Next comes the I/O (input/output) card, usually referred to
as an IDE card. This is sometimes built right into the
motherboard, but not always. If not, it plugs into the
motherboard. It creates proper channels for much of the data
moving through the system. It is what gives your computer a
printer port, mouse port and modem port and allows you to
hook up floppy drives, hard drives and tape back up systems.
Then you need a video card and a monitor. The video card
plugs into the motherboard and provides a jack on the back of
the case to plug the monitor into. Video cards also have RAM
on them to hold the information needed to put a picture on the
monitor. Here again, more is better; usually available as 1MB,
2MB, or 4MB.
And of course, you'll need a keyboard and a mouse. This
pretty much makes up a whole, working computer, but there
are a few more things that make it all more worthwhile.
A CD ROM drive is the best way to deal with getting huge
amounts of data into your machine. 1 CD can contain about
650MB. If you have ever tried to install a program that comes
on 35 floppy disks, you'll know why you want a CD!
A sound card will add hi-fi stereo sound and possibly a
great music synthesizer. A printer will allow you to put your
computer assisted creativity on paper, even in blazing color. A
scanner is much like a photocopy machine, except the image
(possibly color) goes right to your computer. A FAX Modem
allows you to send and receive paperless faxes and connect
to the Internet. And, an Ethernet card allows you to network
with other computers in the same building at super high
speed.
It is definitely possible to get all of these parts individually
and put them together yourself to save money. But you really
have to know what you are doing to insure compatibility
between the parts. Also, if you are thinking about getting a
used computer, knowing what type of system it is will
determine if it is possible to upgrade it for future computing
demands.
How does a gay guy log onto the Internet?
C: [ENTER]: ###
JL :o)
|
|
|
