CMTS UNIT 1

Unit-1 Introduction to PC Hardware[8M]

1.1.1 Introduction of PC and its basic terminology:

➢ Hardware(H/W), Software(S/W), Firmware(F/W), PC Block diagram, Types of
computer system (Micro Computer, Mainframe, Mini Computer, Work station,
Super Computer).
1.Hardware(H/W) :
➢ Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related
devices.
➢ Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM.
➢ External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and
scanners.
➢ The internal hardware parts of a computer are often referred to as components,
while external hardware devices are usually called peripherals.
2.Software(S/W):
➢ It consists of the programs and applications that run on computers. Because
software runs on computer hardware, software programs often have system re-
quirements that list the minimum hardware required for the software to run.

3.Firmware:
➢ Firmware is a software program or set of instructions programmed on a
hardware device.
➢ It provides the necessary instructions for how the device communicates with the
other computer hardware. These chips commonly include:
ROM (Read Only Memory)
PROM(Programmable ROM)
EPROM(Erasable Programmable ROM)
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➢ Firmware is typically stored in the flash ROM of a hardware device.

➢ flash ROM can be erased and rewritten because it is actually a type of flash
memory.
➢ Firmware can be thought of as "semi-permanent" since it remains the same
unless it is updated by a firmware updater.

4.PC Block Diagram:

➢ The computers used in house and offices are known as PC. Initially PC made by
IBM.
➢ The biggest and oldest computer manufacturer in the world. This PC has low cost
and smaller size. It is useful for individuals without intermediate computer
operator.
➢ PC identified by their processor as Intel x86,AMD(Advances Micro Devices)etc.
➢ Most common OS windows, MAC OS, UNIX,LINUX etc used in PC. It can be capable
with other PC on LAN

Below we have discussed step-by-step working of how data is received and displayed
on the computer.

Step 1: Input devices allow the users to provide data and commands to the computer.
The data inserted manually is collected by input devices like keyboard, mouse,

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scanners, and others. These devices generate electrical signals or data packets
representing the input.

Step 2: The data generated by input devices is sent to the computer’s input
interface/Memory Unit which processes and formats the data for further use by the
computer.

Step 3: The processed input data is then sent to the computer’s Central Processing Unit
(CPU) which temporarily stores this data in memory (RAM) for immediate processing.
The CPU executes instructions related to the input data.
For example, if you’re typing a document, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) processes
the keystrokes and stores them in memory. The control unit schedules all the activities
for the smooth working of the computer.

Step 4: After processing, the CPU sends the results or instructions to the computer’s
output interface where the data is formatted for transmission to the output devices.

Step 5: Then the output unit receives the final processed output. Output devices such
as monitors, printers, speakers, and others receive the formatted data. Monitors display
visual information, printers produce hard copies, and speakers play audio, based on the
data they receive.

5. Types of computer system (Micro Computer, Mainframe, Mini Computer, Work

station, Super Computer).

1. Micro Computer:
➢ A microcomputer is a small, self-contained computer system that includes a
microprocessor, memory, storage, and input/output devices.
➢ It is designed for personal or small-scale use, offering individuals and small
businesses the power of computing in a compact form factor.
2. Mainframe Computers:
➢ It is a large , power computer that handles the processing for many users
simultaneously.
➢ It is sometimes called “big iron”. It is high performance computer which
require greater availability and security than personal computer.
➢ It is basically associated with centralized rather than distributed computing.
➢ They are used by government and businesses to process very large amounts
of information.

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➢ Users connect to the mainframe using terminals and submit their tasks for
processing by the mainframe.
➢ The terminal is a device that has a screen and keyboard for input and output.
3. Minicomputers:
➢ It is a multiuser computer that is less powerful than mainframe.
➢ This class of computers became available when large scale integrated circuits
made it possible to build a computer much cheaper than the existing mainframes
➢ The minicomputers has largely taken over by high -end microcomputers
workstations serving multiple users.
4. Workstation Computer:
➢ It is a powerful ,high end microcomputer . They obtain one or more
microprocessors CPUs.
➢ They may be used by a single-user for applications requiring more power
than a typical PC
➢ The term ”workstation” also has an alternate meaning: IN networking ,
any client computer connected to the network that access server
resources may be called workstations.
➢ Most successful workstations makers are sun microsystem, hewellet
Packard and IBM.
5. Super Computer:
➢ It is mainframe computer that has been optimized for speed and
processing power.
➢ It is mostly used to handle very large database or/and do a great amount
of computations.
➢ Most super computer is multiple computers that work parallel
➢ The “Blue Pacific” IBM’s supercomputers , which was built to simulate the
physics of nuclear explosions. It is operated 3.9 trillions operations per
second,15000 faster than normal PC.
➢ It consists of 5800 processors containing a total of 2.6 trillions bytes of
memory.

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1.2.1 List and Identify components of PC / laptop and specify its importance
The 7 major components of a computer.

1. Motherboard

➢ Motherboard, also called system board, is the main printed circuit board in
most computers.

➢ It allows communicating between many crucial electronic components of a sys-

tem, such as the central processing unit and memory.

➢ Motherboard, as its name suggests, is often referred to as the mother of all

components attached to it, which often include peripherals, interface cards,
sound cards, hard drives, network cards, and so on.

➢ Most motherboards in computer are expandable.

➢ In this situation, you can replace the components as long as they are compati-
ble. For example, you can choose to replace the hard drive with a larger one or
with SSD.

2. CPU

➢ The second important component of a computer is the CPU, also called central
processor, is the electronic circuitry within a computer that executes instruc-
tions that make up a computer program.

➢ The CPU performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling and input/output opera-
tions specified by the instructions in the program.

➢ The CPU is the brain of the computer, so you can know its importance.

➢ Its main job is to carry out the instructions of computer programs that are
stored in computer memory.

➢ In addition, computer performance may be affected by the CPU

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3. Graphics Card

➢ There are two different types of graphic card and they are integrated or expan-
sion.
➢ The integrated video card is connected directly to the motherboard and it is a
part of the processor.
➢ The expansion card is a separate card that is connected to another part of the
motherboard.
➢ The major work of the graphics card is to create graphics and images that can
be shown on a monitor.
➢ If your computer does not have the graphics card, you will not see the data and
the computer would be useless.

4. Hard Drive

➢ Hard drive would be another component of a computer.

➢ Hard drive is used to store programs and files on your computer. The tradi-
tional hard drive would be the HDD which is comprised of a series of magnet-
ized disks.

➢ Newer hard drives are called SSD which use electrical circuits to store data. In
general, SSDs are faster than traditional HDDs.

5. Network Card

➢ The fifth major component of computer is the network card.

➢ Network card would be separate card or integrated into the motherboard.

➢ The major work of network card is to enable your computer to connect to the
network and Internet.

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➢ Many computers have an integrated network card into the motherboard. If you
are using a laptop, you can also choose to connect Wi-Fi networks through a
Wi-Fi card which is usually close to the outer edges of the devices.

6. Monitor

➢ The monitor is sixth important component of the computer.

➢ Even though the computer is great, but without monitor, they also would be
useless.

➢ So, when building a computer by yourself, you also need to choose a monitor.
The monitor enables you to view the changes on your computer.

7. USB Ports

➢ USB port is also one of the most important computer components.

➢ The USB port enables you to connect some computer accessories, such as a
mouse, keyboard, external hard drive and so on. So, it would be an essential
part of the computer.

1.2.2 Prepare latest specification of PC/laptop.

• Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
• 8GB DDR4 2666 RAM
• 250 GB M.2 NVMe Solid State Drive
• 15.6″ Wide Screen Display
• Microsoft Windows Windows 7 Pro(or other least expensive Microsoft Win-
dows operating system)
• On board 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet NIC
• On board Wireless NIC
• On board HD Audio
• 2 External powered USB Ports
• Padded Carry Case appropriate for delivered model
• Appropriate American Power Conversions Notebook Surge Suppressor for
delivered model
• All appropriate cables necessary

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• 3 year parts and labor warranty on all components

1.3.1 List and Identify various types of ports and connectors found in PC/laptop
with their purpose
There are different types of ports available:
• Serial port
• Parallel port
• USB port
• PS/2 port
• VGA port
• Modem port
• FireWire Port
• Sockets
• Infrared Port
• Game Port
• Digital Video Interface(DVI) Port
• Ethernet Port
1. Serial port(COM Port):
➢ A serial port is also called a communication port and they are used for connec-
tion of external devices like a modem, mouse, or keyboard (basically in older
PCs).
➢ Serial cables are cheaper to make in comparison to parallel cables and they
are easier to shield from interference.
➢ There are two versions of it, which are 9 pin model and 25 pin model. It trans-
mits data at 115 KB/sec.

2. Parallel Port (LPT ports):

➢ Parallel ports are generally used for connecting scanners and printers.
➢ It can send several bits at the same time as it uses parallel communication.
➢ Its data transfer speed is much higher in comparison with the serial port.

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➢ It is a 25 pin model. It is also known as Printer Port or Line Printer Port.

3. USB (Universal Serial Bus):

➢ In 1997 USB was first introduced. This can connect all kinds of external USB
devices, like external hard disk, printer, scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
➢ There are minimum of two USB Ports provided in most of the computer sys-
tems.
➢ It is a kind of new type serial connection Port that is much faster than the old
serial Ports and These USB Ports are much smarter and more versatile, as it
allows the “daisy chaining” of up to 127 USB peripherals connected to one
port.
➢ The data transfer rate in this is Data12 megabits per second. It also provides
plug & plays communication.

4. PS/2 Port:
➢ PS/2 ports are special ports used for connecting old computer keyboard and
mouse.
➢ It was invented by IBM.
➢ In old computers, there are minimum of two PS/2 Ports, each for the key-
board and the mouse. It is a 6 pin mini Din connector.

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5. VGA Port:
➢ VGA ports also known as Video Graphic Array connector are those which con-
nect the monitor to a computer’s video card.
➢ VGA port has 15 holes and it is similar to the serial port connector.
➢ But VGA Ports have holes in it and the serial port connector has pins in it.

6. Sockets:
Microphones and speakers are connected with the help of Sockets to the sound card
of the computer.

7. FireWire Port:
➢ The IEEE 1394 interface, which is developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s
by Apple as FireWire.
➢ It can transfer large amount of data at very high speed. It is used to connect
camcorders and video equipment to the computer.
➢ It comes up with three variants which are 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-
Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.

8. Infrared Port:
➢ An Infrared(IR) port is used to sends and receives infrared signals from other
devices. It is a kind of wireless type port with a limited range of 5-10ft.
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9. Game Port:
➢ These ports are used previously to connect a joystick to a PC. But nowadays it
is replaced by USB ports.
10. Modem Port:
➢ As the name suggests, a Modem port is used to connects a PC’s modem to the
telephone network.

11. Digital Video Interface(DVI) Port:

➢ DVI Port is used to connects LCD(flat panel) monitor to the computer’s high-
end video graphic cards and it is very popular among video card manufactur-
ers.

12. Ethernet Port:

➢ Ethernet Port helps to connect to a network and high-speed Internet(pro-
vided by LAN or other sources).
➢ It connects the network cable to a computer and resides in a Ethernet card. It
provides a data travel speed of 10 Mb to 1000 Mb(megabits) per second.

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