Hardware and Software (P1)

Hardware and Software

The purpose of this assignment is to understand the components of computer systems.

Scenario: You have just started work as an IT trainer for the IT Support Department of RS Components. You have been asked to prepare materials that will be used as part of the training programme for new recruits into the IT Division of the organisation.

Task 1 (P1): Develop a series of illustrated blogger entries which explain each item listed below and what is each of their functions.

Internal System Unit Components:

Processors: A central processing unit (or CPU) is a part in the computer that carries out a computer program by performing ‘simple’ logical and input/output actions of ALU) and the control unit (or CO). The ALU performs logical operations whilst the CU takes instructions from memory and executes them.

·   Motherboard: A motherboard is the main circuit board found in computers. It is essentially the ‘mother’ of most of the components attached to it. It also provides the electrical connections needed for other components in the system to communicate.

·    BIOS: On practically every computer available; the BIOS makes sure that all the other chips, hard drives, ports and CPU function together.

·     Power Supply: The power supply unit of the computer (or PSU) converts mains electricity into power acceptable enough for the computer to run off of.

·      Fan and Heat Sink or Cooling: Almost every computer has a heat sink. These help to keep the CPU cool and prevent it from overheating, although sometimes the sink itself can become too hot. This is why a fan is used in combination with it to keep both the CPU and heat sink cool.

·  Hard Drive Configuration and Controllers (SATA or IDE or EIDE): An Integrated Drive Electronics interface (IDE) is a component that storage devices connect to.

·   USB Ports: USB (Universal Serial Bus)  ports allow you to add things such as mice, keyboards and other accessories to your computer.

·    Internal Memory (RAM, ROM and Cache): Computer memory is divided into Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM). Cache memory is random access memory that a computer can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM.

·      Graphics Cards: This is a printed circuit board that controls the output to a display screen.

Peripherals:

Printer: A machine that is used to transfer text or images to paper, the most recognisable brands are Canon and HP. There are different types of printer; laser and inkjet. Laser printers are much more efficient than inkjet printers, capable of producing several thousand prints from one toner cartridge.

Scanner: This is a device that scans images, printed writing and handwriting and converts it into a virtual image. Scanners come in hand held, feed in and flatbed types and for scanning black and white only, or colour.

      Twisted Pair Cabling: This is a cable made by intertwining separate wires. There are two types: Shielded and Unshielded. The shielded wire has a fine wire mesh surrounding the wires. This protects it. The unshielded wire does not.

Backing Storage:

·         Pen Drive/Memory Stick: A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash drives are said any computer with a USB drive. They have less storage capacity than an external hard drive, but they are smaller and more durable because they do not contain any internal moving parts.

·         Portable Hard Drive: A hard drive that is outside of the computer case in its own enclosure. Most external hard drives support the IDE interface and are slightly bigger than a hard drive itself. When purchasing an external hard drive you can buy a full external hard drive system that consists of both the hard drive and the enclosure, or you can purchase just the enclosure to hold your own hard drive.