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Checklist For Reviving A Dead Computer
It's not something we like to think about but your computer will fail, if you keep it long enough.It may be a simple problem,such as the floppy drive not reading the disk to a major system crash.
Because computers are run by...
Google Spyware? Bad Guys & Spies Using Google Desktop Search
I suppose I was naive when I cheered the new Google Desktop Search tool thinking it was ONLY a great way to help ease my computer info-glut and help organize my hundreds of hard-drive stored documents, emails and files. It seems that now I have to...
How to reduce Computer problems?
How can I prevent Computer problems? This is a question that people have asked me many times. The entire process of reducing Computer problems can be bundled under the banner of Computer Preventive Maintenance. It is not rocket science and you...
Tips For Safer Computing Online
New computer viruses threaten the unwary user everyday. Hackers jeopardize your online security with invasive computer techniques to steal your passwords, personal information, even identity.
Unscrupulous marketers bait you with free software...
Window's Startup Modes for Troubleshooting
---------------------------------------------------------- Permission is granted for the article below to forward, reprint, distribute, use for ezine, newsletter, website, offer as free bonus or part of a product for sale as long as no changes are...
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Finally... An Understandable Introduction To Computers
When you mention the word "technology," most people think about computers. Virtually every facet of our lives has some computerized component. The appliances in our homes have microprocessors built into them, as do our televisions. Even our cars have a computer. However, the computer that everyone thinks of first is typically the personal computer, or PC.
It is a general-purpose tool, built around a microprocessor. A PC has many different parts such as memories, a hard disk, a modem, etc that work together. A PC is said to be "general purpose" because you can do many different things with it like: you can use it to type documents, send e-mail, browse the Web and play games.
Let us look at the main components of a typical desktop computer.
Central processing unit (CPU): The microprocessor "brain" of the computer system is referred to as the central processing unit. The CPU oversees everything that a computer does.
Memory: This fast storage area is for storing data and is connected directly to the microprocessor. That's why it is fast. There are various types of memory in a computer system:
Random-access memory (RAM): Used to temporarily store information that the computer is currently working with.
Read-only memory (ROM): It refers to computer memory chips, containing permanent or semi-permanent data that does not change.
Basic Input/Output: Required to establish the basic communication when the system is turned on. It is directly connected to the motherboard.
Caching: The storing of frequently
used data in extremely fast RAM that connects directly to the CPU.
Virtual memory: Used to temporarily store data and swap it in and out of the RAM.
Motherboard: This is the main board in the computer that has the processor, the RAM, the BIOS ROM, the timing and control, the interrupt and direct memory access hardware and the keyboard interface on it which are connected to it through the secondary connection.
Soundcard: this device attaches to the motherboard with a socket called PCI, which allows the computer to play CD's or music files, or MP3 CD's. All soundcards have speakers and connectors. The quality of sound depends upon the quality of the card.
Hard drive: This is the main storage device of a computer. It stores information including the OS that allows you to access it all. Most common OS for PCs is Microsoft Windows. And Apple computers use the Macintosh operating system.
Other drives: Most computers are also complete with floppy disk and CD drives. These vary from system to system, however all work in same way. They read information stored on disks. These are necessary for maintaining and updating the computer's software and operating system.
That's the components that create the average computer. Although there are many different systems, and configura- tions, it is difficult to imagine our lives without them.
About the Author
Roger A. Pendey is founder of All About Computers an excellent resource site dedicated to information about computers.
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