Student 4 page 1: High Achieved Hardware components Case Description and Purpose A case is the box that contains all the hardware components and holds these securely inside it protected from physical and static damage. It can be metal, plastic or a combination of the two and comes in several shapes and sizes … Motherboard Description and Purpose A motherboard is the board sitting at the back or base of the case and is like your nervous system in that information to and from all the components passes through it and the connections it provides. Some of the components can be built into it and although unable to be repaired or upgraded are often able to access information quicker. The connections a motherboard has built into it dictate which sorts of components and what type or version of that component can connect, if the motherboard has a plug for a certain sort of CPU you cannot plug a different sort in, all the components must match up. … Memory Description and Purpose Computer memory or RAM comes in ‘sticks’ that consist of lots of memory chips all attached to a central board or stick. RAM is faster for the computer to access than a hard disk drive, but smaller and volatile. … CRT and LCD Monitors Description and Purpose Monitors are a way to provide feedback to the user on what is happening inside the software programs running on the computer. CRT monitors have a cathode ray tube in them making them very thick. LCD monitors are much less thick and use less power. … Speakers (at least one additional output device) Description and Purpose Speakers allow the computer hardware and software to output sounds to the user. They can be built into the case, monitor or as a separate peripheral plugging into a sound card. Often there is a volume control on them and some sort of headphone jack … Operating system Description and Purpose Although an operating system is just software and is kept on the hard disk drive it is able to look at the hardware that makes up the computer and tell it how to work together it also manages other software programs that run on top of it, the operating system. … Malware/virus checkers. Description and Purpose Anti‐virus and malware programs are important to have as if you connect to the internet or allow files to go onto your computer there could be malicious code in them that allows others to take control of your computer or damage your files. Anti‐virus and malware programs use a list of restricted programs, sites and changes to stop or alert the user to any changes that my harm their computer. Typical connections and data flow Connection between the components on the left‐hand side and those on the right with the typical connections and the flow of data shown as arrows DDR2 Motherboard Stick of RAM DDR3 (DIMM)
DDR4 VGA Monitor
Video card Motherboard DVI HDMI Sound card 3.5mm Jack Monitor speakers Speakers Motherboard USB Headphones Key characteristics that limit interoperability Memory  RAM can be different types like DDR2 or DDR3 with newer versions having a size or speed improvement on the older. Each version has a different set of pins and spaces connecting it to the motherboard so your motherboard needs to have the right socket for the type of RAM to be installed. Speakers  Speakers connect to the motherboard or soundcard via either a 3.5mm jack or in some cases a USB connection. The 3.5mm jack is the industry standard for sound but is unable to power the speakers as a USB connection is able to. Installation or replacement 
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To replace you will need to remove all the components housed inside the case and unplug all peripherals and then re‐install them in the new case as per their instructions o Installing a new case is the same as above but without the need to remove any existing components Power supply o Unplug computer from power sources o Open the case o Either wear an anti static strap or keep touching the case for the following steps o To replace  Unplug all the connection ns between the PSU and any other components  If necessary you may need to remove other components to make room to pull the PSU out (e.g. motherboard, DVD drive)  Unscrew any screws holding the PSU in place  Remove it  Put the new PSU in place o To install  Put the new PSU in place o Screw it in o Connect all components that require power making sure to give them the correct voltage o Close case 
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CPU o
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Plug in and turn on power Unplug computer from power sources Open the case Either wear an anti static strap or keep touching the case for the following steps To replace  Unplug and disconnect the heatsink/fan above the CPU  Open the leaver/clip that is holding the CPU in place  Carefully remove the CPU taking care not to bend or break the pins on the underside of it  Take the replacement CPU out of its case and make sure it is around the right way – there is often a dot or corner missing to help with this  Carefully put the CPU in place, again be careful not to bend or break the pins on the underside of it o To install  Open the leaver/clip that will hold the CPU in place  Take the replacement CPU out of its case and make sure it is around the right way – there is often a dot or corner missing to help with this  Carefully put the CPU in place, be careful not to bend or break the pins on the underside of it o Move the leaver/clip back into the locked position o Apply some conductive paste to the top of the CPU, this is to help it direct heat to the heatsink and fan o Plug in and connect the heatsink and fan above the CPU again o Close case o Plug in and turn on power CRT and LCD Monitors o Monitors are essentially plug n play so installation and replacement are the same o Unplug computer from power sources o Make sure your monitors connector matches up to the plug you are trying to connect it to o Connect the power to your monitor o Connect the speakers if your monitor has built in speakers o Plug the computer back in and turn on power Disk utilities o These utilities are installed as part of the operating system and if there was an issue with one you would need to reinstall or repair the operating system