BASIC HARDWARE QUESTIONS

INSIDE COMPUTER
1.Motherboard
A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The
motherboard is a computer's central communications backbone connectivity
point, through which all components and external peripherals connect.

2.CPU
A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry that
executes instructions comprising a computer program. The CPU performs
basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified
by the instructions in the program.

3.RAM
It is one of the parts of the Main memory, also famously known as Read Write
Memory. Random Access memory is present on the motherboard and the
computer’s data is temporarily stored in RAM. As the name says, RAM can
help in both Read and write. RAM is a volatile memory, which means, it is
present as long as the computer is in ON state, as soon as the computer turns
OFF, the memory is erased.

SRAM (Static Random-Access memory)

SRAM is used for Cache memory; it can hold the data as long as the power
availability is there. It is refreshed simultaneously to store the present
information.
Function of SRAM: The function of SRAM is that it provides a direct interface
with the Central Processing Unit at higher speeds.

DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access memory)

DRAM is used for the Main memory, it has a different construction than
SRAM, it used one transistor and one capacitor (also known as a conductor),
it is needed to get recharge in milliseconds due to the presence of capacitor.
Dynamic RAM was the first sold memory integrated circuit.
Function of DRAM: The function of DRAM is that it is used for program code
by a computer processor in order to function. It is used in our PCs (Personal
Computers).

4.Power Supply Unit

SMPS stands for Switched-Mode Power Supply. It is an electronic power supply
that uses a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently. It is also
known as Switching Mode Power Supply. It is power supply unit (PSU)
generally used in computers to convert the voltage into the computer
acceptable range.

5.Video Card
A video card is a PC component that connects to a computer motherboard,
also known as a video controller, display adapter, video board, graphics card,
or video adapter. It is an expansion card, controls and calculates an image's
appearance on the screen and used to improve the picture quality to show on
display. Even you cannot see this page without a video card. It accelerates the
video throughput as it is an intermediate device. The below picture is an
instance of the video card.

6.HDD/SSD
HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile data storage device. The term non-volatile
refers to storage that can store the data even when the power source is
disconnected or turned off. An HDD contains mechanical platters and a moving
head to read and write data. The head is usually attached with a small motor
that helps spin the platters and move the header's arms.
SSD (Solid State Drive)
SSD or Solid State Drive is a newer, faster non-volatile storage device. Unlike
HDD, SSD does not include moving parts like platters, head, or arms. It uses
integrated circuits to store and retrieve the data instantly. These ICs are
coupled on an interconnected flash-memory chip (often dubbed as 'NAND') to
achieve superior performance and durability. Without the moving
components, SSD runs cooler and consumes less energy. This helps increase
the battery life for laptops and other SSD-based devices.

7.Optical Disk Drive

an optical disc drive is a disc drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic
waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of
reading or writing data to or from optical discs.

8.Card Reader
A memory card reader is a device for accessing the data on a memory
card such as a CompactFlash (CF), Secure Digital (SD) or Multimedia
Card (MMC).

CONNECTED TO OUTSIDE OF COMPUTER

1.Keyboard
A keyboard is one of the primary input devices that allows users to input text
into a computer or any other electronic machinery. It is a peripheral device
that is the most basic way for the user to communicate with a computer. It
consists of multiple buttons, which create numbers, symbols, and letters, and
special keys like the Windows and Alt key, including performing other
functions. The design of the keyboard comes from the typewriter keyboards,
and numbers and letters are arranged on the keyboard in that way, which
helps to type quickly.

2.Monitor
A monitor is an electronic output device that is also known as a video display
terminal (VDT) or a video display unit (VDU). It is used to display images, text,
video, and graphics information generated by a connected computer via a
computer's video card.
3.Mouse
A mouse is a small hardware input device used by hand. It controls the
movement of the cursor on the computer screen and allows users to move and
select folders, text, files, and icons on a computer

4.Uninterruptible power supply

UPS, also known as the Uninterruptible Power Supply, is an electrical device
used to maintain a continuous power supply to any electrical device in case of
a power failure.

5.Flash Drive
A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an
integrated USB interface. It is typically removable, rewritable.

6.Printer
A printer is a hardware output device that is used to generate hard copy and
print any document. A document can be of any type such as a text file, image,
or the combination of both. It accepts input command by users on a computer
or on other devices to print the documents.

7.Speaker
Speakers are used to generate sound, which are one of the most common
output devices. The primary objective of speakers is to offer audio output for
the listener. The electromagnetic waves are converted into sound waves
through the speaker as they are transducers.

8.External Hard Drive

An external hard drive is a device you can use to save files like photos, movies,
and videos. You can use an external hard drive as an external memory device
for your computer or laptop, or if you want to safely store your files or transfer
them to a different device. The 2.5-inch drives only use 1 cable for file transfer
and power, which makes them suitable for on the go.
LESS COMMON

1.Sound Card
Inside the computer, a sound card is an expansion component that is also
referred to as a soundboard, audio output device, or audio card. It offers audio
input and output capabilities in computers, which can be heard with the help
of speakers or headphones. Although it is not necessary for the computer to
have a sound card, every machine includes it as either built into the
motherboard (onboard) or in an expansion slot.

2.NIC
Network Interface Card (NIC) is a hardware component that is present on the
computer. It is used to connect different networking devices such as
computers and servers to share data over the connected network. It provides
functionality such as support for I/O interrupt, Direct Memory Access (DMA)
interfaces, partitioning, and data transmission.
NIC is important for us to establish a wired or wireless connection over the
network.
Network Interface Card is also known as Network Interface Controller,
Network Adapter, Ethernet card, Connection card, and LAN (Local Area
Network) Adapter.

3.Expansion Card
Alternatively called an adapter card, add-on card, expansion board, internal
card, interface adapter, or card, an expansion card is a PCB that fits into an
expansion slot on the motherboard. An expansion card is an internal card that
gives a computer additional capability, such as enhanced video performance
via a graphics card.
Note
Expansion cards can sometimes be called daughterboards. However, it is more
appropriate to refer to them as expansion cards or one of the terms
mentioned earlier.
4.Analog Modem
Modems were developed to take the digital signal coming from a digital node
and convert it to an analog signal to be placed on the wire. In return it would
accept an analog signal from the wire and convert into a digital signal that the
node could understand.

5.Scanner
Unlike the printer, the scanner can be defined as an input device that is used to
scan the documents such as pages of text and photographs and then convert
them into a digital format. It is an electronic device that scans images from
physical objects and converts them into digital format. Further, these images in
digital format can be stored in a computer and modified or viewed by using
software applications.

6.Projector
A projector is an output device that is capable of connecting to a computer,
which may be another option for a monitor or television in terms of displaying
pictures to a large number of people. It takes images generated by a Blu-ray
player or a computer and projects them onto a large surface like a wall or
white screen. Projectors come in many shapes and sizes and are used in
conditions like a classroom, home cinemas, office training or presentation
sessions, etc. The projector looks like the below picture.

7.Microphone
A microphone is an input device that was developed by Emile Berliner in 1877.
It is used to convert sound waves into electric waves or input the audio into
computers. It captures audio by converting sound waves into an electrical
signal, which may be a digital or analog signal. This process can be
implemented by a computer or other digital audio devices. The first electronic
microphone was based on a liquid mechanism, which used a diaphragm that
was connected to a current- charged needle in a diluted sulfuric acid solution.
It was not able to reproduce the intelligible speech.
8.Webcam
A webcam is a small digital video camera that connects to a computer. It is also
known as a web camera that can capture pictures or motion video. These
cameras come with software that needs to be installed on the computer that
helps transmit its video on the Internet in real-time. It has the ability to take
pictures, including HD videos, but its video quality can be lower as compared
to other camera models.

NETWORK HARDWARE
1.Digital Modem
A device that adapts digital signals from one transmission system to another.

2.Router
The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to
receive, analyse, and forward data packets between computer networks. A
router examines a destination IP address of a given data packet, and it uses the
headers and forwarding tables to decide the best way to transfer the packets. 

3.Network Switch
A network switch is networking hardware that connects devices on
a computer network by using packet switching to receive and forward data to
the destination device.

4.Access Point
a wireless access point (WAP), or more generally just access point (AP), is
a networking hardware device that allows other Wi-Fi devices to connect to a
wired network. As a standalone device, the AP may have a wired connection to
a router, but, in a wireless router, it can also be an integral component of the
router itself. 

5.Bridge
A bridge is a networking device that works in both the physical and data link
layer in a network. This device can divide a large network into smaller
segments and pass the frames between two originally separated LANs. A
bridge maintains a MAC address of various stations attached to it. When a
frame enters a bridge, it checks the address contained in the frame and
compares it with a table of all the stations on both segments.

6.Print Server
A print server is a software application, network device or computer that
manages print requests and makes printer queue status information
available to end users and network administrators. Print servers are used in
both large enterprise and small or home office ( SOHO ) networks.

7.Firewall
A firewall can be defined as a special type of network security device or a
software program that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network
traffic based on a defined set of security rules. It acts as a barrier between
internal private networks and external sources (such as the public Internet).
The primary purpose of a firewall is to allow non-threatening traffic and
prevent malicious or unwanted data traffic for protecting the computer from
viruses and attacks. A firewall is a cybersecurity tool that filters network traffic
and helps users block malicious software from accessing the Internet in
infected computers.

AUXILIARY HARDWARE
1.Fan
 It helps pull and blow hot air off the processor, helping keep it cooler.
2.Heat Sink
A heat sink is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an
electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid
coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing
regulation of the device's temperature.

3.Data Cable
A data cable is designed specifically for data transfer. Essentially, they transmit
electronic information from a source to a destination and vice versa.

4.CMOS Battery
The CMOS battery powers your laptop's BIOS firmware, which is responsible
for booting up your computer and configuring data flow. You can tell if your
CMOS battery has died if your laptop has difficult booting up, if drivers
disappear, and if your laptop's date and time are incorrect.

ABOUT DEVICE MANAGER

Device Manager is a component of the Microsoft Windows operating system.
It allows users to view and control the hardware attached to the computer.
When a piece of hardware is not working, the offending hardware is
highlighted for the user to deal with.