Troubleshooting Techniques:
The primary requirement for troubleshooting is to be methodical. Don’t panic, don’t rush. Being patient and methodical is better than being quick and sorry. Whatever the problem, the first step is to develop an understanding of what are the possible causes. Using a notepad and pencil (or pen) is helpful. First, note down the symptom. The symptom is what you see happening, not what you think may be happening. Once you know the symptom, the next step is to identify the possible problems that might be the cause for this symptom. Some symptoms may be caused by a single problem. Usually, you will not be so lucky. Most symptoms can be caused by one or more problems. Isolate the sub-systems (this guide covers all the major sub-systems) that may be causing the problem. Then investigate each sub-system and eliminate them from the possible problem checklist. Look at the example troubleshooting table below to give you an idea on how you can approach the exercise:
Counter
Friday, August 29, 2008
TIPS:7
Security – All you should know about Viruses, Trojans, Spy ware, Firewalls etc. :
As computers become more and more integrated into our lives, we end up leaving a lot of sensitive information on our PCs—from passwords, e-mail IDs (even official e-mail IDs) and bank accounts to personal diaries and notes, business plans (or worse still, tender bids), confidential documents, a log of surfing habits (which can be viewed out of context), a backup of phone SMSes, and much more.
Then there is another risk, especially when you are online—viruses and spyware.Floppies / CD / DVD-ROMs / External Storage DevicesFloppies have been the most common means of virus infection (especially if an infected file was used to boot the computer) during the time when they were common. Most viruses of that time infected the boot sector and occupied some of the 640 KB of memory that was used by DOS. Some notorious ones could delete files with certain extensions on a particular date. For some strange reason, the dates in most cases would be the 26th or 28th of a month.The InternetThe most common of online irritants is spam e-mail. The other common annoyance, which can also bring down your PC, is spyware / adware.Securing The Desktopa)
To ensure that the security update or patch is applied as soon as it is available, turn on Automatic Updates. To do that, open the Control Panel, click on System, and select the A u t o m a t i c Updates tab.b)
NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows XP. It gives better access control protection for files and folders as compared to the FAT family of file systems.c) To turn off Simple File Sharing, open My Computer, go to Tools > Options, select the View tab, go to Advanced Settings, and clear the “Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)” checkbox.d)
Assign user accounts and passwords to all regular users of your computer. Individual user accounts not only enables Windows XP to personalise settings for each user.e)
If your computer is a standalone system that only connects to the Internet, you should disable / turn off the guest account—just so people you haven’t given out your password to won’t be able to access your computer.f)
You can control the software that can be run on your computer by configuring the Software Restrictions Policies in the Local Security Policy (Control Panel > Administrative Tools).Free Anti-virus softwaresa)
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Web site: www.free-av.com/index.htmMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98 or higher, NT orhigher (not Server), 128 MB RAM for Windows 98/ME/NT, 196 MBRAM for Windows XP, IE 5.0b) avast! 4.7 Home EditionWeb site: www.avast.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/x64(not Server), 64 MB RAM for Windows
2000/XP, 50 MB of hard diskspace, IE 4c)
AVG Anti-virus Free EditionWeb site: http://free.grisoft.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/XP/NT/2000, 32MB RAM, 20 MB hard drive space, IE 5.01d)
eScan Internet SecurityWeb site: www.mwti.netMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP, 64 MBRAM, 50 MB free hard disk space.e)
McAfee Internet Security SuiteWeb site: www.nai.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 133 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 100 MB hard drive spacef)
Norton Internet SecurityWeb site: www.symantec.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 300 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive spaceg)
Quick Heal Anti-virusWeb site: www.quickheal.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP, Pentium 133 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive spaceh)
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet SecurityWeb site: www.trendmicro.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 233 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 100 MB of free hard drive spacei)
ZoneAlarm Anti-VirusWeb site: www.zonelabs.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 2000/XP, Pentium III450 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 50 MB of free hard drive space
As computers become more and more integrated into our lives, we end up leaving a lot of sensitive information on our PCs—from passwords, e-mail IDs (even official e-mail IDs) and bank accounts to personal diaries and notes, business plans (or worse still, tender bids), confidential documents, a log of surfing habits (which can be viewed out of context), a backup of phone SMSes, and much more.
Then there is another risk, especially when you are online—viruses and spyware.Floppies / CD / DVD-ROMs / External Storage DevicesFloppies have been the most common means of virus infection (especially if an infected file was used to boot the computer) during the time when they were common. Most viruses of that time infected the boot sector and occupied some of the 640 KB of memory that was used by DOS. Some notorious ones could delete files with certain extensions on a particular date. For some strange reason, the dates in most cases would be the 26th or 28th of a month.The InternetThe most common of online irritants is spam e-mail. The other common annoyance, which can also bring down your PC, is spyware / adware.Securing The Desktopa)
To ensure that the security update or patch is applied as soon as it is available, turn on Automatic Updates. To do that, open the Control Panel, click on System, and select the A u t o m a t i c Updates tab.b)
NTFS is the recommended file system for Windows XP. It gives better access control protection for files and folders as compared to the FAT family of file systems.c) To turn off Simple File Sharing, open My Computer, go to Tools > Options, select the View tab, go to Advanced Settings, and clear the “Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)” checkbox.d)
Assign user accounts and passwords to all regular users of your computer. Individual user accounts not only enables Windows XP to personalise settings for each user.e)
If your computer is a standalone system that only connects to the Internet, you should disable / turn off the guest account—just so people you haven’t given out your password to won’t be able to access your computer.f)
You can control the software that can be run on your computer by configuring the Software Restrictions Policies in the Local Security Policy (Control Panel > Administrative Tools).Free Anti-virus softwaresa)
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic Web site: www.free-av.com/index.htmMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98 or higher, NT orhigher (not Server), 128 MB RAM for Windows 98/ME/NT, 196 MBRAM for Windows XP, IE 5.0b) avast! 4.7 Home EditionWeb site: www.avast.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/XP/x64(not Server), 64 MB RAM for Windows
2000/XP, 50 MB of hard diskspace, IE 4c)
AVG Anti-virus Free EditionWeb site: http://free.grisoft.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/XP/NT/2000, 32MB RAM, 20 MB hard drive space, IE 5.01d)
eScan Internet SecurityWeb site: www.mwti.netMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP, 64 MBRAM, 50 MB free hard disk space.e)
McAfee Internet Security SuiteWeb site: www.nai.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 133 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 100 MB hard drive spacef)
Norton Internet SecurityWeb site: www.symantec.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 300 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive spaceg)
Quick Heal Anti-virusWeb site: www.quickheal.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 9x/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP, Pentium 133 MHz, 32 MB RAM, 40 MB hard drive spaceh)
Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet SecurityWeb site: www.trendmicro.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP,Pentium 233 MHz, 128 MB RAM, 100 MB of free hard drive spacei)
ZoneAlarm Anti-VirusWeb site: www.zonelabs.comMinimum System Requirements: Windows 2000/XP, Pentium III450 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 50 MB of free hard drive space
TIPS:6
I CORE HARDWARE:
HSFShort for Heat Sink Fan unit, this refers to the aluminium block and fan unit placed over the CPU to aid in dissipation of heat. While most stock HSF units are made of aluminium and use a fan, fancier cooling solutions made of copper and using liquid coolants are also available.
Overclocking:
Overclocking refers to the art of making a computer component perform at levels exceeding those set by the manufacturer. Components like the CPU, RAM, and graphics cards can be overclocked.
HyperThreading:
This was a technology used by Intel to improve CPU utilisation by splitting a processing workload into parallel threads. Thanks to HyperThreading, the CPU appeared to the OS as multi-core. To make use of this feature, it was essential that the OS and motherboard supported it.
TDP:
Design Profile refers to the average energy (expressed in watts) in the form of heat that the HSF has to dissipate from the CPU. This can be taken as a rule-of-thumb measure of the energy consumed by the CPU.
CORE HARDWARE:
ICode-namesCPU manufacturers use a code-name for a CPU during its development. Once the product is launched, it gets a formal name, which is the name of the current product family.
HSFShort for Heat Sink Fan unit, this refers to the aluminium block and fan unit placed over the CPU to aid in dissipation of heat. While most stock HSF units are made of aluminium and use a fan, fancier cooling solutions made of copper and using liquid coolants are also available.
Overclocking:
Overclocking refers to the art of making a computer component perform at levels exceeding those set by the manufacturer. Components like the CPU, RAM, and graphics cards can be overclocked.
HyperThreading:
This was a technology used by Intel to improve CPU utilisation by splitting a processing workload into parallel threads. Thanks to HyperThreading, the CPU appeared to the OS as multi-core. To make use of this feature, it was essential that the OS and motherboard supported it.
TDP:
Design Profile refers to the average energy (expressed in watts) in the form of heat that the HSF has to dissipate from the CPU. This can be taken as a rule-of-thumb measure of the energy consumed by the CPU.
CORE HARDWARE:
ICode-namesCPU manufacturers use a code-name for a CPU during its development. Once the product is launched, it gets a formal name, which is the name of the current product family.
TIPS-5
"Processor32-bit / 64-bit CPU":
32/64-bit" refers to the width of the address bus and registers used by the CPU core. A 64-bit CPU has a 64-bit wide address bus and 64- bit wide registers. CPUs access data in the RAM by using the address bus. The breadth of the bus influences the amount of RAM that can be addressed. A 32-bit bus allows a maximum of 4 GB of RAM to be accessed.
BGAA Ball :
Grid Array (BGA) package is similar to a PGA package, except that the role of the pins is taken over by small balls of conductive material. The advantage is that unlike pins, the conductors are not easily bent. Unfortunately, BGA CPUs are soldered right onto the motherboard, and users cannot replace them. This form of packaging is seen in some embedded CPUs like those from VIA.
Cache memory:
The memory is used to store frequently-used data so that the CPU doesn't have to wait for the data to be fetched from other, slower storage areas like the system RAM or hard disk. This temporary storage is referred to as the cache. Unlike system RAM, cache is made of more expensive Static RAM, which does not require refreshing.
Cool 'n' Quiet :
Speed StepThese refer to the power management schemes used by AMD and Intel respectively. This allows the CPU to conserve energy by altering its speed according to the processing load. At slower speeds, the power consumption is decreased.
Fabrication process:
This term is used to refer to the smallest distance between two components in the CPU. All CPUs contain miniature circuits etched on a silicon chip. The latest Intel CPUs use a 45-nanometre process.
FPU:
Floating Point Unit; a sub-unit of the CPU core. The CPU is made up of different functional sub-units. There is the ALU (Arithmetic and Logical Unit), the FPU, Registers (temporary storage areas), and the caches.
FSB:
The Front Side Bus is the data channel between the CPU and the system RAM. In turn, the Back Side Bus refers to the link between the CPU and the cache memory within the CPU die itself. The FSB frequency is the speed at which the bus operates, and is an indicator of the number of times the CPU interacts with the rest of the system. Usually, the CPU itself works much faster than the FSB (see Multiplier).
Multi-core :
CPUsMany present CPUs are multi-core, meaning that there exist more than one computational unit on the same CPU. This allows for better performance when dealing with several jobs simultaneously. Both the major manufacturers offer quad-core CPUs.
Multiplier:
Originally, all the components on a system operated at the same frequency. But with improvements in technology, the rest of the system became a bottleneck to the CPU achieving its full potential. This problem was solved by allowing the CPU to operate multiple cycles for every cycle that the system operated. This factor is called the Multiplier. Earlier it was possible for the user to set the multiplier using switches on the motherboard, but now, except for the high-end CPUs, most CPUs come with a set multiplier.
Package types:
Every CPU is packaged to ensure that its core components are protected, while allowing connection with the motherboard. Package types seen in current CPUs include PGA, BGA, and LGA.
Pipelining:
This refers to the internal data processing pathways of a CPU. The CPU processes data through different stages, like Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store. By Pipelining, it becomes possible to perform these stages independently and on different bits of data. This allows for more efficient use of CPU cycles.
32/64-bit" refers to the width of the address bus and registers used by the CPU core. A 64-bit CPU has a 64-bit wide address bus and 64- bit wide registers. CPUs access data in the RAM by using the address bus. The breadth of the bus influences the amount of RAM that can be addressed. A 32-bit bus allows a maximum of 4 GB of RAM to be accessed.
BGAA Ball :
Grid Array (BGA) package is similar to a PGA package, except that the role of the pins is taken over by small balls of conductive material. The advantage is that unlike pins, the conductors are not easily bent. Unfortunately, BGA CPUs are soldered right onto the motherboard, and users cannot replace them. This form of packaging is seen in some embedded CPUs like those from VIA.
Cache memory:
The memory is used to store frequently-used data so that the CPU doesn't have to wait for the data to be fetched from other, slower storage areas like the system RAM or hard disk. This temporary storage is referred to as the cache. Unlike system RAM, cache is made of more expensive Static RAM, which does not require refreshing.
Cool 'n' Quiet :
Speed StepThese refer to the power management schemes used by AMD and Intel respectively. This allows the CPU to conserve energy by altering its speed according to the processing load. At slower speeds, the power consumption is decreased.
Fabrication process:
This term is used to refer to the smallest distance between two components in the CPU. All CPUs contain miniature circuits etched on a silicon chip. The latest Intel CPUs use a 45-nanometre process.
FPU:
Floating Point Unit; a sub-unit of the CPU core. The CPU is made up of different functional sub-units. There is the ALU (Arithmetic and Logical Unit), the FPU, Registers (temporary storage areas), and the caches.
FSB:
The Front Side Bus is the data channel between the CPU and the system RAM. In turn, the Back Side Bus refers to the link between the CPU and the cache memory within the CPU die itself. The FSB frequency is the speed at which the bus operates, and is an indicator of the number of times the CPU interacts with the rest of the system. Usually, the CPU itself works much faster than the FSB (see Multiplier).
Multi-core :
CPUsMany present CPUs are multi-core, meaning that there exist more than one computational unit on the same CPU. This allows for better performance when dealing with several jobs simultaneously. Both the major manufacturers offer quad-core CPUs.
Multiplier:
Originally, all the components on a system operated at the same frequency. But with improvements in technology, the rest of the system became a bottleneck to the CPU achieving its full potential. This problem was solved by allowing the CPU to operate multiple cycles for every cycle that the system operated. This factor is called the Multiplier. Earlier it was possible for the user to set the multiplier using switches on the motherboard, but now, except for the high-end CPUs, most CPUs come with a set multiplier.
Package types:
Every CPU is packaged to ensure that its core components are protected, while allowing connection with the motherboard. Package types seen in current CPUs include PGA, BGA, and LGA.
Pipelining:
This refers to the internal data processing pathways of a CPU. The CPU processes data through different stages, like Fetch, Decode, Execute, and Store. By Pipelining, it becomes possible to perform these stages independently and on different bits of data. This allows for more efficient use of CPU cycles.
TIPS-4
Socket:
The motherboard carries the interface to connect the CPU. This is referred to as a Socket. There are many socket types, with no clear naming scheme, though most are named after the number of pin sockets they contain.
USB ports:
USB ports are ubiquitous, with many newer motherboards offering up to 10 USB connections. USB is available in two common versions - version 1.1, which has a maximum data transfer rate of 12 Megabits per second, and version 2, which tops out at 480 Megabits per second.
RAM:
RAM is short for Random Access Memory. In common parlance, RAM refers to system memory, the temporary storage area that holds all the data that the CPU is working on.
CAS:
To be able to access data from a particular storage area in RAM, the RAS and CAS procedures are needed to provide the address of the storage area. The RAM is organised as an array of storage areas. Each storage area can therefore be uniquely identified by the number of the row and the number of the column that intersect at that position. Row Access Strobe (RAS) is the process of identifying the row from which data needs to be read. This step precedes CAS. Column Access Strobe is the process of identifying the column from which data is to be accessed.
DDR2 SDRAM:
An evolution of DDR SDRAM, DDR2 allows four data transfers per clock cycle, by clocking the internal bus at twice the speed of the memory clock. Therefore the effective frequency of the memory becomes 4 times its actual frequency. A DDR2 800 module operates at 200 MHz. As in the case of DDR SDRAM, the alternate notation relying on the maximum data transfer speeds is also used. PC2 3200 refers to DDR2 400.
DDR3 SDRAM:
This is the latest iteration of SDRAM, and increases the internal bus speed to 8 times the memory clock, effectively operating at 8 times the frequency. DDR3 800 operates at 100 MHz and is also referred to as PC3 6400.
ECC RAM:
An Error Correction Code (ECC) RAM module is a special type of module that includes additional components to verify the integrity of data stored in or transferred by system RAM. This is needed in critical systems that require high levels of data integrity, like servers.
SD RAM:
Synchronous Dynamic RAM was an improved version of DRAM that synchronised all its functions to a single frequency, usually the system's FSB frequency.
BUS Direct RAM was based on a technology developed by RAMBUS. Unlike SDRAM, it used a serial mode of data transfer, and though the technology was considered superior to DDR SDRAM, it's expensiveness made it unpopular. RDRAM modules are called RIMMs.
SD RAM:
Synchronous Dynamic RAM was an improved version of DRAM that synchronised all its functions to a single frequency, usually the system's FSB frequency.
The motherboard carries the interface to connect the CPU. This is referred to as a Socket. There are many socket types, with no clear naming scheme, though most are named after the number of pin sockets they contain.
USB ports:
USB ports are ubiquitous, with many newer motherboards offering up to 10 USB connections. USB is available in two common versions - version 1.1, which has a maximum data transfer rate of 12 Megabits per second, and version 2, which tops out at 480 Megabits per second.
RAM:
RAM is short for Random Access Memory. In common parlance, RAM refers to system memory, the temporary storage area that holds all the data that the CPU is working on.
CAS:
To be able to access data from a particular storage area in RAM, the RAS and CAS procedures are needed to provide the address of the storage area. The RAM is organised as an array of storage areas. Each storage area can therefore be uniquely identified by the number of the row and the number of the column that intersect at that position. Row Access Strobe (RAS) is the process of identifying the row from which data needs to be read. This step precedes CAS. Column Access Strobe is the process of identifying the column from which data is to be accessed.
DDR2 SDRAM:
An evolution of DDR SDRAM, DDR2 allows four data transfers per clock cycle, by clocking the internal bus at twice the speed of the memory clock. Therefore the effective frequency of the memory becomes 4 times its actual frequency. A DDR2 800 module operates at 200 MHz. As in the case of DDR SDRAM, the alternate notation relying on the maximum data transfer speeds is also used. PC2 3200 refers to DDR2 400.
DDR3 SDRAM:
This is the latest iteration of SDRAM, and increases the internal bus speed to 8 times the memory clock, effectively operating at 8 times the frequency. DDR3 800 operates at 100 MHz and is also referred to as PC3 6400.
ECC RAM:
An Error Correction Code (ECC) RAM module is a special type of module that includes additional components to verify the integrity of data stored in or transferred by system RAM. This is needed in critical systems that require high levels of data integrity, like servers.
SD RAM:
Synchronous Dynamic RAM was an improved version of DRAM that synchronised all its functions to a single frequency, usually the system's FSB frequency.
BUS Direct RAM was based on a technology developed by RAMBUS. Unlike SDRAM, it used a serial mode of data transfer, and though the technology was considered superior to DDR SDRAM, it's expensiveness made it unpopular. RDRAM modules are called RIMMs.
SD RAM:
Synchronous Dynamic RAM was an improved version of DRAM that synchronised all its functions to a single frequency, usually the system's FSB frequency.
TIPS-3
PCB (Printed Circuit Board):
The foundation of every electronic device is the board on which every component is connected. The PCB consists of minute conductors, usually of copper, seen as fine lines criss-crossing the surface, mounted on an insulated substrate. The minute pathways actually carry data signals or power between the various components that are eventually soldered on the PCB. PCBs come in various sizes and shapes, and besides the motherboard, are also seen in expansion cards (sound cards, graphics cards, etc.) and RAM modules.
PCI:
Peripheral Component Interconnect is still widely seen in motherboards, though it is older than AGP. The wide availability of PCI cards is one reason for this. This bus is 32 bits wide and operates at 33 MHz, and has a maximum data transfer speed of 132 Megabytes per second. This bandwidth is divided between all slots and also the storage devices, like the hard disks.
PCIE (PCI-Express):
PCI-Express is the latest type of expansion slot. Unlike the AGP and PCI buses which transfer data in a parallel fashion, PCIE offers serial data transfer. It is designed to be a point-to-point bus, and so it is not shared by other components.
Ports:
Every motherboard offers a plethora of ports on its back panel. The most commonly seen ports on today's PCs are PS2, USB, VGA, LAN, Serial, and Audio Sockets.
PS2 port:
The PS2 port is used to connect PS2-compatible keyboard and mouse. The violet-coloured port is usually for the keyboard, and the green one is for the mouse.
RAM slots:
These refer to the interface to connect RAM modules. Memory is organised in the form of banks, with one or more slots constituting a bank. Each bank has a dedicated channel to the memory controller.
Serial port:
DB 9 or Serial port is a 9-pin port that transfers data serially. It is increasingly being left out from the back panel in favour of faster ports like USB. It is used today mostly for external modems.
The foundation of every electronic device is the board on which every component is connected. The PCB consists of minute conductors, usually of copper, seen as fine lines criss-crossing the surface, mounted on an insulated substrate. The minute pathways actually carry data signals or power between the various components that are eventually soldered on the PCB. PCBs come in various sizes and shapes, and besides the motherboard, are also seen in expansion cards (sound cards, graphics cards, etc.) and RAM modules.
PCI:
Peripheral Component Interconnect is still widely seen in motherboards, though it is older than AGP. The wide availability of PCI cards is one reason for this. This bus is 32 bits wide and operates at 33 MHz, and has a maximum data transfer speed of 132 Megabytes per second. This bandwidth is divided between all slots and also the storage devices, like the hard disks.
PCIE (PCI-Express):
PCI-Express is the latest type of expansion slot. Unlike the AGP and PCI buses which transfer data in a parallel fashion, PCIE offers serial data transfer. It is designed to be a point-to-point bus, and so it is not shared by other components.
Ports:
Every motherboard offers a plethora of ports on its back panel. The most commonly seen ports on today's PCs are PS2, USB, VGA, LAN, Serial, and Audio Sockets.
PS2 port:
The PS2 port is used to connect PS2-compatible keyboard and mouse. The violet-coloured port is usually for the keyboard, and the green one is for the mouse.
RAM slots:
These refer to the interface to connect RAM modules. Memory is organised in the form of banks, with one or more slots constituting a bank. Each bank has a dedicated channel to the memory controller.
Serial port:
DB 9 or Serial port is a 9-pin port that transfers data serially. It is increasingly being left out from the back panel in favour of faster ports like USB. It is used today mostly for external modems.
TIPS-2
Display port:
The 15-pin, mini DB 15 port, also called the VGA / Display port is used to connect an analogue monitor. With LCD monitors becoming popular, the DVI (Digital Video Interface) port is also frequently seen.
Expansion slots:
Earlier motherboards rarely offered additional functionality besides offering a place for the CPU and RAM to be plugged in. The capability of the system had to be "expanded" with the use of external cards that carried the additional circuitry to fulfil the function. Additional circuitry usually included hard disk controllers,display adapters, sound system, etc.,
FireWire :
portFireWire ports are not as common as USB, but do make an occasional appearance on the back panel. FireWire exists in two versions: FireWire 400, which offers a maximum data transfer rate of 400 Mbps, and FireWire 800, which offers double that.
Form Factor:
This is a name to denote the specifications of a motherboard - like dimensions, power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc. The most commonly-used motherboards are ofthe ATX or Micro ATX form factor, which are used for Desktop systems.
Jumpers:
These refer to the open contacts on the motherboard that can be used to configure different settings of the board. With time, the number of jumpers has come down, with most of its functionality shifted to the CMOS / BIOS. Still, many motherboards today do have one set of jumpers, which is used to reset the BIOS settings.
LAN port:
RJ-45, or the LAN port, allows the PC to be connected to a network, whether to a LAN or to the Internet via a broadband modem.
Parallel port:
The DB 25 or Parallel port is the traditional port for older printers. These are rarely seen today.
The 15-pin, mini DB 15 port, also called the VGA / Display port is used to connect an analogue monitor. With LCD monitors becoming popular, the DVI (Digital Video Interface) port is also frequently seen.
Expansion slots:
Earlier motherboards rarely offered additional functionality besides offering a place for the CPU and RAM to be plugged in. The capability of the system had to be "expanded" with the use of external cards that carried the additional circuitry to fulfil the function. Additional circuitry usually included hard disk controllers,display adapters, sound system, etc.,
FireWire :
portFireWire ports are not as common as USB, but do make an occasional appearance on the back panel. FireWire exists in two versions: FireWire 400, which offers a maximum data transfer rate of 400 Mbps, and FireWire 800, which offers double that.
Form Factor:
This is a name to denote the specifications of a motherboard - like dimensions, power supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc. The most commonly-used motherboards are ofthe ATX or Micro ATX form factor, which are used for Desktop systems.
Jumpers:
These refer to the open contacts on the motherboard that can be used to configure different settings of the board. With time, the number of jumpers has come down, with most of its functionality shifted to the CMOS / BIOS. Still, many motherboards today do have one set of jumpers, which is used to reset the BIOS settings.
LAN port:
RJ-45, or the LAN port, allows the PC to be connected to a network, whether to a LAN or to the Internet via a broadband modem.
Parallel port:
The DB 25 or Parallel port is the traditional port for older printers. These are rarely seen today.
TIPS OF COMPUTER-1
The Motherboard
Audio sockets:
A set of sockets that allowed speakers and a microphone to be connected, usually three in number. With multi-channel audio becoming common, the number of sockets has risen to six. The function of each of these sockets is configurable from the audio driver.
AGP:
The Accelerated Graphics Port is present only in very few new motherboards; it is being phased out. This was a slot dedicated to enhance the graphics capabilities of the system by allowing a high-speed direct bus to the RAM (bus refers to a channel that is used to transfer data.)
BIOS / CMOS:
Though often interchangeably used, the two terms refer to different things. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) refers to a set of instructions that are critical for the functioning of the system. These instructions include information about the components connected to the motherboard, like the hard disk, RAM, and the configuration of the many onboard subsystems. CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) refers to the chip on which the BIOS instructions are stored. CMOS is the name of the technology behind the chip that stores the BIOS. Present-day CMOS is technically called EEPROM for Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory. These can be rewritten to, and this allows the BIOS instructions of a motherboard to be updated when required.The process of updating the BIOS instructions is called Flashing.
Chipset:
Refers to a set, usually a pair, of microprocessors that are present on the motherboard, and which controls the communication between every component of the system - the CPU, the RAM, the expansion cards, and other peripherals plugged into the system.
Audio sockets:
A set of sockets that allowed speakers and a microphone to be connected, usually three in number. With multi-channel audio becoming common, the number of sockets has risen to six. The function of each of these sockets is configurable from the audio driver.
AGP:
The Accelerated Graphics Port is present only in very few new motherboards; it is being phased out. This was a slot dedicated to enhance the graphics capabilities of the system by allowing a high-speed direct bus to the RAM (bus refers to a channel that is used to transfer data.)
BIOS / CMOS:
Though often interchangeably used, the two terms refer to different things. BIOS (Basic Input Output System) refers to a set of instructions that are critical for the functioning of the system. These instructions include information about the components connected to the motherboard, like the hard disk, RAM, and the configuration of the many onboard subsystems. CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) refers to the chip on which the BIOS instructions are stored. CMOS is the name of the technology behind the chip that stores the BIOS. Present-day CMOS is technically called EEPROM for Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-only Memory. These can be rewritten to, and this allows the BIOS instructions of a motherboard to be updated when required.The process of updating the BIOS instructions is called Flashing.
Chipset:
Refers to a set, usually a pair, of microprocessors that are present on the motherboard, and which controls the communication between every component of the system - the CPU, the RAM, the expansion cards, and other peripherals plugged into the system.
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