Showing posts with label Hardware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hardware. Show all posts

System Memory

System Memory

ROM ( Read Only Memory)

RAM stands for Read Only Memory , ROM is memory All which data is prerecorded computer has-beens . Code and / or data programming on a chip ROM is written to the chip factory. It can be read , it can not be objective deleted or removed . It is permanent. Retains data or ROM icts happy, Even When the computer is off , unlike the main computer memory (RAM) , Which Requires a constant electrical load to keep His information. For this reason , the ROM is Considered " non- volatile" RAM and "volatile" .

ROM chips are used in all kinds of electronics calculators to video games. Most personal computers -have several applications of ROM . These chips Often store information and programs do not need That to be changed Permanently and criticism , or do not need to be written . Most computers -have a small Amount of the code ROM That blinds That starts the computer boots . The first computers used to store aussi the BIOS ROM (O base system) That acts like a translator Between the hardware of the computer and operating system .

The problem with using ROM BIOS chips thesis information Is That computer manufacturers HAD to build systems around Their ROMs made ​​available and Their coding. Because the information WAS written to the chip falling on the manufacturing process , to exchange the chip Involve the development of new assembly lines and the purchase of new equipment. Would it cost a small fortune if a computer or motherboard manufacturer only HAVING HAD visions of the coding of modified thesis has to adapt to new or improvements Developments They May wish to Incorporate into Their products chips.



PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory)

Remember , Everything that a computer can Understand is 1 and 0 . Here's how a transistor works . It Allows electricity to pass or not . There is an electric load , or it is not . Is on or off (1 or 0) . These memory chips are made ​​up of millions of tiny transistors All which -have the 0 or 1 . Just like millions of tiny switches or fuses .

With a ROM chip , thesis Permanently switches are set at the factory in Their respective countries or off (1 or 0) positions. In the case of a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) chip is Manufactured with all breakers or fuses icts little intact , or set to '1 ' ( empty memory) . When chips are programmed thesis with the use of a device called Expired PROM is programmed ( or burner ) , a high voltage pulse destroys selected electronic switches, burning in the parameters must be That change to a '0 '.

So PROM is programmable goal only once . As ROM , it is permanent or nonvolatile . It can not be erased .
EPROM ( Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory)

An EPROM is a special kind of PROM That can be reprogrammed . The information is Stored as electric loads Deposited on the chip (1 and 0) . EPROM are easy to spot on the motherboard of your computer . They are always in the form of a DIP chip as ROM and PROM , They Will goal -have a metal tag as on top of the chip (usually showing the serial number , version, date and name of the manufacturer) . It is for good reason . The label covers a small window .

An EPROM can be erased by Removing the circuit and the projection of ultraviolet light through the window above chip . Then it can be reprogrammed by an EPROM burner moyen de . EPROM are still Considered non - volatile , They Will not lose Their information When the computer is off .





EEPROM ( Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory Electronics)




EEPROM Does not Have To Be removed and feel to the manufacturer to be reprogrammed . It can be reprogrammed while you electronically in the system by using a software designed SPECIFICALLY for That purpose . Also , EPROM must be erased completely Call , Then reprogrammed . With a single byte EEPROM can be erased and rewritten . In fact , the EEPROM is erased and written one byte at a time , Which Makes it slow as memory goes. Yet , it Allows manufacturers the possibility of configuration parameters on the chip EEPROM of an expansion card . Using the Software Provided with a device , DMA channels , IRQ and I / O addresses can be Assigned without the use of jumpers and DIP switches. Resource settings for the configurable devices software can be changed without opening the computer case .



FLASH ROM ( Read Only Memory Flash)

FLASH ROM is a kind of EEPROM , the object information can be erased and written in blocks of bytes INSTEAD . This tend to make it faster than regular EEPROM . It aussi Requires less power to perform the procedure .

FLASH ROM is now Commonly used to store the BIOS information for personal computers . This Allows BIOS Makes the possibility of Providing updates via the Internet , and Potentially Allows users to gain access to new features That Were not supported by Their computer .

It is significant to get the Flash Program right the for each Particular BIOS. Do not use One That you -have a friend or an unknown site. Go to the manufacturer 's website and -have your BIOS Version and motherboard model number , serial number and the date at hand . Print and follow the instructions em Closely . Discover all the information about backing up and Restoring your previous BIOS if something go wrong shoulds .

Flashing the BIOS shoulds not be done every time an update is available. I think it shoulds be done When a required function is not supported and the only other recourse is a new motherboard , Because if things go wrong , It Could Be That you are the replacing . Do not flash just for the sake of flash . If you do not need to upgrade , do not flash your BIOS. Making a mistake in the process , lose power , or using the wrong image file Could be disastrous .

Motherboard

Motherboard

         The motherboard is the wide circuit board inside your computer case . It is sometimes called Expired the system board, motherboard , motherboard , or , less frequently, the flat map . Everything is connected to your computer system , Directly or Indirectly connects to the motherboard .

I am sour Everyone has heard of the CPU , or Central Processing Unit, Referred to as the " brain" of your computer . Well , the CPU is on the motherboard , and if it can be called Expired the brain of your computer , Then the motherboard is really the central nervous system . The motherboard contains the CPU , chip ROM BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and CMOS configuration information. It Has slots for expansion cards Installing different adapt as your video card, sound card , network card, modem. The circuit board HAS connector for the keyboard as well as housing the keyboard controller chip . It Has slots for RAM Random Access memory of your system ( SIMM or DIMM) , and Provides the system chipset, controllers , and circuits underlying instrument (system bus) to tie everything together .

The motherboard , more or less , it's your computer . It kind of olefins your computer , scalability and expandability .



Mothers unintegrated
Non-integrated assemblies like mothers / O Port connectors I ( serial and parallel ports) , the connectors are gold cards paddle hard drives , the floppy controller and connectors, joystick connections , etc. . installed as expansion cards . This takes one or more expansion slots on the motherboard and Reduces the Amount of free space inside the computer case . Malthus , the individual motherboard is Relatively cheap to produce, Because The goal cost of manufacturing , testing and installing of expansion cards separately , there is an additional cost for the computer system . HOWEVER , if something shoulds go wrong with the various sub- assemblies , : such as a bent or broken pin in a connector or a defective chip controller, etc. . , You can fix the problem by replacing: the individual expansion card at a cost Relatively low .

Most older motherboards Were not integrated . Some of the later 486 system boards Began to Incorporate Some Of These assemblies right on the circuit board .

Motherboards integrated
Motherboards -have integrated assemblies That Are aussi installed as integrated expansion cards, or built right on the map . Serial and parallel ports , IDE and floppy drive, and the joystick all Directly connect to the motherboard . It is now standard on all 486 models and end above. Tend to release it from the interior of the housing and has Allows better airflow and accessibility . Systems are less expensive to Produce Because there is less material Involved , less setup and testing can be done at the same time . They are more expensive to repair , Because if you end up with a controller failure or broken pin , it means clustering a new motherboard (and, of course , Because of the added groups , the motherboard can be more expensive than icts homologous non- integrated ) . HOWEVER , integrated Specific dissertation sets are quite stable, and altho Generally problems can Occur , They tend to be quite rare.

Overall , integrated motherboard tend to be a good thing , as Opposed to the "mother Embedded.
Embedded motherboards
Cost and accessibility is a concern for Any Manufacturer . Make your more affordable, and more people will buy the product, Creating a larger market and Increase sales . Actually this is the idea behind integrated motherboards , and this is a motherboard onboard is an integrated card .

The reason I Distinguish Between the two is a matter of expansion , scalability and configuration. In an Effort to Reduce the cost ( and size ) of a computer system more odd , manufacturers -have Begun to Incorporate (or integration ) technologies : such as video , sound , networking and modems right on the system board . This Greatly Increases the cost of the motherboard , goal Reduces the cost of the system for the Entire Reasons Discussed Earlier we . In addition , you're pretty much stuck with what you have.

What if you decide you want to upgrade your audio or video technology , what happens if your modem or your card number along icts works overlooks ... you need a new ( expensive ) motherboard . But wait , the manufacturer indicates That You can update or bypass a Particular feature by Installing an adapt card and disabling the embedded device (sometimes ) . Well , this is Where some problems tends to Arise .

Firstly , how do you disable the device ? Some are disabled as soon as you install Reviews another device ( like a video card in an AGP slot) . Others shoulds be disabled by software install programs , or in the CMOS configuration of your system , or by setting jumpers on the motherboard Itself , or both ( and remember , Some can not be upgraded , BYPASSED or disabled at all ) .

SECONDLY , I can update the device I want , or am I limited ? Is there a list of compliant devices can I upgrade to? Many embedded systems can be tips very picky about the model and manufacturer of the device you use to replace That year integrated function .

Third , is there a place for the upgrade or replacement ? Remember , the manufacturer HAS built a device to save money and for reduce costs . More money has been saved by Reducing the number of expansion slots on the motherboard ?

Finally , the mother card Itself is more expensive Because of the embedded device. I would not damage the device cost reduction by disabling the device and install Reviews another ?

Another thing deception . A manufacturer can Say That Their integrated video technology has 4 MB of video RAM, expandable to , say 12MB . Usually this means clustering What Is That You have 4 MB of video memory ( All which is faster than regular system RAM) , and when to you upgrade than 12 MB ​​, it uses 8 MB ​​of RAM your system . Hmm ... Now your latest video technology uses regular system RAM INSTEAD of VRAM faster, 64 MB and your computer HAS only 56 MB of memory , 8 MB ​​Because WAS Allocated to video . Most manufacturers do not explain That One as well .

You May Find That you do a lot of desktop publishing or enjoy games, and decided you want to That update your video card to Improve Your graphics and Increase performance. With an embedded system , you May be limited to what you can do .

Make no mistake , the board might -have a recess in today 's market systems. Laptops and notebooks are getting smaller and lighter , and more like desktop computers featuring full . Some compromise is not only tolerated , but expected . You May need a basic business computer That Does nothing but the number of tightening or Accessing a database and ties to a small network . Maybe you are looking for a good computer market just to access the Internet or to play the odd game of solitaire . Maybe you play the odd game of work and you want to play your music CDs while you work . Maybe you are a first time buyer and you want all features thesis ! Embedded motherboards allow fast , powerful , feature-rich computer systems at a very reasonable cost . It's just significant to know Exactly what you get , and the various limitations and problems That can come later if you decide you want to Improve Some Of These characteristics .

From the sounds of it all , You Can Have the feeling That I ' m Not particularly crazy about embedded motherboards .

form factors
Form factors define the size , shape and placement of screws on the motherboard . Usually this is the technological advances That Have Been Made That thesis allow exchange so I guess aussi form factors define the technology to Some extent .

It is significant to Understand That none of these standards must be met ( except Perhaps the spacing Between the expansion slots) . So , if a manufacturer Decides to build a system board with the screw placement or different dimensions different from the norm , it is perfectly acceptable. Then this map Becomes the owner and can not be control by mittal by the original company. HOWEVER , if your motherboard adhered to one of the form factors , and you decided to upgrade your motherboard at a later date or replacement for Any Reason , Then All You Have to do is to buy Reviews another motherboard That follows this standard .

PC / XT
When IBM released icts first personal computer (PC), There Were No standards and mother tends to be a bit on the large size with more space than is really considers. In a short time , They Had Their computer Technologies Developed Extended ( XT ) Reducing the size of the motherboard to make it more compact and yet accept the different circuits and components for the system . The XT is Quickly Becoming a standard for motherboards in MOST clones That Were Developed at the time .

AT / AT baby
Computers are Quickly Becoming more and more Powerful with more system memory installed on the card , faster processors , and needed more circuits and components . IBM Had to Increase the size of Their boards to accept all components thesis and Developed the AT mother board . At 13.5 " X 12" , this form factor is Quickly Becoming a standard Followed by other manufacturers . Size , screw placement , positioning the expansion slot, and the odd placement of components WAS Followed Closely so That Some motherboard manufacturers Were worried about lawsuits . It was not uncommon to buy a computer from a manufacturer of system in place , with full documentation , order no contact information in the manual for the motherboard , Perhaps in fear of breach of copyright .

TA , HOWEVER , pretty much the industry standard Became Throughout the 80s and early 90s . As technology , circuits and components smaller and Have Become more integrated . Many companies -have Decided to Reduce the size of the motherboard again. Because AT has-been the norm for so Many Years They Have learned the location of expansion slots and positioning screws on a panel 13 " X 8.5 or 9 ." This Means That Could Be AT board mittal by a " Baby AT " or " mini -TA board and still fit in the same box.

Baby form factor all purpose mittal completely Call the AT and is still available , purpose HAS never been a true standard .

ATX
Because the baby form factor HAS never been a true standard , Many companies -have taken liberties with different dimensions and designs. The ATX form factor developed by Intel That hugs the baby Closely format. It brings together Some of the best ideas , engineering and design to a standard less expensive That is to develop, Allows better access component, and in Some respects , is faster and more stable.

ATX board Measures approximately 9.5 " X 12" and takes the baby on board and turns 90 degrees to the length of the board on the back of the computer case , Which Provides maximum space for extension of slots and I / O ports.

Ports of different I / O , USB connector and PS / 2 keyboard and mouse connectors are stacked or " Posed " and Directly wired to the motherboard . The lack of a cable connector Reduces radio interference and generation costs . The ATX motherboard aussi DETERMINED the number and location of mounting holes and uses a different power connection and Another (PS / 2 ) power .

The ATX standard aussi Provides a small form factor "Mini ATX " which cuts the size of a card to 8.2 " X 11.2" and Removes a row of holes These tips Will, in an ordinary case of ATX style .

The CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The CPU (Central Processing Unit)

The processor is the main chip ( integrated circuit) on the motherboard of the computer. They are of different sizes, shapes and packagings . Previous CPU (Central Processing Unit) came in DIP format, some 286s and early 386 were QSOPs (see integrated circuits) , but what you see are the most PGA square dish or chips ADAG .

The PGA chip used to be installed in a friction fit sleeve . Assembly and dis assembly to be done carefully to avoid bending or breaking the pins on the CPU. Firstly , it was necessary to align the chip. There is always a way to designate Pin # 1 on both the chip and the socket. There may be a point in a corner, or an arrow, or a small , silk screened '1 '. Usually, a CPU will have one of its beveled corners, and it must be aligned with the socket on the designated area. You must be sure that all the pins of the chip are straight and aligned correctly, and set the chip in the socket, you all pins are inserted in every hole . To install the chip, you press firmly and evenly . If the pins are not quite in their proper holes, or if you do not push down pins will bend sideways . Try to straighten the pins is not impossible, but usually results in the breaking . You learn very quickly to take your time and attention.

The withdrawal is another problem. Extractor chip is narrow and does not allow for as much control in trying to lift the chip (we're talking a good amount of friction holding the chip in ) . Some upgraded packages or ' turbo ' included , expanded special extractor chip that was better, but still did not provide much control. The best way is to carefully insert a narrow flat head screwdriver between the chip and the socket, being careful not to touch the pins underneath, lift and turn the chip a very minimal amount slightly . Then go to the side to side and do the same thing . When you work your way around the chip, it will come out pretty easy.

The problem has been recognized and a new Zero Insertion Force ( ZIF ) socket was developed. This decision makes a huge difference for removing and installing processors PGA and SPGA . It has a small handle or a lever on the side of the socket that the stall and raised , completely freeing the pins. You can simply lift the old CPU , fall into another , and pull the lever down, by inserting it into her little clip. No bent or broken pins , and no jagged edges on the CPU or the socket.

For the Intel Pentium , Pentium III , and some of its chips Celeron II processor is on a small printed circuit with the external cache , and enclosed or packed in a plastic cassette . This 'Slot 1' CPU clips in a style connector on the motherboard connector called " Slot 1 .

As should be obvious by now , you must match the CPU with the motherboard . Most motherboards accept more than one type of CPU as well as model, manufacturer , and speed is concerned, but they generally accept a socket type. This is a test that should be addressed and decided before you buy either . The motherboard manual will tell you what the different types of processors, it will accommodate . If you do not have a job, then visit the manufacturer's website. They provide this type of information . Major manufacturers include Intel CPU , Motorola , IBM, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD ) and Cyrix .

It should be noted that Intel CPU was before there were personal computers. They made the first chips for IBM PC. Most BIOS chips ( system I / O base ) on the first motherboards were developed based on the Intel architecture. Intel is still considered the No. 1 manufacturer and has set the standard for processors . Other CPU manufacturers and distributors tend to compare their product to Intel , saying that it is " comparable to Pentium II -350 " or is " better than -500 PIII ."

A specific processor it is described by the manufacturer, model and speed in megahertz ( MHz). The board of a computer system has a quartz crystal on it that emits a constant signal or beat like a metronome . Each is called a cycle time and time is measured in MHz or millions of cycles per second . A CPU runs at a multiple of the clock of the motherboard and it executes instructions are synchronized with each cycle of the internal clock speed of the CPU . So if your processor can execute one instruction every cycle , and you have a 500 MHz processor , while the chip can perform five hundred million instructions per second . Your heart will not beat that many times in a lifetime. Current technology by Intel and AMD gives us 1.5 GHz ( gigahertz ) processor this year. This is one and a half billion instructions per second!

The central processing unit is considered the "brain" of your computer. It controls and directs all activities of computer , transmission , reception and processing of data permanently . But as the "brain" of any project or organization , it relies heavily on its group and supportive counselors . There are many factors involved that are related to the CPU and affect the speed and performance of your machine. Some of these factors include :

There is a math co processor present and whether it is internal or external.

Speed ​​system clock and CPU . The amount of internal memory and external cache cache available.