COMPUTER HARDWARE 1

BY

ENGR. LAWAL ADEWOLE JIMOH

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Computer history

Computer component

CPU- central processing unit

Motherboard

Serial port parallel port

USB installation and configuration

visual display unit – CRT monitor

Printers

Modems

Networking

History and Generation of Computer:

First computer developed for calculation purpose in Abacus then in 17 th century by Napier Bone are used.
General purpose electronic computers using valves were developed in 1940. In 1823Charles Babbage an English
mathematician designed for automatic computing machine for automatic computing of mathematical tables.
That machine is called as Differential Engine. First Computer developed is known as ENIAC
(Electronic Numeric Integrator and Calculator).

Generation of Computer
The rapid growth and availability of improved electronic component have resulted in making computer smaller
and enhanced their reliability and reduced their cost. High speed, large memories are special features in evolution
of computer.

1st Generation
The 1st electronic computer was completed in 1946 by a team lead by Prof. Eckert and Prof. Mauchly at
university of Pennsylvania in U.S.A. This computer is called as ENIC (Electronic Numeric
Integrator and Calculator.) It uses high speed vacuum tubes. It has small memory. It took about 200microsecond
to add two digits and 2800 microsecond to multiply. A idea to store machine instruction in memory of computer
along with data was introduced by John Von Neumann in 1946. The first computer using this principle was
introduced a Cambridge university called as EDSAC ( Electronic Delay Storage Automatic Calculator.). In 1951
UNIVAC I built by Univac Division of Remington Randand delivered in 1951. It also uses vacuum tubes. They
have limited life. During 1st
Generation computer programming was mainly done in machine language.

2nd Generation :- ( 1955-1965)

A big revolution in electronic took place with invention of transistor in 1946. Transistors are
made upof germanium semiconductor material were highly reliable compared to tube. They occupy less space
so size of computer become less and speed of computer gets increased. In this generation magnetic cores are
invented for storage. Memory capacity in second generation is about 100 KB. Magnetic disks are also invented.
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The highly reliability of computer led to development of high level language. Fortran, Cobol, Algol, SNOBOL
were developed during this generation. New profession in computing such as System Analysis and Programmers
emerged during second generation.

3rd Generation :- (1965-1975)

It began in 1965 with germanium transistors being replaced silicon transistor i.e. IC (Integrated Circuits) consisting
of transistors and capacitors growing on single chip of silicon eliminating wired interconnection. From small scale
integrated circuits technology developed to medium scale integrated circuit. This increases speed of CPU which
carry out 1 million instruction per second. The size of main memory reached to 4 MB. Magnetic disk technology
improved rapidly and storage capacity become feasible. Many important online system storage capacity become
feasible. Many important online system become feasible. High level languages become improved e.g. Fortran
IV,COBOL 68, PL/1.

4th Generation:-
Medium scale integration circuits developed to large scale integration and very large scale integration. Magnetic
core memories are replaced by semiconductor memories. Floppy disk provide a low cost, high capacity backup.
Network of computer and distributed computer system have been developed. A significant development in
software is development of concurrent programming language. There is development of time shared interactive
system. The effective cost of computing has become down. e.g. Intel 8080, Intel 8088, Intel 80286,
Pentium I, II, III.

5th Generation:-
It is estimated from 1990. It is now possible to go specialized VLSI chips at low cost. Thus an
architecture in technology and allows an easier and more natural algorithm. Functional languages are developed.
In this generation there is development of artificial intelligence. Cost of computer become very
less. Speed, Storage, Capacity become very high.

Computer - Components

All types of computers follow the same basic logical structure and perform the following five
basic operations for converting raw input data into information useful to their users.

S.No. Operation Description

1 Take Input The process of entering data and instructions into the computer system.

Saving data and instructions so that they are available for processing as and
2 Store Data
when required.

Performing arithmetic, and logical operations on data in order to convert them

3 Processing Data
into useful information.

Output The process of producing useful information or results for the user, such as a
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Information printed report or visual display.

5 Control the Directs the manner and sequence in which all of the above operations are
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 workflow performed.

Input Unit

This unit contains devices with the help of which we enter data into the computer. This unit
creates a link between the user and the computer. The input devices translate the information into
a form understandable by the computer.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. CPU performs all types of data processing
operations. It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program). It controls the
operation of all parts of the computer.

CPU itself has the following three components −

 ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

 Memory Unit
 Control Unit

Output Unit

The output unit consists of devices with the help of which we get the information from the
computer. This unit is a link between the computer and the users. Output devices translate the
computer's output into a form understandable by the users.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) consists of the following features −

 CPU is considered as the brain of the computer.

 CPU performs all types of data processing operations.
 It stores data, intermediate results, and instructions (program).
 It controls the operation of all parts of the computer.

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CPU itself has following three components.

 Memory or Storage Unit

 Control Unit
 ALU(Arithmetic Logic Unit)

Memory or Storage Unit

This unit can store instructions, data, and intermediate results. This unit supplies information to
other units of the computer when needed. It is also known as internal storage unit or the main
memory or the primary storage or Random Access Memory (RAM).

Its size affects speed, power, and capability. Primary memory and secondary memory are two
types of memories in the computer. Functions of the memory unit are −

 It stores all the data and the instructions required for processing.
 It stores intermediate results of processing.
 It stores the final results of processing before these results are released to an output
device.
 All inputs and outputs are transmitted through the main memory.

Control Unit

This unit controls the operations of all parts of the computer but does not carry out any actual
data processing operations.

Functions of this unit are −

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  It is responsible for controlling the transfer of data and instructions among other units of
a computer.
 It manages and coordinates all the units of the computer.
 It obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them, and directs the operation of
the computer.
 It communicates with Input/Output devices for transfer of data or results from storage.
 It does not process or store data.

ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)

This unit consists of two subsections namely,

 Arithmetic Section
 Logic Section

Arithmetic Section

Function of arithmetic section is to perform arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction,

multiplication, and division. All complex operations are done by making repetitive use of the
above operations.

Logic Section

Function of logic section is to perform logic operations such as comparing, selecting, matching,
and merging of data.

Motherboard

The motherboard serves as a single platform to connect all of the parts of a computer together. It
connects the CPU, memory, hard drives, optical drives, video card, sound card, and other ports
and expansion cards directly or via cables. It can be considered as the backbone of a computer.

Features of Motherboard

A motherboard comes with following features −

 Motherboard varies greatly in supporting various types of components.

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  Motherboard supports a single type of CPU and few types of memories.
 Video cards, hard disks, sound cards have to be compatible with the motherboard to
function properly.
 Motherboards, cases, and power supplies must be compatible to work properly together.

Popular Manufacturers

Following are the popular manufacturers of the motherboard.

 Intel
 ASUS
 AOpen
 ABIT
 Biostar
 Gigabyte
 MSI

Description of Motherboard

The motherboard is mounted inside the case and is securely attached via small screws through
pre-drilled holes. Motherboard contains ports to connect all of the internal components. It
provides a single socket for CPU, whereas for memory, normally one or more slots are available.
Motherboards provide ports to attach the floppy drive, hard drive, and optical drives via ribbon
cables. Motherboard carries fans and a special port designed for power supply.

There is a peripheral card slot in front of the motherboard using which video cards, sound cards,
and other expansion cards can be connected to the motherboard.

On the left side, motherboards carry a number of ports to connect the monitor, printer, mouse,
keyboard, speaker, and network cables. Motherboards also provide USB ports, which allow
compatible devices to be connected in plug-in/plug-out fashion. For example, pen drive, digital
cameras, etc.

Computer - Ports
A port is a physical docking point using which an external device can be connected to the
computer. It can also be programmatic docking point through which information flows from a
program to the computer or over the Internet.

Characteristics of Ports

A port has the following characteristics −

 External devices are connected to a computer using cables and ports.

 Ports are slots on the motherboard into which a cable of external device is plugged in.
 Examples of external devices attached via ports are the mouse, keyboard, monitor,
microphone, speakers, etc.

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Let us now discuss a few important types of ports −

Serial Port

 Used for external modems and older computer mouse

 Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model
 Data travels at 115 kilobits per second

Parallel Port

 Used for scanners and printers

 Also called printer port
 25 pin model
 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

PS/2 Port

 Used for old computer keyboard and mouse

 Also called mouse port

 Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard
 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port

Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port

 It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer,
scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
 It was introduced in 1997.
 Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
 Data travels at 12 megabits per seconds.
 USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.

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VGA Port

 Connects monitor to a computer's video card.

 It has 15 holes.
 Similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA port
has holes.

Power Connector

 Three-pronged plug.
 Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

Firewire Port

 Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.

 Connects camcorders and video equipment to the computer.
 Data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per seconds.
 Invented by Apple.
 It has three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and 9-
Pin FireWire 800 connector.

Modem Port

 Connects a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port

 Connects to a network and high speed Internet.

 Connects the network cable to a computer.
 This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
 Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network
bandwidth.

Game Port

 Connect a joystick to a PC
 Now replaced by USB

Digital Video Interface, DVI port

 Connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards.
 Very popular among video card manufacturers.

Sockets

 Sockets connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer.

OUTPUT DEVICES

Following are some of the important output devices used in a computer.

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  Monitors
 Graphic Plotter
 Printer

Monitors

Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output device of a
computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged in a rectangular form.
The sharpness of the image depends upon the number of pixels.

There are two kinds of viewing screen used for monitors.

 Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT)

 Flat-Panel Display

Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT) Monitor

The CRT display is made up of small picture elements called pixels. The smaller the pixels, the
better the image clarity or resolution. It takes more than one illuminated pixel to form a whole
character, such as the letter ‘e’ in the word help.

A finite number of characters can be displayed on a screen at once. The screen can be divided
into a series of character boxes - fixed location on the screen where a standard character can be
placed. Most screens are capable of displaying 80 characters of data horizontally and 25 lines
vertically.

There are some disadvantages of CRT −

 Large in Size
 High power consumption

Flat-Panel Display Monitor

The flat-panel display refers to a class of video devices that have reduced volume, weight and
power requirement in comparison to the CRT. You can hang them on walls or wear them on your
wrists. Current uses of flat-panel displays include calculators, video games, monitors, laptop
computer, and graphics display.

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The flat-panel display is divided into two categories −

 Emissive Displays − Emissive displays are devices that convert electrical energy into
light. For example, plasma panel and LED (Light-Emitting Diodes).
 Non-Emissive Displays − Non-emissive displays use optical effects to convert sunlight
or light from some other source into graphics patterns. For example, LCD (Liquid-Crystal
Device).

Printers

Printer is an output device, which is used to print information on paper.

There are two types of printers −

 Impact Printers
 Non-Impact Printers

Impact Printers

Impact printers print the characters by striking them on the ribbon, which is then pressed on the
paper.

Characteristics of Impact Printers are the following −

 Very low consumable costs

 Very noisy
 Useful for bulk printing due to low cost
 There is physical contact with the paper to produce an image

These printers are of two types −

 Character printers
 Line printers

Character Printers

Character printers are the printers which print one character at a time.
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These are further divided into two types:

 Dot Matrix Printer(DMP)

 Daisy Wheel

Dot Matrix Printer

In the market, one of the most popular printers is Dot Matrix Printer. These printers are popular
because of their ease of printing and economical price. Each character printed is in the form of
pattern of dots and head consists of a Matrix of Pins of size (5*7, 7*9, 9*7 or 9*9) which come
out to form a character which is why it is called Dot Matrix Printer.

Advantages

 Inexpensive
 Widely Used
 Other language characters can be printed

Disadvantages

 Slow Speed
 Poor Quality

Daisy Wheel

Head is lying on a wheel and pins corresponding to characters are like petals of Daisy (flower)
which is why it is called Daisy Wheel Printer. These printers are generally used for word-
processing in offices that require a few letters to be sent here and there with very nice quality.

Advantages

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  More reliable than DMP
 Better quality
 Fonts of character can be easily changed

Disadvantages

 Slower than DMP

 Noisy
 More expensive than DMP

Line Printers

Line printers are the printers which print one line at a time.

These are of two types −

 Drum Printer
 Chain Printer

Drum Printer

This printer is like a drum in shape hence it is called drum printer. The surface of the drum is
divided into a number of tracks. Total tracks are equal to the size of the paper, i.e. for a paper
width of 132 characters, drum will have 132 tracks. A character set is embossed on the track.
Different character sets available in the market are 48 character set, 64 and 96 characters set. One
rotation of drum prints one line. Drum printers are fast in speed and can print 300 to 2000 lines
per minute.

Advantages

 Very high speed

Disadvantages

 Very expensive
 Characters fonts cannot be changed

Chain Printer

In this printer, a chain of character sets is used, hence it is called Chain Printer. A standard
character set may have 48, 64, or 96 characters.

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Advantages

 Character fonts can easily be changed.

 Different languages can be used with the same printer.

Disadvantages

 Noisy

Non-impact Printers

Non-impact printers print the characters without using the ribbon. These printers print a complete
page at a time, thus they are also called as Page Printers.

These printers are of two types −

 Laser Printers
 Inkjet Printers

Characteristics of Non-impact Printers

 Faster than impact printers

 They are not noisy
 High quality
 Supports many fonts and different character size

Laser Printers

These are non-impact page printers. They use laser lights to produce the dots needed to form the
characters to be printed on a page.

Advantages

 Very high speed

 Very high quality output
 Good graphics quality

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  Supports many fonts and different character size

Disadvantages

 Expensive
 Cannot be used to produce multiple copies of a document in a single printing

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are non-impact character printers based on a relatively new technology. They print
characters by spraying small drops of ink onto paper. Inkjet printers produce high quality output
with presentable features.

They make less noise because no hammering is done and these have many styles of printing
modes available. Color printing is also possible. Some models of Inkjet printers can produce
multiple copies of printing also.

Advantages

 High quality printing

 More reliable

Disadvantages

 Expensive as the cost per page is high

 Slow as compared to laser printer

NETWORKING

A computer network is a system in which multiple computers are connected to each other to
share information and resources.

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Characteristics of a Computer Network

 Share resources from one computer to another.

 Create files and store them in one computer, access those files from the other computer(s)
connected over the network.
 Connect a printer, scanner, or a fax machine to one computer within the network and let
other computers of the network use the machines available over the network.

Following is the list of hardware's required to set up a computer network.

 Network Cables
 Distributors
 Routers
 Internal Network Cards
 External Network Cards

Network Cables

Network cables are used to connect computers. The most commonly used cable is Category 5
cable RJ-45.

Distributors

A computer can be connected to another one via a serial port but if we need to connect many
computers to produce a network, this serial connection will not work.

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The solution is to use a central body to which other computers, printers, scanners, etc. can be
connected and then this body will manage or distribute network traffic.

Router

A router is a type of device which acts as the central point among computers and other devices
that are a part of the network. It is equipped with holes called ports. Computers and other devices
are connected to a router using network cables. Now-a-days router comes in wireless modes
using which computers can be connected without any physical cable.

Network Card

Network card is a necessary component of a computer without which a computer cannot be

connected over a network. It is also known as the network adapter or Network Interface Card
(NIC). Most branded computers have network card pre-installed. Network cards are of two
types: Internal and External Network Cards.

Internal Network Cards

Motherboard has a slot for internal network card where it is to be inserted. Internal network cards
are of two types in which the first type uses Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI)
connection, while the second type uses Industry Standard Architecture (ISA). Network cables are
required to provide network access.

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External Network Cards

External network cards are of two types: Wireless and USB based. Wireless network card needs
to be inserted into the motherboard, however no network cable is required to connect to the
network.

Universal Serial Bus (USB)

USB card is easy to use and connects via USB port. Computers automatically detect USB card
and can install the drivers required to support the USB network card automatically.

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