Course HARDWARE 1 of YBET Informatique

Hardware training

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YBET

1. Introduction

2. Base of electronics

3. Microprocessor assembly

4. Improvement of the processor-based systems.

5. Processor PC - dedicated servers processors

6. Internal bus PC

7. Internal structure of processors - Athlon 64 and XP structure

8. Chipset

9. Memories (RAM)

10. IDE and SATA hard-disk

11. Floppy drive

12. Interruptions, addresses, parallels, series - 12.A Phone modem

13. Parameters color

14. Graphics card

15. Summary of the evolution of computer PC

16. Monitor (LCD - TFT - Plasma, LED and CRT)

17. Types of printers

18. Acquisition image

19. Sound card

20. Peripherals for backup

21. Power supply, motherboard's format.

22. Motherboard connection: processor installation, ventilator, memory...

23. Bios and setup, UEFI

24. Upgrade and repair

25. Notebook, netbook, tablet PC

24. Upgrade and repair PC

24.1. Introduction - 24.2. Breakdown and repair - 24.3. Elements and incompatibilities - 24.4. Which choices - 24.5. Conclusion

The modification ( PC upgrade) can improve the performances of your computer for a certain time. To replace the PC without the external peripherals (printer, scanner, modem...) and by keeping certain internal peripherals as the CD-writer is another solution. This chapter analyzes the technical and budgetary elements. This is also valid in the case of a repair of a computer which obliges to change a board.

The purpose here is not to make tests speed. A very new PC (even the bottom-of-the-range one) is faster than a 3 year old improved PC.

For recall, the PC of mark (Dell, IBM, HP, Compaq...) generally do not allow the replacement of the motherboard, fixings of the motherboard is incompatible. In the event of breakdown, the complete replacement of the PC is obligatory.

24.2. The Default.

Default service PC and data processing see in detail the possible breakdowns and causes. We with the breakdowns hardware refer here. If the PC does not start. Start by checking the external power supply (one never knows). With power supply ATX, the Power Supply starts only if the motherboard functions, even if to insert the electric connector causes a small noise of slapping related to the load of the condensers. This is not a guarantee that the power supply of the PC functions. Only the real solution is to test the computer with another power supply.

To determine it (or them) component broken down, to disconnect all 2 cables IDE (hard disk and reader CD), the connector of the disk drive and added boards. There should remain only the motherboard, the processor (+ ventilator), the memory and the graphic card. This delimits the problem and will make it possible to replace for tests composing by component. One generally limits oneself to a graphic card and the memory. If the machine is old, the replacement of the processor or the motherboard returns to same (except by second-hand equipment).

For the new motherboards, the PC does not start if the ventilator processor is not connected or this does not turn protects the processor.

24.3. Elements and incompatibilities

Before starting, let us take again the various components of the PC and incompatibilities to be envisaged in the event of upgrade.

24.3.1. The motherboard.

The motherboard is specific to the microprocessor. If your current processor is not same family as the processors on the market, it must be changed at the same time as the processor. Even in the same family, certain boards do not accept the new processors. For example, a 1400 Athlon motherboard does not accept Athlon 3200+, quite simply because the board does not accept the FSB of 200 MHz. The solution recommended by many reviews of flasher the BIOS will change nothing there. The motherboard allows the installation of the memory. Here also, the processors of rising generation uses memories DDR, Pentium II, Pentium III, Duron and Athlon of the first generation uses Dimm memories. The replacement of the motherboard thus amounts changing the memory.

The motherboard, at least since Pentium II, includes the hard disk controller. Connections of discs IDE evolved/moved but the new motherboards accept the old hard disks (if theirs is too old, only on secondary port IDE). The reverse is far from being true.

24.3.2. The processor.

The processor is the system main part. It is characterized by its type (Athlon, Pentium IV...), its speed, its FSB, its multiplying coefficient, its stitching (connector) and its supply voltage. These parameters are established on the motherboard. If the new processor is of a family or a stitching (in the same family), to change it will oblige to replace the motherboard. Sometimes certain adapters make it possible to pass from one stitching to the other (Athlon Slot A to socket A for example) but that poses problems of compatibility.

The multiplication FSB and factor are more complex. These 2 multiplied factors give the effective speed of the processor. If the motherboard does not accept the FSB of the new processor, it is almost impossible to use this board this is generally related to the chipset. On the other hand, if the multiplication factor is not managed, this can generally correct with a flashage BIOS. You nevertheless with the site of the manufacturer of the board refer.

In short, in the majority of the cases, to change processor obliges to change motherboard.

Certain specific processors are used only for the upgrade. They are almost impossible to find on the traditional market. Generally, the total performances of the machine are not hardly improved.

24.3.3. Memory.

It is the upgrade more running. The increase in the memory generally makes it possible to gain in performance in the course of work. This does not make the PC definitely faster but improves comfort of work. The PC does not start more quickly but the speed of work increases for the applications in progress (less access to the hard disk).

One still finds on the market of the Dimm memories used in Pentium II, K6, Pentium II and first Athlons, generally in 256 MB. This quantity makes it possible an old PC to correctly work on new applications using much memory. With of Dimm, some problems of incompatibility motherboard are to be envisaged. The first motherboards DIMM do not authorize the memories doubles face (with components of each with dimensions of the bar). The memory 256 MB will be detected as one 128 MB but works correctly or WILL NOT BE DETECTED.

On the level of DDR currently used, the use of a DDR of 333 or even 400 on a motherboard accepting of DDR 266 (old models) practically does not pose incompatibilities. Only some marks of motherboards coupled with some marks of DDR pose problems. The reverse is not inevitably true. To use memories 266 on a motherboard 400 can either slow down the PC (the total memory is detected like weakest), that is to say not to be detected or to pose problems of compatibility and stability of the system.

24.3.4. The hard disk.

Lack place on your hard disk, why not install one 2nd hard disk or even to replace it. By the chapter on the hard disks, we know a multitude of limitation of capacity, incompatibility with the motherboards. This is related to the BIOS for the old machines (which it is impossible with flasher), on the level of recognized ATA and even on the level of the operating system. It is for example impossible to use Windows 98 with a hard disk higher than 60 GB.

The following table shows these incompatibilities

If you have Pentium II for example, you will not be able to use one 80 GB by limitation of the BIOS with 32 GB.

In certain cases, the use of hard disks SERIAL ATA (SATA) with a dedicated controller makes it possible to pass the limitations of the BIOS. In the same way, one finds some software which makes it possible to exceed the limitations of BIOS.

24.3.5. The graphic card

The new plays require increasingly powerful graphics accelerators, on the level memory and speed (graphics processor, bus). If your current motherboard does not accept bus AGP, you will not find any more boards graphics PCI, at least with acceptable performances. Moreover, BUS AGP 1X does not accept the current graphic accelerator in AGP 8X. The connector is even slightly different. 

If the memory of the PC is weak (32 or 64 MB), to replace your graphic card 4MB or 8 MB by one 64 MB oblige you to add memory. This is related to the manner or bus AGP uses the memory of the PC, it uses it by DMA. When you start a play, the PC will be blocked completely. You can nevertheless descend the quantity from memory used by the setup (Memory AGP aperture) but strongly slows down the PC.

24.3.6. Case and power supply.

If your PC is in AT power supply (Pentium and inferior), first K6, the power supply (and thus the case) are to be replaced if you wish to change motherboard (types ATX). In any event, the performances of the other components would not follow the improvements of the other components.

In the case of a case ATX, the processor was under the power supply. This at the time did not pose problems. On the other hand, as the new processors use a rather cumbersome ventilator, it is likely to stick against the power Supply. The processor will not be correctly cooled and will breakdown or cause errors. For all upgrade, check if fixings of the motherboard are all apparent without moving the power supply.

24.3.7. Total.

Finally, if you wish to change processor (or motherboard), it will be necessary to change:

1. the motherboard in the large majority of the cases
2. memory if it is not in DDR, but incompatibilities are to be envisaged if you use old memories 266.
3. the case if it is not adapted.

To add memory often makes it possible to keep its PC one year or two. The price of the memory is not moreover not too expensive.

To add a new hard disk poses serious problems of detection with the old machines.

To change graphic card (provided that your motherboard accepts the current AGP 8X) generally obliges to increase has memory.

24.4. Which choices.

Difficult of even all the possibilities and even less to analyze the differences in performances but a summary table should clarify the situation.

24.4.1. Pentium I and inferiors

The case, motherboard, processor (+ ventilator) and memory are to be replaced. Moreover, the graphic card and the hard disk will not be with the height of the performances of the new boards to be installed. The PC is to be replaced.

24.4.2. Pentium II, K6.

The motherboard, the processor (+ ventilator) and the memory are to be replaced. In certain cases, the case must also be replaced. The performances are improved, at least in office automation applications. This solution is acceptable with a hard disk in UDMA 33 minimum (starting from the chipset 440 BX of INTEL), at least 10 GB. Disks hard of capacity inferiors risks not to be detected or to even block the machine on the primary education port

	characteristics	replaced component	recovery of the component in a new PC
processor	Pentium II - Pentium III (- > 600 MHz) - K6	require to replace motherboard - memory, possibly case and power supply (*)	more usable on the current motherboards
motherboard + chipset
memory	dimm 66 - 100	dimm 133 functions, Dimm 256 MB will be detected as 128 but will function correctly	Only for the PC before semi-2003, some problems of incompatibilities to be envisaged, deceleration the speed of all the memories to pass to the slowest mode
hard disk	PIO 4 UDMA-33	limitation with 32 GB (on certain discs of 40 GB, a bridging makes it possible to limit to this value)	UDMA-33 functions on a primary education port and a secondary port. For use on primary education port, deceleration if put with a current hard disk (UDMA-100 or 133)
graphic board	AGP 1X or 2 X	graphics accelerator current AGP 8X incompatible with ports AGP 1X If port is AGP 2X, replace is possible but not very powerful on the level speed, only for the memory	AGP 1 X is not usable on current ports AGP8X
case + power supply	power supply ATX: midday-turn	compatible power supply	according to the case, if the board fits under the power supply, impossible to use.

24.4.3. Pentium III

These PC use already the UDMA-66 for the hard disks. On the other hand, the memory is always in DIMM. The port AGP 2X or 4X generally accepts the graphics accelerators AGP 8 X even if it does not use all the performances.

The addition of memory DIMM  generally does not pose problems of compatibility. It is an excellent solution of upgrade.

The replacement of the motherboard, processor and memory allows an evolution towards a powerful office automation PC. The replacement of the graphic card moreover allows a comfort in the plays. This requires nevertheless the almost complete replacement of the components of the PC, the budget is equivalent to the price of a current PC 

	characteristics	replacement of the component	recovery of the component in a new PC
processor	Pentium III (- > 600 MHz) FSB 133	require replacement motherboard - memory, possibly case and power supply (*)	more usable on the current motherboards
motherboard + chipset
memory	dimm 133	completely possible by a dimm 133, the lower values (66 and 100) will slow down the machine	Only for the machines before semi-2003
hard disk	UDMA-33 or UDMA-66	For certain PC: limitation with 32 GB (on the discs of 40 GB, a bridging makes it possible to limit to this value), if not limitation with 120 GB	UDMA-33 and 66 function on a primary education port and a secondary port. For use on primary education port, deceleration if put with a current hard disk (UDMA-100 or 133)
graphic card	AGP 1X or 2 X	. graphic accelerator current 8X incompatible with ports AGP 1X.  If ports is AGP 2X, replacement possible but not very powerful on the level speed, only for the memory	AGP 1 X is not usable on current ports AGP8X
case + power supply	Power supply ATX: midday-turn	compatible power supply	according to the case, if the board fits under the power supply, impossible to use.

24.4.4. First Athlon - Duron

These PC use DIMM 133, hard disk UDMA-100 (possibly 133), port AGP 4X

	characteristics	replacement of the component	recovery of the component in a new machine
processor	Athlons before versions XP - Duron	require replacement motherboard - memory, possibly case and power supply (*)	To check compatibility with the new motherboards, the FSB of the processor is likely not to be more accepted.
motherboard + chipset	FSB 100 or 133 (266)		the motherboard will probably accept neither versions XP, nor the current FSB
memory	dimm 133	completely possible by a dimm 133, the lower values (66 and 100) will slow down the machine	Only for the machines before semi-2003
hard disk	UDMA-33 or UDMA-66	For certain PC: limitation with 32 GB (on the discs of 40 GB, a bridging makes it possible to limit to this value), if not limitation with 120 GB	UDMA-33 and 66 function on a primary education port and a secondary port. For use on primary education port, deceleration if put with a current hard disk (UDMA-100 or 133)
graphics accelerator	AGP 1X or 2 X	. graphic accelerator current 8X incompatible with ports AGP 1X.  If port is AGP 2X, replacement possible but not very powerful on the level speed, only for the memory	AGP 1 X is not usable on current ports AGP8X
case + power supply	power supply ATX: midday-turn	compatible power supply	according to the case, if the board fits under the power supply, impossible to use.

24.4.5. First Pentium IV.

The first computers Pentium IV coupled to a motherboard with a chipset INTEL used memory RAMBUS. On the other hand, Pentium IV coupled with chipset VIA or LOCATED used memories DIMM.

Rambus are almost untraceable and expensive in addition. The only profitable evolution is to replace the computer.

24.4.6. Pentium IV, Memory DDR

These PC use DDR, to add some does not pose particular problems. The hard disks will be probably limited to 120 GB for all these machines.

The replacement of the microprocessor generally requires the replacement the motherboard. These motherboards do not accept the current FSB, INTEL modifies the socket also regularly. Memories DDR of old generations (DDR266) often pose problems of detection or stability in the new motherboards. The replacement will be him also to envisage. This solution can be a good compromise price/performances since hard disks IDE did not evolve/move of speed since. For recall, chipset INTEL work only in maximum UDMA-100, on the contrary chipsets VIA which accept until the UDMA-133. On the other hand, only the hard disks Maxtor use an interface ATA-133, the others remaining in ATA-100.

On the level of the powerful plays, this also requires the replacement of the graphic card

	characteristics	replacement of the component	recovery of the component in a new machine
processor	Pentium IV, socket 478	require replacement motherboard, the FSB are likely not to be detected. Prescott (PIV EE) are not detected)	To check compatibility with the new motherboards, the FSB of the processor is likely not to be more accepted, socket modified
motherboard + chipset	FSB 533	Generally the boards Pentium IV accept the lower FSB	the motherboard will probably not accept the current FSB (533 but especially 800), modification socket
memory	DDR 266 -333	completely possible by a DDR 333 or DDR 400	decelerations to be envisaged
hard disk	UDMA-100 or UDMA-133	For certain PC: limitation with 120 GB	completely compatible
graphics accelerator	AGP 2X or 4 X	If AGP port is 2X or 4X possible but not very powerful replacement on the level speed, only for the memory	possible but deceleration
case + power supply	power supply ATX: midday-turn	compatible power supply	according to the case, if the board fits under the power supply, impossible to use.

24.4.7. Athlons XP

The problems are the same ones as with Pentium IV

	characteristics	replacement of the component	recovery of the component in a new PC
processor	Athlons XP	require replacement motherboard, the FSB are likely not to be detected.	To check compatibility with the new motherboards, the FSB of the processor is likely not to be more accepted.
motherboard + chipset	FSB 133 - 166 - 200	Generally the motherboards accept the lower FSB by bridging	the motherboard will probably not accept the higher FSB
memory	DDR 266 -333	completely possible by a DDR 333 or DDR 400	decelerations to be envisaged
hard disk	UDMA-100 or UDMA-133	For certain PC: limitation with 120 GB	completely compatible
graphics accelerator	AGP 2X or 4 X	If AGP port is 2X or 4X possible but not very powerful replacement on the level speed, only for the memory	possible but deceleration
case + power supply	power supply ATX: midday-turn	compatible power supply	according to the case, if the board fits under the power supply, impossible to use.

24.4.8. Serial ATA.

To install a hard disk SERIAL ATA (150 MB/s) coupled with a controller makes it possible in certain cases to increase the performances of the PC. Nevertheless, the increase in the memory (until 1 GB, the performances are improved little above) definitely low allow the same thing for a price. This solution is valid only for specific applications using of the important files.

24.5. In conclusion.

Even if the data-processing reviews regularly leave the articles of type "Improve your PC easily", old upgrade PC generally amounts replacing almost all the machine. Only the addition of memories can improve comfort of work and make it possible to keep its machine longer. It is especially valid for connections Internet. Too much memory is not used nevertheless for nothing, to as much put carburizing triple on a 2 CV car, it will be never but one quick 2 CV.

On the other hand, in repair, the replacement of some data-processing boards generally makes it possible to reduce the costs. The replacement of a motherboard also requires to reinstall Windows.

In relation:

• The microprocessor Evolution, lists and characteristic of the Processors used in PC computer
• MemoriesTypes and characteristic of the memories used in the PC
• Course: the Chipsets Evolution of chipsets PC
• Installing a motherboard Installation of the motherboard, ventilator, connection hard disks...
• Bios and setup Setup configuration for computers
• Sempron characteristics FSB, real speed, ... for AMD Sempron