Learning About BIOS Setup

A ROM BIOS provides a built-in Setup program which allows the user to modify the basic system configuration and hardware parameters, Bios is a set of routines that affects how the computer transfer data between computer components, such as memory, disk, and the display adapter. The modified data will be stored in a battery-backed CMOS, so that the data will be retained even when the power is turned-off. In general, the information saved in the CMOS RAM will stay unchanged unless there is a configuration change in the system, such as hard drive replacement or a device is added. In this model we are using old type of BIOS version, looks will differ on some Machine model especially for the newer models.

Learn BIOS Menus and Other Features

STANDARD CMOS FEATURES / MAIN - allows you to record some basic system hardware configuration. 

• Time and Date Setting: to set, highlight Date /Time.
• This field records the specifications for all non-SCSI hard disk drives installed to   your system. The onboard PCI IDE connectors provide Primary and Secondary Channels for connecting up to four IDE hard disk or IDE devices (CDROM’S, DVD ROM, DVD WRITER, CDWRITER’S, ZIP DRIVES). Use the Auto setting for detection during boot up.
• Drive A / Drive B (none)* this field records the type of floppy drives installed in your system. The available options for drives A and B are 360KB, 5.25 in.; 1.2 MB, 5.25 in.; 720kb, 3.5 in.,1.44MB; 3.5 in., 2.88 MB, 3.5 in.; None. (Floppy 3 Mode Support (disabled)* This is a Japanese standard floppy drive, no need to enable.)
• Video (EGA/VGA)* Set this field to the type of video display card installed in you system. Options are EGA/VGA, CGA 40, CGA 80, and mono( for Hercules or MDA).
• Halt On (All Errors)* This fields determines which types will cause the system to halt. Choose from either All Errors; No Errors; All, But Keyboard; All but Diskette; or All, But Disk/Key.
• Control keys with their respective functions, used to change the values of the CMOS SETUP.

Learn About Storage Devices

Storage device - is a hardware device designed to write and read information. There are two types of storage devices used in computers; a 'primary storage' device and a 'secondary storage' device.

Storage Media - It is where the storage device records (write) and retrieves (read) the data, instructions and information for future use.

Examples of Storage and Media Devices

Harddisk Devices and USB Thumb Drive

Optical Device

3.5 Floppy Device

Learn About Central Processing Unit

Learning about central processing unit is also part of the TESDA NC II Computer Servicing exam. So it is advisable to learn about these things.

Processors

Central Processing Unit - Is a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a single chip. Interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a computer. Processors contain a control unit and an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), this two components work together to perform processing operations.

Dual-Processor

Dual-processor (DP) - systems are those that contain two separate physical computer processors in the same chassis. In dual-processor systems, the two processors can either be located on the same motherboard or on separate boards.

Dual Core Configuration

Dual-core configuration - an integrated circuit (IC) contains two complete computer processors. Usually, the two identical processors are manufactured so they reside side-by-side on the same die, each with its own path to the system front-side bus.

Dual core Processor features: 

• Hyper-Threading Technology: Enables you to run multiple demanding applications at the same time.
• Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology: Provides flexibility for future applications that support both 32-bit and 64-bit computing.
• Dual-Core: Two physical cores in one processor support better system responsiveness and multi-tasking capability than a comparable single core processor.

Processor core (An intel Core 2 Duo Chip) It has 291,000,000 transistor.