Processing Devices

They are the devices that do the 'heavy lifting' of the computer, as they allow for the
processing of the entered data in an orderly manner and using a specific program,
they obtain a result.

MOTHERBOARD: The motherboard, also called the mainboard, is a

plate with printed circuits and soldered connections that interconnect all electronic components of
the computer. This integrates and coordinates all the elements that allow the proper
the operation of a PC, in this way, a motherboard is that device that operates
as the platform or main circuit of a computer.

Physically, it is a plate made of synthetic material, on which there is a circuit.

electronic that connects various components that are inserted or mounted
about this.

CPU socket: it is a cavity that receives the microprocessor and connects it with the
rest of the components through the motherboard.

Processor: also called Central Processing Unit or CPU (Central Processing)

Unit), is the central component of the PC. It is a chip with large scale integrated circuits.
that is responsible for performing logical-mathematical operations and controls all the
PC devices. All the work that the computer executes is performed, directly or
indirectly, by him. He is the brain of the computer.

The processor consists of the Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU), which is responsible for
to perform the logical-mathematical operations; and from the Control Unit CU, which allows
that all programs run while controlling all the devices of the PC.
These work together to process data and control the components of the computer.
This component measures its processing speed in Hertz (Hz).

Processing phases:

*prefetch:is the pre-reading of the instruction from the main memory

*fetch: here the instructions are sent to the decoder.

Decoding: in this part the instruction to be performed is determined.

operand reading: this is where the determined instructions are read

execution: the operand is launched to perform the action

writing: the results are recorded in the main memory

Processor Cooler: A metallic device used to maintain temperature
the microprocessor at optimal levels. The processor heatsink is located above
this, and a fan/cooler is placed over the heatsink. When placing the heatsink over the
We need to put a paste or gel on the processor so that the CPU doesn't overheat.
Manufacturers IBM, Intel, Zilog, Motorola, Cyrix, and AMD.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System): is the software

basic of a computer that contains the basic programs (all the instructions)
that allow to control all the elements of the hardware. It is found

Stored in an EPROM memory chip built into the motherboard.

It is responsible for supplying power to the BIOS enabling its operation.

Chipset: it is a set of chips with a series of electronic circuits, which allow for the
data transfers between the different components of the computer through the
processor, coordinating it with other devices (memory, graphics card, hard drive,
etc.). It is responsible for communicating the processor with the rest of the
computer elements, allowing their control.

Power supply: it is a device where the motherboard of the PC is connected.

so that it can be located in any electrical energy contact, in charge of
to take alternating current and transform it into currents and voltages, thus providing to the
motherboard the different voltages and currents necessary for its operation.

Composition: they have a fan, which is used to prevent overheating.

power source, expelling the hot air generated; a power connector, that
is responsible for connecting it to electricity; voltage selector, power connector,
ATA connectors, four-terminal connectors and the manual switch, for
turn it on and off.

Expansion slots: they are connectors that allow interconnecting video and audio cards.
graphics, network adapters, port expansion, and many other peripherals with the board
base.
EIDE Connectors (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics): it is an interface for the
connection of hard drives and CD-ROM. It can measure 40 cm in length and is wide.

SATA connectors: a serial connection to connect the hard drive. They are thinner cables.
thin and elongated, with a minimum of four wires. They can measure up to one meter
large. This type of interface creates a point-to-point connection between two devices,
providing greater speed. Improves performance if there are multiple disks
connected drives and also allows you to connect disks while the computer is on
lit.

Cache Memory or ROM (Read Only Memory) or read: it is what allows the processor
is faster than the RAM. When the processor needs information, it takes it
from the cache memory, which copies this information from the RAM before
that the processor needs it. Furthermore, it is a memory that contains all the information
installed by the equipment manufacturer, among them are instructions that allow for the
starting and functioning of the devices that make up the computer. This memory
it is permanent, it cannot be modified.
 RAM (Random Access Memory) or Random Access Memory: it is the
memory from where the processor receives instructions to perform certain actions and
save the results. This memory temporarily stores all the data with which
the processor and the user are working. It does not store information permanently
and works as long as there is electric current flowing in the system.

Front panel connectors or jumpers: it is a set of pins that have as

purpose to make the power button and the reset button work.

Information storage devices

Basically, a storage unit is a device capable of reading and writing.
information with the purpose of storing it permanently. Currently, we have
many classes and categories of storage units, with a variety available in the market
wide variety of internal or external devices capable of storing a large amount of data
unthought of in the past.
Also called secondary storage, these devices can store information.
inside, like in the case of hard drives, memory cards, and pendrives, or like in the
in the case of optical storage units such as Blu-Ray, DVD, or CD drives,
recording them on a disk-shaped medium.
From this point on, we will learn about the main types of storage.
information, which is an essential link in any modern computer system, already
that these storage devices play a crucial role in the development of the
technology, and without them it would be impossible to even attempt to carry out any project, no matter how much
small that it is out.
Information storage devices
Information storage devices, as the name says, are devices
capable of recording data in their memory, thus facilitating the transport of information and the
distribution of the same across different devices. Aside from that, the storage devices
Disinformation serves as secure data storage tools, also known as
as a backup.
Among the most commonly used devices in daily life are the following:
Magnetic storage devices (Hard drives and Floppy disks)
Optical storage devices (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray)
Electronic storage devices (pendrive and memory card).
Below are the main features of each one:

Magnetic Information Storage Devices

Those devices are the oldest and most widely used. Their advantage lies in that
they allow the storage of large amounts of information in small
Volumes. The management of stored data is carried out through magnetic dipoles.
present on its surface. The most well-known examples of storage devices
Information through magnetic means are external hard drives.

External hard drives are devices used on different occasions mainly

forstore large amounts of data and use it on other computers.
On the other hand, internal hard drives are fixed in the computer they are in.
installed, but on the contrary offer a much greater storage capacity than
external hard drives.
Magnetic storage devices are the oldest and most widely used.
currently, by allowing the management of a large density of information, that is, to store a
large amount of data in a small physical space.
Reading and writing information on a storage device through means
magnetic fields are created by the manipulation of magnetic particles present on the surface of the medium
magnetic.
For writing, the device's read and write head generates a magnetic field.
that magnetizes the magnetic particles, thus representing binary digits (bits) according to the
used polarity.
For reading, the read and write head generates a magnetic field, which when it enters
in contact with the magnetic particles of the medium, check if it attracts or repels the field
magnetic, thus knowing whether the pole found in the molecule is positive or negative.
Other examples of magnetic storage that have already been forgotten and
replaced by newer technologies like USB drives are floppy disks, Tape Backups and
DAT tapes, among others.

It is also important to highlight that magnetic storage devices

Removable devices typically do not possess the capacity and security of fixed devices.
Optical Information Storage Devices
The main function of optical storage devices is to store
multimedia files, such as music, photos, and videos. Besides that, they are quite used for
storing computer programs, games, and commercial applications. The recording of the
data is carried out using a high-precision laser.
Some examples of optical information storage devices are the
CD, DVD, and Blu-Ray and their respective readers such as CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and DVD-RW.
These disks are capable of storing large amounts of information and their use is
quite common, mainly in computers, radios, DVD and Blu-Ray players. The value
this medium is very accessible and easily found in stationery stores, shops of
computing, supermarkets and other businesses.

Optical storage devices are the most commonly used for

the storage of multimedia information, for thestorage of movies, music, and
other multimedia [Link] that, they are also widely used for storage of
information and programs, being especially used for the installation of programs in the
computers.
The reading of information on an optical storage medium is done through a
high precision laser beam, which is projected onto the surface of the medium. The surface of the medium is
recorded with microscopic grooves capable of deflecting the laser in different directions,
thus representing different information in the form of binary digits (bits).

The recording of information on an optical medium requires a special material, which

the surface is made of a material that can be "burned" by the laser beam of the device
for storage, thus creating the grooves that represent the binary digits (bits).
Information Storage Devices by Electronic Means
The youngest and most promising form of information storage. Use circuits.
electronics to store the information, which do not need to move to carry out such
function. This device is found in flash drives and memory cards, which are very common today.
day. Due to its easy handling,these devices quickly gained strength in the market.
However, its information storage capacity is still limited due to the high
value of this technology. Its size is very small and they are used massively in computers,
digital cameras and cell phones. They are identified as solid-state drives (SSD).

The type of storage devices is the most recent and the one with the most prospects.
The evolution of performance in the task of information storage has. This technology
it is also known as solid state memories or SSDs (Solid State Drive) because
they have no moving parts, only electronic circuits that do not need to move to read or write
information.
Electronic storage devices can be found in the most
various devices, from USB drives to memory cards for digital cameras, and even
Hard drives have a certain amount of this type of memory functioning as a buffer.
It is worth noting that there are some models of notebooks on the market that use memory
solid state as the main storage device.
The recording of information on a storage device through electronic means.
by the materials used in the manufacturing of the chips that store the information.
For each binary digit (bit) to be stored in this type of device, there are two gates.
made of semiconductor material, the floating gate and the control gate. Between these two gates
there is a small layer of oxide, which when charged with electrons represents a bit 1
and when it is discharged, it represents a bit 0.
This technology is similar to the technology used in RAM memory of the type
dynamic, but it can retain information for long periods of time, which is why it is not considered
a proper RAM memory.

Electronic storage devices have the advantage of having a time of

access much lower than devices by magnetic means, due to the fact that they do not contain
moving parts. The main negative point of this technology is its cost, therefore, the
electronic storage devices still have small capacities
storage and cost very high compared to magnetic devices.