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:desktop_computer: HARDWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS :desktop_computer: -…

- - - - Software and programs refer to the instructions that we use to manage the data. The computers can carry out four different fuctions:
        
        Output of data using peripheral devices
        
        Storing data in the storage devices
        
        Input of data using peripheral devices
        
        Processing data in the central processing unit, using the microprocessor and memory
- - - - Today's microprocessors can process 64 bits in a moment
      - A microprocessor's power also depends on its cache memory and the speed at which it communicates with the RAM
      - The clock rate sets the pace at which processes are completed.The clock continuosly generates electric impulses
  - - - The RAM cannot work at the same speed that the microprocessor, so a much faster memory is ijnstalled between the RAM and the microprocessor, called the cache memory.
    - - When the computer is turned, it automatically checks the system. This initial check is carried out using instructions in a special read-only memory called ROM BIOS.
    - - The computer's memory is called RAM (ramdom access system). Since RAM doesn't retain information when the computer is switched
        off.
    - - The RAM stores the data temporally. When the computer is turned off, this data dissapear. The data can permanently saves using the three types of data storage units:
        
        Optical discs
        
        The light signal is reflected back to an optical sensor that turns it into a signal: 0 or 1
        
        The disc drive emits a laser into the disc and refflects off the flat areas
        
        The Blu-ray technology uses a special laser that allows us to store much more information
        
        CD-ROMs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs (BD) store data in a series of grooves on the disc surface
        
        Solid-state memory (flash)
        
        These devices store information using transistors acting as switches. The solid-state memory devices includes memory cards or pen drives, which we connect to the computer through an USB port or others slots.
        
        Magnetic disks
        
        To access a piece of data, disk spins around the read head is above the area where that piece of data is stored.
        
        They store bits by positioning millions of tiny magnets in two possible orientations that represent 0 and 1.
        
        External hard disks are very useful because they're easy to transport.
        
        The hard disks are the most common magnetic storage units
  - - - In addition to the microprocessor and memory, the motherboard also includes the following components:
        
        The IDE (integrated device system) or ATA (advanced technology attachment) ant SATA (serial ATA) connectors connect the hard disk, CD drive and DVD drive to the motherboard.
        
        The chipset is a number of integrated circuits designed to perform related functions.
        
        Slots that can be used to expand or add new components, such as a sound card, a network...
        These slots can be PCI or PCI-Express
        
        Various imput / output ports.
    - - We can physically connect devices to computer in 3 different ways:
        
        By special connectors on the motherboard, for such devices as the hard disk and DVD drives.
        
        Using the external ports on the side or back of the computer, like the USB port.
        
        Using an expansion slot on the motherboard, to connect a sound card or a graphc card.
      - The operating system automatically installs drivers for most devices. We can install new devices by using the software provided by the device manufacturer. To do this, we need to use one of the 4 following tools:
        
        Informe sobre nuevos dispositivos (Hermes).
        
        Administrador de dispositivos in Windows.
        
        Asistente para agregar hardware in Windows.
        
        Gestor de archivos in Linux.