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Chapter 1: Introducing Hardware

           

           Like millions of other computer users, you have probably used your desktop or notebook computer to play games, surf the Web, write papers, or build spreadsheets. You can use all these applications without understanding exactly what goes on inside your computer case or notebook. But if you are curious to learn more about personal computers, and if you want to graduate from simply being the end user of your computer to becoming the master of your machine, then this book is for you. It is written for anyone who wants to understand what is happening inside the machine, in order to install new hardware and software, diagnose and solve both hardware and software problems, and make decisions about purchasing new hardware and operating systems. The only assumption made here is that you are a computer user—that is, you can turn on your machine, load a software package, and use that software to accomplish a task. No experience in electronics is assumed.

 

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PowerPoint Presentations:

Chapter 1: Introducing Hardware

 

Videos:

Examine the Back of a PC

Looking Inside a PC

Looking at Motherboards

Identifying Drives

Identifying Expansion Cards

 

Notes:

Presentation Notes - Microsoft Word version

 

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Syllabus for Grading on this chapter: Chapter  total points - 612

Worksheets: Total Points - 190

Worksheet 1: Hardware Outside the Case - 30 Points

Worksheet 2: Hardware Inside the Case - 40 Points

Worksheet 3: Processors, chipset and Storage Devices - 50 Points

Worksheet 4: Thinking Critically - 35 Points

Worksheet 5: Chapter 1 Review - 35 Points

 

Labs: Total Points - 170

Lab 1-1: Gather and Record System Information - 25 Points

Lab 1-2: Identify Computer Parts - 50 Points

Lab 1-3: Comparing Costs - 45 Points

Lab 1-4: Plan an Ideal System - 50 Points

 

Projects: Total Points - 62

Hands-On Project 1-1: Identifying Ports on Your Computer - 10 Points

Hands-On Project 1-2: Researching on the Internet - 12 Points

Hands-On Project 1-3: Identifying Motherboard Components - 10 Points

Hands-On Project 1-4: Examining Your Computer - 10 Points

Hands-On Project 1-5: Learning to Think in Binary and Hex - 20 Points

 

Real Problems: Total Points - 20

Real Problems, Real Solutions: Reading a Technical Ad for a Computer System - 20 Points

 

Exams: Total Points - 100

Chapter 1 - Exam - 100 Points

 

Daily Points: Total Points - 70