Introduction to Information Technology

Course Outline

• Basics of Computer Hardware
• Troubleshooting in PCs
• Best use of Computer Hardware
• Secure your computers and Data
• Software and Troubleshooting

Model of Evaluation

• Continuous Assessments comprise 20% of the final grade
• The Final Written Examination Paper accounts for 80% of the final grade

Objectives of the Lesson

• To gain an understanding of the overall functioning of the computer
• To gain an understanding of critical hardware components such as Processor, Memory, Storage, Motherboard etc.

IT - Today & Tomorrow

• Internet of Things (IOT)
• FinTech
• Cloud Computing
• 3D Printing
• Mind Uploading
• Machine Learning
• Virtual Reality
• Augmented Reality

Why IT is Needed

• To survive in this information Society
• To utilize services/facilities directly or indirectly backed by information Technology

Information Technology Defined

• IT relates to the timeframe
• Computers play a major role as the main processing tool
• Networks play a major role in data communication
• IT is defined as the application of computer and data communication technology to collect, process, store, and distribute data

Areas that use IT

• Hospitals use IT for diagnosing illnesses and monitoring patients
• Establishments use IT to keeps records (Banks, Law enforcement, Airline Ticketing, Supermarkets...)
• Manufacturing use IT to design models
• Military
• Scientific Research
• Film Production

Computer Definition

• A computer is a programmable multipurpose electronic machine that can process data into information
• A computer takes raw data as input, processes it, and provides information as the output

Computer Generations

• There are 5 computer generations
• The first generation (1940-1956) used Vacuum Tubes
• The second generation (1956-1963) used Transistors
• The third generation (1964-1971) used ICs (Integrated Circuits)
• The fourth generation (1971-Present) uses Micro Processors
• The fifth generation (Present and Beyond) uses Artificial Intelligence (AI)

First Generation (ENIAC) Facts

• Weighed 30 tons
• Consumed 200 kilowatts of power
• Included 18,000 vacuum tubes, 70,000 resistors, 10,000 capacitors, 1,500 relays, and 6,000 manual switches

Fifth Generation Computers

• Computing devices are based on Artificial Intelligence
• Artificial intelligence focuses on creating intelligent machines that work and react like humans
• AI computers will recognize natural languages (speech), learn, plan, and solve problems like humans

Types of Computers

• Classified based on Technology (Digital, Analog, Hybrid)
• Classified based on Processing Power (Super, Mainframe, Mini, Micro)
• Classified by Purpose (General Purpose, Special Purpose)

Analog Signals

• Analog signals are continuous and vary smoothly over time, taking any value within a certain range

Digital Signals

• Digital signals are discrete, representing information as a sequence of values
• These values are usually represented as binary digits (bits), using 0s and 1s, transmitted as electrical pulses

Hardware

• Hardware is something you can physically touch and feel
• Examples include internal computer parts, monitors, keyboards, and mice

Software

• Software a set of instructions, data, or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks
• Examples include Windows, Linux, macOS, and Microsoft Office

Firmware

• Firmware is software embedded directly in a piece of hardware to make it work as intended
• An example is BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which always has startup software inside it for the computer to operate

System Configuration

• The computer hardware system has five essential components:
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU): Also referred to as the processor
  • Primary Storage (Primary Memory)
  • Input devices
  • Output devices
  • Secondary Storage devices

Central Processing Unit

• The CPU is the central brain of the computer system
• It performs all logical and arithmetic computations
• It controls the devices attached to the computer

Computer Memory

• Physical devices used to store programs or data temporarily or permanently for computer use

Primary Memory

• Responsible for storing data that the CPU needs quick access to during processing
• Consists of one or more chips on a motherboard or other circuit board
• Two main types of primary memory:
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Read Only Memory (ROM)

Random Access Memory (RAM)

• The main component in the primary memory
• RAM can be read from and written to by the CPU
• RAM is volatile
• All programs running at a given time access the RAM

Read Only Memory (ROM)

• Holds the BIOS program in primary memory
• BIOS is the firmware providing instructions for the initial bootup process of the computer

Input Devices

• Hardware used to enter data and instructions into a computer

Output Devices

• Hardware that conveys information to one or more people

Secondary Memory

• Secondary memory is not immediately accessible by a computer or processor
• Non-volatile
• Long-term persistent storage

Common System Unit Components

• Processor
• Memory
• Adapter cards
• Sound card
• Modem card
• Video card
• Network card
• Ports
• Drive bays
• Power supply

Motherboard

• Main circuit board of the computer
• Holds many components:
  • Processor
  • RAM
  • Expansion cards
  • Connectors

Measuring CPU Speed

• CPU speed is measured in Hertz (e.g., 2.4 GHz, 2.8 GHz)
• The faster the clock speed, the more instructions the processor can execute per second
• The system clock speed is just one factor influencing computer performance

System Clock

• The system clock controls the timing of all computer operations by generating regular electronic pulses, or ticks, that set the operating pace of components of the system unit
• The pace of the system clock (clock speed) is measured by the number of ticks per second
• Current personal computer processors have clock speeds in the gigahertz range
• One hertz equals one tick per second
• 1 GHz = one billion ticks of the system clock per second

Intel CPUs / Processors

• Intel Pentium Series (PI, PII, PIII, IV)
• Intel Dual Core
• Intel Core2Duo
• Intel QuadCore
• Intel Core Series (Core i3, i5, i7, i9)

CPU Components

• Control Unit
• Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)
• Cache Memory
• Registers

CPU Components Explanation

• Control Unit: Controls the processor and attached devices
• ALU: Performs arithmetic and logical operations
• Registers: A small set of data holding places
• Cache Memory: The most frequently used instructions and programs are loaded to the cache memory from the RAM, physically within the processor that resides logically between the processor and RAM and features high speed but very low storage capacity

CPU Core Series

• i7 represents the Brand Modifier
• 1065 represents the Generation Indicator SKU Numeric Digits
• G7 represents the Product Line Suffix

RAM

• Land Grid Array (LGA) Type Processors is the Current format
• Pin Grid Array (PGA) Type Processor – Now not in use

CPU Cooling

• Consists of a Cooling Fan and Heat Sink

Random Access Memory (RAM) Details

• RAM provides space for the computer to read and write data to be accessed by the CPU
• RAM is volatile, meaning it loses its stored data when there is no power

Modern RAM Technology

• DDR (Double Data Rate)
  • DDR 1
  • DDR 2
  • DDR 3
  • DDR 4 (Most Common)
  • DDR 5 (Latest and fastest, 4800MHz)
• Factors that effect RAM performance
  • RAM Speed
  • RAM Capacity

RAM Capacity

• RAM capacity refers to the amount of data that the memory can store at any given time
• Measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB)
• Common sizes include 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB, 16 GB, 32 GB, some USJ servers use 320GB

RAM Speed

• Refers to how quickly the RAM can transfer data
• Measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz)
• Higher RAM speeds result in faster data transfer rates between the RAM and the CPU, positively impacting overall system performance

DDR (Double Data Rate) Speeds

• Higher frequency allows memory to transfer data faster

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

• Boot firmware program on a PC
• Controls the computer from startup until the operating system takes over
• Commonly found on the motherboard
• Embedded on a chip called the BIOS ROM

CMOS

• BIOS come paired with a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• Stores the BIOS settings since the configuration cannot be written into the BIOS chip itself because it's a ROM

POST (Power On Self Test)

• Tests the basic components of the system: processor, motherboard, memory, keyboard, display, ports, etc
• This program runs when the computer is turned on
• If any of the primary devices do not function, the computer will halt the startup process

Booting Process

• Booting is the process of loading an operating system
• Switch on the Computer, the CPU runs the BIOS Program
• BIOS starts a process called POST (Power-On Self-Test)
• After running POST, the BIOS proceeds to load the MBR (Master Boot Record) from the bootable device into RAM, a bootable device can be an HDD, an SSD, or a flash drive
• After loading the MBR into RAM, the BIOS runs the first instruction loaded from the MBR (bootstrap code, aka the bootloader), next the Bootloader loads the operating system into RAM
• Once the OS is loaded into the memory, the OS starts running