Department of Electrical &

Computer Engineering
Riphah Faculty of Engineering & Applied Sciences

Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Program: B.S Computer Systems Semester I

Subject: CMSL-101 Introduction to ICT Date:

Experiment 1: Exploring the Inner Workings of Computers: Identifying Components and

How They Function

Name:ARYAN SAJID Roll No: 62780

Performance Lab Report

Description Total Marks Description Total MBPkS
Marks Obtained Marks Obtained
Ability to conduct 5 Organization/Structure 5
Experiment Data Presentation S
Work Ethics Individual and Team Performance
Description Total Marks Description Total Marks
M» k Obtained M» k Obtained
Adherence to Team Collaboration and Contribution
Safety Guidelines Individual Task Performance

Remarks (if any):

Name & Signature of faculty: .......................................

 Task 1:
a. Please familiarize yourself with the following instructions:
b. Open the computer case (or refer to a diagram if physical access isn't available).
Identify the following components and describe their purpose:
- Motherboard
- Power Supply Unit (PSU)
- CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- RAM (Random Access Memory)
- Hard Drive or SSD
- Expansion Slots (e.g., PCI, PCIs)
- Graphics Card (if any)
- Cooling Fan

c. Please draw a simple labeled diagram of the internal system unit with all major components

Answer:

Motherboard
Location It is located in the case of system unit. It is a circuit board where everything is

connected like Ram and Rom, expansion card, expansion slot cooling fan output input ports and
battery etc.

Purpose
It connects everything together and work together and solves our problems this is a
main circuit board in computer where everything is attached on it and work together.

Power supply
Location
:
The power supply is located at the back of the computer, usually at the top.
However, many recent tower computers cases have the power supply at the bottom back of the
case. In a desktop computer case (all-in-one), the power supply is located at the back left or
back right.

Purpose
: Power supplies may need to change voltage up or down, convert power to direct
current, or regulate power for smoother outgoing voltages. This function will help you choose
which supply you need for your electrical needs

Central Processing Unit

Location:
The central processing unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the computer
case on the motherboard. It is sometimes called the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out
commands
 Purpose:
The CPU is the primary component that processes the signals and makes computing
possible. It acts as the brain of any computing device. It fetches instructions from memory,
preforms the required tasks, and sends output back to memory.

Ram

Location:
RAM slots are typically found on the motherboard, which is a big circuit board that
connects all the parts of a PC. The number of RAM slots can vary, with two, four, or more
depending on the motherboard's size and design. These slots are long and narrow, with clips at
both ends.

Purpose:
 RAM allows your computer to perform most of its everyday tasks, such as loading
applications, browsing the internet, editing a spreadsheet, or experiencing the latest gams. Memory
also allows you to switch quickly among these tasks while also remembering where you are in such
task.

Hard Drive
Location:
Laptop hard drives can be found in various places. Some are underneath the laptop,
some are at the front, and others are on the sides. The exact location usually depends on the
manufacturer and model of the laptop.

Purpose:
A computer hard drive is a physical data storage device that stores digital information. Hard drives
are used to store both operating systems and user files, such as photos, music, documents, and
videos.

Expansion slot
 Location:
An expansion slot is part of the motherboard or mainboard of a computer and is
designed to hold an added card, like a video graphics card, to improve a computer's performance.

Purpose:
An expansion slot is used to add an adapter to the motherboard. It has rules that
control how many bits can be transferred at a time to the adapter, what signals are sent over the
adapter's gold connectors, and how the adapter is configured.
 Graphic Card

Location:
Graphics cards fit into your motherboard's expansion slot to add graphics functionality,
which is useful for gamers, graphic designers, video editors, and anyone who enjoys streaming 4K
content without lag.
 Purpose:
Your device's GPU handles graphics-related work like graphics, effects, and videos.
Learn about different GPU types that meet your needs. Integrated GPUs are built into your PC's
motherboard, making laptops thin, lightweight, and power-efficient.

Cooling Fan
 Location:
Most desktop computers often have at least four fans (one case fan, CPU heat sink
fan, power supply fan, and video card fan). It is also not uncommon for computers to have an
additional front case fan to help with the airflow.
 Purpose:
This fan works by blowing air over the hot components of the computer, such as the
central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and other internal components, to
dissipate the heat.

System Unit’s All Parts labelled internal

 Task 2:
a. Look at the back and front of the system unit. List all the ports and connectors
you find.
b. Identify and describe the following ports (if available):
o USB Ports (Type A, Type C)
o HDMI Port
o VGA Port
o Ethernet Port (RJ45)
o Audio Jacks (Headphone, Microphone)
o DisplayPort
o Power Connector
o PS/2 Ports (for older keyboard/mouse)
c. Research what such port is used for and provide an example of a device that connects

USB Port
 Location:
USB Ports. On most desktop computers, most of the USB ports are on the back of the
computer case.

Purpose:
It allows data to be moved between devices. USB ports can also be used to supply
electric power using a cable to devices that don't have their own power sources. To connect a
device to the computer, locate the port at the back of your computer, and then connect the USB
connector to it.
 HDMI port

Location :
The HDMI port (video portion) is just a part of the Display Adapter driver. You won't see it
separately in Device Manager. Usually, part of the display adapter drivers is the driver for HDMI
audio, and that will show up in Sound, Video and Game Controllers and in the Sound control panel.

Purpose:
HDMI provides an interface between any audio and video sources, such as a set-top
box, DVD player, or audio-visual receiver, using a single cable, connecting to a monitor with audio
and video, such as a digital TV (DTV).

VGA Port
 Location:
The VGA port on your computer is usually found at the back of the tower or on the
side of a laptop. The VGA port on your monitor is typically located at the back. Take one end of the
VGA cable and insert it into the VGA port on your computer. Make sure it's securely connected.

Purpose:
A VGA (Video Graphics Array) connector is a standard interface used to connect a
desktop computer, medical monitor, signage display, projector screen, or other video-generating
devices to a monitor or display screen. The VGA interface is now considered a legacy connector.

Ethernet Port
Purpose:
The primary role of an Ethernet port is to establish a direct, wired Internet connection from your
computer to a network device, such as a router. This process, known as hardwiring, ensures a
stable and fast Internet service.

Location:
Ethernet ports are typically located on the back of desktop computers or on the back or sides of
laptops. Routers often feature multiple Ethernet ports to connect several devices to a network with
wired connections for enhanced stability and performance.

Audio Jack
 Location:
The audio ports of a desktop computer are located on the front and back sides of the CPU.
However, depending on the manufacturer, the audio port will be situated on either the left or right
side of the keypad.

Purpose:
What are audio jacks? Audio jacks are also known as headphone jacks, or even as audio
ports. They are a type of connector used to connect headphones, external speakers, and other audio
devices to a computer, smartphone, or any other devices.

Display Port
 Location:
On a monitor or TV: It's usually located on the back panel. The exact location can
vary depending on the model and manufacturer. This port looks different from HDMI or USB ports,
with a rectangular shape that has one corner cut off.

Purpose:
The DisplayPort (DP) is a proprietary digital display interface developed by a consortium of PC and
chip manufacturers and standardized by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is
primarily used to connect a video source to a display device, such as a computer monitor.

Power connector

Location:
The power supply is located at the back of the computer, usually at the top. However,
many recent tower computer cases house the power supply at the bottom back of the case. In a
desktop computer case (all-in-one), the power supply is located at the back left or back right.

Purpose:
Power connectors are devices that allow an electrical current to pass through them for
the exclusive purpose of providing power to a device (not a data stream, for example, or anything
more complex).
PS/2 port
 Location:
Locate the PS/2 Ports: Plug the purple connector of the keyboard cable into the purple
port located at the back of the computer and plug the green connector of the mouse cable into the
green port.

Purpose:
PS/2 is most commonly used for connecting keyboards and mice to computers, but it can also be
used for other devices such as trackballs, barcode scanners, and fingerprint readers. Some
industrial equipment also uses PS/2 ports for data input and output.

System Unit’s all Ports Labelled outside