OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Microsoft Windows and Linux Hardware Requirements

Microsoft Vista's Hardware Requirements

Initial reports indicated that Microsoft Windows Vista (Longhorn), Microsoft's next major operating system scheduled for release in 2007, had exceedingly high minimum hardware requirements. However, they've dropped many of Vista's features. So far Microsoft indicates the minimum requirements for Windows Vista correlate with many PCs being sold today. It appears the new Aero Glass user interface will require the highest end video hardware available. 64 MB (128+ MB recommended) RAM on a high bandwidth AGP 8X or PCI Express 16-lane bus is required for the full "Aero Glass Experience."

One Microsoft Windows Vista beta tester reported "there are about 47+ process running. It uses about 150mb more ram then XP. And it takes an extra 8 seconds to start." (source no longer available and web archive missing: http://www.theartofennui.com/36/windows-vista/) That's with no applications running, only the operating system. Microsoft Windows Vista is obviously much less efficient than Microsoft Windows XP. The loss in efficiency is at least partly due to new graphics. The value of the trade-off between graphics and performance will be determined by each user. It remains to be seen if Windows Vista without Aero Glass is more efficient than Windows XP.

Average Microsoft Vista Hardware Requirements (Microsoft Recommends)

Processor: Dual-core CPU running at 4 to 6GHz

Memory: 2 GB to 4 GB (Double minimum is average)

Hard disk: Up to a terabyte

Networking: 1 Gbit, built-in, Ethernet-wired port and an 802.11g wireless link

Video: Graphics processor that runs three times faster than those on the market today (mid 2003)

(Foley, Mary Jo. "Longhorn to Steal Limelight at WinHEC." Microsoft Watch 30 Apr 2004)

Microsoft Windows Vista's hardware needs may be so high that many people will not be willing to make the investment for the upgrade. In 2004, Credit Suisse First Boston predicts "there is some risk that PC sales will slow down materially in calendar 2006 in front of Longhorn that we are now modeling as a 2007 event. We fear that heavy hardware requirements for Longhorn will discourage buying." ("Microsoft's Longhorn May Discourage PC Buying." Forbes 18 Aug 2004)

Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

The 64-bit version of Windows XP has a minimum requirement of 1 GB RAM. Microsoft® usually recommends double the minimum, although for now there's no recommended amount. From past experience, having twice of what Microsoft recommends is necessary for typical use. Therefore 4 GB of RAM may be necessary to properly run WinXP 64-Bit Edition.

Linux Hardware Requirements

Typical minimum requirements for a Linux distribution:

Processor: Intel: Pentium 1-4 or Xeon; AMD: Duron, Athlon, Athlon XP, Athlon MP, Athlon 64, Sempron or Opteron

256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)

500 MB of disk space (800 MB to 2 GB often required when including a basic set of applications)

Processor

Processor

The CPU, or the central processing unit, also known as a processor for short, is the brain of every computer.The CPU executes any calculation or process made by the computer.
The processor uses bits that have either a value of 0 or 1 for all of its calculations ("bit" is short for "binary digit"). Computers store, process and retrieve information by using strings of bits, such as, for example "1011001." All computer programs like Internet browsers, word processors and image manipulation software must be processed by CPUs.

 
Intel Pentium Dual Core Processors
The Intel Pentium processors with Intel dual-core technology deliver great desktop performance, low power enhancements, and multitasking for everyday computing.

Intel Dual Core i3 Processors
Intel Core i3 dual core processors provide 4-way multitasking capability with built-in performance headroom for software upgrades.


Intel Dual Core i5 Processors
Intel Core i5 processors deliver the next level of productivity. With Intel Turbo Boost Technology this quad-core processor with 4-way multitasking capability delivers extra speed whenever you need.

Intel Dual Core i7 Processors
The Intel Core i7 processors deliver best-in-class performance for the most demanding applications. This quad-core processor features 8-way multitasking capability and additional L3 cache

iBall Bullet Designer Gaming Cabinet

iBall Bullet Designer Gaming Cabinet 

iBall Designer Gaming Chassis

Features

Tool free design for HDD/ODD/FDD mounting Top mounted dual USB/HD Audio/eSATA Multiple air vents to ensure adequate air flow Transparent side panel with Blue LED Illumination Strong and Versatile Gaming Chassis Roomy inner space provides easier system installation Massive drive bays provides great capacity

Linksys WML11B wireless network audio player & speakers

Linksys WML11B wireless network audio player allows you to stream music from your pc to any room through WiFi tracks can be4 changed using the bundled remote initial configuration through wired lan (ethernet) Included 2 speakers(though you can connect your own music system) Supports 802.11b wlan protocol included adapter,audio cable,lan cable & 2 speakers Specifications:- Model WML11B, WMLS11B Standards IEEE 802.11b, 802.3, 802.3u Ports LAN, Audio Out (L, R, Digital), Power, Speaker DC Buttons Play/Pause, Stop, Up, Down, Left, Right, Power, Parallel/Crossover, Reset Cabling Type CAT 5 Ethernet, SPDIF Optical, RCA LEDs Power, Link Transmit Power 22 dBm UPnP able/cert able Security Features WEP WEP Key Bits 64-Bit, 128-Bit Dimensions WML11B: 6.06" x 3.39" x 8.5" (154 mm x 86 mm x 216 mm) (W x H x D) WMLS11B: 16.02" x 3.39" x 8.5" (407 mm x 86 mm x 216 mm) Unit Weight WML11B: 1 lb. and 6.5 oz. (0.64 kg) WMLS11B: 3 lbs. and 2.7 oz. (1.44 kg) Power 12 V, 1.5 A Certifications FCC, IC-03 Operating Temp. 0ºC to 40ºC (32ºF to 104ºF) Storage Temp. -20ºC to 70ºC (-4ºF to 158ºF) Operating Humidity 10% to 85%, Non-Condensing Storage Humidity 5% to 90%, Non-Condensing

USB 2.0 4x Channel DVR System with 1 Channel of Audio

USB 2.0 4x Channel DVR System
with 1 Channel of Audio

  Model No: BR286

BR286 is a computer based cost effective video surveillance system for home/office/shop/warehouse/malls/baby care purposes. Users can do their own security by easy installation. It is much cheaper than using commercial standalone DVRs because it uses your PC as the controlling station. This gives you much more control over its features and configurations that are not possible even with those expensive DVRs. This solution helps you to save the video recordings in digital formats and to manage the recorded data via index of date and time. 

In short, it makes your life safer and easier at just a fraction of the cost !!

Features:

1. 4 channels video input in one card, the maximum display/recording rate is 25 fps under PAL format, and 30 fps under NTSC format
2. 4 screen display modes are available
3. Multi alarm triggering method: sensor, motion, video loss, and HDD space shortage
4. Support schedule recording mode, recycling recording method available
5. MPEG-4 video compression format. 5 level recording quality options available, and the recording frame rate range from 1 to 30 fps adjustable for each channel
6. Support multi-channel playback, searching by time/date and recording events, images can be Zoom/capture/save/print/backup
7.Dimension: 89 x 27 x 15cm (approx.) Weight: 67g

Specification: 
1. Send e-mails attachment with image.
2. Save image on Hard Disk.
3. Sound alarm.
4. Video signal filter, for filtrate Active and Invalid channel.
5. Signal lost alarm.
6. Motion Detection.
7. Adjustable sensitivity.
8. Automatically lock, while not any operate.
9. Schedule Monitoring sessions, for timer snap.
10. Record video/audio(with usb2.0 audio interface), snap shot.
11. Automatic Space Management. Stop recorder or capture still automatically on disk full.
12. Support 4 Channel Video input on one computer. One channel audio
13. Support On Screen Display. Display's date and time, or channel description on video.
14. Supports manual open/close Invalid channel, or add/delete channel description.
15. Supports login and logout, by User Name and Password.
16. Supports running background stealthy.

System requirements:

Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Intel P4 CPU, 1700MHZ
HDD: 80G, RAM: 256M memory
Microsoft Direct X 9.0C
Free USB 2.0 port and Audio Card

Package contents:

USB EasyCap 4 Channel DVR
USB cable
Quick install guide
Software CD (Drive & Application)

Different types of Hard Disk Drive

Different types of Hard Disk Drive

Hard Disk Drive - It is a non-volatile storage device which stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating platters with magnetic surface.  

Types of HDD :

1. IDE : Integrated Drive Electronics. IDE drives are also known as PATA drives( Parallel advance technology attachment )
2. SATA : Serial advance technology attachment 
3. SCSI : Small Computer System Interface. SCSI is pronounced as scuzzy.
4. SAS : Serial Attached SCSI

IDE / PATA (Integrated Drive Electronics Drive / Parallel Advance Technology Attachment Drive)

• IDE/PATA Drives have usually 40 pins.
• IDE/PATA Drives offer 133 MB/sec transfer rate.
• It sends 8 bit data at a time. 
• PATA Cables are used to connect PATA HDD. Two drives can be connected in a single pata cable. One as master and other as slave. The configuration of master and slave is done by different combination of jumpers in the hdd.

SATA (Serial Advance Technology Attachment Drive)

• SATA Drives have usually 7 pins, 4 pins in pair of two for sending and receiving data and rest 3 pins are grounded.
• SATA Drives offers generally 300MB/sec transfer rate.
• It sends data bit by bit.
• SATA Cables are used to connect SATA HDD. Only one drive can be connected in a single sata cable.

SCSI (Small Computer System Interface Drive)

• SCSI Drives have usually 50 to 68 pins.
• SCSI Drive offers generally 640MB/sec transfer rate.
• This drives are hot swappable. 
• SCSI cables are used to connect SCSI HDD. Maximum of 16 drives can be connected in a single scsi cable. Each hdd have a 8 bytes hexadecimal code known as WWN (world wide name) for its identification in the cable.

SAS(Serial Attached SCSI Drive) 

• SAS Drives generally offers 805 MB/sec transfer rate. 
• This drives are hot swappable. 
• SAS Cables are used to connect SAS Drives. Maximum of 128 drives can be connected in a single sas cable.

Graphics Card

The images you see on your monitor are made of tiny dots called pixels. At most common resolution settings, a screen displays over a million pixels, and the computer has to decide what to do with every one in order to create an image. To do this, it needs a translator -- something to take binary data from the CPU and turn it into a picture you can see. Unless a computer has graphics capability built into themotherboard, that translation takes place on the graphics card.

A graphics card's job is complex, but its principles and components are easy to understand. In this article, we will look at the basic parts of a video card and what they do. We'll also examine the factors that work together to make a fast, efficient graphics card.

Think of a computer as a company with its own art department. When people in the company want a piece of artwork, they send a request to the art department. The art department decides how to create the image and then puts it on paper. The end result is that someone's idea becomes an actual, viewable picture.

A graphics card works along the same principles. The CPU, working in conjunction with software applications, sends information about the image to the graphics card. The graphics card decides how to use the pixels on the screen to create the image. It then sends that information to the monitor through a cable. 

Creating an image out of binary data is a demanding process. To make a 3-D image, the graphics card first creates a wire frame out of straight lines. Then, it rasterizes the image (fills in the remaining pixels). It also adds lighting, texture and color. For fast-paced games, the computer has to go through this process about sixty times per second. Without a graphics card to perform the necessary calculations, the workload would be too much for the computer to handle.

The graphics card accomplishes this task using four main components:

• A motherboard connection for data and power
• A processor to decide what to do with each pixel on the screen
• Memory to hold information about each pixel and to temporarily store completed pictures
• A monitor connection so you can see the final result.

Switch-Mode Power Supply(SMPS)

A switched-mode power supply (switching-mode power supply, SMPS, or simplyswitcher) is an electronic power supply that incorporates a switching regulator in order to be highly efficient in the conversion of electrical power. Like other types of power supplies, an SMPS transfers power from a source like the electrical power grid to a load (such as apersonal computer) while converting voltage and current characteristics. An SMPS is usually employed to efficiently provide a regulated output voltage, typically at a level different from the input voltage.

Unlike a linear power supply, the pass transistor of a switching mode supply continually switches between low-dissipation, full-on and full-off states, and spends very little time in the high dissipation transitions (which minimizes wasted energy). Ideally, a switched-mode power supply dissipates no power. Voltage regulation is achieved by varying the ratio of on-to-off time. In contrast, a linear power supply regulates the output voltage by continually dissipating power in the pass transistor. This higher power conversion efficiency is an important advantage of a switched-mode power supply. Switched-mode power supplies may also be substantially smaller and lighter than a linear supply due to the smaller transformer size and weight.

Connectors

PC Main power connector (usually called P1): This is the connector that goes to themotherboard to provide it with power. The connector has 20 or 24 pins. One of the pins belongs to the PS-ON wire (it is usually green). This connector is the largest of all the connectors. In older AT power supplies, this connector was split in two: P8 and P9. A power supply with a 24-pin connector can be used on a motherboard with a 20-pin connector. In cases where the motherboard has a 24-pin connector, some power supplies come with two connectors (one with 20-pin and other with 4-pin) which can be used together to form the 24-pin connector.Typically, power supplies have the following connectors (all are Molex (USA) Inc Mini-Fit Jr, unless otherwise indicated):

• 12V only power connector (labelled P1, though it is not compatible with the ATX 20 or 24 pin connector): This is a 16-pin Molex connector supplying the motherboard with six 12V lines with common returns, a 'supply OK' signal, a 'PSU ON' signal and an 11V auxiliary supply. One pin is left unused.
• 12V only System monitoring (P10): This is a 171822-8 AMP or equivalent connector carrying a supply to the PSU fan and sense returns.
• ATX12V 4-pin power connector (also called the P4 power connector). A second connector that goes to the motherboard (in addition to the main 24-pin connector) to supply dedicated power for the processor. For high-end motherboards and processors, more power is required, therefore EPS12V has an 8-pin connector.
• 4-pin Peripheral power connectors: These are the other, smaller connectors that go to the various disk drives of the computer. Most of them have four wires: two black, one red, and one yellow. Unlike the standard mains electrical wire color-coding, each black wire is aground, the red wire is +5 V, and the yellow wire is +12 V. In some cases these are also used to provide additional power to PCI cards such as FireWire 800 cards.
• 4-pin Molex (Japan) Ltd power connectors (usually called Mini-connector or "mini-Molex"): This is one of the smallest connectors that supplies a 3 1/2 inch floppy drive with power. In some cases, it can be used as an auxiliary connector for AGP video cards. Its cable configuration is similar to the Peripheral connector.
• Auxiliary power connectors: There are several types of auxiliary connectors designed to provide 0additional power if it is needed.
• Serial ATA power connectors: a 15-pin connector for components which use SATA power plugs. This connector supplies power at three different voltages: +3.3, +5, and +12 volts.
• 6-pin Most modern computer power supplies include 6-pin connectors which are generally used for PCI Express graphics cards, but a newly introduced 8-pin connector should be seen on the latest model power supplies. Each PCI Express 6-pin connector can output a maximum of 75 W.
• 6+2 pin For the purpose of backwards compatibility, some connectors designed for use with high end PCI Express graphics cards feature this kind of pin configuration. It allows either a 6-pin card or an 8-pin card to be connected by using two separate connection modules wired into the same sheath: one with 6 pins and another with 2 pins.
• A IEC 60320 C14 connector with an appropriate C13 cord is used to attach the power supply to the local power grid.

Different types of PC Motherboards

PC Motherboards

The motherboard inside the pc is sometimes called the main board, or the system board. It is made up from several components including the central processing unit (CPU), the memory slots, a video section, and some others but these ones are the main parts to be able to get the pc working. Every component on the motherboard deals with a specific activity. Motherboards are divided into the following two main categories.

Integrated motherboards

Integrated motherboards come with all the essential components built in to them. The major advantage of this type of motherboard is that all major functions This means that all the functions that your pc needs are all ready from the getgo on a single circuit board. As the price of pc technoligy has dropped over the years, there has been a big push towards intergrating allmost every aspect of a pc onto the motherboard. Although the only drawback is that if one of the components breaks you will have to replace the whole motherboard. However, this rarely happens. Another drawback i have found though than can be a challenge is that sometimes the expansion slots for future upgrades of the motherboard or new components can be limited.

Non-integrated motherboards

Non-integrated motherboards don't have most of the main components built into them, but they normally have more expansion slots to allow you to add your own. This can be preferable for high performance PC users. They may want a more advanced soundcard, or a top of the range network card, or video card if you are a serious pc gamer. The downside of this type of motherboard is that you need a larger case, and experiance pluggin components into the mainboard.

Designs of the Motherboard

Form Factors are the design of the motherboard. It is how the components of the mainboard are laid out, and especially what what type of case they fit into, and so what power supply they will be using.

ATX

ATX stands for Advanced Technology Extended. ATX was designed by Intel to allow easier expansion, and a higher degree of compatability amoung component manufacturers, while still allowing the main components of a pc intergrated into the motherboard. Its like the best of both intergrated and non intergrated motherboards. There is specific design changes that have taken place over the yearws in motherboards and since the ATX is one of the most recent, you can see that the journey of motherboards has sometimes been drastic difficulties, including where the expansion slots are in relationship to the processor. It used to be that some motherboards couldn't have new components added to them, as there was no room becuase of other parts of the board. The power supply connector for an ATX board is a 20-pin, and can support soft power off.

Micro ATX

The Micro ATX Form Factor motherboard is much smaller than ATX. The maximum motherboard size is 9.6" × 9.6". Micro ATX uses a compact design, which is favoured by pc manufacturers, who like to focus on space saving pc's and designs for their customers. Typically their custoemrs are not pc enthuasats who prefer to get their hands dirty. This is the reason and shift from a few years ago when a pc was an enourmous tower, to the slimline versions that you see now. Normally the board will have more USB peripherial slots to allow external devices to be connected. There is also an even smaller version of the Micro ATX which is called the flex atx. This is a motherboard at the size of 9.6" × 7.5". Don't expect to be able to add a pumping hot hardcore graphics card to motherboards like this.

BTX

The BTX Form Factor is the smoothest and quietiest of motherboard designs. It was designed to make sure that heat that is generated from the components is not concentrated in one place, and the motherboard can be kept cool by the primary airflow from the pc power supply.

NLX

NLX or New Low Profile Extended Form Factor, was the first effort of motherboard manufacturers at fitting slimline cases. The way they done this was to add riser exapnsion slots, which meant that the components would be parrarell against the motherboard. This style was not popular amoungst consumer of manufacturers, and quickly became replaced. Thats the reason you have probably never heard of it. However the concept may return in the future, once the issues of heat, and expansion are solved. It certainly is a good way to compact components into a small amount of space.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi

The name of a popular wireless networking technology that uses radio waves to provide wireless high-speed Internet and network connections. The Wi-Fi Alliance, the organization that owns the Wi-Fi (registered trademark) term specifically defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network (WLAN) products that are based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards."

Initially, Wi-Fi was used in place of only the 2.4GHz 802.11b standard, however the Wi-Fi Alliance has expanded the generic use of the Wi-Fi term to include any type of network or WLAN product based on any of the 802.11 standards, including 802.11b, 802.11a, dual-band, and so on, in an attempt to stop confusion about wireless LAN interoperability.

Wi-Fi works with no physical wired connection between sender and receiver by using radio frequency (RF) technology, a frequency within the electromagnetic spectrum associated with radio wave propagation. When an RF current is supplied to an antenna, an electromagnetic field is created that then is able to propagate through space. The cornerstone of any wireless network is an access point (AP). The primary job of an access point is to broadcast a wireless signal  that computers can detect and "tune" into. In order to connect to an access point and join a wireless network, computers and devices must be equipped with wireless network adapters.

Wi-Fi  is supported by many applications and devices including video game consoles, home networks, PDAs, mobile phones, major operating systems, and other types of consumer electronics.  Any products that are tested and approved as "Wi-Fi Certified" (a registered trademark) by the Wi-Fi Alliance are certified as interoperable with each other, even if they are from different manufacturers. For example, a user with a Wi-Fi Certified product can use any brand of access point with any other brand of client hardware that also is also "Wi-Fi Certified". Products that pass this certification are required to carry an identifying seal on their packaging that states "Wi-Fi Certified" and indicates the radio frequency band used (2.5GHz for 802.11b,  802.11g, or 802.11n, and 5GHz for 802.11a).

A common misconception is that the term Wi-Fi is short for "wireless fidelity," however this is not the case. Wi-Fi is simply a trademarked term meaning IEEE 802.11x.

Northbridge and Southbridge on a Motherboard

Northbridge and Southbridge are mapped areas with some important components of a Motherboard. Quite obviously every computer has a motherboard and therefore these Northbridge and Southbridge. Almost a year ago, we published an article – Components of a motherboard. With increasing integration of important and frequently used interfaces, many parts has been integrated into the chipset. You think the basic circuitry of the chipset as a map – Northbridge is in the north and the southbridge in the south. These names Northbridge and Southbridge �were originally introduced by Intel.

Position of the Northbridge and Southbridge on a Motherboard

As we have said – Northbridge is in the north and the southbridge in the south. But the basic question is – which side is North. As the Processor or CPU is taken as the most important component, the side where the CPU is, is taken as the North. So, our Northbridge is situated to the closest southern part of the Processor and Southbridge is in the extreme South – usually where all the important ports are situated.

Components of Northbridge and Southbridge

Components of nothbridge :

Northbridge is becoming less important as memory controller and graphics chips are getting in the processor itself now. Classically the nothbridge has�:

• Memory controller
• Graphics card� Interface – AGP or�PCI Express
• Processor Interface �- FSB
• Connection with the Southbridge

In some models, northbride has connection with RAM too.

Components of southbridge :

South Bridge is connected to the northbridge via a bus or a direct connection. Although southbridge is mainly responsible for the management of peripheral interfaces it is connected to the processor.�Also the BIOS is included here.

• Link to northbridge
• Peripheral interfaces
• BIOS

Distributed File System (DFS

Distributed File System (DFS) is a set of client and server services that allow an organization using Microsoft Windows servers to organize many distributed SMB file shares into a distributed file system. DFS provides location transparency and redundancy to improve data availability in the face of failure or heavy load by allowing shares in multiple different locations to be logically grouped under one folder, or DFS root.

Microsoft's DFS is referred to interchangeably as 'DFS' and 'Dfs' by Microsoft and is unrelated to the DCE Distributed File System, which held the 'DFS' trademark but was discontinued in 2005.

It is also called "MS-DFS" or "MSDFS" in some contexts, e.g. in the Samba user space project.

There is no requirement to use the two components of DFS together; it is perfectly possible to use the logical namespace component without using DFS file replication, and it is perfectly possible to use file replication between servers without combining them into one namespace.

A DFS root can only exist on a server version of Windows (from Windows NT 4.0 and up) and OpenSolaris (in kernel space) or a computer running Samba (in user space.) The Enterprise and Data center Editions of Windows Server can host multiple DFS roots on the same server. OpenSolaris intends on supporting multiple DFS roots in "a future project based on Active Directory (AD) domain-based DFS namespaces".

FULL FORM OF COMPUTER

C-ommon
O-perating
M-achine
P-articularly
U-sed for
T-rade
E-ducation and
R-esearch 

What is cache memory?

Cache memory is random access memory (RAM) that a computer microprocessor can access more quickly than it can access regular RAM. As the microprocessor processes data, it looks first in the cache memory and if it finds the data there (from a previous reading of data), it does not have to do the more time-consuming reading of data from larger memory. 

Cache

memory is sometimes described in levels of closeness and accessibility to the microprocessor. An L1 cache is on the same chip as the microprocessor. (For example, the PowerPC 601 processor has a 32 kilobyte level-1 cache built into its chip.) L2 is usually a separate static RAM (SRAM) chip. The main RAM is usually a dynamic RAM (DRAM) chip.

In addition to cache memory, one can think of RAM itself as a cache of memory for hard disk storage since all of RAM's contents come from the hard disk initially when you turn your computer on and load the operating system (you are loading it into RAM) and later as you start new applications and access new data. RAM can also contain a special area called a disk cache that contains the data most recently read in from the hard disk.