Computers are mere machines, but nowadays they have become practically indispensable to survive in modern society. Nowadays there are many companies and schools that require knowledge of basic techniques in order to use a computer, for example knowing how to type a text or surf the web in order to be able to search and print the documentation relating to a project. However, these are not the only activities that can be carried out with a computer, for example some systems are used as a video game console, as an entertainment device or as an alternative to common home stereos. But the fundamental question is how do they work? This is a question that requires a broad and detailed answer, but to simplify, computers simply execute a sequence of instructions encoded in a series of programs. The latter consist only of 0s and 1s stored in memory drives, floppies or CD / DVDs. It should be noted that any type of information stored inside a computer, therefore not just programs, is made up of binary code (ie a series of 0's and 1's). The binary system is the only code understood by all the components that make up a computer. Deepening one's knowledge of the hardware that characterizes a computer is very useful to be able to perform repairs, installations of new and more powerful and updated peripherals or to assemble your computer from scratch.
Steps
Step 1. Understand the difference between hardware and software
Before examining the individual components, it is good to learn what hardware is and understand the differences that separate it from software. These are the two fundamental components of a computer, however what we are interested in highlighting in this article, the hardware, represents everything that exists physically, therefore every single physical component of a machine. Exactly at this moment you are using the mouse or keyboard to scroll the web page you are reading and which is displayed on your computer monitor. Here these tools are an integral part of the computer hardware. On the contrary, all those components that cannot be physically touched are part of the software sphere, for example the programs that are currently running in the computer's memory or the operating system.
Step 2. Expand your knowledge of input devices
These are all the tools that are commonly used to enter information into a computer. These could be instructions that allow the mouse pointer to move around the screen based on the movement of the pointing device or an image or text. The purpose of all input devices is to provide some sort of information to the computer. This hardware tools are divided into several categories:
-
Insertion Devices
Keyboard
-
Pointing devices
- Mouse
- Trackpad
-
Audio capture devices
Microphone
-
Gaming devices
- Joystick
- Joypad
-
Video capture devices
- Scanner
- Webcam
Understand Computer Hardware Step 3 Step 3. Expand your knowledge of the main output devices
The term "output" refers to the result of the processing of the commands given by the user by the computer. For example, when we move the mouse, the cursor on the screen moves accordingly. When you press the spacebar while using any text editor, the text cursor moves one space each time you press the indicated key. Output devices are also divided into several hardware categories:
-
Video playback devices
Screen
-
Printing devices
Printers
-
Audio playback devices
Acoustic speakers (table, headphones, earphones, etc.)
Understand Computer Hardware Step 4 Step 4. Understand what internal system bus means
Don't be too scared, it is a series of channels whose purpose is simply to put the various hardware components of a computer in communication. For example, they allow the CPU to control output devices, internet access or input devices. Other internal bus models allow the CPU to communicate with memory units, such as IDE or Serial ATA hard drives, floppy disks, CD / DVD drives, etc.
Understand Computer Hardware Step 5 Step 5. Understand the meaning of external bus
Again there is nothing to scare you about because you most likely already know the meaning of the acronym USB, ie "Universal Serial Bus". This is a classic example of an external communication bus, as well as eSATA or Serial ATA. These are communication channels that are used to connect a variety of external devices to the computer.
Understand Computer Hardware Step 6 Step 6. Understand the meaning of internal memory drive and removable memory drive
Obviously you don't need to know every aspect of these peripherals in depth, but it is good to learn the basics of their operation. You need to know what the differences are between an IDE or Serial ATA drive and a floppy disk drive. You must understand which devices to connect to the various controllers available, what type of cables to look for inside the computer to establish the connection, which memory units must be configured as "master" and which as "slave" (the same applies to optical readers), etc. You should know the difference between a CD and a DVD player, what the abbreviations "W" and "RW" on optical memory media mean, what kilobyte (KB), megabyte (MB), gigabyte (GB) and terabyte mean (TB). If you are interested, you can learn more about the system and the algorithms by which information is stored inside hard disks or optical storage media. If you want, you can better understand the world of USB devices. In reality there is nothing fundamental to know about internal and external memory units as you just connect them to your computer and configure them for use, but it is always good to increase your knowledge in any field.
Understand Computer Hardware Step 7 Step 7. Learn more about a computer motherboard and related peripherals
Understand which are the best processors on the market and which one is best to install for the highest level of compatibility. Learn about the RAM memory models on the market and how they work (for example, DRAM memory modules, DDR2, etc.). Deepen your knowledge of the Input / Output system and how it is configured. If you have time and desire, you can also learn what the backup battery on the motherboard (also called CMOS battery) is used for and how to replace it or which chipset model is installed and what role it plays. Knowing which communication slots are present on the motherboard of a computer is very important because it allows you to determine how many and what type of peripherals and cards you can install or to be able to identify those already present and understand their role.
Advice
Learn more about the hardware components commonly found on a computer. This article is not intended to be a complete guide to understanding what constitutes a normal computer, in fact it is simply an initial introduction, a kind of general smattering. This tutorial simply explains what are the components that can be found in a computer, it is then up to the reader to deepen their knowledge of the individual parts. If you are planning to assemble a computer or upgrade parts of an existing system and are not sure which model of graphics card or RAM to buy, search the web for the information you need or ask for help from a friend expert in this field.
