Hardware Essentials

MLHE182-01 V1.0
Hardware Essentials

MLHE182-01
Compiled by: Zelda Fynn

Updated by: Brendon Gouws; Tiyane Maluleke, Diana Mtembo and

Munashe Muzvidziwa

Quality assured by: Guy Hendry

Edited by: Milton Webber and Ali Parry

Version 1.0

© 2016 CTI Education Group

Page 1 of 153
Table of contents

Introduction 1
Assessment for pass 2
How to approach this module 3
The structure of this Learning Manual 4
Icons used in this Learning Manual 4
Supplementary reading 4

Unit 1 – The Backbone of the Computer 5

1.1 Introduction to hardware and software 6
1.2 Cases 7
1.3 Motherboards 9
1.4 Motherboard form factors 11
1.5 Typical motherboard components 12
1.6 Different types of computers 16
1.7 Review questions 20

Unit 2 – The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 21

2.1 What is a CPU? 21
2.2 Overview of processor types 22
2.3 Functions of a processor 22
2.4 Processor terminology 22
2.5 Packaging 25
2.6 Processor performance issues 27
2.7 Exercise 30
2.8 Review questions 30

Unit 3 – Memory 31
3.1 Memory types 31
3.2 RAM types 31
3.3 Memory packaging 33
3.4 Read Only Memory (ROM) 34
3.5 Additional information 35
3.6 Exercise 37
3.7 Review questions 37

Unit 4 – Power Supply Unit and Specialised Power Devices 38

4.1 Types of power supplies 38
4.2 Power supply connectors 39
4.3 Troubleshooting power supplies 40
4.4 Specialised power devices 41
4.5 Review questions 44

Unit 5 – Storage Devices 45

5.1 Hard drives 45
5.2 Solid state technology and hybrid drives 48
5.3 Host bus adapter and drive standards 48
5.4 External hard drives 52
5.5 Optical disc storage 52
5.6 Flash memory 54
5.7 Review questions 57

Unit 6 – Display Systems 58

6.1 Graphics card 58
6.2 Display standards 60
6.3 Monitor 61
6.4 Monitor maintenance 65
6.5 Exercise 66
6.6 Review questions 66
Unit 7 – Peripherals 67
7.1 Input devices 67
7.2 Output devices 71
7.3 Input/Output devices 73
7.4 Review questions 75

Unit 8 – Networking Basics 76

8.1 Network scopes 76
8.2 Peer-to-peer and server-based networking 78
8.3 What is a topology? 78
8.4 The open systems interconnect (OSI) model 80
8.5 Basic network hardware components 81
8.6 Review questions 85

Unit 9 – Assembling a PC and Installing an Operating System 86

9.1 Safety first 86
9.2 Safety guidelines 87
9.3 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) 90
9.4 Tools required 90
9.5 Requirements 91
9.6 Disassembling the PC 91
9.7 Assembling the PC 92
9.8 Overview of the BIOS/CMOS settings 95
9.9 UEFI 98
9.10 Installing Windows 10 99
9.11 Review questions 108

Unit 10 – Troubleshooting Common Devices 109

10.1 Troubleshooting 109
10.2 Preventive maintenance 112
10.3 Power on Self-Test (POST) 112
10.4 Review questions 114

Unit 11 – Virtualisation 115

11.1 Hypervisor 115
11.2 Reasons for virtualisation 117
11.3 Installing VirtualBox 117
11.4 Virtual Machine 123
11.5 Installing a VM 123
11.6 Capturing and releasing keyboard and mouse 136

Answers to Review Questions 137

Unit 1 137
Unit 2 139
Unit 3 140
Unit 4 141
Unit 5 142
Unit 6 144
Unit 7 145
Unit 8 146
Unit 9 147
Unit 10 148

Examination Requirements 149

Bibliography 150

3
 Introduction
The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge of the different hardware and
software components that make up a computer system, and the procedures that are
followed to maintain and upgrade those components. You will gain an in-depth
understanding of the functions and characteristics of the different computer components,
including memory modules, processors, motherboards, power supplies, graphics display
adapters, monitors, hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD drives, and peripherals such as
printers, scanners, mouse devices and keyboards, as well as the cables and connectors
that enable each component and peripheral to communicate with one another.

Common computer hardware problems and how to go about solving them will also be
explained. This module will also cover the basics of networking, including the structure of
networks, the various topologies and scopes, the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI)
networking model, and the various network hardware components, connectors and cables
that enable multiple networked computers to communicate with one another.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 1 of 151
 Assessment for pass

A pass is awarded for the unit on the achievement of all the pass assessment criteria.

Learning outcomes Assessment criteria for pass

To achieve each outcome a student
must demonstrate the ability to:
LO1 1.1 Describe the function of the
Understand how the motherboard
components of a computer 1.2 Identify the characteristics of
system work processors and memory
1.3 Identify the characteristics of power,
display and storage systems
1.4 Describe the function of peripherals
LO2 2.1 Define networks
Understand the foundation of 2.2 Identify the different types and
networks topologies or networks
2.3 Explain the function of the OSI
model
2.4 Describe the function of networking
hardware
LO3 3.1 Use hardware tools
Be able to configure a computer 3.2 Install and uninstall components
system
3.3 Set up the BIOS/CMOS program
3.4 Install an operating system
LO4 4.1 Install hardware drivers
Be able to maintain a computer 4.2 Implement safety procedures when
system handling components
4.3 Troubleshoot computer-related
problems
4.4 Perform maintenance checks

After completing this module, students will be able to:

• Describe and identify all internal components of a computer system; and

disassemble and reassemble a computer system.
• Configure the BIOS/CMOS (basic input output system/complementary metal oxide
semiconductor) setup.
• Install an operating system.
• Troubleshoot a system using system tools and diagnostic software.
• Perform common maintenance procedures to prolong the lifespan of a computer
system.
• Install a Hypervisor and install a virtual machine.

Hands-on practical labs and exercises will test your ability to operate, maintain and
upgrade a computer system and will help to develop computer-related problem-
solving skills.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 2 of 151
 How to approach this module

This module is divided into 11 units. Each unit consists of:

• Theory
• Examples
• Exercises.

A theory examination and a practical examination will be written at the end of the
module. Ensure that you know and understand the theory before continuing with an
exercise or the examinations. Work through the examples in the reference book and
complete all the exercises before attempting the examinations. Application questions will
be asked in the exam – you must be able to apply your knowledge to practical situations.

You will not pass the examinations if you rush through the material without
understanding what you have learned. The exams are designed to test theory, insight
and practical skills. Theory exams will consist of true/false questions, multiple choice
questions, multiple response questions and selection questions. The practical exam will
present you with the opportunity to practise what you have learned on a computer.

It is very important to use all the study aids available to you. Some of the questions in the
exams will test your general knowledge of advanced subjects that may not have been
covered in the Learning Manual, although the content in the Learning Manual will be
sufficient to ensure that you pass each unit.

The module is divided up as follows.

Table 1 – Module breakdown

Unit Days Notes
1 The backbone of the computer
2 The Central Processing Unit (CPU)
1
3 Memory
4 Power Supply Unit and Specialised Power Devices
5 Storage Devices
6 Display Systems
1
7 Other Peripherals
8 Networking Basics
9 Assembling a PC and installing Windows
10 1 Troubleshooting Common Devices
11 Virtualisation
1 Theory examination
1 Practical examination
Total 5

NOTE Examination questions are based on ALL the information provided in this
Learning Manual.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 3 of 151
 The structure of this Learning Manual

All the units follow the same structure. You will be presented with the outcomes for
each unit. These outcomes can be used as an indication of what is important and what
you should focus on when going through the unit’s material. Notes will follow this. Read
these sections carefully.

You will be presented with exercises that will require you to apply your knowledge of the
material. Ensure that you understand the exercises. Ask for help if you are unsure of what to
do. Revision questions will give you an indication of what to expect in the exam, although
you should not rely on these questions as your only reference. Some exam questions will
undoubtedly be more difficult than the revision questions.

Icons used in this Learning Manual

The beginning of a new unit. This icon represents the start of a new unit in
the module.

Outcomes at the beginning of each section or unit. The outcomes

outline what you are going to learn in each unit.

Testing the student’s understanding. Answer all the questions to test your
understanding of the content in the unit.

Labs/Work to be done on computer. Complete the exercises to gain

practical experience.

Supplementary reading

This Learning Manual covers the essentials of hardware and is by no means a complete
guide to PC hardware. Please consult these references for more details on computer
hardware, and maintaining and upgrading a PC.

References:

http://kb.iu.edu/data/aaml.html
http://www.computerhope.com/msdossys.htm
http://www.pchell.com/software/msdos-sys.shtml
http://technet.microsoft.com http://buildeasypc.com
CompTIA A+ Complete Learning Manual (Sybex)
A+ Essentials Support Skills Learning Manual (GTS)
CTI A+ Learning Manual

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 4 of 151
 Unit 1 – The Backbone of the Computer

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Describe motherboard components and functions.

• Distinguish between motherboard form factors.
• Understand internal and external bus controllers.

1.1 Introduction to hardware and software

A computer is made up of hardware, software and firmware:

Hardware Computer hardware refers to those components that you can touch and
see. The components inside a computer and input and output devices are
examples of hardware.
Software Computer software refers to programs that tell computer hardware what to
do. Unlike hardware, software cannot be touched. There are two types of
software:
• System software – Controls the start-up of your computer and then
central controlling once it is running. An example of system software
is an operating system.
• Application software – Programs used to control specific tasks such
as editing a document. An example of application software is Microsoft
Word.

Firmware Firmware is a software program that has been programmed into a hardware
chip. The software’s job is to control the hardware to which the chip is
attached. An example of firmware is the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS).

1.2 Cases

In this module we will work on desktop computers. A desktop computer is designed to

be used at a single location. The system case, which is also known as the chassis, is a
metal or plastic box where internal components such as the motherboard are stored.

There are three types of cases:

• Desktop – Sits horizontally on a flat surface. It is wider than it is tall.

Figure 1 – Desktop cases

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 5 of 151
 • Tower – Sits upright on a flat surface. It is taller than it is wide and comes in three
sizes:
o Full-tower – Has extra internal space for additional drives, expansion cards
and backup power supplies. It is often used for servers.
o Midi-tower – Used for high-end user computers and office computers. This
case has space for extra devices and cards, but not as much space as the full-
tower case.
o Mini-tower – Has limited space for additional hardware. It is used for home
and office computers.

Figure 2 – Examples of towers

• Small form factor (SFF) – A super slimline case which can hold a limited number of
components. It is typically used as a media centre entertainment system.

Figure 3 - Slimline
1.2.1 Parts of a tower

In this module, we will be working on a tower case. A case has a front, back and two
side panels.

Looking at the front panel, you may find the following parts:

• Power switch – for turning the computer on and off

• Reset switch – for restarting the computer
• Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) – show power status and drive activity
• Removable media drives – the doors for accessing removable media drives
• Input/Output (I/O) area – some computers have built-in I/O connections on the
front of the case so that you can plug in a device that uses any of the available
connections.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 6 of 151
 Looking at the back panel, you may find the following parts:

• Power Supply Unit (PSU) – this is almost always found at the top of the case, with
its cooling fan, power plug and on/off switch. Note that some PSUs do not have a
power on/off switch.
• Input/Output (I/O) area – has all of the on-board connections coming from the
motherboard.
• Expansion area – has slots for expansion cards. Expansion cards are installed in
slots on the motherboard and their connectors face outside the case.

Front Back

a) Two removable media drive bays a) PSU with its power plug.
(5 inch) for Blu-ray and DVD discs. b) PSU fan.
b) USB port for a media card reader. c) I/O on-board motherboard connection
c) Media slot for a media card reader. area.
d) Power on/off switch with LED. d) Expansion area with slots for
e) Media card reader slot. expansion cards and blanking plates. A
f) Hard drive activity LED. blanking plate or slot cover is a
g) FireWire ports. metal strip that covers empty
h) USB ports. expansion slots to help keep dirt and
i) Headphone or speaker jack. dust out of the case and to ensure
j) Microphone jack. proper air flow. Use them for unused
slots.
e) Two side panel screws.
f) Certificate of Authenticity (CoA) label
providing an identification number for
the OS.
g) Chassis fan/back vent. Fans help stop
components from overheating.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 7 of 151
 1.3 Motherboards

The motherboard is the main circuit board that is found at the bottom of the
personal computer (PC) which makes all other components work together to make
the computer functional. It is the most important component because it connects all
the other PC components together and allows them to communicate with one
another. Also called the main board or system board, the motherboard is a
printed circuit board (PCB) that holds the Central Processing Unit (CPU), chipset,
memory and expansion slots in place. The motherboard contains the connectors for
attaching additional circuit boards and also houses the CPU, Basic Input/Output
System (BIOS), memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports,
expansion slots and all the controllers required for standard peripheral devices, such
as the display screen, keyboard and disk drives. The motherboard chipset is
soldered onto the motherboard and is made up of one or more integrated circuit
chips, which perform peripheral and interface functions for the CPU. Every piece of
hardware is directly or indirectly plugged into the motherboard. The motherboard
has electric wires called traces that make up the buses of the system, and it
distributes the power from the PSU to many components.

The motherboard has a great effect on the system speed and upgrade capabilities.
Most PCs can be upgraded to a faster PC by replacing the CPU chip; it is also possible
to add memory modules directly to the motherboard. To add additional core features,
you may need to replace the motherboard entirely. Figure 4 illustrates the different
motherboard components.

Some of the most popular motherboard/chipset manufacturers are ASUS, Abit,

Gigabyte, MSI, Intel, SIS and VIA.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 8 of 151
 Figure 4 – Motherboard components

Sourced from: http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/m/mothboar.htm

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 9 of 151
 1.4 Motherboard form factors

A motherboard’s form factor describes its shape, physical layout, case type and power
supply that can be used with it. Most motherboards are based on the ATX or mini-
ATX design. Form factors enable motherboards to work with cases and PSUs.
Motherboards must be installed in the appropriate case so that the ports and slot
openings on the back panel fit correctly. Also, the PSU and motherboard need
matching connectors. Different form factors define different connections.

There are many different motherboard manufacturers, resulting in many different

form factors. Table 2 lists the most common form factors.

Table 2 – Form factors

Form factor Size Description
ATX, full size 30.5 cm x 24.4 cm A commonly used motherboard which
Not all ATX boards are has many revisions. It supports up to
exactly the same size. seven expansion slots.
Micro-ATX 24.4 cm x 24.4 cm It has up to four expansion slots and
(μATX) Not all micro-ATX boards are fits into a standard ATX case or the
exactly the same size. smaller micro-ATX case.
Mini-ITX 17 cm x 17 cm A small form factor (SFF) board. A
small amount of power is needed to
support SFF boards. Lower power
usage creates less heat. The lack of
fan noise makes these boards ideal
for media centre computers.
Nano-ITX 12 cm x 12 cm These small boards are designed for
smaller devices.
Pico-ITX 10 cm x 7.2 cm These very small boards can be built
into different types of mobile devices.

NOTE For more information on form factors, go to http://www.formfactors.org/default.asp

1.5 Typical motherboard components

PCs are composed of many internal components, which communicate with each other
using a bus. A bus is physically implemented on the motherboard as tiny wires
running between components. The bus carries data (data bus) and information about
the location of data in memory (address bus). The bus also carries power to a
component and the timing signals that are used to synchronise components.

1.5.1 Internal bus connectors

Computers support more than one expansion bus (refer to Table 2). Modern PCs use
a multi-bus design for backwards compatibility and to support technology upgrades.
The functionality of a PC can be extended with the use of an
expansion/adapter/interface card (Figure 5). An adapter/expansion/interface card is a
circuit board that fits into an expansion slot on the motherboard (Figure 6). It can
have a variety of ports that allow you to connect different peripherals to your
computer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 10 of 151
 Figure 5 – Expansion cards

Figure 6 – Expansion slots

Table 3 – A summary of expansion slots and functions

Expansion slot Description
PCI • Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
• Supports Plug-and-Play
• Supports 32-bit and 64-bit parallel transfers of data
AGP • Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
• Different standards:
o AGP 1x: 66MHz clock, 8 bytes/clock
o AGP 2x: 133MHz clock, 8 bytes/clock
o AGP 4x: 266MHz clock, 16 bytes/clock
o AGP 8x: 533MHz clock, 32 bytes/clock

PCIe • Supported as the replacement for AGP

• PCI Express (PCIe) is designed to rapidly increase the
bandwidth (speed) for graphics cards.
• PCI Express is 5x faster than 8x AGP.
• PCIe is serial with point-to-point connections.
PCI-X • An update of PCI; used mainly in server systems.
• There are 32- and 64-bit versions with clock speeds of 66,
133, 266 and 533MHz.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 11 of 151
 1.5.2 External bus connectors
External bus connectors provide connections to various internal components. These
bus connectors are also used to connect external peripherals, e.g. printers, mouse
devices, etc. to the PC. These might also be an expansion card which is plugged into
expansion slots. Figure 7 illustrates the different ports and connectors on a
motherboard.

Figure 7 – Ports and connectors

Table 4 gives a description of the ports and connectors labelled 1-15 in Figure 7.

Table 4 – Computer ports and connectors

No. Port Description
1 PS/2 • The PS/2 port is a 6-pin female port used to connect the
and (green/purple) mouse (green) and the keyboard (purple) to the PC.
15 • Newer PCs have Universal Serial Bus (USB) connections
for the mouse and keyboard.
2 Parallel Port • This port is used to connect a printer, scanner or other
device to a computer.
• Modern printers have USB ports with a Type A and Type B
connector.
• The host (computer) port uses a 25-way female D
connector (DB25F).
• This port transmits data using an 8-bit parallel interface.
Devices that use a parallel port transmit data over eight
wires at the same time, with each wire carrying one bit of
data.
• The parallel cable has a 25-pin male D (DB25/Type A)
connector at the PC end and a 36-pin Centronics (Type B)
connector at the printer end.
• Maximum cable length for a standard parallel cable is
5m.
3 IEEE 1394 Port • The IEEE 1394 standard is a serial SCSI bus; it is referred
to as Firewire.
• IEEE 1394a transfers data at 400 Mbps.
• IEEE 1394b (Firewire 800) supports transfer rates of up to
800 Mbps, with increased power from the bus to support
larger devices.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 12 of 151
 • A single Firewire port supports up to 63 devices.
• Firewire provides support for hot swapping, which means
a device can be inserted or removed while the PC is
running, without requiring a restart.
• Used for devices such as camcorders, satellite receivers
and printers, and ideal for the transfer of real-time data
such as video.
• IEEE 1394a uses a 6-pin connector and IEEE 1394b uses
a 9-pin connector.
4 RJ-45 (LAN) • This port allows a connection to the Local Area Network
(LAN) through a network device.
• RJ-45 connectors are used with 4-pair, 8-wire unshielded
twisted pair (UTP) cables.
• UTP is the most common type of network data cable used
today.
5 Rear Speaker Out • This port connects to the rear speakers on a 4-channel, 6-
(black) channel or 8-channel audio configuration.
6 Centre/Subwoofer
• This port connects the centre/subwoofer speakers.
Port (orange)
7 Line In Port • This port connects a tape, CD, DVD player to other audio
(light blue) sources.
8 Line Out Port • This port is suitable for connecting headphones or a
(lime) speaker.
9 Microphone Port
• This port connects a microphone.
(pink)
10 Side Speaker Out • This port connects to the side speaker in an 8-channel
(grey) audio configuration.
11 USB 2.0 Ports • These 4-pin USB ports are available for connecting USB
1,2,3 and 4 2.0 devices.
• Universal Serial Bus supports a wide range of peripherals,
including mouse devices, keyboards, printers, scanners,
digital cameras, cellular phones and external drives.
• The USB has largely replaced parallel and serial ports as
the standard method of connecting peripherals to a PC or
laptop.
• Supports hot-swappable devices (a device that can be
inserted and removed without powering down the host
PC).
• Supports up to 127 daisy-chained (interconnection of
computer devices in series one after another) devices.
• Screened USB cables can be up to 5 m long.
• Two connector types are defined by the USB spec:
o Type A – for connection to a host or hub port. A hub
provides ports for multiple devices.
o Type B – for connection to a device.
• USB 1.1 has transfer speeds of 12 Mbps for a screened
cable.
• USB 1.1 is also called the Full Speed USB.
• USB 2.0 can handle transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps.
• USB 2.0 is backwards compatible with USB 1.1, but USB
1.1 when plugged into a USB 2.0 port, will run at its lower
speed (12 Mbps).
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 13 of 151
 • USB 2.0 is called the High-Speed USB.
• USB 3.0 can handle transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps.
• USB 3.0 is called the SuperSpeed USB.
12 Video Graphics • This 15-pin port is for a VGA Monitor or other VGA
Adapter Port compatible device.
13 S-Video • This connector carries video signals. The video signal is
split up into two channels providing a good quality image.
14 Coaxial S/PDIF • This port connects an external audio output device via a
Out Port coaxial S/PDIF cable.

1.6 Different types of computers

All computers come in different sizes, shapes, functions and motherboard form
factors. Here is a list of different computer types and how they look internally
and externally.

1.6.1 Desktop computers

A desktop computer is a computer that is intended to be used at a single
location. A desktop is a tower with several peripheral devices connected to it.

Figure 8 – Desktop computer and motherboard

1.6.2 Laptops
A laptop is a portable computer that has similar functions to a desktop. It has an
inbuilt keyboard, track pad and a LCD monitor.

Figure 9 – Laptop computer and motherboard

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 14 of 151
 1.6.3 Servers
Servers are powerful computers that are designed to provide services to client
machines in a computer network. These servers have programs that serve client
requests and allocate resources like memory and software.

Figure 10 – Tower and rack server

1.6.4 PDAs
A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is a handheld computer that can be used as a
digital organiser, audio player, web browser and much more.

Figure 11 – PDA computer and motherboard

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 15 of 151
 1.6.5 Smartphones
A smartphone is a mobile phone that can perform more functions than a PDA. A smart
phone lets you make telephone calls, send and receive emails, edit office documents,
watch movies and more.

Figure 12 – Smartphone computer and motherboard

1.6.6 Wearable computers

Wearable computing devices are computers that can be worn on the body.
Wearable computers can perform simple functions such as monitoring heart rate
and more advanced functions similar to those of a smartphone.

Figure 13 – Google glasses

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 16 of 151
 1.6.7 Tablets
A tablet is larger than a smartphone or PDA. It has similar functions to those of a
smartphone.

Figure 14 – Tablet computer and motherboard

NOTE More information on computers may be found on the following website

http://typesofcomputers.net/

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 17 of 151
 1.7 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. What component allows all devices to communicate with one another?

[1]

2. What is another name for a motherboard?

[1]

3. Name at least three of the most common motherboard manufacturers.

[3]

4. Name at least two characteristics that the motherboard form factor describes.
[2]

5. There are two types of software. Give a description of each type.

[4]

6. Complete the following table.

No. Question USB Firewire

1 List three supported devices

USB 1.1 IEEE

1394a
2 Transfer rates USB 2.0 IEEE
1394b
USB 3.0

3 Supports up to devices

4 USB type A connects to the ………

5 USB type B connects to the ………

[15]
7. Give a definition of a motherboard.
[2]

Total: 28 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 18 of 151
 Unit 2 – The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Understand processor functions.

• Define basic processor terminology.
• Identify processor packaging and processor types.

2.1 What is a CPU?

The Central Processing Unit, CPU, or processor is a programmable chip located on the
motherboard which is responsible for executing program instruction code, performing
mathematical and logical calculations, and controlling Input/Output (I/O) functions for
the computer. The CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer.

Figure 15 – A 4th Generation Intel Core i7 CPU

Sourced from: http://gizmodo.com/intel-haswell-review-can-a-laptop-cpu-keep-enthusiasts-511223469

The manufacturing process used to create transistors, and how tightly they and other
electrical components can be packed on the chip, is shown in n-microns and n-
nanometre (ns) measurements. One micron is a millionth of a metre and one
nanometre is a billionth of a metre. The architecture and components included in a
CPU (known as microarchitecture) are different from CPU to CPU.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 19 of 151
 2.2 Overview of processor types

Intel Corporation is the leading manufacturer of processors. Other manufacturers

include AMD, Cyrix and IBM. Should you be interested in learning more about the
processor types available, consult the relevant website. Two examples are
www.intel.com and www.amd.com.

Mobile devices also use processors. Mobile devices and desktops have different needs,
notably the need to use as little electricity as possible. The processors used for mobile
devices are designed to extend the battery life and create less heat.

There are processors that are found in tablets. These are called ARM CPUs. ARM uses
a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) chip architecture, and often runs faster
and with less power than Intel and AMD-based CPUs. For more information on ARM
CPUs, consult the following website http://www.arm.com/.

2.3 Functions of a processor

There are four main steps that all processors follow:

The first is to fetch instructions from the main computer’s memory. Fetching
instructions may also include reading data from an I/O module. This is then followed
by the decode phase where instructions are decoded to decide what action will need
to be taken. Once that has happened, the CPU will execute the desired operation.
The final operation of the CPU is to writeback where the data of an executed task is
analysed and results are written to the memory or I/O modules.

Figure 16 – Functions of a CPU

2.4 Processor terminology

2.4.1 System bus

Communication between the CPU and RAM (Random Access Memory) used to
occur over what was known as the front side bus (FSB), which ran between
them. The original FSB architecture has been replaced by newer architectures,
such as HyperTransport or Intel QuickPath Interconnect and Direct Media
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 20 of 151
 Interface (DMI). The CPU still needs to communicate with the chipset and there
are a few different ways that this is done, including:

• Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) – can use multiple lanes, similar to PCIe.
• Intel’s QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) – each core in a CPU has a separate
two-way 20-lane QPI link to the chipset.
• AMD HyperTransport – used with the FSB to increase speed.

Many modern CPUs with integrated memory controllers have very fast point-to-point
serial connections that run between multiple CPUs (cores), between integrated
memory controllers and between CPUs (cores) and the chipset. Both QPI and
HyperTransport have similarities but they are used differently. Both architectures
allow much more data to be transferred in both directions at the same time (full-
duplex), increasing bandwidth, and both use a double data rate (DDR) connection,
meaning that data is sent on both the rising and falling edges of the clock signal.

The system bus is composed of two distinct parts: the data part and the address part.

2.4.1.1 Data bus

The data bus refers to the lines that carry the data being transferred. The width of
the data bus refers to the number of bits that can be transmitted at one time. The
wider the bus, the more information can be transmitted simultaneously.

2.4.1.2 Address bus

In order to access data stored on another component (such as system memory), the
CPU sends out location information in the form of address lines. The address lines are
routed to every other major component of the computer (RAM, ROM (Read Only
Memory), expansion bus, etc.). When a CPU requests a particular address using the
address bus, the data at that address is put on the data bus or copied from the data
bus to that address.

2.4.2 Basic operation of the CPU

The CPU is designed to execute software (whether the software is an operating system
or an application). When this software is executed, it is assembled into instructions by
the CPU’s instruction set and then loaded into memory. The CPU’s control unit then
fetches each instruction from memory in sequence and decodes each one. After being
decoded, the control unit either executes the instruction itself or passes it to the
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) or Floating Pointing Unit (FPU) for execution. To assist the
control unit/ALU/FPU, internal temporary storage areas known as CPU registers or
General Purpose (GP) registers, hold instructions before and after processing.

2.4.3 Instruction set

In order to make the CPU perform tasks, it must be given instructions by a software
program, as stated previously. The instructions that a CPU can process are referred
to as its instruction set. CPUs can be classified as either CISC (Complex Instruction
Set Computer) processors or RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) processors.
CISC processors are able to process complex instructions. These instructions usually
need many cycles to execute. RISC processors are able to process simple, small sets
of instructions in a minimum number of instruction cycles.

IBM-compatible CPUs use an instruction set called x86. The 32-bit version is called
Intel Architecture-32. The 32-bit instruction set was updated with Single Instruction,
Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions. This means that many applications make use of
the same instructions but with different data. The instructions support the changed
and increased demands of modern software such as 3D Graphics, Web browsing,
speech recognition and mpeg video.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 21 of 151
 A 64-bit instruction set extends the original IA-32 architecture and doubles the
number of GP and Streaming SIMD Extension (SSE) registers. Intel’s version of this
architecture is called EM64T; AMD’s version is AMD64 or X86-64. Microsoft provides
support for AMD x86-64 and Intel EM64T in different 64-bit Windows Operating
System editions.

2.4.3.1 MMX
MMX is a Pentium microprocessor from Intel that introduced instruction set extensions
to support SIMD, and is designed to run faster when playing multimedia applications.
According to Intel, a PC with an MMX microprocessor runs a multimedia application up
to 60% faster than one with a microprocessor having the same clock speed but
without MMX. MMX is supported by Intel (Pentium MMX and later) and AMD (K6 and
later) CPUs.

2.4.3.2 SSE
Many multimedia enhancements to the MMX instruction set were added to the
processor. Streaming Single Instruction Multiple Data Extension (Streaming SIMD
Extension) speeds up processing when working with the same data many times,
because the same operations are applied on different datasets. SSE has 70
instructions.

2.4.3.3 SSE2 and SSE3

The Pentium 4 added 144 more instructions (SSE2) which were also incorporated by
AMD in its 64-bit CPUs. However, AMD added eight more registers than Intel for use in
64-bit mode. Intel subsequently included the extra eight registers for its Intel 64
(EM64T) 64-bit processors. Coinciding with Intel's Prescott CPUs, 13 more instructions
were added (SSE3) in 2004 for 32-bit Pentiums. SSE4 is a new set of SIMD instructions
that is built upon the Intel 64 instruction set architecture. It adds around 50 new
instructions and is designed to improve the performance of applications that are able to
utilise SSE4, such as 3D games, video encoding, and image processing applications.

2.4.4 Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing is a method of computing in which different parts of a task are
distributed between two or more similar physical CPUs, allowing the computer to
complete operations more quickly and to handle larger, more complex procedures.
Multiple processors greatly increase system performance, provided that the hardware
and software support it. The motherboard must be capable of handling multiple
processors and the processor must be compatible with a multiprocessing system. In
addition, the operating system and application software must support multiprocessing.

2.4.5 Dual core

Dual core, Core Duo, Core 2 Duo. A dual core computer has two processors on the
same chip. Each CPU has its own internal cache, but they share an external cache
and the FSB. The processor is the workhorse of the computer, so this makes for a
faster, more power-efficient computer, particularly when doing multiple tasks
simultaneously.

2.4.6 Quad core

Quad core is a chip that has four independent cores which read and execute CPU
instructions. Each core operates hand-in-hand with other circuits, such as cache,
memory management and Input/Output ports.

Each individual core in a quad core processor can run multiple instructions at the
same time, increasing overall speed for programs compatible with parallel processing.
Most people tend to believe that quad core is twice as fast as the dual core, and four
times faster than the single core, but that is not the case. Results vary depending on

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 22 of 151
 the habits of the computer user, the nature of the programs being run and the
compatibility of the processor with other hardware in the system as a whole.

2.4.7 Quad pumped

Computer pumping refers to how much data can be transferred per clock cycle.
Computers these days are dual pumped or double pumped, which means every clock
is capable of transmitting two bits of data, and quad pumped which means for every
clock cycle four bits of data are sent.

Quad pumped may also be referred to as Quad Data Rate (QDR) and Quad Pumped
Bus (QPB).

2.4.8 Intel Core

Intel Core is a brand name that Intel uses for various microprocessors. The current
line-up of Core processors includes i3, i5 and i7. The number after the ‘i’ does not
mean it has 3, 5 or 7 cores; it indicates their relative processing power.

The relative processing power of each core is signified by their Intel Processor Star
Ratings, which are based on a collection of criteria such as the number of cores, clock
speed (in GHz), size of cache, as well as some new Intel technologies like Hyper-
Threading and Turbo Boost.

2.5 Packaging

This defines how the CPU looks and how it electronically connects to the motherboard.
CPU packaging in the late 90s was based on a slot design in which the CPU came pre-
installed on a Single Edged Contact (SEC) circuit board which was plugged into a slot
on the motherboard.

Figure 17 – A fan with a CPU

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 23 of 151
 2.5.1 Zero Insertion Force (ZIF)
In the past, you had to use force to plug a CPU into the socket to ensure that the CPU
had a good, tight connection to the motherboard. A disadvantage with that method is
that once a pin bends or breaks, the CPU will become unusable. The ZIF socket was
then created with a locking lever to the side of the socket which, when lifted, brings
the CPU slightly up out of the socket.

2.5.2 LGA, PGA and BGA

A land grid array (LGA) CPU package is manufactured by Intel. It has hundreds of
contact pads or bumps at the bottom of the CPU that line up with socket pins. Some
CPUs have pins; the sockets have holes into which the pins can be inserted. These are
manufactured by AMD. The pins on the bottom of the AMD’s pin grid array (PGA)
CPUs line up with the holes in the sockets.

Mobile devices use a ball grid array (BGA). The pins on the CPU are placed with
balls of solder. The BGA, which typically has more pins than LGA and PGA, is first
mounted and then heated to melt the solder.

Figure 18 – CPU packaging

2.5.3 Common socket types

There are many different types of sockets used by the two major computer CPUs.
Tables 5 and 6 list some modern Intel and AMD sockets. For Intel the socket type
number shows the number of pins.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 24 of 151
 Table 5 – Common Intel sockets
Socket type Number of pins Information about socket
LGA 775 775 Also called Socket T. Replaced Socket 478.
LGA 1366 1366 Also called Socket B and designed to replace LGA
775 in some desktop computers.
LGA 2011 2011 Also called Socket R. It replaced LGA 1366
sockets in many desktop systems.
LGA 1156 1156 Also called Socket H or Socket H1.
LGA 1155 1155 Also called Socket H2 and replaced LGA 1156 in
basic desktop systems.
LGA 1150 1150 Also called Socket H3, it succeeded Socket 1155.

Table 6 lists some modern AMD sockets.

Table 6 – Common AMD sockets

Socket type Number of pins Information about socket
Socket 940 940 (PGA) The socket is square in shape and pins are
arranged in a grid with the exception of four key
pins used to align the processor and the corners.
Socket AM2 940 (PGA) The socket is designed for desktop processors. It
is incompatible with Socket 940.
Socket AM2+ 940 (PGA) Replaces AM2. CPUs that can fit in AM2 can also fit
in AM2+.
Socket AM3 941 (PGA) Replaces AM2+. Supports DDR3. CPUs designed
for AM3 will also work in AM2+ sockets, but CPUs
designed for AM2+ might not work in AM3
sockets.
Socket AM3+ 942 (PGA) Replaces AM3. CPUs that can fit in AM3 can also fit
in AM3+.
Socket FM1 905 (PGA) Used for accelerated processing units (APUs).
Socket F 1207 (LGA) Used on servers and replaced by Socket C32
and Socket G34.

2.6 Processor performance issues

There are several factors/components that influence the performance of the CPU.

2.6.1 Math coprocessor

This component influences the speed at which the processor performs calculations,
specifically calculations involving floating decimal point operations. Floating-point
operations are used for calculating a large range of numbers quickly.

2.6.2 Clock speed

Clock speed is the speed at which the processor executes instructions. The clock
speed is measured in megahertz (MHz – millions of cycles per second) or gigahertz
(GHz) and as this value increases, the processing speed increases proportionally. The
system clock provides the timing signal for the CPU and is used to synchronise the
operation of all the components of the PC.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 25 of 151
 2.6.3 Cache memory
This is the storage area for frequently used data and instructions. A larger cache
could result in performance normally associated with a faster CPU. Cache is a fast
block of RAM that interacts between the CPU and the system RAM using a cache
controller chip. It enhances performance by pre-loading instructions and data from
RAM and passing it to the CPU on demand.

CPUs have internal cache RAM, supplemented by external Level 2 (L2) cache RAM.
Most CPU designs incorporate L2 cache on the CPU. Some CPUs utilise Level 3 (L3)
cache to enhance graphics performance although it is mostly used in server-level
hardware.

2.6.4 The bus

The bus size influences the processor’s ability to communicate with the rest of the
system components. The larger the data bus of the CPU, the more data can be
transmitted at one time. As the size of the address bus increases, the number of
memory address locations that can be supported also increases.

2.6.5 Interrupt lines

These lines run from the expansion slot directly to the processor. Interrupt lines are
used by devices when they need to get the attention of the CPU for processing time.
The device sends an interrupt request (IRQ) to the processor. When a processor
receives an IRQ, it suspends or interrupts its current activity to attend to the needs
of the device that sent the IRQ. Two devices can share the same IRQ, provided that
they are not used simultaneously. Table 7 lists the default IRQ assignments.

Early computer motherboards had a chip that provided eight IRQ lines numbered 0 to
7. Later, a second IRQ chip was added to provide channels 8 to 15. IRQ channel 2 is
used to cascade the two IRQ chips together.

Table 7 – Default IRQ assignments

IRQ Line Default Assignment
IRQ 0 System timer
IRQ 1 Keyboard
IRQ 2 Cascades to IRQ 9
IRQ 3 COM 2 and 4
IRQ 4 COM 1 and 3
IRQ 5 LPT2/Sound card
IRQ 6 Floppy controller
IRQ 7 LPT1 (Parallel Port)
IRQ 8 Real time clock (RTC)
IRQ 9 Cascades from IRQ 2
IRQ 10 Available
IRQ 11 Available
IRQ 12 PS/2 mouse port (available if not used)
IRQ 13 Math coprocessor
IRQ 14 Primary hard disk controller
IRQ 15 Secondary hard disk controller

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 26 of 151
 2.6.6 DMA channels
Direct Memory Access (DMA) occurs when a device bypasses the CPU and writes
information directly into memory. The CPU is then free to perform other tasks. Each
bus has a different number of channels that can be used for DMA. In the event of
two devices sharing a DMA channel, neither of them will function correctly. Table 8
lists the default DMA assignments.

Table 8 – Default DMA assignments

DMA Channel Default Assignment
DMA 0 Available
DMA 1 Available
DMA 2 Floppy controller
DMA 3 Available
DMA 4 2nd DMA controller
DMA 5 Available
DMA 6 Available
DMA 7 Available

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 27 of 151
 2.7 Exercise

• Do the following exercise with the assistance of your lecturer.

• Use one of the PCs in your Lab.

2.7.1 Complete the following table.

Processor type
No of pins
Processor speed

2.7.2 List the IRQ Assignments from 1 – 15.

2.8 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. What are the four major functions of the CPU? Give a short description of each.
[8]

2. Clock speed is measured in ___________ .

[1]

3. Give the definition of the following processor components:

Cache memory

DMA

Dual core

Dual pumped
[4]
4. List the IRQ and the default assignments from 1 – 15.
[15]

5. When does a DMA occur?

[2]

Total: 30 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 28 of 151
 Unit 3 – Memory

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Distinguish between RAM and ROM technologies.

• Understand the different memory types.
• Understand how memory is packaged.

3.1 Memory types

RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) are two basic types of
chip-based storage in the PC. RAM and ROM are used to store data to which fast
access is required.

3.2 RAM types

RAM is the workspace of the processor. The CPU uses this storage space to hold both
program instructions and associated data.

RAM is most commonly used as the temporary working space of the CPU and other
components of the PC, such as graphics cards. RAM is volatile, meaning the
information it holds is dependent on a constant supply of power. All data stored on it
will be lost if the computer is rebooted or turned off. RAM is packaged on a module,
as shown in Figure 19.

Figure 19 – Laptop and PC RAM modules

3.2.1 Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

DRAM is called dynamic because it must be refreshed periodically or it will lose the
data it stores. Refreshing DRAM consists of reading the contents from DRAM and
immediately writing them back to DRAM. It stores the operating system,
application programs and data while they are running. You are unlikely to
encounter standard DRAM in newer PCs. DRAM is a memory chip that works like a
spread sheet: it has numbered rows with cells. Each cell has a capacitor to store a
charge to represent a 1 or no charge for a 0, and a transistor to read the charge
state of the adjacent capacitor. The charge in the capacitor is constantly draining,
which is why DRAM must be recharged or refreshed constantly. This refresh
process occurs when the memory controller takes a tiny break and accesses all
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 29 of 151
 the rows of data in the chip.

3.2.2 Static RAM (SRAM)

DRAM is often contrasted with SRAM (Static RAM). SRAM is able to store data as long
as power is applied to it, without needing to be refreshed. SRAM is also four or five
times faster than DRAM, but is also much more expensive. Both DRAM and SRAM lose
their contents when the power to them is turned off. SRAM is used in small amounts
in computers where very fast RAM is required, such as in the L2 cache of many CPUs.

Types of SRAM include:

• Asynchronous Static RAM

• Synchronous Burst Static RAM
• Pipeline Burst Static RAM.

3.2.3 Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM)

SDRAM is a variant of DRAM in which the memory speed is synchronised with the
clock pulse from the CPU (the system clock). This synchronisation enables SDRAM to
pipeline read and write requests. Pipelining enables the SDRAM to accept commands
at the same time as it is processing other commands. There are variants of SDRAM:

• Single Data Rate SDRAM – SDR SDRAM

• Double Data Rate SDRAM – DDR SDRAM
• Double Data Rate 2 SDRAM – DDR2 SDRAM
• Double Data Rate 3 SDRAM – DDR3 SDRAM
• Double Data Rate 4 SDRAM – DDR4 SDRAM.

3.2.3.1 SDR SDRAM and DDR SDRAM

SDR SDRAM is the original SDRAM standard, which has since been replaced by DDR
SDRAM. DDR SDRAM doubles the bandwidth of SDR DRAM (data is transferred twice
in one cycle).

SDRAM DIMM modules are sold according to clock speed (MHz), bus speed (mega
transfers per second) and transfer rate (megabytes per second).

NOTE Refer to Tables 9 – 14, which contain the SDRAM standards for your
interest only and do not form part of the examination objectives.

3.2.3.2 DDR2 SDRAM

DDR2 SDRAM, an abbreviation for double data rate two synchronous dynamic random
access memory, is a type of SDRAM commonly used in personal computers and various
digital electronics today. This offspring from SDRAM, a part of DRAM, is like an
evolution from the DDR SDRAM; it can operate the external data bus twice as fast as its
predecessor.

3.2.3.3 DDR3 SDRAM

Double Data Rate Three SDRAM (DDR3 SDRAM) is the third generation of DDR
SDRAM.

DDR3 SDRAM improves on DDR2 SDRAM in several significant ways:

• Higher bandwidth owing to increased clock rate.

• Reduced power consumption owing to 90 mm fabrication technology.
• Pre-fetch buffer is doubled to 8 bits to further increase performance.
• The voltage of DDR3 SDRAM DIMMs is lowered from 1.8 V to 1.5 V. This reduces
power consumption and heat generation, as well as enables more dense memory
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 30 of 151
 configurations for higher capacities.

3.2.3.4 DDR4 SDRAM

DDR 4 is the newest iteration in DRAM, loaded with new features that improve speed,
power, reliability and stacking capabilities for the enterprise, micro-server, ultrathin and
tablet markets.

What are the new features of the DDR4?

• Up to 50% higher bandwidth than DDR3

• Up to 40% lower power consumption than DDR3
• Faster burst accesses
• Improved data signal integrity.

NOTE Before fitting any new RAM module, check the correct speed at which the
motherboard operates. SDRAM is designed to run at the speed of the
front side bus.

3.2.4 Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM)

NVRAM differs from DRAM and SRAM in that it retains the contents of its memory
when the power is turned off. NVRAM is typically implemented using flash memory.

3.2.5 Rambus DRAM (RDRAM)

Figure 20 – RDRAM memory with integrated heat sink

RDRAM is a proprietary variant of DRAM, which was developed by Rambus, Inc.

(Figure 20). RDRAM incorporates technical advantages such as:

• Packet-based command protocol

• Command pipelining
• Data pipelining
• Low voltage signaling
• Precise clocking.

Manufacturers that wish to utilise RDRAM technology must pay royalties to Rambus
Inc.

3.2.6 Video RAM

Video RAM is specialised RAM, which is used on graphics cards. Video RAM is dual-
ported, which means it can be accessed by two different devices simultaneously. This
enables data to be read from video RAM (i.e. sent to the computer monitor) at the
same time as data is written to video RAM.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 31 of 151
 3.3 Memory packaging

3.3.1 Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs)

Dual Inline Memory Modules are used for most memory types, but DIMM modules are
not interchangeable.
A given motherboard will only be able to fit SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR RAM, DDR2 RAM,
DDR3 RAM or DDR4 RAM (not a mixture). In addition, there can be compatibility
issues even if the memory is the correct type.

Compatibility with DIMMs is quite limited owing to the notch positions and the pin
density, which are different:

• SDRAM – 168 pins and two notches

• DDR SDRAM – 184 pins and one notch
• DDR2 & DDR3 SDRAM – 240 pins (keyed differently)
• DDR4 – 284 pins.

3.3.2 Rambus Inline Memory Module (RIMMs)

Rambus Inline Memory Module is used for RDRAM memory. RDRAM has a 16-bit
(single channel) and 32-bit (dual channel) bus width. RIMMS for 16-bit RDRAM have
184 pins and 232 pins for 32-bit RDRAM, but are otherwise similar to DIMM packaging
and fit into a smaller connector.

3.4 Read Only Memory (ROM)

ROM is an integrated circuit memory chip that contains configuration data. ROM is
typically used to store low-level hardware instructions such as the motherboard and
graphics card BIOS. ROM is non-volatile and does not require a permanent power
source to retain data.

ROM is commonly called firmware because its programming is fully embedded into the
ROM chip. As such, ROM is hardware and software in one.

Data is fully incorporated in the ROM chip during manufacturing; data stored can only
be erased or replaced if the chip is reprogrammed. This means permanent and secure
data storage.

3.4.1 Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)

EPROM is a ROM-type chip that can hold data for 10-20 years. It can be programmed
more than once. An EPROM programming is erased only through exposure to ultra
violet light. The EPROM is configured or reconfigured using an EPROM programmer.

3.4.2 Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM)

Electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM) has the added benefit of being able to be
reprogrammed while it is still in the circuit board. Reprogramming is done by sending
a special sequence of electrical signals to the chip. These signals erase all or part of
the chip programming.

3.4.3 Firmware
We all use electronic devices, whether they are mobile phones, computers, routers,
MP3 players, etc. These electronic devices include hardware, the physical electronic
components, and software (programs that help these components to run
effectively). Firmware is usually defined as a type of program that runs within an
electronic device. Firmware is not categorised either as hardware or software, but
as a mixture of both. Firmware is stored on ROM chips.
Each time your computer or electronic device boots up, firmware is b
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 32 of 151
 ooted as well. Firmware can store its instructions permanently and does
not require a power source. One of the most common types of firmware
is the BIOS chip on your computer's motherboard. In the past, when
new instructions were required for a BIOS chip, the entire motherboard
usually needed replacing since the BIOS chip could not be rewritten.
Now, firmware can easily be rewritten, enabling it to be upgraded with
new features or to remove bugs and issues. Since firmware is found in
practically all electronic devices, it has extended the life of these
products, easily adding more functionality to them.

3.5 Additional information

The following tables will give you a glimpse of SDRAM standards.

Consult the vendor website for a detailed and complete list.

Table 9 – DDR SDRAM standards

DDR SDRAM standard Frequency (MHz) Voltage
DDR 200 2.5/2.6
DDR2 533 1.8
DDR3 1066 1.5
DDR4 2133 1.05/1.2

NOTE Higher frequencies enable higher rates of data transfer.

Lower voltages result in less heat radiation and longer
battery life for portable computing devices. They also
allow greater component density, which allows higher
capacity in the same packaged size.

Table 10 – SDRAM DIMM module standards

DIMM module Clock speed (MHz) Bus speed Transfer rate (MBps)
PC66 66 66 533
PC100 100 100 800
PC133 133 133 1066

Table 11 – DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM standards

DIMM module Chip type Clock speed (MHz) Data rate Transfer rate (GBps)
PC-1600 DDR-200 100 200 1.6
PC2-3200 DDR2-400 200 400 3.2
PC2-4300 DDR2-533 266 533 4.3

Table 12 – DDR SDRAM standards – still being developed and improved

DDR SDRAM standard Frequency (MHz) Voltage
DDR 400-533 2.5
DDR2 667-800 1.8
DDR3 1066 to ... 1.5
DDR4 1067 – 1600 1.2
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 33 of 151
 Table 13 – DDR2 SDRAM – normally packaged in DIMM modules
DIMM module Chip type Clock speed (MHz) Data rate Transfer rate (GBps)
PC2-3200 DDR2-400 200 400 3.2
PC2-4300 DDR2-533 266 533 4.3
PC2-5300 DDR2-667 333 667 5.2
PC2-6400 DDR2-800 400 800 6.4
PC2-8500 DDR2-1066 533 1066 8.5

Table 14 – DDR3 SDRAM modules

DIMM module Chip type Clock speed (MHz) Data rate Transfer rate (GBps)
PC3-8500 DDR3-1066 533 1066 8.5
PC3-10600 DDR3-1333 667 1334 10.66
PC3-12800 DDR3-1600 800 1600 12.8
3.6

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 34 of 151
 3.7 Exercise

• Do the following exercise with the assistance of your lecturer.

• Use one of the PCs in your Lab.
[1]

Check:
3.6.1 Amount of memory you have on your PC .
3.6.2 Type of memory chips you are using .

[6]
3.7 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what

this unit has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any [2]
question, then search for it in the text of this unit.

1. Complete the following:

1.1 is a propriety variant of
DRAM. [1]
1.2 uses flash memory and retains the contents of its
memory when power is turned
off. [1]

2. RAM is volatile.
A. True
B. False

3. Give definitions for the following terms:

RAM
ROM
Firmware.

4. Explain briefly why the different DIMM modules are not compatible with each
other.

Total: 11 marks
NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 35 of 151
 Unit 4 – Power Supply Unit and Specialised
Power Devices
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Understand the functions of a power supply.

• Know some of the most common power supply types.
• Know the power supply connectors.
• Troubleshoot power supplies and prevent problems associated with
power supplies.
• Understand the uses of specialised power devices.

The Power Supply Unit (PSU) is the component that supplies power to a computer.
Refer to Figure 21. It is designed to convert alternating current (AC) from the mains
supply to usable low-voltage direct current (DC) for the internal components of the
computer.

Power supplies are quoted as having a certain power output specified in Watts. A
standard power supply typically delivers around 350 Watts, while a power supply for a
gaming PC would be around 750 Watts or more.

The more components (hard drives, CD/DVD drives, graphics cards, ventilation fans,
etc.) you have in your PC, the greater the power required from the power supply.

By using a PSU that delivers more power than is required, it will not run at full
capacity, thereby prolonging its lifespan by reducing heat damage to the internal
components of the PSU.

A power supply should always be replaced by an equivalent or superior power output

(Wattage). A power supply is not user-serviceable; do not attempt to open a power
supply without the proper knowledge and experience.

4.1 Types of power supplies

The type of power supply determines the compatibility with the motherboard type and
the number of connectors it provides. Most power supplies are based on the ATX type.
The common size is 150 mm wide x 86 mm high x 140 mm deep.

Below are power supply units that are commonly used:

• Micro-ATX – an SFF primarily used for micro-ATX cases. Micro-ATX is similar to

ATX for compatibility, i.e. it uses the same standard ATX power connector and
standard ATX I/O panel, and thus a micro-ATX motherboard will fit in a full-size
ATX case. However, it typically has fewer power connectors than ATX PSUs.
• TFX12V (Thin Form Factor with 12V connector) – an SFF primarily used for
micro-ATX systems.
• SFX12V (Small Form Factor with 12V connector) – an SFF primarily used for
micro-ATX systems.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 36 of 151
 Figure 21 – Power supply
Sourced from: http://hardwaretexpert.wordpress.com/2010/11/18/computer-power-supply/

4.2 Power supply connectors

Table 15 contains a list of power supply connectors and their specifications.

Table 15 – Power supply connectors

Connector Description
4-pin Berg connector or mini-Molex
This is used to connect the PSU to small form factor
devices such as 3.5" floppy drives.

4-pin Molex connector

This is used to power various components, including
hard drives and optical drives.

20-pin Molex ATX power connector

This is used to power the motherboard in ATX systems.

4-pin Molex P4 12V power connector

This is used specifically for Pentium 4 processor
motherboards.

6-pin AUX connector

This provides 5V, and two connections of 3.3V.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 37 of 151
 15-pin Serial ATA (SATA) power connector.
A third voltage is supplied, 3.3 V, in addition to the
traditional 5 V, and 12 V.

There are two other less common SATA connectors:

• A 6-pin SATA, also called slimline connector,

supplies 5 V.
• A 9-pin SATA, also called micro connector, supplies
3.3 and 5 V.
Auxiliary 6-pin PCIe power connector used by high
performance PCIe graphics cards that need additional
voltage.
PCI Express version 1 uses a 6-pin connector.
PCI Express version 2 uses an 8-pin connector.
A 6-pin with a separate 2-pin connector is available to
provide compatibility for PCI Express version 1 and 2.
PSUs designed for dual card systems will feature two
PCIe connectors.

4.3 Troubleshooting power supplies

The most noticeable features of a power supply are the characteristic sound of a
power supply and the whisper of its cooling fan.

If the voltages are too high, too low or missing, the system will not function
effectively or at all. If the AC voltage fluctuates and causes the power supply to
become overworked or overheated, the system is forced to reset or shut down.

Power supplies are mechanical/electrical devices with a limited lifespan. Eventually,

every power supply fails. That is the destiny of all electrical devices. Their demise
can be hastened by unprotected power surges or constant overloads from having to
power too many hardware components.

4.3.1 Symptoms
A power supply is tasked with providing electricity to every component in a computer,
so a faulty, underperforming unit will often cause a wide variety of symptoms,
including, but not limited to:

• Failure to power up.

• General instability.
• Rebooting - randomly or when the computer is stressed.
• Hardware failure - owing to sudden power spikes/dips or long-term electric noise.
• Inability to boot up even though the motherboard light is on.
• At power on, there is no activity at all except for the fans and the disk starting to
spin.
• Noisy fans can be caused by dust, lack of internal maintenance or a failing motor.

4.3.2 Solutions
• Power supply testers are available. These typically have a single socket for each
common type of power supply connector, and use several light emitting diodes
(LEDs) to indicate if the power supply is working.
• Dust may be removed by carefully blowing air through the supply with an air pump
or gas duster (canned air).

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 38 of 151
 • Troubleshooting power supply problems is limited to isolating the unit as the cause
of your computer problems. Once you have determined the power supply is the
culprit, there is little choice but to replace it. A power supply can be easily
changed and is generally not expensive, so if one fails then a replacement is
usually the most economical solution.
• Power supplies contain dangerous voltages and should only be opened by
experienced and qualified engineers; there are no user serviceable parts
inside.

NOTE Always disconnect the PSU from the mains supply before removing
the cover of the PC.

4.4 Specialised power devices

There are three main power devices that can prevent damage to a computer system.
Refer to Figures 22–24:

• Line conditioners
• Uninterruptible power supplies
• Surge protector.

4.4.1 Line conditioners

This device provides flawless power by removing any stray noise and interference
from the power line. Sources of interference could be electromagnetic interference
(EMI) or radio frequency interference (RFI). It is ideally used when the PC power
supply is too close to another power source, or if it is too close to a device that
generates radio waves. A line conditioner will also protect against surges, sags
(decrease in voltage) and lightning strikes. A power surge is an increase in voltage
significantly above the designated level in the flow of electricity. When the increase
lasts three nanoseconds (billionths of a second) or more, it is called a surge. When it
only lasts for one or two nanoseconds, it is called a spike.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 39 of 151
 4.4.2 Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

Figure 22 – A small freestanding UPS

Sourced from:
http://apacelli.com/uninterruptible-power-supply-mge/mge-pulsar-m-2200-rt3u-hotswap/

A UPS is typically used to protect computers, telecommunication equipment and other

electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could cause injuries,
fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss. UPS units come in sizes ranging
from units that will back up a single computer without a monitor (around 200 VA) to
units that will power entire data centres or buildings (several megawatts).

This device is connected to the wall power outlet and regulates the power to the
computer. The UPS ensures power supply is not interrupted in the event of a power
failure. The computer is therefore connected to the wall power outlet via the UPS.

There are two types of UPS:

• Standby UPS
• Online UPS.

4.4.2.1 Standby UPS

A standby UPS, also referred to as an off-line UPS, uses a battery to supply power to
the computer, but only when there is a drop in the voltage from the wall power
outlet. When there is normal voltage flowing through the line, the computer draws
power directly from the wall outlet. One drawback of this device is that it cannot
always prevent sags from affecting the computer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 40 of 151
 4.4.2.2 Online UPS
An online UPS provides power to the computer from its batteries at all times. Power
from the wall outlet is used to charge these batteries. This device is very effective
against spikes, sags and blackouts (a complete power outage).

4.4.3 Surge protector

A surge protector plugs multiple components into one power outlet. With all of
the different components that make up a computer system, this is definitely a
useful device.

The main job of a surge protector system is to protect electronic devices from
surges and spikes. It is unusual for power from the wall outlet to be consistent. If
the surge or spike is high enough, it can inflict serious damage on a PC. Even if
increased voltage does not immediately damage your PC, it may put extra strain on
its components, wearing them down over time.

Figure 23 – A surge protector power strip

Figure 24 – Surge suppressor

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 41 of 151
 4.5 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. What is the main function of a power supply?

[1]

2. Mention two internal computer components that could require additional power.
[2]

3. List the three available voltages used by a computer.

[3]

4. How many pins do the following connectors have?

4.1 ATX Power connector to the motherboard [1]

4.2 SATA Power connector [1]

5. Provide a solution to each of the following problems:

Problem Solution
The computer is close to a source of radio
waves that cause RFI.
A server containing crucial information
needs constant power supply to the PC.
[2]

Total: 10 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 42 of 151
 Unit 5 – Storage Devices

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Identify the different storage devices.

• Understand the terms, concepts and function of storage devices.
• Describe the capabilities of PATA, SATA and SAS drives.
• Describe flash memory devices.
• Describe the capabilities of CD/DVD drives.

Storage devices typically use magnetic, solid state or optical technology to store data.
The main storage device in a computer is one or more fixed hard drives. Other
storage devices (such as CD or DVD drives, or tape drives) are used to transfer
information to and from the computer. These are referred to as removable storage,
as the disk media can be removed from the drive. Other forms of removable storage
are flash memory devices used to store and transfer data between a device and a PC.

5.1 Hard drives

A hard disk drive (HDD) is also known as a hard disk, hard drive or physical disk. It
stores the operating system, application files, user data and data shared over a
network. The hard drive stores data until it is deleted, becomes corrupted or is
destroyed. Internal hard drives are installed inside the computer tower with no
outside access, while the external or removable hard drives sit outside and plug into
the appropriate port.

Figure 25 – The physical components of a hard drive

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 43 of 151
 A hard drive has physical and logical components.

Physical components:

• Platters – A stack of magnetic coated glass or metal disks that are stacked on top
of each other like a spindle, which spin together at high speeds. This is where the
data is stored.
• Read/write head – Used to transfer data to and from a platter.
• Actuator arm and axis – The arm that is used to move the read/write heads over
the surface of the platters.
• Actuator – The motor that moves the actuator arm.

Logical components:

• Tracks – These are the data storage rings where the hard drive is
capable of containing information.
• Sectors – Tracks are divided into wedge shaped sections of the circular tracks. A
sector is between 512 bytes and 4 KB in size and is the smallest unit of storage
on a platter.
• Clusters – A cluster is a group of multiple sectors. This is where files are written
to.
• Cylinders – One corresponding track on all surfaces of all platters is called a
cylinder. For example, cylinder 0 is made of all track 0s on all platters inside the
hard drive; cylinder 1 is made up of all track 1s on all platters, and so on.

Figure 26 – An example of the logical components of a hard drive

Sourced from: http://lnx.cx/docs/vdg/output/Virtual-Disk-Operations.html

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 44 of 151
 A new hard disk drive requires partitioning and formatting before it can be used.

5.1.1 Low-level formatting

Low-level formatting is done at the factory and is the process of writing index marks
to the surface to enable the heads to locate tracks and sectors.

5.1.2 Partitioning
Partitioning is the act of dividing the hard drive into sections called drives or volumes.
You have to create at least one partition on the disk before performing a high-level
format. This can be done through the Windows setup when building a new PC or
through disk management when adding an extra hard disk.

Windows supports the following partitioning styles or schemes:

• Master Boot Record (MBR) – The MBR is the most common type of disk
partitioning style used. MBR is the first sector of the hard drive that tells the
computer how to load the OS and also how the hard drive is partitioned and how to
load the OS.
• GUID Partition Table (GPT) – The Global Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition
Table is a newer partitioning style that overcomes the limitations of MBR disks.
GPT is recommended for disks that are larger than 2 TB.

5.1.3 High-level formatting

High-level formatting prepares a partition for use with an operating system by
creating a file system on the partition.

5.1.4 File systems

Hard disk capacity gets bigger every year, and as they get larger using them in an
efficient way becomes more difficult. The file system is the general name given to the
logical structures and software routines used to control access to the storage on a hard
disk system. Operating systems use different ways of organizing and controlling access
to data on the hard disk, and this choice is dependent on the specific hardware being
used. The same hard disk can be arranged in many different ways, and even multiple
ways in different areas of the same disk.

5.1.4.1 FAT
File Allocation Table (FAT) is a file system supported by Windows and other
operating systems, such as Linux, which makes it suitable for multi-boot systems and
removable media that can be shared between operating systems.

There are two commonly used versions of FAT, namely FAT16 and FAT32:

• FAT16 (just FAT) uses a 16-bit table to address clusters and supports a maximum
partition size of 4 GB and file size of 2 GB.
• FAT32 uses a 32-bit table to address clusters and supports a maximum of 32 GB
in Windows and file size of 4 GB.

5.1.4.2 NTFS
New Technology File System (NTFS) is a secure 64-bit file system and is best for
Windows systems. Microsoft recommends using NTFS for Windows operating systems,
and the Windows 10 installation program only supports NTFS.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 45 of 151
 5.2 Solid state technology and hybrid drives

Solid state technology and hybrid devices use semiconductors, transistors and flash
memory to create electrical components with no moving parts. Solid state technology
is commonly used in desktop and laptop hard drives, memory cards, cameras, USB
flash drives and other handheld devices.

Solid state drives (SSD) are storage devices that use non-volatile flash memory to
keep their data when power is turned off. SSDs can be PATA, SATA, eSATA, SCSI,
PCIe and USB for desktop computers. Some portable computers have mini-PCIe
versions.

Hybrid hard drives (HDD) consist of a magnetic hard drive with flash memory to
provide fast and reliable storage while using less power and creating less heat. Data
that is used often can be temporarily stored or cached in flash memory so that the
magnetic disks do not have to be read as often. This can extend the battery life of
portable devices. Additionally, flash memory allows encryption and other security
measures to be built into the drive.

5.3 Host bus adapter and drive standards

A controller is the drive’s on-board circuitry that controls how the drive works and
allows it to put data on the data bus. The data includes instructions for where to find
and how to get to the data.

The host bus adapter or host adapter is the connection point between hard drives,
optical drives, tape drives and the motherboard, allowing data to be moved to the CPU
and RAM. Most motherboards have the host adapter built into their circuitry, which
connects to headers where you plug in the drive’s data cable.

A hard drive must have a set of rules to work properly. These rules make up a
standard called an interface which oversees how the drive works with the system.
Standards tell you the number of heads on the drive, to what commands the drive
responds, the cables and connectors used with the drive, the number of drives
supported and so on. There are two main bus standards for attaching drives to the
computer:

• Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) – Also known as integrated drive

electronics (IDE). ATA is commonly used in home and office computers and
network servers. There are two types of ATA – older PATA (Parallel ATA) and
newer SATA (Serial ATA).
• Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) – Most commonly found in network
servers.

5.3.1 PATA
Also referred to as Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) or Extended IDE (EIDE),
PATA is an older IDE type that transfers data in parallel – that is, multiple bits are
sent over multiple paths. With PATA, multiple drives can attach to the same bus and
share that bus. PATA is used for internal drives such as hard, tape, zip and optical
drives. Modern motherboards might have one PATA IDE header (although some have
two or more).

The IDE headers are known as the primary or primary IDE channel (IDE v 1),
secondary or secondary IDE channel (IDE 2) and, if there is a third header,
tertiary IDE channel (IDE 3). Every PATA header (or channel) can have up to two
drives (0 and 1 or master and slave) connected. There are multiple PATA standards,
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 46 of 151
 each supporting different MBps speeds.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 47 of 151
 The maximum cable length for both cables is 46 cm (18”). You will also find a 44-pin
connector for attachment to smaller 2.5 inch drives.

Figure 27 – An 80 wire PATA ribbon cable

Because a single ribbon cable can only connect to two drives and because each drive
has its own controller, there is no ‘main’ controller that decides which drive is
currently communicating with the motherboard.

Fortunately, IDE uses a master and slave configuration which allows the master
controller on the one drive to tell the slave controller on the other drive when it can
transfer data to and from the motherboard.

The master and slave setting can be configured by setting a jumper in between the
power and data connectors on the drive itself. You use a jumper (a clip that covers
and connects two pins on the back of the drive) to set the drive to master or slave.

Figure 28 – A jumper on IDE drive

There is another type of IDE data cable called cable-select which has connectors that
are colour coded to help you determine which device is master and which one is slave
(rather than setting jumpers on the drive itself).

The following table explains three important jumper settings.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 48 of 151
 Table 16 – Drive jumper settings

Jumper setting Direction

Master or single The master drive is used to boot the computer. Use this
drive setting if the drive is the only drive on the cable (single) or
the drive is the master.
Drive is slave This is the non-boot drive. Use this setting if the drive is an
additional drive on the cable and the original drive on the
same cable is set to master. To set a drive to slave, connect
the jumper vertically to the correct pair of pins and connect
the grey (middle) connector of the cable to the drive.
Cable select Some drives have a cable-select configuration mode that
(CS) automatically sets the drive as master or slave according to
where you connect it to the IDE cable. This might be marked
on the drive as CS. If you choose this configuration, you
must use a cable-select cable.

Figure 29 – Drive jumper example chart

Some other technologies that you need to understand in relation to PATA are:

• Programmed input/output (PIO) is a traditional I/O addressing scheme where

the CPU communicates directly with the hard drive through the BIOS to send and
receive data. There are different modes for PIO, each supporting different speeds.

• Direct memory access (DMA) transfer mode allows data to be transferred

between the hard drive and RAM without going through the CPU using DMA
commands. There are different modes for DMA with the latest mode called UDMA
(ultra DMA). With UDMA, the interface gains control of the PCI bus under the
direction of the motherboard chipset, a process known as bus mastering. UDMA
comes in different modes, which represent different transfer speeds, with the latest
UDMA mode supporting 133 MBps speeds. Most often when installing the drive, the
BIOS auto detects the drive and selects the fastest UDMA mode supported by the
drive and BIOS.

• Advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI) is an additional

ATA specification which allows CD/DVD and tape drives to connect to an IDE
channel by way of ATA controllers.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 49 of 151
 Logical block addressing (LBA) is an addressing scheme that tells the drive how to
address a particular location on the disk surface. It is a particularly simple linear
addressing scheme. Blocks are located by an integer index, with the first block being
LBA 0, the second LBA 1 and so on. Driver software now handles drive addressing.

5.3.2 SATA
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) has mostly replaced PATA and
connects internal hard drives and optical drives to the motherboard. SATA is faster and
has smaller data cables compared to PATA. SATA cables also support hot swapping,
which allows drives to be added and removed while the computer is running.

Figure 30 – SATA cable and connections

Sourced from: http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/s/sata.html

SATA drives have a point-to-point dedicated connection to the CPU; each drive has
the entire connection bandwidth. SATA sends data in a serial format one bit at a time
using only one wire. This allows it to use longer, thinner and more flexible cables that
can be up to 1 m long. The cables have two 7-pin connectors.

SATA drives do not have a master/slave, cable select or termination jumpers or

settings. Each drive connects to one motherboard port. There is no maximum number
of drives. Motherboards come with multiple SATA ports where you can plug in the
SATA drives. There are various SATA standards, with each one supporting a Gbps
speed.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 50 of 151
 5.4 External hard drives

External hard drives may be used for backing up data, for adding extra storage space
or for transferring data between devices. An external hard drive uses a USB, FireWire,
eSATA or Ethernet network connection.

External SATA (eSATA) is an extension to the SATA bus at full speed to external
drives. It uses connectors that are similar to the internal SATA but they are keyed
differently. You can upgrade laptops to support eSATA devices by inserting an eSATA
card. There are also USB-to-eSATA adapters.

Figure 31 – eSATA port (left), connector (middle) and external hard drive
(right)

5.5 Optical disc storage

An optical disc is the generic term for all different types of round, flat, thin, portable
discs that are made of metal and plastic and have a protective coating. Optical discs
are used to store, transfer and back up data, and distribute software. Optical discs
include Compact Discs (CDs), Digital Video Discs or Digital Versatile Discs (DVDs) and
Blu-ray Discs (BDs).

Figure 32 – Optical discs

5.5.1 Reading and writing to optical discs

An optical drive uses a laser beam to store data on the reflective metal surface of the
optical disc. A high-powered laser beam writes data to the disc by burning or creating
bumps called pits into the disc’s metal surface, and a low-powered laser beam reads
data by distinguishing between the pits and the flat areas of the metal surface (called
lands) by the amount of light deflected when the laser beam hits the surface. The
drive interprets the pit-to-land and land-to-pit changes to represent digital 1 and 0
bits. The bit pattern follows a continuous track which spirals from the inside of the
disc outwards towards the edge of the disc.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 51 of 151
 Figure 33 – Basic operation of an optical drive

5.5.2 Disc formats and standards

Below is a table that lists all optical disc terms that you will need to know.

Term Definition
Burning Also known as recording or writing. This is to write data
to a disc.
Ripping This is to copy data from a disc to the hard drive.
Session A period of time in which something happens, where a
file or files are added in the same operation.
Single-session Writing data in one operation.
Multi-session Writing data at a time without filling up the disc and
then adding additional sessions later on until the disc is
full.
Read only memory (ROM) Data can only be read. You cannot change or delete
data if the disc has data stored on it.
Recordable (R) Also known as write once, which means data can only
be written once and then the disc becomes read only.
Rewritable (RW) Also known as re-recordable, this means data can be
written, rewritten and erased multiple times.
Recordable Erasable (RE) Blu-ray discs use RE to show that the disc is rewritable.
—R The minus or dash is for single session media, which
means you cannot add more data to the disc once
burning has locked it, even if the disc has more space.
+R The plus sign is for multiple sessions, which means you
can add data to the disc in sessions.
Video A format used to store digital video on DVD discs.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 52 of 151
 5.5.3 Optical disc capacity

5.5.3.1 CD
A CD can store data and video but has limited space. A CD-ROM can store 700 MB of
data or 80 minutes of music.

5.5.3.2 DVD
DVDs can store data and videos.

• Single-sided, single layer DVD can store 4.7 GB

• Single-sided, dual-layer DVD can store 8.5 GB
• Double-sided, single-layer DVD can store 9.4 GB
• Double-sided, dual-layer DVD can store 17 GB
• DVD-video can store 17.1 GB
• DVD-audio can store 8.5 GB

5.5.3.3 BDs – Blu-ray Discs

BDs can store data and high definition (HD) videos.

• Mini-discs can store 7.8 GB per layer

• Double-sided, single-layer BD can store 25 GB
• Double-side, dual-layer BD can store 50 GB

5.5.4 Compatibility
CD drives can only read and write to CD formats. CD drives cannot read and write DVD
and BD formats. Most DVD drives can read and write to CD and DVD formats but not
BD formats. Depending on the drive features and model, BD drives can read, write and
play CD and DVD formats using a compatible BD/DVD/CD optical head. To be certain
as to which drive supports which formats, look in the drive’s documentation or visit the
manufacturer’s website.

5.6 Flash memory

Flash memory is a non-volatile, solid state memory which stores data permanently or
semi-permanently. Flash memory works by storing data in memory cells arranged in
rows and columns. Each cell has a Field Effect Transistor (FET) which stays switched
on or off when the power is turned off.

5.6.1 Flash drives

A flash drive can be used to carry data from one computer to another. Flash drives
use a USB connector and support capacities ranging from hundreds of MB to 256 GB
and go by the names including flash drive, thumb drive, jump drive and key
drive.

Flash drives are made by multiple vendors. This means that they come in different
sizes. Some have LED lights that show data reads and writes; some have write-protect
switches to enable or disable writing of data in memory, and some have a cap that
protects the connector from damage and dirt.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 53 of 151
 Figure 34 – Flash drives

To use a flash drive, you simply plug it into the USB port. The Operating System Plug-
and-Play finds the drive and installs the driver. In most cases the Autoplay dialog box
will be automatically displayed with various programs to open the files on the drive, or
you can open Windows Explorer or Computer to get the drive.

If you unplug a flash drive from your computer while it is still transferring or saving
data, you risk losing some valuable information or corrupting your data. Windows
offers a tool designed to safely remove your device.

If you see the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the notification area, it means that
your device is ready to be removed.

Figure 35 – Safely Remove Hardware icon

To safely remove a certain device, click the Safely Remove Hardware icon. In the
list of devices, click on the device you want to remove. Windows will display a
notification telling you it is now safe to remove your device.

Figure 36 – Notification message

Another method to remove your device is to click on the Start button. Click on
Computer, right-click the device you want to remove and then click on Eject.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 54 of 151
 5.6.2 Memory cards
Memory card is a generic term for a number of small cards that store data. The cards
appear as drives in Windows, but they usually do different jobs. They are a great way
to store and transfer data. Memory card slots are often found on cameras,
smartphones and music players. The cards come in different sizes and support
hundreds of MB to multiple GB of storage.

Figure 37 – Different types of memory cards

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 55 of 151
 5.7 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. Match the description to the term:

a) The process of writing index marks to the surface to enable the heads to locate
tracks and sectors.
b) The logical structure and software routines used to control access to storage on a
hard disk.

1.1 File system [1]

1.2 Low-level formatting [1]

2. List the physical and logical components of a hard drive.

[16]

3. Complete the table:

No Compare PATA SATA

1 Interface
2 Drive connector
3 Cable
4 Power connector

[8]
4. Give a short description of the technology used by SATA drives.
[2]
5. Complete the table:

CD/DVD format Storage capacity

DVD-ROM
CD-ROM
Blu-ray
[3]

Total: 31 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 56 of 151
 Unit 6 – Display Systems

At the end of this unit, you will:

• Have a basic understanding of a graphics card and its major

components.
• Understand the different display standards and how they affect the
output of the monitor.

Figure 38 – Graphics card

6.1 Graphics card

The graphics card, or video adapter, controls the display on a monitor and creates the
image on the screen. An example of a graphics card is shown in Figure 38. A
graphics card converts the digital data signals of a computer into a format that can be
displayed. A graphics display adapter is often an expansion card that can be plugged
into an expansion slot on the motherboard. On some newer motherboards, the
display adapter is incorporated as part of the motherboard chipset. When this is the
case, it is called an on-board adapter. Display adapters like all adapters require
special device drivers in order for the operating system to interact with them. Many
graphics cards offer added functions such as video capture and TV output.

6.1.1 The major components

The graphics card is a printed circuit board with the following major components,
namely the graphics processing unit, the video memory and the video BIOS.

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is the graphics card’s microprocessor. It

carries out the instructions it receives from the operating system to render 2D and 3D
images on-screen. It performs the function of generic graphics elements. The result
of this processing is seen as output from the computer monitor.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 57 of 151
 The video memory is an integral component of graphics cards. Video memory
temporarily stores the processed images, buffers, textures and other display
attributes. Video memory usually provides faster access to data than normal RAM.
Newer low-end graphics cards or on-board adapters use system memory (shared
memory), while high-end dedicated cards may be manufactured with GDDR RAM,
which is similar to DDR, DDR2, DDR3 and DDR4 RAM. Other cards may use a mixture
of shared memory and dedicated memory.

A graphics card also has its own BIOS chip. This is the memory chip that stores the
graphics card configuration data. The video BIOS or firmware is a basic program
that provides instructions that allow the computer and software to interact with the
card. Moreover, the video BIOS found on cards contains the instructions that control
the video processing speed and the voltage passed through both the GPU and video
memory.

6.1.2 The graphics card interface

The graphics card fits into the slot that facilitates the connection between the card and
the motherboard from which it draws power. The slot can be a PCI Express (PCIe)
slot, PCI slot or an older AGP slot. Of the three, PCIe is preferred by gamers since it
provides the fastest interface performance.

6.1.3 Graphics card connector types

The most common connectors that provide the connection between the card and the
display unit are illustrated in Figure 39 and explained in Table 17.

Figure 39 – Display port, HDMI port and two DVI ports

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 58 of 151
 Table 17 – Graphics card connector types
Analogue-based standard adopted in the
late 1980s designed for CRT display units,
also called a VGA (Video Graphics Array)
connector. An analogue signal is a
continuous variable signal which can be
affected by electrical noise, image
HD-15F (VGA) distortion, and sampling-error evaluating
pixels.
Digital-based standard designed for
display units such as flat panel displays
(LCDs, plasma screens, wide high-
definition television display units) and
video projectors. It avoids image
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
distortion and electrical noise by aligning
each pixel from the computer to a display
pixel, using its native resolution. Five
different types of DVI interfaces exist,
with each one supporting different
speeds, features (analogue/digital),
modes, and number and arrangement of
pins.

A digital technology that supports both

video and audio and allows the
transmission of signals from a remote
control unit to control multiple devices.
High Definition Multimedia Interface HDMI is backwards compatible with DVI
(HDMI) using a suitable HDMI-to-DVI adapter.

A digital display interface developed by

Video Electronics Standards Association,
which is used to connect a video source to
Display Port a display device.

6.1.4 Important graphics card facts

Each motherboard supports only a limited range of graphics card formats, so always
check your motherboard manufacturer before making a purchase. The motherboard,
case and expansion cards are designed with compatibility in mind. Some graphics
cards have only one port for connection to a standard monitor or projector, while
more advanced cards may have ports for connections to multiple output sources,
including additional monitors and televisions.

6.1.5 Graphics card maintenance

Very little maintenance is required for the adapter itself, but it is a good idea to visit
the adapter manufacturer’s web page periodically to download the latest drivers.
Also, keep the expansion slots clean using the appropriate cleaning materials.

6.2 Display standards

Various computer display standards or display modes have been used in the history of
the personal computer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 59 of 151
 NOTE Table 18 gives a summary list of the common video standards. For a
complete detailed list, consult websites such as www.vesa.org. Video
Electronics Standards Association (VESA) is a standards body for computer
graphics which develops and publishes video standards.

Table 18 – A summary of the latest and most common video standards

Display mode name Full name Resolution
VGA Video Graphics Array 640×480
SVGA Super VGA 800×600
XGA Extended VGA 1024×768
EVGA Extended VGA 1024×768
SXGA Super XGA 1280×1024
UXGA Ultra XGA 1600×1200
WUXGA Wide UXGA 1920×1200
WQXGA Quad XGA 2560×1600
WQSXGA Wide Quad Super XGA 3200×2048
WQUXGA Wide Quad Ultra XGA 3840×2400
QSXGA Quad Super Extended Graphics Array 2560×2048
HDMI 1080 High-Definition Multimedia Interface 1920×1080
HDMI 780 High-Definition Multimedia Interface 1280×720
HXGA Hex Extended Graphics Array 4096 ×3072
WHXGA Wide HXGA 5120×3200
HUXGA Hex Ultra GA 6400×4800
WHUXGA Wide HUXGA 7680×4800

6.3 Monitor

A monitor can use either Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology or Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) technology.

6.3.1 CRT monitors

The back of the screen in a colour CRT monitor is covered with different coloured
chemical dots called phosphors (red, green and blue). Three electron guns located at
the neck (or back) of the monitor shoot a beam of electrons towards the screen.
When the beam of electrons strikes a phosphor dot, it glows. The beam of electrons
scans across the screen from left to right and top to bottom in a pattern that paints
the image we see on the screen.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 60 of 151
 Figure 40 – CRT monitor

6.3.2 LCD monitors

PCs are increasingly shipped with a flat-panel LCD. They have become much cheaper
and of better quality in recent years. They take up less space and use less power as
well.

With an LCD monitor, an electric current is passed through a semi-crystalline liquid

(liquid crystals), causing the properties of the liquid crystals to change and align
themselves with the current. An LCD pixel comprises cells (or sub-pixels) with filters
that generate the red, green and blue colours, and transistors that vary the intensity
of each sub-pixel, to create the range of colours that the display can generate. A
fluorescent or light emitting diode (LED) backlight illuminates the LCD panel. There
are two main types of LCD displays:

• Active Matrix (also called Thin Film Transistor [TFT]) – A TFT regulates the
electrical charge that manipulates the crystal. The TFT uses a capacitor to provide
the crystal with the appropriate current to remain in its existing state. Each
individual pixel in a TFT display has its own transistor.

• Passive Matrix – This display type is used by some old, low quality screens. A
passive matrix screen consists of two rows of transistors; one at the top and one at
the side. When a particular pixel needs to be turned on, a signal is sent to its X
and Y co-ordinate transistors, turning them on. This causes the voltage lines at
those co-ordinates to intersect each other and energise the pixel.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 61 of 151
 Figure 41 – LCD monitor

6.3.3 LED LCD or OLED

Light Emitting Diode (LED) monitors and televisions (TVs) are LCDs with LED
backlights. They either use RGB (red, green and blue) LED arrays behind the LCD
panel, or use white edge LEDs around the inside frame and a light diffusion panel
to spread the light evenly behind the LCD panel.

Using LEDs for backlighting reduces the thickness of the LCD panels and reduces the
overall amount of electricity used. LEDs do not need AC power, so there is no inverter.
Smaller devices such as laptops, tablets and display screens use LED backlights to
save battery usage.

Some smaller devices such as smartphones and digital cameras, and bigger display
screens such as monitors and TVs, use a related technology called Organic Light
Emitting Diode (OLED) screens.

6.3.4 Plasma
A plasma display is another type of flat panel display. It can produce some bright
colours but is more susceptible to screen burn-in. In addition, it draws more electricity
than an LCD monitor. The plasma display tube includes millions of small cells filled with
gas, and when voltage is applied to these cells, they can emit different coloured lights.

6.3.5 3D displays
Improvements in display technology and graphics processing have led to several 3D
output devices, including 3D display screens, TVs, laptops, mobile devices and game
consoles. The newest 3D displays use filters, prisms, lenses and other parts built
into the screen to create the 3D effect and as a result, the user does not have to
wear 3D glasses or other gear to experience the 3D effect.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 62 of 151
 Figure 42 – 3D monitor
Output displays are evaluated according to different characteristics. Table 19 lists
these characteristics.

Table 19 – Display characteristics

Characteristic Description
Pixel Short for picture element, a small dot that can be turned on and
off and joined with many other dots to create the image on screen.
A pixel must be made up of at least one red, green and blue
phosphor (triad) to create any colour. With more pixels, you can
see more of the image and in more detail.
Resolution The number of pixels used to create the image and addressed by
software. Shown as the number of horizontal (across) pixels times
the number of vertical (up and down) pixels. Values can range from
hundreds to thousands of pixel counts for high-end displays. You
can find out how many pixels are on the screen by multiplying the
values together: 1024x768 = 786 432 pixels per screen. CRT
monitors and graphics cards are designed to use several resolutions
up to a maximum one. A higher number of pixels results in a higher
resolution and an overall better image.
Native A single fixed resolution, such as 1680×1050, which enables LCD
resolution monitors to display the sharpest picture possible. Setting an LCD
monitor to a different resolution other than the native one can
severely degrade image quality, causing the image to appear fuzzy.
See the monitor’s documentation to find the native resolution.
Dot pitch For CRTs, the distance between two adjacent phosphors of the
same colour (e.g. red and red), measured in millimetres.
Screen size The diagonal length of the screen surface, measured in inches. CRT
monitors provide two numbers: the monitor size measures from
two opposite diagonal corners of the plastic case (bezel), while the
viewable image size (VIS) measures one edge of the actual screen
to the opposite diagonal side of the screen. LCDs use the viewable
image size. Common sizes are 15”, 17”, 19” and 21” with 30+”
available.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 63 of 151
 Characteristic Description
Aspect ratio The screen’s width divided by its height. The common resolutions,
such as 1024×768, 1280×960, 1280×1024, and 1600×1200,
match a 4:3 ratio. For example, for a display that supports 4:3
ratios, such as 1024×768, if you divide the first number by 4 and
multiply the result by 3, it equals the second number. This means
that for every 4 pixels running horizontally, there are 3 pixels
running vertically. Depending on screen resolution, widescreens
can have varying aspect ratios of 10:6, 16:9, 16:9.5 or 16:10.
Refresh rate Refers to how quickly the monitor updates or redraws the screen,
measured in Hertz (Hz) or times per second. Refresh rates for CRT
monitors vary from 60 Hz or more, with 75 Hz or higher causing
less flicker on screen and are ideal. There is no need to freshen up
a dot on an LCD display because each one has its own transistor to
light it up; it is either on or off. The refresh rate for an LCD monitor
refers to how often a screen can update completely. Standard LCDs
have a 60 Hz rate with models featuring 120 Hz and 240 Hz.
Response rate The amount of time it takes for a pixel on an LCD monitor to
change colour, to go from pure black to pure white and back again,
measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the response time the
better, with better quality monitors having 8 ms times or less.
Brightness Luminance is how bright the screen appears to your eyes,
measured in nits or candelas per square metre (cd/m2). Typical
LCDs fall between 200 and 300 cd/m2, with 500 cd/m2 or better
designed for gaming and home theatre systems.
Contrast ratio The difference in the amount of light between the brightest (white)
colour and the darkest (black) colour that the monitor can display.
For example, a contrast ratio of 600:1 means that the white areas
are 600 times the brightness of the black areas. The higher the
ratio, the better.
Viewing angle The number of degrees of angle at which you can see the screen from
the sides and top and bottom, and can continue to see clearly defined
images and accurate colours.
Colour depth Also known as bit depth, it describes the number of bits that
represent colour. Common colour depths include 4-bit (16 colours),
8-bit (256 colours), 16-bit (65,536 colours), 24-bit (16,777,216
colours), 32-bit (4,294,967,296 colours), 30-bit, 36-bit and 40-bit
(billions of colours).

6.4 Monitor maintenance

Ensure that the monitor is always properly connected and that the cables are not in a
walkway. Do not cover the ventilation holes on top of the monitor. Never attempt to
open a monitor to service it. Use mild soap and water on a damp, clean, lint-free
cloth to clean the monitor case. Use a monitor glass cleaner and/or monitor wipes to
clean the screen.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 64 of 151
 6.5 Exercise

• Do the following exercise with the assistance of your lecturer.

• Use one of the PCs in your lab.

6.5.1 How do you change the resolution on your screen?

6.5.2 Change the resolution on your screen. Record what you are changing it to.

6.5.3 How does it affect the display?

6.5.4 Play around with the display settings and explore all the options, i.e.
screensavers, background settings, refresh rate, etc.

6.6 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. List three major components of the graphics card and give a short description of
each.
[6]
2. Match the graphics card port/connector to the device it connects to:

2.1 Flat panel displays (LCD or plasma screens)

[1]
2.2 CRT displays .
[1]
3. Give one advantage of using the port in the answer to 2.1 over the port in your
answer to 2.2.
[1]
4. is generally the video standard used for the native

17" and 19" LCD monitors at a resolution of .

[2]
5. Answer True or False.

The higher the screen resolution, the less information is displayed on the screen.
[1]

Total: 12 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 65 of 151
 Unit 7 – Peripherals

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Identify the various keyboards available.

• Identify the different mouse types.
• Identify different printers.
• Describe the function of a scanner.

In this unit, we will discuss some of the most common peripherals available. A
peripheral device is a hardware device that allows a computer to perform additional
functions, but is not something that the computer necessarily needs in order to work.

Peripheral devices are made up of three categories: input devices, output devices and
input/output (I/O) devices.

7.1 Input devices

Input devices help us to interact with a computer. They provide us with a means of
entering data for processing or manipulation.

7.1.1 Keyboard
This is the most common input device. A keyboard translates keystrokes into letters,
characters or numbers. Keyboards come in many varieties and the following list
covers some of the latest keyboards available.

7.1.1.1 Types of keyboards

Mechanical key-switch keyboards

A mechanical key-switch keyboard works by using an individual switch for each key.
Under the key cap is a plunger. When you press a key, this plunger moves down and
makes a connection between two signal lines coming from the keyboard controller in
the keyboard.

These keyboards are simple to make, inexpensive and easy to service.

Capacitive keyboards
A capacitive keyboard has two sheets of semi-conductive material inside the
keyboard. A thin sheet of Mylar separates these sheets. When a key is pressed, the
plunger presses the two sheets of semi-conductive material together. This alters the
total capacitance of the two sheets and the controller can tell, by the value returned,
which key was pressed.

These keyboards are less complex, more durable and cheaper than mechanical key-
switch keyboards, but cannot be repaired.

Wireless types
Wireless keyboards have become popular for their increased user freedom. However,
a wireless keyboard needs batteries to work and may pose a security problem due to
theft, since they can easily be picked up from the desk.

A wireless keyboard often includes a required combination of a transmitter and

receiver unit which attaches to the computer's keyboard port. The wireless aspect is

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 66 of 151
 achieved either by radio frequency (RF) or by infrared (IR) signals sent and received
from both the keyboard and the unit attached to the computer. A wireless keyboard
may use an industry standard called Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a short range radio
technology. With Bluetooth, the transceiver may be built into the computer.

Alternatives to the ‘regular’ keyboard

There are many alternatives to the regular keyboard with special function keys for
specialised uses. Some of these keyboards include gaming, multimedia (Figure 43),
and virtual and touch screen keyboards.

Figure 43 – Multimedia keyboard

7.1.1.2 Keyboard connectors

Keyboards use a PS/2 connector or USB connectors.

7.1.1.3 Keyboard maintenance

The most important aspect of keyboard maintenance is keeping it clean. For this
reason, it is important to keep all liquids and foods away from the keyboard.

If you do need to clean your keyboard, ensure that it is disconnected from the
computer. Use a soft, damp cloth and a mild detergent to clean any dirt. Ensure that
the keyboard is completely dry before using it again.

The keyboard can be submerged into a bucket of distilled, demineralised water if you
happen to spill anything on the keyboard. Ensure that the keyboard is completely dry
before using it again.

7.1.2 Mouse
The mouse converts movements on a horizontal surface (i.e. the movements of your
hand on the desk) into movements of a pointer on the screen.

7.1.2.1 Types of mouse devices

Mechanical mouse
Inside the casing of the mouse is a round ball. The ball makes contact with two rollers.
When the mouse is moved, the ball rolls and this causes the rollers to turn. These
rollers are connected in turn to wheels that have small holes. Each wheel rotates
between the arms of an optical sensor. As the wheel turns, the light flashes through
the wheel and onto the optical sensor. As the speed and patterns of light pulse, the
mouse sensors determine the speed and direction in which the mouse is moving. It
then sends its interpretation to the computer and the mouse control software.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 67 of 151
 Optical mouse
The optical mouse has no ball. It uses an LED and contains a special purpose image-
processing chip which allows the mouse to detect movement on a variety of surfaces.

Laser mouse
Infrared optical mouse devices use infrared sensors and laser mouse devices use
infrared lasers to detect movement over a surface.

Figure 44 – The optical sensor from a Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer 3D mouse

A 3D mouse is a device that allows multifaceted navigation using ultrasound
technology and offers at least three degrees of freedom. It allows a user to work with
both hands simultaneously and is typically used in 3D applications, such as computer
aided design and gaming consoles like the Nintendo Wii.

Gaming mouse
A gaming mouse is a device that is used by gamers. Gaming mouse devices typically
have a wide array of controls and buttons and have a different design compared to a
traditional mouse. Gaming mouse devices are held by gamers in three different styles
of grip: palm grip, claw grip and fingertip grip.

7.1.2.2 Mouse connectivity

There are several available connectors for a mouse. The main two are:
• PS/2
• USB.

To transmit their input, typical cabled mouse devices use a thin electrical cord
terminating in a standard connector, such as PS/2 or USB. Cordless mouse devices
instead transmit data via infrared radiation (IrDA) or radio (such as Bluetooth).

7.1.2.3 Mouse maintenance

Older mechanical mouse devices experience problems because of accumulated dirt
and dust in the mouse and require regular cleaning. Optical mouse devices require
less maintenance.

7.1.2.4 Mouse buttons

A mouse has a number of buttons; there are mouse devices that have three or more
buttons, such as the one shown in Figure 45. Depending on the user's preferences
and software environment, the extra buttons may allow forward and backward Web
navigation, scrolling through a browser’s history, or other functions, including mouse-
related functions such as quickly changing the mouse’s resolution/sensitivity. Not all
software supports these additional functions. The additional buttons become especially
useful in computer games, where quick and easy access to a wide variety of functions
can give a player an advantage. Because software can map mouse buttons to
virtually any keystroke, function and application, extra buttons can make working with
such a mouse easier and more efficient.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 68 of 151
 Figure 45 – Five button cordless mouse

7.1.3 Scanner
A charge-coupled device (CCD) allows light to be converted into electronic pulses.
Scanners use CCDs and a light source to convert pictures into a stream of data.

There are two types of scanners:

• Flatbed scanners
• Handheld scanners.

7.1.3.1 Flatbed scanners

Flatbed scanners look very much like the top half of a photocopier. When a picture is
scanned, it is placed face down on the glass. Software is then used to start the scan
cycle. Flatbed scanners are usually USB or parallel devices.

7.1.3.2 Handheld scanners

Handheld scanners are handheld units, which contain a controller, a CCD and a light
source in a small enclosure with wheels mounted on it. The carriage is placed in the
user’s hand. The scanner is placed on top of an item that is to be scanned, and the
software starts the scanning process when it is pressed on the unit. The unit is moved
over the item and scanning is stopped when the start button is released.

7.1.4 Webcam
A webcam is a digital camera that is connected to a computer. It allows anyone
connected to the Internet to view either still pictures or videos of a user or other
objects. Examples of applications that allow you to make such connections are Skype,
Camfrog Video Chat and CyberLink YouCam.

Figure 46 – A webcam

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 69 of 151
 7.2 Output devices

Output devices provide us with a means of viewing the information that we have
entered into the PC.

Common output devices include:

• Graphics card and monitor (refer back to Unit 6)
• Printer
• Speaker
• Headset

NOTE The list of output devices is quite extensive and only graphics cards,
monitors and printers are covered in this module. Please consult
vendors or the recommended references for more information.

7.2.1 Printers
There are many different printers available for normal and specialised printing
requirements. Please consult the recommended websites for details of the different
printers available. The main categories are: laser printers, inkjets, dot-matrix,
multifunctional. Normally, home computer users will use inkjets, as they are
relatively cheap but superior in quality to dot-matrix printers. Laser jets and other
printers created by new technology are more expensive and more commonly found in
office environments.

7.2.1.1 Impact (dot-matrix) printers

Dot-matrix printers use a set of closely spaced pins and an inked ribbon to print
letters and characters on a page. These printers impact the page by firing the pins at
an inked ribbon which leaves marks on the paper to print a character, similar to the
operation of a typewriter. Dot-matrix printers vary in terms of speed and the number
of pins they have. They can run at a speed of anywhere between 50 and 500
characters per second (cps). The number of pins varies between 9 and 24, and
determines the quality of the print job. Dot-matrix printers are commonly used for
printing purchase orders, shipping forms, labels, invoices and other multi-part forms.

7.2.1.2 Laser printers

Laser printers shine a laser beam to produce an image on a photosensitive drum. The
drum is rolled and the electrically charged portions of the drum pick up toner (a black
powdery substance). The toner on the drum is attracted and transferred to the page
because the drum and the paper hold different electrical charges. Finally, using a
combination of heat and pressure rollers, the toner is melted onto the surface of the
page before exiting the printer. Laser printers print very fast, and the cartridges last
for a long time. Colour laser printers use the same toner-based printing process as
black and white (B/W) laser printers, except that they use separate colour toner
cartridges. Depending on the type of printer, the printer might combine the four main
colours and place them all on a single plate and print in a single pass; otherwise, it will
print each of the four colours - cyan, magenta, yellow and black - in four passes
respectively. Colour laser printers can also be used as a regular black and white laser
printer.

7.2.1.3 Inkjets
Also known as bubble jet printers, inkjet printers spray ionised tiny drops of ink onto a
page to create an image. This is achieved by using magnetised plates, which direct the
ink’s path onto the paper in the desired pattern. Almost all inkjets offer a colour
option as standard, in varying degrees of resolution, and can also be used as a regular
black and white printer. Inkjet printers are capable of producing high-quality print.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 70 of 151
 7.2.1.4 LED/LCD printers
These types of electro-photographic printers are identical to laser printers in most
ways. Both LCD (liquid crystal display) and LED (light emitting diode) printers use a
light source instead of a laser to create an image on a drum. These printers produce
very high quality text and graphic printouts.

7.2.1.5 Plotters
Plotters are large-scale printers that are very accurate at reproducing line drawings.
They are commonly used for technical drawings, such as engineering drawings or
architectural blueprints.

7.2.1.6 Multifunction printers

Multifunction printers combine top-quality colour inkjet or laser printing with plain
paper and faxing, colour copying and scanning, as well as telephoning, all in one
convenient, space-saving machine. If you work from home, or have a small office, a
multifunctional device may be ideal.

7.2.1.7 Dye sublimation printers

These professional devices are widely used in demanding graphic arts and
photographic applications. These printers work by heating the ink so that it turns
from a solid into a gas. The heating element can be set to different temperatures,
thus controlling the amount of ink laid down in one spot. Dye sublimation printers
require particularly expensive special paper, as the dyes are designed to diffuse into
the paper surface, mixing to create precise colour shades.

7.2.2 Speakers
A speaker is a hardware device that is used to produce audio output that can be heard
by the listener. Speakers are transducers that convert electromagnetic waves into
sound waves.

Figure 47 – Computer speakers

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 71 of 151
 7.3 Input/Output devices

An I/O device is a hardware device that has the ability to accept input and
produce output.

7.3.1 Touch screen

A touch screen enables you to interact with it by touching areas of the screen,
usually with your finger or with a stylus. A stylus (also called a digital pen,
electronic pen or tablet pen) is a thin, plastic pressure-sensitive device that you can
use to tap, write and draw on a touch screen. Some styluses are powered by the
device with which it is used, while others have buttons or switches to perform actions
such as erasing content or right-clicking and sending commands to the device using
specific movements with the pen, known as pen flicks.

Figure 48 – Touch screen monitor

Touch screens are either a built-in screen such as in smartphones, or standalone

screens like those used in many information or point-of-sale systems (PoS).

Listed below are many types of touch screen technology:

• Capacitive panel is coated with material that stores small electrical charges.
When your finger touches the screen, it conducts a small amount of electrical
charge, reducing the charge on the screen’s capacitive layer. Circuits measure the
change in the charge and send this data to the touch screen controller on the
device or software on the device for processing. Capacitive screens are high
quality; they support multi-touch actions using multiple fingers and are generally
not affected by items that do not conduct charges.

• Resistive panel has a glass panel coated with two main layers of electrically
conductive and resistive material that face each other with a very small gap
between them. When you touch the touch screen, the two layers are pressed
together and the horizontal and vertical lines on the two layers register the exact
location of your touch, allowing an electrical signal to be generated and sent to the
device. Resistive screens are not as clear as capacitive screens.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 72 of 151
 • Surface acoustic wave (SAW) panel passes ultrasonic ‘sound’ waves over the
touch screen panel. When the panel is touched, a part of the wave is absorbed,
which allows the controller to calculate the position of the touch and determine
what signal to send to the device. Because these waves pass over the screen, it is
easy for outside objects to damage the device. SAW provides a clear image when
compared to resistive and capacitive screens, and is suitable for banking and
information kiosks.

• Optical panel uses cameras or sensors mounted on the screen to detect objects
close to the screen’s surface.

• Infrared panel uses LEDs that send out beams of light to form a grid over the
surface of the screen and sensors that detect the light beams. When you break the
beams of light travelling across the screen with your touch, the location of the
break can be determined.

7.3.2 Communication devices

Communication I/O devices are those devices that are used to input data and give
some sort of output. These devices include:

• Bluetooth adapters/dongles
• Modems.

7.3.3 Storage devices

Storage devices can be used to input data into the computer and have its output
stored on the storage devices and used as input into a different computer. Storage
devices are covered in Unit 5.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 73 of 151
 7.4 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. List two common input devices.

[2]

2. List two common output devices.

[2]

3. List the two types of keyboards and their uses.

[4]

4. List two types of mouse connectors.

[2]

5. List two types of scanners.

[2]

6. Which type of printer will you use for the following?

6.1 printing photos:

6.2 printing technical drawings:
[2]

7. Select the correct answers. Circle all that apply.

A keyboard uses a:

a) PS/2
b) DIN-2 connector
c) USB connector
d) DB-25 connector
[2]

8. How do you clean a keyboard?

[1]

Total: 17 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 74 of 151
 Unit 8 – Networking Basics

At the end of this unit, you will:

• Have a basic understanding of networks.

• Understand the difference between servers, hosts and workstations.
• Know the difference between the different types of networks and
network topologies.
• Have a basic understanding of networking hardware.

A network is two or more computer systems linked together by some form of

transmission medium that enables them to share information. The network
technology is what connects the computers, but the purpose of a network is to
provide services or resources to its users. These services may include access to
shared files and folders, network printing and database applications.

Networks may be classified according to a wide variety of characteristics. This unit

provides a general overview of some types and categories, and presents the basic
components of a network.

8.1 Network scopes

The following terms broadly define the size and nature of a network.

8.1.1 Personal Area Network (PAN)

A PAN is a computer network used for communication among computer devices in
close proximity to a person. Some examples of devices that are used in a PAN
environment are printers, fax machines, telephones, PDAs or scanners. The reach
of a PAN is typically within about a few metres.

Personal area networks may be wired with computer buses such as USB and FireWire.
A wireless personal area network (WPAN) can also be created by using network
technologies such as IrDA and Bluetooth.

8.1.2 Local Area Network (LAN)

A LAN is a network covering a small geographical area, like a home, office or building.
For example, a library may have a wired or wireless LAN for users to interconnect
local devices (e.g. printers and servers) and to connect to the Internet.

8.1.3 Campus Area Network (CAN)

A Campus Area Network is a computer network interconnecting a few local area
networks (LANs) within a limited geographical area, such as in a university campus or
corporate campus or a military base environment. Campus area networks may link a
variety of campus buildings including departments, the university library and student
halls of residence. A Campus Area Network is larger than a Local Area Network, but
smaller than a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN).

8.1.4 Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)

A Metropolitan Area Network is a network that connects two or more Local Area
Networks or Campus Area Networks together, but does not extend beyond the
boundaries of the immediate town/city.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 75 of 151
 8.1.5 Wide Area Network (WAN)
A WAN is a data communications network that covers a relatively broad geographical
area (i.e. one city to another and one country to another country). Computers
connected to a wide area network are often connected through public networks, such
as the telephone system, or they can also be connected through leased lines or
satellites. The largest WAN in existence is the Internet.

8.1.6 Global Area Network (GAN)

Global Area Network (GAN) specifications are in development by several groups, and
there is no common definition. In general, however, a Global Area Network is a model
for supporting mobile communications across an arbitrary number of wireless LANs,
satellite coverage areas, etc.

8.1.7 Internetwork
An internetwork is two or more networks or network segments connected using a
device such as a router. Any interconnection among or between public, private,
commercial, industrial or governmental networks may also be defined as an
internetwork.

In modern practice, the interconnected networks use the Internet Protocol (IP). There
are at least three variants of internetworks, depending on who administers and who
participates in them, namely:

• Intranet
• Extranet
• Internet

Intranets and extranets may or may not have connections to the Internet. If
connected to the Internet, the intranet or extranet is normally protected from being
accessed from the Internet without proper authorisation. The Internet is not
considered part of the intranet or extranet, although it may serve as a portal for
access to portions of an extranet.

8.1.7.1 Intranet
An intranet is a set of interconnected networks, using the Internet Protocol and IP-
based tools such as Web browsers and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) tools that are
under the control of a single administrative entity. That administrative entity closes
the intranet to the rest of the world, and allows only specific users to access it.
More commonly, an intranet is the internal network of a company or other
enterprise. A large intranet will typically have its own Web server to provide users
with Web-based information.

8.1.7.2 Extranet
An extranet is a network or internetwork that is limited in scope to a single
organisation or entity, but which also has limited connections to the networks of one
or more other trusted organisations or entities (e.g. a company’s customers may be
given access to some part of its intranet, creating an extranet, while at the same time
the customers may not be considered ’trusted’ from a security standpoint).
Technically, an extranet may also be categorised as a CAN, MAN, WAN or other type
of network, although, by definition, an extranet cannot consist of a single LAN; it
must have at least one connection to an external network.

8.1.7.3 Internet
The Internet is a specific internetwork that consists of worldwide interconnections
between governmental, academic, public and private networks. It is based upon the
Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET), which was developed by
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 76 of 151
 DARPA by the U.S. Department of Defence – also home to the World Wide Web
(WWW) and referred to as the ‘Internet’ with a capital I to distinguish it from other
generic internetworks.

8.2 Peer-to-peer and server-based networking

8.2.1 Servers, workstations, clients and hosts defined

A server usually has larger hardware requirements and runs software that controls
and maintains the network. A server ‘serves’ clients by providing resources to them
over the network.

Any computer connected to a network is called a workstation.

A client is any network entity that can request resources from a server.

On a TCP/IP network, the term host refers to any network device that has an IP
address. A host can be a server, workstation or any other network device, and
typically offers resources to network clients.

8.2.2 Peer-to-peer networks

In peer-to-peer networks, each computer can act as both a client that requests
resources and as a server that provides resources. There are no dedicated servers or
a hierarchy among computers. In a peer-to-peer network, computers are located at
the users’ desk and the users act as their own administrator, planning their own
security and local backups.

Peer-to-peer networks are appropriate when there are only a few users located in the
same geographical location, security is not an issue, and the organisation (network)
will have limited growth in the near future.

8.2.3 Server-based networks

As the number of users increases and the network starts expanding, a server-based
network then becomes more practical than a peer-to-peer network.

A server-based network uses a network operating system designed to manage the

entire network from a centralised point, which is installed on a server. Clients make
requests to the server and the server responds with the requested information or
access to the requested resource.

8.3 What is a topology?

Network topologies are illustrated in Figures 49, 50, 51 and 52. Computer networks
may be classified according to the network topology upon which the network is
based, such as bus, star, ring, mesh, star-bus or tree/hierarchical topology network,
etc.

A topology is a map of the network. It signifies the way in which devices in the
network see their logical relations to one another. The logical topology refers to the
flow of data through the network. The logical topology is independent of the ’physical’
layout of the network. The physical topology refers to the arrangement or physical
layout of computers and cables, and the location of all network components.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 77 of 151
 Even if networked computers are physically placed in a linear arrangement, and if
they are connected via a switch, the network has a star topology, rather than a bus
topology. In this regard, the visual and operational characteristics of a network are
distinct; the logical network topology is not necessarily the same as the physical
topology.

8.3.1 Ring topology

Figure 49 – Ring topology

The ring topology has computers connected in a circle. The computers are either
directly or indirectly attached to the ring or indirectly via an intermediary device such
as a Multi-Station Access Unit (MSAU). The ring topology is referred to as an active
topology because each computer regenerates the signal. The ring topology makes it
difficult to add new computers and the network will go down if an entity is removed
from the ring.

8.3.2 Star topology

Figure 50 – Star topology

In the star topology, computers connect to a centralised component. The centralised

component can be a component such as a hub, switch or a wireless access point
(WAP). The star topology is easy to install and reconfigure.

8.3.3 Bus topology

Figure 51 – Bus topology

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 78 of 151
 The bus topology connects each computer to a single cable, often referred to as the
backbone of the network. The bus topology is cheap to implement, uses the least
amount of cabling, and is easy to install. However, it is difficult to reconfigure and a
break in the cable disrupts the entire network.

8.3.4 Mesh topology

Figure 52 – Mesh topology

In a mesh topology, a path typically exists between each station and every other
station in the network. This topology can be used in LANs but is more commonly used
in Wide Area Networks (WANs). In a full mesh topology, every node is connected to
every other node. In a partial mesh topology, some nodes are connected to more
than one node, but not directly to every node.

8.3.5 Hybrid
Two different topologies are combined within the same network to benefit from the
advantages of both topologies. This type of topology is very complex to set up.

8.4 The open systems interconnect (OSI) model

The Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model is a theoretical architectural model

designed to aid the understanding of the functionality of a network.

The OSI model consists of seven layers. The steps involved in transferring data from
one computer to another computer in the same network are divided into tasks, each
of which is executed at a specific OSI layer. The tasks for each specific layer are
independent from the tasks in all the other layers. It is therefore possible to make
changes to one layer without affecting the other layers (see Figure 53).

A protocol is a set of rules that define how devices communicate with each other.
Devices need to agree on the format of the data to be able to communicate. A
communication protocol provides this set of rules which define different tasks that
must be performed in order to transfer data from one computer to another, i.e. how
data is represented, error detection and correction, signalling and authentication.

The OSI model serves as a functional guideline for network communication and does
not specify any standard. Many protocols, however, do comply with these guidelines.
Each layer performs a different group of tasks required for network communication.
This layered model describes what tasks must be performed by the
protocol/service/layer to move data from the user interface (Layer 7) on the sending
host down to its physical/network access (Layer 1), across the network, and then up
each layer on the receiving host to its user interface (Application layer).

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 79 of 151
 Figure 53 – The 7 layers of the OSI model

The application layer

The application layer is the OSI layer closest to the end user, which means that both
the OSI application layer and the user interact directly with the software application.
This layer interacts with software applications that implement a communicating
component. Application layer functions typically include identifying communication
partners, determining resource availability and synchronising communication. Some
examples of application layer implementations include Telnet, File Transfer Protocol
(FTP) and Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).

The presentation layer

The presentation layer provides a variety of coding and conversion functions that are
applied to application layer data. These functions ensure that information sent from the
application layer of one system would be readable by the application layer of another
system. Some examples of presentation layer coding and conversion schemes include
common data representation formats, conversion of character representation formats,
common data compression schemes and common data encryption schemes.
The session layer
The session layer establishes, manages and terminates communication sessions.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 80 of 151
Communication sessions consist of service requests and service responses that occur
between applications located in different network devices. These requests and responses
are coordinated by protocols implemented at the session layer. Some protocols that
function in this layer are NFS/RPC, ASP, SIP and RTP.

The transport layer

The transport layer accepts data from the session layer and segments the data for
transport across the network. Generally, the transport layer is responsible for making
sure that the data is delivered error-free and in the proper sequence. Flow control
generally occurs at the transport layer. Flow control manages data transmission
between devices so that the transmitting device does not send more data than the
receiving device can process. Multiplexing enables data from several applications to
be transmitted onto a single physical link. Virtual circuits are established, maintained
and terminated by the transport layer. Error checking involves creating various
mechanisms for detecting transmission errors, while error recovery involves acting,
e.g. requesting that data be re-transmitted, to resolve any errors that occur. The
transport protocols used on the Internet are TCP and UDP.

The network layer

The network layer defines the network address, which differs from the MAC address.
Some network layer implementations, such as the Internet Protocol (IP), define network
addresses in a way that route selection can be determined systematically by comparing
the source network address with the destination network address and applying the subnet
mask. Because this layer defines the logical network layout, routers can use this layer to
determine how to forward packets. Because of this, much of the design and configuration
work for Internetworks happens at Layer 3.

The data link layer

This provides a service to the network layer. It encapsulates the network layer
information in a frame. The frame header contains information (for example, physical
addresses) required to complete the data link functions.

The physical layer

The physical layer defines the electrical, mechanical, procedural and functional
specifications for activating, maintaining and deactivating the physical link between
communicating network systems. Physical layer specifications define characteristics such
as voltage levels, timing of voltage changes, physical data rates, maximum transmission
distances and physical connectors.

NOTE Please consult one of the recommended books for a detailed explanation
of the OSI model.

8.5 Basic network hardware components

All networks are made up of basic hardware building blocks to interconnect network
devices, such as network interface cards (NICs), bridges, hubs, switches and routers.
In addition, some method of connecting these building blocks is required, usually in
the form of a cable (most commonly UTP Category 5e/6 or fibre optic cable) or
wireless.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 81 of 151
 8.5.1 Twisted pair cable
Twisted pair cable uses one or more pairs of insulated strands of copper wire twisted
around each other. There are different types of twisted pair cables, such as
unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP). Twisted pair uses
electric voltages to transmit data (See Figure 54).

Figure 54 – Unshielded twisted pair and shielded twisted pair

Twisted pair uses RJ-45 connectors, which are similar to the RJ-11 telephone
connectors, except RJ-45 houses eight cable connections (eight wires or four pairs),
while RJ-11 houses only four connections (four wires or two pairs) ( See Figure 55).

Figure 55 – RJ-45 connector and jack

8.5.2 Fibre optic cables

Fibre optic cables are widely used in fibre optic communication, which permits the
transmission of light pulses over longer distances and at higher data rates than other
forms of communication. Plastic or glass optical fibres are used instead of copper wires.
Light signals that travel along fibre optic cables are not susceptible to electromagnetic
interference and cannot be intercepted. Different types of fibre optic connectors are
shown in Figures 56 and 57. ST, SC, FC, LC and MTRJ connector types are available.

Figure 56 – Fibre optic cables

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 82 of 151
 Figure 57 – ST fibre connector

8.5.3 Network interface cards

A network card, network adapter, NIC (network interface card) or Wireless NIC (WNIC)
is a piece of computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a
network. An NIC provides physical access to a networking medium and often provides
a low-level addressing system through the use of Media Access Control (MAC)
addresses, which are unique to every card manufactured. A network card allows users
to connect to each other and the network either through the use of a cable or
wirelessly. Most motherboards nowadays come with an on-board network adapter;
alternatively, one can be installed via a PCI or PCIe expansion slot.

Figure 58 – MBit/s WLAN PCI Card (802.11g)

8.5.4 Repeaters
A repeater is an electronic device that receives a signal on one port and retransmits that
signal at a higher level or higher power to another port, so that the signal can cover
longer distances without degradation.
8.5.5 Hubs
A hub is a connectivity device. A hub provides a common connection between
computers in a star-configured network. A hub is often referred to as a multi-port
repeater. Active hubs require electrical power and are able to regenerate and
retransmit signals, as well as connect segments to ensure all hosts see all signals.
Passive hubs simply connect the network segments together and provide no
regeneration of the signal. Hybrid hubs are used to connect different cable types.
Most hubs have been replaced by switches in modern networks.

8.5.6 Bridges
A bridge is used to separate one large network into two smaller segments. Bridges
can be used to control and isolate the load of network traffic within a segment.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 83 of 151
 8.5.7 Switches

A switch is often referred to as an intelligent hub. It conserves bandwidth and

improves performance. Switches are intelligent and route signals between ports.
Instead of broadcasting a packet to all ports, as a hub does, the switch examines the
data link header for the MAC address of the receiving station and forwards the packet
directly to that port.

A packet is a unit of data that travels along the transmission medium from a source
to a destination.

8.5.8 Wireless Access Points (WAP)

A WAP is a device that has a transmitter and a receiver (called a transceiver) and
centrally connects wireless clients to each other using radio waves on specific
frequencies and to the cable Ethernet network. Wireless clients such as laptops and
smartphones must use the same frequency to connect to the WAP.

The AP will have one or more antennae and an RJ-45 Ethernet port. You plug the AP
into a network cable and then plug the other end of the cable into a switch, and your
WLAN should be able to connect to your cabled network. Most APs draw their power
from a wall outlet. More advanced APs use PoE. Using PoE, you only need to plug one
Ethernet cable into the AP to provide both power and a network connection.

8.5.9 Routers
A router connects networks together to create an internetwork. As a Layer 3 device,
the router works by understanding packets and protocols to find out what network
packets are coming from and what network they must go to. You can have multiple
routers on a network and all of them will monitor the network and choose the best path
to forward packets to their destination. If part of the network is very busy, a router can
automatically forward packets along a less busy path.

A router can connect networks that use the same and different networking
technologies, such as in LANs, WANs and on the Internet. You can join your Ethernet
LAN to the Internet to give Internet access to LAN users using a router, and you can
use it to break up a large Ethernet LAN into smaller sections called subnets (which are
identified by a unique network address). Departments and groups that share
computers and servers are good candidates for dividing a large network into smaller
subnets. Once divided, computers and servers for each department can be placed into
their own subnet to communicate with each other.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 84 of 151
 8.6 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. List three variants of internetworks. [3]

2. Differentiate between a server, host and a workstation. [3]

3. Give definitions for the following:

Ring topology
Bus topology
LAN
GAN
Router.
[5]

4. Name the seven layers of the OSI model.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

[7]

Total: 18 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 85 of 151
 Unit 9 – Assembling a PC and Installing an
Operating System
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Apply the basic handling guidelines.

• Understand ESD and its implications on the PC.
• Know the basic PC tools.
• Assemble a PC.
• Have a basic understanding of the BIOS.
• Install an operating system.
• Install drivers.

This unit takes you through the process of assembling a PC, installing an operating
system, installing drivers for your hardware components and basic troubleshooting.
It also gives you a brief overview of the BIOS.

9.1 Safety first

As a technician, you will be dealing with hands-on service, repair, maintenance and
upgrading of computers and other equipment; therefore, you need to be aware of
some general safety tips.

When dealing with health and safety, two terms are often used: compliance and
regulation.

• Compliance means to obey a rule or law.

• Regulation is a rule designed to control the behaviour of people to whom it applies.

While thinking about safety, you must obey the regulations of the local government
authorities, which might mean wearing protective gear or taking extra safety steps
when working in the workplace.

Compliance often relates to what software the computer technician can or cannot
install on the customer’s or user’s computer. Check with management or the local
government’s website for more information.

Regulations that typically affect computer maintenance include:

• Health and safety laws – designed to keep the workplace safe from danger
(hazards).
• Building codes – designed to ensure the health, safety and protection of people
when it comes to how the building is built, and who makes use of and works in it.
Building code rules ensure that fire prevention and electrical systems are not
damaged and are safe to use.
• Environmental regulations – rules on how to correctly dispose of old or
unused equipment, because haphazard disposal of obsolete or unwanted
equipment can negatively affect the environment.

Although the rules about workplace safety are determined by local government
authorities in different areas and may vary widely from country to country, keeping
the workplace environment safe is generally the responsibility of employers and
employees who need to work together to keep it safe.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 86 of 151
 • Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment
for the persons (employees) who work for them.
• Employees are responsible for obeying company rules concerning workplace
equipment, installing devices/software, wearing protective gear, not interfering
with safety equipment, and reporting any dangers and accidents.

The company’s health and safety procedures should be set out in a handbook that is
given to all staff. These procedures should:

• Explain what to do when there is a fire or other emergency.

• Identify the people who are responsible for health and safety, such as first aiders
and fire marshals.
• Identify dangerous areas and safety steps to take when entering those areas.
• Describe best practices for using and taking care of the workspace and equipment.
• Create incident reporting steps for identifying and removing hazards and

guarding against accidents. In an emergency situation, you should:

1) Keep calm and not act irrationally.

2) Raise the alarm and contact emergency services, giving them details about the
emergency and your location.
3) Make the scene safe, e.g. when faced with a fire, make sure you have an escape
route, or if risking an electrical shock, disconnect the power (if possible).
4) Only if you have training and it is safe to do so, do what you can to neutralise the
emergency, e.g. give first aid or use fire-fighting equipment to extinguish the fire.

9.2 Safety guidelines

Guidelines help to ensure that proper procedures are followed and precautions are
taken. Below are some important guidelines that you should follow when working in a
computer environment.

• The first thing to know about electricity is that your body conducts electricity,
which means that electricity will pass through your body. This can give you an
electric shock, which can cause several symptoms from muscle spasms to severe
burns, to a heart attack and even death. There is a danger that broken, faulty or
incorrectly installed electrical equipment may give you an electric shock, so one
should always keep this in mind every time you work on any type of electrical
equipment!

• The second thing to know is that computer equipment uses electricity. Always turn
off the power by shutting down the computer properly first. Switch off the power
at the wall outlet, unplug the computer from the wall outlet, and hold down the
power button for a few seconds to drain power from certain components. In
addition, before you open the chassis of a laptop, remove its power adapter and
battery.

• Do not open and work inside computer power supply units, monitors and laser
printers unless you have been trained to do so. These components store power for
periods of time after being switched off and unplugged. You should follow all
warning signs printed on these systems.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 87 of 151
 • Faulty electrical equipment and failure to respect electricity can lead to a fire risk.
Every computer workbench needs a fire extinguisher, but make sure that you use
the correct one to tackle the type of fire. For electrical and computer fires, the best
type of fire extinguisher to use is a carbon dioxide (CO2) gas fire extinguisher.
However, you must be careful when using it in confined spaces as the CO2 and the
smoke from the fire will quickly replace the available oxygen in the room, making
it difficult for you to breathe. Although dry powder extinguishers can also be used
for electrical/computer fires, you must be careful because they can damage the
electronic equipment. Although there are many other types of extinguishers, such
as water and foam, these should not be used for electrical/computer fires.

Be sure to read the instructions on the fire extinguisher before you use it. Although
theory is great, there is no substitute for hands-on safety training, which might be
available in your company. Here is a basic run-down on how to use a fire extinguisher.

You can use the memory aid ‘P-A-S-S’ to help you remember the following:

P: Pull the safety pin from the fire extinguisher’s top handle.
A: Aim the hose at the bottom of the fire, not at the flames.
S: Squeeze the top handle to release the substance from the
extinguisher.
S: Sweep the hose from side to side at the base of the fire until the fire
is completely extinguished.

• It is important for electrical equipment to be tested regularly by a qualified

electrician to ensure that the equipment is safe to use.

• Electrical equipment must be fitted with a fuse of the correct rating according to
the instructions on the equipment. A fuse is a safety component that stops too
much electricity from damaging electrical wiring and equipment. When too much
electricity flows through the fuse or more than it can handle (its rating), it blows
and cuts off the electricity supply. Once the fuse is blown, it must be replaced with
a new one. Most computer equipment is rated at 3A or 5A (amps). A fuse that is
rated too low will blow too easily and one that is rated too high may not blow
when it should.

• Electrical equipment, including computer and equipment racks, must be grounded.

Grounding is a safety measure that protects people from electric shock,
safeguards against fire and protects equipment from damage. By its nature,
electricity always seeks the path of least resistance to the ground. Computer
equipment is connected to the building ground by way of a ground plug.

• Ensure that there are enough power outlets available. Do not overload power
outlets, as this could be a potential fire hazard. You can use an appropriate power
strip (an extension lead with multiple sockets) when you need to plug multiple
devices into one power outlet.

• Electricity can pass through metal and most liquids, so keep these items away
from electrical equipment.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 88 of 151
 • Take note of the following when using tools and
cables:
o Always use properly insulated tools and cables
o Never hold tools by their metal parts
o Touch only insulated handles of tools and cables
o Only use tools for their intended purpose
(See Figure 59a).

Figure 59a
• Always test live parts with a multimeter. A multimeter is useful for measuring
various electrical properties (Figure 59b).

Figure 59b – A multimeter

• Avoid touching visible electrical contacts with any part of your skin.
• Do not work with electricity in wet surroundings, especially on wet floors.
• Keep your hands and the surrounding area clean and dry.
• Remove your watch and other jewellery, and secure loose clothing before handling
equipment.
• Immediately replace or isolate damaged equipment or cables that could be
dangerous.
• Cables can be a trip hazard. Use proper cable management products, such as
cable ties, to tie up multiple cables on the floor and inside the computer box, and
do not run cables across walkways.
• Do not leave any equipment in walkways or at the edge of a desk.
• When lifting and moving objects:
o Never pick up heavy objects with your back. Rather bend your knees and then
lift with your legs to avoid injuring your back. Reverse this process when
putting the object down.
o Make sure that you have a tight grip on the object before picking it up.
o Keep your back straight when carrying the object.
o Make sure that the path you take to carry the object is clear.
o Be careful when handling large, awkward or hot objects or objects with sharp or
rough edges. If necessary, wear protective gear, such as gloves, for these
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 89 of 151
 objects.
o For objects that are too heavy or awkward to carry, ask another person for help
or use a trolley to move the object.

9.3 Electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) occurs when two objects with a dissimilar static charge
come into contact with one another. The shock that you feel at the tip of your finger
when touching a door handle, for example, is the discharge of electrons between you
and the door handle.

ESD can damage the components of a computer. The damage might not be apparent
immediately, but it can become apparent over time. It is strongly recommended that
you use the following ESD prevention equipment when repairing a computer.

9.3.1 Anti-static wrist straps

Also known as ESD straps. One end is wrapped around the technician’s wrist, while
the other end is attached to a computer case. This ensures that the strap is
grounded. Alternatively, the other end could be attached to the ground pin of the
AC outlet.

9.3.2 ESD mats

It is good practice to place all components on one of these mats and to stand on the
ESD mat while working with computer hardware. These mats drain all excess
charges, eliminating the danger of ESD.

9.3.3 Anti-static bags

These bags are ideal for packaging and discarding electronic components such as
memory chips, expansion cards and motherboards. They are designed to collect static
charges on the outside, thereby shielding the components on the inside.

9.3.4 Anti-static carpets

These carpets do not build up static electricity. Most IT companies use anti-static
carpets.

9.3.5 Modifying relative humidity

ESD problems are common when the air is dry. Maintaining the relative humidity at
approximately 50% will greatly reduce ESD.

9.4 Tools required

• Screwdriver – A Phillips -head (cross-point) screwdriver is what is used for most PCs.
However, there is a variety of screwdrivers that accommodate different-sized
screws. Make sure the head of the screwdriver matches the size of the screw.
• Screw extractor – A screw extractor is used to get loose screws out of the
motherboard, especially screws that are difficult to reach. Beware, loose screws on
the motherboard could cause a short circuit.
• Flashlight – A flashlight can be useful while working on the PC in a badly lit area.
• Tweezers – Helpful for switching jumpers.

There are a variety of other useful tools, including pliers to grip things, wire cutters to
cut cables, strippers or crimpers to strip and crimp cables, and multimeters to test
different power properties such as current and voltages.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 90 of 151
 9.5 Requirements

Hardware required
• PC case
• Hard drive
• CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive
• Processor
• Processor cooling fan
• Motherboard
• Memory modules
• Power supply
• Graphics card
• Keyboard and mouse
• Monitor
• Drive cables
• Screws
• Power cords (for both the PC and the monitor)

Software required
• Device drivers (these usually come with the hardware above).
• Operating systems (for the purpose of this module, we will install Windows 10
and Windows 8 as the operating system. Experiment with alternative operating
systems such as Linux.)
• Oracle VM Virtual Box

When following the steps in the following sections, please keep in mind that
there are many different ways to set up and configure a PC and different
hardware specifications exist. For this reason, regard the sections below as
a basic guideline for assembling and disassembling the most common
components of a PC. The lecturer will assist you with this exercise.

9.6 Disassembling the PC

Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes, but the most common ones are
the desktop model and the tower model.

The method for opening the case may vary slightly because of the differences in
shape and size. If at any time you are unsure of the procedure to follow, please ask
your lecturer for guidance.

• Following the handling guidelines discussed earlier, disconnect all cables leading
into the computer. Ground yourself.
• Remove the case screws with a star-shaped screwdriver. A desktop case usually
has four or five screws on the back panel to hold the cover in place.
• Gently slide the cover out. This movement will depend on the design of the case.
• Place the cover in a safe place and turn the computer for easy access to the
internal components.

NOTE To avoid any damage, ask your lecturer to demonstrate how you
would disassemble the various parts found inside your computer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 91 of 151
 9.7 Assembling the PC

NOTE The motherboard and power supply unit are already installed.

9.7.1 Installing the processor and CPU fan

1. Locate the processor socket on your motherboard. The installation will be slightly
different depending on the type of processor the motherboard supports.
2. Raise the lever or lid on the socket and slowly insert the processor in the socket.
Make sure pin 1 of the CPU matches pin 1 on the socket; otherwise, the CPU could
be damaged. It will go in gently if it is correctly aligned. Do NOT force the CPU
into the socket.
3. Close the lever or lid, which will hold the CPU securely in place.
4. Use fresh thermal compound and place the CPU fan and heat sink assembly on top
of the CPU and push down the metal clips of the fan and heat sink assembly so
that it clips onto the motherboard.
5. The CPU fan has a power connector, which needs to be connected to a CPU fan
power socket on your motherboard.

NOTE To avoid any damage, ask your lecturer to demonstrate how you would install
a processor and CPU fan. Ask your lecturer where and how to use the thermal
compound.

9.7.2 Installing memory

1. Find the RAM slots (banks) on the motherboard.
2. Notice the memory banks have tabs (usually white) on each side. Release the tabs
so that they bend to each side (or face outwards).
3. Hold each corner of the RAM, placing it on top of bank 1. Notice that the RAM has a
notch on the connector to prevent the memory from being inserted the wrong way
around.
4. Gently push the module down into the slot, and the tabs will click and latch onto
the side of the memory module and lock it into place. If there is more than one
module, perform the same steps as above but place the RAM in memory bank 2,
and so on.

9.7.3 Installing the graphics card

1. Insert the graphics card carefully into an open AGP/PCIe/PCI slot.
2. Some graphics cards require more power; an extra power connector is needed to
power it. Be careful not to touch the pins.
3. Screw the backing plate of the card down onto the case.

9.7.4 Installing the hard drive/CD/DVD drive

How to configure these drives depends on how many drives need to be installed and
on the type of drive being installed.

9.7.4.1 Drive installation

1. Determine which drive bay will hold the hard drive. In most cases, the hard drive
goes into a 3.5-inch slot towards the front of the case, near the bottom.
2. Slide the hard drive into the bay, and line up the screw holes on the drive with the
drive rack. Be sure the drive connectors face the back of the case or motherboard.
3. Fasten the hard drive into place using the appropriate screws.
4. Should you need to install a second hard drive, repeat the previous three steps.
5. Attach the ribbon cable to the correct socket on the motherboard and attach the
other end of the cable to the PATA hard drive. Refer back to Unit 5 for master/slave
settings and cable orientation. With SATA, the cable goes to a SATA controller on
the motherboard and the opposite end of the cable plugs into the drive. In the case

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 92 of 151
 of multiple drives, start with SATA_1 and move on. There are no jumper settings to
consider for SATA drives.
6. Attach the power cable to the drive. Choose a power lead from the power supply
and plug it into the power connector on the hard drive. The connector for SATA will
be keyed so that it will only fit in the correct way.

9.7.4.2 CD/DVD drive

1. Slide the CD/DVD drive into an empty compartment or bay - usually the top most
compartment or bay.
2. Connect the CD/DVD drive to the data cable.
3. Hook the DVD to the power connector.
4. Attach the ribbon cable to the correct socket on the motherboard and attach the
other end of the cable to the PATA hard drive. Refer back to Unit 5 for
master/slave settings and cable orientation. With SATA, the cable goes to a SATA
controller on the motherboard and the opposite end of the cable plugs into the
drive. In the case of multiple drives, start with SATA_1 and move on. There are
no jumper settings to consider for SATA drives.
5. Attach the power cable to the drive. Choose a power lead from the power supply
and plug it into the power connector on the hard drive. The connector for SATA
will be keyed so that it will only fit in the correct way.

9.7.5 Installing the sound card

1. Most modern sound cards are designed to connect to the PCI or PCIe slot of the
motherboard.
2. Align the sound card with the slot. Gently push down the card so that the
connector pins are completely embedded in the slot. Once the card is seated
correctly into position, screw the backing plate of the card down onto the
case.

9.7.6 Connecting the LED switches

Now that all the necessary basic hardware components have been installed, there are
still a few more things to do before switching on the PC for the first time. The ATX
case has a power switch, which turns the PC on, a reset switch for resetting the
system, a power LED that comes on when the PC is switched on, and a hard drive LED,
which flashes when data is being written to or read from the hard drive. There is also
an internal speaker.

Figure 60 – Power and reset switch

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 93 of 151
 The switches and LEDs need to be connected to their corresponding connectors on the
motherboard. Different motherboards place the connectors in different locations.
Please refer to the motherboard manual to locate where the connectors are. The
connectors for the switches and LEDs are normally grouped together. They should
look similar to the connectors shown in the image below.

Figure 61 - Switch and LED connectors

Every cable is normally labelled; they are usually named as follows but could be
slightly different according to the type of motherboard and power supply.

Power switch Power/PWR-SW

Reset switch Reset
Power LED Power LED/PWR-LED
Hard drive LED HDD-LED/IDE LED
Speaker SPK/Speaker

The connectors on the motherboard are also labelled but may be too small to see.
Instead, refer to the motherboard manual, which will provide details for this.

The image below shows how the pins may be organised on your motherboard. The +
sign indicates the cable orientation. Each connector is marked with a raised triangle,
which indicates pin 1 and should be aligned to the + sign.

Once all the cables are connected to the correct pins on the motherboard, the PC can
be switched on.

At this point, close the cover of the ATX case but do not screw it on just yet, as you
might have possible problems that need rectifying.

1. Connect all the cables to the back of the ATX case. These could include:
• The main power cable that connects to the power supply.
• The mouse and keyboard that connect to the USB/PS/2 ports.
• Monitor cable that connects to the graphics card port, etc.
• The speakers.
2. Switch on the power at AC wall
outlet.
3. Switch the monitor on first.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 94 of 151
 4. The power supply might have a main power switch at the back so make sure that it
is switched on.
5. Now switch the PC on by pressing its power switch.

If all the tasks have been performed without any mistakes and provided that none of
the main components are faulty, the PC should boot up. You should hear a single beep
from the motherboard speaker to indicate that the power on self-test (POST) has been
performed and all the components that were checked are in good working order. When
the PC boots up, the name of the BIOS manufacturer will be shown on the screen. The
CPU type, speed and the amount of memory should also be displayed.

Figure 62 – POST screen

If the motherboard has a plug-and-play BIOS and is set to automatic device detection
by default, then the IDE devices should be automatically detected. If the
motherboard does not detect the hardware, proceed to the BIOS/CMOS setup screen
by pressing DEL or F1 or F2 on your keyboard. You might need to press another key
to access the BIOS/CMOS setup, depending on the motherboard.

Proceed to section 9.8, which explains how to configure the BIOS/CMOS and hard
disks, and install an operating system. If the PC does not switch on, go to the
troubleshooting section in this Learning Manual for possible solutions.

9.8 Overview of the BIOS/CMOS settings

There are different versions of BIOS (basic input/output system), but most BIOS
versions have similar settings/features. This setup guide gives you an idea of how to
configure various BIOS settings. Please note that configuring the BIOS incorrectly
could cause the system to malfunction. Therefore, it is recommended that you follow
the BIOS guidelines provided with the motherboard manual.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 95 of 151
 9.8.1 A typical BIOS/CMOS setup and all the options

Figure 63 – BIOS/CMOS setup

9.8.1.1 Standard CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor)

features
The basic BIOS features such as date, time, etc. can be set up here. Use the arrow
keys to move around and press Enter to select the required option. Specify what
IDE/SATA devices there are, such as hard drive, CD-ROM, ZIP drive, etc. The easiest
way to set up these devices is by leaving it set to auto. This allows the BIOS to detect
the devices automatically, making it unnecessary to set it up manually. At the
bottom, it also displays the total memory installed in your system.

9.8.1.2 Advanced BIOS features

There are numerous advanced settings, which can be selected if required. For most
cases, leaving the default setting should be adequate. In many CMOS setup
programs, the boot sequence is set here.

9.8.1.3 Advanced chipset features

Here the contents of the chipset buffers can be set up. The contents are closely related
to the hardware and it is therefore recommended that the default settings be left as is
until more experience is acquired. Having an incorrect setting configured here can
make the system unstable.

9.8.1.4 Integrated peripherals

This menu allows you to change the various I/O devices, such as IDE controllers,
serial ports, parallel ports, keyboards, etc. Changes can be made when necessary.
Most integrated sound, modem and network components can be enabled or disabled
here.

9.8.1.5 Power management setup

The power management setup screen allows you to set up various power saving
features when the PC is in standby or suspend mode.

9.8.1.6 PnP/PCI configurations

This menu allows configuration of PCI slots. Assign IRQs for various PCI slots here. It
is recommended that the default settings are kept because configuring IRQs manually
can become complicated. All current PCs use PnP BIOS, PnP OSs and PnP adapter
cards so there is no reason to set IRQs manually.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 96 of 151
 9.8.1.7 PC health status
This menu displays the current CPU temperature, the fan speeds, voltages, etc. You
can set the warning temperature here, which will trigger an alarm if the CPU exceeds
the specified temperature.

9.8.1.8 Load Fail-Safe defaults

If changes are made to the BIOS and the system becomes unstable as a result of the
change, revert to the default setting. However, if many changes are made and you do
not know which one is causing the problem, choose the option Load Fail-Safe Mode
Defaults from the BIOS menu. This uses a minimal performance setting, but the
system will run in a stable way. From the dialog box, choose Y, followed by
<ENTER>to load Fail-Safe Defaults.

Figure 64 – Load Fail-Safe Defaults option

9.8.1.9 Load Optimized Defaults

Like the Fail-Safe mode described above, this option loads the BIOS default settings
but runs the system at optimal performance. From the dialog box, choose Y, followed
by <ENTER> to load Optimized Defaults.

Figure 65 – Load Optimized Defaults option

9.8.1.10 Set password

To password protect the BIOS, specify a password here. This will prevent
unauthorised users from accessing and changing your BIOS settings.

Figure 66 – Enter Password option

9.8.1.11 Save and exit setup

Select this option to save any changes you make to the BIOS. From the dialog box,
choose Y.

Figure 67 – Save to CMOS and Exit option

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 97 of 151
 9.8.1.12 Exit without saving
Choosing N from the dialog box means no changes will be saved.

Figure 68 – Quit without saving option

9.9 UEFI

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is a standard firmware interface that is

meant to replace the BIOS. It is designed to improve software interoperability and
address limitations of the BIOS.

Figure 69 – An example of a UEFI screen

UEFI has already replaced BIOS on many systems. It acts as super-BIOS, doing the
same job as BIOS but in a 32- or 64-bit environment, and offers additional features
such as browsing the Web and launching games without booting the OS, as well as
opening the CMOS Setup program. You can think of UEFI as a mini-OS that runs on
top of the computer’s firmware, enabling you to do many tasks at boot time by using
your mouse. It works as a non-hardware-specific, non-OS-specific, 32- or 64-bit boot
loader. This does not make POST or system setup go away. They still exist, but UEFI
runs instead of BIOS.]

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 98 of 151
 Figure 70 – An example of a UEFI screen

NOTE For more information on UEFI, access the UEFI forum at www.uefi.org.

9.10 Installing Windows 10

9.10.1 Ensure that the system meets the following requirements.

Hardware requirements Minimum Recommended

Minimum disk space 40 GB 80 GB
Minimum RAM 1 GB 4 GB+
Minimum processor speed 1 GHz 4 GHz or faster
Display DirectX9 DirectX9 or later

If there are no Windows 10 drivers for all the hardware components, download all the
drivers from the hardware manufacturer website and save all the necessary drivers on
a CD-R before starting the installation.

In order to boot from the Windows 10 CD/DVD, set the boot sequence in the BIOS
under the BIOS setup option and make sure that the first boot device is set to CD-
ROM/DVD-ROM.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 99 of 151
 9.10.2 The Windows 10 installation process is demonstrated in the following
steps below:

Step 1: Choosing installation settings

Figure 71 shows the first screen you will see when installing Windows 10. You will be
asked to choose a language to install, time and currency format, and keyboard and
input method based on where you are installing Windows 10.

Figure 71 – Choose installation settings

The default language for the installation is English and you can change this in the
Language To Install field. The time and currency format you choose affects how the
time, date and currency will be displayed on your system. For example, July 4, 2017
using the English (Australia) option will display as 4/07/2017 while choosing the same
date using the English (South Africa) option will display as 7/4/2017.
Keyboards have different keys to support different languages and there are several
different keyboard layouts available. You can change these settings using the Region
And Language applet in the Control Panel after installing and logging into Windows.

You will be asked to verify the correct time and date and to set the time zone during
the installation. If you want to change this later on, you can do so in the Date And
Time applet in the Control Panel.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 100 of 151
 Step 2: Choosing an installation type
As shown in Figure 72, Windows provides you with two installation methods: Upgrade
or Custom (Advanced). Choose Upgrade if upgrading from an existing OS that is
included in the upgrade path or Custom (advanced) for a new installation.

Figure 72 – Choose installation type

Step 3: Drive Options

You can also choose where to install the OS. For most cases, you will install on a single
partition, but for a dual-boot system, you will need to create at least two partitions, one
for each OS. Additionally, you might want to install an OS on one partition and store
your personal files on another one. The installation program provides you with several
options for configuring your hard drive.

If you have a single drive with a single partition, simply select it and continue with the
rest of the installation. However, if you have multiple drives or multiple partitions on a
single drive, Windows will provide you with multiple choices. You can also change
existing drives and partitions during the installation. Figure 73 shows the options that
will appear if you click Drive Options (Advanced) on the Where do you want to
install Windows? screen.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 101 of 151
 Figure 73 – New 39.4 GB partition with 100 MB System Reserved partition and
450MB Recovery Space

Figure 73indicates that the disk (disk 0) has four partitions (partition 1, 2, 3 and4) and
450 MB of Recovery space. Initially this disk started as a single 127 GB disk listed as
Disk 0 Unallocated Space but by clicking New and entering 40960 a partition of about
40 GB in size has been created. The 100 MB Disk 0 Partition 1: System Reserved
partition was created automatically by the installation program for the system partition
(boot files).

You can configure different hard drive options, including:

 Load Driver – choose this option for when Windows does not have a driver for a
drive and will not recognise it until you load the driver. You can load drivers from an
optical disc or USB flash drive. You often have to do this for systems using
hardware-based RAID and when RAID is not detected during the installation.
 Delete – be careful when choosing this option, as it will delete an existing partition
and everything stored on that partition. The space from the deleted partition will be
listed as unallocated space.
 Extend – choose this option to extend an existing partition onto unallocated space.
Using the disk in Figure 1.19 as an example, you can extend partition 2 (39.9 GB
partition) to include any amount of the 87 GB of unallocated space.
 Format – choose this option to format the partition with NTFS. Formatting will
delete everything on the partition.
 New – creates a new partition. If your drive has unallocated space, click on it and
select New to create a new partition. You will be able to enter a size for the new
partition. For example, you could enter 40960 (in megabytes) for a partition size of
about 40 GB.
 Refresh – after making changes to a drive, click Refresh to display the changes you
made.

Step 4: System reserved partition

If you have unallocated space on your drive, Windows 10 will often create an additional
100 MB system partition during the installation. Refer to Figure 73 which shows the 100
MB Disk 0 Partition 1: Reserved Partition.

This partition is reserved for:

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 102 of 151
 System boot files – the partition includes the boot manager code and boot
configuration database and other boot files needed to load the OS. If the installation
program does not create the system partition, Windows 10 stores these files in the
system partition (root of C: drive).
 BitLocker drive encryption – this reserved space installs the start-up files that
allow you to enable BitLocker later on.
 Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) – this holds tools that can be used to
recover Windows from many system errors after a failure.

Windows will only create the system partition if you create a new partition on a disk
that has no partitions created or if you delete all the current partitions on the disk and
then create a new one. However, if you are installing Windows 10 on a system that you
are dual-booting with another OS, the installation program will not create the system
partition. Similarly, if there is no unallocated space on the drive, the installation
program will not create the system partition. Also, Windows does not assign it with a
drive letter but it is listed in the Disk Management program in Windows.

Note If the installation program creates a system partition, do not delete it. If it is
deleted, you can recover the system by using Windows 10 recovery
procedures and the installation disc.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 103 of 151
 9.11 Performing an attended Windows 10 installation

In this exercise, you will perform a clean installation of Windows 10.

You will need an assembled computer and the Windows 10 Professional
installation disc. Your computer must be set to boot from the optical
drive. The steps and screen shots shown here refer specifically to x64
Windows 10 Professional edition but will also serve perfectly well as a
guide to installing any 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 10 edition. You should
optionally have a product key (an alphanumeric set of characters
unique to your copy of Windows 10) ready, but this is not needed since
Microsoft gives you a 30-day evaluation period.

1. Start the computer and place the installation DVD into the DVD drive or plug in the
USB drive. If the system is not configured to boot to the DVD or USB, change the
parameters in the CMOS Setup program and ensure that the boot order is set to boot
from the optical drive or USB drive first.

Tip If you are running another Windows-based system, you can also start the
installation from within the OS. Place the DVD into the DVD drive, browse to
the DVD and double-click the setup program to start the installation.

The DVD or USB should boot automatically and start the installation, but if a prompt
appears asking you to ‘Press any key to boot from CD or DVD …’ or ‘Press any key to
boot from external device ...’ or something similar, then press any key to do so. You
only have a few seconds to press a key. This prompt is a protective measure that
indicates there is some kind of data on the drive.

Tip If the pre-installed Windows OS begins to boot or if you see a ‘No Operating
System Found’ or ‘NTLDR is Missing’ error, it most likely means your computer
is not set up to boot first from the correct drive. To resolve this, change the
boot order in CMOS Setup to CD/DVD/BD drive, or External Device, first.

2. The beginning of the installation will involve Windows temporarily loading files into
RAM in preparation of the setup process. After this, you will see the Windows 10
splash screen, indicating that the setup process is about to begin. This part of the
installation might take a minute or two.
3. A GUI installation screen will appear, as shown back in Figure 73. Select English,
choose English (South Africa) for the time and currency format and choose the
default US option for keyboard or input method.
4. Click Next.

Note At this screen, there is an option to learn more about the installation by
clicking the What to Know Before Installing Windows link. Do not click on
the Repair your computer link. This link is used to start Windows 10
Startup Repair or perform another recovery or repair task.

5. Click Install Now. This will officially begin the Windows 10 clean installation process.
This part of the installation will take some time; do not press any keys here.
6. The Microsoft Software License Terms screen appears.

Note Always read the ‘small print’ when installing software, including operating
systems. Most software has legally binding limits on how many computers it
can be installed on, among other limitations.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 104 of 151
7. Read through the agreement and if you agree to the terms, select the I accept the
license terms checkbox and then click Next.
8. When asked to select Upgrade or Custom (advanced), click Custom (advanced).
You will be asked to choose where to install Windows.

Assuming you had an earlier OS like Vista or XP on the drive, you could delete the
partitions for those operating systems to replace them with Windows 10 or even a
previous installation of Windows 10. Only complete this part of the exercise if you
need to, otherwise skip it! If you wanted to delete or format a partition, you could:

 Select the partition, choose Drive options (advanced) and click Delete or
Format.
 Review the warning and click OK. For a deletion, all data on the partition (including
the OS, user files and everything else) will be deleted, and the space from that
partition will be added to unallocated space. For a format, any data stored on the
partition will be lost and the partition will be formatted with NTFS.

Note If you have multiple partitions on one or more drives, take care not to delete
or format the wrong partitions. You will not be able recover data after deleting
or formatting a partition.

If you wanted to extend a partition to include unallocated space, you could:

 Select a partition and click Extend.

 Enter the size that you want the partition to be after it is extended in the Size text
box. The text box defaults to the maximum size. If you want to include all the
unallocated space, leave this text box unchanged.
 Click Apply. A dialog box appears indicating that this is not a reversible action.
Review the information and click OK. The partition will be resized to the size you
specified, and the unallocated space will decrease by that amount.

9. If you need to, delete all existing partitions on the drive. Since we are performing a
clean install of the OS, you can delete the 100 MB System Reserved Partition that
was created when the previous OS was installed (if any OS previously existed). The
installation program will create a new system partition.
10. Click New.
11. In the Size text box, enter the desired size of the partition. For this exercise,
enter 81920 for a size of about 80 GB. This should be sufficient for the OS and
any added programs such as virtualisation software and user data for this guide.
12. Click Apply. Review the warning about Windows creating additional partitions for
system files and click OK. See Figure 74.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 105 of 151
 Figure 74 – Creating a partition during installation

13. Select the drive and partition where you want to install Windows 10. Select Disk 0
Partition 4 and click Next.
14. Windows 10 will begin the installation. The system will automatically copy files,
expand those files, install features and updates, update the registry settings, start
some services, load drivers, check video performance and complete the installation.
The system might restart several times during this part of the process. This process
can take some time, but it does not require any interaction until the Set Up
Windows screen appears.
15. When the Set Up Windows screen appears, enter a user name. This can be your
first name and last name or any identifiable text. The name of the computer will be
created automatically by appending the user name with –PC as shown on the left in
Figure 75. However, you can enter a different computer name if you want. In a
network environment, enter the name you would like your computer to have when
viewed by other computers on your network or enter one according to your
company’s policies.
16. Click Next.
17. On the Password screen as shown on the right in Figure 76, enter a password that
you can remember in the Type a password (recommended) text box and in the
Retype your password text box.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 106 of 151
 Figure 75 – Entering username, computer name and password during
installation

Note You do not have to enter a password, but as a security precaution, it is

recommended to use a strong password to protect your user account from
other people.

18. Type a word or phrase in the Type a password hint (required) text box. This
hint will display if you enter the wrong password when logging on to Windows 10
and can be used with a password reset disk. Click Next.
19. If the Windows Product Key screen appears, you can enter your product key.

If you leave the product key blank and click the Next button, you will only be installing
the Windows 10 edition named on the box or disc label, even though every version is on
the disc. The product key will both verify the legitimacy of your purchase and inform the
installer which edition you have purchased. Leaving the product key blank simply installs
a 30-day trial of the OS.

20. Leave the product key blank and click Next.

21. On the Updates screen, you can select Use Recommended Settings, Install
Important Updates Only, or Ask Me Later. This screen determines how you want to
set up Windows Automatic Updates.

 Use recommended settings – this option automatically installs updates and

is the easiest setting for many users.
 Install important updates only – this option installs only the most critical
security fixes and updates and leaves the rest of the updates up to you. This is
useful as IT departments like to test out any updates before rolling them out to
staff.
 Ask me later – select this option if you can dedicate yourself to checking
updates on a weekly basis, as a system configured with this option will not
install any automatically.

22. Choose Use recommended settings.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 107 of 151
23. On the time and date screen, make sure your OS knows what time it is. Select your
time zone such as (UTC +02:00) Harare, Pretoria and the correct date and time
and then click Next.
24. If your computer is connected to a network, you will be asked to choose your
computer’s location, as shown in Figure 76. If you are on a trusted network, such
as your home or office network, select the appropriate option and your computer
will be discoverable on the network. If you are on an untrusted network like in a
coffee shop, airport or you have mobile broadband, choose Public network. For now
choose Work network.

Figure 76 – Choosing a computer location during installation

Note If your computer is set up as a home network and Windows 10 detects

another computer on the same network running Windows 10 that has a
Homegroup set up, you will be asked to choose what kinds of files you would
like to share on that Homegroup and for the Homegroup password. Enter the
Homegroup password and click Next. If you do not want to join the
Homegroup, you can click Skip. A Homegroup is a small network set up at
home to make it easy to share resources between Windows 10 computers.

25. Windows 10 will complete the setup by adding icons to the desktop, preparing the
desktop and so on and your desktop will appear. If you chose the recommended
settings for updates and were connected to the Internet, updates will automatically
be downloaded. If asked to restart the computer, click Restart Now.

9.11.1 Post installation tasks

After installing Windows, you might need to:

 Install the latest service pack or updates.

 Install updated drivers.
 Reconfigure any settings, such as network settings, that were found not to work.
 Install and configure any applications (office, email, web browser, etc.) required by
the user of the computer.
 Activate Windows.
 Restore user data.

9.11.2 Activation
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 108 of 151
The Windows OS uses an activation program that verifies whether the copy of Windows
is genuine or not. This program also checks to see if Windows has not been used on
more computers than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. You must activate
Windows within a certain number of days after installation and you can do it over the
Internet or by phone. Most systems are configured to automatically activate Windows
when connected to the Internet and these systems begin trying to activate Windows
three days after you log on for the first time. The activation program pairs a product key
with details on the computer hardware.

Note
If you have to make a significant hardware change because of a failure, you
might need to reactivate Windows. You can usually do this over the Internet,
but in some cases, you need to call Microsoft to reactivate the system.

To activate Windows 10 using a direct Internet connection:

Open Windows Activation by clicking, right-clicking This PC and selecting Properties.

The System window appears. From here you can click Activate Windows and enter
your product key in the wizard that appears. Follow the instructions to enter the product
key and continue with the steps to activate Windows. For an Internet connection, you
can click Activate Windows now in the System window, as shown in Figure 77.

Figure 77 – Activating Windows 10

If Windows detects an Internet connection, click Activate Windows online now and
then follow the instructions. To activate using a modem or phone, follow the same steps
but instead click Show me other ways to activate and then follow the instructions.

9.11.3 Migrating user data

When installing a new OS for a user, that user often wants to keep their personal data
and settings from the previous OS installation. Both Windows Easy Transfer and the User
State Migration Tool can be used to capture this information from the older version of
Windows and re-apply it to the new version of Windows:

You can use both of these tools to capture a wide variety of data and settings, including:

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 109 of 151
 Files and folders
 User accounts and user profiles (a user profile contains settings for a specific user
account and is used whenever that account is logged into Windows.)
 Multimedia and email files
 Settings for Windows, applications such as Internet Explorer, and other programs.

All of the information you can capture is collectively called the user state.

Note You typically will not have to migrate user data and settings for an upgrade.
This information will be migrated to the newer version as part of the upgrade
process. However, it is always a best practice to back up user data before
making any major system changes.

After running this program, you can view any reports it has created by running the
Windows Easy Transfer Reports to see which files or settings were not transferred.
Although the Windows Easy Transfer tool does not transfer applications such as Word, it
can transfer settings for the application that is installed on both the old OS and the new
one.

9.11.4 User State Migration Tool (USMT)

You can use the more advanced USMT command line tool to migrate user data and
settings in larger business environments. It includes two primary command-line tools:

 Scanstate – captures a wide variety of data and settings on the older computer and
stores it in a migration file. The migration file is used with XML configuration files
and can be stored on an external USB drive or network share, as long as the
computer can access the share.
 Loadstate – reads the data from the migration file and loads it into the OS on the
new computer. You run loadstate after replacing the computer or completing a new
installation.

There are many options when using the scanstate and loadstate commands, including
the ability to choose which users to migrate and whether to store data in uncompressed,
compressed, or compressed and encrypted format.

Tip In practice, if you are transferring a single user, use Windows Easy Transfer. If
you need to transfer multiple users, use USMT. USMT is included in the
Windows AIK toolkit, available as a free download from the Windows download
site.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 110 of 151
 9.12 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. List six handling rules a technician should remember when repairing a computer.
[6]

2. Circle the correct answer.

ESD is an acronym for:

a) Electric System Degradation

b) Electrostatic Discharge
c) Electro Silicon Discharge
d) None of these.
[1]
3. Is the following statement True or False?

Electrostatic discharge occurs when two objects of a similar charge come into
contact with one another.

4. Circle the correct answer. [1]

Relative humidity should be maintained at:

a) 50%
b) 90%
c) 70%
d) 40%
[1]

5. List the two types of cases discussed in this unit.

[2]

6. When repairing a computer, what is the name of the most commonly used
screwdriver?
[1]

7. What is the danger of leaving a loose screw in the computer?

[1]
Total: 13 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 111 of 151
 Unit 10 – Troubleshooting Common Devices

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Perform preventative maintenance on your PC.

• Identify common PC errors and apply suggested solutions.
• Upgrade your PC.

10.1 Troubleshooting

As you work progressively more with PCs, you will learn more about what can happen
in terms of hardware failure and the causes of such mishaps. Listed below are a few
such possibilities and the most likely causes.

10.1.1 Motherboard

Problem
The power is on but the system is dead.

Possible causes
• ESD, electric spike or overheating damage.
• Bent or damaged connector pins.
• Dirt inside the plugs or connectors, and on the board.
• Chip creep refers to the gradual loosening of an integrated circuit in its socket
primarily as a result of thermal cycling (expansion and contraction during the
normal heating and cooling cycles of an electronic system) and aided by vibration
(e.g. due to cooling fans). The chip can loosen to the point that poor electrical
contact between the chip and socket reduces the signal quality, causing failure.
• A manufacturing fault on the motherboard, in which case you can send it back to
the manufacturer for replacement.

Upgrading
If the motherboard is to be upgraded, the following will most likely have to be
upgraded: the CPU, RAM and, if the old board used AGP, the graphics card. This is
because parts are upgraded at a rapid rate, and older motherboards typically do not
support the newer parts such as CPUs, RAM and new slots such as PCI Express. The
reason the graphics card must be replaced (unless you receive on-board graphics
with the new motherboard) is that most of the new boards only use PCI Express
video slots.

10.1.2 Monitor

Problem
The power light does not illuminate when the monitor is switched on.

Solution
Ensure that the main power cable is plugged into the power supply. Ensure that the
power cable is a known good cable. A faulty monitor could also be the cause of this.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 112 of 151
 Problem
The power light is illuminated, but nothing is displayed on screen.

Solution
Adjust the brightness and contrast settings of the monitor.

Problem
The image quality is poor.

Solution
Acquire a better quality graphics card.

10.1.3 Memory

Problem
The computer does not boot.
The memory test fails and the system halts.

Solution
Ensure that the motherboard supports the speed and type of RAM used.
Find and replace the faulty memory modules.
Ensure that the memory modules are inserted correctly.

Upgrading
Installing more RAM can have a significant impact on performance.
High performance memory offers additional stability and reliability, and is
recommended for use with more intensive applications.

10.1.4 CPU

Problem
CPU problems usually include locking up or unprompted reboots.

Solution
Check for CPU damage caused by overheating or incorrect insertion of the processor
into the socket.

Check the temperature of the processor in the BIOS under power and voltage settings
if the computer is able to switch on. If it is overheating, check that the case has
proper airflow, that the heat sink is properly fitted, and that the conductive thermal
paste used is of an adequate quality and quantity. Also, check that the fan is not
excessively dirty or possibly not working at its correct speed.

Bad performance can be caused by an incorrect clock speed setting set in the BIOS or
an incorrectly assigned voltage. If the processor is overclocked, it is going to use a
higher voltage and work harder than it should. Both of these factors lead to
overheating.

Upgrading
If overheating is a concern, one can buy an improved heat sink or fan, or even get a
liquid cooling system, which will effectively cool down the PC and can eliminate fan
noise.

If having multiple system-intensive programs open at one time, one can buy either a
dual-core processor to replace the current one (if the motherboard supports it) or an
additional processor for a dual processor motherboard.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 113 of 151
 10.1.5 Hard drives

Problem
The HDD is not being detected by the BIOS.

Solution
Check that the data cables between the motherboard and drive are fitted correctly
and there is power going to the hard drive (check power cable).

In the case of IDE hard drives, check if the hard drive jumper is set to master and any
other device sharing the same cable is set to slave.

Check if the motherboard ports are enabled in the BIOS.

Upgrade
The hard disk is generally not upgraded often and should not need to be done too
regularly. Be sure to consider drives with caching, as they experience large increases
in performance over non-cached drives. Also, if the motherboard supports it, acquire
a SATA drive instead of normal IDE, as SATA experiences large performance gains
over the older IDE interface.

10.1.6 Printer

Problem
Most printers have a self-test mode that can assist in the troubleshooting process.
The most common problems that occur are relatively easy to troubleshoot. Common
problems include:

• The printer is not plugged in and switched on.

• The printer is not online.
• The printer is out of paper.
• There is a paper jam.
• There is no toner or ink in the printer.
• The paper quality is not suitable for the specific printer.

10.1.7 Power supply

A common problem experienced with power supplies is erratic rebooting or freezing.
The supply could either be faulty or forced to supply power to more devices than it
can cater for.

10.1.8 Display devices

Assigning additional memory to an on-board display adapter from the BIOS can be
done to improve performance slightly. Otherwise, acquire a new model of graphics
card to experience a drastic performance increase.

New monitors give better image quality and improved refresh rates, which can be
better for your eyesight.

10.1.9 Peripherals and input devices

Make sure that the latest drivers and OS updates are installed, and that the devices
are clean and undamaged.

Purchasing better peripheral products can make a large difference to the computer
and can increase the PC’s capability.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 114 of 151
 10.2 Preventive maintenance

Preventive maintenance measures are vital to prolong the lifespan of a PC. It is

important to actively maintain the hardware to prevent the premature failure of the
equipment.

Table 20 presents a basic guideline of a maintenance schedule that could be followed.

Table 20 – Preventive maintenance checks

Frequency Check

Daily Make sure that the system is correctly aired, and that the
ventilation slots are not obstructed in any way.
Weekly Clean the exterior case of the computer and monitor.
Clean the peripherals.
Install any necessary driver or OS updates.
Install any additional updates, such as antivirus or antispyware.
Monthly Check that the fans are working.
Run hard disk checks.
Check that the cabling is correctly connected.

10.3 Power on Self-Test (POST)

The POST is performed every time the computer is booted. It tests system
components and it initiates the system devices. Should POST detect any faulty
devices during the test, it will indicate that there is a faulty component by means of
an error code. These codes are either a series of beeps that can be heard or it can be
a text message that is displayed on screen. You should consult the technical
documentation of your motherboard or BIOS for a specific explanation of the code.
Table 21 lists common beep codes.

Please refer to your motherboard manual to confirm what the beeps represent.
Different motherboards provide different beep codes.

Table 21 – Common POST beep codes

Beep Code Problem Possible Solutions
One short beep No RAM installed Install RAM.
or detected Ensure that the RAM installed is
compatible.
No beep, system Power supply Check that the power has been turned on.
dead Check that the power cord is plugged into
the system/main power supply correctly.
Replace the power supply unit.
Continuous Power supply or Check that the power cord is plugged into
beeps keyboard the system correctly.
Check that the power cord is plugged into
the main power supply correctly.
Check if a key on the keyboard is stuck.
Check if something is resting on the
keyboard.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 115 of 151
 No beep, DOS May be a defective Check system speaker.
prompt speaker
One short beep, Display subsystem Check monitor power.
nothing on the (graphics Check the video cable.
screen card/monitor) Check that the graphics card is seated
correctly.
One long beep, System board Check that all cards, memory and chips are
one short beep seated firmly.
Check for proper power connections to the
system board.
Use diagnostic software and hardware to
troubleshoot the system board further.
One long beep, Display subsystem Check the monitor power.
two short beeps (graphics Check the video cable.
card/monitor) Check that the graphics card is seated
correctly.
One long beep, Display subsystem Check the monitor power.
three short (graphics Check the video cable.
beeps card/monitor) Check that the graphics card is seated
correctly.
Two short beeps Configuration error Check the error code number.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 116 of 151
 10.4 Review questions

Answer the questions that follow to help you to reinforce what this unit
has covered. If you are unsure of the answer to any question, then
search for it in the text of this unit.

1. When you turn your computer on, nothing happens. The monitor does not come
on and the power supply fan is not running. You switch the computer off and on
again and still nothing happens. What is the most likely cause?
[2]

2. Your computer is experiencing random problems. These problems disappear as

soon as you reboot the computer. What should you do to prevent this from
happening?
[2]

3. You have just installed a new sound card in your computer. When you boot the
computer, the card is not recognised. In addition, your modem which has always
worked has stopped working. What is the most likely cause of this?
[2]

4. You have just installed an additional hard drive, but the hard drive is not detected
when you switch the PC on. What is the most likely cause (2 marks)? What is a
solution to this problem (2 marks)?

[4]

Total: 10 marks

NOTE Complete this exercise on a piece of paper and submit it to your lecturer.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 117 of 151
 Unit 11 – Virtualisation

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

• Define virtualisation.
• Define a hypervisor and a virtual machine.
• Install a hypervisor.
• Create a new virtual machine and install an operating system on the
virtual machine.

Virtualisation is the simulation of software and/or hardware that provides you with the
ability to run multiple operating systems on a single physical computer at the same
time. The idea behind virtualisation is to run special software called a Hypervisor or
Virtual Machine Manager on a physical computer known as the host, to create more
software-based computers called virtual machines (VM).

11.1 Hypervisor

The hypervisor or virtual machine manager (VMM) is an extra layer of software,

installed either on top of the host OS or directly on the physical hardware, which
provides a platform to create and run one or more VMs on the host computer and
manages the flow of input and output calls made between each guest and the physical
hardware (CPU, memory, storage) in a fair and timely manner.

There are two types of hypervisors:

• Bare-metal or native – This is where the hypervisor runs directly on the physical
hardware without an operating system beneath it. Then multiple guest operating
systems can run as VMs on top of the hypervisor.

Bare-metal and native virtualisation are primarily used for server virtualisation to
run virtual servers and by web-hosting companies and by companies that offer
cloud-computing solutions.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 118 of 151
 Figure 78 – Bare-metal or native virtualisation architecture

• Hosted – This is where the hypervisor runs as a program within the host’s
operating system, which in turn runs on the physical hardware. The host operating
system can be any operating system, such as Windows, Linux or MAC OSX.

Hosted hypervisor enables desktop users to run an instance of one or more other
operating systems without the complications of dual booting.

Figure 79 – Hosted virtualisation architecture

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 119 of 151
 11.2 Reasons for virtualisation

Most companies are moving towards virtualisation. Here is a list of benefits of

virtualisation.

• Minimises hardware costs

• Provides disaster recovery
• Consolidates idle workloads
• Balances loads
• Tests software
• Centralised server management
• Conserves power
• Deploys server’s faster
• Legacy applications
• Security

11.3 Installing VirtualBox

For the purpose of this module, we will install Oracle VirtualBox. VirtualBox at the
time of writing is in version 4.3.10. Updates are regularly released and are freely
accessible from https://www.virtualbox.org/.

In this exercise, you will learn how to install VirtualBox. Ask your
lecturer to place the VirtualBox exe. on your desktop.

Step 1
Double-click on the VirtualBox icon found on your desktop.

Figure 80 – VirtualBox icon Step 2

If a security warning dialog box pops up, click on Run to start the VirtualBox wizard.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 120 of 151
 Figure 81 – Security Warning

Step 3
The VirtualBox Setup Wizard page will appear. Click Next.

Figure 82 – VirtualBox Wizard

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 121 of 151
Step 4
In the Custom Setup page, you can select the way you want features to be installed.
Leave the default setup and click Next.

Figure 83 – Custom Setup Step 5

The next page will also be the Custom Setup page. Click Next to accept the default
setup.

Figure 83 – Custom Setup

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 122 of 151
 Step 6
The next page is a Network Interfaces warning page. If you are on a network, you will
temporarily be disconnected from your network. Click Yes to continue with your
installation.

Figure 84 – Network Interfaces warning Step 7

The next page is the Install page. Click on Install to start installing VirtualBox.

Figure 85 – Ready to Install

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 123 of 151
 Step 8
While VirtualBox is installing, there will be several Windows Security dialog boxes that
will pop up. Click on Install to accept the device settings installation.

Figure 86 – Windows Security

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 124 of 151
 Step 9
The final step is to click Finish.

Figure 87 – Installation is complete

Figure 88 shows the VirtualBox interface.

Figure 88 – VirtualBox interface

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 125 of 151
 11.4 Virtual Machine

A VM contains its own software representation of the host’s physical hardware, called
virtual hardware. Virtual hardware includes the CPU, hard disk and network
interface cards. The virtual hardware allows the VM to run a standard operating
system called the guest OS.

11.5 Installing a VM

In this exercise you will learn how to install a VM.

Ask your lecturer for a Windows 8.1 installation disc to be able to

complete this exercise.

Step 1
Open the VirtualBox hypervisor.

Step 2
Click on the New icon found in the top left hand corner of the Window.

Figure 89 – New icon Step 3

You will have to give your VM a name and select the operating system that you will be
installing. Type in Windows 8 in the Name field; VirtualBox will automatically change
the type and version for you. Click Next.

Figure 90 – Name and operating system

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 126 of 151
 Step 4
VirtualBox will automatically select the amount of RAM that will be allocated to your
VM. Accept the default size by clicking Next.

Figure 91 – Memory size Step 5

VirtualBox will display a recommended size for your VM’s hard drive. Make sure the
‘Create a virtual hard drive now’ radio button is selected, and click Create.

Figure 92 – Hard drive

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 127 of 151
 Step 6
On the Hard drive file type, you will select the file type that your VM will be using.
Click Next to accept the default file type.

Figure 93 – Hard drive file type Step 7

The Storage on the physical hard drive page will allow you to select whether the VM
hard drive file should grow as it is being used or if it will be a fixed size. Select the
Dynamically allocated option, and click Next.

Figure 94 – Storage on physical hard drive

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 128 of 151
 Step 8
On the File location and size page, you can select where the VM file will be saved and
also change the size of the virtual hard drive. To accept the default, click Create.

Figure 95 – File location and size

Step 9

Once you have created your VM, the VirtualBox Manager will be displayed, showing
the newly created VM.

Figure 96 – VirtualBox Manager showing the newly created VM

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 129 of 151
 Step 10
Before installing an OS on a VM, insert your installation disc in the CD/DVD drive.
Click the Start button to begin to start your VM.

Step 11
A dialog box appears prompting you to select a virtual optical disk file or a physical
optical drive. If you have multiple CD/DVD drives, you will have to select the one you
will be using to install Windows. If you have one CD/DVD drive, VirtualBox will
automatically select the drive for you. Click Start.

Figure 97 – Select start-up drive

Step 12
When the Windows Setup window appears, select the correct time and currency
format, and click Next.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 130 of 151
 Figure 98 – Windows Setup
Step 13
Click Install now.

Figure 99 – Install now option

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 131 of 151
 Step 14
To accept the License terms, check the check box at the bottom of the License terms
window, and click Next.

Figure 100 – License terms Step 15

When you see the question ‘Which type of installation do you want?’, click on Custom:
Install Windows only (advanced).

Figure 101 – Which type of installation do you want?

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 132 of 151
 Step 16
Select ‘Where do you want to install Windows?’ Since this is a VM, you have already
located where you want your Windows to be installed. Click Next.

Figure 102 – Where do you want to install Windows? Step 17

Windows will start installing. Your VM may reboot several times; do not close your VM
or stop your VM. This will halt the installation process.

Figure 103 – Installing Windows

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 133 of 151
 Step 17
The Personalize screen will appear. Here you may choose a PC name and pick a colour
you would like for your PC. If you cannot see the entire Personalize screen, use
the scroll bars on the right. Scroll down, and click the Next button.

Figure 104 - Personalize

Step 18
On the Settings screen, click Customize.

Figure 105 - Settings

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 134 of 151
 Step 19
In the network section of the settings, click ‘No’ For networks in public places.

Figure 106 – Connect your PC to a network Step 20

Click Next to accept the defaults of how your PC should run updates.

Figure 107 – Update your PC and apps

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 135 of 151
 Step 21
Click Next to accept the defaults of how Windows checks for online solutions and
how Windows will help improve Microsoft products and services.

Figure 108 – Check online for solutions and help improve

Microsoft products and services
Step 22

Click Next to accept default of how you share information with Microsoft and other
services.

Figure 109 – Share information with Microsoft and other services

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 136 of 151
 Step 23
Enter your Microsoft account. If you do not have an Internet connection, the
connection will fail.

Figure 110 – Your email or password is incorrect

Step 24

Click Continue without a Microsoft account. On the next screen, click Create a local
account.

Figure 111 – Create a local account

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 137 of 151
 Step 25
Add a username and password. Then click Finish.

Figure 112 – Create a user name and password Step 26

Windows will be done installing when the Windows 8 desktop appears. You may now
remove the installation disc.

Figure 113 – Windows 8 desktop

NOTE This module only covers how to install Windows 8. You may continue
exploring the interface and the different features offered in Windows 8.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 138 of 151
 11.6 Capturing and releasing keyboard and mouse

If a click mouse warning message appears at the top of the VM after you have clicked
inside the VM window, click the close button.

Figure 114 – Mouse pointer integration warning message

To activate the VM, all you need to do is click inside the VM window or on the title bar.
The VM will then own the mouse and/or keyboard so that you can use them. To return
ownership to the host, simply click outside the VM window.

11.6.1 Typing special characters

Some key combinations are reserved for host operating systems only. For example,
you will not be able to enter <Ctrl> + <Alt> + <Delete> to reboot the guest OS,
because this key combination is usually hardwired into the host OS and will therefore
reboot the host, not the guest. If instead you want to send these key combinations to
the guest OS, you can:

• Use the item in the Machine menu of the running VM. For example, there you will
find Insert Ctrl+Alt+Delete. See Figure 115.

Figure 115 - VM Machine menu

• Press special key combinations with the Host key, which VirtualBox will translate
for the VM. For example, <Host > + <Del> will send <Ctrl>+<Alt>+<Del> to
the guest (to reboot it).

For <Alt> + <Tab> (to switch between open windows) and some other keyboard
combinations, you can configure whether the host or guest will be affected by these
combinations by configuring the settings in File > Preferences > Input > Auto-
capture keyboard.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 139 of 151
 11.7 Windows 10 virtualization

One of the features that Windows 10 has included is the capacity of creating virtual
machines. A virtual machine is the software emulation of a computer system. They are
created within a real or physical computer, allowing you to create multiple separate
“computers” that can run different operating systems and programs. These virtual
machines are handled using a special software called a Hypervisor also known as
Microsoft’s own Hyper-V.

NOTE
Virtualisation has to be enabled in your computer’s BIOS. This is a small
program that handles the boot-up of your computer making sure everything
is in the right place.

11.7.1 Enabling Virtualization in BIOS

The BIOS is a small program that runs whenever you turn on your computer. Its basic
function is to help the computer boot up by making sure everything is working properly.
To enable virtualization, follow these steps:

Step 1: Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup. This is done by pressing a
key just as the computer is turned on. The key you have to press varies from one
system to another, but it usually is F2, F10, or Delete. Most systems tell you which key
to press to enter the setup.

Step 2: After entering the BIOS setup, you must enable all virtualization settings. The
BIOS also varies greatly from system to system, depending on the brand.

Step 3: After enabling all necessary settings, save and exit the BIOS setup. This is
usually done by pressing F10. After this, the computer will restart.

11.7.2 Setting up Hyper-V

To create and manage virtual machines, you need to set up Microsoft Hyper-V. To do
this, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right Click Start and Select Control Panel

Step 2: After the Control Panel is open, choose Programs and Features

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 140 of 151
 Figure 116 – Programs and Features

Step 3: In the Programs and Features window, click “Turn Windows features on or
off”.

Figure 117 – Turn Windows features on or off

Step 4: In the Windows Features window, look for the Hyper-V feature and check all
the boxes.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 141 of 151
 Figure 118 – Selecting Hyper-V Features

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 142 of 151
 Answers to Review Questions

Unit 1

1. What component allows all devices to communicate with one another?

The motherboard.
[1]

2. What is another name for a motherboard?

Circuit board (1). It could also be called a system board or main board. [1]

3. Name at least three of the most common motherboard manufacturers.

VIA, SIS, Asus, Abit, Gigabyte, MSI, Intel. [3]

4. Name at least two characteristics that the motherboard form factor describes.

• Physical layout.
• Shape, type of case, power supply.
[2]

5. There are two types of software. Give a description of each type.

• System – Controls the start-up of your computer and the central

controlling thereafter.
• Application – Programs used to control specific tasks such as editing a
document.

[4]
6. Complete the following table.

No. Question USB Firewire

1 List three supported devices Mouse, keyboard, Camcorders,
cell phones, satellite receivers,
external drives video cameras
2 Transfer rates USB 1.1: 12 Mbps IEEE 1394a: 400
USB 2.0: 480 MHz
Mbps IEEE 1394b: 800
MHz
USB 3.0: 5 Gbps
3 Supports up to 127 63
devices.
4 USB type A connects to the …… Host/hub ports
USB type B connects to the …… Device

[15]

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 143 of 151
 7. Give a definition of a motherboard.

A motherboard is the main circuit board. It connects all of the other

computer components together and allows them to communicate with one
another.
[2]

Total: 28 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 144 of 151
 Unit 2

1. What are the four major functions of the CPU?

The first is to fetch instructions from the main computer’s memory.

Fetching instructions may also include reading data from an I/O module.
This is then followed by the decode phase where instructions are decoded
to decide what action will need to be taken. Once that has happened, the
CPU will execute the desired operation. The final operation of the CPU is to
writeback where the data of an executed task is analysed and results are
written to the memory or I/O modules.
[8]
2. Clock speed is measured in MHz or GHz.
[1]
3. Give the definition of the following processor components:

3.1 Cache memory

Storage area for frequently used data and instructions.

3.2 DMA

Devices bypass the CPU to access memory directly.

3.3 Dual core

Two processors on the same chip.

3.4 Dual pumped

Refers to how much data is capable of being transferred per clock cycle.
[4]
4. List the IRQ and the default assignments from 1-15.

Consult Table 7 for the answers.

[15]
5. When does a DMA occur?

Direct Memory Access (DMA) occurs when a device bypasses the CPU and
writes information directly into memory.
[2]

Total: 30 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 145 of 151
 Unit 3

1. Complete the following:

1.1 RDRAM is a proprietary variant of DRAM. [1]

1.2 NVRAM uses flash memory and retains the contents of its memory when power is
turned off. [1]

2. Answer True or False:

RAM is volatile.

True
[1]
3. Complete the table with definitions for the given terms.

Term Definition
RAM Random Access Memory, Working Space, Temporary
Memory/Volatile lost when power is switched off.
ROM Read Only Memory, Permanent Memory used to store
information on how a device should operate/BIOS.
FIRMWARE Device containing both hardware and software. Program
that runs within an electronic device.

[6]
4. Explain briefly why the different DIMM modules are not compatible with each
other.

DIMMs are not compatible due to pin density and notch positions. [2]

Total: 11 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 146 of 151
 Unit 4

1. What is the main function of a power supply?

To convert AC voltages to DC voltages for the motherboard components.

[1]
2. Mention two internal computer components that could require additional power.

Tape drives
Ventilation fans
Certain graphics cards [2]

3. List the three available voltages used by a computer.

3.3, 5 and 12 [3]

4. How many pins do the following connectors have?

4.1 ATX Power connector to the motherboard

20 pins [1]

4.2 SATA Power connector

15 pins [1]

5. Provide a solution to each of the following problems.

Problem Solution
The computer is close to a source of radio Line Conditioner
waves that cause RFI.
A server containing crucial information Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
needs constant power supply to the PC.

[2]

Total: 10 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 147 of 151
 Unit 5

1. Match the description to the term:

a) The process of writing index marks to the surface of the disk to enable the
heads to locate tracks and sectors.
b) The logical structure and software routines used to control access to storage on a
hard disk.

1.1 File system b [1]

1.2 Low-level formatting a [1]

2. List the physical and logical components of a hard drive.

• Platters – Magnetic coated glass or metal disks that are stacked on top of
each other like a spindle, which then spin together at high speeds. This is
where the data is stored.
• Read/write head – Used to transfer data to and from a platter.
• Actuator arm and axis – The arm that is used to move the read/write
heads over the surface of the platters.
• Actuator – The motor that moves the actuator arm.
• Tracks – The data storage ring where the hard drive is capable of
containing information.
• Sectors – Tracks are divided into a wedge shaped section of one of the
circular tracks. A sector holds between 512 bytes and 4 KB of data and is
the smallest unit of storage on a platter.
• Clusters – A cluster is a group of multiple sectors. This is where files are
written to.
• Cylinders – One corresponding track on all surfaces of all platters is called
a cylinder. For example, cylinder 0 is made up of all track 0s on all platters
inside the hard drive; cylinder 1 is made up of all track 1s on all platters,
and so on.
[16]
3. Complete the table.

No Compare PATA SATA

1 Interface Parallel Serial
2 Drive connector 40 pin 7 pin
3 Cable 45 cm 1m
4 Power connector 4 pin Molex 15 pin

[8]
4. Give a short description of the technology used by the SATA drives.

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment uses serial data transmissions to

transfer data between a computer and a mass storage device, such as a
hard disk drive or optical drive.
[2]

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 148 of 151
 5. Complete the table.

CD/DVD format Storage capacity

DVD-ROM 4.7–17 GB
CD-ROM 700 MB or 185 MB
Blu-ray 25 GB per layer

[3]

Total: 31 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 149 of 151
 Unit 6

1. List three major components of the graphics card and give a short description of
each.

CPU – graphics card microprocessor carries out instructions for the OS.
Video Memory – temporary store for processed images, buffers, textures,
display images.
Video BIOS – memory chip that stores the graphics card configuration
data. The video BIOS or firmware is a basic program that provides
instructions that allow the computer and software to interact with the
card.
[6]
2. Match the graphics card port/connector to the device it connects to.

2.1 Flat panel displays (LCD or plasma screens)

DVI (HDMI is also popular) [1]

2.2 CRT displays

HD-15F
[1]
3. Give one advantage of using the port given in the answer to 2.1 over the port
given in the answer to 2.2.

No image distortion.
No electrical noise. [1]

4. SXGA is generally the video standard used for the native 17" and 19" LCD monitors
at a resolution of 1280x1024.
[2]
5. Answer True or False:

The higher the screen resolution, the less information is displayed on the screen.

False [1]

Total: 12 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 150 of 151
 Unit 7

1. List two common input devices.

Mouse, keyboard, scanner

[2]
2. List two common output devices.

Monitor, speaker, headset

[2]
3. List the two types of keyboards and their uses.

Wireless – used for transportability.

Multimedia kb – special keys for accessing music, Web or other programs.
Gaming kb – allows keystroke combinations to be assigned to one
keystroke. [4]

4. List two types of mouse connectors.

USB & PS/2 [2]

5. List two types of scanners.

Flatbed and handheld [2]

6. Name the type of printers used for:

6.1 printing photos – dye sublimation

6.2 printing technical drawings – plotters [2]

7. Select the correct answers. Circle all that apply.

A keyboard uses a:

a) PS/2
b) DIN-2 connector
c) USB connector
d) DB-25 connector. [2]

8. How do you clean a keyboard?

Use a soft, damp cloth and a mild detergent to clean any dirt. Ensure that
the keyboard is completely dry before using it again.

The keyboard can be submerged in a bucket of distilled, demineralised

water if you happen to spill anything on the keyboard. Ensure that the
keyboard is completely dry before using it again.
[1]

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 151 of 151
 Total: 17 marks

Unit 8

1. List three variants of internetworks.

Internet
Extranet
Intranet [3]

2. Differentiate between a server, host and a workstation.

Server – Larger hardware requirements, provides resources to network

clients.
Workstation – User’s computer connected to the network.
Host – Any network device with an IP address. [3]

3. Give definitions for the following:

Ring topology
Computers are either directly attached in a ring or communicate via a
multi-station access unit. Each computer regenerates the signal.

Bus topology
Each computer is connected to a single cable.

LAN
Local area network – A network in a small area like a home, office or
building.

GAN
Global area network – Model for supporting mobile communications across
a number of wireless LANs.

Routers
Determine the best route to forward data packets across a network and
connect networks together. [5]

4. Name the seven layers of the OSI model.

7. Application
6. Presentation
5. Session
4. Transport
3. Network
2. Data
1. Physical [7]

Total: 18 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 152 of 151
 Unit 9

1. List six handling rules a technician should remember when repairing a computer.

• Most electrically sensitive hardware components come in an anti-static

bag, which is designed to protect the electronics from stray static
charges. Leave components in these bags until they are ready to be
installed.
• Turn off the computer and unplug the power supply before you remove
the computer case. Although there is hardly any shock hazard when
the computer is turned on, you might accidentally touch a component
with a screwdriver. This could short-circuit that component.
• If possible, ground yourself before you touch the inside of a computer.
This will discharge any build-up of static electricity that could cause
damage to components. The easiest way to ground yourself is to touch
the metal casing of the computer.
• Place the computer on a solid, well-lit surface.
• It is always good practice to keep a small, compartmentalised
container to store screws and other small parts.
• Never use excessive force. In most cases, a gentle nudge or pull will
loosen the component. If a component does not fit, it is most likely in
the wrong slot or it is the wrong way around.
• Keep a mental picture/draw a diagram of where cables are attached.
[6]

2. Circle the correct answer.

ESD is an acronym for:

a) Electric System Degradation

b) Electrostatic Discharge
c) Electro Silicon Discharge
d) None of these. [1]

3. Is the following statement True or False?

Electrostatic discharge occurs when two objects of a similar charge come into
contact with each another.

False [1]

4. Circle the correct answer.

Relative humidity should be maintained at:

a) 50%
b) 90%
c) 70%
d) 40% [1]

5. List the two types of cases discussed in this unit.

Tower
Desktop [2]

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 153 of 151
 6. When repairing a computer, what is the name of the most commonly used
screwdriver?

Phillips Screwdriver is the most common. However, there are various

other screwdrivers that can be used.
[1]
7. What is the danger of leaving a loose screw in the computer?

It could cause a short circuit. [1]

Total: 13 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 154 of 151
 Unit 10

1. When you turn your computer on, nothing happens. The monitor does not come on
and the power supply fan is not running. You switch the computer off and on again
and still nothing happens. What is the most likely cause?

No power is supplied to the PC. Could be from the main power supply or a
faulty power supply. [2]

2. Your computer is experiencing random problems. These problems disappear as

soon as you reboot the computer. What should you do to prevent this from
happening?

This is normally associated with RAM problems such as chip creep.

Regularly check that RAM modules are properly inserted or replace RAM if
necessary. [2]

3. You have just installed a new sound card in your computer. When you boot the
computer, the card is not recognised. In addition, your modem that has always
worked has stopped working. What is the most likely cause?

There is an IRQ conflict. [2]

4. You have just installed an additional hard drive but the hard drive is not detected
when you switch the PC on. What is the most likely cause? What is a solution to
this problem?

It could be an incorrect jumper setting. Check and change the setting if

necessary. [2]

Alternatively, the hard drive is not automatically detected. Put it on auto

detect in the BIOS. Also check the cable and connectors as well as power
to the device. It could also be a faulty hard drive.
[2]

Total: 10 marks

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 155 of 151
 Examination Requirements
Examination

The examination will be made up of a theory and a practical examination. The theory
examination counts 70% and the practical examination counts 30% of your total
mark.

The theory examination will be made up of:

• One word questions

• Multiple choice questions
• Written (medium and long) questions.

The practical examination will be based on:

• Building a computer
• Installing two operating systems, Windows 10 and Windows 8
• Troubleshooting.

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 156 of 151
 Bibliography

Doctor, Q., Dulaney, E. & Skandier, T. 2009. CompTIA A+ Complete Learning Manual.
Sybex. (ISBN-978-0-470-48649-8).

GTS Learning International. 2009. A+ Essentials Support Skills, Study Notes. G178eng.

Websites:
http://h18004.www1.hp.com/products/servers/proliantstorage/serial/sas/benefits.html
http://www.pcmech.com/byopc/step-22-install-the-operating-system/
http://www.myfastpc.com/assemble.html
http://www.stec-inc.com/interface/
http://www.storagesearch.com/usb.html
http://www.storagesearch.com/ssd.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid-state_drive
http:titancity.com/articles/intel.html
http://searchstorage.techtarget.com/news/article
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Gpu-connections.png
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_display
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_display/video
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_power_supply
http://www.tech-faq.com/video-card.shtml
http://www.directron.com/knowledgebase.html
http://www.startech.com/category/parts/io-cards-adapters/serial-io-cards/list.aspx
http://compnetworking.about.com/od/basicnetworkingconcepts/Networking_Basics_K
ey_Concepts_in_Computer_Networking.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/winvista_install_03.asp
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-11-1047035.html
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e//expacard.html
http://www.pcmech.com/article/the-future-of-hard-drives

MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 157 of 151
 Hardware Essentials – Evaluation Form
MLHE172-01 V1.0

How would you evaluate the following criteria for the Hardware Essentials module?
Place a or in one of the five squares that best indicates your choice. Your
response will help us to improve the quality of the Learning Manual and module, and
will be much appreciated.

Very poor Poor Fair Good Excellent

The text and explanations in the Learning

Manual were clear

There were enough examples in the text

There were enough exercises for you to do

Your lecturer was able to help you

How would you rate this module?

What did you enjoy?

What did you dislike?

General comments

Campus: Lecturer: Date:

Kindly remove this evaluation form and return it to your lecturer or senior lecturer so
that it can be forwarded to the Division for Courseware Development. Thank you.
MLHE182-01 Hardware Essentials Learning Manual | V1.0 April 2017 Page 158 of 151
CTI is part of Pearson, the world’s leading learning company. Pearson is the corporate owner, not a registered
provider nor conferrer of qualifications in South Africa. CTI Education Group (Pty) Ltd. is registered with
the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the
Higher Education Act, 101, of 1997. Registration Certificate number: 2004/HE07/004. www.cti.ac.za.