Computer SystemsPart 1: Computer Assembly, OS & Network Setup

Step OneAssemble A Computer

As a team, work to assemble the components in front of you into a

working computer.

These components are key…

Case

The case holds all components together, channels air for cooling and keeps out dirt.

Power Supply

The power supply takes 210-110v input and steps it down for each component.

Central Processing Unit

The CPU executes all instructions and handles all data: it is the computer.

Motherboard

The motherboard connects the CPU to other components.

RAM

RAM provides fast, expensive and volatile storage for software and data in current use.

Hard Disk Drive

The HDD provides slow, cheap and persistent storage for all software and data.

Step TwoInstall An Operating System

The operating system coordinates the operation of all

components, and makes resources available to users in a

fair and secure manner.

Install it!

Ubuntu is a free, open source operating system. It is a complete alternative to Microsoft

Windows and Apple Mac OS.

Use the CD or thumbdrive provided to install Ubuntu onto your computer, and then boot into

it.

What is the difference between operating system software and

application software?

Step ThreeJoin A Network

Connect To A Router

Use an RJ45 cable to connect your computer to a router.

Talk To Another Computer

1. Open A TerminalApplications > Accessories > Terminal

2. Find Your IP AddressType the following then press enter:

ifconfig -a

3. Ping GoogleType the following then press enter:

ping google.com

4. Ping A ClassmateType the following then press enter:

ping [classmateIP]

What Have You Learned?Use the annotated four layer model below to

consider what you have learned so far

CPUMotherboard

RAMHDD

Power SupplyCase

InternetLocal NetworkDomain name

IP AddressPing

FirmwareOperating System

Applications

LicensingAll original work used here is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-

Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Hong Kong License. For more details please look http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/hk/.

This license has been chosen to permit a high degree of sharing, whilst protecting the author’s control as to how the content is used.

Please respect this license and use accordingly!

Recycled and borrowed works from other sources are used under appropriate licenses, which are not affected by this license.

The original source is always given. All original work created by Ross Parker (International College Hong Kong), except where specified.

CreditsCircuit Board PhotoBy R. Butler on Flickr

Available under Creative Commons, BY-SA

Computer Case PhotoBy Normal Rogers on Wikipedia

In public domain

CPU PhotoBy Advanced Micro Devices on Wikipedia

Usage permitted by author

Motherboard PhotoBy Fir0002 on Wikipedia

GNU Free Documentation License

Credits IIRAM Photo

By Clemens Pfeiffer on WikipediaAvailable under Creative Commons, BY

Hard Disk Drive PhotoBy Asim18 on Wikipedia

Available under Creative Commons, BY

Ubuntu LogoBy Nicosmos on Wikipedia

Used under educational fair use

RJ45 Cable PhotoBy David Monniaux on Wikipedia

Available under Creative Commons, BY-SA

Credits IIIRouter Photo

By Asim18 on WikipediaAvailable under Creative Commons, BY-SA

Power Supply PhotoBy mboverload on Wikipedia

Available withinPublic Domain