1. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1 Technology In Action

2. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 2 Technology In Action Chapter 6 Evaluating Your System: Understanding and Assessing Hardware

3. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 3 Topics To buy or upgrade?To buy or upgrade? Evaluating your system:Evaluating your system: –CPU –RAM –Storage devices –Video output –Sound systems –Computer ports System reliabilitySystem reliability

4. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 4 To Buy or To Upgrade? Things to consider:Things to consider: –Moore’s Law –Cost of upgrading vs. buying –Time installing software and files –Needs and wants

5. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 5 Assessing Your Hardware: Evaluating Your System Assess the computer’s subsystemsAssess the computer’s subsystems The subsystems include:The subsystems include: –CPU –RAM –Virtual memory –Storage devices –Video –Audio –Ports

6. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 6 Evaluating the CPU How does the CPU work?How does the CPU work? –Control unit –Arithmetic logic unit (ALU) –Machine cycle: Instruction CycleInstruction Cycle –Fetch –Decode Execution CycleExecution Cycle –Execute –Store –Speed: MhzMhz GhzGhz

7. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 7 Upgrading the CPU ExpensiveExpensive Easy to installEasy to install Motherboard compatibilityMotherboard compatibility

8. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 8 Evaluating RAM Random access memory (RAM):Random access memory (RAM): –Temporary storage (memory) –Volatile Memory modules:Memory modules: –SIMM –DIMM –RIMM Types of RAM:Types of RAM: –SRAM –DRAM –SDRAM

9. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 9 How Much Ram is Needed RAM for System SoftwareRAM for System Software RAM for Productivity SoftwareRAM for Productivity Software RAM for EntertainmentRAM for Entertainment RAM for Graphics ProgramsRAM for Graphics Programs System Software Windows XP 128 MB Productivity Software MS Office Pro 128 MB Entertainment Software Windows Media Player 64 MB Graphics MS Picture It! 128 MB

10. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 10 Adding RAM Increase system performanceIncrease system performance Things to consider:Things to consider: –Type of RAM module –Amount of RAM: Maximum limitMaximum limit Number of slotsNumber of slots Operating systemOperating system Applications running at the same timeApplications running at the same time

11. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 11 Evaluating Storage Types of storage devices:Types of storage devices: –Hard drive –Floppy drive –Zip disk drive –CD/DVD –Flash memory Nonvolatile storageNonvolatile storage

12. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 12 The Hard Disk Drive Storage capacity up to 400 GBStorage capacity up to 400 GB Access time is measured in millisecondsAccess time is measured in milliseconds Data transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per secondData transfer rate is measured in megabits or megabytes per second Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)Spindle speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm)

13. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 13 How a Hard Disk Works Composed of several coated platters stacked on a spindleComposed of several coated platters stacked on a spindle Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots – Spots = 1 – Spaces = 0Data saved to the disk: pattern of magnetized spots – Spots = 1 – Spaces = 0 Between platters are read/write heads that read and write magnetized dataBetween platters are read/write heads that read and write magnetized data Spots are translated into dataSpots are translated into data Platters Read/write head Access arms

14. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 14 Portable Storage Gives us the ability to move data from one computer to anotherGives us the ability to move data from one computer to another Types of portable storage devices:Types of portable storage devices: –Floppy disk: Capacity 1.44 MBCapacity 1.44 MB –Zip disk: Capacity 100 MB to 750 MBCapacity 100 MB to 750 MB –CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R, DVD- RW: Capacity 700 MB to 9.4 GBCapacity 700 MB to 9.4 GB –Flash drive: Capacity 32 MB to 1 GBCapacity 32 MB to 1 GB

15. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 15 Magnetic Storage Magnetic media:Magnetic media: –Metal platters: Hard disksHard disks –Plastic film: Floppy disksFloppy disks Zip disksZip disks TracksTracks SectorsSectors File Allocation TableFile Allocation Table Track Sector

16. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 16 Optical Storage Optical media:Optical media: –CD ROM –CD-R –CD-RW –DVD ROM –DVD-R –DVD-RW LaserLaser PitPit LandLand

17. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 17 Upgrading Storage Hard drive options:Hard drive options: –Replace current drive with a larger capacity drive –Install an additional hard drive Other options:Other options: –Zip drive –Replace CD ROM with CD- R/RW or DVD-R/RW –Flash card reader –Flash memory drive

18. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 18 Evaluating Video Two components:Two components: –Video card (adapter) –Monitor

19. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 19 Video Cards Process binary data into imagesProcess binary data into images Contain memory known as video RAM (VRAM)Contain memory known as video RAM (VRAM) Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth)Control the number of colors a monitor can display (bit depth) –Standard VGA 4 bits4 bits 16 colors16 colors –True color (SVGA) 24 bits24 bits 16 million colors16 million colors

20. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 20 Monitors Things to consider:Things to consider: –Types: CRT or LCDCRT or LCD –Size: –15, 17, 19, or 21 inch –Resolution: Increasing resolution allows more to be displayedIncreasing resolution allows more to be displayed –Dot pitch:.31mm or less.31mm or less –Refresh rate: 75 Hz or higher75 Hz or higher

21. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 21 Evaluating Audio Sound card:Sound card: –Process digital data into sounds –3D sound cards –Surround sound Dolby Digital 5.1Dolby Digital 5.1

22. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 22 Evaluating Audio Speakers:Speakers: –Amplified –Not amplified –Sub-woofer –Surround sound

23. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 23 Evaluating Ports Ports are used to connect peripheral devices to the computerPorts are used to connect peripheral devices to the computer Things to consider:Things to consider: –Devices you want to use –Ports needed for the devices

24. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 24 PS/2 Port COM 1 Port PS/2 Connectors Serial Connector Types of Ports Serial PortSerial Port –Transfers data one bit at a time; 56Kbps

25. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 25 Types of Ports ParallelParallel – Transfers eight bits of data simultaneously; 12Mbps LPT 1 Port Printer Cable Connector

26. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 26 Types of Ports Universal serial busUniversal serial bus –Transfer speed up to 480Mbps; Hot swapping USB Port USB Connector

27. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 27 Types of Ports FireWireFireWire –Transfer rate of 400 Mbps; Digital cameras FireWire Port FireWire Connector

28. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 28 Types of Ports EthernetEthernet –Transfer rate of 100 Mbps; connects computers to networks Ethernet Port Ethernet jack

29. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 29 Types of Ports IrDAIrDA –Transfer rate of 4 Mbps; Uses infrared light waves IrDA

30. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 30 Types of Ports BluetoothBluetooth –Transfer rate of 1 Mbps; radio waves send data over short distances Bluetooth

31. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 31 Types of Ports MIDI PortMIDI Port –Musical Instrument Digital Interface –31.5 Kbps transfer rate

32. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 32 Adding Ports Expansion cards:Expansion cards: –New port standards Expansion hubs:Expansion hubs: –Enables several devices to be connected to a port

33. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 33 Evaluating System Reliability Performance:Performance: –Slow –Freezes –Crashes Upkeep and maintenance:Upkeep and maintenance: –System tools –Control panel –Update software and hardware drivers The last resortThe last resort

34. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 34 Upkeep and Maintenance System tools:System tools: –Disk defragmenter –Disk cleanup Unnecessary filesUnnecessary files Control panel:Control panel: –Add/remove programs –Display –System Device managerDevice manager

35. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 35 Update Software and Hardware Drivers Software:Software: –Automatic updates –Patches Hardware:Hardware: –Download updated drivers

36. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 36 The Last Resort If problems persist:If problems persist: –Reinstall the operating system –Upgrade the operating system to the latest version

37. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 37 The Final Decision How closely does your system come to meeting your needs?How closely does your system come to meeting your needs? How much would it cost to upgrade your system?How much would it cost to upgrade your system? How much would it cost to purchase a new system?How much would it cost to purchase a new system?

38. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 38 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?How can I determine whether I should upgrade my existing computer or buy a new one?

39. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 39 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What does the CPU do and how can I evaluate its performance?What does the CPU do and how can I evaluate its performance?

40. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 40 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How does memory work and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?How does memory work and how can I evaluate how much memory I need?

41. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 41 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What are the computer’s main storage devices and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?What are the computer’s main storage devices and how can I evaluate whether they match my needs?

42. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 42 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What components affect the output of video and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?What components affect the output of video and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?

43. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 43 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What components affect the quality of sound and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?What components affect the quality of sound and how can I evaluate whether they are meeting my needs?

44. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 44 Chapter 6 Summary Questions What are the ports available on desktop computers and how can I determine what ports I need?What are the ports available on desktop computers and how can I determine what ports I need?

45. © 2007 Prentice-Hall, Inc. 45 Chapter 6 Summary Questions How can I ensure the reliability of my system?How can I ensure the reliability of my system?

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