Computer hardware means the physical component of a computer and the digital circuits and computer chips inside the computer.  In the recent times, the hardware has been evolved in that way that it can be controlled configured and troubleshoots through the software.  Most of the hardware has not been seen by the users as it has been embedded inside the computer.  Hardware includes the internal and external components, storage controllers, removable media and communication and peripheral devices. 

There are a large number of manufactures that develop the hardware components.  Common hardware manufactures are Intel, Acer, Compaq, Toshiba, Samsung, HP, FujiTsu, Sonic View, Apple, Cisco and Asus.  This article will provide you an overview of the most common hardware devices and their functionalities.

CPU

CPU stands for the central processing unit.  It performs the calculations inside the computer that enables the computer to perform different kind of functions.  It provides the data highly or bus system that moves the data between the different components of the motherboard.  The speed of the data moving along the buses of the motherboard is measured in the MHz.

Motherboard

Motherboard is the hardware component inside the computer that provides the platform for many devices such as RAM, hard disk, peripheral devices, PC cards and controllers.

Processor

Processor is the heart of the computer that processes the instructions that are given by the user.  Processor is manufactured by the different companies including Intel, AMD, Cyrix and Motorola.

Memory

RAM is the physical memory inside the computer and it stores the data temporarily.  The computer’s performance depends on the RAM.  More is the RAM, the better is the performance of the computer.  RAM is used by the processor and other devices to store the data temporarily.  There are two basic formats of the RAM SIMM and DIMM.

Video Card

Video card is an important component and it controls the display of the computer screen.

Sound Card

Sound card enables the computer to output the sound to the audio devices.  Today most of the computer systems have built in sound cards in the motherboards.

LAN Card

LAN card or Network adapter is communication component inside the computer.  Every computer in a network must have a LAN card to communicate with each other.  Every LAN card is configured separately and a unique IP address is assigned to each LAN card.

Modem

Modem is a communication device that connects the computer with the internet.  There are two types of modems internal and external.

Hard Disk

Hard disk is a storage device inside the computer.  The common types of the hard disks include IDE and SCSI.  Hard disk varies in sizes and capacity. An IDE hard disk is connected to the motherboard by using the Ribbon cable.

CD-ROM

CD-ROM is a device that is used to read the data from the CD.

DVD-ROM

DVD-ROM is a device that is used to read the data from the DVD.

USB Device

A USB is a portable storage device.

Printer

Printer is a type of the peripheral device that is used to print the documents.

Scanner

Scanner is a type of the peripheral devices that is used to scan the documents and images.

Monitor

Monitor is a type of the hardware device that is used to display the video signals.

Keyboard

Keyboard is an input device that is used to give the input to the computer to process it.

Mouse

Mouse is a pointing device that detects the motion of the mouse ball with the surface

Hardware Tips

Computer hardware includes the physical parts, digital circuitry inside the computer.  Different hardware components collectively make a computer unit.  Computer with weaker security settings, faulty hardware devices, misconfigurations and outdated software are suffered with different kind of problems.  Regardless of the computer hardware problems, there are few basic steps that can avoid many problems. The hardware problems lead to the error messages, system boot up problems, noise from the devices, blue screen errors and the system crash.

Normally computer hardware problems are easier to resolve than the software problems.  To troubleshoot the system’s hardware related problems, you should have the right tools and techniques.  To identify the hardware failure in your system, you need to use a diagnostic utility.  It will help you to find out the right cause of the problem.

Hard Disk

• Use a hard disk diagnostic utility to check the status of your hard disk.
• Use UPS with your system, it will help your hard disk to avoid bad sectors due to the power failure.
• Regularly scan your hard disk for the viruses, spware, adware, Trojans and other threats.
• Don’t shake or vibrate your computer while it is working.
• If your hard disk finds the logical bad sectors, it can be removed with the formatting.

 Memory

• Insert the memory sticks in the memory slots tightly.
• If case of memory related errors, change the memory modules and check the status.
• In case of persistent problems, change the memory sticks with the new one.
• If your system freezes up or response slow, increase the amount of memory inside your system.

VGA Card

• Insert the VGA tightly in the PCI slot of your computer.
• In case of no display on your monitor screen, check the VGA cables and make sure that it connected tightly.
• Make sure that you are using the updated driver for your VGA card.

LAN Card

• Check whether the LED lights of the LAN card are blinking or not.
• Check to see that the UPT/STP cable should be properly connected at both ends i.e. one end in the LAN card and the other in the switch/HUB etc.
• Make sure that the LAN card’s driver is up-to-dated.

If you LAN card’s issue still not resolved, replace it with a new one and reconfigure it.

Printer

• Make sure that you are using the up-to-dated driver for the printer.
• To get the optimized performance from your printer, select the “Best Quality” in the properties of your printer.
• Clean your printer regularly with soft cloth and cleansing lotion.
• Power down your printer properly.
• If you are using more than one printer in your network, make sure that you are using a very descriptive name of your printers.
• For getting the technical and additional information about your printer consult the printer’s manual.
• Run the inkjet printer's cartridge-cleaning utility.

Miscellaneous Tips

• Avoid vibrations and shocks to your computer system while it is working.
• Before changing any hardware device inside your computer first shut down the computer and unplug it.
• Don’t put any liquid or drinks near your computer hardware.
• Keep the air filters and the ventilation paths clean to provide the easy passage to the air in and outside of the computer.
• Plug the computer devices’ cables, connectors and screw tightly.
• Use UPS (uninterrupted power supply) to avoid the data lost of system crash due to the power failure.
• Use POST card in your computer.  POST stands for Power On Self Test it helps to troubleshoot the common startup problems.
• Use the Device Manager utility in the Windows based computer to diagnose and troubleshoot the devices problems in your computer.
• To avoid the overheating in your computer, make sure that the processor and the computer fans are working fine.
• Always keep the case of your computer close.
• When your newly installed hardware device does not work, it is most likely due to the hardware conflict, incompatibility, misconfigurations, outdated drives and loose cable connections.  You also need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
• If you are a computer hardware technician, make sure that your toolkit is equipped with the screw drives, extra jumpers blocks, masking tape, compressed air, flash light, bootable cds, devices’ drivers, hardware diagnostic utilities, connectors and testers.