Anatomy of a Computer HD

Info: Level: Beginner Presenter: Eli the Computer Guy Length of Class: 60 Minutes Tracks: Computer Repair Prerequisties: None Purpose of Class: This class introduces students to the components in a computer. A desktop computer is dissected and the individual parts are shown and their functions are explained. The information presented tries to show how all computing devices share the same components. Whether you have a server, a desktop computer, a laptop or an iPhone this class will explain the hardware that makes it work. Topics Covered: Cases and Form Factors Power Supplies Optical Drives Hard Drives RAM CPU Video Cards Motherboard BIOS Heat Sinks and Computer Cooling Class Notes: Introduction The same parts used in a desktop computer are used in a laptop computer, netbook computer, iPhone and probably your next microwave oven Warnings Unplug computer Push in power button after computer is unplugged Touch metal case to discharge static electricity Never disassemble the power supply Overview The case Form Factors- The size of the case ATX Mini ATX ITX Power Supply Optical Drives CPU Heat Sinks / Cooling If the CPU gets too hot the computer starts acting erratically RAM Motherboard Video Cards Hard Drives IDE -- still in many computers, but are now generally obsolete SATA -- faster the IDE hard drives Solid State -- have no moving parts BIOS Basic Input / Output System Controls how the hardware functions Primarily used to change the boot order for devices