How to learn about computer hardware?
Difference Between Computer Software and Hardware
Difference Between Computer Software and Hardware
While computer jargon can be hard to get to grips with, two terms that pop up extremely often in any computer discussion are the words "software" and "hardware".
But what is the difference between computer software and hardware?
These two terms refer to the most fundamental parts of computer systems. Both of them are vital for any computer to operate, and they are also dependent on one another, as you can see in this article about how computers work.
Definition of Computer Hardware and Software
When we talk about computer hardware, we mean the actual components of your computer. Such things as the computer’s motherboard, its CPU, the video card, the keyboard and mouse, these are all "hardware".
The difference between computer software and hardware is that software refers to the coding and various programs that you have on your computer. These include your operating system (Windows etc), media players, Photoshop etc.
Purpose
Computer hardware is usually multi-purpose in that it is able to perform lots of different tasks. For instance, your computer monitor doesn't just display images on screen; it also shows videos, widgets and text. One difference between computer software and hardware is that software is normally only designed to perform one task.
Your media player for example, is only for accessing media like movies and songs. It cannot edit photos or browse the web. The only real exception to this is the operating system itself, which is a user-friendly interface designed to let you access all the other bits of software and files stored on your PC.
System Requirements
Computer software can only function on a computer if that computer meets the system requirements needed to run it properly. Such requirements include hard drive requirements, a minimum processor speed, RAM requirements and a supported operating system.
Occasionally a piece of software will have additional requirements, and these will normally be printed on the box when you purchase it, or else it will be displayed on the website you have downloaded it from.
Bit Rate 64 Bit vs 32 Bit
The transition in computers from operating systems of 32-bits to operating systems of 64-bits has become a recent issue with hardware and software. The difference between the two kinds of operating system are that 64-bit systems can access more RAM and are able to process much bigger data chunks than the old 32-bit systems.
In order to run software that is 64-bit, it is necessary to have a 64-bit CPU along with a motherboard that is compatible with the software. Because there are many computers that don'’t have the hardware necessary to run the 64-bit versions of software, many manufacturers release both 64-bit and 32-bit versions of their programs.
Development
Both computer software and computer hardware are being constantly developed, with superior components and programs being released all the time. The development of hardware is usually focused on creating faster and more compact components through the use of new technology.
Meanwhile, developers of software are constantly striving to keep pace with these new advancements in hardware by building smoother running, better looking and more comprehensive programs. The result of this is that computer users are constantly being required to update their hardware to be able to run the latest pieces of software.
Conclusion - Difference Between Computer Software and Hardware
I hope this article on explaining the difference between computer software and hardware has been useful for you. Obviously this website is dedicated to the hardware side of it and I encourage you to take advantage of the resources on this website.
What is Computer Hardware?
There are a huge number of computer users out there who surprisingly enough, don’t know the answer to this question! So what is computer hardware exactly?
You need to think of your PC as a system, one that consists of various components. Some of them, like the version of windows you use and any other programs on your PC, are called software. Meanwhile, in answer to the question what is computer hardware, this is the stuff that you can actually see and feel, the bits that would break if you were to drop them, are called hardware.
Not all of us use exactly the same bits of hardware. However, it'’s a pretty safe bet that most of us have a basic set up of the following hardware components.
Even if you only have a laptop computer, you will still have them, only they are integrated into your computer. For more information about learning hardware click here, or otherwise just continue reading for a basic run down…
System Unit
This is the actual computer - All the other bits are known as peripheral devices. When discussing what is computer hardware, this is the most important example we can give.
The system unit, in the case of a desk top computer, is the big chunky thing that usually has a floppy drive and a DVD or CD drive. Inside the system unit there's actually another disc drive, which is called the hard drive, and this is where everything "in your computer" is stored.
RAM - Random Access Memory
Almost as common a question as "what is computer hardware?" is "What is RAM?" Abbreviated from "Random Access Memory", this is the part of the computer that stores whatever it is (files, programs and so on) that you are currently working on.
When you open a file up, the computer basically "moves" it into the RAM memory. The reason the computer does this is that RAM works very fast, much faster than your hard drive, and so it means a lot less waiting around for you.
So you're probably thinking, why not just store everything on the RAM? The reason we don't is because RAM is very unreliable. RAM cannot store information when the power is turned off, either by accident or intentionally, and so we have to use the hard drive for long term storage. For more information on Computer RAM go here..
Computer Hard Drive
As we've just mentioned above, this is where everything stored on your computer goes. We don't actually see the hard drive because it is housed inside the system unit and needs to stay there.
Quite the opposite of the highly volatile RAM, hard drives are able to store data permanently, with or without power. Most hard drives nowadays have huge memories, into the billions of bytes, which means that we are able to use our computers for years without filling them up. For more information on the computer hard drive read this.
Computer Mouse
What of the simplest examples of "what is computer hardware?" is this extremely handy tool. The mouse is a quite essential piece of hardware for any computer user, as it allows us to navigate through our computers quickly and easily. While it is actually possible to do everything on your computer without a mouse, this would be much more difficult and time consuming!
Computer Keyboard
Another indispensable part of your computer hardware, the keyboard is absolutely vital for interacting with your PC. You need the keyboard, quite simply, to type. The chances are that you will need to type at least one or two words almost every time you log onto your computer, whether it's just a password, a URL, or even just the "Enter" key. Find more information on the computer keyboard, the layout and the different types of keyboards.
Conclusion - What is Computer Hardware
The more you come to know about what is computer hardware, the more proficient you will become, until eventually you may even be able to build your own computer, customized just for you!
Well, how do you learn about computer hardware? I think the only way to really learn and to really understand computer hardware is to actually open up a computer and have a look yourself. This website explains many computer essentials and each computer component but to really have a knowledge of computer hardware you must see it yourself.
How to install a CPU?
This tutorial on how to install a CPU, is one of the tutorials in the process of building your own computer. It will explain how to install a new CPU to your computer, rather than upgrading an existant CPU.
Preparation
If you still need to choose a CPU, then go and do so now. There are a huge range of CPUs, so it is difficult to know which one to choose. The main thing is that the CPUs you buy have to be compatible with your motherboard, otherwise it won't work and you would have wasted your money and your time. So make sure you choose the right CPU for your needs.
Installing a CPU seems like a hard task and can be daunting if you have never done it before, however if you are careful then all should go well. The CPU is the most important component in a computer and is extremely fragile. When touching the CPU always do so with extreme care and if you can avoid holding the CPU for lengthy amounts of time then I highly recommend that you do so. It would be a good idea to where an anti-static wrist strap while you work on your PC.
So are you ready to learn how to install a CPU?
Great! First you need to take your new processor out of its packaging. Inspect the pins on the underside of the processor and check that they are all straight. If they are all bent then you are going to have an extremely hard time straightening them, because if one pin breaks off than your processor most likely won't work. If a couple are bent then get a small screwdriver and very carefully bend up the bent ones till they are all straight. Some of the more recent CPUs don't have pins because the pins are on the motherboard, if so then you don't need to worry about this step.
Finding the CPU Socket
Next locate the CPU socket on the motherboard. It will look similar to the image below.
Open the Leaver
Once you have found the CPU, proceed to open the leaver. This is done by locating the leaver on the side and pulling it up.
You need to move it from its locked down position to its open position in which the leaver is pointing straight up. You may need to pull the leaver to the right to be able to move it up. Be careful, your motherboard is ruined if you break this leaver.
Inserting the CPU
The next step in this tutorial on how to install a CPU, is the actual inserting of the processor.
Look at your CPU, you should see a little triangle or dot or a little notched corner. These little marks all represent pin 1. Next look on the motherboard and you should see a similar mark.
These marks need to match up when you insert the processor. So line up the marks and then slowly push down on the processor.
If you have lined everything up correctly, and the pins are not bent, then it should slide in easily. If it doesn't slide in easily then take it out, look at it and make sure that no pins are bent, then locate the correct marking again and try once more. If neccessary place a little pressure on the CPU, but really it should just slide in to place.
Close the Leaver
Now simply close the leaver. This is just pulling the CPU leaver down and your CPU is installed.
Summary
In summary and in relation to the image on the right:
Locate the CPU
Open the Leaver
Put the CPU in
Close the Leaver
Installing a Hard Drive
This tutorial on installing a hard drive, is one of the tutorials in the process of building your own computer. Hopefully you have installed your motherboard, power supply, CPU and RAM.
Preparation
This tutorial is on how to install a hard drive into a new computer that you are building and is not necessarily the process you would use if you were just installing a hard drive to an existing computer or adding a secondary drive.
If you still need to choose a hard drive then I suggest you do so now. Depending on your motherboard you will need to choose an IDE or Sata hard drive. It will also affect your choice of hard drive depending on what your budget is and what you are using it for.
Locating the Hard Drive trays
The first step in this tutorial on installing a hard drive is to locate the hard drive trays on the computer case. To do this you need to obviously open up your computer case and remove any cables that are connected to it. It is recommended that you use an antistatic wrist strap while working on your computer.
Once you have the case opened simply locate the hard drive trays which look similar to the image below.
Setting the Jumpers
This step is probably the most difficult step in the entire tutorial. However the newer SATA hard drives do not require you too set the jumpers so if you are using a SATA drive, you can skip this whole step. However if you are using IDE drives then you will need to set the jumpers.
To work out where the jumpers need to go you need to ask this question. How many drives (including cd/dvd drives) do you want to have in the computer?
If you only have two drives then you can leave the jumpers as default and just put each drive on a different cable. For example: One hard drive on one IDE cable and one CD drive on another IDE cable.
However if you want to have three or four drives then it is necessary to have two drives on the one IDE cable and then you need to set one drive as master and another as slave.
The image below should help you identify where the jumpers are on an IDE hard drive.
On the case of your hard drive it should tell you where the pin should be to make it a master, slave or cable select drive. Simply take the little jumper off one of the pins and put it on the appropriate pins.
Inserting the Hard Drive
The next step in this tutorial on installing a hard drive is inserting the hard drive into the tray that you located in step one. So take the hard drive, insert it into the tray and then place and tighten the screws in.
How to install RAM?
This tutorial on how to install RAM is the third tutorial in the Build Your Own Computer Guide. Hopefully your motherboard and power supply have already been installed into the case. Remember it is possible to do the steps backwards and install some of the components first before installing the motherboard in the case.
Preparation
This tutorial is on how to install RAM in a new computer, but if you want to upgrade your computer with new RAM or replace existing RAM then I suggest you look at this tutorial on how to upgrade your computer memory.
So you have installed your motherboard and power supply? Great, lets move on and learn how to install the RAM. Installing RAM (computer memory) is very easy to do and probably the easiest task in building a computer.
If you still need to choose your computer memory then I suggest you do so now. If you have already bought a motherboard, then it does narrow down your options for buying computer memory. For example a motherboard that has DDR slots will only take DDR RAM.
Types of RAM
There are four types of RAM that are currently in existant, although SDRAM is quickly on the backward slide.
SDRAM RAM
DDR RAM
DDR2 RAM
DDR3 RAM
If you have an antistatic wrist strap then I suggest you put it on, to prevent anything happening to your memory and I also suggest that you do not place your computer on carpet because it adds to the static electricity which could fry your computer parts.
Locate the RAM slots
So locate the memory slots on your motherboard they will look similar to the image below.