Understanding Computer Hardware and Components

Computer Hardware

• It is any physical component that contributes to a computer system
• A computer will only function when both hardware and software are working together.

Hardware Categories

• Input
• Output
• Storage
• Processing Components

Input

• Input is the gateway of user interaction
• Input helps data enter into the computer system
• Includes text input devices, pointing devices, audio/visual input devices and specialized input devices

Output

• Provides feedback of results to the user
• Helps to display the processed information
• Includes visual, audio and physical output

Storage

• Consists of the hardware and software that stores and manages data
• Refers to the storage with most significant evolution
• Includes primary storage(RAM), secondary storage (HDD, SSD, Floppy Disk, Memory Card), tertiary and offsite storage (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray, Cloud Storage)

Processing Components

• Components that perform calculations, execute instructions and manage data flow
• Key function is running all the tasks and processes
• Includes CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), Motherboard, PSU (Power Supply Unit) and coding systems

Charles Babbage (Father of the Computer)

• He designed the Analytical Engine in the 1830s, and Difference Engine (Mech Calculator for Polynomial Functions)
• He was the first to invent the Analytical Engine, which led to the invention of the modern-day computer.
• The Analytical Engine consisted of an Arithmetic Logic Unit or ALU, an integrated memory, and a basic flow control involving branching and loops.

Alan Turing (Father of Modern Computer)

• Developed the Turing Machine, a mathematical model of computation describing an abstract machine which manipulates symbols on a strip of tape according to a table of rules
• He pioneered work in Artificial Intelligence
• Played a critical role in breaking German Enigma

Types of Computer Systems

• Supercomputers are used for tasks requiring substantial computation and speed
• Mainframe Computers are known for their reliability and ability to handle vast amounts of data and transactions simultaneously
• Minicomputers perform specific mid-range tasks, offering a balance between performance and cost
• Microcomputers (Personal Computers) are for individual home use
• Embedded Systems perform specific functions within a larger system
• Servers provide centralized resource management and data handling for networked systems

Generations of Computers

1st Generation (1940s – 1950s)

• Used vacuum tubes and magnetic drums
• Early computers were large and challenging to program
• Punch cards, paper tape, and magnetic tape were used for input and output
• Used machine code for programming
• Includes ENIAC, EDVAC, EDSAC, and UNIVAC-1

2nd Generation (1950s – 1960s)

• Used transistors which replaced the Vacuum Tubes of the previous generation
• Used COBOL and FORTRAN
• Smaller, faster, and cheaper than the previous generation
• Used for payroll, inventory management and scientific calculations
• Includes IBM 1401 and CDC 1604

3rd Generation (1960s - 1970s)

• Replaced transistors with Integrated Circuits (ICs), known as chips
• IC chip was invented by Jack Kilby
• Used BASIC, Pascal and C
• Smaller, faster, and more reliable than the 2nd generation
• Includes IBM-360 series and Honeywell-6000

4th Generation (1970s – Present)

• Microprocessors, LSI & VLSI were used
• OOP, C++, Java, and Phyton are programming languages
• More powerful, compact, reliable, and affordable than previous generations
• Used for personal, gaming and automation purposes
• Examples include Apple II, IBM PC, Apple Macintosh, Commodore 64, Intel 80286, 80386, 80486-based computers and IBM PS/2 (1987)

5th Generation (Present - Future)

• Used for Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Computing, and Nanotech
• AI-focused languages are used
• Examples include IBM Watson, Quantum Computers, Modern AI-based PCs and Laptops, Neural Network Processors, Parallel Processing Supercomputers, Google Quantum and Alexa

Motherboard

• It is the main circuit of a computer, connecting the individual parts together
• Known as a planar board, system board, Mobo or MB
• Acts as the backbone of the computer
• Acts as a platform for expansion cards and device interfaces
• Has sockets for the CPU, RAM, and Expansion Cards, hooks up to hard drives, disk drives and front panel ports
• It provides an integrated input and output for external devices such as speakers, monitors, keyboards, mice, headphones, microphones and other USB devices

Parts of a Motherboard

Northbridge

• High-speed circuit on a computer's motherboard
• Connects the CPU to memory and peripheral devices

Southbridge

• Bridge between the central processing unit (CPU) and other devices
• Allows for communication and data transfer

BIOS Chip

• A small memory chip in the motherboard containing the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) program

Types of Motherboards

• Extended ATX
• ATX
• Micro ATX
• Mini ATX

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• Handles all instructions from programs with both simple and more complex operations
• This is a critical component where without it, the computer could not function
• Key steps the CPU performs include fetching an instruction, decoding it using the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), executing, and storing it in memory

Different types of CPUs:

• Single core
• Dual-core
• Quad-core

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

• Reynold B. Johnson invented the external hard drive
• The first external hard drive was the IBM 350 Disk File, launched on September 13, 1956

Milestones in HDD evolution include

• Winchester disk (1979-1984) - used a rotating magnetic disk to store data
• IBM 3370 (1979-1984) was a direct access storage device with a capacity of 571 MB for the Model 1 version
• IBM 3380 (1980) - storage of 1.26GB, weighed 455kg and had a price tag of US$81,000
• 0663 Corsair HDD (1991) - first commercial hard drive with platters made from glass

Solid State Drive (SSD)

• Fujio Masuoka of Toshiba created flash memory in 1980 which is essential for SSDs
• SSDs have no moving parts and store data on integrated circuits
• Uses flash memory for data storage, which provides much faster access times.
• More reliable than HDDs, uses less power, and has quicker file transfers
• Maintains more consistent operating temperatures

CMOS Battery

• Stands for Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• It is inexpensive and easily replaceable
• Stores essential data needed before the operating system loads
• Maintains the date and time, even when powered off
• Settings can be reset every time the PC reboots if the CMOS battery dies/fails
• The operating system may not load at all, which makes the computer useless if the CMOS battery dies/fails

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)

• It is a widely used interface standard in computing
• It allows for the connection and communication between a computer's motherboard and its storage devices
• Primary IDE is considered the main and has faster access storage
• Secondary IDE is for less frequently accessed data, often used for backup purposes with devices like CD-ROM

Motherboard Form Factor Types

• Extended Technology (XT) is large and bulky, has a slot-type processor, is an old model, and has limited expansion slots with no ports or connectors
• Advanced Technology (AT) is larger than XT, has a PGA (Pin Grid Array) socket, SD Ram Slots, a 20-pin power connector, PCI slots, and an ISA slot with an improved design for better performance
• Baby Advanced Technology (Baby AT) is a smaller version of AT, which is a combination of XT and AT
• Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) are the latest motherboards with integrated I/O ports
• Its standard size is 12" x 9.6" (with smaller variants like Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX), and it has an improved airflow design
• MPGA processor sockets, DDR ram slots, PCI slot, AGP slots, Primary and Secondary IDE interfaces, SATA connectors, 20 pins and 24 pins ATX power connectors and ports

Standard Motherboard Features

• CPU sockets
• RAM Slot
• Chipset
• PCI expansion card slots
• AGP/PCI express expansion for slot (for video adapter)
• Hard drive/optical drive connectors (IDE/SATA)
• Floppy Drive connector
• Power connectors to accept power from the PSU)
• Connectors for CPU and case fans
• Keyboard socket
• Mouse port
• Serial/parallel Port
• USB ports

Expansion Slots

• Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
• Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe)
• Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)
• Industry Standard Architecture (ISA)

Memory Slots

• DUAL IN-LINE MEMORY MODULE (DIMM)
• SO DIMM (small outline DIMM)

Storage Slots

• M.2 Slot
• U.2 Slot
• SATA Ports (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)

CPU Sockets

• Slot or socket where the CPU Processor is installed

Power Connectors

• 24-pin ATX power connectors and 4/8-pin CPU power connectors

External and Internal Connectors

• USB headers
• FAN headers
• Front panel Connectors

Video Cards

• They are called a graphics card or GPU, rendering images, videos, and animations on a computer
• The cards come in various models with different performance levels
• Performance levels range from basic integrated graphics built into the CPU or motherboard to high-end discrete GPUs
• High-end discrete GPUs are designed for professional gaming or workstations

Uses for Video Cards

• Essential for tasks like gaming, enabling the game to run smoothly with awesome graphics and realistic visuals
• Make Video editing, especially high-definition or 4K footage, much faster
• Allows for speeding up the rendering process to make editing software work faster
• Aids the process of 3D design and animation using 3D modeling software
• Assists in rendering the 3D objects and animations in real-time
• Graphic design and photo editing in programs such as Photoshop or Illustrator benefits from video cards
• Load images faster and providing smoother performance during editing
• Aids watching movies or streaming, especially in high definition (HD) or 4K
• Essential for virtual reality due to super-fast and high-quality graphics

Expansion Cards

• Circuit board to add functionality to a computer system
• Usually inserted into an expansion slot of a computer's motherboard or backplane
• Upgrades a computer's capabilities by adding features not available on the motherboard
• PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express card) is a high-speed interface that connects components like graphic cards, storage devices and other peripherals to a computer's motherboard

Types of Expansion Cards

• Graphics Cards enhance the quality of graphics displayed on a monitor
• Sound Cards improve computer's audio quality
• Network Interface Card/Controller (NIC) enables a computer to connect to a network via ethernet or wifi
• Storage Controller Cards add support for storage interfaces
• USB Cards add addtional USB ports
• CD ROM Drive (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) reads data stored on CDs

CD Writer (Compact Disc ReWritable) Drive

• Optical drive that can both read and write data to CDs
• Allows more data to be burned onto a blank CD
• CD writers burn music, videos and files

Internal Components

• Computer hardware includes internal components like the power supply and cooling fan.

Power Supply (PSU)

• It is a hardware device
• It is used to convert AC electricity into DC electricity
• It then distributes DC electricity to the rest of the computer
• Functions to correctly convert electric current from a source to the required voltage, current, and frequency to power the load

Types of Power Supply

• ATX Power Supply is a very popular
• ITX Power Supply is smaller and more compact than the standard ATX, usually measuring 150x40x85 mm
• SFX Power Supply is slightly smaller than an ATX PSU

Cooling Fan

• Is any fan inside is attached to a computer case for active cooling
• Draws cooler air in from the outside
• It expels warm air from inside by moving air across a heat sink to cool a component
• Works by spinning its blades producing airflow

Types of Cooling Fan

• CPU fan cools the central processing unit (CPU)
• GPU fan cools the the graphics processing unit (GPU)
• Case fan is installed in a computer case to regulate the airflow and maintain optimal temperatures for the internal components

Data Cables

• Connects two devices for transferring data, used to establish connections between multiple computers over a network

Types of Data Cables

• Twisted Pair Cabling enhances electromagnetic compatibility
• Coaxial Cabling acts as a transmission line for frequency signals
• Fiber Optic Cabling acts as a transmission line for frequency signals

Bus Cables

• Facilitates the transfer of data, addresses, and control signals between various components within a computer
• Essential for allowing different components to communicate

Types of Bus Cables

• The system bus transfers data between the CPU and main memory
• The local bus transfers data between components within a computer (internal or memory bus)
• USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is used by devices to interact with a computer

Power Connectors

• A cable or port that supplies electrical power from the PSU to components like the motherboard, CPU, GPU, and storage devices
• Ensures that the computer receives the proper voltage and current required

Types of Power Connectors

• Motherboard - The main board that connects and allows communication between all computer components
• Storage & Peripherals - Refer to devices connected to the computer for data storage and functionality. Storage includes HDDs, SSDs, and optical drives. Peripherals are external devices like keyboards, mice, printers, and monitors
• GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) - Responsible for rendering images, videos, and animations on the computer's display
• USB, 3/4-Pin Fan - A USB fan is powered by a USB port for cooling. A 3-pin fan has power, ground, and speed sensors. A 4-pin fan adds PWM for speed control
• Front Panel - A computer case contains ports and buttons easy access and usage

Scanner

• Input device which converts physical objects into digital images or documents
• They send data to a computer, but don't receive information back
• Includes CCD, optics, and interface

CCD (Charge-Coupled Device)

• Utilizes light-sensitive elements to capture images
• Focuses light onto the CCD for accurate image capture and transfers image data to a computer
• Converts light into electrical charges and are the most common image capture technology
• Uses lenses and mirrors to focus light on the document
• Contains sensors to convert reflected light into digital data
• Uses CCFL or LED to illuminate the document
• Converts light patterns into digital information
• Creates a digital file that can be stored, edited, or shared

Types of Scanners

• Flatbed Scanners are the most common type, where the document is placed on a flat surface for scanning; they can scan various sizes of documents
• Sheetfed Scanners are designed to scan documents one at a time
• Handheld Scanners are portable and smaller than flatbed scanners.

Keyboards

• Input devices used to enter characters and functions into a computer system by pressing keys
• This is the primary device used to enter text and typically contains keys for letters, numbers, and special characters
• Its parts include keycaps, switches, case, gaskets, plate, printed circuit board (PCB), stabilizers, and power cable

Mouse

• Small, hand-held device that controls the cursor on a computer screen
• Used to select items, activate programs, and perform other tasks
• Parts include right and left buttons, a scroll wheel, a USB cable, and a printed circuit board

Light Pen

• A light-sensitive input devices that allow users to interact with a computer screen
• Used with computers' cathode ray tube (CRT) displays
• Commonly used in the 1960s and 1980s but are no longer used due to touchscreens
• Has a light sensor that detects changes in brightness on a CRT display, and generates a signal when pointed at a pixel
• Higher positional accuracy than touchscreens, and can be used to draw text and diagrams

Disadvantage

• Can sometimes give false readings due to background lighting

Trackball

• An alternative pointing device and is important with the rise of graphically oriented operating systems
• The ball rests on support rollers connected to encoders which track the movement
• Its circuit board processes this data along with button inputs and converts all signals into standard mouse-type signals
• Can be positioned away from the user's body because it requires less space to operate
• Limited compatibility with certain types of software and gaming applications

Speaker

• A device that converts electrical signals into sound
• Operates by vibrating a cone or diaphragm to move air and creates audible sound waves
• Passing an electrical signal through a coil in a magnetic field moves the coil and vibrates the cone to produce sound waves

Main Parts of a Loudspeaker

• Cone is a diaphragm converting mechanical motion to sound waves, attached to voice coil
• Voice coil is a copper wire attached to cone, functions as an electromagnet creating a magnetic field when electrical signal passes through it, thus moves the cone
• Magnet is a permanent magnet around which the voice coil is wound and interacts with the magnetic field of the voice coil causing it to move

Speaker Types

• Dynamic Speaker is a common type using a magnetic field to move a cone-shaped diaphragm and creates audio
• Wireless Speaker receives audio through radio frequency (RF) waves

Horn Speaker

• Improves the efficiency of the speaker driver
• It matches impedance to air and allowes smooth sound wave transition

Plotter

• A type of printer technology and computer output device
• Creates high-quality large-format images, diagrams, and drawings on flat surfaces
• It uses pens, pencils, or other drawing tools to produce continuous, detailed lines from computer commands
• Used for printing large graphs, engineering drawings, business charts, construction maps, and architectural blueprints
• Can be a freestanding device with its own CPU or a computer peripheral

Plotter Applications

• Used primarily in technical drawing and CAD applications because they provide the advantage of working on large paper sizes while maintaining high resolution
• These include architectural, engineering, graphic design, education, textile, advertising, research, mapping, and prototyping

Printer

• A device that accepts text and graphics output from a computer and transfers it onto paper
• Charles Babbage introduced first mechanical printer in 1822 and inkjet printers were invented in the 1950s

Ink Jet Printer

• Capable of producing high-resolution prints with color accuracy
• Versatile tools offering functionalities for scanning, copying, and faxing
• Inkjet printers produce digital images starting in the late 1970s
• Images are composed of dots shot onto the page; whereas dot matrix printers use a ribbon and pins, inkjet dots are smaller and faster

Benefits:

• High-quality output
• Cost-effective
• Versatility
• Ease of use

Monitor

• A type of external hardware and output device used to display information from a computer's CPU and graphics card
• Karl Ferdinand Braun is credited with inventing the first monitor in 1897 with the cathode ray tube (CRT) with a fluorescent screen

Monitor Types

• Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) - Flat panel display tech that uses liquid crystals
• Light Emitting Diode (LED) - Semiconductor devices that produce light when electric current passes through, providing high contrast images, durable and thin with lower heat production
• Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) - Solid-state device that emits light when electric current passes through, used in TVs and produce lower production costs
• Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) - Computer display using a vacuum tube and electron gun to produce images on a screen coated with phosphor dots
• Plasma Monitor - Flat-panel display using tiny cells that contain ionized gas, which produces a plasma and emits light when electrically charged, creating an image

Ports

• Physical interfaces on a computer or device that allow connection with peripherals such as keyboards, mice, printers, and external storage
• Plugs or cables that fit into ports to establish a connection are called ""connectors""

USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports

• Standard interface for connecting peripherals to a computer used for data transfer, power supply, and communication between devices

USB Types Based on Connector Shape

• USB Type-A, with a rectangular shape, is used for keyboards, mice, flash drives, and external hard drives
• USB Type-B has a square shape and are commonly used for printers and older external hard drives
• USB Type-C which is small, reversible and faster than Type-A and Type-B is used in smartphones, tablets, laptops, and docking stations
• Mini-USB (Legacy), used in older cameras and some mobile devices, is smaller than USB-A
• Micro-USB (Legacy, Still in Use for Some Devices)are common in older Android phones, tablets, and power banks

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

• A widely used standard for transmitting high-definition video and audio between devices
• It is commonly used in TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, projectors, and home theater systems

HDMI Types Based on Connector Shape

• HDMI Type-A (Standard HDMI) is a full-size connector, most commonly used in TVs, monitors, gaming consoles, and laptops
• HDMI Type-C (Mini HDMI) is smaller than Type-A, frequently used in tablets, DSLR cameras, and some laptops
• HDMI Type-D (Micro HDMI) is the smallest HDMI connector, found in smartphones, action cameras, and compact devices
• HDMI Type-B (Dual-Link HDMI), rarely used but designed for higher bandwidth
• HDMI Type-E (Automotive HDMI) is used in vehicles for in-car entertainment systems

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

• A display standard developed by IBM in 1987, known for its 640×480 resolution with 16 colors or 320×200 resolution with 256 colors in graphics mode
• VGA was widely used in early computers and became the foundation for later display standards

Key Features of VGA

• Resolution: Up to 640×480 pixels in standard mode
• Colors: Supports 16 colors at 640×480 or 256 colors at 320×200
• Analog Signal: Unlike earlier digital signals, VGA uses an analog RGB signal
• 15-pin Connector: Uses the classic DE-15 (DB-15) connector for VGA cables
• Refresh Rate: Typically 60 Hz but can vary.
• Backward Compatibility: Later display standards continued to support VGA modes

Ethernet

• A computer networking technology which enables devices to communicate over a wired LAN, metropolitan area network (MAN), or wide area network (WAN)
• Provides a reliable, high-speed data connection using Ethernet cables and network interface hardware.

Ethernet Types Based on Connector Shape

• RJ45 (8P8C is the standard Ethernet connector with 8 metal contacts, most common connector
• GG45 (GigaGate45) which has additional pins for higher bandwidth, only works to full capabilities when used only with other GG45 ports
• TERA Connector which has better shielding, smaller inteference and larger locking mechanism
• M12 Connector (Industrial Ethernet) is found in industrial settings
• SFP (Small Form-Factor Pluggable) & SFP+ - Modular connector for transceivers, used in fiber-optic and high-speed copper networking in data centers
• BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) Connector (Legacy Ethernet) is for older coaxial Ethernet networks (10BASE2, 10BASE5)

Audio Jacks

• Physical connectors that allow computers and other devices to transmit and receive analog or digital audio signals
• Are commonly used for headphones, microphones, speakers, and other audio peripherals

Types of Audio Jacks (Based on Shape & Size)

• The 3.5mm Jack (Mini Jack) is the most common variant typically used for headphones, microphones, speakers, and gaming headsets.
• TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) is stereo audio (left & right channels)
• TRRS (Tip-Ring-Ring-Sleeve) is stereo audio + microphone (used in smartphones, laptops)
• 6.35mm Jack (1/4-inch Jack) is the larger version of the 3.5mm jack often used for audio equipment, electric guitars, amplifiers, and high-end headphones
• 2.5mm Jack (Sub-Mini Jack) is smaller than 3.5mm, rare in modern devices, which are used in Older mobile phones and two-way radios

Types of Audio Jacks (Based on Function)

• Headphone Jack (Output) Color Code: Green sends audio from the computer to headphones or speakers
• Microphone Jack (Input) Color Code: Pink receives audio input from a microphone
• Line-In Jack (Auxiliary Input) Color Code: Blue is used for external audio sources such as CD players and mixers
• Line-Out Jack (Auxiliary Output) Color Code: Black / Orange outputs high-quality sound to external speakers or amplifiers
• Optical Audio Jack (S/PDIF) Shape: Square port with a red laser inside transmits digital audio

Specialized Audio Jacks

• USB Audio Jack, a standard USB-A or USB-C connector, is used with USB sound cards, external digital audio interfaces, or USB headsets
• Lightning Audio Jack is Apple's proprietary connector used for audio devices like headphones on Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks
• USB-C Audio Jack with shape: USB Type-C connector (modern, reversible), and used for USB-C headphones, digital audio signals, high compatibility with modern devices, and reversible plug design
• XLR Connector (Balanced Audio) with large circular connector with 3 (or more) pins inside is standard professional microphones, studio equipment, PA systems for live sound setups
• TRS / TRRS (Balanced Audio / Microphone), similar to 3.5mm a jack is used for balanced stereo audio for audio input and output

Other Input Ports & Jacks

• Thunderbolt Port (USB-C Variant) a USB-C connector with high-speed data transfer capabilities, used to connect devices for high-performance computing.
• FireWire (IEEE 1394) a 4-pin or 6-pin rectangular connector that transfers data devices
• DisplayPort (DP) Rectangular connector with one beveled edge is a video and audio input to external monitors, projectors, or displays
• PS/2 Ports are round 6-pin connectors for older input devices
• Serial (RS-232) Port a 9-pin or 25-pin D-sub connector used to connect modems, serial printers, scanners, or industrial equipment
• Parallel Port (DB-25) a 25-pin D-sub connector used for parallel communication with printers and scanners.
• S-Video (Separate Video) Port with cylindrical connector is an analog video input
• Mini PCIe / PCIe Ports with small form facilitates additional cards
• SD Card Slot (Secure Digital) a small slot to transfer data
• MIDI Port (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) connector used to connect musical devices to instruments
• eSATA (External Serial ATA) similar to SATA facilitates external data transfer
• RJ11 Port (Telephone Line) similar small port to transfer dial up internet

Storage Devices

• Used to store data
• Storage Device functions and uses are various

CD: Compact Disc

• Optical discs that store digital data;
• They are used for distributing music, movies, and software

DVD: Digital Versatile Disc

• Optical discs that stores digital data with greater capacity than a CD
• Used for movies and large files

CDs & DVDs advantages & disadvantages

• Advantages: Relatively cheap, widely compatible
• Disadvantages: Slow access times, limited storage capacity, susceptible to scratches

Floppy Disks

• Portable magnetic storage devices that store and transfer digital data
• Used for transferring files between computers
• Floppy disks are now largely obsolete and used only for historical purposes
• Advantages: Portable
• Disadvantages: Extremely limited storage capacity, easily damaged, obsolete

Flash Drive

• Storage device with flash memory which connects through USB
• Flash drives are portable storage devices and are used for digital content and backing up important files.
• Portability, along with small size, and high storage capacity are key features
• Advantages: Portable, compact, high storage capacity, fast access times
• Disadvantages: Can be lost or damaged easily

Memory Cards

• Removable digital storage devices that use flash memory to store data
• Essential for storing and transferring data in electronic deivces
• Provide expandable storage options for devices
• Advantages: Small and portable, high storage capacity, fast access times
• Disadvantages: Can be lost or damaged easily, specific to certain devices.

Types of Memory Cards

• SD Cards are high cpacity and durable
• MicroSD Cards are compact for smaller devices
• CompactFlash Cards provide reliabiity in industrial devices

The Origin of Storage Technology

• Early Technology included floppy disks and had limited storage capacity
• Modern Technology includeds optical discs as well as drives
• Future Technology will include holographic storage to increase data durability and accesscibility

Common PC Safety Procedures and Tools

Computer Ergonomics

• Adapting workstations, tools and job practices to fit the individual worker reduces injury risks
• Includes proper posture and positioning of monitor, keyboard and chair

Computer Stretching

• Regular exercises reduce muscle strain, improve posture and prevent RPIs from prolonged computer use

Computer Laboratories

• No food or liquids should be near computers
• Avoid the "banging" of the keys

Maintenance of the Computer

• Use equipment covers to protect hardware from dust
• Avoid dust and debris from building up side the CPU
• Clean fans periodically
• Power down and unplug before repairing

Tools and Equipment

• Typically organized into Hand Tools, Diagnostic Tools, Cleaning Tools and Software Tools

Hand Tools

• Composed of physical tools for disassembling/assembling
• Examples
  • Screwdrivers (Phillips & Flathead)
  • Tweezers
  • Hex Drivers
  • Cable Ties & Wire Cutters
  • Anti-static Wrist Strap & Mat

Diagnostic Tools

• Help identifying and troubleshooting hardware or software issues
• Examples
  • Multimeter
  • Software Tools

Cleaning Tools

• Maintain a clean and dust-free computing environment
• Examples
  • Compressed Air Canister
  • Isopropyl Alcohol (90% or higher)
  • Microfiber Cloth
  • Soft Brush

Software Tools

• Digital tools for monitoring
  • Antivirus or Anti-malware Software or Software Tools
  • Diagnostic Software or Software Tools

Basic troubleshooting guide

Check the basics

• Check cables and wires
• Make sure the electrical outlet is on
• Ensure the monitor is on

Network and Internet issues

• Check if others have the same issues
• Verify network cable connections
• Check if the network cable is on

Computer on but…

• Make sure there is no loud sound; look at the taskbar
• Close unresponsive programs
• Check external peripherals
• Never download suspicious content or attempt any repair without safety protocol