0 and 1
A group of 8 bits is a byte
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Binary Representation of Data Convert approximately between bits, bytes, Kilobytes,
Megabytes, and Gigabytes
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Binary Representation of Data Measuring speed, resolution and frequency
Data transfer time is measured in bits per second
bps with a lower case b - bps
Bytes per second is with an upper case B - Bps
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
These comparisons are based on the level ofknowledge of the user
Preassembled Computer
Advantages:
Lower cost
Adequate to perform most applications
No waiting period for assembly
Typically used by less knowledgeable consumers who do not require special needs
Disadvantages: Often lack the performance level that can be obtained from custom built
computers
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Determining Appropriate Componentsand Peripheral Devices
Custom Built Computer
Advantages:
The end-user can specify exact components that meet user needs
Generally support higher performance applications such as graphics, gaming, andserver applications
Disadvantages:
Generally more costly than a preassembled device
Longer waiting periods for assembly
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Motherboard
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
the nerve center of thecomputer
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Random Access Memory (RAM)More is always better since many current computers can runmultiple applications simultaneously
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Adapter cards add functionality to a computer system
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Adapter Cards
NIC network interface card is key for our purposes
Enables a computer system to exchange informationwith other systems on a local or wide area network
The speed of the network and the type of networkdetermine what type of NIC is needed
Ethernet is currently the most common network
technology
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Storage Devices and Requirements
Hard disk drives are the main storage medium found inalmost all computers including servers, desktops andlaptops
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Peripheral device purposes and requirements
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Determining Appropriate Components andPeripheral Devices
Cases and Power supplies
Importance of Surge Protectors and UPS
Surge suppressors are designed to remove voltage spikes frompower lines to prevent them from damaging a computer
UPS provide backup power to the system without interruptionThey are designed to give the user enough time to properly shutthe computer down.
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components andPeripherals
Computer Repair Best Practices
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Safety and Best Practices
First on the list is use a grounding strap
ESD or electro-static discharge can cause catastrophicfailures
ESD can also cause intermittent failures which are verydifficult to troubleshoot and correct
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components andPeripherals
Connect Computer System components and verifyoperation
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Verifying Operation of Components
Newer components and operating systems are able todynamically assign system resources.
Auto detect or Plug and play
Older devices may need to have the resourcesmanually set through software configuration
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components andPeripherals
Installing Peripherals and Verifying Operation
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Installing Peripherals
Connect the peripheral to the host with the appropriatecable
Install the appropriate driver
To troubleshoot
Verify that cables are properly connected PBI
That the device is powered on
Use self test functions of the device itself
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Summary Computers are used all over the world and in all types of
environments including: government, medical, education,manufacturing, legal and leisure.
There are many different types of computers available including:Mainframes, Servers, Desktop PCs, Workstations, Laptops andHand-held portable devices.
Data is represented by binary digits (bits) organized into bytes (B),kilobytes (kB ), megabytes (MB), gigabytes (GB), and terabytes(TB). Data transfer rates are measured by bits per second.Computer screen resolution is measured in pixels. Analogfrequencies, wireless transmissions and radio frequencies aremeasured in Hertz.
Things to consider when purchasing a computer: Motherboard,
CPU, RAM, Adapter Cards, Storage, Peripherals, UPS, SurgeSuppressors
Computers are a collection of very complex components andperipherals. Safety procedures must be followed when workinginside a computer, both to protect the equipment and prevent harmto the technician.
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Key terms
General use software
Industry specific software
Docking station
Hertz
RAM
NIC
Surge suppressor
UPS
CPU
Resource assignments
Bit
Byte
binary
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