This section introduces you to the internal components of computer systems, including processing, storage, and memory. After finishing this section, you should be able to:
Describe the most common internal components of a typical computer system, including processor, RAM, motherboard, power supply, GPU, NIC, and cooling system.
Compare and contrast the features of different external storage devices, including hard disk drives, optical drives, flash storage, and solid state drives.
Distinguish between the two main types of consumer-level CPUs.
Identify the proper sequence of steps to follow in the troubleshooting methodology.
Identify the proper cable to connect a computer to an Ethernet port.
Set up a desktop computer system, including peripherals, power cables, and networking cable.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) The most important part of any modern computer system that controls the other parts of the computer.
Random Access Memory (RAM) The main memory of a computer that can be quickly accessed by the CPU and where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using.
Motherboard A large, flat computer component that connects the important components of the computer, such as the CPU, RAM, and the BIOS chip. It also has power and other communications connections.
Power Supply The component of a computer that supplies the right amount and form of electricity to the motherboard and other computer components.
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) An additional computer processor that provides graphics processing, providing better performance by relieving the CPU of this duty.
Network Interface Card (NIC) A component, sometimes built into and sometimes plugged into the motherboard, that provides wired or wireless (or both) network connectivity.
Cooling System Heat sinks and fans that keep computer components, especially the CPU, from overheating.
Hard Disk Drive (HDD) The most common type of long-term storage that uses thick, magnetic disks encased in a protective housing to store data.
Optical Drive A storage device that uses light instead of magnetism to store information. This include CD-ROM, DVD, and Blu-ray devices.
Flash Storage A compact, portable storage device that uses special memory chips to store data. Flash storage devices can be removed from a power source and its contents will remain intact.
Solid State Devices (SSD) A device with similar capacity to an HDD that uses flash storage instead of magnetic disks to store data. SSDs are much faster and more durable than hard disk drives but usually are more expensive.
External Hard Disk Drives An HDD that can be connected as a peripheral to a computer.
x86 Processors A family of processors manufactured by Intl and AMD that use a common instruction set, or list of commands that the processor can execute.
Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) Processors A family of processors most often used in smartphones due to its lower power requirements. This is accomplished by reducing the processors’ instruction set.
Troubleshooting A process that combines knowledge, experience, and intuition to quickly solve a variety of problems.
Topics Discussed:
How does a computer processor use internal memory?
What are the most common types of external storage devices?
What are the key steps in troubleshooting most computer hardware and software problems?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Section 1.4: Processing and Storage Hardware, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 15 question Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: September 11th, 2019 Teacher Pacing Due Date: September 13th, 2019
I can demonstrate my understanding of modern and legacy ports and connectors by producing a document identifying each port visually, so I can maintain a working knowledge of what ports are available on a given PC just by looking at it.
Today, we will be working on a Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt activity, where you will be tasked with identifying 28 different expansion ports and connectors common to PC workstations.
Using the list below, and the Internet for research, you will hunt all around my room to find each of the 28 ports on the hardware devices located throughout Room 225. Hunt high and low, and dig through the provided hardware bins to find them all!
Use your cell phone, the iSight camera on your iMac, or a loaner digital camera (just ask me) to take pictures of each port. You must provide original photos of each port (No borrowing from the Internet!).
Produce a document (Google Doc, Google Slides, etc.) and place your pictures in the document. Use text labels to identify each of the 28 ports.
Submit your completed Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt document with all the required pictures to the Google Classroom assignment labeled “Section 1.3 Lab – Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt” by Monday, September 9th.
If all 1st Year students complete the Lab by turning in an original document containing all 28 photos correctly labeled by end of day on Monday, the entire class will receive a pizza party on lucky Friday the 13th!
Good luck, and happy hunting!
Ports and Connectors Scavenger Hunt List:
Legacy Multifunction Ports
D-Sub Ports:
25-pin serial port (female)
9-pin serial port (male)
25-pin parallel port (female)
36-pin IEEE 1284B Centronics connector (male)
Standard Single-Function Ports
PS/2 6-pin mini-DIN keyboard port (purple)
PS/2 6-pin mini-DIN mouse port (green)
Video Ports
15-pin D-Sub VGA video port (female)
DVI Video port (female)
RGB Component ports (female)
Composite Video port (female)
Mini DisplayPort port (female)
Audio Ports
1/8-inch mini-audio port (female)
S/PDIF coaxial audio port (female)
Multimedia Ports
RG-6 coaxial port (female)
S-Video port (female)
Composite Audio port (female)
MIDI/Joystick Ports
DB-15 Joystick/Game port (female)
Modem Ports
RJ-11 modem port (female)
Network Interface Ports
RJ-45 network port (female)
BNC Port (female)
Modern Multifunction Ports
USB Type A port (female)
USB 3.0 Type A port (female)
USB Type B port (female)
USB Type C port (female)
USB mini port (female)
USB micro port (female)
Firewire 400 IEEE 1394a port (female)
Firewire 800 IEEE 1394b port (female)
Assigned: September 5th, 2019 Due Date: September 9th, 2019
This section introduces you to computer hardware components and gives you practice setting up external devices for desktop systems. After finishing this section, you should be able to:
Identify
common peripheral devices by sight.
Identify
common ports and connectors by sight.
Connect
cables and peripherals to a computer system.
Select
appropriate cables and hardware devices for particular scenarios.
Troubleshoot
common problems when installing external devices to a computer system.
Peripheral A device, usually external to a computer, that is plugged into a computer’s communication port or is connected wirelessly. Common peripherals are keyboards, mice, monitors, speakers, and printers.
Touch Screen A display device that allows a user to interact with a computer by touching, tapping, and swiping areas on the screen.
Scanner A device that can be connected to a computer or network that scans paper documents and converts them into digital files.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) A common interface used to connect peripherals, such as mice, keyboards, printers, and digital cameras to a computer.
FireWire Another common interface used to connect peripherals such as digital cameras and external hard drives to a computer.
Video Graphics Array (VGA) Connector A connector, identified by its blue color and three rows of pins, that is used to connect older monitors to a computer.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) Connector A connector, typically white with three rows of eight pins, designed to connect digital monitors to a computer.
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) Connector A connector used to connect a computer to an HDMI monitor or TV.
Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) Connector A connector used to connect a computer to a wired network.
Thunderbolt An interface primarily used on Apple computers that typically connects a monitor to a computer and can also provide DC power.
Infrared A communication technology that uses light waves to transmit information through the air.
Bluetooth A short-range wireless communication technology used to connect peripherals such as wireless headphones, speakers, keyboards, mice, smart watches, printers, and game controllers to a computer, including smartphones.
Topics Discussed:
What
hardware components are generally required for a desktop computer system?
What
are the most commonly used interfaces for computer peripherals, displays, and
networking devices?
How
do you connect a computer monitor and other peripheral devices to a desktop
system?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Section 1.3: Peripheral Devices, and achieve a score of 80% or higher on the 11 question Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: September 3rd, 2019 Teacher Pacing Due Date: September 4th, 2019
This section introduces you to the basics of how computers work, including their use of the binary number system and the encoding of digital media files. After finishing this section, you should be able to:
Describe the binary number system used by computers to process data.
Define bits and bytes.
Explain how physical signals are translated into digital information.
Describe the most common units of measurement used for storage, throughput, and processing speed.
Describe how audio and video are stored digitally.
Distinguish between raster and vector images.
Select the best format for digital images.
Describe how RGB values determine pixel color.
Compare common image file types.
Describe the difference between lossless and lossy compression algorithms.
Decimal System A numbering system that uses ten digits, 0 through 9.
Binary System A numbering system that uses two digits, 0 and 1.
Hexadecimal System A numbering system that uses sixteen digits, 0 through 9, and A through F.
Bit The smallest unit of digital information, represented by a 1 or 0.
Byte A group of eight bits joined together. Digital Data A physical signal, such as text, numbers, graphics, or sound, interpreted by converting it into binary numbers.
Encoded Integers The representation of integers using a group of bytes. Normally, one bit in one of the byes represents the sign, 1 for negative and 0 for positive. The remaining 31 bits are used to encode the number itself using binary digits.
Encoded Text The representation of text by assigning a unique binary code to each character.
Processor Speed The speed at which a computer processes information, as measured by the number of cycles per second (Hertz) that the computer’s CPU operates at. Processor speed is measured in kilohertz, megahertz, and gigahertz.
Storage Space The measurement in bytes of the volume that a storage device can contain. Storage space is measured in kilobytes (1024 bytes), megabytes (1024 kilobytes), gigabytes (1024 megabytes), and terabytes (1024 gigabytes).
Throughput The measurement in bits per second that information is transferred through a network from one computer to another. Throughput is measured in Kbps (kilobits per second), Mbps (megabits per second), and Gbps (gigabits per second).
ASCII Pronounced ask-ee and short for American Standard Code for Information Interchange, the most common format for text files in computers on the internet where each character is represented by a unique 7-bit binary code. Extended ASCII uses an 8-bit binary code and allows for international characters.
Unicode An international 16-bit encoding standard that accommodates character sets from multiple languages, with each letter, digit, or symbol being assigned a unique numeric value.
Sample The part of a sound wave that is captured, measured, and assigned a numeric value during digital sound recording.
Bit Depth The amount of memory used to store the numeric value of a sound sample during digital sound recording. 8-bit sound uses eight bits (or one byte) to store the value of each sample. 16-bit sound uses two bytes per sample. Generally speaking, the better the bit depth, the better the sound.
Sampling Rate The number of individual samples taken each second during digital sound recording. Measured in Hertz, the higher the sampling rate, the better the recording. Most modern sound recordings are made at 44.1 kHz.
Frame Rate The number of images, or frames, that are taken each second during digital video recording. Most digital videos have a frame rate of about 30 frames per second.
Resolution The number of pixels in the width and height of each frame in a digital video recording. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image will be.
Color Depth The amount of memory the computer uses to display colors in a digital image or a digital video. 8-bit color images use one byte of data for each pixel. 24-bit color uses three bytes for each pixel.
RGB Display A display on a computer monitor that is made up of sets of tiny red, green, and blue (RGB) lights, each set combining to make a pixel. A pixel will display different colors depending on the brightness of each light.
Raster Images Images stored by dividing a picture into rows of pixels and collecting the color values of each pixel, in order, row-by-row.
Vector Images Images stored by mathematically describing the shapes in the image. A circle might be stored as a center point and the distance from the center point to the circle’s edge. A square is stored as four lines, each with a beginning point and a length. More complex shapes can be stored as a set of small lines.
File Compression A way of reducing the size of files, making them easier to store.
Lossless Compression A compression algorithm, such as GIF, PNG, PDF, and ZIP, that doesn’t affect the original data. A file compressed using a lossless compression algorithm, when decompressed, will be exactly the same as the file before compression, bit for bit.
Lossy Compression A compression algorithm, such as JPG, MP3, and MP4, that slightly alters the data to make it easier to store, taking advantage of the limitations of human sight and hearing, and is usually used for images, videos, and audio files.
Run-Length Encoding A common lossless compression algorithm that looks for repeated patterns of bits or bytes and records the pattern and then number of times the pattern is repeated.
Compression Artifact A patch of pixels in a compressed image or video that have less visible detail than the rest of the image.
Topics Discussed:
How do computers convert physical signals into digital data?
How do computers encode digital image, sound, video and text files?
When is it best to use compressed files? When is it better to use uncompressed files?
Assignment:
Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
Study Section 1.2: How Computers Work, and complete the 13 question Exam to complete the Section.
Assigned: August 29th, 2019 Teacher Pacing Due Date: August 30th, 2019
This section introduces you to the history of computing devices and the ethical implications of modern technology. After finishing this section, you should be able to:
Recall significant developments in the history of modern computing.
Identify uses of computers in today’s world.
Identify the basic functions of computers.
Recommend computing devices based on user requirements.
Describe ethical considerations related to evolving forms of technology.
Topics Discussed: Networking and Operating Systems
Assignment:
Click the Google Classroomlink to connect to the online testing website.
Navigate to the Google Classroom and click on today’s Assignment Post.
Click on the “NetOp PreTest 2019” exam.
The quiz is 100 questions, all multiple choice, and reflects all the material presented in the chapters we cover in the first half of the class.
Please put away all notes, study guides and other materials before starting the quiz.
Please close all other documents and webpages and do not open any new tabs or windows until after you have submitted the quiz.
Please remain silent until everyone has completed the exam.
Remember, this is a pre-test, so do your best to answer all the questions, but don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers. That’s what you’re here to learn.
Unless you were here last year, that is – then you’re expected to pass this pre-test with at least an 80% grade so you can progress to the independent study for certification test preparation.
Submit your test answers before the end of the class period today.
The exam session will conclude at the end of the class period, so use your time wisely.
When you have completed your exam, the rest of the time is yours, please use it wisely.
Assigned: August 23rd, 2019 Due Date: August 23rd, 2019
I can demonstrate my understanding of PC Hardware fundamentals by disassembling a PC, inventorying the parts and successfully reassembling the PC so that I can better understand the internal hardware architecture of a common PC.
This week, we will visit the lab, where each student will be allowed to pick out a PC to use in their lab activities throughout the year.
Each student should first assemble their PC, connect it to power, boot to the Windows operating system and confirm that it is in working order.
Examine the computer and peripheral components, front and back.
In a Google Doc or Form, create an inventory list of the external components. Provide the component name, manufacturer, description, characteristics and any identification numbers available (serial #, part #, model #).
Observe the boot process and determine the following information:
What is the speed of the CPU?
How much RAM is installed?
Next, each student will open up their PC, and remove and inventory (record any available information such as manufacturer, model, serial # and capacity) all easily removable components:
Hard Drive
Optical Drive (DVD-Rom)
RAM sticks
Power Supply Unit
Motherboard
Students will acquire a philips head screwdriver from the tool cabinet and proceed to carefully remove the heatsink assembly, exposing the CPU.
Students will use the cleaning equipment provided to remove the old thermal paste from the CPU and the heatsink assembly, and will acquire a tube of thermal paste to apply fresh thermal paste to the CPU. Use the How to Apply Thermal Paste video as a guide on the correct method for the application of thermal paste, and take care not to waste the provided materials.
Students will proceed to carefully remove the motherboard and power supply.
Students will use canned air to clean the PC case of lint and debris to ensure optimal airflow.
Students will reassemble the PC and its external peripherals, and reboot it to test its operation.
Submit the completed PC Inventory document to the Google Classroom assignment labeled “Chap. 1 Lab” by Wednesday, Sept. 6th.
Assigned: August 14th, 2019 Due Date: August 21st, 2019
Introduce students to the Mac OSX operating system.
Walk students through configuring their workspace to their own preferences.
Student-Friendly Objectives:
I can effectively navigate the Macintosh OS, and change my desktop wallpaper, mouse settings and desktop settings using the System Preferences so I can customize and configure my Mac workspace to suit my preferences.
Links:
None
Topics Discussed:
Mac OSX
Desktop
Menu Bar
System Preferences
Mouse
Dock
Icons
Finder
Trash
Launchpad
Documents
Finder Window
Finder Window Views
Safari
Google Image Search
Resolution
Assignment:
Today we’ll begin our introduction to the Macintosh operating system.
Follow along with the in-class demonstrations to learn how to:
Log in using your newly created network account.
Change your password, if you wish to do so.
Navigate through the OSX Mavericks operating system.
Identify and use items on the desktop, including the Finder, application icons, the menu bar, the dock, the trash and the Launchpad.
Use the System Preferences panel to adjust your Desktop wallpaper and your Mouse settings (enable right click).
Open a new Finder window and navigate to your Documents folder to store files and folders.
Use the Finder window to view files and folders in different ways.
Adjust the Finder Preferences to see all items on the desktop.
Use Safari to browse the web
Locate and bookmark the class website (https://netop.mistermarmolejo.com).
Use Google Image Search to find an appropriate image to personalize your desktop. (Keep it classy!)
Use the Search Tools underneath the search bar to search for Large images with higher resolutions for the best results.
Remember: for the image to look good on your desktop, it has to have a minimum horizontal resolution of 1920 pixels!
Successfully log into your Haydenmagnet.org Google Account.
Create a Google Doc.
Connect to the Google Classroom for your class period.
Turn in your Google Doc using Google Classroom.
Student-Friendly Objective:
I can log into my Haydenmagnet.org Google Account with the login information provided to me and turn in an assignment using Google Classroom, so that I can successfully hand in assignments throughout the school year.
Open a Chrome browser and visit the Google website.
Click the blue Sign In button in the upper right corner.
Sign in with the Haydenmagnet.org account provided to you in your Computer Fundamentals or Computer Science class. If you do not remember your username or password from this account, or if you never took Computer Fundamentals or Computer Science, please see Mister Marmolejo to get your account information.
Once you are logged in, click on the “waffle” icon in the upper right corner and choose “Drive” from the list of Google Apps to access Google Drive. Here you will have access to the most useful Google Apps: Document, Presentation, Spreadsheet, Form and Drawing.
Click on the blue New button on the left hand side, and create a new Google Doc.
In this document, write a couple of sentences to tell me about the most interesting thing you’ve learned during our past two weeks together. It can be anything you learned in this class: something about the room, about the class itself, about me or another member of the class, etc.
When you are finished, click the words “Untitled Document” in the upper left corner, and give this document a proper name.
