What is Motherboard?
The motherboard is a printed circuit board that is the
foundation of a computer, located on the back side or at the bottom of the
computer chassis. It allocates power and allows communication to the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components.
A motherboard is the main circuit board
inside a computer that connects the different parts of a computer together. It
has sockets for the CPU, RAM and expansion cards (e.g. discrete graphics cards,
sound cards, network cards, storage cards etc)... and it also hooks up to hard
drives, disc drives and front panel ports with cables and wires.
COMPONENTS
OF MOTHERBOARD
Central Processing
Unit (CPU)
Also known as the microprocessor or the processor, the CPU is
the computer's brain. It is responsible for fetching, decoding, and executing
program instructions as well as performing mathematical and logical
calculations.
The processor chip is identified by the processor type and
the manufacturer. This information is usually inscribed on the chip itself. For
example, Intel 386, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) 386, Cyrix 486, Pentium MMX,
Intel Core 2Duo, or iCore7.
If the processor chip is not on the motherboard, you can
identify the processor socket as socket 1 to Socket 8, LGA 775 among others.
This can help you identify the processor that fits in the socket. For example,
a 486DX processor fits into Socket 3.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Random Access
Memory, or RAM, usually refers to computer chips that temporarily store dynamic
data to enhance computer performance while you are working.
In other words, it
is the working place of your computer, where active programs and data are
loaded so that any time time the processor requires them, it doesn't have to
fetch them from the hard disk.
Random access memory is volatile, meaning it loses its contents once power
is turned off. This is different from non-volatile memory, such as hard disks
and flash memory, which do not require a power source to retain data.
When a computer shuts down properly, all data located in RAM is returned
back to permanent storage on the hard drive or flash drive. At the next
boot-up, RAM begins to fill with programs automatically loaded at startup, a
process called booting. Later on, the user opens other files and programs that
are still loaded in the memory.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. BIOS is a "read only"
memory, which consists of low-level software that controls the system hardware
and acts as an interface between the operating system and the hardware. Most
people know the term BIOS by another name—device drivers, or just drivers. BIOS
is essentially the link between the computer hardware and software in a system.
All motherboards include a small block of Read Only Memory (ROM) which is
separate from the main system memory used for loading and running software. On
PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display
screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous
functions.
The system BIOS is a ROM chip on the motherboard used during the startup
routine (boot process) to check out the system and prepare to run the hardware.
The BIOS is stored on a ROM chip because ROM retains information even when no
power is being supplied to the computer.
Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
Random Access Memory (CMOS RAM)
Motherboards also include a small separate block of memory made from CMOS
RAM chips which is kept alive by a battery (known as a CMOS battery) even when
the PC’s power is off. This prevents reconfiguration when the PC is powered on.
CMOS devices require very little power to operate.
The CMOS RAM is used to store basic Information about the PC’s
configuration for instance:-
Floppy disk and hard disk drive types
Information about CPU
RAM size
Date and time
Serial and parallel port information
Plug and Play information
Cache Memory
Cache memory is a small block of high-speed memory (RAM) that enhances PC
performance by pre-loading information from the (relatively slow) main memory
and passing it to the processor on demand.
Most CPUs have an internal cache memory (built into the processor) which
is referred to as Level 1 or primary cache memory. This can be supplemented by
external cache memory fitted on the motherboard. This is the Level 2 or
secondary cache.
In modern computers, Levels 1 and 2 cache memory are built into the
processor die. If a third cache is implemented outside the die, it is referred
to as the Level 3 (L3) cache.
Power Saving settings
Other Important data kept in CMOS memory is the time and date, which is
updated by a Real Time Clock (RTC).
Expansion Bus
An expansion bus is an input/output pathway from the CPU to peripheral
devices and it is typically made up of a series of slots on the motherboard.
Expansion boards (cards) plug into the bus. PCI is the most common expansion
bus in a PC and other hardware platforms. Buses carry signals such as data,
memory addresses, power, and control signals from component to component. Other
types of buses include ISA and EISA.
Expansion buses enhance the PCs capabilities by allowing users to add
missing features in their computers by slotting adapter cards into expansion
slots.
Chipsets
A chipset is a group of small circuits that coordinate the flow of data to
and from a PC's key components. These key components include the CPU itself,
the main memory, the secondary cache, and any devices situated on the buses. A
chipset also controls data flow to and from hard disks and other devices
connected to the IDE channels.
A computer has got two main chipsets:
The NorthBridge (also called the memory controller) is in charge of
controlling transfers between the processor and the RAM, which is why it is
located physically near the processor. It is sometimes called the GMCH, for
Graphic and Memory Controller Hub.
The SouthBridge (also called the input/output controller or expansion
controller) handles communications between slower peripheral devices. It is
also called the ICH (I/O Controller Hub). The term "bridge" is
generally used to designate a component which connects two buses.
Chipset manufacturers include SIS, VIA, ALI, and OPTI.
CPU Clock
The CPU clock synchronizes the operation of all parts of the PC and
provides the basic timing signal for the CPU. Using a quartz crystal, the CPU
clock breathes life into the microprocessor by feeding it a constant flow of
pulses.
For example, a 200 MHz CPU receives 200 million pulses per second from the
clock. A 2 GHz CPU gets two billion pulses per second. Similarly, in any
communications device a clock may be used to synchronize the data pulses
between sender and receiver.
A "real-time clock," also called the "system clock,"
keeps track of the time of day and makes this data available to the software. A
"time-sharing clock" interrupts the CPU at regular intervals and
allows the operating system to divide its time between active users and/or
applications.
Switches and Jumpers
DIP (Dual In-line Package)
switches are small electronic switches found on the circuit board that can be
turned on or off just like a normal switch. They are very small and so are
usually flipped with a pointed object, such as the tip of a screwdriver, a bent
paper clip, or a pen top. Take care when cleaning near DIP switches, as some
solvents may destroy them. Dip switches are obsolete and you will not find them
in modern systems.
Jumper pins are small protruding pins
on the motherboard. A jumper cap or bridge is used to connect or short a pair
of jumper pins. When the bridge is connected to any two pins, via a shorting
link, it completes the circuit and a certain configuration has been achieved.
Jumper caps are metal bridges that
close an electrical circuit. Typically, a jumper consists of a plastic plug
that fits over a pair of protruding pins. Jumpers are sometimes used to
configure expansion boards. By placing a jumper plug over a different set of
pins, you can change a board's parameters.
BASIC COMPUTER MAINTENANCE
PROCEDURES
A properly maintained computer is key in ensuring a fast and
smooth computing environment. In addition, to the standard virus scanning and
defragging procedures, there are additional steps that can be taken to ensure a
computer is running in a optimize state.
Computer Cleaning
All
computer hardware should be cleaned regularly, dust is a number one factor when
it comes to computer faults arising, getting under processor fans causing
processors to overheat, leading to damaged processors. Another common factor of
computer hardware failure is dust clogging up in the power supply.
You
should not remove the side panels from your computer if you are not confident
enough. Never use a device such as a hoover to clean the insides of your
computer, vacuum cleaners generate a high amount of static electricity which
can shorten the life, or damage the components inside your computer system. The
best option for doing this is to use a can of compressed air.
In
computers where the dust build-up may have been for a number of years the
heatsink compound may require replacing, this should not be done by the casual
computer user as processors are expensive, fragile and easy to damage. In
this case an alcohol based solution, or heatsink remover should be used
to thoroughly clean existing heatsink paste from the processor. Fresh heatsink
compound should be then re-applied.
Ensuring
all cables are secured and not obstructing air-flow will also help keeping the
computer temperature to a minimum.
Hard
Drive Maintenance
There are a few
things that are part of computers hard drive maintenance, such as checking
enough space exists for the system to run at optimal performance; checking the
drive for errors (both software and hardware) and defragmenting the hard drive.
Software errors on a hard drive caused by in proper system shutdown can cause a
computer system not to boot.
Anti-Virus, Privacy & Security Software
Utilising privacy
software and anti-virus ensures the privacy of you and your information on your
computer. Good privacy and anti-virus software also cleans up your computer,
prevents unauthorised installation of software (spyware, adware,malware),
causes less programs to access the internet – and as a result speeds up your
internet connection. Keeping your anti-virus software up-to-date should be a
critical part of any computer maintenance plan.
Updating Windows
An important part of
your daily computer maintenance routine should be keeping your software
(windows, anti-virus, etc.) up-to-date, ensuring the latest security patches
and application updates are installed, available and running properly.
Updating your Windows
operating system is very important! Microsoft releases security fixes at a
rapid rate.
Nice Blog Post !
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