Computer Installation
Computer Installation
1.2.1 Motherboard
What is a Motherboard?
The motherboard is the main circuit board inside a computer. Connect all of the parts
of a computer together. The CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card,
sound card and other ports and expansion cards all connect to the motherboard
directly or via cables.
The motherboard can be thought of as the "back bone" of the computer.
The Motherboard is also known as Mainboard, mobo, MB, system board, logic
board
Processor
The processor (also known as a "Central Processing Unit" or "CPU") is a microchip
that acts as the computer's "brain".
The instructions are stored in a program that must be loaded into memory before
execution.
Processor speed is usually measured in gigahertz, i.e. billions of instructions per
second.
The most common processors are manufactured by Intel (e.g. Pentium) and AMD
(e.g. Athlon, Duron, Sempron).
Cooling Fan
A cooling fan is usually necessary to prevent the processor from overheating.
The temperature of a processor increases when it has to perform a lot of complex
calculations (e.g. whilst playing an audio or video file).
The cooling fan is mounted on a heat-sink attached to the processor. The heat-sink has
a series of conductive metal plates which help to dissipate heat quickly as the fan
blows air over them.
Memory
Memory is the part of a computer that stores programs and data during processing.
The most common type of memory is Random Access Memory (RAM). When you
create a document using a word-processor or similar program, the document is stored
in RAM.
Data that exists in RAM is lost when the power is switched off.
To preserve the document, it must be saved onto a permanent storage medium such as
the hard disk.
Hard Disk
The hard disk (also known as a "hard drive" or "fixed disk") is a data storage device
containing a rigid magnetic disk in a sealed metal housing inside the computer.
Hard disks are extremely fast and can store much more data than removable media
such as CDs and floppy disks.
CD Drive
The CD drive reads data from a removable disk using a laser.
There are several different kinds: CD-ROM drives can read data but cannot modify it.
CD-Rewriters can read data, erase disks, and write new data onto them.
DVD drives are compatible with DVDs (which can store more data than CDs).
Modern CD drives support most CD and DVD formats including read-only,
recordable and rewritable.
Expansion Card
An expansion card is a circuit board that can be plugged into a computer's
motherboard to provide additional functions.
For example, to connect a computer to a wireless network it may be necessary to
install a wireless network card.
Power Supply Unit
The power supply unit (also known as a "PSU") supplies low-voltage current to the
motherboard and contains special circuitry that allows the computer to be switched off
by Windows when you choose Turn off Computer.
The unit's low output voltage means it is safe to open a computer case even when it is
switched on. However the power supply unit itself should not be opened under any
circumstances.
1.2.2 BIOS (Basic Input Output System)
What is the BIOS?:
The Basic Input Output System, usually referred to as BIOS, is software stored on a small
memory chip on the motherboard. BIOS is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the Basic
Integrated Operating System.
What is the BIOS Used For?
BIOS instruct the computer on how to perform a number of basic functions such as
booting and keyboard control.
BIOS is also used to identify and configure the hardware in a computer such as the
hard drive, floppy drive, optical drive, CPU, memory, etc.
How to Access BIOS:
The BIOS is accessed and configured through the BIOS Setup Utility.
The BIOS Setup Utility is, for all reasonable purposes, the BIOS itself. All available
options in BIOS are configurable via the BIOS Setup Utility.
The BIOS Setup Utility is accessed in various ways depending on your computer or
motherboard make and model.
PC users can make certain adjustments to the system through a configuration screen
on the computer.
The setup screen is typically accessed with a special key sequence during the first
moments of startup, often "Delete" or a Function key.
This setup screen allows users to change the order in which drives are accessed during
startup, monitor computer component temperatures, and control the functionality of a
number of devices.
Most computer users never need to access these systems on their computer, though
many fixes to simple errors can require adjustments.
In most PCs, the BIOS have 4 main functions as mentioned below.
1. POST - Test the computer hardware and make no errors exist before loading the
operating system. Additional information on the POST can be found on our POST and
Beep Codes page.
3. BIOS drivers - Low level drivers that give the computer basic operational control
over your computer's hardware.
Dynamic RAM:
Loses its stored information in a very short time (for milli sec.) even when power
supply is on.
D-RAM’s are cheaper & lower. Similar to a microprocessor chip is an Integrated
Circuit (IC) made of millions of transistors and capacitors.
Dynamic Memory Cell represents a single bit of data.
The capacitor holds the bit of information – a 0 or a 1.
Dynamic RAM has to be dynamically refreshed all of the time or it forgets what it is
holding.
The downside of all of this refreshing is that it takes time and slows down the
memory.
Static RAM:
S-RAM retains stored information only as long as the power supply is on.
Static RAM’s are costlier and consume more power.
They have higher speed than D-RAMs. They store information in Hip-Hope.
In static RAM, a form of flip-flop holds each bit of memory.
A flip-flop for a memory cell takes four or six transistors along with some wiring, but
never has to be refreshed.
This makes static RAM significantly faster than dynamic RAM.
A static memory cell takes up a lot more space on a chip than a dynamic memory cell.
Therefore, get less memory per chip, and that makes static RAM a lot more
expensive.
Static RAM is fast and expensive, and dynamic RAM is less expensive and slower.
Static RAM is used to create the CPU’s speed sensitive cache, while dynamic RAM
forms the larger system RAM space.
(c) DDR-SDRAM (Double Data Rate – SDRAM): This RAM transfers data on both
edges of the clock. Therefore the transfer rate of the data becomes doubles.
ROM:
Read only memory, its non volatile memory, i.e., the information stored in it, is not
lost even if the power supply goes off. It’s used for the permanent storage of
information.
Information cannot be written into a ROM by the users/programmers.
(ii) EPROM: An EPROM is an erasable PROM. The stored data in EPROM’s can be
erased by exposing it to UV light for about 20 min. It’s not easy to erase it
because the EPROM IC has to be removed from the computer and exposed to UV
light. The entire data is erased and not selected portions by the user. EPROM’s are
cheap and reliable
(iii) EEPROM (Electrically Erasable PROM): The chip can be erased &
reprogrammed on the board easily byte by byte. It can be erased within a few
milliseconds. There is a limit on the number of times the EEPROM’s can be
reprogrammed, i.e.; usually around 10,000 times.
Flash Memory:
It’s an electrically erasable & programmable permanent type memory.
It uses one transistor memory all resulting in high packing density, low power
consumption, lower cost & higher reliability.
It’s used in all power, digital cameras, MP3 players etc.
1.2.5 MOTHER BOARD TYPES
Classification of Motherboards:
Integrated Motherboards
Integrated motherboards have all the peripheral device slots, input output ports, serial
and parallel ports are mounted on the board.
The connectors for the various devices such as the hard drive connector and floppy
disk drive connector are installed directly on to the motherboard.
This arrangement saves a lot of space inside the system.
Integrated boards are cheaper in cost as compared to non-integrated motherboards.
The major disadvantage of these types of motherboards are that if an individual
component of the motherboard fails, the whole board may need to be replaced and
that can be a costly affair at times.
Non-integrated Motherboards
Non-Integrated motherboards have RAM slots integrated on the board.
All the input-output ports for devices such as the serial and parallel port connectors,
other controllers such as connectors for hard drive and floppy disk drives are attached
to the system using expansion boards.
Expansion boards use more space of the cabinet.
If any one of the expansion boards fate, only those particular expansions board needs
to be replaced and not the whole board.
This type of board is more costly as compared to integrated board as all the devices
and ports, and other connectors for the devices need to be installed individually.
The Non-integrated Motherboards are almost extinct because these types of
motherboards are costly and not very space efficient.
Desktop Motherboards Desktop Motherboards is used in personal computers and
desktops.
As it is used for applications at home and in office, this type of motherboard is the
most basic type.
1.2.6 CHIPSET
To reduce number of chips on the motherboard
Microprocessor is communication & processing are integrated into 2 or 3 chips
These chips integrated with microprocessor
Chip contain more than one logic like
DMA logic
Timer Logic
Interrupt logic
Peripheral interfaces logic
These chips are called as chipset
Chip manufactures are
Intel
VIA technologies (cyrix)
Acer labs(ALI)
Silicion integrated systems(SIS)
OPT1
Chipset connected with processor
On board memory
System bus
Audio & video
Input/output ports
INTEL PROCESSOR
Advantages:
Reduce chip count in a computer
Reduce power requirement
They shorten the signal paths and allow the circuits to operate at higher
speeds
Improvement reliability
Reduce construction cost
SMPS
1GB RAM
2) SYNCHORONOUS DRAM
Conventional DRAM called as asynchronous
That is memory is not synchronized to the system clock
That is memory access is began memory value appear later period of time
Signals are not co-ordinate with system clock
Asynchronous memory work in lower speed memory
New type of DRAM: Synchronous DRAM
Synchronous DRAM
SDRAM synchronized to the system clock
Much faster than asynchronous DRAM
Improve performance
Speed rated into two different ways
Nanosecond-12 ns or 10ns
MHZ-83MHZ or 100MHZ
DIP
DIP
1) SERIAL PORTS
Serial interfaces technique
Data transmitted as 1bit at a time through a single wire
Parallel data (byte) from the computer bus is converted into serial data (bits)
Sent through the serial cables
Data transfer is slow
It enables data transfer over a distance
RS232 is the serial communication standard
Two serial ports
Com1 : 9 pin DB 9 connector is used
Com2 : 25 pin DB25 connector
Serial port interface electronics is included in the motherboard chipset
Serial ports can be enabled by BIOS set up.
SERIAL PORTS
2) PARALLEL PORT
Parallel interface: entire byte is transferred to the devices at once
Each bit is transmitted much faster
Devices like printer’s scanners and plotters are connected to the system
through the female D25 pin connectors
Recent PC’s support two new technologies
External parallel ports(EPP)
Extended capabilities port(ECP)
Used to data transfer in both direction
PARALLEL PORT
3) GAME PORT
Used to connect game controllers like joystick
Game port adopter is available either in much input/output cards or in the
sound card
It supports 2 game controllers at a time using a special split cable
It is responsible for reporting the X & Y position of joystick to the system
Available in 15Pin D shell connectors
GAME PORT
USB PORTS
USB HUBS
Supports up to 127 devices
It is a part of standard
Hub has 4 ports
Hub is plugged to the computer & devices are plugged to the hub
Hug: can be chained to connect more devices
It may be powered or unpowered plug
Powered hug: High power devices like printer or scanner will have their own
power supply
Un powered hugs can serve these devices
USB CABLE