Computer 101: Computer Acronym for Newbie

1. VIRUS         -           Vital Information Resource Under Siege

                                   

            A computer virus is pattern after the real life virus that affect living organism. Just like its organic counterpart, the computer virus spread itself from one infected file to another by making copies of itself and attaching that copy to the file or infecting a file. If let alone inside a computer system, a virus can have very serious consequences result from lost of data, performance slowdown and  to a less harmful display of characters to your screen,.

 
                        For more information regarding the item above please click the link below:

                        Computer VIRUS Explained in Wikipedia

2. RAM           -           Random Access Memory

The term use to describe the memory that is installed in our computer. The contents of this memory can be removed once the power that flow through it is turn off. This is done by shutting down the computer or by re-starting it. In a way this is very helpful to a RAM because in this way it refreshes the memory making it unload all the previous content. The SDRAM, DDR and many other type of memory fall in these categories. Also the amount of RAM in a computer varies from 1 Gigabytes up to 10 gigabytes and even more depending on the application that computer is design for.

                        For more information regarding the item above please click the link below:

                                Computer RAM in Wikipedia

3. ROM           -           Read Only Memory

Unlike the RAM the ROM is smaller in size and is a permanent fixture in all computers small or large ones. Also unlike the RAM the ROM does not losses it data when power is switch off because the data that the ROM has is vital to the basic operation of the computer. The function of its peripheral’s and the interconnection of the parts inside and outside the computer and more importantly the resources and configuration of every hardware component of the computer is stored in the Read Only Memory.

                        For more information regarding the item above please click the link below:

                                Computer ROM in Wikipedia

4. BIOS           -           Basic Input and Output System

A stored program inside the ROM that configured the input and output resources of a computer. It is the second code or set of instructions (before the Operating system is loaded) run by a computer when it is turn on. This code allows the computer to check whether all the hardware configurations and setting is correct before loading the software called the operating system which will control the operation of the computer in the hands of a human who will use it.

                        For more information regarding the item above please click the link below:

                                Computer BIOS in Wikipedia

5. POST          -           Power-On Self-Test

This is a routine down by the computer or any electronic device before the booting process begins. The function of this code is to check whether all the required hardware is connected and is working properly. It will not load the next set of instructions if it finds any required hardware not connected or is not working properly. One clear example of this is in a computer boot up sequence when the POST detect that no keyboard is connected to the system unit, the boot up sequence will stop and it will display  a message on the screen “Keyboard Error”. The boot up sequence will be stop until the keyboard error is corrected by connecting a working keyboard and resetting the computer to do the boot up sequence again. 


For more information regarding the item above please click the link below:

Computer POST in Wikipedia

Computer 101: The Random Access Memory (RAM)

Ever heard of the term RAM or Random Access Memory, If have used a computer then chances are you have heard of it.  How about the following, SIMM, DIMM, DDR and many others, well they may sound different but when we asked an ordinary person on the street, they won’t know what those terms will mean. Simple put it the SIMM, DIMM and DDR have something in common, they are all RAM.  Now what is RAM and how does it work? Well let’s put it this way, without the basic RAM or memory, your high tech devices will not work, those devices include, computers, laptop, phones, and the like that need a specific minimum amount of memory to function properly. The RAM or memory has one important feature that makes it very useful and has been adapted to all almost computer based devices. The size or the amount or space for the data that can be created on a small package.

Take a look at today’s latest Smartphone and gadget. Most of them have more RAM than high end gaming computer and to think that they smaller devices compare to a regular size computer. Most high end phone has 8, 16, or 32 Gig of expandable memory installed on them. The actual size of the memory package for these devices has become much smaller compare to a memory for a regular desktop computer.

Now how does a memory work, let’s take a regular desktop computer for example purposes. Let’s say that this computer has 1GIG of memory installed in it. Now this 1 gig of memory space may be compose of 2 or more memory module package just like in the fast or for new memory module package the 1 gig memory amount is now contained within a single memory module or package. Who uses the memory amount inside a computer? Well there are a lot of users who need the memory for them to work properly. All computer software needs the space provided by the memory to work properly. Computer software includes the Operating system and the Application program.

The operating system like windows, MAC or any other OS is the first to use the memory space available to it. In pact it manages the memory space available so that not one application program has the monopoly of using the memory space. The operating system warns the user if the available memory is not enough for multiple programs being run simultaneously by the user. It’s like this, if the memory is near capacity a warning will be given and additional program will no longer be permitted to work. The OS will ask the user to close program not being use to make way for other program to use the memory resources vacated by the previously closed program.

To cope with this problem, the most common solution is add more memory module to increase the  amount space available in a particular computer so from 1 gig it can be expanded to 4 gig maximum for 32 bit system. Wait a minute what is that? Yes there is a limit to how many can be added to a regular computer notice the maximum slot available for most computer in the 32 bit architecture is 2 up to 4 slots per motherboard. This was by design way back when it was costly to produce a memory module. They design it thinking the limit for the 32 bit architecture will not be reach yet. But since the computer technology development and evolution is very fast, the 64 bit which is use initially for big business is being push for use on the regular market.

Now let’s go back to the memory, there’s a saying the bigger memory the better yes this is true, but this will also cost a lot. The more memory a computer has the more the number of program it can use simultaneously. And for single program user the more memory the faster the program will run and work for you. Example of this when playing your favorites games, or watching a movie on your computer, or listening to music while typing a document, or using editing software that requires a lot memory to work fast and effectively. In the end it’s all about what you require will determine how much memory amount you will need to satisfy that requirements.

Computer 101: Parts on the Outside Part-1

Hello I hope your day is going fine, hope your in good health. Okay we will start on a blog series that will tackle on the computer hardware parts on the outside and on the inside. a lot of people who uses computer for almost everything don't have the time to know what's on the outside and what is on the inside of this very important machine.First of all i assume everyone knows what a computer look's like. Lately it has taken on a lot of very different shape and sizes and function but on this series of blog we will focus on the Desktop Computer, the first computer which was tailored made for offices, leisure spot, activity center and many more and of course your own home sweet home. Still remember your first computer, what was the specification of that? how big is the Monitor. What was the speed of the processor, how large was the hard drive and the memory. What was the color. How did you feel when your parents bought you your first computer. I'm sure you have a lot of memories regarding that time.

To start with the computer is made up several key component during it early years. They are the Monitor, Central Processing Unit, the keyboard, the mouse (pointing device) and also we have the printer. This was the basic parts ohhh I almost forgot, the speaker and microphone. The Monitor is your basic output devices, this is where we see what we are doing. The monitor is our windows to the uses and function of the computer. From CRT technology to thin LCD upto LED and HD technology monitor of today.The main basic difference of the monitor today than its ancestor is the size, another is the power consumption. Your old CRT monitor eats a lot of power when in use. But todays, LCD and LED screen eats smaller electricity even on if left open for a long time. Another big savings for the LCD/LED screen is the space the old CRT uses. Just imagine a 19" inch Desktop CRT of even bigger and compare it to the space needed for the LCD/LED screen.

Keyboard

Numeric Keypad

Now let's go to the keyboard, there not much difference from the keyboard of the old days to the keyboard of today.It's basically the same design from the old model up to the new and latest model. There may be a few enhancement here and there, soft keys, hand rest to name a few enhancement. But still it is the same keyboard even if the wireless model and folding keyboard. The keyboard is the main input devices that is attached to the computer. It's like a type writer without the loud sounds. This is what we used to type documents and fill-out electronic forms online. This is also were we controlled our computer if it hangs, we pressed three keys to restart it. To access CMOS setup content and menu we press certain during the boot-up process. If your want to view process on your computer under windows we press certain key combination. For editing of document we also access the keyboard, especially for the people who uses the shortcut method of accessing all the function of the word processing software. The most ordinary keyboard will not function properly if water or liquid is poured into it. Buy some high-end type have built in protection for this kind of substance if accidentally spill into it.

Mouse with a lighted Scroll Wheel

Next is the Mouse or you pointing device. Just like the keyboard the mouse has changed little ever since it was introduced in it's early days. From mouse with balls used for arrow movement to the infrared and scroll mouse of today. Basically it's the same design even the wireless one. There are also other type of pointing device used in computer, the track ball which has the ball on the upside not under. all mouse are still susceptible to the wear and there of the parts inside it just like the keyboard. If a key is used more often than the other chances are that key will be the first to be depressed.

Infrared Mouse tracker

The nest item is the CPU or the Central Processing Unit, or the System Unit. It's be called by a lot of names. But we been referring to the same thing when it come to the computer. Well its better to talk about it on my next post. I'll be adding a couple of picture here as soon as i can.