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Boot Camp-Troubleshooting Hardware Bootup Problems
This guide deals with troubleshooting a PC that won't boot to the point where it at least starts loading an operating system (hardware related problem). This article is intended for a person who has a little knowledge of PC's and is comfortable...
How to buy a laptop - buyers guide notes
Laptops are always a difficult thing to buy because there is such a wide choice and so many different prices and then there's the technical specifications to get your head around.. nightmare! So here's some ideas from the technical side of things,...
It's War I Tell You!
As you may or may not know, a new computer is extremely vulnerable when you first get online with it. There are ways to insure security though. You can get the Windows Update CD from Microsoft and install that before you get online. You can also get...
What's in a Name?
Have you ever visited a website (possibly one you saw advertised in an email or through a link on another site) that did not have its own Domain Name? For instance, was the address of the site something along the lines of.... ...
Windows vs. Linux, A Comparison
Many of you who are reading this article are using Windows as most of the other internet users do. There is a huge difference between the number of users of LINUX and Windows. Some say Windows is much better than LINUX because it gives you an easy...
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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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Tom's Hardware |
: Tom's Hardware Guide is the Internet's premiere resource for hardware news and reviews. |
www.tomshardware.com |
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HardwareCentral - Your source for in-depth computer hardware info. |
HardwareCentral is the #1 Hardware Information Resource on the 'Net. Featuring over 600 pages of Hardware information, including advice on System ... |
www.hardwarecentral.com |
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Apple - Hardware |
Find your favorite Mac, iPod and other Apple accessories. |
www.apple.com |
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Ace Hardware |
Nationwide (United States) hardware and home improvement retailer. Includes products, dealer locator and corporate information. |
www.acehardware.com |
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Computer hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and ... Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Hardware is the general term that is used to describe physical artifacts of a technology. ... In a looser sense, hardware can be major military equipment, ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Open Directory - Computers: Hardware |
Hardware Central - Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for power computer users and ... |
dmoz.org |
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Microsoft Hardware – Home Page |
Learn about Microsoft mice, keyboards, desktop sets, webcams, media center peripherals, gaming products, fingerprint readers and presentation tools. |
www.microsoft.com |
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AnandTech: your source for hardware analysis and news |
Independent hands-on reviews of computer hardware such as motherboards, graphic cards, and CPUs. |
www.anandtech.com |
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hardware.com - Routers, switches, firewalls, servers, memory ... |
Supplier of new and refurbished networking hardware and approved and compatible network accessories. Located in the United Kingdom. |
www.hardware.com |
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Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters |
From the article: "Although the news caused barely a ripple of reaction in the audience of software and hardware engineers, there are industry analysts who ... |
hardware.slashdot.org |
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InformationWeek HardwareTech Center |
Our hardware coverage ranges from mobile computers and PDAs to servers and supercomputers, and the infrastructure issues enterprises deal with every day. ... |
www.informationweek.com |
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What is hardware? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer ... |
This page describes the term hardware and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information. |
www.webopedia.com |
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Google Directory - Computers > Hardware |
Hardware Central - http://www.hardwarecentral.com/ Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for ... |
www.google.com |
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Gifts: Unique Gifts & Gift Ideas at Restoration Hardware |
At Restoration Hardware, you'll explore an exceptional world of high quality unique gifts. Browse our products to find gift ideas & more at Restoration ... |
www.restorationhardware.com |
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HwB: The Hardware Book |
HwB provides you with circuits, pinouts, cable/adapter descriptions and other technical information. |
www.hardwarebook.net |
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Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register |
More Gadgets Stuff. 5th December 2006 12:09 GMT. Author: Reg Hardware ... 27th November 2006 15:31 GMT. Author: The Hardware Widow ... |
www.reghardware.co.uk |
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red hat hardware compatibility lists |
hardware.redhat.com/ - Similar pages |
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TrueValue.com |
Here's our tip to hang strands of lights with ease. Jeanenne & Jim Tucker Plantation True Value Hardware Richmond, TX ... |
www.truevalue.com |
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A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware |
A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware, Logic and Architecture. 500 easy-read articles about the modern PC. Understand the basic architecture of ... |
www.karbosguide.com |
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