How Computers Work

by White, Ron; Downs, Timothy

• ISBN13: 9780789725493
• ISBN10: 0789725495
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback w/CD
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Que

Summary

How Computers Work shows you how chips, software, memory, and hardware work using detailed four-color drawings. An interactive game-like CD-ROM takes the reader directly inside your computer. This book is completely updated and revised to include the latest technology developments.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Book-Up Process	2	(32)
Getting to Know the Hardware	10	(8)
How a Disk Boot Works	18	(6)
How an Operating System Controls Hardware	24	(10)
Part 2: How Software Works	34	(58)
How Programming Languages Work	48	(8)
How Windows Works	56	(12)
How Software Applications Work	68	(24)
Part 3: Microchips	92	(28)
How a Transistor Works	98	(4)
How RAM Works	102	(6)
How a Microprocessor Works	108	(12)
Part 4: Data Storage	120	(52)
How Disk Storage Works	128	(12)
How Disk Drives Work	140	(6)
How Disk Drives Increase Speed and Storage	146	(8)
How Optical Storage Works	154	(10)
How Removable Storage Works	164	(8)
Part 5: Input/Output Devices	172	(92)
How Energy Turns into Data	180	(10)
How a Bus Works	190	(8)
How Computer Ports Work	198	(12)
How a Keyboard Works	210	(4)
How a Computer Display Works	214	(8)
How Pointing Devices Work	222	(6)
How Game Controllers Work	228	(6)
How a Modem Works	234	(8)
How Scanners and Optical Character Recognition Work	242	(6)
How Portable Computers Work	248	(8)
How High-Tech Input/Output Works	256	(8)
Part 6: Multimedia	264	(30)
How Multimedia Sound Works	270	(10)
How Multimedia Video Works	280	(4)
How Virtual Reality Works	284	(10)
Part 7: How the Internet Works	294	(54)
How Local Area Networks Work	302	(10)
How a PC Connects to the Internet	312	(10)
How Wireless Works	322	(6)
How E-Mail Works	328	(4)
How Internet Video and Audio Work	332	(6)
How the World Wide Web Works	338	(10)
Part 8: How Printers Work	348	(26)
How Basic Printing Works	354	(10)
How Color Printing Works	364	(10)
Index	374