Chapter 3

Processing Technology

Objectives Overview
Differentiate among
various styles of
system units on
desktop computers,
notebook computers,
and mobile devices

Identify chips, adapter

cards, and other
components of a
motherboard

Describe the control

unit and arithmetic
logic unit components
of a processor, and
explain the four steps
in a machine cycle

Identify characteristics
of various personal
computer processors
on the market today,
and describe the ways
processors are cooled

Define a bit and

describe how a series
of bits represents data

Explain how program

instructions transfer in
and out of memory

Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a

Digital World Chapter 4

Objectives Overview

Differentiate among the

various types of memory

Describe
buses in

the types of
a computer

Describe the purpose and

types of expansion slots
and adapter cards, and
differentiate among slots
for various removable flash
memory devices

Differentiate between a
port and a connector, and
explain the differences
among a USB port, FireWire
port, Bluetooth port, SCSI
port, eSATA port, IrDA port,
serial port, and MIDI port

Explain the purpose of a

power supply and describe
how it keeps cool

Understand how to clean a

system unit on a computer
or mobile device

The System Unit

The system unit is a case that contains
electronic components of the computer used
to process data

The System Unit

The inside of the system unit on a
desktop personal computer includes:
Drive bay(s)
Power supply
Sound card
Video card
Processor
Memory
5

The System Unit

The motherboard is the main circuit
board of the system unit
A computer chip contains integrated
circuits

Processor
The processor, also called the central
processing unit (CPU), interprets and
carries out the basic instructions that
operate a computer
Contain a control unit and an arithmetic
MultiQuadlogic unit (ALU) Dual-

core
process
or

core
process
or

core
process
or
7

Processor

Processor
The control unit is the component of
the processor that directs and
coordinates most of the operations in
the computer
The arithmetic logic unit (ALU)
performs arithmetic, comparison, and
other operations

Processor
For every instruction, a processor
repeats a set of four basic operations,
which comprise a machine cycle

10

Processor
Most current
personal
computers support
pipelining
Processor begins
fetching a second
instruction before it
completes the
machine cycle for
the first instruction

11

Processor

The processor contains

registers, that temporarily hold
data and instructions
The system clock controls
the timing of all computer
operations
The pace of the system clock is
called the clock speed, and is
measured in gigahertz (GHz)

12

Processor
The leading
manufacturers of
personal computer
processor chips are
Intel and AMD

13

Processor
Determine how you plan to use a new
computer before selecting a processor

14

Processor
A processor chip
generates heat
that could cause
the chip to burn up
Require additional
cooling
Heat sinks
Liquid cooling
technology

15

Processor
Parallel processing uses multiple processors
simultaneously to execute a single program or
task
Massively parallel processing involves hundreds or
thousands of processors

16

Data Representation
Analog signals are continuous and
vary in strength and quality
Digital signals are in one of two
states: on or off
Most computers are digital
The binary system uses two unique digits
(0 and 1)
Bits and bytes
17

Data Representation
A computer circuit represents
the 0 or the 1 electronically
by the presence or absence of
an electrical charge

Eight bits grouped together

as a unit are called a byte. A
byte represents a single
character in the computer

18

Data Representation
ASCII (American
Standard Code for
Information
Interchange) is the
most widely used
coding scheme to
represent data

19

Data Representation

20

Memory
Memory consists of electronic
components that store instructions
waiting to be executed by the
processor, data needed by those
instructions, and the results of
processing the data
The operating
Data being
system
Storesand
three basic
categoriesprocessed
of items:
Application
and
other system
software

programs

the resulting
information

21

Memory
Each location in memory has an address
Memory size is measured in kilobytes
(KB or K), megabytes (MB),
gigabytes (GB), or terabytes (TB)

22

Memory
The system unit contains two types of
memory:

Volatile
memory

Nonvolatile
memory

Loses its contents

when power is
turned off

Does not lose

contents when
power is removed

Example includes
RAM

Examples include
ROM, flash
memory, and CMOS
23

Memory

24

Memory
Three basic types of RAM chips exist:
Dynamic RAM
(DRAM)

Static RAM
(SRAM)

Magnetoresistiv
e RAM (MRAM)

25

Memory
RAM chips usually reside on a memory
module and are inserted into memory
slots

26

Memory
The amount of RAM necessary in a
computer often depends on the types of
software you plan to use

27

Memory
Memory cache speeds the processes of the
computer because it stores frequently used
instructions and data

28

Memory
Read-only memory (ROM) refers to
memory chips storing permanent data and
instructions
Firmware

A PROM (programmable read-only memory)

chip is a blank ROM chip that can be
written to permanently
EEPROM can be erased

29

Memory
Flash memory can be erased
electronically and rewritten
CMOS technology provides high speeds
and consumes little power

30

Memory
Access time is the amount of time it
takes the processor to read from
memory
Measured in nanoseconds

31

Expansion Slots and Adapter

Cards
An expansion slot is
a socket on the
motherboard that can
hold an adapter card
An adapter card
enhances functions of
a component of the
system unit and/or
provides connections
to peripherals
Sound card and video
card
32

Expansion Slots and Adapter

Cards
With Plug and Play, the computer
automatically can configure adapter
cards and other peripherals as you
install them

33

Expansion Slots and Adapter

Cards
Removable flash memory includes:
Memory cards, USB flash drives, and PC
Cards/ExpressCard modules

34

Ports and Connectors

A port is the point at which a peripheral

attaches to or communicates with a system
unit (sometimes referred to as a jack)
A connector joins a cable to a port

35

Ports and Connectors

36

Ports and Connectors

On a notebook computer, the ports are
on the back, front, and/or sides

37

Ports and Connectors

38

Ports and Connectors

A USB port can connect up to 127
different peripherals together with a
single connector
You can attach multiple peripherals using a
single USB port with a USB hub

39

Ports and Connectors

Other types of ports include:
Firewir
e port

Bluetoo
th port

SCSI
port

eSATA
port

IrDA
port

Serial
port

MIDI
port
40

Ports and Connectors

A Bluetooth wireless port
adapter converts a USB
port into a Bluetooth port

A smart phone might

communicate with a notebook
computer using an IrDA port

41

Ports and Connectors

A port replicator is an
external device that
provides connections
to peripherals through
ports built into the
device
A docking station is an
external device that
attaches to a mobile
computer or device

42

Buses
A bus allows the various
devices both inside and
attached to the system
unit to communicate
with each other
Data bus
Address bus

Word size is the

number of bits the
processor can interpret
and execute at a given
time
43

Buses
Expansion slots connect to expansion
buses
Common types of expansion buses
PCI
Accelerate
include:
PCI bus
Express
d Graphics
bus

USB and
FireWire
bus

Port

PC Card
bus

44

Bays
A bay is an
opening inside the
system unit in
which you can
install additional
equipment
A drive bay
typically holds disk
drives

45

Power Supply
The power supply converts
the wall outlet AC power into DC
power
Some external peripherals have
an AC adapter, which is an
external power supply
46

Putting It All Together

Home
Intel Core 2 Quad or
Intel Core 2 Duo or
AMD Sempron
Minimum RAM: 2
GB

Small Office/
Home Office
Intel Core i7 or
Intel Core i7
Extreme or AMD
Athlon X2 or AMD
Athlon II X2 DualCode
Minimum RAM: 4
GB

Mobile
Intel Core i7
Extreme or AMD
Turion X2
Minimum RAM: 2
GB

47

Putting It All Together

Power
Intel Itanium 2 or
AMD 6-Core
Opteron or Intel
Quad Core Xeon
Minimum RAM: 8
GB

Enterprise
Intel Core i7 or Intel
Core i7 Extreme or
AMD Athlon X2 or
AMD Athlon II X2
Dual-Core
Minimum RAM: 4
GB
48

Keeping Your Computer

or Mobile Device Clean
Clean your computer or mobile device once or
twice a year
Turn off and unplug your computer or mobile
device before cleaning it
Use compressed air to blow away dust
Use an antistatic wipe to clean the exterior of the
case and a cleaning solution and soft cloth to
clean the screen
49

System Software
System software consists of the
programs that control or maintain the
operations of the computer and its
devices

Operati
ng
systems

Utility
Progra
ms
50

Operating Systems
An operating system (OS) is a set of
programs containing instructions that work
together to coordinate all the activities among
computer
Start and hardware
Provide a resources
Manage
Manage
shut down a
computer

user
interface

programs

memory

Coordinate
tasks

Configure
devices

Establish an
Internet
connection

Monitor
performanc
e

Provide
utilities

Automatical
ly update

Control a
network

Administer
security
51

Operating Systems

52

Operating System Functions

The process of starting or restarting a
computer is called booting
Cold boot
Turning
on a
computer
that has
been
powered
off
completel

Warm
boot
Using the
operating
system to
restart a
computer

53

Operating System Functions

54

Operating System Functions

A boot drive is the drive

from which your
computer starts

You can boot from a boot disk

A recovery disk contains a
few system files that will start
the computer

55

Operating System Functions

An operating system includes various
shut down options
Sleep mode saves any
open documents and
programs to RAM,
turns off all unneeded
functions, and then
places the computer
in a low-power state

Hibernate saves any

open documents and
programs to a hard
disk before removing
power from the
computer

56

Operating System Functions

A user interface
controls how you
enter data and
instructions and
how information is
displayed on the
screen
With a graphical
user interface
(GUI), you interact
with menus and
visual images
57

Operating System Functions

With a command-line interface, a user
uses the keyboard to enter data and
instructions

58

Operating System Functions

How an operating system handles
programs directly affects your
productivity
Single user
and
multiuser

Single
tasking and
multitasking

Preemptive
multitasking

Foreground
and
background

Multiprocessi
ng
59

Operating System Functions

60

Operating System Functions

Memory management optimizes the use of
RAM
Virtual memory is a portion of a storage
medium functioning as additional RAM

61

Operating System Functions

The operating system determines the
order in which tasks are processed

62

Operating System Functions

A driver is a small
program that tells
the operating
system how to
communicate with
a specific device

Plug and Play

automatically
configures new
devices as you
install them

63

Operating System Functions

Operating systems typically provide a
means to establish Internet connections

64

Operating System Functions

A performance monitor is a program
that assesses and reports information
about various computer resources and
devices

65

Operating System Functions

Operating systems often provide users
with the capability of:
Managing
files

Searching
for files

Viewing
images

Securing a
computer

Uninstalling
programs

Cleaning up
disks

Defragment
ing disks

Diagnosing
problems

Backing up
files and
disks

Setting up
screen
savers
66

Operating System Functions

Automatic update automatically
provides updates to the program

67

Operating System Functions

Some operating
A network
systems are
administrator uses
designed to work
the server
with a server on a
operating system
network
to:
Add and remove
A server
users, computers,
operating system
and other devices
organizes and
Install software and
coordinates how
administer network
multiple users
security
access and share
resources on a

68

Operating System Functions

Each user has a
user account
A user name, or
user ID, identifies a
specific user
A password is a
private combination
of characters
associated with the
user name

69

Types of Operating Systems

70

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems
A stand-alone operating system is a
complete operating system that works
on a desktop computer, notebook
computer, or mobile computing device

Window
s7

Mac OS
X

UNIX

Linux
71

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems
Windows 7 is Microsofts fastest, most
efficient operating system to date and
is available in multiple editions:
Windows 7
Starter

Windows 7
Home
Premium

Windows 7
Ultimate

Windows 7
Professiona
l
72

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems
Windows 7 provides programs such as:
Windows
Firewall

Windows
DVD Maker

Windows
Media
Player

Desktop
Gadget
Gallery

73

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems

74

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems

75

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems
The Macintosh operating system has
set the standard for operating system
ease of use
Latest version is Mac OS X

76

Stand-Alone Operating
Systems
UNIX is a multitasking
operating system developed
in the early 1970s
Linux is an open-source,
popular, multitasking UNIXtype operating system

77

Server Operating Systems

Windows
Server
2008
Solaris

UNIX

Linux

NetWare

78

Server Operating Systems

Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade to
Windows
Server 2003
Part of the Windows Server 2008 family
Multiple editions

Most editions include Hyper-V, a virtualization

technology
Virtualization is the practice of sharing or pooling
computing resources

79

Embedded Operating Systems

An embedded operating system resides on
a ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer
electronic device
Windows
Embedde
d CE

Windows
Mobile

Palm OS

iPhone
OS

BlackBerry

Google
Android

Embedded
Linux

Symbian
OS

80

Embedded Operating Systems

81

Utility Programs
A utility program is a type of system
software that allows a user to perform
maintenance-type tasks

82

Utility Programs
A file manager is
a utility that
performs functions
related to file
management
Displaying a list of
files
Organizing files in
folders
Copying, renaming,
deleting, moving,
and sorting files
and folders

83

Utility Programs
A search utility is a program that
attempts to locate a file on your
computer based on criteria you specify

84

Utility Programs
An image viewer
allows users to
display, copy, and
print the contents
of a graphics file
An uninstaller
removes a
program, as well as
any associated
entries in the
system files
85

Utility Programs
A disk cleanup utility searches for and
removes unnecessary files
Downloaded program
files
Temporary Internet
files
Deleted files
Unused program
files
86

Utility Programs
A disk defragmenter reorganizes the
files and unused space on a computers
hard disk so that the operating system
accesses data more quickly and programs
run faster
Defragmenting

87

Utility Programs
A backup utility
allows users to
copy files to
another storage
medium
A restore utility
reverses the
process and
returns backed up
files to their
original form
88

Utility Programs
A screen saver
causes a display
devices screen to
show a moving
image or blank
screen if no activity
occurs for a
specified time

A personal
firewall detects
and protects a
personal computer
from unauthorized
intrusions

89

Utility Programs
A virus describes a potentially damaging
computer program that affects a
computer negatively

A worm
A Trojan
copies itself horse hides
repeatedly
within or
in memory looks like a
or over a
legitimate
network
program

An
antivirus
program
protects a
computer
against
viruses

90

Utility Programs

91

Utility Programs

Spyware is a program
placed on a computer
without the users
knowledge that secretly
collects information
about the user
A spyware remover
detects and deletes
spyware and other
similar programs

Adware displays an
online advertisement in a
banner or pop-up window
An adware remover is a
program that detects
and deletes adware

92

Utility Programs
Filters are programs that remove or
block certain items from being displayed

Web
filters
Phishin
g
filters

Antispam
progra
ms
Pop-up
blocker
s

93

Utility Programs
A file compression utility shrinks the size of
a file(s)
Compressing files frees up room on the storage
media
Two types of compression
Lossy
Lossless

Compressed files sometimes are called

zipped files
Can be uncompressed
94

Utility Programs
A media player allows you to view
images and animation, listen to audio,
and watch video files on your computer

95

Utility Programs
Disc burning
software writes
text, graphics,
audio, and video
files on a
recordable or
rewritable optical
disc

96

Utility Programs
A personal
computer
maintenance
utility identifies
and fixes operating
system problems,
detects and repairs
disk problems, and
includes the
capability of
improving a
Discovering Computers 2011: Living in a
computers
Digital World Chapter 8

97