This article is Chapter 3 in the CompTIA A+ certification course on Alison.com that teaches a System Component Overview of computers.

Processors and CPUs

Processors and Operating systems are the Workhorse of the computer.

• Processors and CPUs

• Brains in the computer
• Allow it to perform many tasks fast
• Processor performs calculations based on a request from Operating System, which controls access to system memory

• Processing speeds

• Speed or power of a processor
• Calculated in Megahertz, Gigahertz, or Millions of instructions per second

• Operating systems and controls

• Control the tasks that a computer carries out.
• Manages software and hardware resources of the computer

This diagram shows how data input flows from a processor to produce an output that is then stored in memory.

Many ancillary or supportive devices help make these processes happen such as:

• Input Devices

• Card readers
• Keyboard
• Mouse

• Output Devices

• Monitor
• Printer

• Storage Devices

• Hard Drives
• RAM
• Tapes

Power Supplies

• Power supply voltage requirements

• Convert 120V of alternating current from the electrical outlet and convert it to the necessary voltage for the computer.

Each device requires a different type of voltage requirement.

• 3.3V

• Less common, found internally in the computer

• 5V

• Less common, found internally in the computer

• 12V

• Most common

Storage Devices

Storage Devices 1.		Storage Devices 2.

• Hard drives

• Most common

• Magnetic tapes

• Used for archiving data

• Flash drives

• Thumb drives, zip-drives for quick memory transfer data

• Solid-state drives

• Use a flash-type memory to store data.
• Computer memory is a solid-state storage medium, like random access memory.
• Beneficial because there are no moving parts, less worn out.

Connecting hard dives to the motherboard can be done using one of these technologies.

• IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics
• SATA - Serial ATA
• SCSI - Small Computer System Interface

Hard drives are usually manufactured with one of these technologies which are then connected through bus mechanisms called a Peripheral Component Interconnect.

Adapter Cards

Allow you to adapt the computer to perform functions such as display a picture, or connect to a network. They are integrated into the motherboard of the computer.

• Adapter cards

• Mouse controllers
• Serial & Parallel Ports
• USB Ports
• Displays

• ISA, AGP, PCI, PCI Express and others

• Terminology used to describe adaptor slots

• Video Cards

• Used to produce pictures
• Measured using bits and colors ex: 16Bit or 65K Color
• Resolution measured by Pixels ex: 1280 x 1024

BIOS/CMOS

BIOS is responsible for controlling and managing system processes such as system boot and interaction with other components on the motherboard.

• BIOS

• Basic Input Output System
• Software stored on read-only memory chip on the motherboard

• CMOS

• Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
• Stores hardware configuration settings between reboots
• Supplied with a battery on motherboard
• Stores settings related to BIOS

• UEFI

• Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
• Low-level code to control motherboard processes
• Also includes diagnostic tools that support network booting and commands.

• Storage Settings

• Stored in RAM and require power to maintain information
• Some settings include:
  • Which drives are present?
  • How much memory is installed?
  • What type of mouse is installed?
  • Any required resources.
  • Date & time.
  • Power on the password.

Chips

Computer Chips are integrated circuits that contain transistors that perform a function. They make a decision or create a function.

• Chipsets

• Used to manage data flow between processor and memory, as well as devices.

• Firmware

• Fills in between software and hardware
• A coding program, stored on a chip that provides low-level controls for hardware that help you communicate.
• Facilitates functioning of the integrated chip circuits which add card functionality.

Input and Output Devices

Printer		Monitor

Most common Input and Output devices.

• Printers

• Allow users to produce paper output from computers

• Monitors

• Allow users to produce images and video displays.

Others include scanners, faxes, or cameras.

Ports

• Ports

• Serve as connection points for cables that allow data between a computer and a device.

• Serial

• Used to connect devices like modems

• Parallel

• Connections for printers

• Keyboard and mouse

• a specific port connection that enables the Keyboard and mouse.

• USB

• Universal Serial Bus
• Can connect several different devices such as mice, keyboards, printers, scanners, modems, flash drives, and so on.

• Video

• Used for plug-and-play devices to produce picture outputs.

Conclusion

You can find free course materials preparing you for the CompTIA A+ exam here: https://alison.com/courses/comptia-a-1000-part-1/

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