CHAPTER 1

COMPUTER HARDWARE STARTUP

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completing this chapter, you should be able to do the following:

Describe the different components of a computer system.

Describe how to startup a computer system.

Describe how to set parameters for operation and how to performand interpret diagnostic tests.

Explain what is involved in inspecting components, running system checks and troubleshooting error conditions.

Explain how to perform computer interface changes, CMOS changes and configuration changes.

Describe how to inspect, repair and install cables.

Explain how to install computer equipment and prepare computers for shipment.

We receive information in many different forms, from our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and even sensory nerves. Our brains receive and accept this information, work with it in some form or fashion, and then store it away somewhere in the back of our minds (memories) for future use. If what we are processing at the time requires immediate attention, our minds direct us to respond with words or actions. The computer's brain (the central processing unit) is designed to do basically the same thing. That is, it receives information (input data), works with this information (processes data), and transmits this information (output data) to some form of output media. This is often shown graphically as: Computers do nothing more than what we instruct them to do. They simply follow a set of internally stored instructions (called a program or software) we provide and process the data we feed into them.

The design of fifth-generation computers is such that they will actually learn from previous experiences and apply what they have learned. This is called artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence computers manipulate data more efficiently, with parallel processing, and understand written and spoken human language. Ultimately, we may have a computer similar to the human brain.

COMPUTER SYSTEM HARDWARE

All electronic digital computer systems consist of a central processing unit (CPU) and one or more peripheral devices for inputting and outputting data and

programs. Figure 1-1 shows the CPU and the types of peripheral (input and output [I/O]) devices you will find in a computer system. The devices are interconnected by electrical cables thru a bus to allow communications between them. The CPU communicates with the peripheral devices through input/output (I/O) channels.

The brain of a computer system is the central processing unit, which we refer to as the CPU. THE CPU IS THE COMPUTER. It receives the data transferred to it from one of the various I/O devices. It

processes the data and transfers the intermediate or final results to an I/O device for storage or distribution.

The CPU executes stored programs and does all the processing and manipulating of data. It contains the circuits that control and perform the execution of instructions using various types of memories. The I/O devices simply aid the computer by providing and receiving data and programs.

In this section, you'll learn about the control unit, the arithmetic-logic unit, primary storage, secondary storage, peripheral devices, I/O channels, and modems.

Figure 1-1.\Units/devices of a computer system.