BIOS
BIOS is a set of computer instructions that control input and output operations. It is the built-in set of instuructions that work a computer without a disk. The BIOS contains all the code needed to display on-screen, use the keyboard, work disk drives, serial communications, and a number of other functions.
Power Supply
The power supply is what allows the whole system to work by supplying it with electricity. It supplies electricity to all components in order to make them work and ultimatley allow the computer to function. The more watts the power can supply, the more powerful the computer which means that more power can be supplied to other components in the computer.
Fan and Heat Sink/Cooling
The heat sink is a component that cools the computer/device by making the heat scatter out into the surrounding air. The fan is used to keep the heat sink itself from overheating. This stops the computer from getting too hot and melting components on the inside.
Hard Drive Configuration and Controllers SATA or IDE or EIDE
SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment), IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) and EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics).
SATA is a computer bus interface for connecting host bus adapters to mass storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives. SATA was designed to replace the older Parallel ATA (PATA) standard (often called by the old name IDE).Serial ATA host-adapters and devices communicate through a high-speed serial cable over two pairs of conductors. However, the parallel ATA used 16 data conductors each operating at a much lower speed.
IDE is a standard electronic interface used to connect to a computer motherboard's data paths or bus and the computer's disk storage devices. The IDE cable connects CD drives and Hard drives to the mother board. IDE is also a programming environment that has been packaged as an application program, usually containing a code editor, a compiler, a debugger, and a graphical user interface (GUI) builder. The IDE cables transfer data and commands between the devices but not power. The cables come in the 40 pin and 80 pin configurations which have to be observed and connected for the cables to work correctly. The side of the cable with a red line indicates pin #1 and that has to be toward the correct position as indicated on the drives and Motherboard.
EIDE is an updated and newer version of IDE which supports data rates of between 4 and 16.6 MBps (around 3 to 4 times faster than IDE). It can support mass storage devices of up to 8.4 gigabytes, whereas the old standard was limited to 528 MB. EIDE has four modes. Mode 4 is the most common one with transfer rates of 16.6 MBps. There is also another mode, called ATA-3 or Ultra ATA that supports transfer rates of 33 MBps.
Ports USB and/or Parallel and/or Serial
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are where USB devices and drivers can be inserted e.g. Memory sticks, External Harddrives, etc… USB devices are used to transport and store data in a safe place.
Serial ports are for serial devices that transfer information one bit at a time like a computer to a projector on a board for example.
Parallel ports are for devices which transfer data by sending several data signals simultaneously over several parallel channels. Devices like printers use this kind of transfer method.
Internal memory RAM, ROM and cache
Internal memory is used to store data that is used by the system at startup and to run various types of programs such as the operating system. Usually, internal memory is contained on small microchips that are either attached or connected to the computer's motherboard.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is one of two separate places where data is stored. RAM is where data is saved on a memory module to save and retrieve data efficiently and quickly.
ROM (Read-Only Memory) is another storage device which holds data that can’t be modified. (ROM can be modified but slowly or with difficulty). ROM is mostly used for distributing firmware that is specific to hardware. E.g. Mobile phone installation data , etc…
Cache is a part of the main memory (RAM) that can be used as Cache or it can be a separate chip. The commands that are often used, or data often used will be kept in this static RAM. This static RAM is called Cache memory.
Specialized cards network and/or graphic cards
A graphics card allows the output of images to be displayed. Graphics cards different standards for use. Some are used for HD gaming for example which allows for a much clearer picture – some games require a graphics card good enough to play them.
Peripherals:
Printer
A printer is used for printing off physical data on paper, card, etc… E.g. Legal documents, Coursework, Design ideas, etc…
Scanner
A scanner is a device which allows images like card, paper, etc to be imported onto a device like a computer. Its can be used to convert physical images or text into virtual items/files. E.g. A book.
Twisted pair cabling
Twisted pair cabling is a method of wiring of which that two conductors are twisted together to cancel out EMI (Electromagnetic interference) from external sources like electromagnetic radiation from unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cables.
Backing Storage:
Pen Drive
A USB flash drive is a device which can be inserted into a USB port. A USB flash drive also has storage space for transferring files and storing them.
Hard drive
A Hard drive is a storage device which can be internal or external and is used for the same purposes as a USB flash drive. Unalike USB flash drives, Hard drives can hold a substantial amount more than memory sticks or Pen drives.