Hardware and Software Fundamentals

Rationale

The aim of the unit Hardware and Software is to develop your functional knowledge and practical skills for both hardware and software components of a computer. This unit has 2 assignments. Here, in Assignment 1, you will describe various computing terms, suggest improvements of performance, explore reasons for failure, and explain the functions of the operating system of a computer. Later, in Assignment 2 you will demonstrate your abilities and skills for installing, configuring, testing, and troubleshooting a computer system. For each assignment, you will write a separate report in MS Word and submit the report in the e-Zone.

Here are the tasks of Assignment 1:

TASKS

1. Explain the purpose and functions of the following PC components:

ATX Form Factor

1. Purpose of a motherboard in computer systems

The motherboard is the key part of the computer hardware system its primary purpose to house the computer components, which is an integrated circuit board that connects the other hardware parts of the computer such as RAM, CPU, disk drives, and others. The components, which are directly or indirectly attached to the motherboard, are CPU, RAM, ROM, Buses, and others.

2. Types of motherboard

There are several different types of motherboards: There are AT motherboards, baby AT motherboards, XT motherboards, and ATX motherboards. However, the two most widespread motherboards are the Older AT, and the newer ATX. There are also: AT ATX Mini-ATX Micro-ATX LPX NLX BTX

3. Form factors to distinguish AT Motherboard from ATX Motherboard

Advanced Technology and Advanced Technology Extended motherboards are form factor, a term that denotes the type of hardware and power you can connect to your hardware component. Form factor is not just a term for motherboards -- the term is used universally for any relevant computer component. An ATX motherboard is positioned at a 90-degree angle from the positioning of AT motherboards. As a result, you can never use an AT case with an ATX motherboard because it will not fit. A notable difference between the ATX motherboard and the AT motherboard is the addition of "sleep mode" to the ATX form factor. The sleep mode reduces power drain when the computer is not in use, while still allowing you to quickly revive the computer and pick up from where you left off. In an AT motherboard, the processor is placed towards the front of the case in front of the expansion slots. In an ATX motherboard, the processor is placed parallel to the expansion slots at the back of the case. ATX motherboards have a 20 or 24-pin power supply connector. This connector allows diverse voltages and signals the power supply to activate, rather than using a heavier mechanical switch. AT motherboards, have two power connectors, each with six wires. The ATX is referred as an industry-wide specification for the motherboard of the modern desktop computer that has improved the previous design of the motherboard by rotating the layout of the expansion slots and microprocessors by 90 degrees. Continue your exploration of Economic Advancements Under Alexander II with our related content.

BIOS

The purpose of Basic Input/output Systems

The BIOS run when power is supplied to the computer or otherwise they initiate execution that is booting. The BIOS involves power management firmware and boot firmware. The BIOS is referred to the program that is used by the microprocessor of the personal computer for getting the computer system started after it is being turned off

Explain why Modern BIOS are NOT ROM, they are EEPROM

The modern ROM is EEPROM SO They can be erased and reprogrammed in some way. Today we have modified version of ROM that are EPROM (Erasable Read-Only Memory) and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Read-Only Memory). EPROM and EEPROM can be erased and reprogrammed again but at a very slow speed. Erasing requires special equipment and can be done at a limited number of times.

Two main functions of BIOS (checking hardware and loading Operating Systems)

One primary role of the BIOS is to prepare the hardware as soon as the PC is turned on by configuring all the low-level drivers so that it can provide an interface between the operating system and different hardware devices like the keyboard, the screen, and the serial and parallel ports, especially when the computer is booting. Setting up all the low-level drivers is essential to provide instructions to the CPU so that it can fetch instructions from the operating system that is stored on the hard disk. A second major role of the BIOS is to start the operating system, as the operating system is what allows interactions with the computer. After all the main drivers have been configured with the computer system’s hardware the BIOS, the microprocessor now has the instructions to be able to fetch instructions from the operating system. This means the operating system can be loaded into RAM from the hard disk and manage computer system operations from here instead of the BIOS.

Explain POST

Another role of the BIOS is to perform POST (Power On Self Test) to help verify that the computer meets requirements to boot up appropriately. The BIOS will monitor the computer’s hardware to check for any issues and able to complete the boot process. If the test is successful, the system normally emits a beep. If the computer does not pass the POST, you will receive a combination of beeps indicating what is malfunctioning within the computer. The number of number, duration, and pattern of these beeps can be used to diagnose cause of the test failure.

What can be configured BIOS?

The BIOS can be configured by entering certain keys or combination of keys such as "Esc," "Del," "F1," "F2," "Ctrl-Esc" or "Ctrl-Alt-Esc" during the initial boot sequence of the computer, which will take you to the CMOS setup. In the CMOS setup, there are many options available for configuring the BIOS. Common options include changing the system time and date, modifying the start-up sequence, configuring hard drives, CD-ROM and floppy drives and security. When making alterations to the setup, it is necessary to very careful because incorrect settings may prevent your computer from starting up. After the new changes to BIOS have been saved, the computer can be restarted so that system is refreshed with the new settings.

Universal Serial Bus

Hot swappable

One important feature of USBs is that they hot swappable, which allows them to be easily removed or added from the computer while it is still running. This makes it quick and useful for inserting and accessing storage devices without having to switch off the computer.

What data transmission rate (Mbps) USB supports?

USBs are classified into one of two bandwidth groups. USB 1.1 has a transmission rate of 1.5 Mbit per second and USB2.0 that has a transmission rate of 480 Mbit per second. USB 2.0 is suitable with lower transmission requirements of USB 1.1, while USB 1.1 is unable to provide the transfer rate of USB 2.0

Differentiate type ‘A’ from type ‘B’ USBs

There are several types of USBs, for example Type A and Type B. Both Type A and Type B are composed of the same amount of pins and are electrically identical. However, type A USBs can be recognised by the rectangular shape receptacle, whereas Type B USBs have a square shape receptacle. In addition, plugs for Type A USBs are suitable for cables and smaller peripherals such as a mouse and a flash drive, while Type B is compatible with larger peripherals like printers and scanners.

Dual Core CPU

Functions of CPU?

The CPU is similar to human brain. Every single operation that you do with your computer is processed in the CPU. The performance of your computer is based upon simple mathematical operations and the CPU is the device that controls all of those operations. The CPU processes instructions it receives in the process of decoding data. In processing this data, the CPU performs four basic steps:

Fetch Each instruction is stored in memory and has its own address. The processor takes this address number from the program counter, which is responsible for tracking which instructions the CPU should execute next. Decode All programs to be executed are translated to into Assembly instructions. Assembly code must be decoded into binary instructions, which are understandable to your CPU. This step is called decoding. Execute while executing instructions the CPU can do one of three things: Do calculations with its ALU, move data from one memory location to another, or jump to a different address.

Types and versions of CPU

In the past, computer processors used numbers to identify the processor and help identify faster processors. As an example, the Intel 80486 processor is faster than the 80386 processor. After the introduction of the Intel Pentium processor (80586), all computer processors started using names like Athlon, Duron, Pentium, and Celeron.

Two main manufacture Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) is an American multinational semiconductor company based in Santa Clara, California, that develops computer processors and related technologies for business and consumer markets. While initially it manufactured its own processors, the company later outsourced its manufacturing, a practice known as fabless, after GlobalFoundries was spun off in 2009. AMD's main products include microprocessors, motherboard chipsets, embedded processors and graphics processors for servers, workstations and personal computers, and embedded systems applications. AMD is the second-largest supplier and only significant rival to Intel in the market for x86-based microprocessors. Since acquiring ATI in 2006, AMD and its competitor Nvidia have maintained a duopoly in the discrete Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) market.

Single and dual core CPU

A single-core processor is a microprocessor with a single core on a chip, running a single thread at any one time. Multi-core processor is a single computing component with two or more independent processing units called cores, which read and execute program instructions

CPU speed

The CPU speed is the amount of cycles that a CPU can perform per second. This is otherwise known as a Hertz. For example, one Hertz means that one cycle can be completed in one second. A megahertz means that one million cycles can be completed in a second. A gigahertz, the most common form of processor speed, means that one billion cycles can be completed per second.

Graphics Accelerator Card

Graphic accelerator card is also known as graphics card, video card is an expansion card that generates a feed of output images to a display such as a computer monitor

Purpose

The purpose of a graphics card is to control the visual output of your computer.

Types

There are few different types of Graphics card ISA,MCA,VLB,PCI,AGP,PCI-X,PCI Express

GPU

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device. GPUs are used in embedded systems, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and consoles. Their highly parallel structure makes them more efficient than general-purpose CPUs for algorithms that process large blocks of data in parallel.

DVI

DVI (Digital Visual Interface) was presented in 1999 and was intended to industry standard for transmitting advanced video substance to show gadgets at goals as high as 2560 x 1600. There are three DVI designs: DVI-Digital, DVI-Analog, and DVI-Integrated. DVI-Digital. DVI-Digital is utilized for direct advanced associations between source video particularly video cards and LCD screens while DVI- Analog is utilized to transmit DVI signs to simple showcase like a CRT screen or a spending LCD. DVI-I connectors are coordinated links that can transmit either an advanced to-computerized flag or a simple to-simple flag. This implies DVI-I is significantly useful connector since it is helpful in both advanced and simple circumstances.

2. Suggest 3 different improvements that can be done to increase computer hardware performance including processing, memory, and storage.

CPU

In order to improve the hardware performance, reliability and stability of the computer, the following factors are to be considered.

The computer speed and efficiency are improved when it is able to execute a lot of commands per second. The designers of a computer CPU thus play a vital role in the production of the most efficient CPUs concerning speed. The other factor to be considered in enhancing the hardware performance is parallel processing of instruction by CPU. For instance, when an instruction is executed in the ALU (E) the next instruction is required to be fetched from the memory (F) and decode (D).

The speed of the memory is also required to be increased for better performance and stability of the hardware. For instance, changing from a 70-nanosecond memory to 60-nanosecond memory in RAM is going to offer 15% more boost to the hardware performance of the computer.

Memory factor

A computer with large memory capacity has the ability to store large numbers of programs running in the computer memory domain. This is because increasing the amount of memory is going to increase the capability of the hardware to remember instruction, organise and access them easily, in turn, helping the computer to run smoothly .

Motherboard factor

The motherboard is to be selected properly for ensuring proper performance, stability, and reliability of the hardware. This is because some motherboards may not have jumpers or DIP switches to allow individuals to set the processor speed. In this case, they detect the type of CPU and set the bus speed accordingly in an automatic manner. However, the installation of this form of motherboard is helpful to simplify the process of processor up-gradation and protect the CPU from being run inadvertently at a higher speed than its efficiency protecting the failure of the hardware system and better performance. The “bus speed” of a motherboard has the ability to induce high or low speed at which the computer information and data are disseminated within the hardware system. When the computer comprises of slow bus, the processor must wait a little longer for the commands, which therefore makes the computer run at a slow rate.

Suggest 3 different causes of computer hardware failure including processing, memory and storage.

There are various causes of hardware failure, which can be controlled effectively with proper maintenance to reduce the risk of failure.

The overheating of the hardware system is a potential cause for the failure as it damages the physical parts of the hardware system of the computer, which are used to process the given commands for helping the software to perform effectively. Excessive heat causes higher resistance in the semi-conducting materials causing more heat to be produced. This increasing build-up of heat along with an increase in resistance causes the logical circuits to behave in an erratic manner leading to failure in function. The heating may occur due to inadequate ventilation or cooling in and around the hardware system of the computer. The heating issues can be resolved by adding a coolant system such as fan and others within the computer to prevent the hardware parts from being overheated. This is going to result to avoid failure of the hardware. The power surge in the voltage caused by lightning strikes which interfere with circuit or power lines of the computer results to cause flow of high electrical energy through the components. This cause damage to the hardware components causing their failure to work properly. The best way for preventing electrostatic discharge to damage the hardware components is to unplug the computer from the electric board during lightning strikes. The human error may sometimes lead to failure of hardware to perform properly. For instance, when the system files are tempered by human intervention the hard drive cannot function properly thus showing their failure. The accidental deletion of file or improper installation of system files leads to failure of the hardware to perform effectively because they cannot properly get the commands required for their effective performance. This form of errors can be resolved with proper care by the humans so that they do not irresponsibly delete any system file or store any software which may affect the performance of the hardware system.

Explain in details the role of an Operating System in managing computer Hardware and Software. (L3 1.4)

Windows 10 is the most recent operating system being used in the modern computers. There are various features and functions related to the operating system that leads the user to smoothly use the computer for executing their task in a quicker manner. The new iteration in the Window 10 is the Start menu that has a list of options and places in the left side and tiles indicating the application present on the right. The menu is allowed to be resized as well as expanded for a full-screen display making it a default option on the Tablet mode. Moreover, a virtual desktop system is being added and feature called Task View is placed which allows the user to open windows and switch between them whenever required. Thus, it allows the user to have multiple workspaces. The universal applications, which could be only used in full-screen mode in the previous versions, were allowed to be presented in self-contained windows that are similar to other programs. The operating system presently functions to allow the program windows to be snapped to the quadrants of the screen by the user by dragging them towards the corner. In this system when the window is snapped at one side, the Task View is seen to appear and the users is promoted for closing a second window for filling the unused side of the screen. In this system, the system icons of the windows’ are also changed. The charms have been removed in this new Window 10 and their functionality related to the universal application is allowed to be accessed from Application Commands menu placed in the title bar. In place of charms, the Action Centre is placed which offers display of settings toggles and notifications. It is able to be accessed through clicking of an icon in the area of notification or dragging it from the right side of the screen. The PC settings icon is refreshed and presently includes various different options which were previously found to be exclusive only to the Control Panel. The Window 10 is designed for the function of adapting it to user interface based on the type of device and available methods of input. The operating system has separate feature in relation to user interface modes where it has been divided into two one of which is a user interface optimised for mouse and another for keyboard. This allows the users to have easy access to toggle between two modes based on their requirement. Windows 10 has incorporated a new feature of multi-factor authentication technology based on the standards mentioned by FIDO alliance which helps it to fulfil the function of protected logging into personal accounts. The system is seen to involve improved support in relation to biometric authentication with the help of Windows Hello Platform. The devices, which are supported by cameras, help the users to log in with detection of the iris or face as seen in case of Kinetics. The system also allows users to log in their account through the help of fingerprint recognition. The credentials are seen to be stored locally and they are protected through the help of asymmetric encryption. The system is seen to have added the feature of logging into account through palm-vein scanning in February 2018. The Windows 10 have renewed features for increasing storage facility. This is evident as Windows 10 has the feature of automatically compressing system files for reduction of the storage footprint of the system. The system is able to reduce the storage footprint of the Windows by 1.5GB approx. in case of 32-bit system and 2.6GB approx. for 64-bit system. Thus, they fulfil the function of providing increased storage space for the user. Moreover, in this system the Refresh and Reset functions are seen to use runtime system files instead of making separate recovery partition redundant. The Windows 10 operating system has added different nature and types of files are using a new function in the Settings application, which allows the users to view a breakdown of the storage capacity of their personal device being that. It also allows the users to identify if certain file types are saved in the internal storage or in the SD card by default action. The Windows 10 have installed a new web browser as default system that is Microsoft Edge. It has extensive new features, which render services from Trident, annotation tools and often provide integration with other Microsoft platform that are present in the Windows 10. The Windows 10 has also incorporated Cortana which is the Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant being first introduced in the Windows phone 8.1. The Cortana fulfil the function of acting as a universal search box apart from Task View and Start menu that is usually condensed or hidden as a single button. The Windows 10 performs the function of personalising titles of the users to the start screen. It also performs the function of helping the users to find and add program according to their wish in the file. In order to install Windows 10, the users required to have certain specification to the fulfilled in respect to their hardware. The hardware required to have 1 GHz or more fast processor, 1GB RAM, 16GB for 32-bit OS and 20GB for 64-bit OS hard disk space, DirectX 9 or later WDDM 1.0 driver graphics card and 800x600 display specifications. The Windows 10 operating software is not going to work without fulfilment of the mentioned hardware specifications. The laser printers are only going to work in Windows 10 software because they have the software features to help the device run properly. In Windows 10, the Control Panel allows the operating system to properly coordinate management of hardware and software programming for allowing the users to smoothly use the computer. Operating system play vital role in managing hardware and software parts of a computer. For a computer, such systems include processors, disc space, and memory slots. The operating system in this regard ensures that every computer application acquires the essential resources for effective operations and compatibility with other applications, while elevating the functionality of the less effective systems. For instance, some of the contemporary operating systems operate on “plug and play” which means gadgets such as printers can automatically detect and configure without the interventions of the user. Operating system also plays a role in the provision of user interfaces; both graphical user interface and command line interface. In graphical user interface, the computer user gets to interact with the operating system while utilizing the mouse to acquire access to menus, icons and windows. The operating system’s role is to offers a continuous Application program interface (API) that permits software developers to write an application compatible with more than one computer of same kind but different properties such as space and memory capacities. On other side, in command line interface the computer user interacts with the computer operating system by typing on the keyboard the intended commands to access expected tasks. Disc Operating System is an example of command line interface. Additionally, operating systems are instrumental in computer file management. The system can manage the organization, of computer files as intended by the user, while saving them for easy retrieval. The operating system controls writings and readings in the file systems and access authorizations. The operating systems also facilitate the computer-booting process. The system creates favourable conditions on which the computer turns off itself as per the users’ command or when operating files are corrupted.

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