Computers
In our minds turning on our computers is a very simple operation, right? Push the button and it simply starts up in the ideal situation. But when the power button is pushed the computer actually goes through a detailed series of internal processes before it is up and running and read for the user to put to use. This is just the booting process of the computer and it is controlled by the computer’s basic input-output system or BIOS.
What is the BIOS?
Basically, the BIOS is a type of software which is stored on a memory chip inside the computer and it’s embedded onto the motherboard. BIOS controls a lot more than just the boot up system. It also provides the basic configuration interface that is used for all the hardware components of the computer. This interface can be configured for certain processes like the order the computer reads the drives when it is booting up and the speed the processor is allowed to run. There are several steps to just booting up a computer. These include:
· Power supply is activated by the on button and sends power to the motherboard and other components of the computer
· Once the power is on, the PC runs its own POST or power on self test. This test searches for any hardware failures. You may notice that there is a single beep after you turn the computer on. This is the signal telling the user that all is okay.
· The computer monitor displays the details pertaining to the booting process.
· After the initial tests the BIOS tries to reach the first section of the drive or boot disk. This is usually the same hard drive that houses the computer’s operating system.
· Once the boot disk is located, the boot loader is loaded into the RAM. The boot loader is a small program which finds and launches the computer’s operating system.
· After the boot loader is in the memory it will start loading the computer’s operating system into the memory. Then the computer comes on and is ready for interaction with the user.
Basic Computer Components
There is a specific combination that is needed to use a computer. This combination includes hardware, software and a source of input. Hardware includes a lot of electrical devices like the computer, monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard and speakers. Inside the computer there are other types of hardware like the motherboard which contains the primary processing chips which comprise the CPU or central processing unit. The hardware is all used to process the input that comes from the software and then performs specific tasks and calculations.
The software refers to the various programs that are installed on the computer. These are all designed to perform specific activities. Each type of computer, Mac, Windows or PC uses their own system hardware. But there are also a wide variety of software applications such as games or tools that help the user perform different tasks like composing letters.
The user provides the input such as typing a command or just clicking on an icon. This tells the computer what type of program to run and what type of tasks to perform.
A Computer’s Operating System
The operating system in a computer is responsible for many different tasks. These can usually be categorized into management or interface tasks. Management tasks include processor management, memory management, device management and storage management. Interface may include application interface and user interface.
Types of Electrical Components in a Computer
There are two basic types of electrical components: active and passive. The active components in a computer include items such as the power it needs to operate, fans, and storage devices. These are active components. Passive components include those items that do not require electricity to operate such as a variety of integrated circuits, transistors, diodes, capacitors, and the chassis. Passive components do not introduce energy into the circuit but they can increase voltage or current in some cases. Passive electrical components include items that contain two terminals such as resistors, inductors, capacitors and transformers. The computer is comprised of a combination of active and passive electrical components which are each designed to perform a specific task which ensures the computer runs effectively and efficiently.
What is the BIOS?
Basically, the BIOS is a type of software which is stored on a memory chip inside the computer and it’s embedded onto the motherboard. BIOS controls a lot more than just the boot up system. It also provides the basic configuration interface that is used for all the hardware components of the computer. This interface can be configured for certain processes like the order the computer reads the drives when it is booting up and the speed the processor is allowed to run. There are several steps to just booting up a computer. These include:
· Power supply is activated by the on button and sends power to the motherboard and other components of the computer
· Once the power is on, the PC runs its own POST or power on self test. This test searches for any hardware failures. You may notice that there is a single beep after you turn the computer on. This is the signal telling the user that all is okay.
· The computer monitor displays the details pertaining to the booting process.
· After the initial tests the BIOS tries to reach the first section of the drive or boot disk. This is usually the same hard drive that houses the computer’s operating system.
· Once the boot disk is located, the boot loader is loaded into the RAM. The boot loader is a small program which finds and launches the computer’s operating system.
· After the boot loader is in the memory it will start loading the computer’s operating system into the memory. Then the computer comes on and is ready for interaction with the user.
Basic Computer Components
There is a specific combination that is needed to use a computer. This combination includes hardware, software and a source of input. Hardware includes a lot of electrical devices like the computer, monitor, printer, mouse, keyboard and speakers. Inside the computer there are other types of hardware like the motherboard which contains the primary processing chips which comprise the CPU or central processing unit. The hardware is all used to process the input that comes from the software and then performs specific tasks and calculations.
The software refers to the various programs that are installed on the computer. These are all designed to perform specific activities. Each type of computer, Mac, Windows or PC uses their own system hardware. But there are also a wide variety of software applications such as games or tools that help the user perform different tasks like composing letters.
The user provides the input such as typing a command or just clicking on an icon. This tells the computer what type of program to run and what type of tasks to perform.
A Computer’s Operating System
The operating system in a computer is responsible for many different tasks. These can usually be categorized into management or interface tasks. Management tasks include processor management, memory management, device management and storage management. Interface may include application interface and user interface.
Types of Electrical Components in a Computer
There are two basic types of electrical components: active and passive. The active components in a computer include items such as the power it needs to operate, fans, and storage devices. These are active components. Passive components include those items that do not require electricity to operate such as a variety of integrated circuits, transistors, diodes, capacitors, and the chassis. Passive components do not introduce energy into the circuit but they can increase voltage or current in some cases. Passive electrical components include items that contain two terminals such as resistors, inductors, capacitors and transformers. The computer is comprised of a combination of active and passive electrical components which are each designed to perform a specific task which ensures the computer runs effectively and efficiently.