Computer Hardware Fundamentals

• Experiment 1 is focused on practicing computer hardware skills

Computer Hardware Basics

• Computer hardware includes the physical devices of computers that can be seen and touched.
• These devices enable control over computer operations like input and output.
• Computers consist of various hardware components, each designed for a specific function.
• Knowledge of hardware is essential for troubleshooting, upgrading, and optimizing computer performance.

Key Computer System Components

• The CPU Box/System Unit houses all critical components.
• It protects these components and provides a framework for organization.

The Motherboard

• A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer.
• It connects all components and peripherals together.
• Motherboard slots include connections for the CPU, RAM, storage devices (HDD/SSD), and interface cards.
• The chipset manages communication between the various components.

ATX Wire Color Codes

• Black wires indicate Ground (GND).
• Orange wires provide +3.3V.
• Red wires provide +5V.
• Yellow wires provide +12V.
• Blue wires provide -12V.
• Green wires are for Power On.
• Purple wires provide +5V Standby.
• Gray wires indicate Power Good.
• Brown wires provide +3.3V Sense.
• White wires provide -5V on older power supplies.

Understanding Northbridge and Southbridge

• Northbridge connects to the CPU, RAM, video card, and Ethernet.
• Southbridge connects to PCI Express, PCI, USB, ATA, floppy drive, COM, LPT, keyboard, mouse, BIOS and other I/O devices.

SATA and PATA in Hard Drive Communication

• SATA (Serial ATA) and PATA (Parallel ATA) are both ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) protocols used for hard drive communication and control.
• PATA is an older technology that has been superseded by SATA.
• SATA is faster, consumes less power, and utilizes smaller cables compared to PATA.

CMOS Battery Functions

• A CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) battery is a small, coin-shaped battery on the motherboard.
• It powers the CMOS chip, which stores important system information such as date, time, and hardware settings.
• A typical CR2032 lithium coin cell battery lasts between 2 to 10 years depending on usage.
• It powers the BIOS settings when the computer is turned off and is found in both desktops and laptops.

CPU (Central Processing Unit) Details

• The CPU is known as the "brain" of the computer.
• It executes instructions and processes data.
• Key CPU components include the Control Unit (CU), which manages the execution of instructions.
• The Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) performs calculations and logical operations.
• The chipset facilitates communication between the CPU and other components.

Storage Devices

• Hard Disk Drives (HDD) use magnetic storage, offer larger capacity, but have slower performance.
• Solid-State Drives (SSD) provide faster read/write speeds, are more durable, and are more energy-efficient.
• SATA (Serial ATA) and NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) are different types of interfaces for connecting storage devices.

Cables and Connectors

• Power cables connect components to the power supply.
• SATA cables are used for storage devices.
• Ribbon cables were used for older devices.
• Connector types include USB, HDMI, Ethernet, VGA, and DisplayPort.

Ports

• Input/Output Ports like USB are Universal Serial Bus ports
• HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.
• VGA stands for Video Graphics Array.
• Other ports include audio ports for microphones and headphones, and network ports like Ethernet and RJ45.

Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS)

• SMPS converts Alternating Current (AC) to Direct Current (DC).
• SMPS supplies power to all computer components.

Computer Peripherals

• Input Devices like keyboards, mice, scanners, and webcams allow users to input data into the system.
• Output Devices like monitors, printers, and speakers display or output data from the system.
• Storage Devices like USB flash drives and external HDDs store and retrieve digital data.
• Interface Cards like graphics cards, NICs, and sound cards enhance computer functionality.
• Buses such as USB, PCI, and SATA transmit data between components.
• Firmware like BIOS and UEFI manages hardware initialization and control.