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CHAPTER – 1
TYPICAL CONFIGURATION COMPUTER SYSTEM ORGANIZATION

1) Introduction :
 Computer is an electronic machine that can store, recall and process data. It can
perform tasks or complex calculation according to a set of instructions or programs.
 The terms and definitions in the study of computer system are:
 Hardware: The physical parts of a computer system called as hardware. The hardware
components can be seen, touch and feel. Ex: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, RAM, CPU etc.
 Software: A Set or collection of programs is known as software. Example Operating
System,
 Data: Data is the raw information or basic facts that computer can process.
 User(s): People who use the computers are called users.

 Block diagram of a computer:

 A computer is designed using four basic units. They are:
1. Input Unit
2. Central Processing Unit(CPU)
 Control Unit
 Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
3. Memory Unit
4. Output Unit

 Input Unit:
 Computers need to receive data and instructions in order to solve a problem. The Input
unit performs this operation.
 The Input Unit basically links the external world or environment to the computer
system.
 The input unit may consist of one or more input devices.

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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 Central Processing Unit (CPU):

 The function of the CPU is to interpret the instructions in the program and execute them one
by one. It consists of two major units.
1. Control Unit: It controls and directs the transfer of program instructions and data
between various units.
2. Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU): Arithmetic and Logic Unit performs arithmetic and
logical operations and controls the speed of these operations.
 Memory Unit:
 The results generated from processing have to be preserved before it is displayed.
 The memory units thus provide space to store input data, intermediate results and the
final output generated.
 Note: The input unit, an output unit, and secondary storage devices are together known
as Peripheral Devices.
 Output Unit:
 It is used to print or display the results, which are stored in the memory unit. The actual
function of the output unit is just the reverse of the input unit.
 Thus, the output unit links the computer to the outside world.

2) Motherboard
 The motherboard is a main circuit board of the computer, which contains the CPU,
memory, expansions slots, bus, video controller and other electronic components
 . It is a large Printed Circuit Board (PCB).
 Characteristics of the mother boards.
 Form factor – refers to the mother boards geometry, dimensions, arrangement and
electrical requirements. Different standards have been developed to build
motherboards, which can be used in different brands. Advanced Technology
Extended (ATX) is the most common design of motherboard for desktop computers
 Chipset – controls the majority of resources of the computer. The function of
chipset is to coordinate data transfer between the various components of the
computer.
 The processor socket may be a rectangular connector into which the processor is
mounted vertically. Or a square shaped connector with small connectors into which
the process is directly inserted.
 Slots – Motherboards typically have three types of slots. Memory slots, PCI Express
Slots, PCI slots.

 Types of Motherboard:
 XT Motherboards:
 XT stands for Extended Technology.
 These are old model motherboards. In this we find old model processor socket
like LIF (Low Insertion Force) sockets, RAM slots: DIMM (Dual Inline Memory

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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Modules) and ISA (Industry Standards Architecture) slots, 12 pin power

connector. They have slot type processors and no ports.
 Ex: Pentium-I, Pentium-MMX, Pentium-II and Pentium-Pro.
 AT Motherboards:
 AT stands for Advanced Technology.
 AT Motherboards have PGA (Pin Grid Array) socket, SD RAM slots, 20 pin power
connector PCI slots and ISA slots.
 Full AT is 12” wide X 13.8” deep. AT has 5-pin large keyboard connector.
 Ex: Pentium-III Processors.

 Baby AT Motherboards:
 Baby AT motherboards have the combination of XT and AT.
 It was the first PC motherboard to build in sockets for I/O ports, which were
cabled to connectors on the back of the case.
 Ex: Pentium-III and Pentium-IV

 ATX Motherboards:
 ATX motherboard stands for Advanced Technology Extended Motherboard.
 Latest Motherboard all are called as ATX motherboard, designed by ATX form
factor.
 In this motherboard, MPGA Processor sockets, DDRRAM Slots, AGP Slots, SATA
Connectors, 20 pin and 24 pin ATX power connector and ports
 It is a full size board measuring 12” wide by 9.6” deep. Micro ATX is a small
motherboard size of 9.6” X 9.6”.
 Ex: Pentium-IV, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo, Quad Core, i3, i5 and i7.

3) List the different components inside the mother board.

The mother board components are as follows :
a) Processor (CPU) socket or slot.
b) BIOS chip.
c) CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Battery.
d) Slots
e) Disk Controllers
f) I-O ports and interfaces
g) BUS.
h) Cache memory.

4) What are ports? Explain the different I/O ports and interfaces?
Ports and interfaces are used to connect external devices like printers, keyboards,
scanners to computer, and intern gets connected to the mother board. There are several
types of ports like :
a) Serial Port

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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Serial ports are also called as RS-232-C ports o COM ports used to connect
communication devices like mouse and modem. This port transfers data serially one bit
at a time.
b) Parallel Port
The parallel port is also known as the printer as the printer port, or LPT1. Parallel port
used to connect external Input / Output devices like printer and scanners. They carry 8
bits of data at a time on parallel paths. The parallel port is located on the back of the
system board with 25 pints.
c) IDE Port
Integrated Digital Electronic (IDE) use to connect Hard Disk Drives (HDD) or CD-ROM /
DVD drives to the mother board.
d) PS/2 Port
Used to connect keyboards and pointing devices like mouse, trackballs, and touch pads.
e) USB Port
As the input and output demands have increased serial and parallel ports have become
bottlenecks to system performance. Universal Serial Bus (USB) was developed and
released to the public in 1996. USB is a “plug-and-play” interface between a computer
and add-on devices, such as audio players, joysticks, keyboards, modems, scanners, and
printers. With USB, a new device can be added to your computer without adding an
adapter car or even turning the computer off. USB supports a data speed of 12
Megabits per second supporting up to 127 devices.
f) SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) Port
High performance hard disks, high-end scanners and CD-ROM drives use the SCSI
interface for fast data transfers and I-O operations. These connectors are costlier, as
they provided faster access at very high speed and need separate dedicated adapters to
function.
g) AGP (Accelerate Graphics Port)
AGP is an advanced port designed for Video cards and 3D accelerators and used to
connect to graphic cards that provides high speed video performance like games and
multimedia applications.
h) MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) port
This port is a system designed to transmit information between electronic musical
instruments.
i) Modem (Modulator demodulator)
It connects a PC to the telephone network.
j) VGA Port
Video Graphic Adaptor (VGA) used to connect monitor to computer’s video card. It has
15 holes and is similar to serial port connector, but serial port connector has pins, this
has holes.
k) Ethernet Port
This port used to connect to network and high speed internet.

5) What is system bus? and explain types of bus.

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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A bus, which connects major components of a computer such as the CPU, memory and I-O, is
called system bus. System bus contains address bus, data bus and control bus.
Control Bus – is used by the processor to send signals to the different parts of the computer
system to keep the actions of the different parts coordinated.
Data Bus – it provide a path for the movement of data between modules, these lines are
collectively called as data bus.
Address bus – which provides the physical address of data in the system memory to
facilitate data transfers.

6) Disk Controllers
a. Is the circuit that enables the CPU to communicate with a hard disk, floppy disk, CD,
BD or other kind of disk drives.

7) Memory
A computer memory refers to the electronic storing space for instructions and data where
the computers processor can reach quickly.
 Primary or Main Memory
 Primary memory is the main memory of the computer
 It stores programs and data which are currently needed by CPU.
 Functions of primary memory:
 To contain a copy of the main software program i.e. operating system.
This program is loaded into the primary memory when the computer
is turned on.
 Temporarily store a copy of the application program.
 Temporarily store the data input from the keyboard.
 Temporarily store the result which is generated from processing until
it is transferred to output device.
◦ Primary memory is of two types
 RAM (Random Access Memory)
 ROM (Read Only Memory)
◦ RAM (Random Access Memory)
◦ RAM is also called as the main memory of a computer.
◦ RAM temporarily stores the computer operating system, application program and
current data so that the processor can reach them quickly.
◦ RAM is faster memory.
◦ RAM is a volatile in nature i.e. when the power is switched off; the data in this
memory is lost.
◦ Types of RAM
 Static RAM (SRAM)
 Static RAM chip is usually used in cache memory due to its high speed.
 It stores information as long as the power supply is on.
 SRAM is more expensive than DRAM and it takes up more space.
 Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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 It is the most common type of memory chip.

 DRAM is cheaper and they consume less power.
 It uses transistor and capacitors.
 They are further classified as
 SDRAM
 SDRAM stands for Synchronous Dynamic RAM.
 It is synchronized to the system clock.
 Since it is synchronized to the CPU, it known’s when the next cycle is
coming and has the data ready when the CPU requests it.
 DDR RAM
 DDR RAM stands for Double Data Rate RAM.
 It works same as SD RAM but the data transfer rate is double when
compared to SD RAM.
 Different types of DDR RAM are DDR1, DDR2, and DDR3.
◦ Read Only Memory (ROM):
 ROM stands for “Read Only memory”.
 ROM is non-volatile memory i.e. the information stored in it is not lost even
when the power supply goes off.
 It is used for permanent storage of information.

Difference between RAM and ROM:

RAM ROM
RAM stands for Random Access ROM stands for Read-Only
Memory Memory
Volatile Memory Non-volatile Memory
RAM require a flow of ROM will retain data without the
electrically to retain data flow of electricity
Type: DRAM, SRAM Type: PROM, EPROM

 Secondary Memory
◦ The secondary memory is used as auxiliary memory. The secondary memory is used
for bulk storage or mass storage of programs, data, and other information.
◦ It has much larger capacity than main memory.
◦ The secondary memory retains the information once stored on it.
◦ The magnetic memory such as Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Compact Disk, Pen Drive,
Memory cards is the most commonly used secondary memory in the computer.

Difference between Primary and Secondary Memory:

Primary Memory Secondary Memory
Semi conductor Memory Magnetic or Optical Memory
Volatile in nature Non-Volatile in nature
It is Expensive It is Less Expensive
Faster Slower

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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Main Memory Auxiliary Memory

Example: RAM, ROM Example: HDD, Pen drive etc
 Cache Memory
Moving data between the main memory and the CPU’s registers is one of the most time
consuming operations of a CPU. A partial solution to this problem is to include a cache
memory in the CPU. The cache memory is a small fast memory, which is between the CPU
and the main memory.
The basic purpose of cache memory is to store program instructions that are
frequently referenced during execution of a program. Fast access to these instructions
increases the overall speed of the software program.
 Level 1 (L1) cache is extremely fast but relatively small, and is present inside the
processor chip (CPU).
 Level 2 (L2) cache is often more capacity than L, it may be located outside the CPU on
a separate chip a high speed system bus interconnecting the cache to the CPU, so as
not to be slowed by traffic on the main system bus.
 Level 3 (L3) cache is typically specialized memory that works to improve the
performance of L and L2. It can be significantly slower than L1 or L2, but is usually
double the speed of RAM. In the case of multi core processors, each core may have
its own dedicated L1 and L2 cache, but share a common L3 cache.

8) Explain the use of SMPS

A SMPS (Switch Mode Power Supply) is an electronic power supply that incorporates
a switching regulator to convert electrical power efficiently from AC to DC. Like other power
supplies, an SMPS transfers power from a sources, like mains power, to a load, such as a
personal computer, while converting voltage and current characteristics.

9) Explain the use UPS

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device that protects electronics
equipment from power uncertainties. A UPS is a device that is interfaced between the
electric network (connected to the electric power) and the materials that need protecting.
The UPS allows the materials to be switched to emergency battery power for several hours
in case of electrical problems.

10) Specify the current configuration of a PC available in the market.

The current configuration of a PC that is available in the market is :
 Intel Core i7 / i9 Processor
 Intel Chipset Mother board with L2 Cache Memory 8 MB
 8 GB / 16 GB DDR-4 RAM
 1 TB / 2 TB SATA Hard Disk
 BD or DVD R/W
 Multimedia Speakers, Microphone
 Optical Mouse

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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 Keyboard
 20” or 21” LCD / LED Monitor
 ATX Cabinet with SMPS (400 to 500 watts)

*****

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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Chapter-01 Questions and Answers

1) What is cache memory? Explain its types.

It is a small high-speed memory placed between CPU and main memory. Cache memory is
used to store used to store most recently/frequently accessed data and programs.
There are three types:
1) L1 cache 2) L2 cache 3) L3 cache
L1 is located inside the CPU
L2 is located outside the CPU on the motherboard
L3 cache: Located on the mother board. It is used to improve the performance of L1 and L2. Its
size is up to 6 MB.

2) What is the purpose of ports, buses and controllers in the I/O system?
Ports :Port is a connector used to connect external devices like printers, scanner etc.,
Buses: A bus is a collection of parallel wires that forms a path way to carry electrical signals
over the components of the computer.
Disk controllers: Disk controller is a circuit that enables the CPU to connect with HDD, FDD
and other disk drives

3) Write the functions of data bus, address bus and control bus.
Data bus: It provides a path to transfer data between CPU and memory.
Address bus: It connects CPU and RAM, which carries address to store and retrieve the data.
Control bus: It is used to control the access and the use of the data and address lines

OR
What is system bus? and explain types of bus
A bus, which connects major components of a computer such as the CPU, memory and I-O, is
called system bus. System bus contains address bus, data bus and control bus.
Control Bus – is used by the processor to send signals to the different parts of the computer
system to keep the actions of the different parts coordinated.
Data Bus – it provide a path for the movement of data between modules, these lines are
collectively called as data bus.
Address bus – which provides the physical address of data in the system memory to facilitate
data transfers.

4) What is the purpose of UPS? Mention different types of UPS.

An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device that protects electronics equipment from
power uncertainties.
OR
An UPS is a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event of a power
failure.
OR
An UPS keeps a computer running for several minutes to few hours after a power failure.

Different types of UPS are: Online UPS and Standby (off line) UPS

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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5) Expand UPS. Explain the types of UPS.

UPS — Uninterrupted Power Supply.
Two types of UPS 1) Online UPS and 2) Off-line or Stand by UPS
Online UPS — A UPS is a power supply that includes a battery to maintain power in the event
of a power failure. An online UPS avoids those momentary power lapses by continuously
providing power from its own inverter, even when the power line is functioning properly. Online
UPS is more costly than stand by UPS. Power required for a computer is 500 VA to 600 VA
depending on the type of monitor used.
Offline UPS (Stand by UPS) — A stand by UPS or offline UPS monitors the power line and
switches to battery power as soon as it detects a problem. The switch over time is several
milliseconds.

6) What is motherboard? Explain any two characteristics of motherboard.

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) used to connect all the system components like CPU, RAM,
expansion cards, graphic cards etc., is called motherboard.
Characteristics of motherboard.
 The form factor is the specification of a motherboard – It explains the dimensions, power
supply type, location of mounting holes, number of ports on the back panel, etc.
 A chipset controls the majority of resources of the computer. The function of chipset is to
coordinate data transfer between the various components of the computer.
 Processor socket – It is a place where CPU is connected. It is designed as per the
compatibility of the CPU and the motherboard.
OR
It is a rectangular connector into which the processor is mounted vertically or a square
shaped connector with many small connectors into which the processor is directly inserted.

7) Explain the three types of motherboard.

 XT Motherboard: XT stands for eXtended Technology. These are all old model
motherboard. In these motherboards, we find old model processor socket LIF (Low Insertion
Force) sockets, RAM slots DIMM and ISA (Industry Standards Architecture) slots), 12 pin
power connector and no ports. Example: Pentium-I, Pentium-MMX, Pentium-II and
Pentium-II Processors.
 AT Motherboard: AT stands for Advanced Technology. Advanced Technology
Motherboards have PGA (Pin Grid Array) Socket, SDRAM slots, 20 pin power connector
PCI slots and ISA slots. Example: Pentium III Processors
 Baby AT Motherboards: It is a combination of XT and AT. They have slot type processor
sockets and PGA processor sockets, SDRAM slots and DDRRAM slots, PCI slots and ISA
slots, 12 pin power connector and 20 pin power connector and ports. Example: Pentium-III
and Pentium-IV
 ATX Motherboards: ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended. In these
motherboards we find MPGA Processor Sockets, DDR Ram slots, PCI slots, AGP slots
Primary and Secondary IDE interfaces, SATA connectors, 20 pin and 24 pin ATX power
connector and Ports. The ATX was the first to not only include I-O support, but to place all
the connectors directly on the motherboard. Example: Pentium-IV, Dual Core, Core 2 Duo,
Quad Core, i3, i5, i7 and i9 processor.

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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8) What are ports? Explain the different I/O ports and interfaces?
Ports and interfaces are used to connect external devices like printers, keyboards,
scanners to computer, and intern gets connected to the mother board. There are several types
of ports like :
l) Serial Port
Serial ports are also called as RS-232-C ports o COM ports used to connect
communication devices like mouse and modem. This port transfers data serially one bit at
a time.
m) Parallel Port
The parallel port is also known as the printer as the printer port, or LPT1. Parallel port
used to connect external Input / Output devices like printer and scanners. They carry 8
bits of data at a time on parallel paths. The parallel port is located on the back of the
system board with 25 pints.
n) IDE Port
Integrated Digital Electronic (IDE) use to connect Hard Disk Drives (HDD) or CD-ROM /
DVD drives to the mother board.
o) PS/2 Port
Used to connect keyboards and pointing devices like mouse, trackballs, and touch pads.
p) USB Port
USB is a “plug-and-play” interface between a computer and add-on devices, such as audio
players, joysticks, keyboards, modems, scanners, and printers. With USB, a new device
can be added to your computer without adding an adapter car or even turning the
computer off. USB supports a data speed of 12 Megabits per second supporting up to
127 devices.
q) SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) Port
High performance hard disks, high-end scanners and CD-ROM drives use the SCSI
interface for fast data transfers and I-O operations. These connectors are costlier, as they
provided faster access at very high speed and need separate dedicated adapters to function.
r) AGP (Accelerate Graphics Port)
AGP is an advanced port designed for Video cards and 3D accelerators and used to
connect to graphic cards that provides high speed video performance like games and
multimedia applications.
s) MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) port
This port is a system designed to transmit information between electronic musical
instruments.
t) Modem (Modulator demodulator)
It connects a PC to the telephone network.
u) VGA Port
Video Graphic Adaptor (VGA) used to connect monitor to computer’s video card. It has
15 holes and is similar to serial port connector, but serial port connector has pins, this has
holes.
v) Ethernet Port
This port used to connect to network and high speed internet.

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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9) List the different components inside the mother board.

The mother board components are as follows :
i) Processor (CPU) socket or slot.
j) BIOS chip.
k) CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) Battery.
l) Slots
m) Disk Controllers
n) IDE Controller
o) I-O ports and interfaces
p) BUS.
q) Cache memory.
r) Expansion slots (ISA, PCI, AGP)

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur

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Chapter – 1 (Typical Configuration Computer System Organization)

COMPUTER SCIENCE – (41)
Time : 1:00 Hours Max. 20 Marks :020000
I) Answer all the questions.
 Each question carries one marks 2 x 1 = 02
1) Expand BIOS
2) What is cache memory?
3) Expand POST
4) Name any one disc controller
5) What is disk controller?
6) What is system bus?
7) What is the use of SMPS

II) Answer all the questions.

 Each question carries three marks 2 x 3 = 06
8) List the different components of motherboard.
9) What is system bus? and explain types of buses
10) What are ports? Explain the different I/O ports and interfaces?
11) What is the purpose of ports, buses and controllers in the I/O system?
12) Difference between the SDRAM and DDRAM
13) What is cache memory? Explain its types.
14) Write the names of any two types of Mother Boards
15) Explain any three types of motherboard
16) What is motherboard? Explain characteristics of motherboard.
17) Explain the general structure of the CPU with the help of a neat diagram

***

Manjunath H Y, Lecturer, Department of Computer, Shastry Comp. PU College, Hunsur