Lab Log Entry #4

Part A:

Binary Numeral System: a numeral system that uses 0 and 1 to represent numeric values. (used in the internal device in a computer to communicate with each other)

Decimal Numeral System: a numeral system that is the most commonly used among humans. It is a numeral system that has 10 in its base. It consists of the numbers 1-9.

Hexadecimal Numeral System: a numeral system that has a base 16. Uses the numbers 0-9 and the letters A-F to help humans understand the Binary system in computers. (Acts a shorthand for the Binary Numeal System)

The differences between these three numeral systems are: the binary system only uses numbers for the internal devices in the computer to communicate; humans don't actually see the binary systme in action all they see is the communications between the devices or computers. The other two systems use bother numbers and letters to help a human understand what the computer is doing. The hexadecimal system uses a 16 base, Decimal uses a 10 base and the binary system uses the numbers 0 and 1 to communicate between internal drives in a computer. The only system that humans really understand is the Decimal system, only because they use it in everyday life. They might be able to understand the Hexadecimal system but that would only happen if they knew all the shorthands to the Binary system.


Part B:

Base 2 and Base 10 are similar to each other in many different ways. Both use the same numbers(or ones up to 9) to help a computer to understand its transistors. Both are most commonly used in computers today. Base 10 is the most common among humans as it is the numbers that humans use to write out mathematics, while Base 2 is used in the human's computers to help the internal drives to communicate with each other.

The Binary System has developed throughout the history of the modern PC. The full sets of trigrams and hexagrams are a part of western geometry of today. Francis Bacon said that the letters of the alphabet should be shortened into the binary code. In 1937 Claude Shannon was working on revamping the Boolean algebra from 1854 and said that the binary system and binary arithmatic should be used electronically and be used in electronic switches in modern PC's.

The intellectual importance of the binary system is that the more people use the binary system they see the fact taht there needs to be a method of logic for the binary system. By using two different symbols for the binary system there is more ways of representing devices in the PC, and how they work together or how they communicate within the computer's hard drive. The binary system is more or less is a language for a computer. It helps a computer's internal drives to communicate with each other and with other computers using this "special" language that was created just for their use.

Part C:

Time: 1:23 p.m. = 0011 0001 0011 1010 0011 0010 0011 0011 0111 0000 0110 1101

Bibliography:

1) http://wikipedia.com/wiki/Binary_numeral_system

2) http://wikipedia.com/wiki/Decimal

3) http://wikipedia.com/wiki/Hexadecimal

Module B Assignment #1- Assignment #2

MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System)

MS-DOS was invented in the 1970's. It was used in some of the earliest computers. There were a lot of different volumes of software available to use in DOS. In the 1980’s DOS became the huge in the market of operating systems. Eventually MS-DOS would become the most popular operating system to be used in consumer and business PC’s. Microsoft designed this operating system in hopes that it would make it big in the industry of operating systems for PC’s. You could do pretty much anything with DOS. The users didn’t have to memorise many commands for this operating system because there weren’t very many to begin with. When you start to understand this operating system then you would be set for life, unless you decided to change operating systems and then this operating system probably wouldn’t be much help to you. MS-DOS was replaced by the Macintosh Operating Systems.

There are many strengths and weaknesses to using the MS-DOS operating system. One strength is the reliability of the system. The programs ran well with little crashes or lockups. The stability of this operating system was another one of its strengths. Even with the prompt of this operating system wasn’t elegant, once you understood the commands that you used frequently it wasn’t very difficult to understand the rest of the operating system. A third strength of this operating system is the filter of chains onto the computer. This operating system could only operate one thing at a time, which saved the user from having too many distractions while they were working on the computer.

Some weaknesses of the MS-DOS are as followed:
-It could only load one program at a time. If the user wanted to use a different program then the one they were working on they would have to close down the first program and then open up the other one.
-It could only support one user and could only use a single processor. Only one owner could be able to log onto the computer. No one else could, there were no other users allowed on the computer.
-It could not handle large amounts of RAM. It was designed to be used with 640 KB of RAM. If the user had more RAM on the computer they would have to use utilities for the computer to work properly. But eventually the MS-DOS was able to handle 1 MB of RAM without any problems.
-Some users might find it hard to memorise the keys to press to use the computer. This operating system was to be used with key strokes and function keys, not a keyboard like the operating systems today.

A unique feature of this operating system is how it can restore data from the internal hard drive of a computer in the event that a computer crashes. Even though it doesn’t have a great RAM, it is still able to store the most important things that a user needs to use.

I think that when this operating system was in use many people enjoyed it, once they understood the key and commands. But today I think that it is great that the operating systems have changed. MS-DOS sounds a little to confusing for my mind. But in the early days this was one of not many operating systems that people had to work with. This operating system was a big hit when it was first invented, but now I am so glad that we don’t need to use it, you wouldn’t be able to use a normal keyboard and you had to memorise everything that was needed to be used for typing or formatting your computer. Now it was a good operating system but I don’t think that I would ever use it.

Lab Log Entry #3

1) I think that the most important event in the history of the computer would have to be the invention of the new Windows system. This would be because the old Windows was really slow and you couldn't do mush programming on it. The new versions of Windows not only is faster, it allows you to put more programs onto your computer's hard drive.

3) I think that no one ever has enough storage on their computer because, everything they put onto the computer uses up some of that storage. When they put more and more things onto the computer the storage space is taken up. People always want more things on their computers. Whether it be more games or programs to enhance their computers. Maybe one day in the future someone will come up with a way for the average PC to have enough storage space for the average person. But I don't think we have reached that point in history quite yet. You can put more storage space onto your computer by the amount of RAM is in your computer. If someone invents a new RAM that has enough storage space then everyone will have enough storage space on their computer to meet their computing needs and desires.

Lab Log Entry #2

Lab Log Entry #2

For someone who doens't know the language of comupters it would be hard to work with them for many reasons. For one they wouldn't have the slightest clue what you were talking about or what you were saying to them. If you asked them to go and do something for you they might do it wrong or be lost and completely wreck whatever it is you asked them to do. If they are to fix a comupter and they don't know the language, you could tell them what to do and they wouldn't be able to do it or else they would do it and grab the wrong thing or grab the right thing and put it in the wrong spot and screw up the computer.

To help out a non-techie person I think that I would have to explain what each thing is before we start. I would have to tell the non-techie person what each word means (or at least the words that I would be using) and what it is. It would take a lot of time though. But with a lot of patience and a lot of explanations, I think that the language barrier wouldn't be that bad. Also if the person did know some of the language then all the better, it wouldn't take that much time and I would be able to help them out faster.

Assignment #5

Assignment # 5

USB: Using an USB cord you can connect external devices to the computer to either transfer or input data onto the computer. As well it is possible to output data onto the device using the USB port.

Strengths: Can carry any kind of data; radio, television, music, etc., can carry small electrical charges that can power many things that usually would have to be powered by batteries, the connectors are designed to not break; there are not any pins on the sides of them to make them break easily.

Weaknesses: Can transfer viruses from one computer to another computer or to external devices linked by a USB cord, and the physical connectors are troublesome because there are many different sizes of USB connectors and not all of them fit every device/ computer.

Parallel: a port that is a type of socket found on PC's for interfacing various peripherals.

Strengths: none they are out of date

Weaknesses: has a lack of true bidirectional capability, faster than serial ports but slow to modern standards, and expensive.

SCSI: (Small Computer System Interface)- a set of standards which physically connects and transfers data between computers and peripheral devices.

Strengths: Its support for a large number of devices on the bus, can handle up to 160MBps in data transmissions, and any device can use SCSI.

Weaknesses: The bus width, transfer modes and signalling modes, and the cable length.

Firewire: A very fast external bus that supports data transfer rate up to 400 MBps.

Strengths: One of the fastest peripheral devices developed, can move large amounts of data between computers and peripheral devices, and it enables an easy connection of digital consumer products.

Weaknesses: Space constraints and compatibility

Assignment #4

Part 1:

- "Blue screen of Death" indicates that you might have a problem with your RAM
- You turn on your computer and nothing happens
- Internet doesn't work
- Pop ups that say you have a virus when your computer doesn't have one
- When your software doesn't work on your computer
- Older games won't load onto newer versions of Windows
- Mouse freezes when moving to the left.
- The task bar has disappeared
- The system has messages that say you don't have enough memory
- Your keyboard beeps when you press the buttons

Part 2:

Pop ups say you have a virus:

Identify the problem- ask the customer what has gone wrong. Have they done anything new to the computer recently? Ask questions about what has been going on with the computer. Ask them if they actually have a virus on their computer.

Re-create the problem- Get the customer to repeat every action that they have taken with their computer to help you re-create the problem onto another computer.

Isolate the cause- Eliminate factors that didn't have anything to do with the problem.

Formulate a correction- Figure out one or more solutions to the problem.

Apply the correction- Apply your solution to the problem.

Test the solution- When you apply the correction and nothing changes then you will have to go back and try to figure out if there is a different problem with the computer.

Document the problem and solution- Create a detailed record of the problem and solution that you have used.

Provide feedback- Ask the customer if your service has been good. Does the customer have any questions? If so then you must answer them in the best way you can think of.

Assignment #3

Assignment #3

The "theory" of electricity states that electricity is the term used to describe the flow of an electrical charge.

A conductor is an object that electric current can easily pass through. An insulator is an object that electric current can not pass through easily.

Voltage potential is the difference of electrical potential between two points of an electric or electronic circuit.

The two most common voltages used in computer parts are 120 volts and 230 volts. Current is the flow if electric charge.

The 1-10-100 rule is the cost to repair a defect increases exponentially the later in development lifecycle that is identified.

You calculate the amount of current through a circuit by using an ammeter to find the current and then using the formula I=V/R (Current = Voltage divided by Resistance.

The difference between AC and DC is AC current can change its direction where DC current can not.

The relationship between electric power and energy: electric power is the rate where electrical energy is transferred.

Resistance is a measure in which the degree of passing electric current changes into heat. Impedance is just like resistance but it happens in Alternating Current.

The human body’s resistance capability is 0.1A before it becomes fatal.

5 safety precautions for avoiding electric shock are: make sure your equipment is turned off before moving it, keep your tools and other equipment insulated, make sure all the equipment you are using is grounded before using, make sure you are grounded before working on anything, and make sure all the equipment is well covered that you are using.

Static Electricity is the build up of electrons on an object. It can be very dangerous to people because it can cause a heart attack and it can wipe out a computer with the static jump.

5 ways to prevent static discharge are: use hand moisturisers on a regular basis, wear a metal thimble and make sure it is always in contact with your skin, wear leather shoes, carry a coin and use it to touch metal, wear a grounded wrist band-you will never build up a charge.

5 ways to prevent static build-up are: don’t wear wool, don’t drag your feet while walking on carpet, don’t wear rubber shoes, use dryer sheets, and keep the air in the room you are working in humid.

2 things that are found in an ESD-prevention kit are: a rubber mat to work on and a grounding wire strap for your wrist.

The job of the PC’s power supply is to covert Alternating Current into Direct Current for computer use.

Specific Power Supply requirements for:
Motherboard- 240V-300V
Memory- 5-10 watts
CPU- 45 watts
Hard Drive- 1 amp of +12v
CD ROM drive- 360 watts
Floppy drive- 10-20 watts

The motherboard is the component that the power light goes on when it is started up. It is important because then the computer has power for all the components to work and think and make the computer work.

Different Power Connectors:
Molex- most common power connector, 4-pin connector
Berg- used to connect the floppy disk to the power supply, 4-pin connector
ATA-connected to the power supply and connects to serial connectors, 4-pin connector

Bibliography:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/conins.html
http://en.wikiepdia.org/wiki/Voltage
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_supply
http://searchsmb.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid44_gci21181,00.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_current
http://blog.softwareproject.org/the-110100.rule-6.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternating_current
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_power
http://en.wikidepia.org/wiki/Resistanc
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/phy00/phy00367.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A6378744
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm