Ram Basics – is used for programs and data, and by the operating system for disk caching( using ram to hold recently accessed disk sectors).
Ram types – (RAM) RANDOM ACCSSES MEMORY
DRAM – Dynamic-RAM requires frequent charges of memory to retain its content or dose need to be refreshed.
SRAM – Static-RAM does not need to be refreshed.
SDRAM- Synchronous Dynamic-RAM, was first to run in sync with the processor bus
DDR SDRAM – Double Data Rate , performs two transfers per clock cycle rather than one as in regular
SDRAM.
RDRAM -RAMBUS DIRECT RAM also known as RIMMs
ATA Specs – A series of standards for ATA/IDE and SATA drives are referred to as ATA specs.
PIO stands for Programed Input Output and UDMA stands for Ultra Direct Memory Access. This Is protocol for transmitting data between the hand drive and RAM directly, by passing the CPU.
Configuring PATA Bios – consist of hard drive Geometry, Data transfer rate, Logical Block Addressing, the number of sector per track, number read and write track and number cylinders.
Understanding Bios and Firmware – Bios I a complex piece of Firmware (“software on a chip”) that provides support for the following features and devises, storage devices connected to the motherboard, configuration of the main cache memory, configuration of built in ports-PATA-SATA-USB-PS/2, hardware monitoring.
BIOS also runs POST and is to identify test and initialize components.
BIOS updates – is needed when you upgrade hardware and you bios doesn’t support it.
MAC OS – MACINTOSH OPERATING SYSTEM or OS used for APPLE computers.
LINUX - is a ever- expanding group of operating systems that are similar to Unix in design. Linux can be freely downloaded by anyone.
WINDOWS INTERFACE –Window explorer, Start menu, Office all these are all so called GUI (graphic user interface)
Disk Partition – to break up Hard drive to more than one section and making it active
File Types – Two types, TEXT files can be read with an ordinary text editor – BINARY files look like gibberish when viewed in text editor, only operating system can read this.

File names and extensions – LFN (LONG FILE NAMES) can have as many as 255 characters and can contain spaces and most other alphanumeric characters but not ?/!@#$%^&*(( but it can contain a period like this .doc. CHKDSK.EXE – check disk, Windows includes this program to check disk drives for errors.
Authentication Technologies - is a term for any method used to verify a persons identity and protect systems against unauthorized access.
Protection against Viruses and Malware – Updated Anti-virus software
Social Engineering – or “phishing” are terms of method to trick people in to getting robed on the net.
Preventing ElectroStatic Discharge (ESD) - Use antistatic wrist strap or mat, touch the chassis of the PC
Using a Trouble shooting Process - 1 Ascertain what the problem is. 2. Write down the probable causes.3. Determine if theories are correct through testing. 4 Create and implement a plan to resolve the problem. 5. Verify that the problem has been fixed. 6 document the entire process.
What component to check first – Typically hardware problems come and go whereas software and firmware problems are consistent, because a hardware problem is often the result of damage or lose wire or connection, but a software or firmware problem causes failure every time.
It’s a good idea to check the least expensive or the easiest to replace first. Or something lose or disconnected.
Recovering an OS – these are some you can use depending on what OS you are working on -Last Known configuration, safe mode, Windows Recovery or Emergency repair CD
Last known Good Configuration message – means that the pc dose not acknowledge some sort of error in it or there was a improper shutdown, and offers some advanced feature to fix it.
Recovery Console – is a special command line interface that is designed for coping files and performing disk repair.
Diagnosing and trouble shooting other problems – software in use at time, hardware used at time, task the customer was trying to do, the environment in office or work at time, ask if new software was added, ask if any changes were made to system configuration, ask if any of the other user are having the same problem.
Common Problems – STOP (blue screen) Error, auto restart, system locked up, I/O device problem, Application install or start / load problems, Stalled print spooler, Incorrect or incompatible print driver.
Server – I a computer on a network that provides other computers with access to resources such as disk drives, folders or printers.
Clients – is a computer that uses recourses on the server.
Modem – (modulator-demodulator) connects to the phone line and performs a digital-to-analog or analog-to-digital conversations.
Setting a ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) – are two types, one is Primary Rate Interface (PRI) witch is connected though bandwidth and the other is Basic Rate Interface (BRI) witch is connected through a analog modem.
DSL - DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE for internet. Piggy backs on phone line
Cable Internet – piggy backs on the same coaxial cable from the television cable.
LANs and Internet Connectivity – a LAN line basically is for telephone but to connect to the internet you need another device like modem or router.
TCP – IP – TRANSPORT CONTROL PROTOCAL / INTERNET PROTOCAL – is a suit of protocol used on the internet for routing and transmitting info.
Cable and Connection Types – Four types – unshielded twisted pair (UTP), Shielded twisted type (STP) these first are most common,
Fiber-optic cable transmits signal with light rather than electric signals and Coaxial is the oldest type- its data wire is surrounded by a wire mesh for insulation. Also used for television.