Microprocessors
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- Category: Computers
- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 19:00
- Written by Kinda Strange
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The CPU is the brain of the computer, though it is more idiot savant than genius.
A CPU uses a communication device called an external data bus (EDB). The external data bus uses on/off patterns to represent pieces of data or commands. The EDB consists of little wires on the CPU, and voltage is applied to individual wires to turn them on. The on/off pattern is represented by binary, with 1 meaning on and 0 meaning off. On off on on off off on what does the represented by 1011001.
A series of these switches is called a register. The four most common registers are the general-purpose registers. Intel calls them a AX, BX, CX, and DX. These registers function like work tables for commands provided by the EDB
To signal a command to process, a charge is placed on a special wire call the clock wire. Each charge is called a clock cycle the number of clock cycles in a given period of time is called the clock speed. Clock speed is the fastest speed at which a CPU can operate. The system crystal is a quartz (usually) oscillator that functions as a metronome that sets the clock speed. In modern systems, the CPU and forms the motherboard of the proper clock speed.
Programs are stored on the hard drive, but hard drives are not fast enough to keep up with the CPU, even the older CPUs. This is where RAM (random access memory) comes into play. RAM copies the program from the hard drive and sends it to the CPU at a rate fast enough to keep up with the CPU’s demands.
Basic instructions for replacing a motherboard
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- Category: Computers
- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 19:00
- Written by Kinda Strange
- Hits: 125
1 – Determine the motherboard needed.
What CPU is being used?
Is it the correct form factor for the case?
Do you have the motherboard specific manual available?
2 – Prepare your work area. Have an anti-static wrist strap properly fastened and an anti-static mat if possible. Unplug the computer.
3 – Remove the old motherboard. Carefully remove all the cards. Remove items that may impede the safe removal and installation of a motherboard, such as hard drives or floppy drives or possibly even the power supply. Keep track of all screws. The motherboard does not simply lift out, it must be unscrewed from the mounts on the case.
Installing a Hard Drive
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- Category: Computers
- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 18:58
- Written by Kinda Strange
- Hits: 229
Determine if your drive needs to be PATA, SATA, SCSI, or if the drive is a dedicated RAID controller. Motherboards with built-in RAID controllers should have a CMOS setting that enables the RAID to be turned on or off. If the drive is a secondary drive, make sure there is space and spare connections that will reach the drive.
Disconnect the power and remove the cover of the PC.
If you are removing an old hard drive, remove the IDE cable and the power cable before removing the fixing screws. Gently take the hard drive out of the case and set it aside in an anti-static bag or on an anti-static mat.
On the new drive, check the jumper settings to ensure they are set to master or single drive (if this is to be the primary drive) or to slave (if this is to be a secondary drive). The front of the drive should have a diagram on the housing that explains how to set the jumpers properly. On some PATA drives, the jumper setting may be called ‘cable select’ rather than master or slave, and the position on the cable determines which will be the master or slave, with the master on the end and the slave in the middle. For cable select to work, both drives must be set as cable select and the cable itself must be a cable-select cable with a pinhole through one wire.
Replacing a Processor and CPU fan
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- Category: Computers
- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 18:59
- Written by Kinda Strange
- Hits: 186
Make sure your intended replacement CPU will work with your motherboard. Your motherboard manual will include the socket type used by the computer. Make sure the CPU chosen will fit in the socket.
Prepare your work area by turning off the computer and disconnecting the computer from electricity. Make sure you have all your materials handy, including the thermal grease or thermal compound. Open the computer case. Attach a grounding strap to your wrist and to the case, as the CPU is very sensitive to electric shocks. Use a static mat if at all possible, or simply do not remove the CPU from the anti-static bag until the last possible moment. Only touch the CPU by the edges; never touch the CPU pins. A broken CPU pin means a broken CPU. You will need a non-magnetic screwdriver.
The first step in replacing a CPU is removing the heatsink. Unplug the fan from the motherboard, noting where it was plugged in for future reference. The rule of thumb for removing heatsinks is to check the latching mechanism, then use your thumb to release the latching mechanism. Heatsinks are usually attached on both sides, but when the main spring is released on the most accessible side, the other side will fall away when the heatsink is lifted from the CPU. Some heatsinks must be unscrewed. It may be necessary to remove the fan before the heatsink can be removed. A few brackets require mounting from underneath the motherboard, which will require removing the motherboard from the system case. Some heatsinks have metal clamps that must be pried off with a flat head screwdriver. This must be done carefully to insure that the screwdriver does not slip and damage other components of the motherboard.
