Introduction to Computer System Volume I Computer Hardware

INTRODUCTION
TO COMPUTER

SYSTEM

Volume I
Computer Hardware

NURSYAMIMI AFIQAH BINTI SASTRA
BEATRICE MICHAEL
NURZAIHAN ISMAWI

INTRODUCTION
TO COMPUTER

SYSTEM

1st Edition 2022

Volume I
Computer Hardware

NURSYAMIMI AFIQAH BINTI SASTRA
BEATRICE MICHAEL
NURZAIHAN ISMAWI

PUBLISHED BY: i

POLITEKNIK MUKAH COPYRIGHT @ 2021 EDITION
KM7.5 JALAN OYA, All rights reserved. No part of
96400 MUKAH, this publication may be
SARAWAK. reproduced, distributed or
transmitted in any form or by
Tel: +6084-874001 any means, including
Fax: +6084-874005 photocopying, recording or
other electronic or mechanic
Introduction to Computer System methods, without the prior
Volume I written permission of the writer,
Computer Hardware expect in the case of brief
quotation embodied review
Authors: and certain other non-
1. Nursyamimi Afiqah binti Sastra commercial and education
2. Beatrice Michael uses permitted by Politeknik
3. Nurzaihan bin Ismawi Mukah.

ii

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER SYSTEM Volume I
introduces students to the computer hardware and
foundation of the basic information technology (IT)
knowledge and skills necessary for ICT professionals.
This book covers the study of personal computer
(PC) hardware including PC assembly, installing and
connecting peripherals. Student will learn hardware
troubleshooting techniques used to identify and
rectify computer faults. Student are exposed to the
principles and good practices in environmentally
sustainable computing and the use of appropriate
technologies, methodologies in managing IT
environment.

iii

2

ABOUT THE
AUTHOR

1

The author of the
books are lecturers in
Politeknik Mukah

3

1. Nursyamimi Afiqah
binti Sastra

2. Beatrice Michael
3. Nurzaihan bin

Ismawi

TABLE OF CONTENTS iv

COPYRIGHT i
PREFACE ii
ABOUT THE AUTHOR iii
CLASSIFY BASIC CABLE AND CONNECTOR TYPES, FEATURES, AND
THEIR PURPOSES 2
i. What is the computer hardware 4
ii. Identify ports and cables 7
iii. Identify external ports
8
CLASSIFY POWER SUPPLY TYPES AND FEATURES 9
i. Identify types of power supply
ii. Identify features and their functions

TABLE OF CONTENTS v

CHOOSE APPROPRIATE COMPONENTS & DEVICES FOR A CUSTOM 10
PC CONFIGURATION TO MEET CUSTOMER SPECIFICATIONS OR 24
NEEDS 28
i. Identify Internal PC Components 39
ii. Identify Input and Output Devices 40
iii. Demonstrate computer assembly process
iv. Identify POST & BIOS 41
v. Configure BIOS 49
52
PREPARE SOHO MULTIFUNCTION DEVICES/PRINTERS AND SETTINGS 53
i. Describe types of printers 54
ii. Install and Update Device Drivers, Firmware, and RAM 55
iii. Configure Options and Default Settings vi
iv. Global and Individual Document Options
v. Software Optimization
vi. Hardware Optimization

REFERENCES

1

LEARNING OUTCOMES

01 02 03 04

Understand the Understand Understand the Understand
basic cable and power supply components of devices/printers
connector types, types and computer and settings.
features and features. hardware
their purposes.

2

What is the Computer hardware is the
Computer components of the computer
Hardware? system.

Computer hardware is the
physical equipment such as the
case, storage drives, keyboards,
monitors, cables, speakers, and
printers.

3

“Every successful
hardware has a
software behind.”

— THIRU VOONNA

Ports and 4
Cables

 A video port connects a monitor cable
to a computer. Video ports and
connector types:

 DVI, Displayport, RCA, DB-15, BNC, RJ-
45, MiniHDMI, Din-6

 Display cables transfer video signals from
the computer to display devices. Display
cable types:

 High-Definition Multimedia Interface
(HDMI), DVI, Video Graphics Array (VGA),
Component/RGB, Composite, S-Video,
Coaxial, Ethernet.

Ports 5
and
Cables Serial ports transmit one bit of data at a
time.

A telephone cable (RJ11) is used to
connect a modem to a telephone outlet.

USB is a standard interface for connecting
hot-swappable peripheral devices to a
computer. Some devices can also be
powered through the USB port.

FireWire is a high-speed, hot-swappable
interface that can support up to 63 devices.
Some devices can also be powered
through the FireWire port.

Ports 6
and
Cables A parallel cable is used to connect parallel devices, such
as a printer or scanner, and can transmit 8 bits of data at
one time.

A SCSI port can transmit data at rates in excess of 320
Mbps and can support up to 15 devices. SCSI devices
must be terminated at the endpoints of the SCSI chain.

A network port, also known as an RJ-45 port, connects a
computer to a network. The maximum length of network
cable is 328 feet (100 m).

A PS/2 port connects a keyboard or a mouse to a
computer. The PS/2 port is a 6-pin mini-DIN female
connector.

An audio port connects audio devices to the computer.

A video port connects a monitor cable to a computer.

7

External Ports

External Internet users who want
to access that application,
address it using an external port,
such as an Audio server.
External Ports are the ports that
the cable modem listens to from
the WAN.
Examples of external devices
attached via ports are the
mouse, keyboard, monitor,
microphone, speakers, etc.

Computer Power Supplies 8
Types and Features

Power supply

 Converts AC power from the wall socket into DC.

 Must provide enough power for the installed
components
and future additions.

 There are 3 types of power supply in common use:

 AT Power Supply - used in very old PCs

 ATX Power Supply - still used in some PCs

 ATX-2 Power Supply - commonly in use today

9

Computer The voltages produced by AT/ATX/ATX-2
Power power supplies are:
 +3.3 Volts DC (ATX/ATX-2)
Supplies  +5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
Types and  -5 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
 +5 Volts DC Standby (ATX/ATX-2)
Features  +12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)
 -12 Volts DC (AT/ATX/ATX-2)

Internal Pc 10
Components

 Identify the names,
purposes, and
characteristics of:

 Motherboards

 CPUs

 Cooling systems

 ROM and RAM

 Memory
modules

 Adapter cards
and Expansion
Slots

 Storage devices
and RAID

Motherboards 11

 The motherboard is the main printed
circuit board.

 Contains the buses, or electrical
pathways found in a computer.
Buses allow data to travel
among the various components.

 Accommodates CPU, RAM, expansion
slots, heat sink/fan assembly, BIOS chip,
chip set, sockets, internal and external
connectors, various ports, and the
embedded wires that interconnect the
motherboard components.

12

Motherboard
Form Factors

▪ The form factor of

motherboards pertains
to the size and shape of
the board.

▪ It also describes the

physical layout of the
different components
and devices on the
motherboard.

▪ Various form factors exist

for motherboards.

13

Central
Processing Unit

(CPU)

The CPU is known as the brain of the computer.
It is also referred to as the processor.

The CPU executes a program, which is a
sequence of stored instructions.

Two major CPU architectures related to
instruction sets:

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC)

Complex Instruction Set Computer (CISC)

Central 14
Processing
Unit (CPU)

 Some CPUs incorporate

hyperthreading or

hypertransport to enhance

the performance of the

CPU.

 The amount of data that a
CPU can process at one
time depends on the size of
the processor data bus.

 Speed of the CPU is
measured in cycles per
second-megahertz (MHz) or
gigahertz (GHz).

 Overclocking is a technique
used to make a processor
work at a faster speed than
its original specification.

Central Processing Unit 15
(CPU)

 The latest processor technology has resulted in CPU
manufacturers finding ways to incorporate more than one
CPU core onto a single chip.

 Dual Core CPU - Two cores inside a single CPU
 Triple Core CPU - Three cores inside a single CPU
 Quad Core CPU - Four cores inside a single CPU
 Hexa-Core CPU - Six cores inside a single CPU
 Octa-Core CPU - Eight cores inside a single CPU

16

Cooling System

Case Fan A heat sink draws heat away
from the core of the CPU. A fan
CPU Fan on top of the heat sink moves
the heat away from the CPU.

Fans can be dedicated to cool
the Graphics-processing unit
(GPU).

Electronic components
generate heat. Too much heat
can damage components.

A case fan makes the cooling
process more efficient

ROM 17
and
RAM Read-only memory (ROM)

• Basic instructions for booting the computer
and loading the operating system are stored
in ROM.

• ROM chips retain their contents even when
the computer is powered down.

Random-access memory (RAM)

• RAM is temporary storage for data and
programs that are being accessed by the
CPU.

• RAM is volatile memory, which means that
the contents are erased when the computer
is powered off.

• More RAM means more capacity to hold
and process large programs and files, as well
as enhance system performance.

18

 Memory modules are memory chips that have been
soldered on to a special circuit board for easy installation
and removal.

 Dual Inline Package (DIP) is an individual memory chip.

Memory  Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM) is a small circuit board
Modules that holds several memory chips.

 Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) is a circuit board that
holds SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, and DDR2 SDRAM chips.

 RAM Bus Inline Memory Module (RIMM) is a circuit board
that holds RDRAM chips.

 Small Outline DIMM (SODIMM) is a smaller, more condensed
version of DIMM which provides random access data
storage that is ideal for use in laptops, printers, and other
devices where conserving space is desirable.

 The speed of memory has a direct impact on how much
data a processor can process because faster memory
improves the performance of the processor. As processor
speed increases, memory speed must also increase.

Cache 19
and Error
Checking Cache

 SRAM is used as cache memory to
store the most frequently used data.

 SRAM provides the processor with
faster access to the data than
retrieving it from the slower DRAM, or
main memory.

Error Checking

 Memory errors occur when the data is
not stored correctly in the RAM chips.

 The computer uses different methods
to detect and correct data errors in
memory

 Nonparity

 Parity

 ECC

20

Adapter Cards

 Adapter cards increase the functionality of a
computer by adding controllers for specific
devices or by replacing malfunctioning ports.

 Examples of adapter cards:
▪ Sound adapter and video adapter
▪ USB, parallel, and serial ports
▪ Network Interface Card (NIC),
▪ wireless NIC, and modem adapter

 Types of expansion slots:
▪ Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
▪ Advanced Graphics Port (AGP)
▪ PCI-Express
▪ Mini PCI (laptops)

Storage Devices 21

 Storage drives read or write information to magnetic Floppy Disk
storage media. Drive (FDD)

 They may be fixed or removable. Hard Disk
Drive (HDD)
 The hard disk drive (HDD) is a
magnetic storage device. The storage
capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes
(TB)

 Magnetic hard drives have drive motors designed to
spin magnetic platters and move the drive heads.

 Solid state drives (SSDs) do not have moving parts,
which results in faster access to data, higher reliability,
reduced power usage.

 A floppy disk drive (FDD) is storage device that uses
removable 3.5 inch floppy disks that can store up to
1.44 MB of data.

22

Optical Drives, Flash Drives
and Drive Interfaces

An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read data on
the optical media. The three types are CD, DVD, and BD (Blu-ray).

A flash drive is a removable storage device that connects to a USB
port. A flash drive uses a type of memory that requires no power to
maintain the data.

Common drive interfaces are: Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE),
Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE), Parallel ATA (PATA),
Serial ATA (SATA) and External SATA (eSATA), Small Computer System
Interface (SCSI)

23

RAID RAID Min # of Description
Levels Level Drives

 RAID provides a way 0 2 Data striping without
to store data across 1 redundancy
multiple hard disks for 2
redundancy 3 2 Disk mirroring

4 2 Error-Correcting Coding

5 3 Byte-level data striping with
dedicated parity
6
3 Block-level data striping with
0/1 dedicated parity

10 3 Block-level data striping with
distributed parity

4 Independent Data Disks with
Double Parity

4 Combination of data striping
and mirroring

4 Mirrored set in a striped set

24

Input Devices

Input devices are used to enter data or
instructions into a computer:

 Mouse and Keyboard

 KVM switch

 Gamepad and joystick

 Digital camera and digital video
camera

 Biometric authentication device

 Touch screen

 Scanner

Output Devices 25

 Monitors and Projectors:

 Cathode-ray tube (CRT) has three
electron beams. Each beam directs
colored phosphor on the screen
that glows either red, blue, or
green.

 Liquid crystal display (LCD) is
commonly used in laptops and
some projectors. LCD comes in two
forms, active matrix and passive
matrix.

 A light-emitting diode (LED) display
is an LCD display that uses LED
backlighting to light the display.

 An Organic LED (OLED) display uses
a layer of organic material that
responds to electrical stimulus to
emit light.

26

Output
Devices

Printers and fax machines are
output devices that create
hard copies of computer files.

Scanners create electronic
file versions of paper
documents.

Speakers and headphones
are output devices for
reproducing audio signals.

27

Output
Devices

Monitors and Projectors:

 Plasma - Plasma displays are another
type of flat panel monitor

 Digital light processing (DLP) is a
technology used in projectors.

 Monitor Resolution refers to the level of
image detail that can be reproduced.
Higher resolution settings produce better
image quality.

 Several factors are involved in Monitor
Resolution –Pixel, Dot Pitch, Contrast
Ratio, Refresh rate, Interlace/Non-
Interlace, Horizontal vertical color,
Aspect ratio, Native resolution

Computer 28
Assembly
Process:
Open the Case

➢ Computer assembly is a
large part of a technician's
job.

➢ Prepare the workspace
before opening the
computer case.

➢ There are different
methods for opening
cases. Consult the user
manual or manufacturer's
website.

Install The Power 29
Supply

01 02 03

Insert the Align the holes Secure the
power supply in the power power supply
into the case. supply with to the case
the holes in using the
the case. proper screws.

30

Attach Components
to The Motherboard

 CPU on Motherboard

 The CPU and motherboard are
sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

 The CPU is secured to the socket on
the motherboard with a locking
assembly.

 CAUTION: When handling a CPU, do
not touch the CPU contacts.

 Thermal compound

 Helps keep the CPU cool.

 To install a used CPU, clean it and
the base of the heat sink with
isopropyl alcohol to remove the old
thermal compound.

Attach Components 31
To The Motherboard

Heat Sink/Fan Assembly

The Heat Sink/Fan Assembly is
a two-part cooling device.

The heat sink draws heat
away from the CPU.

Install RAM

RAM provides temporary data
storage for the CPU and
should be installed in the
motherboard before the
motherboard is placed in the
computer case.

32

Install The Motherboard

• After installing the previous
components, the
motherboard is now ready to
install in the computer case.

• Plastic and metal standoffs
are used to mount the
motherboard and to prevent
it from touching the metal
portions of the case.

Install 33
Internal
Drives 1 Position the HDD so that it
aligns with the 3.5-inch
➢ Drive that are drive bay.

installed in 2 Insert the HDD into the drive
bay so that the screw holes
internal bays are in the drive line up with the
screw holes in the case.
called internal
3 Secure the HDD to the case
drives. using the proper screws.

➢ A hard disk drives

is an example of

an internal drive.

34

Install Drives In
External Bays

 Drives in external bays allow access to
the media without opening the case.

 Some devices that are installed in this
type of drive are:

 An optical drive is a storage device
that reads and writes information to
CDs, DVDs, or BDs.

 A floppy disk drive (FDD) is a storage
device that reads and writes
information to a floppy disk.

35

Install  Adapter cards are installed to add
Adapter functionality to a computer.

Cards  Some examples of these adapters are:

 A Network Interface Card (NIC) which
enables a computer to connect to a
network. It uses PCI and PCIe expansion
slots on the motherboard.

 A wireless NIC enables a computer to
connect to a wireless network. Wireless
NICs use PCI and PCIe expansion slots on
the motherboard. Some wireless NICs are
installed externally with a USB connector.

 A video adapter card is the interface
between a computer and a display
monitor. An upgraded video adapter
card can provide better graphic
capabilities for games and graphic
programs. Video adapter cards use PCI,
AGP, and PCIe expansion slots on the
motherboard.

ATX AUX 36

SATA MOLEX Connect
Internal
Cables

➢ Power cables are used to
distribute electricity from
the power supply to the
motherboard and other
components.

BERG

37

Connect Internal
Cables

 Data cables transmit data between the
motherboard and storage devices, such
as hard drives. Some of examples of this
type of cables are:
 PATA cable
 SATA cable
 Floppy drive data cable

 Additional cables connect the buttons
and link lights on the front of the
computer case to the motherboard.

Complete Physical 38
Installation

 Now that all the internal components and the power supply
have been installed and connected to the motherboard, the
following tasks should be completed:

 Re-Attach the side panels: Most computer cases have
two panels, one on each side. Some computer cases
have one three- sided cover that slides down over the
case frame.

 Connect the External Cables: These cables are normally
connected to the back of the computer. Here are some

common external cable connections: Monitor,
Keyboard, Mouse, USB, Ethernet, Power.

POST & 39
BIOS
POST - Power-On Self-Test

 POST is a process performed by firmware or
software routines immediately after a
computer or other digital electronic device
is powered on.

 The purpose of the POST to determine if the
computer keyboard, random access
memory, disk drives, and other hardware
are working correctly.BIOS - Basic
Input/Output System

 BIOS is a computer program embedded on
a chip on a computer's motherboard that
recognizes and controls various devices
that make up the computer.

 The purpose of the BIOS is to make sure all
the things plugged into the computer can
work properly.

40

BIOS
Configuration

Bios Built-in Hardware Monitoring
 Temperatures
 Fan Speeds
 Voltages
 Clock and Bus Speeds
 Intrusion Detection
 Built-in Diagnostics
 Start test, Hard drive
test, Memory test

41

Inkjet Printers

 Use ink-filled cartridges that spray ink
onto a page through tiny holes, or
nozzles. The ink is sprayed in a pattern on
the page.

 Two types of inkjet nozzles:
 Thermal
 Piezoelectric

 They produce high quality prints, are
easy to use, and are less expensive than
laser printers. However, the nozzles are
prone to clogging and the ink is wet after
printing.

 A feeding mechanism draws paper in
and the paper passes by the print head
where ink is sprayed onto it.

Inkjet 42
Printers
Advantages
• Initial low cost
• High resolution
• Quick to warm up

Disadvantages
• Nozzles are prone to

clogging
• Ink cartridges are expensive
• Ink is wet after printing

43

Laser
Printers

 A laser printer is a high-
quality, fast printer that
uses a laser beam to
create an image. It
uses the following
process:

 Processing

 Charging

 Exposing

 Developing

 Transferring

 Fusing

 Cleaning