COMPUTER Monday, January 27, 2025

MAINTENANCE
AND
TECHNICAL SUPPORT

CHPTER ONE

Components
1
 Outlines
a
 Some components of computers are :

Mother board RAM and ROM

CPU Adapter card

Cooling system Storage drives

Power supply Internal cables

Monday, January 27, 2025

2 compiled by 3rd year IT GP 4 stdnt

 CPU (Central ProcessingUnit)
is a critical component of a
computer system.
It is often referred to as the
“brain” of the computer
because it performs the
majority of the processing
tasks required to run programs
and execute instructions.
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 Cont……
It coordinates and controls all the activities of other hardware components, such as
memory, storage devices, and input/output devices
The CPU consists of several key components, some of them are;
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
Control Unit (CU)
Registers:
Cache
Bus Interface Unit (BIU)
Clock
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 Cont……
These components work together to execute instructions, perform
calculations, and control the flow of data within the CPU and between
other hardware components. The ALU performs calculations, the control
unit manages instructions and data flow, registers temporarily store data,
cache provides high-speed memory access, the BIU handles
communication, and the clock synchronizes operations.

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 Cont……
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The ALU performs mathematical
calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and
logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, etc.). It handles the manipulation of
data and executes instructions.
2. Control Unit (CU): The control unit manages and coordinates the
operations of the CPU. It fetches instructions from memory, decodes
them, and controls the flow of data between various components of the
CPU and other hardware devices.
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 Cont……
3. Registers: Registers are small, high-speed memory units located within
the CPU. They store data and instructions temporarily during processing.
Common types of registers include the program counter (PC), instruction
register (IR), and general-purpose registers (such as the accumulator and
index registers).
4. Cache: Cache is a small, high-speed memory located on the CPU chip. It
is used to store frequently accessed data and instructions, allowing for faster
access than retrieving them from the main memory (RAM). The cache is
organized into different levels, such as L1, L2, and L3 cache, with each level
having varying capacities and speeds
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 Cont……
5. Bus Interface Unit (BIU): The BIU facilitates communication between
the CPU and the rest of the computer system. It manages the transfer of data
and instructions between the CPU and other components, such as memory,
storage devices, and input/output devices, using buses
6. Clock: The clock generates timing signals that synchronize the operations
of the CPU. It regulates the speed at which instructions are executed and
data is processed. Clock speed is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz) and
determines the number of instructions the CPU can execute per second.

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 Power Supply
The power supply is a crucial
component that provides electrical
power to the various hardware
components of a computersystem.
It converts the alternating current
(AC) from the wall outlet into the
direct current (DC) required by
the computer’s internal
components.
9 Monday, January 27, 2025 compiled by 3rd year IT GP 4 stdnt
 Cont……
The power supply unit (PSU) typically resides in a metal box within
the computer case. It receives power from the electrical outlet and
delivers it to the motherboard, processor, memory, storage devices,
expansion cards, and other peripherals.
1. Power Regulation: The power supply regulates the voltage and
current supplied to the computer components to ensure they receive
stable and consistent power. It converts the high-voltage AC power
from the outlet into lower-voltage DC power suitable for the
computer’s internal components.
compiled by 3rd year
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 Cont……
2. Power Distribution: The power supply distributes the converted DC power to
different connectors and cables that connect to various components inside the
computer case. These connectors include the main motherboard connector, CPU
power connector, SATA power connectors for storage devices, PCIe power
connectors for graphics cards, and peripheral connectors for devices such as hard
drives, optical drives, and fans.
3. Overvoltage and Overcurrent Protection: The power supply includes built-in
protection mechanisms to guard against overvoltage and overcurrent situations
that could potentially damage the computer’s components. If the power supply
detects excessive voltage or current, it shuts down or trips a protection circuit to
11 prevent harm to the system. Monday, January 27, 2025
 Adapter (Expansion)Card
Adapter card: also known
as an expansion card or add-
on card, is a hardware
component that is inserted
into the motherboard of a
computer to provide
additional functionality or
upgrade existing capabilities
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 Cont……
Some common types of adapter cards include:
 Graphics cards
 Network interface cards
 Sound cards, RAID controller cards
 USB expansion cards, and more.

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 Cont……
1. Graphics Card: A graphics card, also known as a video card or GPU
(Graphics Processing Unit), is an adapter card that enhances the computer’s
graphics performance. It contains its own processor and memory and is
responsible for rendering and displaying images, videos, and 3D graphics on
the monitor.
2. Network Interface Card (NIC): A network interface card is an adapter card
that allows a computer to connect to a network, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
It provides the necessary hardware and drivers to enable network
communication and data transfer between the computer and other devices on
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 Cont…
3. Sound Card: A sound card is an adapter card that adds audio capabilities to a
computer. It includes audio processors and connectors for speakers,
microphones, and other audio devices. Sound cards enhance audio quality and
provide features like surround sound and audio recording.

4. RAID Controller Card: A RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)

controller card is an adapter card used to manage multiple hard drives in a
RAID configuration. It provides improved data storage performance, data
redundancy, and fault tolerance.

5. USB Expansion Card: A USB expansion card adds additional USB ports to
a computer system. It allows for connecting more USB devices, such as
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 Internal cables
Internal cables are the physical
connections that link various
internal components of a computer
system.
These cables are responsible for
transmitting data, power, and other
signals between different hardware
components inside the computer
case.

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 Cont…
There are several types of internal cables commonly found in
computer systems:
 SATA cables
 Power cables
 Front panel cables
 Ribbon cables, and fan cables .

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 Cont……
1. SATA Cables: SATA (Serial ATA) cables are used to connect storage devices
such as hard disk drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs) to the
motherboard. They transmit data signals and provide power to the connected
devices. SATA cables are typically thin and have a flat, flexible design .
2. Power Cables: Power cables, also known as power supply cables or internal
power cables, deliver electrical power from the power supply unit (PSU) to
various components inside the computer.
These cables have different connectors, including 24-pin ATX connectors for
the motherboard, 4/8-pin CPU connectors for the processor, and SATA power
connectors for storage devices.
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 Cont……
3. Front Panel Cables: are cables connect the buttons, LEDs, audio jacks,
and other front panel components of the computer case to the motherboard.
These cables enable the user to interact with the computer and provide
feedback through lights and audio.

4. Ribbon Cables: are also called flat cables, are wide, flat cables with
multiple conductors running parallel to each other. They are used for various
purposes, such as connecting IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) devices like
older hard drives and optical drives to the motherboard or connecting
internal peripherals like floppy disk drives.

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 Cont……
5. Fan Cables: are connect the cooling fans inside the
computer case to the motherboard or fan controller. They provide
power to the fans and allow the motherboard or fan controller to
control their speed.

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 Cooling system
The cooling system is crucial for
maintaining the temperature of the
computer’s components within safe
limits. Excessive heat can lead to
reduced performance, system
instability, and even permanent damage
to the hardware. By effectively
dissipating heat, the cooling system
helps ensure the longevity and
reliability of the computer.
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 Cont…
The cooling system typically consists of the following components;
 Fans
 Heatsinks
Thermal interface material (TIM):
Liquid cooling

1. Fans: fans are the most common cooling component found in computers.
They circulate air inside the computer case, expelling hot air and drawing in
cooler air to maintain a suitable operating temperature. Fans are usually
placed in strategic locations, such as the front, rear, and side panels of the
22 case, as well as on the CPU heatsink and graphics card. Monday, January 27, 2025
 Cont……
2. Heatsinks: heatsinks are metal components, often made of aluminum or copper,
that are attached to high-heat generating components such as the CPU and
graphics card. They work by increasing the surface area available for heat
dissipation. Heat from the component is conducted to the heatsink, which then
dissipates the heat into the surrounding air.
3. Thermal interface material (TIM): TIM is a compound applied between the
surface of the component (e.G., CPU) and the heatsink. It enhances heat transfer
by filling in microscopic imperfections and air gaps, ensuring maximum contact
and efficient heat conduction.

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 Cont……
4. Liquid cooling: liquid cooling systems, also known as water cooling systems, are an
alternative to air cooling. They use a closed-loop system that circulates liquid coolant
through tubes and blocks attached to heat-generating components.
The liquid absorbs the heat and carries it away, dissipating it through a radiator equipped
with fans.
Overall, the cooling system in a computer plays a critical role in maintaining optimal
operating temperatures, prolonging the lifespan of components, and ensuring stable and
efficient performance

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 RAM and ROM
RAM (Random Access Memory) and
ROM (Read-Only Memory) are two
types of memory used in computer
systems. 1. RAM
(Random Access Memory)
RAM is a type of volatile memory
that provides temporary storage for
data and instructions that are actively
being used by the computer’s
processor.
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 Cont…
When a computer is running, it loads the operating system, applications, and
data into RAM for quick access. The processor can read and write data to RAM
at high speeds, making it much faster than other types of storage like hard disk
drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs).
RAM may involve the following tasks:
 It can improve computer performance
 It allows computer to running resource-intensive
applications or multitasking.
 To operate at high speeds (fast processing)
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 Cont…
2. ROM (Read-Only Memory)
ROM is a type of non-volatile memory that contains firmware or
software instructions that are permanently stored and cannot be
modified by normal computer operations.
 It is used to store critical system instructions that are needed for the
computer to start up and perform basic functions.

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 Cont…
ROM retains its contents even when the computer is powered off or
restarted. This makes it an essential component for the computer’s boot
process and initialization.
 The contents of ROM are typically programmed during the
manufacturing process and cannot be altered or erased by normal
computer operations.
There are different types of ROM, including:
BIOS (basic input/output system and
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 Cont…
RAM ROM
 Provides temporary storage for data and  Contains firmware or software
instructions that are actively used by the instructions that are permanently stored and
computer’s processor. cannot be modified.
Is volatile and crucial for performance,  While rom is non-volatile and essential for
upgrading ram, troubleshooting ram issues. booting and initializing the computer
Troubleshooting boot-related problems
related to ROM.
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 Storage drives
Storage drives :are devices used for
long-term data storage. They are
responsible for storing and retrieving
digital information, including the
operating system, software
applications, documents, media files,
and more.
There are several types of storage
drives that commonly used in
computers:
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 Cont…
 Such as;
HDDS
 SSDS,
 Hybrid drives
 Optical drives
 External drives and network attached storage (NAS)
 Each type has its own characteristics, capacities, and performance levels,
allowing users to choose the most suitable option based on their storage
needs and budget
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Cont…
1. Hard disk drives (hdds)
Hard disk drives are traditional mechanical storage devices that use spinning
platters and read/write heads to store and retrieve data.
Data is stored magnetically on the platters, and the read/write heads move
across the spinning disks to access the data.
 HDDs offer large storage capacities at relatively low costs, making them
suitable for storing large amounts of data such as documents, media files, and
software installations.However, they are relatively slower than other storage
technologies, and their mechanical nature makes them prone to mechanical
32 failures over time.
 Cont……
2. Solid-State Drives (SSDs)

Solid-state drives use flash memory technology to store data. Unlike hdds,
ssds have no moving parts. Data is stored in non-volatile memory chips,
which can be accessed electronically.
Ssds offer significantly faster data access and transfer speeds compared to
hdds, resulting in improved overall system performance. They are more
durable, consume less power, and are less susceptible to physical damage.
It have become increasingly popular in recent years and are commonly
used as primary storage drives in laptops and desktops.
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 Cont…
3. Hybrid Drives
Hybrid drives, also known as SSHDs (Solid-State Hybrid Drives),
combine the features of HDDs and SSDs.
They consist of a traditional HDD with an integrated smaller SSD cache.
Frequently accessed data is stored in the faster SSD portion, while less
frequently accessed data resides on the HDD portion. Hybrid drives
aim to provide a balance between the cost-effectiveness and high
storage capacity of HDDs and the improved performance of SSDs.
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 Cont……
4. Optical Drives
Optical drives use lasers to read and write data on optical discs, such as CDs,
DVDs, and Blu-ray discs. They are primarily used for media playback, software
installation, and data backup. However, optical drives have become less common in
recent years due to the rise of digital media and online software distribution.
5. External Drives
External drives are portable storage devices that connect to a computer via USB,
Thunderbolt, or other interfaces. They can be HDDs, SSDs, or optical drives
enclosed in an external casing.
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 Cont…
6. Network Attached Storage (NAS)
NAS devices are specialized storage devices connected to a computer
network, allowing multiple users to access and share files over a local network
or the internet.
 NAS devices typically contain multiple hard drives configured in various
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) configurations to provide
data redundancy and improve performance.
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 Motherboard
Motherboard is a crucial
component that serves as the
main circuit board of a computer
system.
It provides the platform for
connecting and integrating
various hardware components,
allowing them to communicate
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 Cont……
Key components and features found on a typical motherboard
include:
 Memory Slots
 Expansion Slots:
 Chipset
 BIOS/UEFI
 Connectors and Ports
 Power Connectors

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 Cont……
It may involve tasks such as;
 Ensuring hardware compatibility
 Maintaining expansion slots and ports
 Updating firmware
 Troubleshooting power-related issues
Handling component installation and replacement
Configuring BIOS/UEFI settings, and performing diagnostic
procedures.
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THE END!!
THANK YOU!!

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