9/3; How computers work
Introduction
As you all read on the secret page for assignment 1, "Computers are useful
tools." You must not be mystified by them, but understand them so that
they can help you to solve the geologic problems that face you. The goal
of today's and Friday's lectures is to demystify the hardware side of
computing.
Thanks to the efforts of George Hilley, we have this schematic of the
principal components of a computer.
Multimedia illustration of How Computers Work
I will present some portions of the multimedia CD from the book How
Computers Work, by Ron White, Ziff-Davis Press, Second edition,
1995.
CPU definition
Hard disk definition
Bus Definition
For assignment 2,
due at the beginning of class next Wednesday, you are to
fully explore this multimedia CD and book.
Quick aside about PowerPCs
Motorola PowerPC
Road map
Motorola PowerPC
site
Our own exploration
For the rest of the class, we will have a guided tour by George, Joan, and
Ramon of the inside of the lab machines:
PowerMacintosh 7300/180 PC
Compatibles
For this week's
lab, you get to set up a machine yourself.
Pages maintained by
Prof. Ramón Arrowsmith
Pages last modified on Tues Sept 2 1997.