Introduction to Computing Fundamentals

Introduction to Computing Fundamentals

• The global IT spending on devices, including PCs, tablets, mobile phones, printers, as well as data center systems, enterprise software, and communication services came to 4.24 trillion USD in 2021.

• It expected to increase by approximately 5.1 percent to around 4.45 trillion USD in 2022.

  A computer is a device or system that includes:

  

  

  

  

Functions of computing

Benefits of computing

Common Computing Devices and Platforms

Stationary computing devices

• Remain on a desk, rack, or other stationary location.
• Consist of a box or chassis.
• Includes processors, storage, memory, input, and output connections.
• Memory and storage, often updatable.

Workstations

• Used at the office and at home.
• Typically, in a hard box containing processors, memory, storage, slots.
• Include connections for external devices and wireless connectivity.
• Enable memory, storage, and graphic card upgrades.
• Use Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux OSes.

Servers: functions

• Installed on networks
• Enabling shared access
  • Media storage – movies videos, sound
  • Web servers – websites
  • Print servers – print documents
  • File servers – files and documents
  • Email servers – email storage
• Provide fault tolerance for businesses to keep working

Servers: hardware support

• Motherboard providers hardware support for multiple:
  • Processors
  • Memory (RAM)
  • Graphic cards
  • Storage
  • Port connections

Servers: operating systems

Use operating systems that support distributed workloads:

• Microsoft Windows Server
• Linux
• UNIX
• Mac OS X
• FreeBSD

Stationary devices: gaming consoles

• Contain processors, memory, graphic processors (GPU), input ports, and output ports
• Console include Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation, and Nintendo
• Hardware features enhanced memory caching and graphics processing
• Required additional hardware devices such as wired or cabled handheld devices
• Usually not upgradable

Mobile devices

• Laptop processing power matches desktop performance
• Tablets have both business and personal uses
• Smartphones are a hub for life management
• Portable and Wi-Fi enabled gaming systems abound
• Transforming both business and personal life

IoT devices

• Contain chips, sensors, input and output capabilities, and onboard software.

• Enable the exchange of data with other devices and systems.

• Communicate via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee, and other protocols.

• Software updatable, but generally no hardware upgrades.

  

IoT devices: categorized

Understanding How Computers Talk

Notational systems defined

A system of symbols that represent types of numbers.

Notational systems – decimal

Notational systems – binary

Convert to decimal to binary

Convert binary to decimal

Notational Systems – hexadecimal

• Uses 16 digits, referred to as base 16, including the numbers 0 through 9, and the letters A through F.

• Enables compact notation for large numbers

• Used for MAC addresses, colors, IP addresses, and memory addresses

  

Convert hex to binary

1. Note the hex number, and represent each hex digit by its binary equivalent number.
2. Add insignificant zeros if the binary number has less than 4 digits. For example, write the decimal 10 as 0010.
3. String (concatenate) all the binary digits together from left to right.
4. Discard any leading zeros at the left of the concatenated number.

The result is 100100011010.

Data Types

Character Types

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Interchange:

• Developed from telegraph code and first published in 1963.
• Translates computer text to human text.
• Originally a 7-byte system (to save on transmission costs) representing 128 binary character.
• Expanded to 8-bytes representing another 256 characters.
• Full charts are available online.

Unicode

Unicode includes ASCII and other characters from languages around the world, as well as emojis.

• Web pages use UTF-8.
• Popular programming languages use Unicode 16-bit encoding and a few use 32-bit.
• Commonly formatted as U+hhhh, known as “code points”, where hhhh is character hexadecimal value.
• Conversion services are available online.

An Introduction to Operating Systems

Operating system basics

Operating systems consist of standardized code for:

Input>Output>Processing>Storage

• CLI
• GUI

Operating system history

The first generation (1945-1955)

• Operating systems that worked for multiple computers didn’t yet exist.
• All input, output, processing, and storage instructions were coded every time, for every task.
• This repetitive code became the basis for future operating systems.

The second generation (1955-1965)

• Mainframe computers became available for commercial and scientific use.
• Tape drives provided input and output storage.
• In 1956, GM Research produced the first single-stream batch operating system for its IBM 704 computing system.
• IBM became the first company to create OSes to accompany computers.
• Embedded operating systems were developed in the early 1960s and are still in use.
  • Focus on a single task.
  • Provide split-second response times.
  • Real-time operating systems are a type of embedded operating system used in airplanes and air traffic control, space exploration.
  • As the time passed, real-time OSes started being used in satellite systems, Robotics, Cars/automobiles.

The third generation (1965-1980)

• Additional companies began creating their own batch file operating systems for their large computing needs.
• Network operating systems were developed during this time.
  • Provide scalable, fast, accurate, and secure network communications.
  • Enables workstations to operate independently.
• In 1969, the UNIX operating system, operable on multiple computer systems, featured processor time-sharing.

The fourth generation (1980 to now)

• Multitasking operating systems enable computers to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
  • Linux
    • 1991: Linus Torvalds created a small, open source PC operating system.
    • 1994: Version 1.0 released.
    • 1996: Version 2.0 released, included support for network-based SMP benefitting commercial and scientific data processing.
    • 2013: Google’s Linux-based mobile operating system, Android, took 75% of the mobile operating system market share.
    • 2018: IBM acquired Red Hat for $34 billion.
  • macOS
    • 1999: OS X and macOS, based on UNIX, offered with PowerPC with PowerPC-based Macs.
    • 2006: Apple began selling Macs using Intel Core processors.
    • 2020: Apple began the Apple Silicon chip transition, using self-designed 64-bit, ARM-based Apple M1 processors on new Mac computers.
  • Windows
    • 1981: MS-DOS launched
    • 1985: Launched a graphical user interface version of the Windows operating system.
    • 1995: Windows 95 catapulted Microsoft’s dominance in the consumer operating system software market.
    • Today, Microsoft holds about 70% of consumer desktop operating system market share.
    • Microsoft also offers network, server management, mobile, and phone operating systems.
  • ChromeOS
    • 2011: Launched ChromeOS, built atop Linux.
    • Offers a lightweight operating system built for mobile devices.
    • Requires less local storage and costs less.
    • Currently composes about 10% of the laptop market.
• Mobile operating systems also fit the definition of multitasking operating systems.
  • Android
  • iOS
  • Windows
  • ChromeOS

Getting Started with Microsoft Windows

Logging into Windows

Four methods of logging into Windows

• PIN
• Password
• Photo
• Fingerprint

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Computing Devices and Peripherals

Identifying Hardware Components and Peripherals

What is a computer component?

• A physical part needed for computer functioning, also called “hardware”.
• Each component performs a specific task.
• Components can be internal or external.
• External components connect via ports and connectors.
• Without a given component, such as a CPU, a computer system cannot function as desired.

Common internal components

A part inside a computing device:

• RAM
• Hard Drive
• CPU

Peripherals

• Connect to the computer to transfer data.
• External devices easily removed and connected to a computer.
• Connections vary
• Examples: Mouse, Printer, and a Keyboard etc.

Categories of peripherals

• Input – send commands to the computer
• Output – receive commands from the computer
• Storage – save files indefinitely

Connectors for Components

• A connector is the unique end of a plug, jack, or the edge of a card that connects to a port.
• For example, all desktop computer expansion cards have an internal connector that allows them to connect to a slot on the motherboard.
• A Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector at the end of a cable is an example of an external connector.

Ports

• A connector plugs into an opening on a computer called a port.
• A port is the jack or receptacle for a peripheral device to plug into.
• Ports are standardized for each purpose.
• Common ports include USB ports and HDMI ports.

Input and Pointing Devices

Input Devices

• Keyboards
• Mouse
• Camera
• Joystick
• Trackball

Pointing Devices

• The stylus (Pen)
  • Input tool
  • Moves the cursor and sends commands
  • Generally used on tablets
  • Uses capacitive technology
  • Detects heat and pressure

Hard Drives

Hard drives:

• are a repository for images, video, audio, and text.
• RAM
• ROM
• HDD/SSD/NVMe

Hard drive performance

Measurement benchmarks

• Spin speed: how fast the platter spins.
• Access time: how fast the data is retrieved.
• Transfer/media rate: how fast the data is written to the drive.

Connecting an internal hard drive

• Back up data
• transfer the enclosure
• Secure with screws
• prevent movement
• attach to motherboard via SATA/PATA cables
• plug into power supply
• finally, it can be configured in the disk management utility of windows

Optical Drives and External Storage

Optical drives

Reading and writing data

• Laser pressing or “burning”

• Burning pits on lands

• Reflective disk surface

  Storage disks

• Single-sided

• Double-side

Types of optical drive

Several types

• CD-ROM
• CD-RW
• DVD-ROM
• DVD-RW
• Blu-ray

Solid state drives

Solid state drive → (SSD)

• Integrated circuit assemblies store data
• Flash memory
• Permanent, secondary storage
• AKA “solid state drive” or “solid state disk”
• No moving parts
  • Unlike hard disk drives and floppy drives

External hard drive

• File backup and transfer
• Capacity: 250 GB to 20 TB
  • Several file types
  • USB or eSATA connection
    • eSATA – signal, not power

Expansion devices

• Additional file storage
• Usually, USB
• Frees hard drive space
• Automatically recognized
• Known as a “Thumb drive”
• Holds up to 2 TB of data

Flash Drives

• Combines a USB interface and Flash memory
• Highly portable
• Weighs less than an ounce
• Storage has risen as prices have dropped
• Available capacity up to 2 TB

Memory card

• Uses Flash memory to store data
• Found in portable devices such as portable media players and smartphones
• Contained inside a device
  • Unlike USB drives
• Available in both Secure Digital (SD) and Micro Secure Digital (MSD) formats

Display Devices

Defining display devices:

• Hardware component for the output of information in visual form
• Tactile monitors present information in a fingertip-readable format
• Often seen as television sets and computer monitors

Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors

• Create an image by directing electrons beams over phosphor dots
• Used in monitors throughout the mid to late 1990s
• By 1990, they boasted 800 × 600 pixel resolution

Flat-screen monitors

• Also known as liquid crystal display (LCD)/ Think film transistor (TFT)
• Digital signal drives color value of each picture element (Pixel)
• Replaced CRT monitors

Touchscreens

• Use a touch panel on an electronic display
• Capacitive technology measures heat and pressure
• Often found on smartphones, laptops, and tablets

Projectors

• Take images from a computer and display them
• the surface projected onto is large, flat, and lightly colored
• Projected images can be still or animated

Printers and Scanners

Output devices

“Hardware that shows data in readable form.”

That data can take many forms:

• Scanner and speech synthesizer
• Unnecessary (though highly useful) for computer function

Printers

• Laser/LED
• Inkjet
• Thermal

Shared printers

• IP-based
• Web-based

Scanners

• Converts images from analog to digital
• Flatbed (stand alone) or multifunction device

Faxes and multifunction devices

• Facsimile (fax) machines send documents using landlines
• Multifunction devices often include fax capabilities

Audio Visual Devices

Defining audio devices

• Digital data is converted into an audible format
• Components are used to reproduce, record, or process sound
• Examples include microphones, CD players amplifiers, mixing consoles, effects units, and speakers

Defining visual devices

• Present images electronically on-screen
• Typically, greater than 4" diagonally
• Examples include smartphones, monitors, and laptop computers

Interfaces and Connectors

Identifying Ports and Connectors

• Ports enable devices to connect to computers

• Connectors plug into ports

• Each port has a unique function and accepts only specific connectors

  

Interfaces

• Point of communication between two or more entities

• Can be hardware or software based

  

  Common Interfaces are:

  • USB

  

  • USB connectors

  

Thunderbolt

• Combines data transfer, display, and power

• Initial versions reused Mini DisplayPort

• New versions reuse USB-C connectors

• Identified with a thunderbolt symbol

  

FireWire

• Predecessor to Thunderbolt

  • FireWire 400 = 400 mBits/second
  • FireWire 800 = 800 mBits/second
  • Uses a serial bus to transfer data on e bit at a time
  • Still used for audio/video connections on older computers (before 2011), and in the automobile and aerospace industries

  

PS/2

• Developed for IBM PS/2

• Connects keyboard and mice

• Ports are device specific

  • Green for mice
  • Purple for keyboard

• Considered a legacy port

  

eSATA

• Standard port for connecting external storage devices
• Allows hot swapping of devices
• Since 2008, Upgraded eSATAp that supports both eSATA and USB on the same port
• eSATA revisions:

  • Revision 1: Speeds of 1.5 Gbps

  • Revision 2: Speeds of 3 Gbps

  • Revision 3: Speeds of 6 Gbps

    

Identifying Graphic Devices

Display Unit

• Display unit (GPU) connected to the computer via a display card or adapter
• Low-end generic graphic cards come built into the computer
• Require specialized adapters for high-end functions
• ATI/AMD, nVIDIA, SiS, Intel, and Via are leading manufacturers

Display System

VGA Display System

LED Display System

Display Connectors

• Different cables and connectors for different display adapters

• Each connector has specific function and benefits

  

HDMI Interface

• Most widely used digital audio and video interface
• Also offers remote control and content protection
• Uses a proprietary 19-pin connector
• Offers up to 8K UHD resolutions

DisplayPort

• Royalty-free complement to HDMI
• First interface to use packetized data transmission
• Uses a 20-pin connector
• Can support even different transmission modes of increasing bandwidth

Thunderbolt

• Developed by Intel and Apple, primarily for Apple laptops and computers
• Can be used as either a display or peripheral interface
• Initial versions used the MiniDP interface
• Version 3 and now version 4 use the USB-C interface
• Thunderbolt features don’t work with a standard USB-C cable and port

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

• Designed as a high-quality interface for flat-paneled devices

• Support both analog and digital devices

  • DVI-I supports both analog and digital
  • DVI-A supports only analog
  • DVI-D supports only digital

• Single-link for lower resolutions and Dual-link for HDTV

• Superseded by HDMI and Thunderbolt

  

Video Graphics Array (VGA)

• A legacy interface, used for analog video on PC
• Has a 15-pin connector that can be secured with screws

Identifying Audio Connectors

The audio connection

• Onboard or internal expansion

• Has multiple ports to connect a variety of devices

• Used for multimedia application, education and entertainment, presentation, and teleconferencing

  

Audio connectors

• Sound cards
• Bluetooth
• Game ports/USB ports
• External audio interfaces

External audio interfaces

• Single device for multiple input and output ports
• Mostly used in professional studies
• Use USB, FireWire, Thunderbolt, or similar connectors

Wired and Wireless Connections

Data packets

• Communication technology allows components to communicate over a network
• Data packets are sent from one smart object to another
  • Information about the sending and receiving device, along with the message
• Devices built to talk over a network can communicate with each other

Network types

• Closed (limited number of devices can connect)
• Open (unlimited number of devices can connect)
• Either could be wired or wireless

Wired connectors

Wire connection benefits

• Faster data transmission
  • Up to 5 Gbps
• More reliable than wireless
  • Immune to signal drops and dead zones
• Less prone to radio interference
• More secure
  • Less likely to be hacked

Wireless connections

• Use different technologies based on connection requirements
• Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi)
  • Connects a router to a modem for network access
• Bluetooth
  • 1998
  • Pairing
• Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
  • Identification and tracks objects using tags
  • Range up to several hundred meters
  • Collection of road tolls
  • Other uses of RFID tags
    • Livestock tracking, tacking pharmaceuticals through warehouses, preventing theft, and expediting checkout in stores
• NFC (Near Field Communication)
  • Based on RFID
  • Extremely short range
  • Transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields

Wireless connection advantages

• Increased mobility
• Reduced time to set up
• Flexibility and scalability
• Wider reach
• Lower cost of ownership

Peripherals and Printer Connections

Common installation steps

Computers require software that enables peripheral or printer device recognition and communication using:

• Onboard Plug and Play software
• Device driver software
• Device application software Initial stand-alone, peripheral installation often still requires a wired connection or network connection

1. Connect the printer to the computer using a cable
2. Turn on the printer Frequently used stand-alone peripherals are:

• USB
• Bluetooth
• Wi-Fi
• NFC Three other connection methods are:
• Serial port
• Parallel port
• Network

Serial cable connections

• Are less common

• Transmit data more slowly

• RS232 protocol remains in use

  • Data can travel longer distances
  • Better noise immunity
  • Compatibility among manufacturers

• Cables commonly feature 9-pin connections and two screws to secure the cable

  

Parallel port cable connection

• Are less common

• Send and receive multiple bits of data simultaneously

• Feature 25-pin connections

• Include two screws to keep the cable connected

  

Network connections

• Generally, are Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet connections
• Before you begin, verify that your computer has a network connection

Connecting to local printers

Installation Types

1. Plug and Play
2. Driver Installation

PnP vs. driver installation

• PnP devices work as soon as they’re connected to a computer
• Examples include mice and keyboards
• A malfunctioning device should be investigated in Device Manager.
  • Possible cause of malfunction is an outdated driver

IP-based peripherals

• Hardware connected to a TCP/IP network
• Examples of such devices include wireless routers and security cameras
• These devices must be connected to a local area network (LAN) or the Internet to function

Web-based configuration

• Different from installation
• Used for networking devices such as routers
• Is an easier process to set up a device
• Completed on a web page
  • Often on the manufacturer’s site

Internal Computer Components

Internal Computer Components

Motherboard

• Main printed circuit board (PCB) in computers
• Contains significant subsystems
• Allows communication among many of the crucial internal electronic components
• Enables communications and power distribution for peripherals and other components

Chip sets

• A set of electronic components in an integrated circuit
• Manage data flow
• Have two distinct parts: the northbridge and the southbridge
• Manage communications between the CPU and other parts of the motherboard

Chip sets: Northbridge and southbridge

• Northbridge – the first half of the core logic chip set on a motherboard
  • Directly connected to the CPU
  • Responsible for tasks that require the highest performance
• Southbridge – the second half of the core logic chip set
  • Implements slower-performance tasks
  • Not directly connected to the CPU

What is a bus?

• A high-speed internal connection on a motherboard
• Used to send control signals and data internally
• The front-side bus carries data between the CPU and the memory controller hub (northbridge)

Sockets

“Components not directly attached to a motherboard connect via sockets”

• Array of pins holding a processor and connecting the processor to the motherboard

• Differ based on the motherboard

  

Power connectors

• Found on a motherboard
• Allow an electrical current to provide power to a device
• ATX-style power connectors are larger than most
• Join the power supply to the motherboard

Data Processing and Storage

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

• Silicon chip in a special socket on the motherboard
  • Billions of microscopic transistors
  • Makes calculations to run programs
  • 32-bit is like a two-lane information highway
  • 64-bit is like a four-lane information highway

Memory (RAM)

• Typically used to store working data
• Volatile: Data existing in RAM is lost when power is terminated
• Is cold pluggable (cold swappable)
• Speed measured in Megahertz (MHz)
• Available in varying speeds
• Available in varying storage capacities

Types of Memory

• Choice depends on the motherboard
  • Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DRAM)
  • Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM)
  • Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (DDR-SDRAM)
  • Double Data Rate 3 Synchronous Dynamic Access Memory (DDR3 and DDR4)
  • Small outline Dual Input Memory Module (SO-DIMM)

Memory Slots

• Hold RAM chips on the motherboard
• Allow the system to use RAM by enabling the motherboard to communicate with memory
• Most motherboards include two to four memory slots
• Type determines which RAM is compatible

Expansion Slots

• Use PCI or PCIe slots

• Add additional capabilities

  • Peripherals (such as sound cards)
  • Memory
  • High-end graphics
  • Network interfaces

• Availability depends on the motherboard configuration

  

Disk Controllers

• Circuit that enables the CPU to communicate with hard disk drive
• Interface between the hard disk drive and the bus
• Integrated Drive Electronics is a standard
• IDE controller-circuit board guides how the hard disk drive manages data
• Have memory that boosts hard drive performance

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

• Manages your computer’s exchange of inputs and outputs
• Preprogrammed into the motherboard
• Needs to always operate
• Update in a flash
• Use the System Summary window

CMOS: Battery and chip

• Uses a coin-sized battery
• Is attached to the motherboard
• Powers the memory chip that stores hardware settings
• Replace the computer’s system data, time, and hardware settings

Internal Storage

Hard drive characteristics

Introduced by IBM in 1956, internal hard drives provide: - Stable, long-term data storage - Fast access time - Fast data transfer rates

Traditional hard drive technology

IDE and PATA drives

1980s to 2003:

• Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) hard drives and Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) drives were popular industry standard storage options

  • Early ATA drives: 33 Mbps

  • Later ATA drives: 133 Mbps

    

SATA drives

2003 to today:

• Serial advanced technology attachment drives (SATA) became an industry standard technology

• Communicate using a serial cable and bus

• Initial data processing of 1.5 Gbps

• Current processing of 6 Gbps

  

• Available in multiple sizes

• Spin at 5400 or 7200 rpm

• Capacity: 250 GB to over 30 TB

• Still dominate today’s desktop and laptop market

• Each SATA port supports a single drive

• Most desktop motherboards have at least four SATA ports

SCSI drives

1986:

• Small computer system interface, pronounced “scuzzy” (SCSI) drives

• Historical speeds: 10,000 or 15,000 rpm

  1994:

• Discontinued usage

  

Solid-state drives

1989:

• Solid-state drives (SSDs) came to market

• Consist of nonvolatile flash memory

• Provide faster speeds: 10 to 12 Gbps

• Capacity: 120 GB to 2 TB

• Cost: More expensive than SATA or SCSI drives but also more reliable

  

• Available as internal, external, and hybrid hard drives

• As part of an internal hybrid configuration:

  • SSD serves as a cache
  • SATA drive functions as storage
  • Hybrid drives tend to operate slower than SSD drives

  

Optical Drives

1992:

• Invented in the 1960s, but came to the market in 1992.
• CDs and DVDs provide nonvolatile storage.
• Optical drives use low-power laser beams to retrieve and write data.
• Data is stored in tiny pits arranged in a spiral track on the disc’s surface.

CDs and DVDs compared

Blu-ray discs

• Media specific for movies and video games

• Provide high resolution

• Single-sided, but with up to four layers

• Store 25 GB per layer

• Writable Blu-ray discs exist in 100 GB and quad-layer 128 GB formats

• Writable Blu-ray discs require BD-XL-compatible drives

  

Expansion Slots

• Locations on the motherboard where you can add additional capabilities, including hard drive storage

Display Cards and Sound Cards

Video card

• An expansion card installed in an empty slot on the motherboard
• Or a chip built into a system’s motherboard
• Allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device
• Also known as a display adapter, graphics card, video adapter, video board, or video controller

Graphics processing unit (GPU)

• Specialized processor originally designed to accelerate graphics rendering
• Process many pieces of data simultaneously
• Machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications
• Several industries rely on their power processing capabilities

Audio card

• Also known as a sound card
• Integrated circuit that generates an audio signal and send it to a computer’s speakers
• Can accept an analog sound and convert it to digital data
• Usually built into PC motherboard
• Users desiring higher-quality audio can buy a dedicated circuit board

MIDI controller

• A simple way to sequence music and play virtual instruments and play virtual instruments on your PC
• Works by sending musical instrument digital interface (MIDI) data to a computer or synthesizer
• Interprets the signal and produces a sound
• Frequently used by musicians

Network Interface Cards

• A hardware component without which a computer cannot connect to a network
• A circuit board that provides a dedicated network connection to the computer
• Receives network signals and translates network signals and translates them into data that the computer displays

Types of NIC

• Provides a connection to a network
  • Usually, the Internet
• Onboard: built into motherboard
• Add-on: fit into expansion slot
• No significant difference in speed or quality

Wired and wireless network cards

• Wireless – use an antenna to communicate through radio frequency waves on a Wi-Fi connection
• Wired-use an input jack and a wired LAN technology, such as fast Ethernet

Modems

• Connects your system to the Internet.
• Translates ISP signals into a digital format.
• Then feeds those digitized signals to your router, so you can connect to a network.

Cooling and Fans

System cooling

• Computers generate heat
• Excessive heat can damage internal components
• Never operate a computer w/out proper cooling
• Designed to dissipate heat produced by the processor
• Allow the accumulated heat energy to flow away from vital internal parts

Cooling methods

• Passive
• Active
  • Fans draw cool air through front vents and expel warm air through the back
• Forced convection
• Using thermal paste and a baseplate

Cooling methods – heat sink

• Heat sink

• Use heat sink compound to fill gaps

• Place the heat sink over the CPU

• Excess heat is drawn away

• Before warm air can damage the internal components

  

Liquid-based cooling

• Quieter and more efficient than fans
• Water blocks rest atop the chip
  • Cool liquid in the blocks cool the chip
• Heated fluid is pumped to a radiator-cooled by fans.
  • That fluid goes back to the water block to repeat the cycle.

Workstation Setup Evaluation and Troubleshooting

Managing File and Folders

Rules for naming files and folders

• Name so the file or folder you want is easy to find
• Make names short but descriptive
• Use 25 characters or fewer
• Avoid using special characters
• Use capitals and underscores
• Consider using a date format

Introduction to Workstation Evaluation, Setup, and Troubleshooting

Screen Capture and Tools

Screen capture on macOS

Saves screenshots on the desktop.

• Command + shift +3
  • Capture entire screen
• Command + shift +4
  • Capture part of the screen
• Command + shift +5
  • Capture as photo/video

Screen captures on Windows

Saves screenshots to the screenshot folder.

• Windows + PrintSc
  • Capture entire screen
• Alt + PrintSc
  • Capture active window
• Windows + Shift + S (Opens up snip and sketch tool)
  • Entire screen
  • Part of the screen
  • Active window

Screen captures on a Chromebook

Saves screenshots to Downlaods or Google Drive.

• Ctrl + Show Windows
  • Capture entire screen
• CTRL + shift + show windows
  • Capture part of the screen

Evaluating Computing Performance and Storage

Assessing processor performance

• The processor’s speed
• The number of cores
• The bus types and speeds
  • Located on the processor’s perimeter
  • The data highway wiring from the processor to other board components
• The presence of cache or other onboard memory

Bus types

Historically, three bus types:

Bus alternatives

Replacement technologies include:

And others.

Cache

• Consist of processor platform memory that buffers information and speeds tasks
• Can help offset slower processor speeds

Storage

RAM error symptoms

• Screen or computer freezes or stops working
• Computer runs more slowly
• Browser tabs error or other error messages display
• Out-of-memory or other error messages display
• Files become corrupt
• Computer beeps
• A “blue screen” with an error message displays

Workstation Evaluation and Setup

Identifying user needs

Environment: Where does the use work?

What are the user’s workspace conditions?

Network access: What are the user’s options?

Data storage requirements:

Application requirements:

Evaluating peripheral needs

Suggested computing solutions

Evaluating computing options

Purchasing decisions

Four important considerations:

Workstation setup

Environment

• Is a desk present or needed? If so, is the desk safe and sturdy?
• Is a chair present? If so, is the chair safe and sturdy?
• Is lighting present?
• Are electrical outlets present, of appropriate amperage and grounded?
• Can the use physically secure the computer?

Unboxing

• Read and follow the manufacturer’s practices for workstation setup
• Move boxes and packing materials into a safe location, out of the user’s workspace

Cable management

Reduce service calls with three practices

• Install shorter cable lengths where possible
• Securely attach and identify each cable
• Collect and tie the cables together

Electrical

Safety for you and your user:

• Label each electric cable.
• Verify that electrical connections are away from the user and are accessible.
• Connect power supplies to their assigned wall or power strip location. Note the wall outlet number.

Ergonomics

Can the user work comfortably?

• Feet are on the floor.
• Monitor at or just below eye height.
• Arms are parallel with the keyboard, table, and chair.
• Shoulders are relaxed and not hunched.
• The environment provides enough light to see the display and keyboard.
• Cords and cables are out of the way.

Workstation setup

• Power on the workstation and peripherals
• Setup the operating system and options for the user:
  • User logon credentials
  • Keyboard options
  • Monitor resolution
  • Printer connections
  • Sound options
  • Security options
  • Network connections
• Select the user’s default browser
• Uninstall bloatware or unnecessary software
• Install and configure additional productivity software
• Modify the desktop Productivity pane
• Setup backup options

Introduction to Troubleshooting

3 Basic Computer Support Concepts

• Determining the problem
  • Ask questions
  • Reproduce the problem
  • Address individual problems separately
  • Collect information
• Examining the problem
  • Consider simple explanations
  • Consider all possible causes
  • Test your theory
  • Escalate if needed
• Solving the problem
  • Create your plan
  • Document the process beforehand
  • Carry out the solution
  • Record each step
  • Confirm the system is operational
  • Update your documentation

Troubleshooting

“Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to problem-solving that is often used to find and correct issues with computers.”

Troubleshooting steps

1. Gathering information
2. Duplicating the problem
3. Triaging the problem
4. Identifying symptoms
5. Researching an online knowledge base
6. Establishing a plan of action
7. Evaluating a theory and solutions
8. Implementing the solution
9. Verifying system functionality

Restoring Functionality

Common PC issues

Internet Support

Manufacturer Technical Support

• Before contacting support:
  • Have all documentation
  • Be prepared to provide:
    • Name of the hardware/software
    • Device model and serial number
    • Date of purchase
    • Explanation of the problem

CompTIA troubleshooting model

The industry standard troubleshooting model comes from The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)

CompTIA model steps

1. Identify the problem
2. Gather information
3. Duplicate the problem
4. Question users
5. Identify symptoms
6. Determine if anything has changed
7. Approach multiple problems individually
8. Research knowledge base/Internet
9. Establish a theory of probable cause
10. Question the obvious
11. Consider multiple approaches
12. Divide and conquer
13. Test the theory to determine the cause
14. Establish a plan of action
15. Implement the solution or escalate
16. Verify fully system functionality and implement preventive measures
17. Document findings/lessons, actions, and outcomes

Advanced Microsoft Windows 10 Management and Utilities

Policy management

• Applies rules for passwords, retries, allowed programs, and other settings
• Type “group policy” in the taskbar search box
• View Edit group policy and click open
• Select the User Configuration settings to view its details and edit policy settings

Process management

• Schedules processes and allocates resources
• Task manager

Memory management

Windows uses:

• RAM for frequent memory tasks

• Virtual memory for less-frequent tasks

  When you notice that:

• Performance is slow

• You see errors that report “low on virtual memory”

Service management

• Automatically manages background tasks and enables advanced troubleshooting of performance issues.
• Capabilities include:
  • Stopping services
  • Restarting services
  • Running a program
  • Taking no action
  • Restarting the computer

Driver configuration

Drivers are the software components that enable communications between the operating system and the device

Utilities

Utilities help you administer and manage the operating system:

Introduction to Business Continuity Principles

Business continuity

• Risk management strategies minimize productivity issues
• Business continuity is having a plan to deal with disruptions
• Necessary for all businesses to remain operational under any circumstances

Fault tolerance

• Ability of a system to continue operating when one or more components fail
• Anticipates disruptions and develops contingency plans
• Design systems without single points of failure

Redundancy

• Minimizes the effects of system outages
• System redundancy strengthens existing fault tolerance levels
• Network redundancy seeks to prevent system outages
• Hardware redundancy serves as a solution to a server outage
• Additional capacity of a computer network above what is needed
• Safety net for the almost inevitable system or component failure
• Backup system at the ready
• 5 types of redundancy

Data redundancy

• First type of redundancy
• When the same piece of data exists in multiple places
• Might cause data inconsistency
• Multiple versions of the same file on a network
• Real-time syncing of data across all backups to ensure consistency

RAID redundancy

• Redundant array of independent disks (RAID)
• RAID 0: Allows a storage system to tolerate individual disk unit failures
• RAID 1: Exact copy (mirror) of a set of data on two or more disks
• RAID 5: Minimum of three hard disk drives (HDDs) and no maximum

Network redundancy

• Process of adding additional network devices and lines of communication
• Features include:
  • Multiple adapter cards and/or ports for individual hosts
  • Load balancing to distribute traffic across multiple servers
  • Multiple network paths
  • Routers can detect issues and reroute data

Site redundancy

• Ability to lose an entire site without losing signaling or application state data
• Guards against total loss of operations
• Employs the process of replication to synchronize data among multiple sites
• Ensures data access

Power redundancy

• Two independent power sources
• Eliminates potential downtime from the loss of the primary power source
• An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) adds another layer of protection against system downtime
• UPS is less expensive than a backup power generator

Backup requirements

• Create a copy of data from which a business can restore when the primary copy is damaged or unavailable
• Have a specific and sequential strategy for backups
• Identify key backup concerns
• Select appropriate backup types

Backup methods

• Full – Copies all files
• Incremental – Copies only those files that have been altered since the last full backup
• Differential – Saves only the difference in the data since the last full backup
• Daily – keeps a backup of just those files that have been modified the same day the backup is done

Backup storage devices

• Used to make copies of data that is actively in use
• Provide redundancy of data residing on primary storage (usually a hard disk drive)
• Examples: USB drive, external hard drive, LAN, and tape

Backup considerations

• Costs:
  • Can include hardware, software, maintenance agreement, and training
• Location:
  • Backup to the cloud
  • Consider keeping a data copy in an additional location
• Requirements of each backup approach

Disaster recovery plan

• Organization’s strategy for restoring functionality to its IT infrastructure
• Explains the actions to be taken before, during, and after a disaster
• Strategies for specific scenarios
• Method depends on needs and resources