LESSON 1: Understanding the Computer

Introduction

We all know that computers are

essential pieces of technology
that we use to make life easier and
perform jobs faster.

A computer increases our productivity, connects us

to the internet, lets us talk with people across the
world, helps us store a lot of information, and even
make money!

In this lesson, we will start with the basics.

We want to understand how the computer works,

how many types of computers are there, what are
the functions of the computer, and more!

Topic 1: The computer

TOPIC 2: Types of Computers

In technical terms, the computer is a device that
accepts information in the form of digitalized data, 1. Supercomputer
and manipulates it for some result based on a
program or sequence of instructions on how the Most powerful and most advance in terms of

data is to be processed. performance and data processing. These

computers are commonly used by large
organizations to conduct specific tasks such as
weather forecasting, research, and exploration.

Ex. IBM’s Mira in United States. IBM’s Sequoia in

United States

- Fujitsu K Computer
in Japan

2. Mainframe Computer

Large and expensive computer capable of handling

thousands of users and programs simultaneously.
Mainframe computers can handle, process, and
store large amount of data. These are commonly
stored in large air-conditioned rooms because of its LESSON 2: Basic Hardware Components of
big size. Computer Systems

Ex. Fujitsu’s ICL VME, Hitachi’s Z800 Introduction

A computer system consists of

hardware and software
- Fujitsu ICL VME
components. As important as the
software which are the programs that run the
computer, the hardware is the physical equipment
3. Minicomputer
such as the case, storage drives, keyboards,
Also known as midrange computers. It features all monitors, cables, speakers, and printers that builds
the functions of a large size computer, but has a up and let the software run.
smaller size. Minicomputers can support many
It is important to learn about these components as
users because of its multi-processing system.
these will be the basis before you handle equipment
Ex. K-202, IBM Midrange computers, SDS-92 especially in disassembling and assembling a
computer system.

TOPIC 1: Computer Systems

- K-202

The complete computer made up of the CPU,

memory and related electronics (main cabinet), all
4. Microcomputer the peripheral devices connected to it and its
operating system.
Most widely used and fastest growing type of
computer. Desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and
smartphones are types of microcomputers.

TOPIC 3: Fundamental Elements of a Computer •Computer systems fall into two broad
divisions: clients and servers.

•Client machines fall into three categories from low

to high end: laptop, desktop and workstation.

•Servers range from small to large: low-end servers,

midrange servers and mainframes.

Processing Devices

Processing devices are the computer’s circuitry in

the system unit.
 not have moving parts but store data on magnetic
platters making use of flash memory.

Hard Disk Drive (HHD)

– often called hard drive or
hard disk. This is the most
common storage device that
Motherboard – the circuit board housing the
do not need power to
memory and the central processing unit (CPU)
maintain data; these store data through spinning
platters or magnetic disks, recording individual bits
written into the disk.
Central Processing Unit
(CPU) – manipulates input Flash Drive – highly portable
data into the information small data storage devices
needed by the users making use of flash memory
and a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) port connection

Memory – CD – “compact disc”, this

also known storage device can hold up to
as Random 700 MB; it is read by an optical
Access Memory or RAM. It is a series of electronic drive through a laser
elements that act as temporary storage of data and
program instructions while the instructions are
being processed by the CPU.
Input Devices
Chips – these make
Input devices allow the user to communicate with
up the CPU and the
the computer by entering data or commands.
memory; these are
electronic devices that
Keyboard – primary input
contain many microscopic pathways designed to
device used to input
carry electrical currents.
alphanumeric data and
commands to the computer
Storage Devices

Storage devices store data and programs. These

hold data, information, and programs permanently.
Mouse – primary input device used

Solid State Drive (SSD) – mass to navigate and interact with the
monitor output
storage device that stores data in
a permanent state even without
power. Similar to an HDD’s function,
only the internal components are different. SSDs do
 TOPIC 2: The System Unit

The System Unit is the overall structure that

Scanner – scans documents and houses the processor, memory, and electronic
converts them digitally, which can be edited on a components of the computer that are used to
computer. process data. All input and output devices are
connected into the system unit. The system unit is
housed by what is known as system
case or computer case. It holds and protects most
Webcam – small cameras attached
components of a computer.
to a monitor or desk that record or
broadcast video
The Computer Case contains the framework to
support and enclose internal components of the
computer. It helps to prevent damage from static
Joystick – device used to control electricity. It typically made up of plastic, steel, and
video games, aside from the aluminum which are available in a variety of
keyboard styles. The size and layout of a case is called
a form factor. It is also designed to keep internal
components cool by using airflow vents and cooling
fans.
Output Devices
Computer cases are referred to in a number of
Output devices enable the computer to show the
ways: Computer
processed data and information understandably to
chassis, Cabinet, Tower, Box and Housing.
the user.

Printer – prints paper

documents, photographs,
and other outputs called
hard copies which are physical versions of the
documents.

Monitor – acts as the primary

display of the unit where the user
interface and programs are Types:
reflected.
- Tower (Full, Mid, Mini)
- Desktop (Standard, Slimline)

Speakers – sound system

device that produce audio
output from the computer
Power Supply optical drives, some video cards, and even some
other devices.
Power supplies serve as the
source for electricity to the Floppy drive 4 pin power supply connector is
computer. Attached are vital the standard floppy drive power connector. The
hardware cables and buses for floppy power connector, also called a Berg
transferring power to various connector or Mini-Molex connector, is included in
components in the computer. even the newest power supplies even though floppy
drives are becoming obsolete.

ATX 4 pin power supply connector is a standard

motherboard power connector used to provide +12
VDC to the processor voltage regulator. This small
connector usually attaches to the motherboard near
the CPU.

ATX 6 pin power supply connector is a

motherboard power connector used to provide +12
VDC to the processor voltage regulator but the
4-pin variety is the more commonly used connector.
This small connector usually attaches to the
motherboard near the CPU.
The following are the basic connector you can see
in a power supply

ATX 24 pin main power connector is the standard

motherboard power connector used in nearly every
computer.

SATA 15 pin power supply connector is one of

several standard peripheral power connectors.
SATA power connectors only connect to SATA
drives like hard drives and optical drives. SATA
power connectors do not work with older PATA
devices

Molex 4 pin power supply connector is a

standard peripheral power connector. Molex power
connectors connect to many different kinds of
internal peripherals including PATA hard drives and
Motherboard

The motherboard is also known as mainboard, system board, logic board, or MOBO. It holds and allows
communication between the crucial components of the computer such as the CPU and memory. It also
provides connection for other peripherals. This provides the path which the processor (CPU) communicates
with all the components of the computer.

There are several components that are attached to Different variety of chip packages:
the motherboard. These include:
1. Dual Inline Package (DIP) – this has two
1. Chip – small piece of semiconducting material, parallel rows of pints that attach the chip package to
where more integrated circuits are embedded. They the circuit board
have standard-sized pin connectors that allows
them to be attached to the motherboard. 2. Pin Grid Array (PGA) – holds a larger number
of pins because the pins are mounted on the
2. Bus - an electrical path that enables data flow surface of the package.
between various system components.
3. Flip Chip-PGA (CF-PGA) Package – higher
3. Integrated Circuit (IC)– contains microscopic performance PGA packaging that places the chip
pathways that carry electric current. The IC on the opposite sides of the pins.
contains millions of elements such as resistors,
capacitators, and transistors. Many different kinds 4. Single Edge Contact (SEC) Cartridge – does
of chips are located in the motherboard not use pins but connects to one of the edges in the
motherboard.
4. Microprocessor – this is the central
processing unit on a chip.
 NLX – New Low-profile Extended

BTX – Balanced Technology Extended

The form factor of motherboards pertains to the size

and shape of the board. It also describes the
physical layout of the different components and
devices on the motherboard. Various form factors
exist for motherboards:

AT – Advanced Technology

ATX – Advanced Technology Extended

Mini-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX

The function of the northbridge is primarily a fast
Micro-ATX – Smaller footprint of ATX
path between the CPU and the video bus and
system RAM. While the southbridge connects with
LPX – Low-profile Extended
the slow hardware/components of the system.

the function of these bridges:

Central Processing Unit (CPU) AMD and Intel are the two most popular brands of
processors in the market nowadays.
Commonly known as the CPU or processor, this is
the brain of the computer. It interprets and carries Bundled with the processors are the heat
out the basic instructions to operate a computer. sinks. A heat sink consists of metal fins that draw
heat away from a component. The fan and heat
It impacts overall computing power and manages
sink together are called the processor cooler. The
most of the computer operations. The motherboard
photo below shows a CPU with a heat sink mounted
contains a socket to hold the processor or CPU.
on the motherboard.
The central processing unit (CPU), also called the
processor or microprocessor, does most of the
processing of data and instructions for the entire
system. Because the CPU generates heat, a fan
and heat sink might be installed on top to keep it
cool.

Nowadays, processors have multiple cores

called multi-core processors. This means that the
processor is a single chips that has two or more
separate processors. In multi-core processors,
each of the processors run at a slower clock speed
as compared to a single-core processor, but this
efficient process typically increases performance.
There are two kinds of common multi-core
processors today:

1. Dual Core Processor – chip that contains two

separate processors

2. Quad Core Processor – chip with four

separate processor
Random Access Memory (RAM) 3. Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) – This
kind stores data using magnetic charges
The Random Access Memory or RAM acts as
instead of electrical charges. It has greater
temporary storage as long as the computer is
storage capacity, consume less power, and
running. The contents of the RAM change as
faster access times.
programs are executed. These are chips that are
placed directly on the motherboard. These RAM
consists of switches which are triggered by changes
in electric current.

The RAM chips are housed in a small circuit board

called the memory module, which is inserted into
the motherboard.

Three types of memory modules:

Three basic types of RAM: 1. Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM) –

this has pins on opposite sides of the circuit
1. Dynamic RAM (DRAM) – This kind of
board which connect together to form a single
RAM needs to be recharged by the CPU. If not,
set of contacts. This houses SDRAM chips
it loses its contents. There are many variations
along with DIMMs.
of DRAM such as:
2. Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) – the
o Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) – faster
pins on the opposite sides of the circuit board
than DRAM because it is synchronized to
do not connect and form two sets of contacts.
the system clock
This houses SDRAM chips along with SIMMs.

o Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM –

3. Rambus Inline Memory Module (RIMM) –
faster than SDRAM because they transfer
this houses RDRAM chips
data twice for each clock cycle

o DDR2 and DDR3 SDRAM – faster than

DDR SDRAM

o ambus DRAM (RDRAM) – type of

DRAM faster than SDRAM that uses
pipelining techniques

2. Static RAM (SRAM) – This kind is faster The computer will need a certain amount of

and more reliable than any form of DRAM. memory to be able to handle programs, data, and

Unlike the DRAM, this does not need to be information, depending on the types of applications

re-energized. However, it is much more used.

expensive and it used for special purposes.

The more RAM a computer has, the faster the
computer will be.
 To be able to use basic application software
such as Office Suite, one needs at least 1GB
of RAM. Heat sink

Using programs and multimedia should haveat

least 4GB.

Playing modern games or using editing software

Expansion Cards
will require at least 8GB.
A motherboard has expansion slots to be used by
Today the RAM ranges up to 64GB depending on expansion cards. An expansion card, also called
the programs that will be used for the computer. an adapter card, is a circuit board that provides
more ports than those provided by the
motherboard.
Cooling Technology
The photo below shows a Video Card, where it
Cooling technologies are essential in avoiding the provides three video ports. Notice the cooling fan
computer from overheating and maintaining a good, and heat sink on the card, which help to keep the
well-ventilated system. card from overheating. The trend today is for most
ports in a system to be provided by the
motherboard (called onboard ports) and less use of
expansion cards.

Chassis Fan

Several cooling technologies are present

throughout the system unit:

o Fans are also present in several

components such as the power supply, ports,
processor, hard disk etc.

o Heat sink, on another hand, is a small

metal or ceramic component with fins on the
There are also other variants of expansion cards
surface which absorbs and distributes heat
such as network cards, sound cards, video capture
produced by electrical components.
cards, interface cards, and other expansion cards

o Heat pipe is used on smaller devices like that cater to whatever the computer user for his/her

notebook computers since this is smaller in needs and improvements for the system.

size.
Storage TOPIC 3: Ports, Sockets, Slots, & Connectors

A system might have one or more hard drives, an The motherboard has several ports, sockets, slots,
optical drive, a tape drive, or, for really old systems, and connectors that link the computers'
a floppy drive. components, input, and output devices among each
other. First we'll look at the port which are usually
A hard drive, also called a hard disk drive (HDD), is found at the side of the motherboard or the back of
permanent storage used to hold data and the system case.
programs.
The port basically serves as an interface between
the computer and other computers or peripheral
devices.
Hard Disk Drive
A port generally refers to the female part of
For example, the
connection. Computer ports have many uses, to
Windows operating system and applications are
connect a monitor, webcam, speakers, or other
installed on the hard drive. All drives in a system
peripheral devices.
are installed in a stack of drive bays at either the
front or on the lower portion of the On the physical layer, a computer port is a
case. Nowadays, users use Solid State Drive or specialized outlet on a piece of equipment to which
SSDsbecause of its use of flash memory, which a plug or cable connects. Electronically, the several
does not use physical disks to write memory/data. conductors where the port and cable contacts
connect, provide a method to transfer signals
between devices.

Solid State Drive

Each drive has two

Familiarize yourself with the following ports usually
connections for cables: the power
found with computer systems below:
cable connects to the power supply and another
cable, used for data and instructions, connects to
the motherboard.

SATA Cable // SATA Connector

Slot in the Motherboard
PORTS
Slots
Sockets

The following are the most common sockets

found in the motherboard. The CPU socket
where the CPU itself is inserted and the CMOS
slot where the CMOS battery (which lets the
motherboard remember the date and time of
the computer) that is replaced after it has worn
out.
Connectors
LESSON 3: Hand Tools and Equipment

Introduction

Most tools used in computer system

servicing are hand tools. These can
be part of a computer repair toolkit
as well. In this lesson, you will
learn about the common hand
tools and equipment that you will
be using especially in handling computer equipment
such as disassembly/assembly of a computer, as
well as repair and maintenance.

TOPIC 1: Electrostatic Discharge Tools

When working with electronic equipment, it is

important to make sure that there is no static
electricity to avoid damage of computer parts.

Static electricity can be easily generated by friction

on carpets, clothing, hair, fabric, flooring, etc.

Thus, these tools should be utilized:

Anti-static wrist wrap

Worn to prevent ESD

damage to computer
hardware

Anti-static mat

Used to stand on or place

tools to prevent buildup of
static electricity.

Hand tools
TOPIC 3: Cleaning Tools

Lint-free cloth

For cleaning
computer parts
without leaving
marks or scratches.

Compressed air

For clearing or blowing away dust

from computer parts.

Cable Ties

Used to organize and bundle

cable together.

Parts organizer

For holding and organizing

screws and other small
computer parts.

TOPIC 4: Diagnostic Tools

Digital Multimeter

A tool that can be used to

measure amps, volts, and ohms.
It can test the integrity of circuits
and the quality of electricity in
computer components.
Information is flashed on the
screen.
Loopback Adapter adapter is specific to the port that you want to test.

Also called as Toner Probe

loopback plug. This
tool tests the basic A two-part tool that generates a tone that travels the

functionality of length of the cable. The toner part is attached to a

computer ports. The cable at one end using specific adapters, such as
RJ-45, coaxial, or metal clips. When the probe is
near to the cable where the toner is attached, a
tone can be heard from the speaker