Hardware

Before you start Objectives: Learn the specifics about the SATA standards and how do SATA devices look like. Prerequisites: you have to be familiar with different types of storage devices which can be used on computers. Key terms:  SATA vs PATA In contrast to Parallel ATA, Serial ATA uses a serial bus architecture that overcomes many of … Read moreSerial ATA (SATA) Storage Device Specifics and Installation

Before you start Objectives: Learn what is the difference between IDE, EIDE and ATA, how does PATA work, and how do we install PATA drives. Prerequisites: Key terms: ATA, drive, IDE, hard, controller, cable, devices, master, MBps, BIOS, EIDE  Original IDE or ATA-1 We will often hear the terms IDE, ATA, EIDE, PATA, all used interchangeably to indicate … Read morePATA Storage Device Specifics and Installation

Before you start Objectives: Learn which different storage devices are there and which technologies they are using. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: disk, drive, hard, data, flash, tape, memory, surface, information, floppy, read, access, head, optical, platter, ram, dvd, cd Hard Disk Drive A hard disk is a magnetic disk encased in a thick protective shell. Hard disk drives … Read moreComputer Storage Devices

Before you start Objectives: learn how to deal with common problems that typically arise on portable computers. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: system, notebook, lcd, power, monitor, display, keyboard, pad, battery, key, mouse, plug, screen, cable Problems With Power Electrical power that comes out of standard wall outlet is AC power or alternating current. Our laptop needs DC … Read moreCommon Issues With Portable Computers

Before you start Objectives: learn about different power management specifications and why is power management so important. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: acpi, apm, bios, device, state, management, schemes, shut, cpu, hard, os, pc, ram, support, disk, hibernate How to Reduce Power Consumption We can reduce the amount of power that a PC system consumed significantly by shutting … Read morePower Management Concepts on Portable Computers

Before you start Objectives: learn about different types of portable computers, about their specific design, typical expansion slots that they use, different types of batteries that are used, about power management, and typical ports. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: battery, notebook, system, type, power, pcmcia, portable, card, laptop, port, expresscard, memory, nicad, external Types of Portable Computers Notebook … Read moreDifferent Types of Portable Computers and Their Specifics

Before you start Objectives: Learn what is sound card, how does it work, different audio technologies that it utilizes, and which connectors can it have. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: audio, digital, analog, sample, wave, channel, standard, dolby, bit, hz, connector, interface Sound Waves The task of a sound card in a PC system is to convert digital … Read moreSound Card

Before you start Objectives: Learn which interfaces we can use to connect various video adapters and display devices. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: cable, analog, dvi-d, pin, hdmi, monitor, displayport, dvi-i, male, vga, audio, dvi-a, composite, connection, digital, output, s-video, crt, d-sub, dms, dual-link, hdtv, din, dvi D-Sub (VGA) A D-sub (also called VGA) connector uses a DB-15 … Read moreCommon Video Ports and Connectors

Before you start Objectives: Learn what is LCD monitor, how does it work, and what are common features. Prerequisites: no prerequisites. Key terms: ratio, display, resolution, aspect, angle, hdtv, pixel, time, response, contrast, color, line, backlight, dead, black, vertical, flat, light, power LCD Features The static and dynamic contrast ratio is the difference in brightness (light intensity) between the brightest … Read moreLiquid Crystal Display (LCD) Monitor

Before you start Objectives: Learn what is CRT monitor, how does it work and what are its features. Prerequisites: Key terms: screen, color, refresh, phosphor, rate, gun, electron, green, blue, pixel, red, draw, display, horizontal, vertical, resolution, grill, mask, intensity, video, aperture CRT Monitor Design A CRT monitor is made up of several different components. The first … Read moreCathode Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor