© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco PublicITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 1
Personal Computers and Applications
Networking for Home and Small Businesses – Chapter 1
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 2© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Objectives Identify the purpose and uses of personal computers
and describe local and network applications.
Compare and contrast different types of computing devices.
Explain the binary representation of data.
Determine appropriate components and peripheral devices to meet requirements.
Install, verify, and upgrade computer components and peripherals.
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 3© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers Multiple uses for computers
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Computers need 3 things . . .
Hardware
Operating System
Application Software
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Purpose and Uses of Personal Computers
Business & Industry
–Medical
–Educational
–Legal
General Use
–Used by a wide range of people
–Used for various services
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 6© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Types of Computing Devices Different types of Computers—each one with a different
purpose
Online Activity 1.2.1
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Types of Applications
Local – runs on only one PC
Network – runs over the network (the Internet)Must have two components
runs on a local computer
runs on a remote computer
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Types of Computing Devices Servers – keep in a secure location (Why??)
High performance computers which provide services to many clients
Multiple CPUs
Loads of RAM
High capacity drives
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 9© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Types of Computing Devices Desktop personal computer (PC)
Used to run everyday applicationsEmail
Internet
Word Processing
Spreadsheet
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Types of Computing Devices
Workstation – high powered computers
Features•Multiple processors
•Large amounts of RAM
•High capacity drives
Types of applications•Computer Aided Design (CAD)
•3D
•Video animation
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Types of Portable Computing Devices
Types and features of portable devices
Laptop – AKA a Notebook
Use of a docking station with a laptop allows for more connection options
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Binary Representation of Data
Humans use words and pictures to communicate
Computers use bits– 1 or 0 (1=on; 0=off) – just like a light switch
–8 bits = 1 byte
Networkers need to be able to understand both
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Binary Representation of Data Humans use the Base 10 numbering system, but
computers only understand binary, so how do we communicate??
Simple – Convert Base 10 to Binary
Try these examples:– 175
– 68
– 255
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What helps determine the speed?
Type of Media– UTP Cable
– Fiber
– Wireless
Type of file– Larger files require more time to download
Type of computer
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 15© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Binary Representation of Data Measuring resolution and frequency
Pixels – determines the resolution
Hertz = how fast something recycle or refreshes
300 MHz = 300 million cycles/second
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 16© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Preassembled or Custom Built – which one should you
choose??
Preassembled Advantages:– Lower Cost
– Performs most applications
Preassembled Disadvantages:– May lack in performance
Custom Built Advantages:– Exact components
– Supports higher performance applications
Custom Built Disadvantages– Costly
ITE PC v4.0Chapter 1 17© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco Public
Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Motherboard– main circuit board
– slots for network, video, and sound carts
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Central Processing Unit (CPU)– nerve center of the computer
Factors to remember when selecting your processor– higher speed = faster performance
– more power = more heat
Bus– how data gets to its location (like a highway)
– faster bus = faster computer
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Random Access Memory (RAM)– temporary storage
– stores data while it is being processed by the CPU
Why would a user need more RAM?– Multiple applications running at the same time
– Multiple CPUs
– Amount of RAM available is determined by the motherboard
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Adapter cards add functionality to a computer system
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Optical Drives– Use of laser beams to record information
– CD or DVD – uses red laser
– Blue Ray – uses blue-violet laser
• can hold up to 25GB of data
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Magnetic Drives– Hard Drive
– Floppy Drive
– Tape Drive
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices Peripheral Devices
– Added to the computer to expand its capabilities
–Different categories
• Input
• Output
• Storage
• Networking
Where do these devices fit??
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Determining Appropriate Components and Peripheral Devices
Surge Protector– prevents damage to the computer
UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply)– keeps charge of internal battery
– provides backup power without interruption for a short period of time
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals
Computer Repair Best Practices
Turn PC off and unplug power– Determine if the part is hot-swappable (if so, there is no need to turn off power before adding or removing the part)
Never open power supply or monitor – both contain high voltages
Be aware of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)– transfers electricity from your body to electrical parts
– ground yourself properly
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals
Take the following precautions:– Determine if the component is hot swappable
• If in doubt, unplug it!!
– Attach grounding strap
– Remove old component
– Check the connection on the new component
• Should fit easily; if you have to force it, it probably doesn’t belong there
– Place component in the correct slot
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Install, Verify and Upgrade Components and Peripherals PS/2 - connects keyboard and mouse
USB – connects many devices (PnP)
Serial – connects modems/printers
Parallel – connects printer
VGA – connects monitors
RJ11 – connects phone lines
RJ45 – connects to the network
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