This tutorial is designed to provide you with information needed to gain a very basic understanding of Personal Computer (PC) hardware and software.

We have also included basic information about troubleshooting and correcting problems.

We will also attempt to give you a basic understanding of computer operating systems and how they relate to using a computer.

Intermediate Learning Objectives - At the completion of this tutorial, you, should be able to perform the following tasks:

1. Define the common components of a PC.
   

2. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of various components of a PC.
   

3. Describe the purpose of a "BUS" on a motherboard.

4. List and Describe the purpose of various types of PC memory.

5. Describe the purpose of device drivers.

6. List and describe 4 different types of storage devices.

SUPPLEMENTAL READING:

• Winn L. Rosch, Hardware Bible, Third Edition, SAMS Publishers, 1994, and later versions.

• Upgrading and Repairing PCs, sixth addition, Que Publishers, 1997, and later versions, By Scott Mueller

• PCI System Architecture (Third Edition) Mind Share, Inc By Tom Shanley / Don Anderson

• Absolute Beginners Guide to Memory Management, SAMs Publishing, By Mike Miller

• Inside the PC (Sixth Edition), SAMs Publishing, By Peter Norton