ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 1 Personal Computers and Applications Chapter 1.

ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 1

Personal Computers and Applications

Chapter 1

ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 2© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public

Objectives Identify the purpose and uses of personal computers

and describe local and network applications.

Compare and contrast different types of computing devices.

Explain the binary representation of data.

Determine appropriate components and peripheral devices to meet requirements.

Install, verify, and upgrade computer components and peripherals.


Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers Multiple uses for computers


Computers need 3 things . . .

Hardware

Operating System

Application Software


Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers

Software Can be grouped 2 ways

1)Business & Industry–Medical-keep up with records, payments, etc

–Educational-such as Infinite Campus or STI

–Legal

2)General Use–Used by a wide range of people, such as MS Word

–Used for various services


Types of Computing Devices Different types of Computers—each one with a different

purpose

****TASK**** Design a graphical representation(drawing) of the 6 different types of computer systems and then insert a description of each device.


Types of Applications

Local – runs on only one PC, stored on the PC’s Hard Drive

Network – runs over the network (the Internet)Must have two components

runs on a local computer

runs on a remote computer


Types of Computing Devices Servers or Mainframe – keep in a secure location

(Why??) High performance computers which provide services to many clients

Multiple CPUs Loads of RAMHigh capacity drives


Types of Computing Devices Desktop personal computer (PC)

Used to run everyday applicationsEmail

Internet

Word Processing

Spreadsheet


Types of Computing Devices

Workstation – high powered computers

Features•Multiple processors

•Large amounts of RAM

•High capacity drives

Types of applications•Computer Aided Design (CAD)

•3D

•Video animation


Types of Portable Computing Devices

Types and features of portable devices

Laptop – AKA a Notebook

Use of a docking station with a laptop allows for more connection options & external monitor

PDA – Palm Pilot, mobile and used for basic services such as e-mail or schedules


Binary Representation of Data

Humans use words and pictures to communicate

Computers use bits– 1 or 0 (1=on; 0=off) – just like a light switch

–8 bits = 1 byte

Networkers need to be able to understand both


Binary Representation of Data Humans use the Base 10 numbering system, but

computers only understand binary, so how do we communicate??

Simple – Convert Base 10 to Binary

Try these examples:– 175

– 68

– 255


What helps determine the speed?

Type of Media– UTP Cable

– Fiber

– Wireless

Type of file– Larger files require more time to download

Type of computer


Binary Representation of Data Measuring resolution and frequency

Pixels – determines the resolution

Hertz = how fast something recycle or refreshes

300 MHz = 300 million cycles/second


Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Preassembled or Custom Built – which one should you

choose??

Preassembled Advantages:– Lower Cost

– Performs most applications

Preassembled Disadvantages:– May lack in performance

Custom Built Advantages:– Exact components

– Supports higher performance applications

Custom Built Disadvantages– Costly


Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices

Motherboard– main circuit board

– slots for network, video, and sound carts



Central Processing Unit (CPU)– nerve center of the computer

Factors to remember when selecting your processor– higher speed = faster performance Speed measured in Hertz

– more power = more heat

Bus– how data gets to its location (like a highway)

– faster bus = faster computer



Random Access Memory (RAM)– temporary storage

– stores data while it is being processed by the CPU

Why would a user need more RAM?– Multiple applications running at the same time

– Multiple CPUs

– Amount of RAM available is determined by the motherboard


Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Adapter cards add functionality to a computer system

NIC- Allows access to other computers resources on a local network



Optical Drives– Use of laser beams to record information

– CD or DVD – uses red laser

– Blue Ray – uses blue-violet laser

• can hold up to 25GB of data



Magnetic Drives– Hard Drive

– Floppy Drive

– Tape Drive


Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Peripheral Devices

– Added to the computer to expand its capabilities

–Different categories

• Input

• Output

• Storage

• Networking

Where do these devices fit??



Surge Protector or Surge Suppressor– prevents damage to the computer

because of power spikes

UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)– keeps charge of internal battery

– provides backup power without interruption for a short period of time, save and logoff time


Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals

Computer Repair Best Practices

Turn PC off and unplug power– Determine if the part is hot-swappable (if so, there is no need to turn off power before adding or removing the part)

Never open power supply or monitor – both contain high voltages

Be aware of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)– transfers electricity from your body to electrical parts

– ground yourself properly



Take the following precautions:– Determine if the component is hot swappable

• If in doubt, unplug it!!

– Attach grounding strap ( to prevent an ESD discharge)

– Remove old component

– Check the connection on the new component

• Should fit easily; if you have to force it, it probably doesn’t belong there

– Place component in the correct slot



2 Key Items to Remember When Installing A PeripheralUse Correct cables/connectors

Check for updates (most technology products sit on the self for several months or years before they are purchased.)



You install a peripheral and it works one day and not the next 3 items to check1) Check to make sure it has Power (turned on)

2) Verify all cables are connected

3) Use the testing functionality of the Peripheral (this will let it check itself)


Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals PS/2 - connects keyboard and mouse

USB – connects many devices (PnP)

Serial – connects modems/printers

Parallel – connects printer

VGA – connects monitors

RJ11 – connects phone lines

RJ45 – connects to the network

ITE PC v4.0 Chapter 1 1 Personal Computers and Applications Chapter 1.

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