CPUs process data using instructions stored in the computer memory or RAM. The RAM is a temporary storage area that makes information and instructions available to the microprocessor, which does not have to use this information until required. The two processor classifications are the Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) and the Complex Instruction Set Computer …
A PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is a computer that fits in one’s hand. These small computers are sometimes called palmtops and are a great way to store telephone numbers and email addresses, access the Internet, make calculations, keep a digital calendar, and play games. Today’s PDA is very small, fits comfortably in a pocket, and …
A pointing device is any piece of hardware that is used to allow a user to input spatial data to a computer. By moving a mouse, pen or a finger around, a user can implement movements and changes on the computer screen. The most common type of pointing device is the mouse and the arrow. …
A microphone is a device that converts acoustic power into electric power. Both the acoustic power and the electric power have similar wave characteristics that convert sound waves into electric voltages that eventually convert back into sound waves through speakers. Microphone were used with the first telephones, and then with radio transmitters soon after. Sir …
The computer BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is found on Windows computers. The BIOS is the first application launched during the computer’s boot process. The program is used to check for and initialize computer hardware during the start-up process prior to passing control of the computer to the operating system. Unlike the OS that is normally …
Motherboards hold all the pieces that make up your computer. It supplies all the wiring and connections needed to make your computer run. However, you may feel that need to upgrade or replace your motherboard. Before anything can be done, you need to be absolutely sure that you have to upgrade your motherboard. As a …
The following are some of the steps you can take when troubleshooting a slow PC. If these don’t work, ask a technician to look for other potential issues or problems. Mechanical Issues One thing most people forget is that a computer is still a collection of mechanical parts. When these malfunction, they slow down a …
Embedded systems refer to devices, instruments or large engineering structures/systems that are built to handle one or a few pre-established tasks. The computer controlling the whole thing is built into or 'embedded' within the device. Cellphones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) are examples of devices with embedded systems. They both perform a specific number of …
A lightning/surge arrester is a device that protects structures from electrical damage by intercepting lightning surges and diverting them to the ground. Lightning arresters are connected directly to the ground via low resistance cables, although they are generally mounted on high buildings or other structures in order to attract electricity. They can be used on …
In order to understand what a checksum error is, it is important to first learn what a checksum is. A checksum is a redundancy check during a computer’s start up process, which makes sure that the computer’s data is intact and unhampered. The data is scanned and tested for accuracy, either based on how well …