Project 1
Learning Objectives:
I examined the internal components of a computer and located different parts. The parts I examined include:
- CPU
- RAM memory
- Motherboard
- Video Processing Card
- Hard Disk Drive
- Network Interface
- Power Supply
- I/O Ports
While examining different computer hardware, we removed and reinserted the RAM memory, the hard disk drive, and the CPU. We then inserted a card into the expansion slot. Lastly, We connected I/O peripherals to ports.
Equipment List:
For project 1 of this lab, I needed a PC computer that includes CPU, RAM memory, Motherboard, Video Processing Card, Hard Disk Drive, Network Interface, Power Supply, I/O ports.
Notes, Observations, and Questions:
I observed the different components of a computer.
Diagrams, Flowcharts, and Figures:
These are pictures that I took in class today.






References:
Handout Questions:
How many and what type of I/O ports does the computer you examined have?
What is the purpose of the CPU, the HDD, and the RAM memory?
Conclusion:
I don’t know a whole lot about computer hardware, so it was nice to play around and examine it during the lab. I was able to locate and examine all of the basic hardware. While doing so, we disassembles and reassembled the different parts.
Project 2 – Historic Computers
Learning Objectives:
I examined the old computers and their components. I learned about the purpose of each one.
I also did some additional research and looked up the magnetic rope memory of the Apollo guidance computer. Then, I went to the Computer History Museum website.
Equipment List:
For this project, I used old computers and components displayed in class, search engines to do more research about historic computers, and wordpress to write my lab report.
Notes, Observations, and Questions:
I observed old computers and their components.
Diagrams, Flowcharts, and Figures:
References:
Handout Questions:
What does our magnetic core memory look like?
What is the purpose of the magnetic core memory?
Conclusions:
After examining everything, I thought the old portable computer was the most interesting. It was huge and weighed around 25 pounds. Compared to laptops that we use nowadays, it didn’t seem