How computers work

[Kristafon]

Im looking for something that explains how computers work and how evrything is put together. Does anyone know a good link, something with some nice picture and diagrams too?

 

[GPRT]

Do you want a guide of how to build your own computer?
In which case www.buildyourown.org.uk

For how components actually works have a look at http://computer.howstuffworks.com

 

[Dead-Inside]

Ooo, didn't know they had those things. Geez, I can read about cruise missiles but not how how Electronic Gates work... I feel like an ass :/

 

[Kristafon]

/\yeh/\

 

[Cyanide]

I hope you've got a lot of free time. You would have to do A LOT of reading to understand every aspect of how computers work. They are some of the most complex machines ever created.

If you want a low level down to the very basics understanding, I suggest you start by learning about the binary number system and boolean logic, which is what everything digital is built on. Then move on to PC architecture, which is the different parts of a computer and how they interact with each other. Then you can move on to software. Learn how operating systems work, and what they do. Then learn to program in atleast 1 language. That pretty much covers the basics. It's not exactly something you can learn in a day, or even a year. If it sounds like a daunting task, that's because it is.

If you just want to know how to put a computer together, that's a much simpler task. These days, a monkey could assemble a computer. All you need to know is what parts you need and where to find them. After that, most things only fit in one place, so it's damn near impossible to screw up.

 

[Dead-Inside]

If you just want to know how to put a computer together, that's a much simpler task. These days, a monkey could assemble a computer. All you need to know is what parts you need and where to find them. After that, most things only fit in one place, so it's damn near impossible to screw up.

Make sure you're not charged with static electricity. One nice shock could kill your system, at worst, and at best delete your harddrive. (It might not do any dmg at all if you're lucky, but don't take the risk). Grab onto the sink in the kitchen, a radiator or alike, so you charge it out into the ground.

Also, make sure you aren't pushing things wrong. Sometimes things require violence but BE SURE you're pushing on the right thing because if it says "Snap", you can just go buy whatever broke in two.

 

[Cyanide]

Make sure you're not charged with static electricity. One nice shock could kill your system, at worst, and at best delete your harddrive. (It might not do any dmg at all if you're lucky, but don't take the risk). Grab onto the sink in the kitchen, a radiator or alike, so you charge it out into the ground.

Static isn't quite that deadly to a PC. You might be able to fry RAM with a little static shock, but aside from that it won't do much. You can't erase a hard drive with static. You can't even do much to it with a magnet like some people think. Just don't touch anything that's gold. Hold things by the edges. And if you need to ground yourself, just touch the case or power supply while it's plugged in.

 

[iamaelephant]

Know whats funny? Dead-Inside is always whining about people giving misinformation on hardware forums, then he goes and says a static shock from your body can erase your hard drive.

 

[bosox188]

K static shock can't delete your hdd, but if you're not careful you CAN fry something if you touch it and give it a shock. Video card, motherboard, maybe processor but I don't know, but video card and motherboard for sure. Just touch the case before you touch them and you'll be fine. Although it may be better if you're not on a rug, you know.