Kamesha Chee
Strata IT Fundamentals
Session 1
Notes

Certificate Details
70 questions long
The test duration is 60 minutes
Use the time wisely
Need 70% to pass the exam
Technology and Hardware Basics
1.0 Technology and computer. Hardware Basics (40% of the exam)
IT basic vocabulary
Describe the uses of various computer
Demonstrate proper use
Explain characteristics and functions of internal and external storage devices
Identify risks associated with upgrading OS, hardware, applications, and automatic updates
Demonstrate the ability to set up a PC workstation
Compatbility Issues/Installation
2.0 compatibility issues and common errors (13% of the exam)
Identify basic compatibility issues
Recognize common operational problems
Demonstrate the ability to minimize risks
Types of computers
Personal computers, such as desktops, laptops and tables PC’s
Servers host internet or intranet information
Super computers
Mainframes are large centralized computers
Personal digital assistants or netbooks
Computer game systems like the Wii and Xbox
Three-stage process of computing
Input: user initiates an action
Output: user can see a result

The CPU
CPU (central processing until)
Performs mathematical operations
Moves data
Makes decisions based on instructions
Using those abilities, the CPU runs the computer by directing the actions of the hardware and software
Understanding ESU
Electrostatic discharge
Causes serious/fatal damage to types of ESD
Sparks
Non-audible and/or non-visual
Prevention
Anti-ESD wrist wraps and ankle bracelets
Anti-ESD mats

CPU overview
+AMD
+Intel
Competitors since about 1990
CPU history
L1 cache
Dual pipelines
Inter information
Also introduced hyperthreading allows a single CPU to act like it is two CPUs
Had large pipelines
Storage Options
Mulitiple Cores Concept
Myltiple core means that two CPUs are burned onto piece of silicon
First intel CPU to use multiple core was the Pentium D
AMD information
First CPU that could do 64bit and 32bit processing
Introduced Hyper Transport
First to bring memory controller chips into the CPU
Dual core families
AMD 64 X2 introduced dual core
Compatible sockets include
754 939 940\
The core 2
Ran on socket LGA 775
Core i7 and i5
Intel’s core i5 and i7 brought back hyperthreading
Built in memory controller chip
Compatible sockets include
LGA 1366
LGA 1156

DRAM
Uses a capacitor to refresh the RAM
The dominant RAM

SRAM
Used exclusively in CPUs
Does not have to be refreshed
More expensive
RAMBUS
I84 Pins
Heat shield
Runs at a multiplier of the system’s speed
Always installed in pairs
DDR
Double pumping
184 pin stick
Two numbering systems
100 TIMES 8
DDR2
Twice as fast as DDR
Uses a 240 pin DIMM
DDR2 numbering is different from DDR, but the systems work the same
DDR3
Runs at 4x the speed of DDR
240 pin stick
Incompatible with DDR2

Hard drives
Host adapters integrated into the motherboard
Interface types
PATA (integrated drive electronics
SATA (serial ATA)
SAS (Serial attached SCSI)
SCSI (Small computer systems interface)
SCSI
Allows to 15 SCSI devices
FC
USB
IEEE
Drive