1.

What is Hardware
Abbreviated as HW, Hardware is best described as any physical component of a computer system
that contains a circuit board, ICs, or other electronics. A perfect example of hardware is the screen
on which you are viewing this page. Whether it be a computer monitor, tablet or smartphone; it's
hardware.
Without any hardware, your computer would not exist, and software could not be used. The picture
is a Logitech webcam, an example of an external hardware peripheral. This hardware device allows
users to take videos or pictures and transmit them over the Internet.
Below is a list of external hardware and internal hardware and the categories of hardware that
may be found with a computer.

External hardware examples

• Flat-panel, Monitor, and LCD
• Keyboard
• Microphone
• Mouse
• Printer
• Projector
• Scanner
• Speakers
• USB thumb drive

Internal hardware examples

• Processor (CPU)
• Drive (e.g. Blu-ray, CD-ROM, DVD, floppy drive, hard drive, and SSD)
• Fan (heat sink)
• Modem
• Motherboard
• Network card
• RAM
• Sound card
• Video card
What are hardware upgrades?
A hardware upgrade is any new hardware better than that which it replaced or additional hardware
that improves performance. A good example of a common hardware upgrade is a RAM upgrade,
where the user increases the computer's total memory. Another good example is a video card
upgrade, which is the act of removing an old video card and replacing it with a newer, more
powerful model.

Where can I buy computer hardware?

You can buy in any computer shop in Butwal and if you want you can purchased direct from me
(HUBITWORKGROUP (9867245414))

BIOS
BIOS may refer to any of the following:
Short for Basic Input/Output System, the BIOS (pronounced bye-oss) is a ROM chip found on
motherboards that allows you to access and set up your computer system at the most basic level. In
the picture below, is an example of what a BIOS chip may look like on your computer motherboard.
In this example, this is a picture of an early AMIBIOS, a type of BIOS manufactured by the AMI.
Another good example of a BIOS manufacturer is Phoenix.
The BIOS includes instructions on how to load basic computer hardware and includes a test referred
to as a POST (Power On Self Test) that helps verify the computer meets requirements to boot up
properly. If the computer does not pass the POST, you will receive a combination of beeps
indicating what is malfunctioning within the computer.

The four main functions of a PC BIOS

• POST - Test the computer hardware and make sure no errors exist before loading the
operating system. Additional information on the POST can be found on our POST and Beep
Codes page.
• Bootstrap Loader - Locate the operating system. If a capable operating system is located,
the BIOS will pass control to it.
• BIOS drivers - Low level drivers that give the computer basic operational control over your
computer's hardware.
• BIOS or CMOS Setup - Configuration program that allows you to configure hardware
settings including system settings such as computer passwords, time, and date.

The computer POST (power-on self-test) checks a computer's internal hardware for compatibility
and connection before starting the remainder of the boot process. If the computer passes the POST,
the computer may give a single beep (some computers may beep twice) as it starts and continue to
boot. However, if the computer fails the POST, the computer will either not beep or generate a beep
code that tells the user the source of the problem.

AMI BIOS beep codes

Below are the AMI BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of
different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Descriptions

1 short DRAM refresh failure
2 short Parity circuit failure
3 short Base 64 K RAM failure
4 short System timer failure
5 short Process failure
6 short Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
7 short Virtual mode exception error
8 short Display memory Read/Write test failure
9 short ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short Cache Memory error
1 long, 3 short Conventional/Extended memory failure
1 long, 8 short Display/Retrace test failed
two-tone siren Low CPU Fan speed, Voltage Level issue

AWARD BIOS beep codes

Below are Award BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of
different computer manufacturers with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Description

Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize
1 long, 2 short
the video screen to display any additional information.
1 long, 3 short Video card not detected (reseat video card) or bad video card
Beeps repeating endlessly RAM problem.
Repeated high frequency beeps
Overheating processor (CPU)
while PC is running
Repeated beeps alternating
Issue with the processor (CPU), possibly damaged
high & low frequency
If any other correctable hardware issues are found, the BIOS displays a message.

Dell beep codes

Beep Code Description
1 beep BIOS ROM corruption or failure
2 beeps Memory (RAM) not detected
3 beeps Motherboard failure
4 beeps Memory (RAM) failure
5 beeps CMOS Battery failure
6 beeps Video card failure
7 beeps Bad processor (CPU)
For other Dell beep codes, please refer to Dell's Beep Codes and PSA Diagnostics Chart page.

IBM BIOS beep codes

Below are general IBM BIOS Beep codes that can occur. However, because of the wide variety of
models shipping with this BIOS, the beep codes may vary.

Beep Code Description

No Beeps No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
1 Short Beep Normal POST, computer is ok.
2 Short Beep POST error, review screen for error code.
Continuous Beep No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
Repeating Short Beep No Power, Loose Card, or Short.
1 Long and 1 Short Beep Motherboard issue.
1 Long and 2 Short Beeps Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.
1 Long and 3 Short Beeps. Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.
3 Long Beeps Keyboard or Keyboard card error.
1 Beep, Blank or Incorrect Display Video Display Circuitry.
 Motherboard
Alternatively referred to as the mb, mainboard, mboard, mobo, mobd, backplane board, base
board, main circuit board, planar board, system board, or a logic board on Apple computers.
The motherboard is a printed circuit board that is the foundation of a computer, located on the
back side or at the bottom of the computer chassis. It allocates power and allows communication to
the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components.

Motherboard overview
Below is a picture of the ASUS P5AD2-E motherboard with labels next to each of its major
components. Clicking on the image directs you to a larger and more detailed version.
Motherboard components
Below are links to pages with more details for each of the motherboard components mentioned in
the previous section. The links are listed in clockwise order starting from the top left-hand corner of
the image. Components not labeled on the image above can be found in a section later in this
document.
• Expansion slots (PCI Express, PCI, and AGP)
• 3-pin case fan connectors
• Back pane connectors
• Heat sink
• 4-Pin (P4) power connector
• Inductor
• Capacitor
• CPU Socket
• Northbridge
• Screw hole
• Memory slot
• Super I/O
• Floppy connection
• ATA (IDE) disk drive primary connection
• 24-pin ATX power Supply connector
• Serial ATA connections
• Coin cell battery (CMOS backup battery)
• RAID
• System panel connectors
• FWH
• Southbridge
• Serial port connector
• USB headers
• Jumpers
• Integrated circuit
• 1394 headers
• SPDIF
• CD-IN
Additional motherboard components
The following list contains links to components that are not shown in the picture above or were part
of older computer motherboards.
• BIOS
• Bus
• Cache memory
• Chipset
• Diode
• Dip switches
• Electrolytic
• Fuse
• Game port and MIDI header
• Internal speaker
• Keyboard controller
• LCC
• Network header
• Obsolete expansion slots (AMR, CNR, EISA, ISA, VESA)
• Obsolete memory slots (SIMM)
• Onboard LED
• Parallel port header
• PS/2 header
• Resistor
• RTC
• Serial port header
• Screw hole aka mounting hole
• SCSI
• Solenoid
• Voltage regulator
• Voltage regulator module (VRM)
Motherboard form factors
As computers advanced, so have motherboards. Below is a listing of the various motherboard form
factors and additional information about each including ATX, which is the most common.
• AT
• ATX
• Baby AT
• BTX
• DTX
• LPX
• Full AT
• Full ATX
• microATX
• NLX

How many connections, ports, or slots are on a motherboard?

There is no set standard to how many connections, ports, or expansion slots are on a motherboard.
The best method of determining how many connections, ports, or slots are available for your
motherboard is to look up the specifications contained in its documentation. If you've lost or
discarded your motherboard's documentation, you can often download a free PDF version from the
manufacturer's website.
• How do I determine which computer motherboard I have?

How does a motherboard connect to a computer case?

A computer motherboard connects to a desktop computer case using standouts. Once it is attached
to the case, all of the other devices connect either to the motherboard itself, or to an inserted
expansion card.
• How to install a computer motherboard.

What was the first motherboard?

The first motherboard is considered to be one used in the IBM Personal Computer, released in 1981.
At the time, IBM referred to it as a "planar" instead of a motherboard. The IBM Personal Computer
and the motherboard inside it would set the standard for IBM-compatible computer hardware going
forward.
Since there is a motherboard, is there a fatherboard?
No, there is no such thing as a fatherboard when referring to a computer. However, there is such a
thing as a daughterboard.

Where did the motherboard get its name?

The daughterboards we mentioned in the previous section are circuit boards that all plug into one
larger central circuit board; a motherboard. The smaller boards can be though of as the main board's
"children," hence the name motherboard.

Is there a motherboard in a laptop, smartphone, and tablet?

Yes, although the board is often referred to as a logic board and not a motherboard. The logic board
is very similar to a motherboard and operates the same way. However, because of size requirements
with most logic boards, the components like the processor and RAM (in tablets and smartphones)
are soldered onto the board. Also, because many of these devices have no upgrade options, there are
no slots or sockets that would support a replacement or upgrade of components like a traditional
computer motherboard.