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Understanding
Your PC
How
does your computer work? What goes on inside that box
under the desk? Why does your PC whir and chug, and
occasionally go clunk? What happens when I press SAVE?
Why do I need more memory?
No
doubt you have asked many such questions about your
PC. For the next few editions of this column, I will
be telling you a little about how your PC works, and
why it does the things it does.
Your
computer is a complex machine, made up of smaller
parts working together. Lets begin by outlining each
of these parts, and then we will examine how they work
together.
The Case
The
most obvious part of your computer is the case, also
known as ‘the box’. The case, which is almost
always metal, protects all the fragile parts inside,
and also provides a secure structure to screw them to.
The case has sides that can be removed; or with older
ones, the entire back of the case is removable. Cases
come in several sizes—Mini-Tower, Mid-Tower,
Full-Tower, and Desktop. The size you choose depends
on how many accessories you have or may want in your
PC.
Another
important function of the case is to provide regulated
ventilation. The case is specially designed to give
the right airflow across the internal parts. It is
often thought that leaving the sides of the case off
during use will improve the ventilation, but this is
not true. The internal fans, which keep the airflow
moving, must pull the air across the internal parts to
give them proper cooling. Removing the sides of the
case interrupts this airflow, and prevents the
internal parts from cooling down efficiently.
Along
with ventilation, the case also provides protection
from dust, water, and other foreign articles. Dust is
a major enemy of computers, because when present in
any quantity, it interrupts the flow of electricity to
the different parts of your PC. It causes heat to
build up as well, and significantly shortens the life
of your PC. Smoke, especially tobacco smoke, will do a
similar thing. We recommend to all our customers to
get their PC’s regularly dusted out. This way they
will lengthen the life of their PC.
The
case, while providing structural and protective
functions, is also the ‘pretty face’ of your
computer. It is what you first see when you are
looking to buy it, and with some, seriously influences
the purchase. The front of the case is ascetically
coloured, and arranged with the different PC control
buttons. The largest of these is the power button,
often in a complimentary contrasting colour. The next
smallest button is usually the reset button, although
in older cases, this will be the turbo button. Close
to these buttons are the power and hard drive
indicator lights. These lights are important, as they
show whether or not these components are working
satisfactorily.
For
more information on your PC, or any other aspect of
computers, you are welcome to contact us on 0419 790
071, or email us at info@mcsyarraman.com.au.
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