ddicau05a - operate computer hardware

DDICAU05A

Operate Computer Hardware

ICAU2005A

PO Box 10499

Adelaide St Brisbane Q 4000 Ph 1300 309 744

Fax (07) 3229 1254 [email protected]

www.datadiscovery.com.au

Computer Training Manual for ICA05 Information and

Communications Technology

ICAU2005A

Copyright Information Author: Paul Watson

© Data Discovery 2006.

This manual is copyright. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of Data Discovery. You have three options when purchasing these manuals: 1. Purchase a single copy for each user, a class set or a copy for each computer 2. Purchase a paper Site Licence for making unlimited copies of this manual 3. Purchase a Copyright licence to alter the contents of the manual Class sets of these training manuals are available. Do not purchase one manual and make your own copies. You have not been given permission to copy even a part of this manual. The software used in the production of this manual was Microsoft Word 2003, Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Paint.

Microsoft®, Microsoft® Windows™, Microsoft® Word for Windows™, Microsoft® Excel for Windows™, Microsoft® PowerPoint™, Microsoft® Publisher™, are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

All information is correct to the best of the author’s knowledge. The author has made every attempt to ensure accuracy but cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage arising from any information contained or implied in this publication.

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Introduction Operate Computer Hardware

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Introduction

ICAU2005A Operate Computer Hardware Audience This manual is aimed at people who are studying the Certificate

II in Information & Communications Technology ICA20105. It covers the core unit of ICAU2005A Operate Computer Hardware. This manual is a learning resource and is not an assessment tool.

What this manual covers

This manual is designed for new and existing workers of an IT environment. This manual is for users requiring an Introduction to working IT organisations, IT professional bodies, industry publications and government departments involved in the IT industry. At the end of this course you should have learned to: • Identify computer hardware components • Understand the inter relationship between computer

hardware and software • Use computer input equipment

For full scope of topics covered refer to Elements of Competency on the next page.

Prerequisites Basic keyboarding and mouse skills.

Course Length In a training environment this manual is suitable for approximately 8 hours.

Manual Structure This manual is aligned to the elements of competency and the relevant criteria for the ICAU2005A unit of the ICA05 Training Package. The layout of this manual is designed to give users an easy step-by-step guide through the required information and to allow users to navigate easily through the publication. Our manuals are written clearly with pictures and step-by-step instructions, and can be used for instructor-led training as well as distance or self-paced learning. This course contains instructor lead exercises as well as examples completed at the students’ own pace.

What you need prior to commencement

This publication does not require course files. If you wish to order this manual simply visit our website at www.datadiscovery.com.au. The Product Code for this manual is DDICAU05A.

Operate Computer Hardware Elements of Competency

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Elements of Competency

This training manual will help in meeting the following elements of competency and performance criteria:

National Code Element Name ICAU2005A/01 Identify computer hardware components

1.1 Identify external hardware components and peripherals 1.2 Identify internal hardware components

ICAU2005A/02 Understand the inter relationship between computer hardware and software

2.1 Describe the functions of computer hardware and associated OH&S

standards and environmental considerations around hardware use and disposal

2.2 Describe the function of a computer operating system 2.3 Describe the boot process 2.4 State the relationship between an application program, the operating system

and hardware 2.5 State the general differences between the different computer platforms and

their respective operating systems 2.6 Draw a simple block (schematic) diagram showing the interconnection of the

various components of a computer

ICAU2005A/03 Use computer input equipment

3.1 Follow OH&S standards and organisational policies and procedures when

using computer input equipment

Operate Computer Hardware Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

Computer Hardware 1 Internal Hardware .................................................................. 3 Power Supply..................................................................................... 3 Motherboard....................................................................................... 4 The Central Processing Unit (CPU)................................................... 7 Random Access Memory (RAM) ....................................................... 8 Video Cards ..................................................................................... 10 Sound Cards .................................................................................... 12 Network Interface Card (NIC) .......................................................... 13 Hard Disk Drives .............................................................................. 13 CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drives............................................................. 14 External Hardware ............................................................... 16 System Case.................................................................................... 16 Keyboards........................................................................................ 16 Mouse .............................................................................................. 17 Monitor ............................................................................................. 18 USB: Universal Serial Bus ............................................................... 18 Hardware Peripherals.......................................................... 19 Printers............................................................................................. 19 Speakers .......................................................................................... 19 Modems ........................................................................................... 20 Cabling ............................................................................................. 20 USB Flash Drive .............................................................................. 21 Palm Pilots ....................................................................................... 21 Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) ............................................... 22 Apple MAC Hardware ...................................................................... 23

Operating Systems .................................................................... 27 How They Work ............................................................................... 28 Operating system types ................................................................... 30 The computer boot process ............................................................. 33

Organisational Usage ................................................................ 37 Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)......................................... 38 Hardware Maintenance.................................................................... 40 Software Maintenance ..................................................................... 41 Policy................................................................................................ 43

Table of Contents Operate Computer Hardware

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Environmental Considerations .........................................................45

Operate Computer Hardware Working with Information Technology

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Computer Hardware Computer (PC) hardware is made up of many different individual components which can be mixed and matched in many different combinations to suit the needs of the user. Whilst most of these components are required to run a computer, there are many variations, sizes and capacities that can produce vastly different operating results.

Regardless of their capabilities, computer hardware is normally categorised in three ways:

Internal – meaning all components located within the computer hard cover itself. These components can include:

• Power Supply

• Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Hard Disk (HDD)

• System Memory (RAM)

• Motherboard

• Video Card

• Sound Card

• Network Interface Card (NIC)

External – hardware located outside of the computer hard case. These can include:

• Monitor

• Keyboard

• Mouse

• CD/DVD Rom

• Floppy Disk Drive

• Universal Serial Bus Port (USB)

• Parallel Ports

Peripherals – other components that are attached to computer hardware but are not actually part of the computer itself:

• Printers

• Scanners

• Speakers

• Modems

• USB Flash Drives

• Palm Pilots (PDAs)

• Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

Working with Information Technology Operate Computer Hardware

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Activity

Discuss with your group/supervisor the internal and external computer hardware components and peripherals in use in your workplace.

Locate or create a list of all the hardware currently in use in your workplace.



Internal Hardware

Power Supply The power supply is the small box that sits inside the case and connects the mains power to the computer hardware. It’s main role is to transform the power voltage of the main (240v in Australia) to the voltage of that required by the motherboard and it’s components.

Built into the computer case itself, the power supply runs at an extremely high temperature that can cause heating problems within the PC itself. It is very important that the large fan at the rear of the power supply box is kept as free from dust as possible. If the fan seizes, it will cause the power supply to overheat and fail. This can cause irreparable damage to the rest of the internal components.

Figure 1- Standard power Supply

Notes



Motherboard The motherboard is the base of the modern computer system and could probably be best described as the ‘nervous system’ of the machine. All other internal components of the PC (Hard Drive, Video card etc.) are connected to the motherboard allowing them to draw power and communicate with each other. These components are connected to the motherboard via insertion into slots.

Figure 2 - Motherboard with standard slots

PCI Slots

Motherboard sound jack

USB

RAM Slots

CPU

AGP



Motherboard Types

Originally, motherboards were made as a standard and could fit all components available. As technology and competition between manufacturers advanced however, different motherboard types have emerged. Below is a list of some of the motherboard types available today:

Full-AT (12" wide x 13.8" deep)

Created to fit original IBM computer design. The Full-AT is a full sized motherboard that only fits in PC towers or full sized desk top units.

Baby-AT (8.57" wide x 13.04" deep)

Same capabilities as the Full-AT but designed to fit into the slim line computer cases.

LPX (9.00" wide x 13.00" deep)

This motherboard was developed originally by Western Digital and was duplicated by many other manufacturers. The LPX motherboard riser card contains all of the expansion slots although placement of the video, parallel, two serial and PS/2 connections have changed locations.

Full-ATX – (12" wide x 9.6" deep) / Mini-ATX – (11.2" wide x 8.2" deep)

Created and trademarked by Intel, the ATX motherboards are an advancement of the original AT style motherboards. A feature of this motherboard was the relocations of the memory and CPU ports to allow better ventilation and easier upgrade.

NLX (Supports motherboards with overall dimensions of 9.0" x 13.6" [maximum] to 8.0" x 10.0" [minimum])

An improvement on Intel’s LPX motherboard with the following enhancements.

Support for Pentium II enhancements

Support for Accelerated Graphics Ports (AGP)

Support for Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Support for Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM).

Easier Access to internal components

Support for motherboards that can be removed without using tools.



Motherboard Slots

There are quite a few different slots that are found on a motherboard. It is important that when purchasing other components that they are compatible with the slots on the board itself. For example, an Intel manufactured motherboard will often only fit an Intel CPU (See next section). Also, as CPUs tend to change shape as they advance so it may be necessary to upgrade your motherboard when you upgrade your CPU.

Below is a list of the common slots found on most motherboards:

CPU Slot

o The CPU slot is a large usually square slot that the CPU chip sits on. When a motherboard is upgraded, it is common practice to upgrade the CPU as well, as not all CPUs fit on all motherboards.

Memory Slots

o Hold the system memory (RAM).

AGP (Advanced Graphics Port)

o AGP slots are used for video cards. AGP slots allow for fast graphical processing due to the fact that the AGP slot has direct access to the system CPU and memory.

CNR (Communication and Network Riser)

o The CNR is mainly used to connect internal modems but is also compatible with some USB, Sound and Network Cards.

ISA

o ISA slots have become almost obsolete having been replaced by PCI and hence are normally only found on older motherboards

PCI

o PCI slots are the most widely and commonly used slot and allows for all types of cards including sound, video (if not connected to AGP slot which is recommended) and network adaptors.

USB Ports

o USB ports come standard on all motherboards these days and allow for the quick connection of external hardware and peripherals (See later in this manual).



The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The CPU is the piece of equipment that actually does the work inside the computer. It draws data from the hard drive and memory to process the commands inputted by the user.

CPU speed is measured in Megahertz and Gigahertz with the average speed of a processor available today being around 2.4 GHz. Whilst the quality of the motherboard and amount of memory available can have a major bearing on performance, it can safely be assumed that the faster the speed of the processor, the faster it can process the data requirements of the user.

There are quite a few manufacturers of CPUs these days are (INTEL and AMD to name a few).

Figure 3 - CPU chip on motherboard

Activity

What current CPUs are being used in the computer hardware in your workplace?

Undertake some research to find out which motherboards are available which would be compatible with these CPU chips.



Random Access Memory (RAM)

The Random Access Memory holds all of the "active" information that the computer is using. The CPU can normally not process all of the required data at the one time so will store data in the memory until required. Each program or data file that is loaded uses part of the RAM to store data until it is required by the CPU.

RAM is measured by type (see below) and data capacity. Most current operating systems will require at least 256MB and sticks are normally available in 256 and 512MB however higher capacities are available for use in servers etc.

Types of RAM

There are many types of RAM available, some are listed below:

SRAM - Static random access memory Uses four to six transistors to hold data which has to be constantly renewed and is used primarily for cache memory.

DRAM - Dynamic random access memory has Memory cells consist of paired transistors (rather than single transistors on SRAM) but also require constant refreshing.

Although they are called ‘memory’, SRAM and DRAM only hold data for a couple of milliseconds at a time and need to be constantly refreshed by the CPU. The CPU will be required to read the information in the memory and recharge the transistors before they lose their information. This process will cause the whole process to slow down.

Figure 4 - RAM Stick



SDRAM Synchronous dynamic random access memory One of the most common forms of memory used today, SDRAM receives and distributes it’s information in sequence allowing it to redistribute to the CPU in a faster manner.

DDR SDRAM Double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM is just like SDRAM except that is has higher bandwidth, meaning greater speed.

RDRAM Rambus dynamic random access memory Rambus uses a RIMM card which is similar in size and pin configuration to DIMM and is a high speed, high heat generating memory chip.

Credit Card Memory Credit card memory is DRAM memory in the form of a card that plugs into a notebook computer. PCMCIA Memory Cards are also available and designed to work in any notebook computer whose system matches the cards configurations

CMOS RAM Every computer system needs a small amount of memory to remember the configurations and settings of components such as the HDD. This memory uses a small battery to keep it powered when the system itself is shut off.

VRAM VideoRAM VRAM is used by video cards to assist in the generation of graphics and 3D accelerators (see next section). The purpose of VRAM is to remove the graphical memory requirements from the main system processors in an effort to improve speed and resolutions. The amount of VRAM available on a card will have a direct affect on the graphical capabilities of the card. VRAM (also known as multiport dynamic random access memory (MPDRAM), can be quite expensive so many graphics cards these days use SGRAM (synchronous graphics RAM) instead. SGRAM is much cheaper that VRAM whilst still able to perform to the same levels



Video Cards Most operating systems and software programs allow users to perform functions via the use of graphical icons and images. The hardware that allows these graphics to be shown on the computer screen is the video, or graphics card. Connected to the motherboard, the video card enhances the computers ability to render, process and display the graphical images required by the software packages.

Originally, video cards were plugged into the PCI slots of the motherboard (the monitor plugs into a 15 point female plug in the back of the card), but the cards were slow as they didn’t have direct access to the system’s memory. In response, motherboards were created with an Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). This allowed the video card direct access to the system memory and CPU, hence speeding up the graphics process.

Graphics cards can be measured by their memory size and frame rates. Many graphics cards also contain their own memory chips to assist with the high graphical content of computer video games etc. The memory capacity of a card is measured as per RAM which is Megabytes.

Figure 5 - Graphics Card with S-Video Port



The second measurement of a card's performance is frames per second or how many complete graphical images the card can display per second. Frame rates are measured by:

Triangles or vertices per second:

3-D images are made of triangle frames. This measurement is how quickly the card can compute these frames and link them together to build a complete image, or polygons.

Pixel fill rate: Colours in an image are made up of millions of pixels. The pixel fill rate simple measures how quickly the card can fill the pixels in an image.

Notes



Sound Cards As the name suggests, the job of the sound card is to control and process the sound and musical requirements of the software. Whilst most motherboards these days are built with internal sound capabilities, that was not always the case. In fact, many older computer motherboards were only capable of different sounding beeps.

Most sound cards these days are capable of delivering 3D audio (real life or ‘in the moment’ sound) for games and surround sound for DVDs. Many also have the ability to record and process sounds and music from external sources.

Some items to look for in a sound card:

Connectivity Connectivity is simply a question of “what can I connect to this card”. The minimum connectivity for a sound card is normally an input for a microphone and an output for system speakers. However, many upper range cards will have the capacity for A/V points to accommodate anything from DVD players to digital cameras.

Surround Sound and 3-D Sound The type of card selected will also depend on what it’s requirements will be. Surround sound capabilities enhance the sound of DVDs and other digital movies whereas 3D sound is mainly utilised for computer games. Most soundcards with surround or 3D sound will have two output jacks to accommodate stereo speakers.

Audio Channels Audio channels stipulate how many speaker devices can be connected to the card. A card with a simple stereo speaker jack will probably be 2 channels (left and right). A four channel card will allow surround sound speakers etc.

Application Programming Interfaces (API) Support Most computer games are coded with API interfaces which, in short, instruct it how to speak and deal with common sound cards. It is always a good idea to ensure that your card can accommodate API support.

Compatibility Finally, and probably most importantly, make sure that the sound card is compatible with the operating system that the computer is running.

Figure 6 - sound Card



Network Interface Card (NIC) The network interface card (NIC) allows the computer to be networked with other computers to form a Local Area Network (LAN). NICs contain the protocol control firmware and Ethernet controller needed to support the network communication protocols utilised by an Ethernet network.

Each NIC is assigned an Ethernet* source address by the manufacturer which is globally unique. This allows the card to be identified on the network by the server and ensures that no two cards can have the same address. *Ethernet is a common networking method utilised by most networks in the world. The current Ethernet standard in 100-baseT and has the ability to network and handle almost any type of computer

Figure 7 - NIC with RJ-45 Ethernet port

Hard Disk Drives The hard disk drive (HDD) is the computer's main "long term memory" (it holds the operating system, programs and data files). Hard drives are the fastest form of long-term storage the computer uses and are optimised for data transfer. Hard drives are storage, not memory, and are critical devices in a modern computer.

HDDs are measured by their speed and amount of data they can hold. Speeds of a hard drive vary from 2400 to 7200 RPM (potations per minute) and are commonly able to hold upwards of 80 Gigabytes of data.

Figure 8 - HDD with top cover removed



Floppy Disk Drives

The smallest and slowest form of long-term storage, floppy disks provide a simple, convenient way to transfer information, install new software, and back up small amounts of files. A floppy disk is a small, plastic coated plastic that sits inside a small case that universally holds 1.44MBs of data. The great advantage floppy drives have is this universality as virtually 100% of PCs made in the last 10 years use a standard 1.44 MB drive.

Figure 9 - 1.44Mb Floppy Disk Drive

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM Drives CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk - Read Only Memory. As the name implies, CD-ROM drives use compact disks (similar to the ones that hold music) to hold computer information.

The CD-ROM drive works by focusing a laser onto the track of the disk. CDs are generally considered to be much stronger and safer that floppy disks. However, contrary to popular belief, CDs are not indestructible and can be damaged if scratched or exposed to extremes of heat.

DVD-ROM stands for Digital Versatile Disk - Read Only Memory. As with CD-ROMS, DVD-ROM reads and/or plays video or data files from a DVD disk. Most CD/DVD Rom drives available today also have the capability to burn (copy data to) CDs and DVDs.

Figure 10 - CD/DVD Drive



Activity

In the workplace or classroom, remove the cover from of a computer and list the internal components identified.

List the slots of the motherboard that these components are connected to.



External Hardware

System Case The box or outer shell that houses most of the computer, the system case is usually one of the most overlooked parts of the PC. The case performs several important functions for the PC, including protection for the computer circuits, cooling, and system organisation.

Figure 11 - Desktop Case Figure 12 - Tower Case

Keyboards The keyboard is the main input device for most computers. It is used to input textual information to the PC.

Figure 13 - An ergonomic keyboard



Mouse Until the invention of graphical operating systems, the keyboard was the only way that most people input information into their PCs. Mice are used in graphical environments to let users provide simple "point and click" instructions to the computer.

There are three types of mouse connection available:

Serial – Has a 9 pin female connection to PC

PS/2 – small round pin connector

USB – USB connector

Almost all machines have USB capability but it is important to check whether your PC has a serial or PS/2 mouse port before any new mouse is purchased.

Figure 14 - Mouse with scroll wheel



Monitor In simple terms, the monitor is a specialised, high-resolution screen, similar to a high-quality television. The monitor does not normally contain any software processing capabilities, simply displaying the data sent to it via the video card.

The purpose of the monitor is to allow the user to see what it is that they are actually doing on the software. Most desktop monitors use a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) that allows the software to portray images as digital pixels. The measurement of the amount of pixels displayed is called the resolution (800x600). The resolution used by a monitor is dependant on issues such as monitor size and video card capabilities.

Advancement of technology and the invention of laptop notebooks has seen the wider implementation of Liquid Crystal displays (LCD). LCD (flat screen) monitors offer a clearer resolution and a quickly replacing CRT as the most common monitor type.

Figure 15 - CRT Monitor Figure 16 - LCD Monitor

USB: Universal Serial Bus USB is an external bus standard that supports data transfer rates of 12 Mbps (12 million bits per second) up to 480 Mbps (USB 2.0). A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127 peripheral devices, such as mice, modems, and keyboards. Most new peripherals available today are connected to PC’s via the USB port.

This allows devices to be quickly and easily connected and removed without the need for installation of extra peripheral specific cards and ports. One major advantage is that most operating systems support USB so when a printer is attached via USB for example, the only driver needed is for the printer rather than the printer and the parallel port.

USB ports also increase the speed of the device and allow devices like digital video cameras and ZIP drives to be connected easily to a PC without the need for extra card and software installation.

Figure 17 - USB Plug



Hardware Peripherals

Printers As the name suggests, printers are used to create hard copies of data contained in computer software. Whether a Laser, Inkjet or Dot Matrix, printers are capable of producing word processing documents such as letters and invoices, graphic files, photographs and double sided documents to name a few. Many printers available today have networking capabilities allowing them to be shared across networks for multi-user use.

Figure 18 - Colour Inkjet Printer

Speakers As discussed in the earlier section on sound cards, speakers can be attached to the pc via the sound card ports to enhance the surround and 3d sound capabilities of the card.

Figure 19 - Computer Speakers



Modems Modems are required whenever computers need to communicate over an analogue phone line. The modem’s role is to modulate the digital language of the PC into analogue language to be transmitted over the phone line. The modem at the other end then demodulates the data back to digital language for processing. Most new systems come with an internal modem slotted into the motherboard, however external modems are also widely used.

Modems are measures in speed and compression rates. Most standard modems these days measure at around 56 KBPS (Kilobytes per second) and V.92 data compression.

Figure 20 - External Modem Figure 21 - Internal Modem

Cabling There are a few types of cabling available that are used for the networking of computer hardware:

Coaxial cable was one of the first and most widely used cable types for networking as it is inexpensive, light, flexible and easy to work with. In its basic form, coaxial cabling consists of a copper core which is shielded/insulated to reduce interference from other cabling/devices.

Twisted-pair (UTP) cable consists of two insulated strands of copper twisted around each other. It is twisted to reduce interference from other cabling and devices. Category 5 UTP is considered to be the industry standard in most networking setups.

Fiber-Optic cabling is used when networks are set up over long distances. This type of cabling is fast and efficient and almost entirely immune to interference. It is however expensive and installation by trained technicians is required making it an unviable option for many companies.

Figure 22 - RG 45 connector for Cat 5 Ethernet cable



USB Flash Drive A USB Flash Drive (“stick”) is a small, portable data storage device that plugs directly into the USB port of a PC. USB sticks are becoming more and more popular due to their ease of use as they do not need drivers to be loaded.

Like a floppy disk, USB sticks allow the user to read, write, copy, delete and move data to and from the main hard disk drive quickly and easily. Unlike floppy disks however, they are capable of playing MP3 files, run applications and view media (photos, videos) directly from the Data Stick. Data stick capacities start at about 128Mb and up to gigabytes worth of data.

Figure 23 - USB Flash Drive

Palm Pilots Palm Pilots (Also called PDAs) are a hand held device that work like an electronic diary. They are also capable of holding music and video files and some have the capacity for data storage similar a USB stick.

Most Palm Pilots attach to the PC via the USB cable and many are compatible with organisational software such as Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes.

Figure 24 - Palm Pilot



Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

The role of the UPS is to protect the computer from power related problems such as power surges, fluctuations and failure.

There are two main types of UPS:

Standby UPS monitors the PC while it runs from the normal power supplies. As soon as it notices a problem with the power, it will switch the power supply to the system battery. This allows the PC to receive clean power until it can be shutdown properly by the user.

Continuous UPS receives power from the main and continuously distributes an even supply to the computer. All fluctuations and surges are absorbed by the UPS continuously protecting the computer system. Continuous UPS systems however are quite expensive and normally only utilised for high end servers etc.

Figure 25 - UPS System



Apple MAC Hardware Apple Macintosh computer systems, as far as hardware is concerned (the OS and software can be quite different), is quite similar to IBM based PCs. All Apple Mac products contain the same hardware components performing the same functions as the IBMs including:

Motherboards

RAM

Hard drives

Video Cards

Network Cards

CPUs

CD/DVD-ROM

Keyboard

Mouse

It is important to remember however, that most Apple Mac components are not cross compatible with IBMs.

Some systems such as G4/5s and Notebooks (laptops) also look similar to IBM PCs. In the case of iMacs and eMacs however, there can be some major differences to contend with.

Although containing similar internal componentry to the IBM based PC’s, iMacs and eMacs are built as an all in one system utilising USB connections and CD/DVD-ROM drives almost exclusively.

Figure 26 - Apple eMac

Source www.Apple.com



All external peripherals such and keyboard, mouse and printers are connected to the PC via USB ports (although the use of slightly faster firewire connections is also becoming prominent for use with iPods, Digital cameras and external hard drives etc.)

One major advantage of the MAC PC is that internal devices such as RAM sticks and batteries etc can be upgraded without the need to dismantle the case. As per the diagram below, these components can be upgraded by simply unscrewing the plastic covers underneath the unit.

Figure 27 - Memory ports etc. for eMac

Source www.Apple.com

Notes



Activity

Draw a diagram of the computer hardware in your workplace. Be sure to include all external hardware and peripherals.



Create a list of each piece of hardware and peripheral that you have included in your diagram and outline how they are connected to the PC and/or motherboard



Operating Systems The operating system is the platform software that interfaces your hardware to the software applications you want to run. All individual pieces of software that you use (Microsoft Word, MYOB etc.) cannot run unless they are able to sit and run as part of the operating system.

The operating system can perform the following functions:

Perform common hardware functions

Provide a user interface (often known as the ‘desktop’)

Provide hardware independence

Manage system memory

Manage processing

Control access to system resources

Manage files

Accept keyboard input

Store data on disks

Send data to output devices

Command-based interfaces



How They Work As previously stated, the role of the operating system is to provide an interface between the software applications and the hardware components of the computer system.

All application software (Microsoft Word, Excel etc) is loaded onto the PC via the operating system (OS). When a user wishes to access any particular software application, the following outlines some of the events that take place:

1. The user activates the software by selecting the application icon from the OS desktop or menu.

2. Security and file access permissions are then checked by the OS before the loading process commences.

3. The OS will then allocates CPU, RAM, Video Card etc. usage based on the requirements of the software application and then coordinates the sharing of these resources with any other software applications that are also running.

4. If the application software requires access to a printer etc. the OS will control and assign the appropriate printer for the task.

5. Any files that are saved as a result of the usage of the software are saved under the file structure of the OS to be utilised for future use.

6. If another software program is required, the OS will ‘store’ the current application that is open and allow the user to ‘flick’ between open files and applications.

Notes



Activity

Discuss with your group/supervisor which operating systems are utilised within your workplace.

Discuss the role that the operating system plays in the daily operations of your computer system.



Operating system types There are many operating systems available to IT operators today. All have varying functionality, restrictions and limitations such as file sharing and client capacities. Some common operating systems can include:

Windows 2000 Unlike Windows 95 and Windows 98, Windows 2000 is a complete operating system giving users the ability to share files, folders, printers, and other network resources.

In Windows 2000, there are two general networking schemes available. In the simplest scheme, called peer-to-peer networking, each computer in the network is an equal. These machines are networked and files, printers and other peripherals are able to be viewed and shared amongst each machine. All files are saved on individual machines and permissions set individually.

In the more complicated client-server, or domain-based network, one or more powerful computers called servers provide services for user machines. These user machines (often called clients) rely on the server for all security permissions for access to files, printers etc. All data is saved, accessed and backed up from the server.

Windows XP An upgrade from Windows 2000, Windows XP integrates all of the security and networking capabilities of Windows 2000 with some added more user friendly functionality. Aspects that were popular in Windows 98 etc such as ‘plug and play’ were improved and included.

Internet based securities such as firewalls etc were also added to keep up to date with the increased web capabilities and connections of many networks.

Novell Novell Inc. is responsible for the NetWare® operating system. Novel Netware is a windows based operating system that incorporates most of the functionality of it’s Microsoft competitors; Windows 2000 and Windows XP.



UNIX The UNIX computer operating system from Bell Labs is still regarded as one of the most powerful, versatile, and flexible operating systems (OS) in the computer world. Its popularity is due to many factors, including its ability to run a wide variety of machines.

This operating system controls all generated user commands in the one system. The UNIX operating system was designed to let a number of users access the computer at the same time and share its resources leading each user to believe he or she is the only person working on the computer.

UNIX coordinates the use of the computer’s resources, allowing one person, for example, to run a spell check program while another creates a document with each user oblivious to the activities of the others.

MAC OS The operating system for Apple Macintosh systems, MAC OS is a ‘windows’ type system (Apple actually invented Graphic User Interface software) similar to Microsoft windows products.

MAC OS systems however tend to require far less processing power to run making it a very popular choice in the graphics and video editing industries.

Notes



Activity

Discuss with your group/supervisor the answers to the following questions.

1. How does the operating system on your computer interface the software program with it’s hardware?

2. Undertake some research with your group/supervisor and list at least five differences between Apple Mac hardware and operating system to that of an IBM compatible PC.

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The computer boot process When a computer system is booted, it goes through some standard processes to ensure that all components are working correctly before the actual operating system is permitted to load. The system that performs this function is known as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). Basically, the BIOS contains all of the information that the PC needs to load the keyboard, HDD, Serial port communications and display a basic screen.

The steps taken by the system at start-up are as follows:

“Power Good” When a computer systems starts up, the motherboard seeks power from the power supply at the correct voltage to run it’s components. Due to the fact that the power supply takes a couple of seconds to ‘sort out’ it’s power distribution, severe problems could be experienced by the internal components if they were to receive power at the incorrect voltage due to the power supply not being ready. The motherboard will not allow power to it’s components until it gets the “power good” signal from the power supply

Power on Self Test When an IBM compatible computer starts up, it runs a standard self test on all components to make sure that they are ok. Any errors or problems are signalled by a series of beeps and sometimes, an error on the screen.

Standard Original IBM POST Error Codes 1 short beep Normal POST - system is ok

2 short beeps POST Error - error code shown on screen

No beep Power supply or system board problem

Continuous beep Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem

Repeating short beeps Power supply or system board problem

1 long, 1 short beep System board problem

1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)

1 long, 3 short beeps Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)

3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card

Video Initialization Next, the BIOS will look for the presence of video ROM and if found, it’s contents will be tested with a checksum test. If this test is successful, the BIOS will initialize the video adapter. At this point, you may see things like a logo from the video card manufacturer, video card description or the video card BIOS information.

If these tests fail, you should see an error message as follows:

“XXXX ROM Error”

Other Card initialisation



The system BIOS will then look for, test and initialise any other cards such as Network and sound cards. These will be tested as per the video card and errors will be reported if found.

BIOS Start-up Screen When the system BIOS starts up, you may see its familiar screen display, normally after the video adapter displays its information. On some machines from the major manufacturers, this information is hidden. Below are the contents of a typical BIOS start up screen:

The BIOS Manufacturer and Version Number:

The BIOS Date: Setup Program Key: - Usually [f1] or [f2]

System Logo: The logo of the BIOS company, or in some cases the PC maker or motherboard manufacturer.

The “Energy Star” Logo: displayed if the BIOS supports the Energy Star Compliance standard,

The BIOS Serial Number:

CMOS and BIOS Check After a successful POST, the instructions stored in the BIOS will initialize the system from settings stored in CMOS. CMOS (which stands for Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor) is a memory chip (only 64 bytes in size) where information such as date and time, hard disk settings, etc. are stored.

A CMOS memory chip requires a very small amount of current to retain its settings. A small battery inside the computer supplies current.

After reading in the CMOS settings the boot sequence will continue with:

PCI Initialization – If you have a PCI bus the system will now initialize the cards on the bus. Configuration Display – The BIOS now tests and displays the system configuration, including the status of:

CPU

Floppy drives

Mouse and keyboard ports

Serial ports

Parallel ports

Cache memory information:

If everything works, your computer will beep once and continue booting. If the BIOS uncovers a “non-fatal” error it will display an error message at this point and continue the boot process. By contrast, a “fatal” error will cause the BIOS to halt the boot process.



BIOS Info Screen Just before the BIOS begins booting the operating system from disk, it will display an ASCII-graphics box on the screen containing summary information about your system’s configuration. What is in this box depends on your BIOS and system, but typically you will find the following:

Processor (CPU) Type

Coprocessor

Clock Speed.

Floppy Drive A

Floppy Drive B

IDE/ATA Drives

Base Memory Size: This will always be 640K

Extended Memory Size

Cache Size: The

Memory Type and Configuration

Display Type: This will normally say “VGA/EGA”.

Serial Port(s)

Parallel Port(s)

Plug and Play Devices

System Boot Then the BIOS’s boot program looks for the special boot programs that will actually load the operating system onto the hard disk.

The order in which it looks for the operating system boot records can be set by the user in the CMOS setup screen. The system will look on the designated drive, then if not found, will check the next drive and so on until it is able to locate the boot files.

For example, it will check the A Drive, then the CD ROM then the hard drive. The operating boot files are almost always located on the HDD but the system is set up to check the other drives first in case a special boot is needed from the floppy disk or CD to fix an error or load a special installation program.



Activity

Run a computer through it’s start-up procedures noting each display and sound the system makes.

Discuss your findings with your group/supervisor.



Organisational Usage Computer hardware has become an integral part of many companies as they perform their daily operations. Many tasks that were performed manually in the past are now completed electronically such as invoicing, order placement and sales processing to name a few. Use of electronic communications such as email and online order forms has also grown at rapid proportions over the last decade.

The computer hardware, software and communications equipment required to perform these functions needs to be researched, sourced, installed, maintained and secured correctly in order to maintain their effective and efficient use. During these daily operations, there are factors that need to be accounted for by IT personnel. These factors include:

Occupational Health and Safety Procedures (OH&S)

Maintenance

Policy

Environmental Considerations

Notes



Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S)

OH&S has become a major part of everything that we do. When using computer hardware and software, it is critical that OH&S policies and procedures are followed to avoid accidents and injury, machine damage or potential litigation.

Some aspects of OH&S to be taken in consideration include:

Desk

Posture It is important that if sitting at a desk for an extended period of time, that you sit with the correct posture:

Straight Back

Elbows at 90O

Feet flat on the floor

Arms flat on the keyboard

Back fully supported by chair back

Lighting Lighting should be bright and clear. Eye strain can become a factor if the lighting is too dim or uneven.

Desk Ensure that the desk is not too high or low and that is allows for correct posture as above.

Chair A fully adjustable ergonomic chair is critical if sitting for extended periods. Chairs should be at least height and back adjustable to mould into the bodies natural frame.

Length of time Even if the above steps are undertaken correctly, sitting in front of a computer for extended periods of time can cause problems such as eye strain and RSI (repetitive strain injury). If you are sitting at a desk for lengthy periods, it is important to rest every hour. Stretch, walk around to give your body and eyes a break.

For more information, refer to the manual –

ICAITTW004B – Apply Occupational Health and Safety Procedures.



Hardware

Electricity Always ensure that the power supply is disconnected when opening up a computer case.

Lifting Some monitors and computer cases can be quite heavy, always lift by bending the knees and keeping your back straight.

Activity

Outline the OH&S procedure in your company for the usage of computer equipment.

Are there any other OH&S considerations for the use of computer hardware in your workplace that are not listed above?



Hardware Maintenance One of the most crucial processes of the IT department is to ensure that all hardware is maintained appropriately. Computer hardware can be quite sensitive and must be kept free from extremes of temperature, magnetic fields, dust, fluids and strong vibrations etc. To extend the life of computer equipment and peripherals, it stands to reason that machines that are protected from such abuses will have longer, less troubled lives.

Some useful maintenance tips are listed below:

Power:

Make sure you have enough voltage to power ALL your computer components. A good rule of thumb is to ensure that all power cables plug into their own socket. Do not use double adapters or piggy back power boards. Ensure that the server and if possible, all power boards, are fitted with power surge protectors.

It is also a good idea to fit the server with an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS). In the event of a power failure, a UPS will allow the correct shut down of the server rather than have it simply turn off.

Cleaning:

Wipe down the machines regularly with a dry, lint free cloth. Dust is a major contributor to hardware malfunction and breakdown so the cleaner the machine is kept, the better. Some tips to keep on mind:

Never spray cleaning fluids into machine vents or directly onto the monitor screen, this can cause electrical problems if the fluid leaks into the circuitry.

Check to see that your computer fans are free from excessive amounts of dust. The gradual accumulation of dust on fans can impair their operation significantly – causing slower speeds, vibration and eventual failure.

Room setup:

Try to ensure that all computer equipment is stored in well ventilated, clean areas. Ensure that there are no cables hanging down where people can trip on them (OH&S). Avoid setups where users are constantly swivelling the monitor round to share or for better viewing. This can cause the cabling to snap internally. If the monitor has to be constantly moved, place it on a specialised arm.

Printers:

Keep free of any blockages that might interrupt printing. Be sure to carefully handle any printer toner cartridge that you want to change. Printer toner is a fine powder that is very dangerous to inhale.

Bubble jet print heads can dry out and clog when ink tanks run dry. Always to have a spare ink cartridge on hand and replace dry ink tanks as soon as possible.

Keep printer area clean and free of dust by wiping equipment regularly and vacuuming around the printer area.



Software Maintenance One factor often overlooked in the day to day running of a network is the maintenance of it’s software. Unlike hardware, there is nothing that can be physically cleaned, however software corruption is one of the biggest causes of network software loss.

Basic hard disk (HDD) maintenance:

Computer hard drives should not ever be completely filled. Computer hard drives need space to ‘move’ data around as it copies and updates stored information. Some operating systems will also use spare hard drive space as ‘memory’ is normal memory is full.

Temporary files should be occasionally ‘cleaned’. Temporary files are left on the hard drive for many reasons including auto saving of files and the use of the internet. Most operating systems contain auto cleaning programs that will locate and delete temporary (*.tmp) files automatically.

Scandisk

Computer hard drives consist of millions of tiny particles on which the data is stored. A hard disk ‘scan’ examines each of these physical particles, to ensure it is still ‘in place’ and recording properly. Programs such as scandisk check for such errors in the make up of the hard drive and the file system itself. Most often, the scandisk program is able to locate and fix errors as they occur.

De-fragmentation (defrag)

When the CPU processes information to be stored into a hard drive, it does not ‘allocate’ the data in an orderly fashion. Data is simply placed wherever it will fit on the HDD. This causes some programs to run at reduced speed due to the fact that information is being located and drawn from partitions all over the disk. A disk defrag retrieves and reorders the information on the HDD so that all data is ordered and therefore, more easily located by the CPU.

Viruses/spyware

A virus is a self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other executable code or documents (for a complete definition: see below). Virus software is designed to locate and remove viruses. Due to the fact that ‘new and improved’ viruses are being created constantly, virus software needs to be updated regularly so these new viruses can be detected.

Spyware is software that inserts itself into a computer operating system and spies on information being inputted into or stored in the system. As with virus software, Anti-spy software tracked down and removes Spyware from a system. It also needs to be constantly updated to maintain up to date definitions.

Spyware and Virus detection software is normally updated via the manufacturer’s website.



Activity

Outline a hardware and software maintenance regime that could be undertaken within your workplace. Be sure to include processes to be undertaken and timeframes.



Policy When purchasing or working with any computer hardware, it is important to ensure that company IT policy is followed completely. Some aspects of company policy to consider when dealing with hardware are:

Minimum/Maximum hardware specifications

Hardware allowable onto the network (USB Sticks, Palm Pilots etc)

Workstations a user may or may not use

Hardware changes the user may make

Software the user may install or remove

Kinds of work the user may perform on the workstation (such as manipulation of classified data or conducting personal business)

Network services the user may or may not use

Information the user may or may not transmit across the network (such as in electronic mail)

User responsibilities to operate the workstation securely, such as performing administrative tasks

What happens when unapproved hardware is detected

What happens when unapproved programs and data are detected

Internal sanctions and prosecution guidelines

Who the policy affects

Who developed the guidelines

The highest authority who has approved these guidelines

Who can grant authorities and privileges

Procedures for providing or revoking security privileges

Expectations and procedures for reporting security violations and criminal activity

Specific management and employee responsibilities for making security happen

Explanations of the importance of the policy (a user base that understands the reasons for a policy is more likely to follow it)

Effective date and revision dates



Activity

Discuss with your group/supervisor the policies governing the use of computer hardware in your company.



Environmental Considerations As with OH&S, care for the environment is becoming a very important part of the running of computer hardware. Most hardware these days adheres to the ‘Energy Star Compliance’ standards where internal components ‘shut down’ if they haven’t been operational for a period, thus saving electrical power. The most common environmental issue facing every day hardware users however is the disposal of packaging and consumables.

Printer Cartridges Printer cartridges contain a fine powder that is not only dangerous to inhale, but not so good for the environment either. The main options are:

Return to the supplier for recycling or re-inking. This process will not only be good for the environment but will also save the company money. NB some printer manufacturers will void warranties or service agreements if recycling company is not authorised. Always double check before reinserting a recycled cartridge into the printer.

Do not dispose of empty cartridges in the normal rubbish. Most suppliers accept empty cartridges for disposal at approved waste processing centres.

Packaging Many new PCs come in boxes with Styrofoam packaging which, if not disposed of properly, can also cause damage to the environment. It is important to ensure that this type of packaging is disposed of within the guidelines of your company’s environmental policies.



Activity

Outline and discuss with your group/supervisor the environmental policies of your company

What environmental issues should be taken into account when dealing with computer hardware in your workplace?

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