Untitled Quiz

Computer Systems (Hardware)

• Refer to Moodle slides and videos for complete information, this notebook is supplementary.
• Good luck in your studies.
• PASS Leader: Fatema Habib
• Special thanks to: Mr. Husain Naser, Maryam Taraif, and Sayed Ali Alawi.

Professionalism and Procedures

• Effective Communication:
  • Respectful Communication: Respect others, ask permission, actively listen, and maintain professional conduct, avoid interrupting customers.
  • Electing Answers: Use non-accusatory language and ask clarifying questions to understand the issue.
  • Explaining Actions: Avoid technical jargon, acronyms and use analogies and visual aids where appropriate, stay friendly.
• Traits of a Tech:
  • Dependability
  • Responsibility
  • Honesty
  • Integrity
• Effective Communication Process:
  • Arrive early or schedule well in advance.
  • Listen to the user (refer to respectful communication section).
  • Ask clarifying questions (refer to electing answers section).
  • Identify the problem.
  • Identify the probable cause.
  • Propose a solution (seek authorization and quote).
  • Start work (refer to explaining actions section).
  • Escalate if unable to fix the problem.
  • Ask the user to test and verify the solution.
  • Communicate results clearly to the user, manager, and your manager.
  • Follow up with the user the next day to confirm satisfaction.
  • Document entire process and its details.

Tools of the Trade and Personal Safety

• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): Static electricity can damage sensitive electronic components.
• Physical Safety Hazards:
  • Messy cables.
  • Handling heavy items (lift with legs).
  • Handling hot components (remove jewelry).
  • Computer repairs (wear mask, safety goggles).
• Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP): Transfer of electromagnetic energy, may cause damage.
• Electromagnetic interference (EMI), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI): Just a sound

Software License Types

• EULA (End-User Licensing Agreement): Restricts usage and transfer rights.
• Open-Source Licenses: Freely accessible, used, changed and shared by anyone.
• Commercial Licenses (Closed Source): Source code not included; limited usage by a license (personal or enterprise licenses).
• Personal License: Available via retail stores for individual or small-group (family) use.
• Enterprise License: Includes more advanced features and management capabilities for various business and organizational purposes.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

• Mechanisms used to control access and usage of digital media and software.
• Important to understand effects of upgrades or app removal on DRM licenses.

Antistatic Tools

• Antistatic Wrist Strap: Prevents ESD by grounding the user.
• Antistatic Mat: Temporary surface for placing components removed from the PC, helps reduce static electricity.
• Antistatic Bags: Store components safely to prevent electrostatic discharge.

Physical Tools

• Standard toolkit for computer repairs includes screwdriver set (Phillips and flathead), nut drivers, torx drivers, magnifying glass and flashlight, and plastic tweezers.
• Mobile devices also have kits with specialized tools.

The Visible Computer

• Components:

  • Hardware: Physical components (keyboard, mouse).
  • Operating System (OS): Controls hardware and enables user interaction (Windows, Mac, Linux).
  • User Interface (UI): Software for user interaction.
  • Graphical User Interface (GUI): Displays images/icons for interactions.
  • Applications (programs): Specialized software for specific tasks.

• Computing process:

  • Input
  • Processing
  • Output

• Additional stages: Data storage, network connection.

• Typical PC: runs Microsoft Windows.

• Various types of computers: general-purpose computing devices; specific-purpose computing devices; cars.

Computing Hardware

• System unit or case.
• Keyboard.
• Monitor.
• Printers and Multifunction Devices.
• Speakers.
• Mouse.

Definitions and Terms

• System Unit: Contains the CPU, RAM, hard drives (the computer brain and tools).
• Monitor: Displays computer output.
• Universal Serial Bus (USB): Common standard for peripheral connections.
• Rectangle Connection (Network Cable Connection): Uses RJ45 connectors for wired network connections.
• Digital Visual Interface (DVI): Older video connection.
• Video Graphics Array (VGA): Older video connector.

Inside the PC

• Motherboard: Connects and manages all computer components.
• RAM Stick: (Random Access Memory) Temporary storage (fast but volatile).
• Liquid Cooling System: Cools down the central processing unit (CPU) using liquid.
• Thermal Paste: Conduct heat away from the CPU (acts as a heat conductor).
• Mass Storage (M.2 SSD): Primary storage for the system (main memory).
• Chipsets: Defines features of the motherboard (USB ports, hard drive support).
• Power connector: Powers up the motherboard.
• Reset button: Resets the computer.

Microprocessor (CPU)

• Central Processing Unit (CPU): Computer's brain, performs calculations.
• External Data Bus (EDB): Computer communication channel (uses binary, on or off).
• Registers: Storage space for internal computer operations/commands.
• Code Book (Instruction Set): Defines the CPU's "language" (machine language).
• Clock: Regulates CPU operation speed. Sets timings for commands and calculation processing.
• Clock Cycle: Complete operation/sequence/wave of commands.
• Clock Speed: Number of clock cycles in a given time. Measured in Hertz (1 cycle per second = 1 Hz).
• System Crystal: Controls the CPU's operating speed.
• Overclocking: Running CPU faster than its maximum clock speed, can lead to overheating.
• Underclocking: Running CPU slower than its rated speed.
• Pipelining: Method of simultaneous sub-process operations in the CPU to increase its throughput in executing commands.
• Cache: Temporary storage space in the CPU (static RAM) which helps processing speed and minimizes wait times.
• Multithreading: Running multiple tasks/threads at the same time.
• Multicore Processing: Combining multiple CPUs into a single chip.
• Integrated Memory Controller (IMC): Handles memory (RAM) and speeds-up operations, previously handled by motherboard. Ideal for mobile devices.
• Security: NX bit technology.
• Installing Issues: CPU pins, Power Supply, and Proper cooling are essential.
• Socket types: Intel (LGA) , AMD (PGA)

* RAM (Memory)

• Memory: Holds data and instructions for short-term use while a computer is running; fast access but data is volatile- it is erased when power is turned off.
• Parity and ECC: Error detection and correction methods (used only in higher-grade systems; costlier).
• Registered and Buffered RAM: Registers act as a buffer between RAM and controlling units.
• RAM types: SDRAM, RDRAM, DDR SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3, DDR3L, DDR3U, DDR4 (types and their variations exist).
• Clock Speed and DDR Speed Rating: Determines how fast RAM operates (measures frequency/speed of data transfers in millions of cycles per second).
• RAM Variations: Single-side RAM and double-side RAM (Some motherboards cannot use double-side RAM sticks).
• Latency: Measures the delay response time from a request to receiving the response (lower number denotes faster RAM; example: CL6 and CL9).
• Virtual Memory: Part of hard drive used as an extension of RAM.
• System RAM Recommendation: Different types of RAM requirements based on the operating systems and the computer needs.
• Memory Errors: Page Fault, Non-maskable interupt (NMI), and Blue Screen Of Death (BSOD) might stem from problems, buggy software applications and electrical interference.

Storage Technologies

• HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Uses magnetic platters with read/write heads to store data. Common speeds expressed in revolutions per minute (RPM).
• SSD (Solid-State Drive): No moving parts, much faster than HDD; data stored on flash memory.
• SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment): Standard for data transmission in storage devices.
• PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment/ATA): Older standard for data transmission in storage devices (faster than older standards).
• RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks): Data storage methods to ensure data reliability and redundancy—RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10.

Display Technology

• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube): Older technology, uses electron beams to display images on a monitor.
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): Used in most modern monitors, uses liquid crystals and backlights to create images.
• LED (Light-Emitting Diode): Displays that use LED lights rather than traditional backlights.
• OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode): Uses organic compounds, providing superior images to LCDs and consumes less power.
• Projectors: Used for larger images, display images on a screen, usually use Digital Light Processing (DLP). Measured in Lumens (light output).
• Plasma Displays (PDPs): Uses gas-filled cells for producing images in older technologies (consumes more power).
• Resolution: Number of horizontal pixels multiplied by the number of vertical pixels (higher resolution means better image quality).
• Aspect Ratio: Ratio of width to height of the display area (e.g., 4:3 or 16:9).
• Display Adapter (Graphics Cards): Crucial components that process and send outputs to displays; aspects include display modes, motherboard slots, graphic processors, and so on. The device handles video processing for display devices.
• Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): Processes display outputs (handles video rendering when required—e.g., in a game).

Motherboards

• Motherboard: The foundation for a PC; it contains wires called traces; connecting and managing all other components.
• Form Factor: The physical dimensions of the motherboard.
• Types of Form Factors: Types of form factors (ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX).
• Chipset: Crucial component of a motherboard, it determines the motherboard's capabilities, including processing type, RAM type, and storage interface supports. Sub-components like the Northbridge and Southbridge handle unique elements for the device performance.
• Expansion Bus: To expand the functionality of the motherboard; connectors vary, and the system crystal manages/controls the speed of the expansions.
• PCIe, PCI, AGP: Various bus standards, which transfer data in different ways.
• Installing expansion Bus: Requires knowledge of the device, careful handling of the chips, proper installation, anti-static gloves and mats.

Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot motherboards and expansion cards using device manager.
• Identifying issues.
• Replacing components (motherboard if necessary).

I have summarized all the content to ensure a clear and concise understanding of the subject matter.