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Pioneer Pacific College PCS 110 Computer Systems I

PCS 110 Computer Systems I

Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 1

Instructions: Complete all of the labs in the Week 2, Lab manual.

Lab Title: Gather and Record System Information

Objectives

The goal of this lab is to use a system’s physical characteristics and other sources to determine how the system is configured. After completing this lab, you will be able to:

Gather system information by observing a system

Use available tools to access specific system information

Materials Required

Windows XP/7 operating system

Activity Background

When working with computer systems, it is a good idea to know what components are installed on the system. This lab helps you identify some of these components as you gather information by observing the system and by using system tools.

Activity

Observe the physical characteristics of your system and answer the following questions:

1. Does the system have any identification on it indicating manufacturer, model, or component information? If so, list this information: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How many CD or DVD drives does your system have? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Are there any Floppy or Zip drives? ___Yes ___No __________________________________________________________________

Instructor: Chris Lawer 1


4. How many internal hard drives does your system have? Explain how you got your answer: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Like other versions of Windows, users can customize Windows XP to behave and to display information to suit their tastes. Windows XP can also mimic the way previous versions of Windows presented menus and settings for users who are more comfortable with those methods. If the OS you’re using in this lab is Windows XP, to help ensure that the step-by-step instructions are easy for you to follow, complete these Steps to restore Windows XP defaults co your system:

1. Boot your system and log on, if necessary, and then click Start, Control Panel to open the Control Panel window.

2. Under the Control Panel heading at the left, click Switch to Category View if Classic view has been enabled. Figure 1-1 shows Control Panel in Category view.

Figure 1 -1 Windows XP Control Panel in Category View



3. With Category view enabled, click the Appearance and Themes category. The Appearance and Themes window opens.

4. In the Appearance and Themes window, click Folder Options in the Control Panel icons list to open the Folder Options dialog box.

5. In the General tab of the Folder Options dialog box, click the Restore Defaults button (see Figure 1-2), and then click Apply.

Figure 1-2 Use the Folder Options dialog box to restore Windows XP defaults to a folder



6. Click the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box (se Figure 1-3). Click the Restore Defaults button, and then click OK to apply the settings and close the dialog box.

Figure 1-3 The View tab of the Folder Options dialog box

7. In the Appearance and Themes window, click the Taskbar and Start Menu icon. The Taskbar and Start Menu dialog box opens.

8. In the Taskbar tab, verify that all check boxes in the Taskbar appearance section are selected except for Auto-hide the taskbar and Show Quick Launch, as shown in figure 1-4. Click Apply if any changes were made.



Figure 1-4 Use the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box to control how the taskbar appears and functions

9. Click the Start Menu tab in the Taskbar and Start Menu dialog box. Verify that the Start menu option button is selected, as shown in Figure 1-5. Click OK to apply the settings and close the dialog box. Close the Appearance and Themes window.



Figure 1-5 The Start Menu tab of the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box

Regardless of the Windows OS you’re using, from the Start menu, open Control Panel and click the Performance and Maintenance category. The Performance: and Maintenance window opens.

In the Performance and Maintenance window, click the System icon to open the System Properties dialog box. With the General tab visible as shown in Figure 1-6, record the following:



1. Which OS is installed? __________________________________________________________________

2. What is the version number of your operating system? __________________________________________________________________

3. Who is the system registered to? __________________________________________________________________

4. According to the System Properties dialog box, what type of CPU is your system built around? __________________________________________________________________



5. How much RAM is installed in your system? __________________________________________________________________

Close the System Properties dialog box and the Performance and Maintenance window. Click Start, My Computer and locate the following information in the My Computer window:

1. How many floppy disk drives are listed, and which drive letters are assigned to them? __________________________________________________________________

2. How many other local drives are listed, and which drive letters are assigned to them? ________________________________________________________________

3. How many network drives are listed, and what are their names? -__________________________________________________________________

5. What items are listed under System Tasks at the left of the My Computer window? __________________________________________________________________

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. List two other ways to get to the System Properties dialog box besides using Control Panel: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What’s one other place, not in Windows or any documentation, where you could determine the CPU, CPU speed, amount of RAM installed on your system? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What differences, if any, are there between a list of components derived from a physical inspection versus a list of components derived from My Computer and System Properties? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lab Complete




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 2Lab Title: Port Identification

In computer hardware, a 'port' serves as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices. Physically, a port is a specialized outlet on a piece of equipment to which a plug or cable connects. Electronically, the several conductors making up the outlet provide a signal transfer between devices

Using the pictures provided, identify and define these ports (Google: Images, [port name]):

A1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

B1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_connector

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_hardware

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USB_Connector.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FireWire_gniazdo.jpg


C1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

D1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

E1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rj-45_on_motherboard.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Serial_port.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Parallel_computer_printer_port.jpg


F1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

G1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

H1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

I


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ps-2-ports.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VGA_port.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:DVI_D.jpg


1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

J1. Identify:_________________________________

2. Define: __________________________________

Lab Complete


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Scsi-1_gehaeuse.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IEC60320_C14.jpg



Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 3 Lab Title: Use shareware to examine a computer

CPU-Z is a freeware that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system.

Please download and install CPU-Z on your system at school or one at home if you would like. We can also demo the software in class if need be.

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Answer these questions:1. Windows Version, Service Packs, Direct X version:

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Type of Memory, Module size, Max Bandwidth, Manufacture, voltage in slots 1, 2, 3, 4 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Memory Size, Channels, DRAM Frequency: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. Processor Name, code name, Package, Specification, Core Speed, Bus Speed, FSB speed: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. L1 D Cache Size, Descriptor, Trace Cache Size, Descriptor: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Motherboard manufacturer, model, chipset, Southbridge, BIOS brand, version and date: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Graphics Interface version: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lab Complete



PCS 110 Computer Systems IYour Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 4Lab Title: Non-Integrated, Integrated Motherboards and Embedded Motherboards

Using the Internet perform these tasks:

1. Find definitions and brief explanations of the following:

Item Definitions and Explanation

Motherboard: (Google: Define Motherboard)

Non-integrated motherboard:

Integrated motherboard:

Embedded Motherboard:

2. What are the advantages, and disadvantages regarding a computer system for each type?

Item Advantages and Disadvantages

Motherboard:

Non-integrated motherboard:

Integrated motherboard:

Embedded Motherboard:

Lab Complete




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 5Lab Title: Hard drives, CDs, floppy drives, tape drives, DVD drives

Using the Internet, perform these tasks. There are two parts to this lab.

Locate definitions and brief explanations of these items:

Item: Definitions and Explanations:

Hard drive

CD drive

Tape drive

DVD drive

2. Complete the entries in this spreadsheet.

Locate a vendor for the drives listed.

Record the name of the vendor for the drive.

Record the cost of each drive per vendor.

Item Name of $$$ Vendor 1 Cost

Hard drive

CD drive

Floppy drive

Tape drive

DVD drive




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 6Lab Title: Expansion Cards Using the Internet, perform these tasks. There are two parts to this lab.1. Locate definitions and brief explanations of these items:

Item: Definitions and Explanations:

Video

Sound

Network

Modem

USB

Firewire

2. Complete the entries in this spreadsheet.

Locate a vendor for each of the expansion cards listed.

Record the name of the vendor for the expansion card.

Record the cost of the card

Item Name of $$$ Vendor 1 Cost

Video

Sound

Network

Modem

USB

Firewire




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 7Lab Title: Q/A

1. Why is all data stored in a computer in binary form?

2. What three things do electronic hardware devices need in order to function?

3. What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?

4. Name three CPU manufacturers.

5. What are two other names for the system bus?

6. List three types of ports that are often found coming directly off the motherhood to be used be external devices.

7. What is the difference between volatile and nonvolatile memory?

8. What is the size of the data path on most system buses today?

9. Name four types of buses that are likely to be on a motherboard today.

10. ROM BIOS chips that can be upgraded without replacing the chips are called _______________

Lab Complete




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 8Lab Title: Q/A

1. When selecting secondary storage devices for a new desktop PC, which is more important, a CD-ROM drive or a floppy drive? Why?

2. Based on what you have learned, when working on a Microsoft Word document, why is it important to save your work often? Explain your answer in terms of primary storage and secondary storage.

3. Most buses are 16, 32, 64, or 128 bits wide. Why do you think these bus widths are multiples of eight?

4. Why do you think the trend in computer manufacturing is to store configuration information on a motherboard in CMOS setup rather than by using jumpers or switches?

5. How would you install four hard drives, one tape drive, and one DVD +/- drive in a single system?

Lab Complete




Your Name: ___________________________________Week2, Lab 9Lab Title: Plan Your Own Computer System

Objectives

The objective of this lab is to plan and price your own ideal system within a budget. After completing this lab, you will be able to:

Describe what you want your system to be able to do Select components that best meet your goal Stay within a budget

Activity Background

Imagine that you are able to build a system to your specifications from separate components. Within a budget of $2,000, what system would you put together? In this lab, you determine the answer based on your current knowledge and experience.

Activity

1. Use this chart to list the components you would like to include in your system, the cost of each component, and the source for each component. To begin, list everything you want without considering price.

Component Description Source Price Processor/MHz Motherboard RAM Case and power supply OS HDD capacity Monitor Sound/speaker CD-ROM drive



Component Description Source Price Other Drives Bonus Items (such as video card) Bundled software TOTAL SYSTEM PRICE

2. After you have determined the total price of all the components you want to include in your ideal system, add up the prices and see whether you are within your $2,000 budget.

3. If you are under budget, consider including additional components or better versions of components. If you are over budget, determine what components you need to exclude or whether to use less expensive versions of some components. Either way, record what components you choose. Also, note how you altered your ideal system to meet your budget.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. What is the goal of your system? In other words, how do you plan to use your system? Explain your choices for components.

3. How would you change your choices if you were to use this computer in a corporate office as a business workstation?

4. What single change would you make if you had an extra $500 in the budget?

5. How might you change your design if your budget was only $800?

Lab Complete


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