Tuesday, 10 June 2008
CRT and LCD monitor advantages
The Two Common Monitor Technologies
Before stating the advantages and disadvantages of each type of monitor, let me first explain how both types of monitors work and their basic features.
The CRT Monitor
The cathode ray tube monitor is the type of monitor that has been around sine the beginning of personal computers. These monitors use the same technology as normal TV sets.
The Flat Panel Monitor
There are two types of flat panel monitors: LCD (liquid crystal display) and plasma. However, it should be noted that he vast majority of flat panel monitors are LCD and these are the type that we will discuss today. LCD monitors use small crystal that can receive electric charges. When they receive an electric charge, they turn different colors producing an image.
Advantages of Flat Panel Monitors
There are several advantages of a flat panel monitor including desk space savings, display size and power consumption. Besides these advantages, flat panel monitors are also usually relatively equal with CRT monitors on features such as amount of colors, quality of image and price (depending on size).
Desk Space Savings
Perhaps the flat monitor’s biggest advantage over a CRT monitor is the amount of space you save on your desktop. All CRT monitors are extremely bulky and heavy. Even the smallest 15 inch CRT monitors usually require more than half of a desktop to fit. For those that like an open work space and plenty of room on their desktop to complete other tasks besides working on their computer, a flat panel monitor is a must have technology. Flat panel monitors have extremely small foot prints (amount of space required on a desktop). They are super thin and very light weight.
Display Size
All CRT monitors are extremely bulky. While the screen may be 15 inches diagonal, the casing may be several inches thicker, and that is not even considering the depth in the rear part of the monitor that holds the cathode ray tube. This is why CRT monitors require a deep desk to just to fit on. On the other hand, a flat panel monitor uses its display size very efficiently. A 15 inch monitor might be encased in a 15 ½ inch casing and the total depth in the rear may be less than 5 inches thick.
Besides a small case, the size of monitors can vary with flat panel monitors. Many flat panel monitors are available in widescreen and extra large screen sizes. You wouldn’t be able to fit a 32 inch CRT monitor on your desk, but with a flat panel monitor, a 32 inch monitor not only fits on your desk, but with plenty of room to boot.
Power Consumption
LCD flat panel monitors use much less power than a CRT monitor. This is great news for those that use their computers quite frequently. You can save plenty of money over the lifetime of your purchase. In addition, LCD flat monitors give off much less radiation than a CRT monitor making it a much safer product.
Flat Panel Monitors VS. CRT Monitors on Price, Color Quality & Viewing Angle
It should be noted that although flat panel monitors do not usually exceed CRT monitors in price, color quality or viewing angle, flat panels are either relatively equal or competitive with their CRT counterparts.
Price: Obviously flat panel monitors cost more than CRT monitors, but for those looking for value, you will definitely get more bang for your buck with a flat panel monitor. For instance, a 15 inch CRT monitor will cost around $75 to $125, where as a flat panel monitor will start from prices at around $125. It should be noted that energy savings, especially for corporate environments will easily pay for this price premium over the life of the monitor.
Color Quality: CRT monitors are extremely effective at producing high quality, sharp images. And yes, CRT monitors for the most part produce a better overall image. However, today’s flat panel monitors might lack color quality when it comes to specifications, but to the average viewer, flat panel monitors will be just as crisp, clear and vivid as a CRT monitor.
Viewing Angle: Liquid crystal display monitors are made from tiny crystals that receive an electric charge and thus produce color. When LCD monitors first came out, their viewing angle was inferior to CRT monitors. For instance, a CRT monitor can be viewed from a wide viewing angle, flat panel monitors when they first were introduced could not be viewed from a far angle and must be viewed as close to the center as possible. While flat panel monitor technology has improved and with it wider viewing angles, CRT monitors continue to have better viewing angles. But for those that sit in front of their computer monitor to do tasks, this should not be an issue.
)The primary advantage that CRT monitors held over LCDs was their color rendering. The contrast ratios and depths of colors displayed were much greater with CRT monitors than LCDs. While this still holds true in most cases, many strides have been made in LCDs such that this difference is not as great as it once was. Many graphic designers still use the very expensive large CRT monitors in their work because of the color advantages. (2)The other advantage that CRT monitors held over LCD screens is the ability to easily scale to various resolutions. This is referred to as multisync by the industry. By adjusting the electron beam in the tube, the screen can easily be adjusted downward to lower resolutions while keeping the picture clarity intact.
Disadvantagesof a CRT.
While these two items may play an important role for CRT monitors, there are disadvantages as well. The biggest of these are the size and weight of the tubes. The other major drawback deals with the power consumption. The energy needed for the electron beam means that the monitors consumer and generate a lot more heat than the LCD monitors. Pros: • Multisync Capable • High Refresh Rates • Color Clarity and Depth Cons: • Very Heavy and Large • Use Large Amounts of Energy • Generate Excess Heat LCDs (1)The biggest advantage to LCD monitors is their size and weight. As was mentioned earlier, the size and weight of an LCD monitor can be upwards of 80% lighter than an equivalent dimension CRT screen. This makes it possible to users to have larger screens for their computers than was possible before
. (2)LCD screens also tend to produce less eye fatigue to the user. The constant light barrage and scan lines of a CRT tube tend to cause strain on heavy computer users. The lower intensity of the LCD monitors coupled with their constant screen display of pixels being on or off produces less fatigue for the user.
Disadvantage of LCD
• Smaller and Lighter
• Energy Efficient
• Causes Less Eye Fatigue Cons:
• Blurry Images Outside Native Resolution
• Motion Blur on Fast Moving Images
• Some Models Have Reduced Color Clarity The following list highlights the features of CRTs and LCDs:
• Both CRT and LCD monitors connect to the same type of graphics adapter plug on the back of your PC.
• Some high-end LCD monitors sport their own, unique digital graphics adapter. For example, the Apple LCD monitors connect to the digital port on the G5 Macintosh line of computers. • Some LCD monitors rotate 90 degrees, which allows you to view them in portrait and landscape modes.
• The best way to judge an LCD monitor is to view only text on the screen. Don't be fooled at the store by fancy graphics displays, which always look stunning. The true test is viewing text, not graphics.
• Be sure to check the LCD in a variety of lighting situations. Some monitors cannot be seen in very bright lights. Some monitors cannot be seen from far right or left angles. • Unlike LCD monitors, most CRTs let you display graphics in a variety of resolutions and color settings. LCDs, on the other hand, typically use only a few modes to display things. • CRT monitors emit more radiation than their LCD counterparts, although it's not enough to create a 1950s-era horror movie creature.
• Be sure to compare LCD versus CRT at the larger aspect ratios. Some larger LCDs tend to lose their color saturation, whereas larger CRTs don't.
• Don't confuse LCD with flat-screen monitors. All LCDs are flat screen. But a few CRTs have flat picture tubes and are advertised as being flat screen. It's not the same as having an LCD monitor, though theflat-screen CRTs display a nicer image than traditional curved-screen models.
• Don't get an LCD if you plan to play fast-action computer games! Generally speaking, LCDs are too slow to update for real-time game action. True gamers use only CRT monitors. • Another area where CRT monitors are better than LCDs is in high-end graphics. A CRT monitor can better render color images than an LCD, which has a more limited range of color reproduction. Missing LCD pixels
Sunday, 25 May 2008
motherboard list with specification and capabilities
SOCKET AM2+
AMD confirmed that AM2 processors will work in AM2+ motherboards and AM2+ processors will work on AM2 motherboards. However, due to the lack of support of HyperTransport 3.0 and separated power planes in Socket AM2 motherboards, AM2+ chips will be limited to the specifications of Socket AM2 (HyperTransport 2.0 at the speed of 1 GHz, one power plane for both Cores and IMC). AM2 chips will not benefit from faster HyperTransport and separated power planes on AM2+ motherboards as they do not support them, AM2+ motherboard then fall back to compatibility mode using AM2 specifications.
According to confirmations from AMD, Socket AM2+ will have a compatibility path with Socket AM3, AM3 processors will work in AM2+ motherboards; however, AM2+ processors will not be compatible with AM3 motherboards.
Type
PGA-ZIF
Chip form factors
Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA)Organic Pin Grid Array (OPGA)
Contacts
940
Bus Protocol
FSB
200 MHz System clock2.6 GHz HyperTransport
Voltage range
?
Processors
Athlon 64Athlon 64 X2OpteronPhenom series :Phenom X4Phenom X3Phenom X2
ASUSASUS ORIGINAL FEATURES
Asus has introduced a number of original features and tools that complemented its products, especially motherboards. The table below lists them, together with some third-party technologies, rebranded under Asus-specific names (note: the acronym AI, which prefixes many of the feature names, stands for Asus Intelligence).
AI NOS
2005
Motherboards
Non-delay Overclocking System. A dynamic overclocking technology
AI Proactive
2004
Motherboards
a blanket term for all AI enhancements
AI Quiet/Q-Fan
Motherboards
Controls fan-speed to requirement for noise management
Audio DJ
Motherboards and notebooks
Allows playing Audio CDs without turning the computer on. Notebooks supporting this feature normally have play/pause, stop and other control buttons on the front, where they are accessible even when the notebook is closed.
Express Gate /Lite
Motherboards
On boot-up, the user is given the option to boot a version of Linux stored on a bit of Flash memory on the motherboard. Users can surf the internet and use Skype, IM, YouTube, webmail and internet file downloads without booting Windows.
Asus EZ Flash
Motherboards
Allows update of the BIOS through a non-boot floppy which just contains the new BIOS image. Built-in with the BIOS firmware and can be accessed by pressing ALT+F2 during the power-on self-test
C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
2004
Motherboards
Automatically restore default CPU settings at reboot when the system fails due to overclocking.
Asus CrashFree BIOS
2004
Motherboards
If the BIOS becomes corrupted, CrashFree BIOS 2 allows the user to perform a recovery using the motherboard support CD.
Color Shine (or Colour Shine), Crystal Shine
2006
Laptop LCDs
Asus marketing names for the anti-reflective LCD technology.
GameFace Live
2004
Graphics Cards
A multi-player audio and video chat solution allowing online gamers to see and talk to each other while playing. As of 2006, it is limited to DirectX games and allows up to eight simultaneous players.
GameLiveShow
2004
Graphics Cards
Allows gamers to broadcast
WiFi-AP
2005
Motherboards
WiFi AccessPoint module bundled with some motherboards, Notably the P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n that includes 802.11n.
Music Alarm
2007
Motherboards
BIOS feature makes the computer play music from a CD at a user-defined date.
Q-Connector
2006
Motherboards
Front-panel connectors plug into this block. The block is then plugged into the motherboard for easy removal and installation.
Stack Cool
2006
Motherboards
The back of the motherboard is designed for optimal heat dissipation of onboard components.
AI Gear
2007
Motherboards
Uses adjustable profiles to change CPU frequency and Core voltage to minimize noise and power consumption.
O.C. Profile
2006
Motherboards
Allows users to store multiple BIOS settings for distribution or sharing. Settings can be stored in CMOS or as a separate file.
GreenASUS
2006
GUMSTIX
Gumstix is a US-based technology company that designs, builds and sells full-function miniature computers and related products. The small form factor gumstix (in the words of Gumstix) "is just a computer".
The Gumstix product line consists of cased and single board wide computers. The platform is a motherboard and expansion card computer based on Marvell XScale processors running Linux Embedded. Gumsticks motherboards measure 80 mm x 20 mm x 6.3 mm, comparable in size to a stick of chewing gum (hence the name of the company). I/O options via expansion boards include synchronous and asynchronous serial, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wifi wireless interfaces. The motherboard schematics and design information are proprietary, but expansion board schematics and layouts are available online under the Creative Commons Share
VERDEX
The Verdex motherboards feature up to 128MB RAM, on-board strataflash up to 32 MB, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, a 120-pin Molex connector for connecting additional expansion cards and have Infineon Bluetooth as an option.
The key functions of the verdex motherboards over the basix and connex motherboards include: USB host and the higher RAM and flash memory options.
In volume, verdex motherboards may be ordered with processor speeds of 300MHz, 400MHz, 500MHz and 600MHz with any combination of RAM, flash and expansion board connectors.
Connex The Connex motherboards also feature on-board 16 MB strataflash, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, a 92-pin bus header for connecting additional expansion cards and have Infineon Bluetooth as an option.
] Basix
The Basix motherboards features 4 MB strataflash, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, an onboard MMC slot and Infineon Bluetooth as an option. Basix-xm models extend the 4 MB of flash to 16 MB.
Computers
Gumstix has two cased computer product lines: Netstix and Waysmall.
Netstix
The Netstix computers, based on the Connex motherboard, provide 10/100 Mb Ethernet connected computers with CompactFlash (CF) for storage.
Waysmall The Waysmall computers, based on the Basix motherboard, have USB and serial connectivity with MultiMediaCard (MMC) storage capability.
Software development kit .
Gumstix uses the OpenEmbedded software framework to track and fetch dependencies, cross-compile packages and build complete images automatically using BitBake. After building, the rootfs image and the kernel are transferred to the Gumstix through a serial connection, using compact flash or MMC type cards or through ethernet network (depending on the system configuration and what expansion boards are used)
Additional software can be either downloaded prebuilt directly from the Gumstix repositories or compiled using BitBake with the same method, and is installed and managed using ipkg packages.
3D VISUALIZATION
This modeling environment for electronic product designers integrates popular design tools, 3D images, and software scripts intended to aid the design and visualization of new product enclosures and custom expansion boards, by combining 3D Gumstix product visuals with Google SketchUp, Google 3D Warehouse and Cadsoft's Eagle CAD software
BTX CASE
BTX (for Balanced Technology Extended) is a form factor for PC motherboards, originally slated to be the replacement for the aging ATX motherboard form factor in late 2004 and early 2005. It has been designed to alleviate some of the issues that arose from using newer technologies (which often demand more power and create more heat) on motherboards compliant with the circa-1996 ATX specification. The ATX and BTX standards were both proposed by Intel. Intel's decision to refocus on low-power CPUs, after suffering scaling and thermal issues with the Pentium 4, has added some doubt to the future of the form factor. The first company to implement BTX was Gateway Inc, followed by Dell. Apple's Mac Pro utilizes the elements of the BTX design system as well but is not BTX compliant. However, future development of BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006.[1]
Low-profile - With the push for ever-smaller systems, a redesigned backplane that shaves inches off height requirements is a benefit to system integrators and enterprises who use rack mounts or blade servers.
Thermal design - The BTX layout establishes a straighter path of airflow with fewer obstacles, resulting in better overall cooling capabilities. A distinct feature of BTX is the vertical mounting of the motherboard on the left-hand side. This results in the graphics card heatsink or fan facing upwards, rather than in the direction of the adjacent expansion card.
structural design
- The BTX standard specifies different locations for hardware mounting points, thereby reducing latency between devices[citation needed] and also reduces the physical strain imposed on the motherboard by heat sinks, capacitors and other components dealing with electrical and thermal regulation. For example, the Northbridge and Southbridge chips are located near each other and to the hardware they control.
PICO BTX
BTX form factor motherboard inside a Dell Dimension E520.
Pico BTX is a computer motherboard and system form factor. Pico BTX motherboards are relatively small—smaller than current 'micro'-sized motherboards, hence the name 'pico'. They share a common top half with the other sizes in the BTX line, but sport only one or two expansion slots, designed for half-height or riser-card applications.
Intel, as the originator of the form factor, is the primary manufacturer of such boards. As of January 2007, there are very limited numbers of OEM motherboards and cases for Pico BTX. Complete systems are available from Dell, which embraced BTX quickly within its desktop product line, and appears to use Pico BTX boards in its smallest machines, though no claims are made by Dell in their marketing materials.
Compatibility with ATX products
The BTX form factor is largely incompatible with the ATX form factor. The only area where this doesn't fully apply is in power supply support. ATX power supplies can be used with regular or full-sized BTX motherboards. Neither the power connectors nor the direction of airflow from the power supply fan has been changed.
NFORCE 600
• The nForce 600 chipset was released in the first half of November 2006, coinciding with the GeForce 8 series launch on November 8, 2006. The nForce 600 supports Intel's LGA775 socket and AMD's Quad FX platform and replaces the nForce
AMD Chipsets
nForce 680a SLI
Specially made for the AMD Quad FX platform proposed by AMD, providing a total of two CPUs and multiple graphic cards configuation (SLi) working on a single chipset.
Features
AMD Dual Dual-core Socket F
Enthusiast multiple-GPU segment
Support for HyperTransport 2.0
2 northbridges as Media and Communications Processor (MCP) equal to that of nForce 570 SLI MCP [1], each providing one x16 and one x8 PCI-E lanes and total 28 PCI-E lanes
Total of 4 PCI-E x16 slots
Two of the x16 slots receive x8 PCI-E lanes bandwidth
Additional PCI-E slots support (PCI-E x8/x4/x1 slots)
Support of a total of 56 PCI-E lanes
PCI slot(s)
Support up to 4 non-registered DDR2 DIMM modules
Support for EPP memory
Support up to 12 SATA harddisks
Support RAID configurations:
RAID 1
RAID 0+1
RAID 5
JBOD
4 onboard Gigabit Ethernet ports
NVIDIA FirstPacket Technology
Support up to 20 USB 2.0 ports
GeForce 7050/nForce 630a
Features
AMD Socket 939/Socket AM2 processors
Mainstream IGP segment
MCP61P northbridge, IGP renamed as GeForce 7050[2]
sDVO connection for optional HDMI output[citation needed]
DVI, TV-out outputs
1 PCI Express x16 slot
Dual-channel DDR2-533/667/800 support
Extra PCIe x1 & PCI slots
High-definition audio (Azalia audio)
10 USB 2.0 ports
4 SATA 3.0 Gbit/s ports with RAID
Gigabit Ethernet
INTEL CHIPSETS
nForce 680i SLI
NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI System Platform Processors (SPPs) and Media Communications Processors (MCPs) are the top of the line motherboard for Intel users in the nForce 600 series.
] Features
Support for Quad Core CPUs and 1333 MHz Front Side Bus
Support for 1200 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Support for up to 46 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes
Support for up to 10 USB 2.0 ports
Support for 6 3 Gbit/s SATA and 2 PATA drives, which can be linked together in any combination of SATA and PATA to form a RAID 0, 1, 5, or 0+1
NVIDIA nTune, a tool for easy overclocking and timing configurations
HDA (Azalia) Audio
Dual Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
NVIDIA FirstPacket and DualNet
nForce 680i LT SLI
Features
Support for Quad Core CPUs and 1333 MHz Front Side Bus
Support for 800 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Support for up to 46 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes
Support for up to 10 USB 2.0 ports
Support for 6 3 Gbit/s SATA and 2 PATA drives, which can be linked together in any combination of SATA and PATA to form a RAID 0, 1, 5, or 0+1
NVIDIA nTune, a tool for easy overclocking and timing configurations
HDA (Azalia) Audio
Single Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
NVIDIA FirstPacket and DualNet
nForce 650i SLI
Intel LGA 775
Performance/mainstream dual-GPU segment
Estimated price US$150 or less nForce 650i Ultra
Intel LGA 775
Performance/mainstream single-GPU segment
nForce 630i
Intel LGA 775
IGP [3]
Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM memory
Video outputs: HDMI, DVI with HDCP and D-Sub
Value IGP segment
No PureVideo
nForce 680i SLI hotfix
NVIDIA has issued a fix named NV121906 in late December 2006 for 680i SLI motherboards. This hotfix was released because users have reported disconnect or write error issues with Serial ATA disk drives on their nForce 680i motherboards. It is an update specifically for SATA Disk Drives and system instability. System instability is observed in the following ways (not a complete list):
Random application shutdown
Corrupted boot drive
BSOD (Blue screen of death)
Corrupt data
To address them, BIOS updates were released for some NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI based motherboards that eliminate those symptoms. Affected motherboards include:
EVGA nForce 680i SLI
BFG nForce 680i SLI
Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe
ECS PN2-SLI2+
This update is supposed to improve system stability and prevent future stability issues related to SATA disk drives on those systems requiring this hotfix. NVIDIA has strongly recommended that all customers upgrade their motherboards to the newest available BIOS revision that their nForce 680i-based motherboards could support, regardless of whether or not they have experienced the issues. Also, NVIDIA has stated that this upgrade will preserve the user's current computer settings.
APPLE II
The Apple IIe was the third model in the Apple II series of personal computers produced by Apple Computer. The e in the name stood for enhanced, referring to the fact that several popular features were now built-in that were only available as upgrades and add-ons in earlier models. It also improved upon expandability and added a few new features, which, all combined, made it very attractive to first-time computer shoppers as a general-purpose machine. The Apple IIe has the distinction of being the longest-lived computer in Apple's history, having been manufactured and sold for nearly 11 years with relatively few changes. For this reason, it is the most commonly recognized model in the Apple II line. Technical specifications
Microprocessor
6502 or 65C02 running at 1.023 MHz
8-bit data bus
Memory
64 KB RAM built-in
16 KB ROM built-in
Expandable from 64 KB up to 1 MB RAM or more
Video modes
40 and 80 columns text, white-on-black, with 24 lines¹
Low-Resolution: 40×48 (16 colors)
High-Resolution: 280×192 (6 colors) *
Double-Low-Resolution: 80×48 (16 colors)
Double-High-Resolution: 560×192 (16 colors) *
*effectively 140×192 in color, due to pixel placement restrictions
¹Text can be mixed with graphic modes, replacing either bottom 8 or 32 lines of graphics with 4 lines of text, depending on video mode
Audio
Built-in speaker; 1-bit toggling
Built-in cassette recorder interface; 1-bit toggle output, 1-bit zero-crossing input
Expansion
Seven Apple II Bus slots (50-pin card-edge)
Auxiliary slot (60-pin card-edge)
Internal connectors
Game I/O socket (16-pin DIP)
RF modulation output (4-pin Molex)
Numeric keypad (11-pin Molex)
External connectors
NTSC composite video output (RCA connector)
Cassette in/out (two 1/8" mono phono jacks)
Joystick (DE-9)
B. In addition to supporting Double-High-Resolution and Double-Low-Resolution (see list above) it also added a special video signal accessible in slot-
new keyboard, with smaller superscripted black print. Note the user-added Enhanced badge.
Apple upgraded the motherboard free of charge. In later years Apple labeled newer IIe motherboards with a "-A" suffix once again although in functionality they were Revision B motherboards.
New case and keyboard
In 1984, Apple revised the case and keyboard. The original IIe used a case very similar to the Apple II Plus, painted and with Velcro-type clips to secure the lid with a strip of metal mesh along the edge to eliminate Radio Frequency Interference. The new case was made of dyed plastic mold in a slightly darker beige with a simplified snap-case lid. The other noticeable change was a new keyboard, with more professional looking print on darker keycaps (small black lettering, versus large white print). This was the first cosmetic change.
The Enhanced IIe
In March 1985, Apple replaced the original machine with a new revision called the Enhanced IIe. It was completely identical to the previous machine except for 4 chips changed on the motherboard (and a small "Enhanced" sticker placed over the keyboard power indicator).
The purpose of the update was to make the Apple IIe more compatible with the Apple IIc (released the previous year) and in some respects to a smaller degree, the Apple II Plus. This change involved a new processor, the CMOS based 65C02 CPU, a new character ROM for the text modes, and two new ROM firmware chips. The 65C02 added more CPU instructions, the new character ROM added 32 special "MouseText" characters (which allowed the creation of a GUI-like display in text mode, similar to IBM ANSI), and the new ROM firmware fixed problems and speed issues with 80 columns text, introduced the ability to use lowercase in Applesoft BASIC and Monitor, and contained some other smaller improvements (and fixes) in the latter two (including the return of the Mini-Assembler—which had vanished with the introduction of the II Plus firmware).
Despite affecting compatibility with a small number of software titles (particularly those that did not follow Apple programming guidelines and rules, used illegal opcodes that were no longer available in the new CPU, or used the alternate 80 column character set that MouseText now occupied) a fair bit of newer software — mostly productivity applications and utilities — required the Enhancement chipset to run at all. An official upgrade kit, consisting of these 4 replacement chips and an "Enhanced" sticker badge, was made available for purchase to owners of the original Apple IIe. An alternative at the time, which some users choose as a cost cutting measure, was to simply purchase their own 65C02 CPU and create (unlicensed and illegal) duplicates of the updated ROMs using re-rewritable EPROM chips. When Apple phased out the Enhancement kit in the early 1990's, this became the only method available method for users looking to upgrade their IIe, and remains so right up until present day. An Enhanced machine identifies itself with the name "Apple //e" on its start up splash screen (as opposed to the less specific The Platinum IIe
In January 1987 came the final revision of the Apple IIe, often referred to as the Platinum IIe, due to the color change of its case to the light-grey color scheme that Apple dubbed "Platinum". Changes to this revision were mostly cosmetic to modernize the look of the machine. Besides the color change, there was a new keyboard layout, with built-in numeric keypad. The keyboard was changed to match the layout of the Apple IIGS, with the reset key moved above the ESC and '1' keys, the Open and Solid Apple modifier keys replaced by Command and Option and the power LED relocated above the numeric keypad. Gone were the recessed metal ID badges (showing the Apple logo and name, with "//e" beside it) replaced with a simpler "Apple IIe" silk screened on the case lid in the Apple Garamond font. A smaller Apple logo badge remained, however moved to the right side of the case.
Internally, a (reduced in size) Extended 80 Columns Card was factory pre-installed, making it come standard with 128 KB RAM and Double-Hi-Res graphics enabled. The motherboard had a reduced chip count by merging the two system ROM chips into one and used higher density memory chips so its 64 KB RAM could be made up of two (64 Kbx4) chips rather than eight (64 Kbx1) chips, bringing the count down to a total of 24 chips. A solder pad location on the motherboard, present since the original IIe, for (optionally) making presses of the "Shift" keys detectable in software, was now shorted by default so that the feature was always active. Next, in a move to reduce Radio Frequency Interference when a joystick plugged into the motherboard's Game I/O socket, filtering capacitors were added. While this made no difference to the average user, it had the negative effect of lowering the available bandwidth to the socket, which was often used by specialized devices for such purposes as measuring temperature, controlling a robotic device, or even simplistic networking for data transfer to another computer. In such cases the specialized devices were rendered useless on the Platinum IIe unless the user removed the capacitors from the board.
There were no firmware changes present, and functionally the motherboard was otherwise identical to the Enhanced IIe. This final model of the Apple IIe was discontinued in November 1993, officially retiring the entire Apple II family line with it.
The Apple IIe Card for Macintosh
In March 1991, shortly after the release of the Macintosh LC series, Apple released the PDS slot-based Apple IIe Card for the Macintosh. By plugging this card into a Macintosh LC (and later models incorporating an LC PDS slot), through hardware and (some) software emulation, the Macintosh could run most software written for the 8-bit Apple IIe computer. This miniaturized computer on a card was made possible by a chip called the Mega II, first used in the Apple IIGS computer to emulate the Apple IIe. The Mega II duplicated all the functions of a standard Apple IIe, minus RAM, ROM and CPU.
Many of the built-in Macintosh peripherals could be "borrowed" by the card when in Apple II mode (i.e. extra RAM, 3½ floppy, AppleTalk networking, clock, hard disk). It could even run at an accelerated 2 MHz, however as video was emulated using Macintosh QuickDraw routines, in slower machines it sometimes could not keep up with the speed of a real Apple IIe. With a specialized Y-cable, the card could use an actual Apple 5.25, Apple UniDisk 3.5 or even Apple II joystick/paddles. The Apple IIe Card is thought of as an Apple II compatible or emulator rather than an extension of the Apple II line, but included in this article for the sake of completeness.
International versions
The Apple IIe keyboard differed depending on what region of the world it was sold in. Sometimes the differences were very minor, such as extra local language characters and symbols printed on certain keycaps (e.g. French accented characters on Canadian IIe such as "á", "é", "ç", etc, or the British Pound "£" symbol on the UK IIe) while other times the layout and shape of keys greatly differed (e.g. European IIe). In order to access the local character set and keyboard layout, a user-accessible switch was found on the underside of the keyboard -- flipping it would instantly switch the video output and keyboard input from the US character set to the local set. To support this, special double capacity video and keyboard ROMs were used; in early motherboards they had to reside on a tiny circuit card that plugged into the socket. In some countries these localized IIe's also supported 50 Hz PAL video instead of the standard 60 Hz NTSC video and the different 220/240 volt power of that region. An equivalent of the "PAL color card" for the earlier Apple II europlus model was integrated into the motherboard of these IIe's, so that color graphics were available without the addition of a slot card.
The Apple IIGS Upgrade
The replacement ID badges for the front lid, used in the Apple IIe to IIGS upgrade.
When the Apple IIGS computer was introduced by Apple Computer in September 1986, Apple also announced it would be making an upgrade kit for the IIe available for purchase. Essentially the "upgrade" replaced the Apple IIe motherboard for a 16-bit Apple IIGS motherboard, making it more of an outright computer transplant than upgrade. Users would bring their Apple IIe machines into an authorized Apple dealership, where the IIe motherboard and lower baseboard of the case were swapped for an Apple IIGS motherboard with a new baseboard (with matching cut-outs for the new built-in ports). New metal sticker ID badges replaced those on the front of the Apple IIe, rebranding the machine. Retained were the upper half of the IIe case, the keyboard, speaker and powersupply. Original IIGS motherboards (those produced between 1986 to mid 1989) had electrical connections for the IIe powersupply and keyboard present, although only about half produced had the physical plug connectors factory pre-soldered in, which were mostly reserved for the upgrade kits.
reference
www.wikipedia.com
AMD confirmed that AM2 processors will work in AM2+ motherboards and AM2+ processors will work on AM2 motherboards. However, due to the lack of support of HyperTransport 3.0 and separated power planes in Socket AM2 motherboards, AM2+ chips will be limited to the specifications of Socket AM2 (HyperTransport 2.0 at the speed of 1 GHz, one power plane for both Cores and IMC). AM2 chips will not benefit from faster HyperTransport and separated power planes on AM2+ motherboards as they do not support them, AM2+ motherboard then fall back to compatibility mode using AM2 specifications.
According to confirmations from AMD, Socket AM2+ will have a compatibility path with Socket AM3, AM3 processors will work in AM2+ motherboards; however, AM2+ processors will not be compatible with AM3 motherboards.
Type
PGA-ZIF
Chip form factors
Ceramic Pin Grid Array (CPGA)Organic Pin Grid Array (OPGA)
Contacts
940
Bus Protocol
FSB
200 MHz System clock2.6 GHz HyperTransport
Voltage range
?
Processors
Athlon 64Athlon 64 X2OpteronPhenom series :Phenom X4Phenom X3Phenom X2
ASUSASUS ORIGINAL FEATURES
Asus has introduced a number of original features and tools that complemented its products, especially motherboards. The table below lists them, together with some third-party technologies, rebranded under Asus-specific names (note: the acronym AI, which prefixes many of the feature names, stands for Asus Intelligence).
AI NOS
2005
Motherboards
Non-delay Overclocking System. A dynamic overclocking technology
AI Proactive
2004
Motherboards
a blanket term for all AI enhancements
AI Quiet/Q-Fan
Motherboards
Controls fan-speed to requirement for noise management
Audio DJ
Motherboards and notebooks
Allows playing Audio CDs without turning the computer on. Notebooks supporting this feature normally have play/pause, stop and other control buttons on the front, where they are accessible even when the notebook is closed.
Express Gate /Lite
Motherboards
On boot-up, the user is given the option to boot a version of Linux stored on a bit of Flash memory on the motherboard. Users can surf the internet and use Skype, IM, YouTube, webmail and internet file downloads without booting Windows.
Asus EZ Flash
Motherboards
Allows update of the BIOS through a non-boot floppy which just contains the new BIOS image. Built-in with the BIOS firmware and can be accessed by pressing ALT+F2 during the power-on self-test
C.P.R.(CPU Parameter Recall)
2004
Motherboards
Automatically restore default CPU settings at reboot when the system fails due to overclocking.
Asus CrashFree BIOS
2004
Motherboards
If the BIOS becomes corrupted, CrashFree BIOS 2 allows the user to perform a recovery using the motherboard support CD.
Color Shine (or Colour Shine), Crystal Shine
2006
Laptop LCDs
Asus marketing names for the anti-reflective LCD technology.
GameFace Live
2004
Graphics Cards
A multi-player audio and video chat solution allowing online gamers to see and talk to each other while playing. As of 2006, it is limited to DirectX games and allows up to eight simultaneous players.
GameLiveShow
2004
Graphics Cards
Allows gamers to broadcast
WiFi-AP
2005
Motherboards
WiFi AccessPoint module bundled with some motherboards, Notably the P5E3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP@n that includes 802.11n.
Music Alarm
2007
Motherboards
BIOS feature makes the computer play music from a CD at a user-defined date.
Q-Connector
2006
Motherboards
Front-panel connectors plug into this block. The block is then plugged into the motherboard for easy removal and installation.
Stack Cool
2006
Motherboards
The back of the motherboard is designed for optimal heat dissipation of onboard components.
AI Gear
2007
Motherboards
Uses adjustable profiles to change CPU frequency and Core voltage to minimize noise and power consumption.
O.C. Profile
2006
Motherboards
Allows users to store multiple BIOS settings for distribution or sharing. Settings can be stored in CMOS or as a separate file.
GreenASUS
2006
GUMSTIX
Gumstix is a US-based technology company that designs, builds and sells full-function miniature computers and related products. The small form factor gumstix (in the words of Gumstix) "is just a computer".
The Gumstix product line consists of cased and single board wide computers. The platform is a motherboard and expansion card computer based on Marvell XScale processors running Linux Embedded. Gumsticks motherboards measure 80 mm x 20 mm x 6.3 mm, comparable in size to a stick of chewing gum (hence the name of the company). I/O options via expansion boards include synchronous and asynchronous serial, USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth and Wifi wireless interfaces. The motherboard schematics and design information are proprietary, but expansion board schematics and layouts are available online under the Creative Commons Share
VERDEX
The Verdex motherboards feature up to 128MB RAM, on-board strataflash up to 32 MB, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, a 120-pin Molex connector for connecting additional expansion cards and have Infineon Bluetooth as an option.
The key functions of the verdex motherboards over the basix and connex motherboards include: USB host and the higher RAM and flash memory options.
In volume, verdex motherboards may be ordered with processor speeds of 300MHz, 400MHz, 500MHz and 600MHz with any combination of RAM, flash and expansion board connectors.
Connex The Connex motherboards also feature on-board 16 MB strataflash, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, a 92-pin bus header for connecting additional expansion cards and have Infineon Bluetooth as an option.
] Basix
The Basix motherboards features 4 MB strataflash, an onboard 60-pin Hirose I/O header, an onboard MMC slot and Infineon Bluetooth as an option. Basix-xm models extend the 4 MB of flash to 16 MB.
Computers
Gumstix has two cased computer product lines: Netstix and Waysmall.
Netstix
The Netstix computers, based on the Connex motherboard, provide 10/100 Mb Ethernet connected computers with CompactFlash (CF) for storage.
Waysmall The Waysmall computers, based on the Basix motherboard, have USB and serial connectivity with MultiMediaCard (MMC) storage capability.
Software development kit .
Gumstix uses the OpenEmbedded software framework to track and fetch dependencies, cross-compile packages and build complete images automatically using BitBake. After building, the rootfs image and the kernel are transferred to the Gumstix through a serial connection, using compact flash or MMC type cards or through ethernet network (depending on the system configuration and what expansion boards are used)
Additional software can be either downloaded prebuilt directly from the Gumstix repositories or compiled using BitBake with the same method, and is installed and managed using ipkg packages.
3D VISUALIZATION
This modeling environment for electronic product designers integrates popular design tools, 3D images, and software scripts intended to aid the design and visualization of new product enclosures and custom expansion boards, by combining 3D Gumstix product visuals with Google SketchUp, Google 3D Warehouse and Cadsoft's Eagle CAD software
BTX CASE
BTX (for Balanced Technology Extended) is a form factor for PC motherboards, originally slated to be the replacement for the aging ATX motherboard form factor in late 2004 and early 2005. It has been designed to alleviate some of the issues that arose from using newer technologies (which often demand more power and create more heat) on motherboards compliant with the circa-1996 ATX specification. The ATX and BTX standards were both proposed by Intel. Intel's decision to refocus on low-power CPUs, after suffering scaling and thermal issues with the Pentium 4, has added some doubt to the future of the form factor. The first company to implement BTX was Gateway Inc, followed by Dell. Apple's Mac Pro utilizes the elements of the BTX design system as well but is not BTX compliant. However, future development of BTX retail products by Intel was canceled in September 2006.[1]
Low-profile - With the push for ever-smaller systems, a redesigned backplane that shaves inches off height requirements is a benefit to system integrators and enterprises who use rack mounts or blade servers.
Thermal design - The BTX layout establishes a straighter path of airflow with fewer obstacles, resulting in better overall cooling capabilities. A distinct feature of BTX is the vertical mounting of the motherboard on the left-hand side. This results in the graphics card heatsink or fan facing upwards, rather than in the direction of the adjacent expansion card.
structural design
- The BTX standard specifies different locations for hardware mounting points, thereby reducing latency between devices[citation needed] and also reduces the physical strain imposed on the motherboard by heat sinks, capacitors and other components dealing with electrical and thermal regulation. For example, the Northbridge and Southbridge chips are located near each other and to the hardware they control.
PICO BTX
BTX form factor motherboard inside a Dell Dimension E520.
Pico BTX is a computer motherboard and system form factor. Pico BTX motherboards are relatively small—smaller than current 'micro'-sized motherboards, hence the name 'pico'. They share a common top half with the other sizes in the BTX line, but sport only one or two expansion slots, designed for half-height or riser-card applications.
Intel, as the originator of the form factor, is the primary manufacturer of such boards. As of January 2007, there are very limited numbers of OEM motherboards and cases for Pico BTX. Complete systems are available from Dell, which embraced BTX quickly within its desktop product line, and appears to use Pico BTX boards in its smallest machines, though no claims are made by Dell in their marketing materials.
Compatibility with ATX products
The BTX form factor is largely incompatible with the ATX form factor. The only area where this doesn't fully apply is in power supply support. ATX power supplies can be used with regular or full-sized BTX motherboards. Neither the power connectors nor the direction of airflow from the power supply fan has been changed.
NFORCE 600
• The nForce 600 chipset was released in the first half of November 2006, coinciding with the GeForce 8 series launch on November 8, 2006. The nForce 600 supports Intel's LGA775 socket and AMD's Quad FX platform and replaces the nForce
AMD Chipsets
nForce 680a SLI
Specially made for the AMD Quad FX platform proposed by AMD, providing a total of two CPUs and multiple graphic cards configuation (SLi) working on a single chipset.
Features
AMD Dual Dual-core Socket F
Enthusiast multiple-GPU segment
Support for HyperTransport 2.0
2 northbridges as Media and Communications Processor (MCP) equal to that of nForce 570 SLI MCP [1], each providing one x16 and one x8 PCI-E lanes and total 28 PCI-E lanes
Total of 4 PCI-E x16 slots
Two of the x16 slots receive x8 PCI-E lanes bandwidth
Additional PCI-E slots support (PCI-E x8/x4/x1 slots)
Support of a total of 56 PCI-E lanes
PCI slot(s)
Support up to 4 non-registered DDR2 DIMM modules
Support for EPP memory
Support up to 12 SATA harddisks
Support RAID configurations:
RAID 1
RAID 0+1
RAID 5
JBOD
4 onboard Gigabit Ethernet ports
NVIDIA FirstPacket Technology
Support up to 20 USB 2.0 ports
GeForce 7050/nForce 630a
Features
AMD Socket 939/Socket AM2 processors
Mainstream IGP segment
MCP61P northbridge, IGP renamed as GeForce 7050[2]
sDVO connection for optional HDMI output[citation needed]
DVI, TV-out outputs
1 PCI Express x16 slot
Dual-channel DDR2-533/667/800 support
Extra PCIe x1 & PCI slots
High-definition audio (Azalia audio)
10 USB 2.0 ports
4 SATA 3.0 Gbit/s ports with RAID
Gigabit Ethernet
INTEL CHIPSETS
nForce 680i SLI
NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI System Platform Processors (SPPs) and Media Communications Processors (MCPs) are the top of the line motherboard for Intel users in the nForce 600 series.
] Features
Support for Quad Core CPUs and 1333 MHz Front Side Bus
Support for 1200 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Support for up to 46 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes
Support for up to 10 USB 2.0 ports
Support for 6 3 Gbit/s SATA and 2 PATA drives, which can be linked together in any combination of SATA and PATA to form a RAID 0, 1, 5, or 0+1
NVIDIA nTune, a tool for easy overclocking and timing configurations
HDA (Azalia) Audio
Dual Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
NVIDIA FirstPacket and DualNet
nForce 680i LT SLI
Features
Support for Quad Core CPUs and 1333 MHz Front Side Bus
Support for 800 MHz SLI-Ready Memory with EPP
Support for up to 46 PCI Express (PCIe) lanes
Support for up to 10 USB 2.0 ports
Support for 6 3 Gbit/s SATA and 2 PATA drives, which can be linked together in any combination of SATA and PATA to form a RAID 0, 1, 5, or 0+1
NVIDIA nTune, a tool for easy overclocking and timing configurations
HDA (Azalia) Audio
Single Onboard Gigabit Ethernet
NVIDIA FirstPacket and DualNet
nForce 650i SLI
Intel LGA 775
Performance/mainstream dual-GPU segment
Estimated price US$150 or less nForce 650i Ultra
Intel LGA 775
Performance/mainstream single-GPU segment
nForce 630i
Intel LGA 775
IGP [3]
Single Channel DDR2 SDRAM memory
Video outputs: HDMI, DVI with HDCP and D-Sub
Value IGP segment
No PureVideo
nForce 680i SLI hotfix
NVIDIA has issued a fix named NV121906 in late December 2006 for 680i SLI motherboards. This hotfix was released because users have reported disconnect or write error issues with Serial ATA disk drives on their nForce 680i motherboards. It is an update specifically for SATA Disk Drives and system instability. System instability is observed in the following ways (not a complete list):
Random application shutdown
Corrupted boot drive
BSOD (Blue screen of death)
Corrupt data
To address them, BIOS updates were released for some NVIDIA nForce 680i SLI based motherboards that eliminate those symptoms. Affected motherboards include:
EVGA nForce 680i SLI
BFG nForce 680i SLI
Biostar TF680i SLI Deluxe
ECS PN2-SLI2+
This update is supposed to improve system stability and prevent future stability issues related to SATA disk drives on those systems requiring this hotfix. NVIDIA has strongly recommended that all customers upgrade their motherboards to the newest available BIOS revision that their nForce 680i-based motherboards could support, regardless of whether or not they have experienced the issues. Also, NVIDIA has stated that this upgrade will preserve the user's current computer settings.
APPLE II
The Apple IIe was the third model in the Apple II series of personal computers produced by Apple Computer. The e in the name stood for enhanced, referring to the fact that several popular features were now built-in that were only available as upgrades and add-ons in earlier models. It also improved upon expandability and added a few new features, which, all combined, made it very attractive to first-time computer shoppers as a general-purpose machine. The Apple IIe has the distinction of being the longest-lived computer in Apple's history, having been manufactured and sold for nearly 11 years with relatively few changes. For this reason, it is the most commonly recognized model in the Apple II line. Technical specifications
Microprocessor
6502 or 65C02 running at 1.023 MHz
8-bit data bus
Memory
64 KB RAM built-in
16 KB ROM built-in
Expandable from 64 KB up to 1 MB RAM or more
Video modes
40 and 80 columns text, white-on-black, with 24 lines¹
Low-Resolution: 40×48 (16 colors)
High-Resolution: 280×192 (6 colors) *
Double-Low-Resolution: 80×48 (16 colors)
Double-High-Resolution: 560×192 (16 colors) *
*effectively 140×192 in color, due to pixel placement restrictions
¹Text can be mixed with graphic modes, replacing either bottom 8 or 32 lines of graphics with 4 lines of text, depending on video mode
Audio
Built-in speaker; 1-bit toggling
Built-in cassette recorder interface; 1-bit toggle output, 1-bit zero-crossing input
Expansion
Seven Apple II Bus slots (50-pin card-edge)
Auxiliary slot (60-pin card-edge)
Internal connectors
Game I/O socket (16-pin DIP)
RF modulation output (4-pin Molex)
Numeric keypad (11-pin Molex)
External connectors
NTSC composite video output (RCA connector)
Cassette in/out (two 1/8" mono phono jacks)
Joystick (DE-9)
B. In addition to supporting Double-High-Resolution and Double-Low-Resolution (see list above) it also added a special video signal accessible in slot-
new keyboard, with smaller superscripted black print. Note the user-added Enhanced badge.
Apple upgraded the motherboard free of charge. In later years Apple labeled newer IIe motherboards with a "-A" suffix once again although in functionality they were Revision B motherboards.
New case and keyboard
In 1984, Apple revised the case and keyboard. The original IIe used a case very similar to the Apple II Plus, painted and with Velcro-type clips to secure the lid with a strip of metal mesh along the edge to eliminate Radio Frequency Interference. The new case was made of dyed plastic mold in a slightly darker beige with a simplified snap-case lid. The other noticeable change was a new keyboard, with more professional looking print on darker keycaps (small black lettering, versus large white print). This was the first cosmetic change.
The Enhanced IIe
In March 1985, Apple replaced the original machine with a new revision called the Enhanced IIe. It was completely identical to the previous machine except for 4 chips changed on the motherboard (and a small "Enhanced" sticker placed over the keyboard power indicator).
The purpose of the update was to make the Apple IIe more compatible with the Apple IIc (released the previous year) and in some respects to a smaller degree, the Apple II Plus. This change involved a new processor, the CMOS based 65C02 CPU, a new character ROM for the text modes, and two new ROM firmware chips. The 65C02 added more CPU instructions, the new character ROM added 32 special "MouseText" characters (which allowed the creation of a GUI-like display in text mode, similar to IBM ANSI), and the new ROM firmware fixed problems and speed issues with 80 columns text, introduced the ability to use lowercase in Applesoft BASIC and Monitor, and contained some other smaller improvements (and fixes) in the latter two (including the return of the Mini-Assembler—which had vanished with the introduction of the II Plus firmware).
Despite affecting compatibility with a small number of software titles (particularly those that did not follow Apple programming guidelines and rules, used illegal opcodes that were no longer available in the new CPU, or used the alternate 80 column character set that MouseText now occupied) a fair bit of newer software — mostly productivity applications and utilities — required the Enhancement chipset to run at all. An official upgrade kit, consisting of these 4 replacement chips and an "Enhanced" sticker badge, was made available for purchase to owners of the original Apple IIe. An alternative at the time, which some users choose as a cost cutting measure, was to simply purchase their own 65C02 CPU and create (unlicensed and illegal) duplicates of the updated ROMs using re-rewritable EPROM chips. When Apple phased out the Enhancement kit in the early 1990's, this became the only method available method for users looking to upgrade their IIe, and remains so right up until present day. An Enhanced machine identifies itself with the name "Apple //e" on its start up splash screen (as opposed to the less specific The Platinum IIe
In January 1987 came the final revision of the Apple IIe, often referred to as the Platinum IIe, due to the color change of its case to the light-grey color scheme that Apple dubbed "Platinum". Changes to this revision were mostly cosmetic to modernize the look of the machine. Besides the color change, there was a new keyboard layout, with built-in numeric keypad. The keyboard was changed to match the layout of the Apple IIGS, with the reset key moved above the ESC and '1' keys, the Open and Solid Apple modifier keys replaced by Command and Option and the power LED relocated above the numeric keypad. Gone were the recessed metal ID badges (showing the Apple logo and name, with "//e" beside it) replaced with a simpler "Apple IIe" silk screened on the case lid in the Apple Garamond font. A smaller Apple logo badge remained, however moved to the right side of the case.
Internally, a (reduced in size) Extended 80 Columns Card was factory pre-installed, making it come standard with 128 KB RAM and Double-Hi-Res graphics enabled. The motherboard had a reduced chip count by merging the two system ROM chips into one and used higher density memory chips so its 64 KB RAM could be made up of two (64 Kbx4) chips rather than eight (64 Kbx1) chips, bringing the count down to a total of 24 chips. A solder pad location on the motherboard, present since the original IIe, for (optionally) making presses of the "Shift" keys detectable in software, was now shorted by default so that the feature was always active. Next, in a move to reduce Radio Frequency Interference when a joystick plugged into the motherboard's Game I/O socket, filtering capacitors were added. While this made no difference to the average user, it had the negative effect of lowering the available bandwidth to the socket, which was often used by specialized devices for such purposes as measuring temperature, controlling a robotic device, or even simplistic networking for data transfer to another computer. In such cases the specialized devices were rendered useless on the Platinum IIe unless the user removed the capacitors from the board.
There were no firmware changes present, and functionally the motherboard was otherwise identical to the Enhanced IIe. This final model of the Apple IIe was discontinued in November 1993, officially retiring the entire Apple II family line with it.
The Apple IIe Card for Macintosh
In March 1991, shortly after the release of the Macintosh LC series, Apple released the PDS slot-based Apple IIe Card for the Macintosh. By plugging this card into a Macintosh LC (and later models incorporating an LC PDS slot), through hardware and (some) software emulation, the Macintosh could run most software written for the 8-bit Apple IIe computer. This miniaturized computer on a card was made possible by a chip called the Mega II, first used in the Apple IIGS computer to emulate the Apple IIe. The Mega II duplicated all the functions of a standard Apple IIe, minus RAM, ROM and CPU.
Many of the built-in Macintosh peripherals could be "borrowed" by the card when in Apple II mode (i.e. extra RAM, 3½ floppy, AppleTalk networking, clock, hard disk). It could even run at an accelerated 2 MHz, however as video was emulated using Macintosh QuickDraw routines, in slower machines it sometimes could not keep up with the speed of a real Apple IIe. With a specialized Y-cable, the card could use an actual Apple 5.25, Apple UniDisk 3.5 or even Apple II joystick/paddles. The Apple IIe Card is thought of as an Apple II compatible or emulator rather than an extension of the Apple II line, but included in this article for the sake of completeness.
International versions
The Apple IIe keyboard differed depending on what region of the world it was sold in. Sometimes the differences were very minor, such as extra local language characters and symbols printed on certain keycaps (e.g. French accented characters on Canadian IIe such as "á", "é", "ç", etc, or the British Pound "£" symbol on the UK IIe) while other times the layout and shape of keys greatly differed (e.g. European IIe). In order to access the local character set and keyboard layout, a user-accessible switch was found on the underside of the keyboard -- flipping it would instantly switch the video output and keyboard input from the US character set to the local set. To support this, special double capacity video and keyboard ROMs were used; in early motherboards they had to reside on a tiny circuit card that plugged into the socket. In some countries these localized IIe's also supported 50 Hz PAL video instead of the standard 60 Hz NTSC video and the different 220/240 volt power of that region. An equivalent of the "PAL color card" for the earlier Apple II europlus model was integrated into the motherboard of these IIe's, so that color graphics were available without the addition of a slot card.
The Apple IIGS Upgrade
The replacement ID badges for the front lid, used in the Apple IIe to IIGS upgrade.
When the Apple IIGS computer was introduced by Apple Computer in September 1986, Apple also announced it would be making an upgrade kit for the IIe available for purchase. Essentially the "upgrade" replaced the Apple IIe motherboard for a 16-bit Apple IIGS motherboard, making it more of an outright computer transplant than upgrade. Users would bring their Apple IIe machines into an authorized Apple dealership, where the IIe motherboard and lower baseboard of the case were swapped for an Apple IIGS motherboard with a new baseboard (with matching cut-outs for the new built-in ports). New metal sticker ID badges replaced those on the front of the Apple IIe, rebranding the machine. Retained were the upper half of the IIe case, the keyboard, speaker and powersupply. Original IIGS motherboards (those produced between 1986 to mid 1989) had electrical connections for the IIe powersupply and keyboard present, although only about half produced had the physical plug connectors factory pre-soldered in, which were mostly reserved for the upgrade kits.
reference
www.wikipedia.com
POPULAR BRANDS OF VIDEO AND SOUND CARD
POPULAR BRANDS OF VIDEO AND SOUND CARD
• Secure Digital card
image = [[Image:SD_Cards.JPG250px]] caption = Pair of SD cards type = [[Memory Card]]
39 KB (6151 words) - 06:19, 23 May 2008
• Diamond Multimedia
products = [[Graphics card]]s, [[sound card]]s, [[Digital audio player]]s profit =
20 KB (3104 words) - 17:59, 13 May 2008
• Naruto Collectible Card Game
publisher = [[Bandai]] random_chance = Some
16 KB (2615 words) - 17:46, 23 May 2008
• VS System
designer=Matt Hyra, Mike Hummel, Edward Fear, and Danny Mandel random_chance= Some
68 KB (10968 words) - 20:01, 23 May 2008
• List of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets
This is a list of expansion sets for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. ==Wizards of the Coast==
39 KB (6632 words) - 06:07, 22 May 2008
• Turtle Beach Systems
... any merged with [[Voyetra]], a company that made custom software for sound cards, to form '''Voyetra Turtle Beach Inc''' which is headquartered at [[Yonker ... ... Vision through their dealer network and Turtle Beach Softworks became a profitable company.
13 KB (2005 words) - 19:10, 25 April 2008
• S3 Graphics
key_people = [[Dado Banatao]] and Ronald Yara ... ]] for $323 million. The joint venture, S3 Graphics, continues to develop and market chipsets based on the S3 graphics technology.
10 KB (1380 words) - 05:07, 18 May 2008
• Amiga
{{otheruses4the family of home computers}} ... ally.DeMaria and Wilson (2003) ""High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games" p.109 ISBN 0-072-23172-6
42 KB (6514 words) - 23:40, 21 May 2008
• Sega Master System
type=[[Video game console]] generation=[[History of video game consoles (third generation)Third generation]] (8-bit era)
22 KB (3448 words) - 01:12, 21 May 2008
• Hollister Co.
{{Abercrombie & Fitch brand ... .corporate-ir.net/library/61/617/61701/items//anf_.pdftitle=Four Iconic Brands, One Aspirationaccessdate=}}
14 KB (2032 words) - 16:30, 24 May 2008
• Nvidia
... ornia]]
{{flagiconUSA}} [[USA]], additional locations in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] ... ior Vice President, Operations
Dr Ranga Jayaraman, [[Chief Information OfficerCIO]]
33 KB (4714 words) - 09:45, 23 May 2008
• TurboGrafx-16
type=[[Video game console]] generation=[[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)Fourth generation]]
49 KB (7788 words) - 02:42, 13 May 2008
• Roland Corporation
company_name = Roland Corporation company_logo = [[Image:Roland logo.svg220pxRoland Logo]]
17 KB (2307 words) - 02:01, 19 May 2008
• SoundFont
... music composition. SoundFont is also a [[trademarkregistered trademark]] of [[E-mu SystemsE-mu Systems, Inc.]]. ... Quality is also dependent on the number of samples taken for a given range of pitches.
12 KB (1780 words) - 10:21, 12 May 2008
• Best Buy
{{Forthe defunct chain of catalog showroomsBest Products}} company_slogan = "Thousands of Possibilities. Get Yours."
25 KB (3583 words) - 18:48, 24 May 2008
• Overclocking
... ocked: Stories of the Future Presentthe video gameOverclocked: A History of Violence}} ... us]] frequency (External clock) has increased from 133 [[MHz]] to 148 MHz, and [[clock multiplier]] factor has changed from 13.5 to 16.5.]]
34 KB (4981 words) - 04:51, 25 May 2008
• Music video
... V]]'s format was based around them. The term "music video" first came into popular usage in the early 1980s. Prior to then, such clips were described by vari ... ... stract film]]. Some music videos blend different styles, such as animation and live action.
52 KB (8068 words) - 17:17, 22 May 2008
• Tungsten (handheld)
... inuing the Tungsten line, but without the ''Tungsten'' name, is the [[TX (handheld)Palm TX]]. ... Tungsten line has been Palm's "prosumer" line, catering to business users and hobbyists willing to pay the price for higher performance.
24 KB (3712 words) - 15:52, 24 May 2008
• Sierra Entertainment
... ry information, does not conform to [[WP:NPOV]], no references, repository of external links}} foundation=[[1979 in video gaming1979]]
91 KB (14501 words) - 21:55, 22 May 2008
• Nokia 6xxx series
... hones is notable for their conservative, unisex designs, making the family popular with business users. ... [[T-Mobile]] is currently the only major GSM carrier that still sells the handset. The phone will likely be phased out by next year.
26 KB (3853 words) - 12:01, 24 May 2008
• RCA
fate = [[TakeoverTaken-over]] by [[GEGeneral Electric]] and broken up industry = Electronics
23 KB (3398 words) - 01:23, 24 May 2008
• Webcam
... tion. The term webcam is also used to describe the low-resolution digital video cameras designed for such purposes, but which can also be used to record i ... ... for [[closed-circuit television]]), connected to a [[video capture card]] and then directly or indirectly to the internet.
13 KB (2000 words) - 19:49, 20 May 2008
• Abercrombie & Fitch
{{ Abercrombie & Fitch brand ... /www.fashionunited.co.uk/news/abercrombie.htm Abercrombie & Fitch eye Jil Sander] Fashion United. Published on 26-07-05. Retrieved on 15-12-07.{{cite web ur ... ... connected to the RFID tag is imbedded within a tunnel in the bottom center of the pan.
28 KB (4062 words) - 07:47, 14 May 2008
• PlayStation 2
logo = [[Image:PlayStation 2 logo.svg230pxOfficial PlayStation 2 logo]] type = [[Video game console]]
36 KB (5324 words) - 19:21, 24 May 2008
REFERENCE
www.wikipedia .com
• Secure Digital card
image = [[Image:SD_Cards.JPG250px]] caption = Pair of SD cards type = [[Memory Card]]
39 KB (6151 words) - 06:19, 23 May 2008
• Diamond Multimedia
products = [[Graphics card]]s, [[sound card]]s, [[Digital audio player]]s profit =
20 KB (3104 words) - 17:59, 13 May 2008
• Naruto Collectible Card Game
publisher = [[Bandai]] random_chance = Some
16 KB (2615 words) - 17:46, 23 May 2008
• VS System
designer=Matt Hyra, Mike Hummel, Edward Fear, and Danny Mandel random_chance= Some
68 KB (10968 words) - 20:01, 23 May 2008
• List of Pokémon Trading Card Game sets
This is a list of expansion sets for the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]. ==Wizards of the Coast==
39 KB (6632 words) - 06:07, 22 May 2008
• Turtle Beach Systems
... any merged with [[Voyetra]], a company that made custom software for sound cards, to form '''Voyetra Turtle Beach Inc''' which is headquartered at [[Yonker ... ... Vision through their dealer network and Turtle Beach Softworks became a profitable company.
13 KB (2005 words) - 19:10, 25 April 2008
• S3 Graphics
key_people = [[Dado Banatao]] and Ronald Yara ... ]] for $323 million. The joint venture, S3 Graphics, continues to develop and market chipsets based on the S3 graphics technology.
10 KB (1380 words) - 05:07, 18 May 2008
• Amiga
{{otheruses4the family of home computers}} ... ally.DeMaria and Wilson (2003) ""High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games" p.109 ISBN 0-072-23172-6
42 KB (6514 words) - 23:40, 21 May 2008
• Sega Master System
type=[[Video game console]] generation=[[History of video game consoles (third generation)Third generation]] (8-bit era)
22 KB (3448 words) - 01:12, 21 May 2008
• Hollister Co.
{{Abercrombie & Fitch brand ... .corporate-ir.net/library/61/617/61701/items//anf_.pdftitle=Four Iconic Brands, One Aspirationaccessdate=}}
14 KB (2032 words) - 16:30, 24 May 2008
• Nvidia
... ornia]]
{{flagiconUSA}} [[USA]], additional locations in [[Europe]] and [[Asia]] ... ior Vice President, Operations
Dr Ranga Jayaraman, [[Chief Information OfficerCIO]]
33 KB (4714 words) - 09:45, 23 May 2008
• TurboGrafx-16
type=[[Video game console]] generation=[[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)Fourth generation]]
49 KB (7788 words) - 02:42, 13 May 2008
• Roland Corporation
company_name = Roland Corporation company_logo = [[Image:Roland logo.svg220pxRoland Logo]]
17 KB (2307 words) - 02:01, 19 May 2008
• SoundFont
... music composition. SoundFont is also a [[trademarkregistered trademark]] of [[E-mu SystemsE-mu Systems, Inc.]]. ... Quality is also dependent on the number of samples taken for a given range of pitches.
12 KB (1780 words) - 10:21, 12 May 2008
• Best Buy
{{Forthe defunct chain of catalog showroomsBest Products}} company_slogan = "Thousands of Possibilities. Get Yours."
25 KB (3583 words) - 18:48, 24 May 2008
• Overclocking
... ocked: Stories of the Future Presentthe video gameOverclocked: A History of Violence}} ... us]] frequency (External clock) has increased from 133 [[MHz]] to 148 MHz, and [[clock multiplier]] factor has changed from 13.5 to 16.5.]]
34 KB (4981 words) - 04:51, 25 May 2008
• Music video
... V]]'s format was based around them. The term "music video" first came into popular usage in the early 1980s. Prior to then, such clips were described by vari ... ... stract film]]. Some music videos blend different styles, such as animation and live action.
52 KB (8068 words) - 17:17, 22 May 2008
• Tungsten (handheld)
... inuing the Tungsten line, but without the ''Tungsten'' name, is the [[TX (handheld)Palm TX]]. ... Tungsten line has been Palm's "prosumer" line, catering to business users and hobbyists willing to pay the price for higher performance.
24 KB (3712 words) - 15:52, 24 May 2008
• Sierra Entertainment
... ry information, does not conform to [[WP:NPOV]], no references, repository of external links}} foundation=[[1979 in video gaming1979]]
91 KB (14501 words) - 21:55, 22 May 2008
• Nokia 6xxx series
... hones is notable for their conservative, unisex designs, making the family popular with business users. ... [[T-Mobile]] is currently the only major GSM carrier that still sells the handset. The phone will likely be phased out by next year.
26 KB (3853 words) - 12:01, 24 May 2008
• RCA
fate = [[TakeoverTaken-over]] by [[GEGeneral Electric]] and broken up industry = Electronics
23 KB (3398 words) - 01:23, 24 May 2008
• Webcam
... tion. The term webcam is also used to describe the low-resolution digital video cameras designed for such purposes, but which can also be used to record i ... ... for [[closed-circuit television]]), connected to a [[video capture card]] and then directly or indirectly to the internet.
13 KB (2000 words) - 19:49, 20 May 2008
• Abercrombie & Fitch
{{ Abercrombie & Fitch brand ... /www.fashionunited.co.uk/news/abercrombie.htm Abercrombie & Fitch eye Jil Sander] Fashion United. Published on 26-07-05. Retrieved on 15-12-07.{{cite web ur ... ... connected to the RFID tag is imbedded within a tunnel in the bottom center of the pan.
28 KB (4062 words) - 07:47, 14 May 2008
• PlayStation 2
logo = [[Image:PlayStation 2 logo.svg230pxOfficial PlayStation 2 logo]] type = [[Video game console]]
36 KB (5324 words) - 19:21, 24 May 2008
REFERENCE
www.wikipedia .com
BRANDS OF BIOS TECHNOLOGY
BRANDS OF BIOS TECHNOLOGY
Qoob chipPower-on self-test
... as become popular in association with and as a result of the proliferation of the [[IBM PC compatiblePC]]. It can be used as a noun when referring to t ... ... ollectively as [[option ROM]]s or individually as the [[video BIOS]], SCSI BIOS, etc.
11 KB (1675 words) - 08:27, 19 May 2008
· Phoenix Technologies
products = [[BIOSAwardBIOS]] ... OS Setup Utility.jpg300pxrightthumbSnapshot of the Phoenix [[BIOSAwardBIOS]] [[Text user interfaceTUI]].]] -->
9 KB (1205 words) - 05:02, 9 May 2008
· American Megatrends
industry = [[Computer hardware]]
[[Diagnostic software]]
[[Remote access]]
[[Motherboards]]
[[Firmware]]
Aptio
AMIDIAG
StorTrends
MegaRAC
ManageTrends
8 KB (1210 words) - 01:34, 13 February 2008
· Qoob chip
... tendo GameCube]], which allows the user to run unlicenced software such as bios replacements like [[GCOS]], [[emulator]]s, backup tools, and even operatin ... ... res on [[April 12]], [[2005]] twenty two days after the first announcement of the product.{{cite web url=http://www.qoobchip.com title=Qoob Mod ...
6 KB (949 words) - 20:31, 15 May 2008
· Extensible Firmware Interface
... e.svgthumb300pxrightExtensible Firmware Interface’s position in the software stack.]] ... “[http://www.intel.com/technology/magazine/computing/it09006.pdf Solving BIOS Boot Issues with EFI]”. ''Intel DeveloperUPDATEMagazine''. September, 20 ...
16 KB (2361 words) - 18:22, 17 May 2008
· BIOS interrupt call
... BIOS to probe and initialise hardware resources during their early stages of booting. IRQ3: Called by [[serial port]]s 2 and 4 (COM2/4) when in need of attention
8 KB (1315 words) - 23:53, 24 April 2008
· MSX
... y one-time [[Microsoft Japan]] executive [[Kazuhiko Nishi]]. Despite Microsoft's involvement, MSX-based machines were seldom seen in the United States b ... ... turers. In particular, the expansion cartridge form and function were part of the standard; any MSX expansion or game cartridge would work in any MSX co ...
26 KB (4012 words) - 01:58, 25 May 2008
· INT 13
... tware interrupt]], and 0x13 is the vector passed to the instruction. The [[BIOS]] typically sets up a [[real mode]] [[interrupt handler]] at this vector t ... ... ystems such as [[MS-DOS]], calling INT 0x13 would jump into the computer's BIOS code for '''Low Level Disk Services''', which will carry out sector-based ...
14 KB (1996 words) - 22:07, 29 January 2008
· Booting
... r turns on a [[computer system]]. A '''boot sequence''' is the initial set of operations that the computer performs when it is switched on. The bootload ... ... s the operating system. The name ''bootstrap loader'' comes from the image of one pulling oneself up by one's [[boot]] [[straps]].
25 KB (3985 words) - 13:39, 20 May 2008
· Nonvolatile BIOS memory
... normally has a storage capacity of 512 [[Byte]]s, which is enough for all BIOS-settings. ... ply 5V standby power to the motherboard even if it is apparently "switched off", and keep the CMOS memory energized.
4 KB (593 words) - 21:50, 17 April 2008
· LILO (boot loader)
{{Infobox_Software developer = John Coffman
5 KB (780 words) - 19:38, 8 May 2008
· Master boot record
+ Structure of a Master Boot Record style="text-align: center" 446 colspan="2" '''Table of primary partitions'''
(Four 16-byte entries, IBM Partition Table sche ...
30 KB (4695 words) - 06:46, 23 May 2008
· Make Me a Supermodel (US)
website = http://www.bravotv.com/Make_Me_A_Supermodel/pose_off/index.php ... elected at the end of each episode and viewers of the show determine which of the 3 contestants will not continue in the competition. Two contestants, B ...
17 KB (2422 words) - 22:39, 16 May 2008
· CIH (computer virus)
... system drives, and more importantly, in some cases corrupting the system [[BIOS]]. ... s to the complete coincidence of the payload trigger date in some variants of the virus (actually the virus writer's birthday) and the [[Chernobyl accid ...
9 KB (1372 words) - 03:54, 1 May 2008
· Tech ARP
... urri of different articles, as varied and as delectable as the ingredients of that dish. Thus, the name Adrian's Rojak Pot was born. ... reviews, editorials, guides and news related to [[computer hardware]], [[software]], [[computer technology]], [[modding]] and also [[overclocking]].
5 KB (710 words) - 12:59, 19 May 2008
· A+ Core Hardware Exam
Below is a summary of the [[2003]] [[CompTIA#A+A+]] Hardware Exam objectives: 1.1 Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics, of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight or definition.
15 KB (1834 words) - 15:12, 10 April 2008
· Dmesg
... rtant messages from those printed during boot to those used for debugging software. This information may also be stored to disk via a logging daemon, su ... dmesg is often piped to [[tail (Unix)tail]] for an easier overview of recent events:
17 KB (2552 words) - 07:43, 6 May 2008
· Eagle Computer
... M PC, even if a non-clone had better features, Eagle responded with a line of clones, including a portable. The Eagle PCs were always rated highly in c ... ... out of court. This led to the founding of third-party companies that sold BIOSes to computer manufacturers.
24 KB (3943 words) - 02:47, 7 March 2008
· Asus
... al assistantPDA]]s and others
(see complete [[#Product categorieslist of categories]]) revenue = {{profit}} [[NT$]]541.8 Billion ([[Fiscal year2006]])
([[United States dollar ...
14 KB (1958 words) - 06:05, 21 May 2008
· Boot sector
{{Nofootnotesdate=November 2007}} ... usually, but not necessarily, [[operating system]]s) stored in other parts of the disk.
5 KB (781 words) - 11:37, 9 May 2008
EPSXe
{{Infobox_Software caption = Screenshot of ePSXe 1.6.0 running on Windows Vista x64
6 KB (838 words) - 00:22, 25 May 2008
Doctor V64
... red in the [[BIOS]] chip. It is likely that Bung reused most of the design of their earlier NES clones in the Doctor V64. ... ansion slot is essentially a mirror image of the cartridge slot on the top of the unit, with the same electrical connections, thus the Nintendo 64 reads ...
13 KB (2115 words) - 18:07, 3 April 2008
TurboGrafx-16
generation=[[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)Fourth generation]] CPU=[[Hudson Soft HuC6280]]
49 KB (7788 words) - 02:42, 13 May 2008
List of Georgia Institute of Technology alumni
... ]],{{cite weburl=http://gtalumni.org/uploads/bylaws.pdftitle=Bylaws of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, Inc.publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni As ... ... lated]] and left Georgia Tech in good standing, active and retired members of the faculty and administration staff, and those who have rendered some spe ...
56 KB (8212 words) - 16:53, 11 May 2008
Harris Brothers
... ck)
The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull and 8-Ball)
The Disciples of Destruction (Don and Ron)
The Grimm Twins (Jared and Jason)
The ... ... t their careers, the brothers [[tag teamteamed]] together under a variety of [[ring name]]s.
21 KB (2798 words) - 21:06, 23 May 2008
World Wrestling Entertainment
... [Stephanie McMahonStephanie McMahon-Levesque]], Executive Vice President of Creative Writing industry=[[Professional wrestling]], [[sports entertainment]]
38 KB (5529 words) - 02:52, 25 May 2008
GUID Partition Table
... one of the few remaining relics of the original IBM PC. EFI uses GPT where BIOS uses a [[Master Boot Record]] (MBR). ... s in size. LBA addresses that are negative indicate position from the end of the volume, with −1 being the last addressable block.]]
13 KB (2155 words) - 20:02, 19 May 2008
ESPN
logofile=ESPN wordmark.svg ... Angeles office is scheduled to open at [[L.A. Live]] in [[2009]]. The name of the sport company was lengthened to "ESPN Inc." in February [[1985]].
29 KB (4083 words) - 07:13, 25 May 2008
Mac Pro
... ocessor]]s, but are similar to the [[Power Mac G5]] they replaced in terms of outward appearance and expansion capabilities. They are currently the only ... ... chines in their lineup, and started using "Pro" on their higher-end laptop offerings. As such, the name "Mac Pro" was widely used before the machine was ...
22 KB (3479 words) - 17:19, 20 May 2008
Lenovo 3000 N
... l Core 2]] Duo Processors, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB [[Hard Drive]]s, 1GB or 2 GB of [[RAM]] upgradable to 4GB, [[Intel GMA]] X3100 or [[Nvidia]] 7300 Graphics ... '''Installing Microsoft Windows XP'''
6 KB (996 words) - 13:05, 22 May 2008
IBM Personal System/2
Type = Professional Computer ... PC architecture instead of abandoning it for something new. However, many of the PS/2s innovations, such as the 1440 kB 3.5-inch [[floppy disk]] format ...
17 KB (2683 words) - 20:28, 12 May 2008
Controlled Ecological Life Support System
... d [[closed ecological system]]s, such as the [[BioHome]], [[BIOS-3]] and [[Biosphere 2]]. ... , unmanned ecosystems, expanding into the research facility known as the [[BIOS-3]].
6 KB (919 words) - 19:38, 20 May 2008
KYMA
... Blythe, California]] in the Palo Verde Valley, and in the southeastern end of the [[Coachella Valley]], and it transmits a clear signal to viewers in [[ ... ... r date=[[1991-10-21]] accessdate=2007-05-19}} KIVA eventually went off the air in the 1960s.
10 KB (1390 words) - 06:05, 5 May 2008
List of Texas A&M University people
... not necessarily represent the graduation year. Non-graduates or attendees of the university are indicated by an asterisk (*). * [[Bob Bowden]] (1986) - Professor at the [[United States Military Academy]] {{cite weburl=http:// ...
64 KB (9080 words) - 19:09, 15 May 2008
Brian Urlacher
* 2000 Male Athlete of the Year (UNM) * 2000 [[NFL Rookie of the Year AwardNFL Defensive Rookie of the Year]]
22 KB (3353 words) - 21:18, 24 May 2008
IBM PCjr
... h the revised keyboard and a third-party floppy drive (attached to the top of the computer).]] ... model number '''4860''', retained the [[IBM PC]]'s [[8088]] [[CPU]] and [[BIOS]] interface for compatibility, but differences in the PCjr's architecture, ...
16 KB (2540 words) - 16:10, 26 April 2008
Impalement arts
... ts''' are a type of [[performing art]] in which a performer plays the role of human target for a fellow performer who demonstrates accuracy skills in di ... Impalement arts are often found in [[circuses]] and [[sideshow]]s as well as sometimes in [[Varie ...
61 KB (9413 words) - 10:27, 23 May 2008
Natural Born Thrillers
... atural Born Thrillers Profileaccessdate=2008-04-26publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}
[[Chuck Palumbo]]
[[Sean O'Haire ... The '''Natural Born Thrillers''' was a [[professional wrestling]] stable in [[World Championship Wrestling]] in 2000.
10 KB (1518 words) - 11:09, 17 May 2008
MSX-DOS
developer = [[MicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation]] license = [[Proprietary softwareProprietary]]
5 KB (755 words) - 02:59, 29 March 2008
Video game accessory
... like mod chips to bypass manufacturing protection or [[homebrewhomemade software]]. ... ]] and the spinner. Now there are direction controls as well as many types of other inputs.
17 KB (2833 words) - 05:42, 11 May 2008
reference
www.wikipedia.com
Qoob chipPower-on self-test
... as become popular in association with and as a result of the proliferation of the [[IBM PC compatiblePC]]. It can be used as a noun when referring to t ... ... ollectively as [[option ROM]]s or individually as the [[video BIOS]], SCSI BIOS, etc.
11 KB (1675 words) - 08:27, 19 May 2008
· Phoenix Technologies
products = [[BIOSAwardBIOS]] ... OS Setup Utility.jpg300pxrightthumbSnapshot of the Phoenix [[BIOSAwardBIOS]] [[Text user interfaceTUI]].]] -->
9 KB (1205 words) - 05:02, 9 May 2008
· American Megatrends
industry = [[Computer hardware]]
[[Diagnostic software]]
[[Remote access]]
[[Motherboards]]
[[Firmware]]
Aptio
AMIDIAG
StorTrends
MegaRAC
ManageTrends
8 KB (1210 words) - 01:34, 13 February 2008
· Qoob chip
... tendo GameCube]], which allows the user to run unlicenced software such as bios replacements like [[GCOS]], [[emulator]]s, backup tools, and even operatin ... ... res on [[April 12]], [[2005]] twenty two days after the first announcement of the product.{{cite web url=http://www.qoobchip.com title=Qoob Mod ...
6 KB (949 words) - 20:31, 15 May 2008
· Extensible Firmware Interface
... e.svgthumb300pxrightExtensible Firmware Interface’s position in the software stack.]] ... “[http://www.intel.com/technology/magazine/computing/it09006.pdf Solving BIOS Boot Issues with EFI]”. ''Intel DeveloperUPDATEMagazine''. September, 20 ...
16 KB (2361 words) - 18:22, 17 May 2008
· BIOS interrupt call
... BIOS to probe and initialise hardware resources during their early stages of booting. IRQ3: Called by [[serial port]]s 2 and 4 (COM2/4) when in need of attention
8 KB (1315 words) - 23:53, 24 April 2008
· MSX
... y one-time [[Microsoft Japan]] executive [[Kazuhiko Nishi]]. Despite Microsoft's involvement, MSX-based machines were seldom seen in the United States b ... ... turers. In particular, the expansion cartridge form and function were part of the standard; any MSX expansion or game cartridge would work in any MSX co ...
26 KB (4012 words) - 01:58, 25 May 2008
· INT 13
... tware interrupt]], and 0x13 is the vector passed to the instruction. The [[BIOS]] typically sets up a [[real mode]] [[interrupt handler]] at this vector t ... ... ystems such as [[MS-DOS]], calling INT 0x13 would jump into the computer's BIOS code for '''Low Level Disk Services''', which will carry out sector-based ...
14 KB (1996 words) - 22:07, 29 January 2008
· Booting
... r turns on a [[computer system]]. A '''boot sequence''' is the initial set of operations that the computer performs when it is switched on. The bootload ... ... s the operating system. The name ''bootstrap loader'' comes from the image of one pulling oneself up by one's [[boot]] [[straps]].
25 KB (3985 words) - 13:39, 20 May 2008
· Nonvolatile BIOS memory
... normally has a storage capacity of 512 [[Byte]]s, which is enough for all BIOS-settings. ... ply 5V standby power to the motherboard even if it is apparently "switched off", and keep the CMOS memory energized.
4 KB (593 words) - 21:50, 17 April 2008
· LILO (boot loader)
{{Infobox_Software developer = John Coffman
5 KB (780 words) - 19:38, 8 May 2008
· Master boot record
+ Structure of a Master Boot Record style="text-align: center" 446 colspan="2" '''Table of primary partitions'''
(Four 16-byte entries, IBM Partition Table sche ...
30 KB (4695 words) - 06:46, 23 May 2008
· Make Me a Supermodel (US)
website = http://www.bravotv.com/Make_Me_A_Supermodel/pose_off/index.php ... elected at the end of each episode and viewers of the show determine which of the 3 contestants will not continue in the competition. Two contestants, B ...
17 KB (2422 words) - 22:39, 16 May 2008
· CIH (computer virus)
... system drives, and more importantly, in some cases corrupting the system [[BIOS]]. ... s to the complete coincidence of the payload trigger date in some variants of the virus (actually the virus writer's birthday) and the [[Chernobyl accid ...
9 KB (1372 words) - 03:54, 1 May 2008
· Tech ARP
... urri of different articles, as varied and as delectable as the ingredients of that dish. Thus, the name Adrian's Rojak Pot was born. ... reviews, editorials, guides and news related to [[computer hardware]], [[software]], [[computer technology]], [[modding]] and also [[overclocking]].
5 KB (710 words) - 12:59, 19 May 2008
· A+ Core Hardware Exam
Below is a summary of the [[2003]] [[CompTIA#A+A+]] Hardware Exam objectives: 1.1 Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics, of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight or definition.
15 KB (1834 words) - 15:12, 10 April 2008
· Dmesg
... rtant messages from those printed during boot to those used for debugging software. This information may also be stored to disk via a logging daemon, su ... dmesg is often piped to [[tail (Unix)tail]] for an easier overview of recent events:
17 KB (2552 words) - 07:43, 6 May 2008
· Eagle Computer
... M PC, even if a non-clone had better features, Eagle responded with a line of clones, including a portable. The Eagle PCs were always rated highly in c ... ... out of court. This led to the founding of third-party companies that sold BIOSes to computer manufacturers.
24 KB (3943 words) - 02:47, 7 March 2008
· Asus
... al assistantPDA]]s and others
(see complete [[#Product categorieslist of categories]]) revenue = {{profit}} [[NT$]]541.8 Billion ([[Fiscal year2006]])
([[United States dollar ...
14 KB (1958 words) - 06:05, 21 May 2008
· Boot sector
{{Nofootnotesdate=November 2007}} ... usually, but not necessarily, [[operating system]]s) stored in other parts of the disk.
5 KB (781 words) - 11:37, 9 May 2008
EPSXe
{{Infobox_Software caption = Screenshot of ePSXe 1.6.0 running on Windows Vista x64
6 KB (838 words) - 00:22, 25 May 2008
Doctor V64
... red in the [[BIOS]] chip. It is likely that Bung reused most of the design of their earlier NES clones in the Doctor V64. ... ansion slot is essentially a mirror image of the cartridge slot on the top of the unit, with the same electrical connections, thus the Nintendo 64 reads ...
13 KB (2115 words) - 18:07, 3 April 2008
TurboGrafx-16
generation=[[History of video game consoles (fourth generation)Fourth generation]] CPU=[[Hudson Soft HuC6280]]
49 KB (7788 words) - 02:42, 13 May 2008
List of Georgia Institute of Technology alumni
... ]],{{cite weburl=http://gtalumni.org/uploads/bylaws.pdftitle=Bylaws of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association, Inc.publisher=Georgia Tech Alumni As ... ... lated]] and left Georgia Tech in good standing, active and retired members of the faculty and administration staff, and those who have rendered some spe ...
56 KB (8212 words) - 16:53, 11 May 2008
Harris Brothers
... ck)
The Disciples of Apocalypse (Skull and 8-Ball)
The Disciples of Destruction (Don and Ron)
The Grimm Twins (Jared and Jason)
The ... ... t their careers, the brothers [[tag teamteamed]] together under a variety of [[ring name]]s.
21 KB (2798 words) - 21:06, 23 May 2008
World Wrestling Entertainment
... [Stephanie McMahonStephanie McMahon-Levesque]], Executive Vice President of Creative Writing industry=[[Professional wrestling]], [[sports entertainment]]
38 KB (5529 words) - 02:52, 25 May 2008
GUID Partition Table
... one of the few remaining relics of the original IBM PC. EFI uses GPT where BIOS uses a [[Master Boot Record]] (MBR). ... s in size. LBA addresses that are negative indicate position from the end of the volume, with −1 being the last addressable block.]]
13 KB (2155 words) - 20:02, 19 May 2008
ESPN
logofile=ESPN wordmark.svg ... Angeles office is scheduled to open at [[L.A. Live]] in [[2009]]. The name of the sport company was lengthened to "ESPN Inc." in February [[1985]].
29 KB (4083 words) - 07:13, 25 May 2008
Mac Pro
... ocessor]]s, but are similar to the [[Power Mac G5]] they replaced in terms of outward appearance and expansion capabilities. They are currently the only ... ... chines in their lineup, and started using "Pro" on their higher-end laptop offerings. As such, the name "Mac Pro" was widely used before the machine was ...
22 KB (3479 words) - 17:19, 20 May 2008
Lenovo 3000 N
... l Core 2]] Duo Processors, 80GB, 120GB, 160GB [[Hard Drive]]s, 1GB or 2 GB of [[RAM]] upgradable to 4GB, [[Intel GMA]] X3100 or [[Nvidia]] 7300 Graphics ... '''Installing Microsoft Windows XP'''
6 KB (996 words) - 13:05, 22 May 2008
IBM Personal System/2
Type = Professional Computer ... PC architecture instead of abandoning it for something new. However, many of the PS/2s innovations, such as the 1440 kB 3.5-inch [[floppy disk]] format ...
17 KB (2683 words) - 20:28, 12 May 2008
Controlled Ecological Life Support System
... d [[closed ecological system]]s, such as the [[BioHome]], [[BIOS-3]] and [[Biosphere 2]]. ... , unmanned ecosystems, expanding into the research facility known as the [[BIOS-3]].
6 KB (919 words) - 19:38, 20 May 2008
KYMA
... Blythe, California]] in the Palo Verde Valley, and in the southeastern end of the [[Coachella Valley]], and it transmits a clear signal to viewers in [[ ... ... r date=[[1991-10-21]] accessdate=2007-05-19}} KIVA eventually went off the air in the 1960s.
10 KB (1390 words) - 06:05, 5 May 2008
List of Texas A&M University people
... not necessarily represent the graduation year. Non-graduates or attendees of the university are indicated by an asterisk (*). * [[Bob Bowden]] (1986) - Professor at the [[United States Military Academy]] {{cite weburl=http:// ...
64 KB (9080 words) - 19:09, 15 May 2008
Brian Urlacher
* 2000 Male Athlete of the Year (UNM) * 2000 [[NFL Rookie of the Year AwardNFL Defensive Rookie of the Year]]
22 KB (3353 words) - 21:18, 24 May 2008
IBM PCjr
... h the revised keyboard and a third-party floppy drive (attached to the top of the computer).]] ... model number '''4860''', retained the [[IBM PC]]'s [[8088]] [[CPU]] and [[BIOS]] interface for compatibility, but differences in the PCjr's architecture, ...
16 KB (2540 words) - 16:10, 26 April 2008
Impalement arts
... ts''' are a type of [[performing art]] in which a performer plays the role of human target for a fellow performer who demonstrates accuracy skills in di ... Impalement arts are often found in [[circuses]] and [[sideshow]]s as well as sometimes in [[Varie ...
61 KB (9413 words) - 10:27, 23 May 2008
Natural Born Thrillers
... atural Born Thrillers Profileaccessdate=2008-04-26publisher=Online World Of Wrestling}}
[[Chuck Palumbo]]
[[Sean O'Haire ... The '''Natural Born Thrillers''' was a [[professional wrestling]] stable in [[World Championship Wrestling]] in 2000.
10 KB (1518 words) - 11:09, 17 May 2008
MSX-DOS
developer = [[MicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation]] license = [[Proprietary softwareProprietary]]
5 KB (755 words) - 02:59, 29 March 2008
Video game accessory
... like mod chips to bypass manufacturing protection or [[homebrewhomemade software]]. ... ]] and the spinner. Now there are direction controls as well as many types of other inputs.
17 KB (2833 words) - 05:42, 11 May 2008
reference
www.wikipedia.com
Saturday, 24 May 2008
CD DVDV ROM TECHNOLOGY
CD-ROM Technology
CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a mass storage medium utilizing an optical laser to read microscopic pits on the aluminized layer of a polycarbonate disc. The same format is used for audio Compact Discs. Because of its high storage capacity, reliability, and low cost, CD-ROM has become an increasingly popular storage media.
The storage capacity of a CD-ROM disc is approximately 650 megabytes, equivalent to over 500 high density 3.5" floppy disks or roughly 250,000 typed pages.
First generation drives (known as single speed), provided a transfer rate of approximately 150 kilobytes per second. Hardware manufacturers then introduced double speed (300 kB/sec), quad speed (600 kB/sec), and higher. Current drives operate at up to 40 times speed, although the maximum rate is only achievable over certain portions of the disc surface.
Most CD-ROM drives use either the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), ATAPI enhanced IDE interface, or a vendor proprietary interface. They also typically support playing audio CDs via an external headphone jack or line level output. Most drives also allow reading the frames of data from audio CDs in digital form.
CD-ROMs are usually formatted with an ISO-9660 (formerly called High Sierra) file system. This format restricts filenames to the MS-DOS style (8+3 characters). The Rock Ridge Extensions use undefined fields in the ISO-9660 standard to support longer filenames and additional Unix style information (e.g. file ownership, symbolic links, etc.). Microsoft has defined a proprietary ISO file system extension called Joliet which supports long filenames using the 16-bit UNICODE character encoding.
PhotoCD is a standard developed by Kodak for storing photographic images as digital data on a CD-ROM. With appropriate software, you can view the images on a computer, manipulate them, or send them to a printer. Information can be added to a PhotoCD at a later date; this is known as multi-session capability.
CD recordable (CD-R) drives allow writing onto a special "gold" CD which can then be read by any CD-ROM drive. Data can only be written once, although using multi-session new data can be appended to a disc.
CD-RW (rewritable) drives can be erased and rewritten with new data. They use special discs which can be read by most recent CD-ROM drives (but not older ones or most audio CD players).
DVD-ROM expands the storage of a CD to as much as 17 gigabytes. They are commonly used as a medium for distributing full length motion pictures encoded using the MPEG-2 format. The MPEG video decoding is performed using specialized decoder software and/or hardware. DVD-RAM is a writable version of DVD.
DVD Formats
Format
Application
DVD-ROM
High-capacity computer ROM storage, capable of replacing multiple CDs. Multimedia, computer games, interactive systems, databases.
DVD-Audio
High-quality surround-sound music with increased playing time.
DVD-Video
High-quality multi-lingual movies on one disk with random-access to episodes and surround-sound audio.
DVD-RAM and DVD-R
Very large (compared to CD)direct access data storage.
DVD Configurations and Basic design
CD Players and CD-ROM drives use an infrared laser working at a wavelength of 780 nanometers. Since the wavelength is one of the parameters responsible for the beam diameter, which translates into smaller and denser bits (click here for details), the new DVD Players and DVD-ROM drives use the red laser working at 650 nm and 635 nm wavelengths.
Another parameter, important for smaller and denser bits, is the Numerical Aperture (NA) that was achieved in DVD by refining the laser assembly.
DVD's digital modulation and ECC (error correction code) were designed to support the increased storage capacity. The 8 to 16 (EFM PLUS) modulation scheme (8 to 17 is used in a CD) is very efficient and provides backward compatibility. Also, the RS-PC (Reed Solomon Product Code) error correction code is about 10 times more robust than that currently used in CD systems.
Unlike a CD, a DVD is a bonded disc, made of two 0.6 mm substrates joined together. Although they are similar in appearance, some substantial differences between the CD and DVD are revealed under the surface.
The DVD format provides several configurations of data layers, moving from 2D storage towards 3D storage. Each configuration is designed to provide additional storage capacity:
Name
Media structure
Capacity (GB)
DVD-5
Single Side / Single Layer
4.7
DVD-9
Single Side / Dual Layer
8.54
DVD-10
Double Side / Single Layer
9.4
DVD-18
Double Side / Dual Layer
17.08
DVD-R
Single or Double Side / Single Layer
3.95 / 7.9
DVD-RAM
Single or Double Side / Single Layer
2.6 / 5.2
DVD-ROM
Like a CD, a DVD-ROM is a pre-recorded disk. DVD-ROM is used to store general data, as well as video and audio information needed for multimedia applications and computer games. DVD-ROM satisfies the following requirements:
Backward compatibility with CD-ROMs
Forward compatibility with the future recordable (R) and rewritable (RW) disks
Single format for computer and TV applications
Single file system for all data types and media types
The backward compatibility of the DVD drives means that it will read both CD-ROM and CD-audio, which makes them a great replacement for CD-drives. Because of higher bit density and other advantageous features, even a 5x-speed DVD drive will read the CD at the rate equivalent to about 40x for the regular CD drive. For now, DVD drives are, in general, more expensive, and require special MPEG-2 hardware or software decoders to read the compressed data. To have the best video quality, the hardware approach is better unless the fastest processors are used.
This clearly makes DVD-ROM a computer storage of the near future, especially for databases, multimedia, games, interactive video, etc.
DVD-Video and DVD-Audio
One of the reasons for the success of DVD technology is the DVD-Video formats. DVD video application is strongly dependent on data compression, since at the bit rate of 167 Mbps (which corresponds to the video rate specified by the CCIR-601 digital video standard), the 4.7 gigabyte capacity of a standard DVD would be enough to store roughly 4 minutes of digital video. This provides for the nominal 133 minutes of playing time for DVD-5. Longer movies should use a dual-layer technology (DVD-9). The data on the first layer start at the inside of the disk and end at the outside, where the data on the second layer start thus providing uninterrupted playback.
Two types of video compression standards could be used for DVD: MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, but only MPEG-2 video data can be copy protected and region coded (MPEG stands for the Moving Picture Experts Group). Therefore, the same techniques of copy protection as are currently used for CDs are being adopted for DVD.
Like all compression algorithms (WinZip is one example), MPEG-2 analyzes repetition in the video signal, called redundancy, and tries to get rid of it. MPEG-2 is capable of 'filtering' about 97% of the data in the video signal without significantly degrading the quality of the picture. This allows recording of 133 minutes on a 4.7 GB disk at a much lower bit rate than required by the digital video standard.
DVD-Video may have up to 8 (typically, three) tracks of mono, stereo, or multi-channel surround sound, which makes it much better than the VCR. The audio encoding formats include Dolby Digital (5.1 channel surround sound), MPEG (up to 7.1 channels), LPCM (number of channels is hardware dependent), and DTS (only in addition to one of the other formats).
DVD's direct data access allows interactivity and direct access to the movie episodes or other information of the disk. DVD also allows subtitles (up to 32 sets in different languages), making any DVD really universal. On the other hand, to provide additional copy protection, most DVDs have so-called regional coding, making it impossible to play the same disk in different regions, since most DVD-Videos are made for a specific region or country and not for free world-wide use. There are 6 regions (see next table) used for DVD-Video coding:
CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a mass storage medium utilizing an optical laser to read microscopic pits on the aluminized layer of a polycarbonate disc. The same format is used for audio Compact Discs. Because of its high storage capacity, reliability, and low cost, CD-ROM has become an increasingly popular storage media.
The storage capacity of a CD-ROM disc is approximately 650 megabytes, equivalent to over 500 high density 3.5" floppy disks or roughly 250,000 typed pages.
First generation drives (known as single speed), provided a transfer rate of approximately 150 kilobytes per second. Hardware manufacturers then introduced double speed (300 kB/sec), quad speed (600 kB/sec), and higher. Current drives operate at up to 40 times speed, although the maximum rate is only achievable over certain portions of the disc surface.
Most CD-ROM drives use either the Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), ATAPI enhanced IDE interface, or a vendor proprietary interface. They also typically support playing audio CDs via an external headphone jack or line level output. Most drives also allow reading the frames of data from audio CDs in digital form.
CD-ROMs are usually formatted with an ISO-9660 (formerly called High Sierra) file system. This format restricts filenames to the MS-DOS style (8+3 characters). The Rock Ridge Extensions use undefined fields in the ISO-9660 standard to support longer filenames and additional Unix style information (e.g. file ownership, symbolic links, etc.). Microsoft has defined a proprietary ISO file system extension called Joliet which supports long filenames using the 16-bit UNICODE character encoding.
PhotoCD is a standard developed by Kodak for storing photographic images as digital data on a CD-ROM. With appropriate software, you can view the images on a computer, manipulate them, or send them to a printer. Information can be added to a PhotoCD at a later date; this is known as multi-session capability.
CD recordable (CD-R) drives allow writing onto a special "gold" CD which can then be read by any CD-ROM drive. Data can only be written once, although using multi-session new data can be appended to a disc.
CD-RW (rewritable) drives can be erased and rewritten with new data. They use special discs which can be read by most recent CD-ROM drives (but not older ones or most audio CD players).
DVD-ROM expands the storage of a CD to as much as 17 gigabytes. They are commonly used as a medium for distributing full length motion pictures encoded using the MPEG-2 format. The MPEG video decoding is performed using specialized decoder software and/or hardware. DVD-RAM is a writable version of DVD.
DVD Formats
Format
Application
DVD-ROM
High-capacity computer ROM storage, capable of replacing multiple CDs. Multimedia, computer games, interactive systems, databases.
DVD-Audio
High-quality surround-sound music with increased playing time.
DVD-Video
High-quality multi-lingual movies on one disk with random-access to episodes and surround-sound audio.
DVD-RAM and DVD-R
Very large (compared to CD)direct access data storage.
DVD Configurations and Basic design
CD Players and CD-ROM drives use an infrared laser working at a wavelength of 780 nanometers. Since the wavelength is one of the parameters responsible for the beam diameter, which translates into smaller and denser bits (click here for details), the new DVD Players and DVD-ROM drives use the red laser working at 650 nm and 635 nm wavelengths.
Another parameter, important for smaller and denser bits, is the Numerical Aperture (NA) that was achieved in DVD by refining the laser assembly.
DVD's digital modulation and ECC (error correction code) were designed to support the increased storage capacity. The 8 to 16 (EFM PLUS) modulation scheme (8 to 17 is used in a CD) is very efficient and provides backward compatibility. Also, the RS-PC (Reed Solomon Product Code) error correction code is about 10 times more robust than that currently used in CD systems.
Unlike a CD, a DVD is a bonded disc, made of two 0.6 mm substrates joined together. Although they are similar in appearance, some substantial differences between the CD and DVD are revealed under the surface.
The DVD format provides several configurations of data layers, moving from 2D storage towards 3D storage. Each configuration is designed to provide additional storage capacity:
Name
Media structure
Capacity (GB)
DVD-5
Single Side / Single Layer
4.7
DVD-9
Single Side / Dual Layer
8.54
DVD-10
Double Side / Single Layer
9.4
DVD-18
Double Side / Dual Layer
17.08
DVD-R
Single or Double Side / Single Layer
3.95 / 7.9
DVD-RAM
Single or Double Side / Single Layer
2.6 / 5.2
DVD-ROM
Like a CD, a DVD-ROM is a pre-recorded disk. DVD-ROM is used to store general data, as well as video and audio information needed for multimedia applications and computer games. DVD-ROM satisfies the following requirements:
Backward compatibility with CD-ROMs
Forward compatibility with the future recordable (R) and rewritable (RW) disks
Single format for computer and TV applications
Single file system for all data types and media types
The backward compatibility of the DVD drives means that it will read both CD-ROM and CD-audio, which makes them a great replacement for CD-drives. Because of higher bit density and other advantageous features, even a 5x-speed DVD drive will read the CD at the rate equivalent to about 40x for the regular CD drive. For now, DVD drives are, in general, more expensive, and require special MPEG-2 hardware or software decoders to read the compressed data. To have the best video quality, the hardware approach is better unless the fastest processors are used.
This clearly makes DVD-ROM a computer storage of the near future, especially for databases, multimedia, games, interactive video, etc.
DVD-Video and DVD-Audio
One of the reasons for the success of DVD technology is the DVD-Video formats. DVD video application is strongly dependent on data compression, since at the bit rate of 167 Mbps (which corresponds to the video rate specified by the CCIR-601 digital video standard), the 4.7 gigabyte capacity of a standard DVD would be enough to store roughly 4 minutes of digital video. This provides for the nominal 133 minutes of playing time for DVD-5. Longer movies should use a dual-layer technology (DVD-9). The data on the first layer start at the inside of the disk and end at the outside, where the data on the second layer start thus providing uninterrupted playback.
Two types of video compression standards could be used for DVD: MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, but only MPEG-2 video data can be copy protected and region coded (MPEG stands for the Moving Picture Experts Group). Therefore, the same techniques of copy protection as are currently used for CDs are being adopted for DVD.
Like all compression algorithms (WinZip is one example), MPEG-2 analyzes repetition in the video signal, called redundancy, and tries to get rid of it. MPEG-2 is capable of 'filtering' about 97% of the data in the video signal without significantly degrading the quality of the picture. This allows recording of 133 minutes on a 4.7 GB disk at a much lower bit rate than required by the digital video standard.
DVD-Video may have up to 8 (typically, three) tracks of mono, stereo, or multi-channel surround sound, which makes it much better than the VCR. The audio encoding formats include Dolby Digital (5.1 channel surround sound), MPEG (up to 7.1 channels), LPCM (number of channels is hardware dependent), and DTS (only in addition to one of the other formats).
DVD's direct data access allows interactivity and direct access to the movie episodes or other information of the disk. DVD also allows subtitles (up to 32 sets in different languages), making any DVD really universal. On the other hand, to provide additional copy protection, most DVDs have so-called regional coding, making it impossible to play the same disk in different regions, since most DVD-Videos are made for a specific region or country and not for free world-wide use. There are 6 regions (see next table) used for DVD-Video coding:
Monday, 12 May 2008
computer case and power supply buying tips
HOW TO BUY A COMPUTER POWER SUPPLY
The computer power supply is the Rodney Dangerfield of all the components that make up a computer. The computer power supply just doesn't get any respect and its job is one of the most important of any component for your computer's longevity and performance.
Specifically the computer power supply's job is to convert the AC power supplied by your home into nice clean DC power for your computer.
What the Computer Power Supply Really Does
The computer power supply's main job is to supply three different DC (direct current) voltages to the computer. These voltages are as follows.
+12VDC for motors and voltage regulators, newer processors
+5VDC for motherboard, voltage regulators, serial & parallel ports, PCI & AGP ports
+3.3VDC for the motherboard chipset, system memory, PCI & AGP cards
The computer power supply also regulates current and helps to cool the computer with its intake and exhaust fans. The direct current supplied by the power supply must also be free of noise, spikes and dips in voltage (
Don't Buy a Cheap Computer Power Supply
A good computer power supply will run a series of checks before it allows the motherboard to turn on. If everything is ok it sends what is called a Power Good signal to the motherboard. Once the motherboard has received this signal it knows it is okay to boot up.
Cheap power supplies may not perform their internal checks before sending the all clear signal for the motherboard to power up. This can cause damage to the motherboard or other components in the computer because the proper voltages are not present at startup.
Hopefully this has convinced you not to trust the cheap power supply that often comes with a case.
The recommended brands for the best power supply are Thermaltake and Coolmax. Quick Guide for Computer Power Supply Wattage
Here's a quick guide to determine the total average wattage of the different components the power supply will be supplying power for. Do the math and then add a 100 watts (just to be safe) and you've got an idea (ball park) of the total wattage needed for your computer.
Motherboard-, 15-30 watts
Low-End CPU-, 20-30 watts
Mid To High-End CPU-, 40-100 watts
RAM-, 7 watts per 128 MB
PCI Add-In Card-, 5 watts
Low To Mid-Range Graphics-, 20-60 watts
High-End Graphics-, 60-100 watts
IDE Hard Drive-, 10-30 watts
Optical Drives-, 10-25 watts
ATX Connector
The computer power supply is connected to the motherboard by a big white 20 pin connector. Recently this connector was changed from a 20 pin to a 24 pin. The new designation is the ATX 2.0 connector. Make sure you know which connector (20 or 24) is on your motherboard before buying a computer power supply. Also, be aware that PCI Express videocards have a connector that is not common on older PSUs (power supply units).
Cooling
All computer power supplys require some form of onboard cooling due to the heat they generate. The best type of onboard fan to have is a 12cm(diameter). These larger fans can push more air at slower speeds which results in less noise. This is a good thing. Smaller fans must spin faster to generate the same air flow and that leads to more noise.
Detachable Cables
Older computer power supplies had a certain number of power leads that emerge from the rear of the PSU. If you could use them all great, if not you had to find somewhere to tuck them. The newer computer power supplies have modular power cables that permit you to just use the power cables that you need. This is a good thing because it reduces clutter inside the computer case, which in turn increases the cooling efficiency of the fans.
Conclusion
Don't settle for a low quality power supply. Make sure you buy a quality computer power supply that is large enough to meet the computer's power requirements and that it has the right power connectors to fit the motherboard that you have picked out.
If you are using a SATA drive or running dual video cards (Crossfire or SLI) be sure your selection has the right connectors and the wattage needed to run your configuration.
BUYING GUIDE TO COMPUTER CASES
There are lots of different computer cases out there, with plenty of different styles and some strange-looking features. This article will help you sort through the jungle of cases and find the features you really need and the ones that don't really help at all.
A good computer case is important for a high-performance PC. Why? Well, first of all, PCs generate a lot of heat, and a cheap case will not be as effective in dissipating that heat from the inside of the computer. Adequate airflow is a must for any computer, if you don't want your parts to overheat. Second, the better your case the less noise your computer will make overall. Aside from that there are other benefits, like easier upgrades, a better look, etc. that don't effect performance but are nice to have anyway. In this article I will separate my features into two categories: technical features, which affect performance, and nontechnical features, which are useful but not from a performance standpoint.
Power supplies deserve more than just a passing mention and require their own separate article.
Technical FeaturesThe following are features that help with airflow, noise, and other key performance issues that arise in computers.
120mm fans, rather than 80mm fans (or even larger, I suppose). The larger a fan, the less noise it makes when blowing out the same amount of air. Just look at your ceiling fan. It creates more airflow than any fan in your computer, but makes almost no noise. A 120mm fan in the back of your case will provide superior airflow out of the case with minimal noise.
Side air vent(s). A few years ago cases were introduced that had a vent in the side of the case, directly above the CPU. These vents provide fresh, cool air from outside directly to the CPU, which allows it to stay significantly cooler, and the CPU fan also stays significantly quieter. If you think about a case without a side vent for the CPU, air comes in through the front, past your hard drives (some of the hottest components in a computer), then through most of the hot inside of the computer before reaching the CPU. By then the air cooling the CPU is only a little cooler than the CPU itself. If you know your physics, you know that heat transfers faster when the temperature difference is the highest. The inside of your case is usually 10-15oC hotter than room temperature, so the less of your case the air has to travel through the better. Newer cases come with a vent for your graphics card as well, and the same rules apply there.
Removable back expansion slot covers, not the kind you have to break off. Once you break off a slot on the back, it'll stay broken off, even if you take out the card that was there, so if you take out a card in one of those cases there's a hole at the back of your case; this will screw up the airflow in your case. When the airflow gets more turbulent, your fans are less effective. I guess this is more of a minor issue, but holes in the back of your case are still something you want to avoid (taping them over will do just fine, though).
Rubber grommets for screws. When components vibrate they cause vibrations in the screws holding them to the case, which in turn vibrate against the case and create really annoying vibration noises. Try and find a case where you have a rubber grommet in place between the screw and the case itself, which will absorb almost all the vibrations.
This isn't really a feature, but get the smallest case that fits your requirements. Fan performance is usually measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute. So the less air your case has inside it, the faster all of it can be pushed out of the case, replacing it with new, room-temperature air. If you get a full tower case, you'll need multiple fans to achieve an air exchange rate as high as a single fan in a mini tower. And, as we all know, more fans mean more noise. (Of course, if you need to put a lot of things in the case, you really don't have that option.)
Nontechnical FeaturesThe following have no direct impact on performance, but they're still case features nonetheless.
Obviously, try and find a case that looks nice. Most cases don't look so bad that you'd want to hide them from guests, but there are definitely some out there. A standard look is really the best, but if you must go with something that looks unique make sure it's unique in a good way.
Lighting effects from the case or its fans, if you like it. Lights illuminate the area around the case, and a lot of people like the effect. You don't really lose anything by putting lights in your case; even if your case doesn't have any lights, you can buy light sticks that plug into your power supply, so it's not a big deal either way.
Tool-less installation. In some computer cases, the only time you'd need to go get a screwdriver is if you are replacing the motherboard. Tool-less installation is always less of a hassle and usually faster than installing parts with screws (plus there aren't any screws to lose).
Dull edges inside the case. Sharp edges can easily cut you if you're not careful. Make sure all edges in the case are rolled over so there's as little a chance as possible of being cut by them.
Front USB slots, and audio/1394 ports if you need them, are very useful. It keeps you from having to find a slot at the back. They're especially useful for using a USB flash drive, updating your MP3 player's songs, etc.
A window in the side panel could be a good or bad thing. If you like seeing the inside of your case, cable clutter and all, go for it. But if it doesn't matter to you, the plastic window will cause vibration noise, and it also won't block noise as well as a steel or aluminum panel.
Things to AvoidThe following are things that will actually hurt the performance of your computer.
A side fan. It looks great on paper, right? I mean, how can having another fan not be good for your computer? Let's consider the two scenarios. If the fan is blowing air into the case from the side, it disrupts the smooth front-to-back airflow that's already there. And if it's sucking air out, it's taking air away from the CPU, which means the CPU fan has to work harder to get the same amount of air to the CPU. Neither of these is better than what you already have without a side fan. The side vent helps you to get air to the CPU, but a side fan will disrupt this airflow and result in higher noise and hotter components.
Air filters on any vents in the case. While they keep dust out of the computer, they also make it harder for air to come in and go out of the case. This either causes your fans to spin faster or your case temperature to go up, neither of which is good. You're better off opening up the case once a month and using a vacuum cleaner to clean out the dust (don't worry, it's not harmful at all as long as you don't knock anything loose - I do it all the time).
The computer power supply is the Rodney Dangerfield of all the components that make up a computer. The computer power supply just doesn't get any respect and its job is one of the most important of any component for your computer's longevity and performance.
Specifically the computer power supply's job is to convert the AC power supplied by your home into nice clean DC power for your computer.
What the Computer Power Supply Really Does
The computer power supply's main job is to supply three different DC (direct current) voltages to the computer. These voltages are as follows.
+12VDC for motors and voltage regulators, newer processors
+5VDC for motherboard, voltage regulators, serial & parallel ports, PCI & AGP ports
+3.3VDC for the motherboard chipset, system memory, PCI & AGP cards
The computer power supply also regulates current and helps to cool the computer with its intake and exhaust fans. The direct current supplied by the power supply must also be free of noise, spikes and dips in voltage (
Don't Buy a Cheap Computer Power Supply
A good computer power supply will run a series of checks before it allows the motherboard to turn on. If everything is ok it sends what is called a Power Good signal to the motherboard. Once the motherboard has received this signal it knows it is okay to boot up.
Cheap power supplies may not perform their internal checks before sending the all clear signal for the motherboard to power up. This can cause damage to the motherboard or other components in the computer because the proper voltages are not present at startup.
Hopefully this has convinced you not to trust the cheap power supply that often comes with a case.
The recommended brands for the best power supply are Thermaltake and Coolmax. Quick Guide for Computer Power Supply Wattage
Here's a quick guide to determine the total average wattage of the different components the power supply will be supplying power for. Do the math and then add a 100 watts (just to be safe) and you've got an idea (ball park) of the total wattage needed for your computer.
Motherboard-, 15-30 watts
Low-End CPU-, 20-30 watts
Mid To High-End CPU-, 40-100 watts
RAM-, 7 watts per 128 MB
PCI Add-In Card-, 5 watts
Low To Mid-Range Graphics-, 20-60 watts
High-End Graphics-, 60-100 watts
IDE Hard Drive-, 10-30 watts
Optical Drives-, 10-25 watts
ATX Connector
The computer power supply is connected to the motherboard by a big white 20 pin connector. Recently this connector was changed from a 20 pin to a 24 pin. The new designation is the ATX 2.0 connector. Make sure you know which connector (20 or 24) is on your motherboard before buying a computer power supply. Also, be aware that PCI Express videocards have a connector that is not common on older PSUs (power supply units).
Cooling
All computer power supplys require some form of onboard cooling due to the heat they generate. The best type of onboard fan to have is a 12cm(diameter). These larger fans can push more air at slower speeds which results in less noise. This is a good thing. Smaller fans must spin faster to generate the same air flow and that leads to more noise.
Detachable Cables
Older computer power supplies had a certain number of power leads that emerge from the rear of the PSU. If you could use them all great, if not you had to find somewhere to tuck them. The newer computer power supplies have modular power cables that permit you to just use the power cables that you need. This is a good thing because it reduces clutter inside the computer case, which in turn increases the cooling efficiency of the fans.
Conclusion
Don't settle for a low quality power supply. Make sure you buy a quality computer power supply that is large enough to meet the computer's power requirements and that it has the right power connectors to fit the motherboard that you have picked out.
If you are using a SATA drive or running dual video cards (Crossfire or SLI) be sure your selection has the right connectors and the wattage needed to run your configuration.
BUYING GUIDE TO COMPUTER CASES
There are lots of different computer cases out there, with plenty of different styles and some strange-looking features. This article will help you sort through the jungle of cases and find the features you really need and the ones that don't really help at all.
A good computer case is important for a high-performance PC. Why? Well, first of all, PCs generate a lot of heat, and a cheap case will not be as effective in dissipating that heat from the inside of the computer. Adequate airflow is a must for any computer, if you don't want your parts to overheat. Second, the better your case the less noise your computer will make overall. Aside from that there are other benefits, like easier upgrades, a better look, etc. that don't effect performance but are nice to have anyway. In this article I will separate my features into two categories: technical features, which affect performance, and nontechnical features, which are useful but not from a performance standpoint.
Power supplies deserve more than just a passing mention and require their own separate article.
Technical FeaturesThe following are features that help with airflow, noise, and other key performance issues that arise in computers.
120mm fans, rather than 80mm fans (or even larger, I suppose). The larger a fan, the less noise it makes when blowing out the same amount of air. Just look at your ceiling fan. It creates more airflow than any fan in your computer, but makes almost no noise. A 120mm fan in the back of your case will provide superior airflow out of the case with minimal noise.
Side air vent(s). A few years ago cases were introduced that had a vent in the side of the case, directly above the CPU. These vents provide fresh, cool air from outside directly to the CPU, which allows it to stay significantly cooler, and the CPU fan also stays significantly quieter. If you think about a case without a side vent for the CPU, air comes in through the front, past your hard drives (some of the hottest components in a computer), then through most of the hot inside of the computer before reaching the CPU. By then the air cooling the CPU is only a little cooler than the CPU itself. If you know your physics, you know that heat transfers faster when the temperature difference is the highest. The inside of your case is usually 10-15oC hotter than room temperature, so the less of your case the air has to travel through the better. Newer cases come with a vent for your graphics card as well, and the same rules apply there.
Removable back expansion slot covers, not the kind you have to break off. Once you break off a slot on the back, it'll stay broken off, even if you take out the card that was there, so if you take out a card in one of those cases there's a hole at the back of your case; this will screw up the airflow in your case. When the airflow gets more turbulent, your fans are less effective. I guess this is more of a minor issue, but holes in the back of your case are still something you want to avoid (taping them over will do just fine, though).
Rubber grommets for screws. When components vibrate they cause vibrations in the screws holding them to the case, which in turn vibrate against the case and create really annoying vibration noises. Try and find a case where you have a rubber grommet in place between the screw and the case itself, which will absorb almost all the vibrations.
This isn't really a feature, but get the smallest case that fits your requirements. Fan performance is usually measured in CFM, or cubic feet per minute. So the less air your case has inside it, the faster all of it can be pushed out of the case, replacing it with new, room-temperature air. If you get a full tower case, you'll need multiple fans to achieve an air exchange rate as high as a single fan in a mini tower. And, as we all know, more fans mean more noise. (Of course, if you need to put a lot of things in the case, you really don't have that option.)
Nontechnical FeaturesThe following have no direct impact on performance, but they're still case features nonetheless.
Obviously, try and find a case that looks nice. Most cases don't look so bad that you'd want to hide them from guests, but there are definitely some out there. A standard look is really the best, but if you must go with something that looks unique make sure it's unique in a good way.
Lighting effects from the case or its fans, if you like it. Lights illuminate the area around the case, and a lot of people like the effect. You don't really lose anything by putting lights in your case; even if your case doesn't have any lights, you can buy light sticks that plug into your power supply, so it's not a big deal either way.
Tool-less installation. In some computer cases, the only time you'd need to go get a screwdriver is if you are replacing the motherboard. Tool-less installation is always less of a hassle and usually faster than installing parts with screws (plus there aren't any screws to lose).
Dull edges inside the case. Sharp edges can easily cut you if you're not careful. Make sure all edges in the case are rolled over so there's as little a chance as possible of being cut by them.
Front USB slots, and audio/1394 ports if you need them, are very useful. It keeps you from having to find a slot at the back. They're especially useful for using a USB flash drive, updating your MP3 player's songs, etc.
A window in the side panel could be a good or bad thing. If you like seeing the inside of your case, cable clutter and all, go for it. But if it doesn't matter to you, the plastic window will cause vibration noise, and it also won't block noise as well as a steel or aluminum panel.
Things to AvoidThe following are things that will actually hurt the performance of your computer.
A side fan. It looks great on paper, right? I mean, how can having another fan not be good for your computer? Let's consider the two scenarios. If the fan is blowing air into the case from the side, it disrupts the smooth front-to-back airflow that's already there. And if it's sucking air out, it's taking air away from the CPU, which means the CPU fan has to work harder to get the same amount of air to the CPU. Neither of these is better than what you already have without a side fan. The side vent helps you to get air to the CPU, but a side fan will disrupt this airflow and result in higher noise and hotter components.
Air filters on any vents in the case. While they keep dust out of the computer, they also make it harder for air to come in and go out of the case. This either causes your fans to spin faster or your case temperature to go up, neither of which is good. You're better off opening up the case once a month and using a vacuum cleaner to clean out the dust (don't worry, it's not harmful at all as long as you don't knock anything loose - I do it all the time).
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