tech sectiontech sectionRS-232 refers to a telecommunications standard for transferring serial binary data that was often used to connect external modems to a computer. Today, some computers still use RS-232 cables for users with dial-up modems or no broadband access. However, USB connections have replaced most uses for RS-232. If you do need to connect using an RS-232 cable, you can, as long as the computer has the proper input jack.
Computer peripherals are devices that, while not part of a computer's essential components, are commonly used in conjunction with a computer. The essential components of a computer are the parts that are necessary for the machine to run properly, such as the machine's memory and microprocessor. Peripheral devices are not necessary for the computer to run properly and can be used internally, such as a CD-ROM drive, or externally, such as a printer or keyboard.
The ExpressCard for laptop computers comes in two formats. ExpressCard/54 cards are L-shaped, with one end 54mm wide and the other 34mm wide. ExpressCard/34 cards are 34mm wide from end to end. Inserted into expansion slots, ExpressCards connect peripheral devices such as modems and external drives on older laptops. Some computers with ExpressCard/54 slots do not hold ExpressCard/34 cards securely. The smaller cards can shift in the slot, causing errors and connection problems. In this case, you will need an adapter that fills the extra space.
The Intel 810E motherboard, released in 1999, was an upgraded model of the Intel 810, designed to better support faster Pentium III processors over slower Celeron processors. This is due primarily to the 810E's ability to support bus speeds of 133 megahertz. The Intel 810E, a Socket 370 ATX motherboard, offered a number of other features, similar to its Intel 810 predecessor.
Computers are typically connected to peripherals using a cable connected to a port. The type of cable a peripheral device uses is typically determined by the type of port the device is compatible with. There are a broad variety of ports used to connect peripherals to a computer including specialized and generalized ports. Specialized ports including video and audio ports are specifically designed for certain types of peripherals, while general ports are compatible with a broad spectrum of computer peripherals.
LED displays occur in many different applications, from the front of your DVD player to the display on your bedside clock. LEDs are light-emitting diodes that use very little power and give off very little heat. However, even these simple little electrical components can go bad or incur damage and need repair. The exact process will differ depending on the device housing the LED display, but the basic rules are the same.
Light emitting diodes (or LEDs) are small electronic components that emit light with a minimal amount of electric current. They are commonly used as status indicators on computers to show when the power is turned on and when certain devices are in use. Users who like to customize their system may wish to replace the power LED on the front panel of their computer to change its color or brightness. This is an easy and inexpensive task that almost any user can complete.
The book "USB Complete: Everything You Need to Develop Custom USB Peripherals" by Jan Axelson provides details on the creation and configuration of Universal Serial Bus (USB) computer peripherals, including details on drivers and electrical power.
HDTV tuners allow personal computer users to pick up and view high-definition television signals on their PCs free of charge. Via a peripheral component interconnect, or PCI, port, tech-savvy users connect HDTV tuner cards to their computer's motherboard. With additional software and components, PC users can turn their computers in fully functioning home theater systems with surround sound and video capturing capabilities.
The ASUS P5KC is a computer motherboard that supports Intel LGA775 processors such as the Core 2 Duo. The P5KC features overclocking options that can enable users to run certain processors at speeds higher than they are rated, and when you adjust the motherboard speed to overclock the processor, that change is stored in the motherboard Basic Input/Output System, or BIOS, configuration. When overclocking with a motherboard such as the P5KC, it is possible to configure the processor to run at a speed higher than what it is able to support. If you have made this or another change resulting…
Many laptop computers include an ExpressCard expansion slot for peripheral devices such as extra memory, wireless cards and security devices. An ExpressCard reader fits into an ExpressCard slot, turning the slot into a flash or memory card reader.
Random access memory (RAM) modules contain small metal contact points, known as pins. The edge containing the pins fits into the computer's memory slot and the points establish the connection between the memory and the computer. SDRAM modules typically contain 168 pins, but other memory types within this group, such as double data rate and DDR2 SDRAM, contain 184 and 240 pins, respectively. Counting pins is one way to differentiate between the different types of SDRAM.
ExpressCards are a component of computer technology used to add memory, wired and wireless communication, security and multimedia features. Both 34 and 54 ExpressCards work in a variety of computers, with a few key differences.
Peripherals are devices that connect to a computer but are not an integrated or necessary part of the computer. Peripherals are used for input and output. When a camera, for example, is attached to a computer to download photos it becomes a peripheral input device because files on the camera are being moved to the computer. A webcam built into a laptop is also a peripheral.
The Lite-On LTN-4865 is a CD-ROM drive with speeds of up to 48x. This Lite-On drive is an internal device that interfaces with your computer through the IDE cable. If you encounter problems reading CDs in this drive, it may need to be physically reinstalled to ensure that the interface and power cables are properly connected to the drive.
Personal computers have advanced to the point where they can do millions or even billions of calculations per second. Yet, they are virtually useless without an assortment of peripheral devices. These additions are connected to the computer in some way, yet are not part of the computer's core. Dozens of computer peripherals exist, though only a handful are considered vital to the machine's functionality.
A computer peripheral is defined as an external computer hardware device that is not part of the computer itself. For example, a video card is part of the computer, while a web-cam is a peripheral. Most of the items that you can connect to a computer are peripherals, and knowing the types of computer peripherals that are available can help you know what to buy the next time you are in the market for an upgrade.
PC users often utilize peripherals, such as printers and graphics cards, to expand the capabilities of their computers. Interface devices must often be attached to these peripherals to establish a connection to the computer. An ExpressCard 34 is one such interface device.
The term computer is usually used to refer to your monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and the case that houses all of your system components. This is a misnomer: Your computer is really only the case that houses the system components and everything else is considered a "peripheral." Generally, computer peripherals can only fit into their appropriate ports on the back of the computer one way without forcing them. The exceptions to this are the keyboard and mouse peripherals and the speaker cable, but in both of these cases the ports and plugs are typically color-coded.
A computer peripheral is any external device that provides either input or output. Peripherals typically fall into the hardware category and include optional system components.
A computer peripheral is defined as, “[a]n auxiliary device, such as a printer, modem, or storage system, that works in conjunction with a computer.” Computer peripherals allow computers to accomplish several tasks at once, such as downloading software updates while simultaneously printing a document. Thousands of computer peripherals have been produced over the years; however, each computer peripheral’s primary function falls into one of several categories.
Computer peripherals are devices that support the core functions of a computer by assisting with the transfer of data. They also may perform additional supporting functions, such as external storage. The computer peripheral are also commonly known as input/output devices, or I/O devices, or auxiliary devices.
Many power supplies have an LED attached to indicate whether the device is powered on. Although LEDs rarely "burn out," they might need to be replaced if physically damaged by a blow. Owners of customized PCs might want to replace an LED with another of a different color to better fit the aesthetics of their design. Replacing an LED is usually straightforward, requiring one to unmount the old LED, disconnect it from its power supply, then solder and mount a replacement.
Whether you need to move your computer to a different room, or want to completely take it apart to sell or replace some its components, dismantling your computer is a simple process. The only tool you will need is a screwdriver, and this is required only if you plan on taking some of its guts out. All of the pieces of peripheral hardware connected to your computer, like monitors and speakers, connect to your computer on its back side and simply need to be unplugged. The hardware inside your computer, like the motherboard and video card, can be easily removed…
Though model and design vary by manufacturer, the most notable difference between a notebook mouse and a regular mouse is that a notebook mouse is specifically designed for travel. Size and tracking style are specifications to consider.
Your computer's BIOS is low-level software programmed into the motherboard that is responsible for controlling how your computer's components interact with each other. Without the BIOS, your computer is incapable of booting. Clearing a BIOS erases any settings that may be present in the BIOS and resets your motherboard to its factory-default state. If you want to clear your Asus K8v-MX BIOS, you will lose all custom settings and upgrades on the BIOS.
Without peripherals, your communication with your computer would be far more limited. Peripherals are the devices external to your computer that take in information, allow the computer to put out information in visible and audible form, and perform other important tasks. Devices such as printers, scanners, audio and visual equipment and external drives allow us to make full use of the computer's resources. All of these devices hook up electronically via cables or wireless connection to the main computer, but are separate from the main operating functions of the computer.
PC cases used to come all in the same beige color with the same square shape. Time and market expansion have caused a bit of variety in the retail case offerings, but they are still fairly standard with little differences by brand or model. To break from the crowd and have something different, as a PC enthusiast you will have to create your own case, using a bit of ingenuity to bring a new form to the function of your PC.
When doing maintenance and repair on your computer hardware, knowing which motherboard you have can save you plenty of heartache. A bit of research into the specific features of your motherboard can help you decide what to buy, and it can protect your computer from damage from hardware which is not compatible with your motherboard. The most common styles of motherboard are the AT form factor motherboard, along with its next-generation form factor cousin, ATX.
The Xerox phaser printer is a novel computer peripheral that uses Xerox solid ink technology. Originally, solid ink was developed by Tektronix in 1986. With Xerox's acquisition of Tektronix in 2000, solid ink became a signature innovation for the company. The way this works is that the printer will melt the solid ink slightly until it is liquid. If you have observed how offset printing works, you will see some basic similarities between this method of printing and offset printing, since phaser printers use an indirect method of printing images on a sheet of paper. This technology results in clearer…
Installing a 1394 net adapter--more commonly called firewire--gives you faster, more constant speed than a USB connection. 1394 net adapter cards send data in a continuous stream, making them key in digital video capturing--unlike the pulsating USB connection which is known to drop frames during video capture.
Learn all about organizing a computer's peripherals and what you will need to do so in this free home organization video clip.
