Here we are, heading into week two with the learning program and beginning with the internal operations of a computer. We shall view the hardware components of a computer-chapter by chapter, study the functionality of each, and understand how they work together to enable the computer run. By then, you will also gain knowledge on how to build a computer from scratch!
Learning Goals:
- Recognize the main components of a computer and how they work together to make up a functioning whole.
- Understand how the CPU processes and executes instructions Explain how binary data physically travels throughout different parts of a computer.
PRACTICE QUIZ: THE MODERN COMPUTER:
1. Where does the CPU store its computations?
- Binary
- External Data Bus
- Processor
- Registers (Correct)
Correct! The CPU usually stores information in registers while doing arithmetic and logic operations. Registers are small stored data temporary locations that are extremely fast and used by the CPU for accessing data during quick processing.
2. Which mechanisms do we use to transport binary data and memory addresses? Check all that apply.
- School Bus
- DBus
- The External Data Bus (Correct)
- Address Bus (Correct)
You got it! The external data bus transfers binary data between the CPU and other devices, and the Address Bus is used to transport addresses along which the CPU retrieves or finds where the data is stored.
3. To extend the functionality of a computer, we can plug devices into connection points on it. What are these connection points known as?
- Hardware
- Ports (Correct)
- Desktops
- Mouse
Great job! Ports are used to connect devices to a computer for transferring data and power to or from the external peripherals.
PRACTICE QUIZ – COMPONENTS
1. What characteristics distinguish a Solid State Drive from a Hard Disk Drive? Check all that apply.
- Non-moving parts (CORRECT)
- High RPMs
- Uses Disk Platters
- Smaller form factor (CORRECT)
Correct: It is entirely correct; indeed, solid-state drives rely on absolutely no moving parts that confer them with their higher speed and durability compared to the conventional hard drives. They are economical in size, use non-volatile memory, and can still retain memories with no power supply.
2. True or false: If you plug in a 220v appliance into a 120v outlet, the appliance could get damaged.
- TRUE (CORRECT)
- FALSE
You got it! The fact that a 220V machine can easily be fixed into a 120V socket without burning it is its drawback. After some time, it might not operate properly, or it might start developing fault mainly because the machine doesn’t get power as required. Most likely, the machine will not operate to optimum efficiency or might break down eventually.
3. How long will it take to transfer a file size of 1GB on a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 drive?
- ~20 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -.02 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive
- ~17 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -2 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive (CORRECT)
- ~20 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -2 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive
- ~17 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -.02 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive
Correct: That is so true. Theoretically, USB 2.0 has a bandwidth of about 480 Mb/s, which is equal to approximately 60 MB/s. Therefore, times will vary according to various conditions, but one can count it taking about 17 seconds to transfer 1024 MB of data under optimal operating conditions without other factors interfering to slow down the transfer speed.
4. Which of these is used to charge devices? Check all that apply.
- Picture of USB A. (CORRECT)
- Picture of Display Port.
- Picture of USB C. (CORRECT)
- Picture of HDMI Port.
Correct: Well done, you! These are types of USB ports
5. True or false: If you turn off a machine that uses SDRAM, the data on the SDRAM will be wiped out.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: Indeed SDRAM stands for Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory which is a kind of memory in the case where it works under volatile criterion, which means it will lose data when power supply fails.
PRACTICE QUIZ – STARTING IT UP
1. What is the difference between a ROM chip and a RAM chip? Check all that apply.
- A ROM chip stores temporary data. A RAM chip stores permanent data.
- A ROM chip is non-volatile and will keep its data in the case of a power failure. A RAM chip is volatile and will wipe its data in the case of a power failure. (CORRECT)
- A ROM chip is volatile and will wipe its data in the case of a power failure. A RAM chip is non-volatile and will keep its data in the case of a power failure.
- A ROM chip stores permanent data. A RAM chip stores temporary data. (CORRECT)
Correct! In fact, a ROM chip, which is an abbreviation for Read-Only Memory, is a form of a memory chip that is designed to store permanent data so that the data contained in it will still be intact even after the loss of power. On the other hand, a RAM chip is considered a volatile form of memory because the information contained in it is temporary and will all be erased as a result of shutting off or losing power.
2. Which of these functions does the BIOS perform? Check all that apply.
- POST (CORRECT)
- Checks what devices are connected to the computer (CORRECT)
- Installs drivers
- Initializes hardware (CORRECT)
Excellent! Exactly! The BIOS performs a POST (Power-On Self-Test) when the computer is turned on. In this test, the BIOS checks the system to make sure that the essential hardware elements – such as the processor and memory – are working properly. For booting purposes, the BIOS is also setting up hardware components to be ready for use in the initial phase.
3. Where are your BIOS settings stored?
- RAM
- Flash drive
- Hard drive
- CMOS chip (CORRECT)
Correct! In the CMOS chip, we store the BIOS settings.
4. What is the difference between a traditional BIOS and UEFI? Check all that apply.
- A traditional BIOS has better compatibility with newer hardware.
- UEFI has become the default BIOS on new systems. (CORRECT)
- UEFI is meant to become the new standard for BIOS. (CORRECT)
- UEFI has better compatibility with newer hardware. (CORRECT)
Correct: Correct! UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, which serves as the contemporary equivalent of traditional BIOS. It has become the standard across practically all modern systems and has been optimized for even greater compatibility with advanced hardware, as well as booting faster and larger storage device support.
5. True or false: Before you work on the physical components of your machine, you should ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Great job! That is precise! Even the most fractional amounts of static voltage could harm extremely sensitive components in computers. Therefore, before touching any internal hardware, it’s very important to ground yourself to prevent this from happening. You could do so by wearing an anti-static wrist strap or touching any grounded metallic item to discharge any static electricity from your body.
GRADED QUIZ: ASSEMBLE A COMPUTER
1. You will build a virtual computer by dragging and dropping the parts in the blue sections.
CPU: Arrange its components from bottom to top: exactly how you would do it while installing on a real PC.
After positioning all components, click to execute the ‘Check’ button. The good placements will show in green while the wrong placements exist in red outlines.
In case off the mistakes, edit placements initially or reset all using the reset button (the one with the arrow) and do it again.
Finally, hit the “Submit” button to be graded.