How Computers Work

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.

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

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials