The Inside Scoop

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The Inside Scoop

• David Jacobson
• Region IV ESC

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The Components of a Personal Computer.
From Lansing Comminity College Website http//vcol
lege.lansing.cc.mi.us/cisb100/dc2000c01.htm
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Hard Drives

• The long-term memory of the computer.
• Contains operating system, software and data.
• Information written to the hard drive is
  permanent unless deleted or lost due to a
  physical or data error.
• Comes in 2 formats SCSI and IDE/ATA.

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Memory - RAM

• Random Access Memory
• The short-term, working memory of the computer.
• Stores data until it is saved to the hard drive.

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Memory - RAM

• Important when multi-tasking or working with
  large data sets or charts or graphs.
• When RAM is full or over-taxed, the computer may
  freeze.
• Any byte of memory can be accessed without
  touching the preceding bytes.

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Memory - RAM

• 2 basic types of RAM - dynamic (DRAM) and static
  (SRAM).
• Dynamic RAM needs to be refreshed thousands of
  times per second. Static RAM does not need to be
  refreshed, which makes it faster but it is also
  more expensive than dynamic RAM.
• Both types of RAM are volatile, meaning that they
  lose their contents when the power is turned off.

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Memory - ROM

• Read Only Memory
• Computer memory on which data has been
  prerecorded.
• Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it
  cannot be removed and can only be read.
• Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its
  contents even when the computer is turned off.

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Interface - Serial

• Comes in 9 pin and 25 pin format.
• Transports data 1 bit at a time.
• Found on Windows and Macintosh computers.
• Used for Macintosh printing, phone line, mouse
  and game controllers.
• Usually the slowest connection on a computer.

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Interface - Parallel

• Transport data 8 bits at a time.
• Uses a 25-pin connector (type DB-25).
• Found on Windows platforms only, not on
  Macintosh.
• Used to connect printers, Zip Drives and other
  devices that need higher bandwidth than serial.

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Interface - SCSI

• Small Computers Systems Interface
• Considerably faster than parallel.
• Standard on most Macintosh computers and can be
  added to Windows machines.
• Allows for better multitasking, expansion, use of
  high-end devices, more performance-enhancing
  features.
• In addition to hard drives, used for connecting
  scanners, Zip Drives and many other devices.

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Interface - USB

• Universal Serial Bus
• Data transfer speed of 12 Mbbs
• Found on all Windows and Macintosh computers.
• Supports 127 peripherals and Plug Play
  installation.
• Used for connecting virtually any device.
• Expected to completely replace serial and
  parallel ports.

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Firewire

• IEEE 1394 High Performance Serial Bus.
• Provides a single plug-and-socket connection on
  which up to 63 devices can be attached.
• Data transfer speeds up to 400 Mbbs.

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Firewire

• Hot-plug and play capability without disrupting
  your computer.
• Currently used for digital video but may
  eventually replace and consolidate today's
  interfaces.
• Because IEEE 1394 is a peer-to-peer interface,
  one camcorder can dub to another without being
  plugged into a computer.

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Interface - Video Adapters

• A board that plugs into a personal computer to
  give it display capabilities.
• Provides physical connection to monitor.
• Two types of video cards
• VGA (Video Graphics Array running 256 colors)
• SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array running millions
  of colors)
• VESA-Video Electronics Standards Association
• Monitor and video card must be compatible.