Computer Hardware Basics Quiz

Coursera: Google IT Support Certification

• Course covers Technical Support Fundamentals
• Includes Modules 1 and 2
• Contains a Table of Contents with topics like relevant courses, history of IT, and computer architecture

Module 1

• Relevant Courses for Certification:
  • Technical support fundamentals
  • Computer network
  • Operating system
  • System Administration & Infrastructure Services
  • IT Security
• What is IT: The use of digital technology (computers and internet) to store and process data into useful information.
• Topics Learned:
  • How Computers Work: Building blocks, calculations, and building from scratch.
  • Operating System Interaction with Hardware
  • Computer and Internet Communication
  • Human Interaction with Applications and Programs
  • Problem-solving with computers
  • Critical communication skills in technical environments
• History of IT:
  • Punch Cards: Early method for data storage and processing.
  • Xerox Alto: Introduced the first graphical user interface (GUI) with a mouse, icons, and windows.
  • Operating Systems: Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows shaped user experiences. Microsoft Windows, partnered with IBM, gained popularity due to its compatibility with a wide range of computer hardware.
  • Open Source Software: GNU and Linux
• Evolution of Technology:
  • Transition from room-sized to pocket-sized devices. Future holds innovations like virtual lenses and advanced AI systems.
• Digital Logic:
  • Binary system: Computer language using 0 (off) and 1 (on).
  • Bits and Bytes: Smallest unit is a "bit," a group of eight "bits" = "byte" which stores a character (e.g., a letter, number, or symbol)
• Storage and Values: A "byte" can represent 256 possible values (2^8 = 256).
• Counting Binary (Conversion Tables): Conversion between decimal and binary values.
• Character Encoding:
  • ASCII: The American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Limited to representing characters from the English alphabet, digits, and punctuation.
  • UTF-8: The most widely used encoding standard. Backward-compatible with ASCII and supports a large range of characters for global consistency.
• Logic Gates:
  • Electrical components that perform binary calculations. Examples include the NOT, AND, OR, XOR, and NAND gates.
• Computer Architecture Layer:
  • Abstraction: Simplifying complex systems by focusing on essential parts. Simplifies understanding and use, provides various examples.
  • Four main layers: Hardware, Operating System, Software, and Users.
• Module 1 Glossary: Definitions for various terms

Module 2

• The Modern Computer: Introduction to Computer Hardware: Components of a typical desktop setup (monitor, keyboard, mouse, tower). Optional components such as speakers and printers.

• Typical Desktop Setup: External components like power outlet connections, network ports, USB ports, and monitor ports (VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort)

  • Inside the Desktop: Hardware components (CPU, RAM, hard drive or SSD, motherboard, and power supply) and their functions in computer operations,

• How it All Works Together: CPU processes instructions, RAM stores temporary data, Hard Drive/SSD for long-term storage, Motherboard is the connection hub, and Power Supply converts electric power.

• Programs, the CPU, and Memory:

  • Programs are like recipes for the computer.
  • The external data bus (EDB) carries information like veins carry substances in the body.

• Registers: Small storage locations inside the CPU where data is held for temporary use.

• Why Data Isn't Sent Directly from RAM to the EDB: The external data bus (EDB) can only manage one line of data at a time, so the Memory Controller Chip (MCC) helps manage efficiently,

• Memory Controller Chip (MCC): A bridge between the CPU, RAM and devices.

• Address Bus: Sends the location of needed data to the MCC.

• Cache: Temporary storage that frequently accessed data to increase efficiency and speed without overwhelming the process. Example: RAM, and hard drives.

• CPU's Internal Clock: Keeps the CPU's operations synchronized, controls the timing of processes. Clock speed measured in Gigahertz. Overclocking increases CPU speed potentially improving performance but may have risks. Key variables include Base Clock Frequency, Memory Frequency, and Core Voltage. Safety precautions are necessary to avoid damage.

• Safe Overclocking Protocol: Steps to check compatibility, prepare hardware, benchmark the baseline, and adjust core multipliers and voltage while monitoring stability. Issues like crashes or freezes need immediate attention.

• Final Notes: Know the limits of your CPU, monitor temperatures, and avoid stressing the system with unsafe overclocking.

• Resources: Web links are provided for additional information

• Mobile Devices Overview: Mobile devices have CPUs, RAM, storage, and peripherals for various functions. Specific adapters are often required for charging and connecting.

• Batteries and Charging Systems: Rechargeable devices can use external chargers. Batteries have a cycle lifespan that reduces over time.

• Peripherals and Ports: USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices are a popular connection choice. Data transfer rates are identified for better compatibility

• Display Peripherals and Connections: Display types include DVI (primarly outputs video, if needed both audio and video -different connection required. HDMI outputs both video and audio, DisplayPort, and USB-C (supports audio, video, data transfer and power delivery).

• Starting it Up (BIOS):

  • BIOS initializes hardware to load the operating system.
  • ROM chip is where the BIOS is located and is non-volatile.

• BIOS/CMOS Settings:

  • BIOS uses the CMOS chip to store basic system settings, including boot preferences.

• Reimaging a Computer: involves wiping the OS (operating system) and reinstalling it from a disk image. BIOS adjustments may be needed to change boot order.

• Putting it All Together: Steps for installing the CPU, RAM, SSD, case fan, and power supply. Important is the physical installation of these components into the motherboard, and then checking the connections to ensure proper functionality. Instructions include: preparing materials, locating the DIMM slots, aligning and inserting RAM sticks, locating the drive slots. Connecting and attaching cables for the SSD, case fan, and power supply. Connecting the peripherals (monitor, keyboard, mouse). Powering up and checking for proper functionality.

• Glossary of terms, (Module 2): Definitions for various new terms.

Test your knowledge of fundamental concepts in computer hardware and logic gates. This quiz covers topics including the functions of various gates, the CPU, RAM, and components of a computer system. Challenge yourself to see how well you understand these essential principles.