Enhanced A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC Third Edition
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You Will Learn…
About the functions performed by different hardware components of a microcomputer
About the three kinds of software and how they relate to one another and to hardware
How the CPU uses primary and secondary storage to manage software
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Hardware and Software
Hardware• Physical components of the computer
MonitorKeyboardMemory chipsHard drive
Software• Set of instructions that directs the
hardware to accomplish a task
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Hardware
Central processing unit• Most important hardware device• Receives input and sends output• Stores data and instructions; performs calculations
Requirements of hardware devices• Method for CPU to communicate with the device• Software to instruct and control the device• Electricity to power the device
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Hardware Used for Input and Output
Ports• Physical connectors that allow a cable from a
peripheral device to be attached Input devices
• Keyboard• Mouse
Output devices• Monitor• Printer
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Hardware Inside the Computer Case
System board Permanent storage
• Floppy drive• Hard drive• CD-ROM drive
Power supply Circuit boards
• CMOS (most CPUs)• TTL
Cables
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CMOS Chips
Require less electricity Hold data longer after electricity is
turned off Are slower Produce less heat
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Major Components of System Boards
For processing• CPU• Chip set that supports CPU by controlling
many system board activities For temporary storage
• RAM• Cache memory
continued
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Major Components of System Boards
Allow CPU to communicate with other devices• BUS• Expansion slots
Firmware and setup information• Flash BIOS memory chip• CMOS configuration chip
Electrical system• Power supply connections
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Components Used Primarily for Processing
CPU or microprocessor• Executes most computer processes
Chip set• Relieves CPU of some processing• Provides careful timing of activities to increase
overall speed Coprocessor
• Supports and enhances function of some older CPUs (pre-1995)
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Temporary (Primary) Storage Devices
Used by the CPU to process data and instructions
Provided by RAM (random access memory devices)• SIMMS (single inline memory modules)• DIMMS (dual inline memory modules)
Cache memory
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Cache Memory
For new CPUs• Stored inside CPU housing on a memory
chip that sits close to the CPU microchip For older CPUs
• Stored on the system board either in individual chips or on memory modules called COAST (cache on a stick)
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Permanent (Secondary) Storage Devices
Remote to the CPU Permanently hold data, even when PC
is turned off Most popular devices:
• Hard disks• Floppy disks• Zip drives• CD-ROMs