Questions tagged [computers]
Questions regarding architectures or design of specific parts, not consumer-related questions.
283
questions
-6
votes
0answers
35 views
Help Please To choose the branch in degree program [closed]
Hey I wanna to ask a question to you that which one engineering is best between
Electronics & communication engineering and computer science engineering
0
votes
0answers
113 views
Does a PC need pure sine wave? Need to test using 1000W, 120VAC 60HZ input, 240VAC 50HZ output
I need an OTS (Off The Shelf) solution to test PCs before they ship to Europe and beyond. I need to provide up to 1000W of 240vDC 50Hz power from a 120vAC 60Hz outlet, because I want to make sure the (...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Can it be proven that running a GPU at high temps is bad for the card?
If you continuously run your graphics card at between 80°C and 90°C (176°F and 194°F) is it actually bad for the graphics card? I.e. does it reduce the life of the card? Can this be proven? Or is it ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
Why do TTL integrated circuits have such complicated schematics for logic gates with so many transistors as opposed to RTL?
I'm in the process of building a 4 bit computer out of discrete NPN BJTs and resistors. I'm using RTL, and I've made flip flops, full adders, and demultiplexers, and everything is working fine so far. ...
0
votes
1answer
63 views
Purpose of enablers
I was reading the following book:
But How Do It Know? The Basic Principles of Computers for Everyone
I learnt that a memory bit ( a special wiring between 4 NAND gates) helps the computer remember ...
0
votes
2answers
91 views
Question About Computer History in Germany
I asked this question on the German Stack Exchange, but was told that the EE site might provide better feedback. So, I have a question about a statement on a device produced in West Germany in 1965. I ...
0
votes
2answers
54 views
How to choose the correct pc fan? [closed]
I need to replace a pc-fan 2 pin(80X80X25mm).
The only details it has are:12V/0.14A.(no RPM/CFM details).
Will those details(voltage/current)enough and i can pick any
80X80X25mm 2-pin pc fan which has ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Design questions regarding LM2735 (boost-converter) for DC-DC
I'm doodling with a future circuit. The application (Commodore 64) expects 5VDC (which I will provide with a pass-through) and 9VAC 50Hz. I do not have any working circuit or a schematic, because the ...
1
vote
3answers
157 views
Getting CPU clock signal out of computer (as to measure externally) [closed]
I've been searching on the internet some clock generator module capable of reaching up to 1GHz, when I just realized that the machine I'm using to search has one CPU with its own 2.5-3.0 GHz clock... ...
1
vote
3answers
99 views
How big does ground need to be? Step down from 5v10a to 1.2V 50a, do I need a 50 amp ground?
I'm just a layman. I was just thinking about CPUs in computers. They run at about 1, 1.5 volts or there about, sometimes even lower. Desktop cpus can take 90 watts, some 120 watts. That's close to 100 ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
relay causing problem to controller
I have a relay which is electronically controlled by a computer (Odroid) and used as a switch for a high power circuit. The computer and the other circuit are powered with different plugs on the same ...
0
votes
3answers
172 views
LEDs in computer case are non-polar?
Normally I think of LEDs being polar and having a definite current direction, the "D" in LED standing for "diode".
However, in working with with a computer case recently, the front part of the case ...
-1
votes
3answers
269 views
Why aren't laptops with transparent displays a thing? [closed]
I just realized that the display on my 2012 Macbook Air is transparent. I had the screen brightness of the built in display on the lowest (off) while using an external monitor, and the sun came ...
2
votes
2answers
187 views
Non-Polarized Electrolytic Capacitor Replacement
To the best of my abilities, I'm trying to repair an Atari 800XL which was sold as "non working unit". I found a new graphics chip and it's working ok. I though that, since I had it opened up, it ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
How does the computer's BIOS change the clock speed?
A computer's BIOS can change either the multiplier value or the (FSB) clock frequency to overclock or underclock a CPU. While overclocking by changing the multiplier value is easier and in more often ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
What solution would be a low power option to signal a computer with button presses?
I want to make a custom input device with six buttons that when pressed signal computer to run a program. I would like to do this with a very low amount of power. What options are available to me to ...
0
votes
2answers
77 views
Is it possible to blink an LED with just a USB data cable and a transistor?
Sorry if this is a dumb question, I am new to electronics and was looking at diagrams of USB cables and wondered,
"Could you use the low voltage data wires on a usb and a MOSFET or something to ...
1
vote
4answers
158 views
Does computer memory record the zero binary state?
It's been two years since I started reading about electronics and computer circuits. I fell in love with the homemade computers and the possibility of building one by myself.
You will see: When ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
AS6C62256A SRAM Usage
I'm in the process of creating a RAM module for a breadboard computer I'm making. The RAM I've decided to use is the AS6C62256A SRAM chip, in 32K x 8. Here's the datasheet: https://www.alliancememory....
6
votes
5answers
4k views
Why are DIMMs not equipped with a heat sink like a CPU?
I know that a DIMM is composed of a set of chips that contain control logic managing the decode and prefetching memory operations. According to a product specification, I found that newer RAM works at ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
What is a carriage return? [closed]
I have this question where they ask you:
Find a table of ASCII codes on the internet and give the ASCII code for each of the following in both denary and hexadecimal:
Uppercase R Denary ...
2
votes
2answers
173 views
Can i replace 3 (parallel) capacitors 16v 1800uf with 16v 2200uf?
The motherboard model is G31T-M REV:1.0 .
The circuit is for the 4-pin 12v power rail coming from the power supply.
I'm replacing these because they are very bloated,
It's quite a miracle that the ...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
What is “2DIN” in the context of car radio interfaces? [closed]
I want to install a custom computer in lieu of my radio in my 1996 Volvo 850. I have seen various kits, such as one offering a barebones "2DIN" computer. What does this mean?
(My main concern is ...
1
vote
4answers
171 views
Dim and “unblink” a pc power LED?
I just built an HTPC. It's got a bright white power-on indicator LED that is in fact needlessly bright and, which is worse, blinks when the pc is in suspend mode. I want it to be less eye-catching.
I ...
0
votes
2answers
126 views
What is the voltage that goes through a computers power switch?
I'm hooking up a microcontroller to be able to turn a bunch of computers on/off remotely. This is via the soft switch on the motherboard which doesn't carry any kind of load.
Looking at relays, the ...
-2
votes
3answers
98 views
Store more than 4 bit data on 8 bit bus
I don't have electrical background, but yesterday after watching some videos on youtube about old 8 bit computer, I have some question about how they work.
8 bit computer has 8 bit bus data which ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
Wiring Diagram for Split Micro-USB Cable? [closed]
I have a customer who is looking for a split Micro-USB cable, which has one USB-A host connector on one end and two Micro-USB cables on the opposite end (they will be plugging into cameras). Can I ...
1
vote
1answer
293 views
Why does this component on my Arduino UNO heat up?
Every time that I plug my Arduino into the computer, this chip immediately gets burning hot, way too hot to touch, this wasn't something that i noticed happened after a particular event, I just ...
0
votes
2answers
270 views
Z80 computer design peer-review [closed]
this is a re-post as I was unable to get any help on other forums. I have designed and built a simple Z80 computer system with 32K RAM, Z80B at 4mhz, 32K ROM, and a UART. The only problem with it is ...
20
votes
6answers
13k views
Does water actually damage or only temporarily disable electronics until drying out?
Does water leave any damage after drying out?
If it does, where and how exactly does it? How can it be repaired?
2
votes
1answer
175 views
Computer won't post / Beep unless Unplugged for a few hours [closed]
I'm experiencing this issue for almost a year now. It is slowly getting worse. My motherboard is Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H and my PSU is Corsair CX600. The source of the problem most likely has to do with ...
5
votes
2answers
325 views
How do PC sound cards cope with headsets of different impedance?
I recently got a PC motherboard that advertises a "smart" audio amplifier chip to manage headsets with different impedance:
However, I have never had a problem with headphones before.
Will I notice ...
0
votes
1answer
140 views
Ram USB storage device [closed]
I have been searching for a storage solution that can be written to an infinite amount of times, and RAM comes up every time.
So is it possible to connect RAM to a controller and use it like a ...
3
votes
1answer
164 views
Why would ALU Output be Asynchronous with Input Change?
Wikipedia states "An ALU is a combinational logic circuit, meaning that its outputs will change asynchronously in response to input changes."
But, the definition of a combinational logic circuit is: "...
0
votes
1answer
319 views
Object Recognition and tracking [closed]
I've been trying to make a butter passing bot, like the one from rick and morty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7HmltUWXgs
I can do pretty much everything on there, but I need someone to help with ...
2
votes
1answer
290 views
What causes failure in longer USB cables?
I wired up some USB-C 2.0 to USB-A 2.0 cables, and tested the maximum length I could get out of them when connecting a PC (host, USB-A) to an external hard drive (device, USB-C). I got stable power ...
0
votes
1answer
357 views
Wiring a USB-C (host) cable question
I have wired some custom USB-C cables from scratch in the past, where the USB-A connector is plugging in to a host PC. If I wired a USB cable where the USB-C connector was plugging into a host ...
0
votes
1answer
107 views
custom built computers
When buying an off-the-shelf computer I assume it gets tested to make sure for example that the power supply meets the regulation, the battery and usage does not exceed the limits etc.
How does it ...
1
vote
2answers
301 views
Splitting induvidual WS2812B LEDs
My motherboard has a WS2812B header for use in addressable RGB LED strips. However I am not using them for those strips, as instead I would like to use the signal to separately control several other ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
Problems trying to wire a USB-C cable
I have been trying to figure out how to custom wire a USB-C to USB-A cable for a while, with no luck.I have tried some different connectors, but wanted to get some outside ideas on what I might be ...
4
votes
2answers
16k views
3 wires on a (bipolar) DC plug - what are they for?
If got this cable as a power plug for my DELL XPS 15. I want to hook it up to a different power source.
But what are the 3! wires for on a bipolar plug?
1
vote
2answers
525 views
Shared support chips and tooling between 16 and 32-bit computers
Can a production line for a 16-bit computer save significantly on unit cost by sharing support chips and tooling with another 16-bit computer, to a greater extent than if it went 32-bit?
To be ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I wire a Mini-USB to Micro-USB cable?
I'm trying to figure out how to connect the pins from a Micro-USB connector to a Mini-USB connector. I'm assuming it's more complex than just connecting the +5V to the +5v, GND to GND, D- to D- and D+ ...
0
votes
1answer
762 views
What is the difference between programing with JTAG and USART interfaces?
I understand there are 2 interfaces to programming NanoMind A712 computer: JTAG and USART. But what is the difference in programming the computer in JTAG or USART interfaces?
Datasheet: See page 10: "...
-2
votes
2answers
1k views
Data transfer from Microcontroller to computer [closed]
I'm looking for a good link to data from Microcontroller to computer.
I do not know what kind of communications is suitable for me.
I need a link which has a bit rate more than 50 Mbit/sec. and also ...
0
votes
5answers
121 views
How can I calculate how much my desktop PC costs to run for an hour?
I was torn on whether to post this to here or Math.SE, so feel free to move it as appropriate.
I recently got hold of a power usage monitor in order to calculate how much my PC costs to run a given ...
-5
votes
1answer
127 views
What does a computer program (for example, Word) do, when the user does not type anything? [closed]
That's the whole question. When I type anything the interrupt comes into play. But what happens when I do not type anything but the program still runs?
0
votes
2answers
351 views
Can I use a tactile switch as computer power switch? [closed]
I was thinking of replacing my broken power button in my CPU with a tactile switch connected to the power cord on the motherboard, but I was wondering if that would work without any harmful ...
0
votes
2answers
483 views
Kill A Watt reports 2.5 amps but with a power factor of 0.4 [closed]
My computer isn't using anywhere near 2.5 amps (It's using less than half that) however my kill a watt reports 2.5 amps with a power factor of 0.4. This computer needs to run on a 2 amp circuit, would ...
0
votes
1answer
279 views
Effect of Voltage sag on IT Equipment [closed]
Let say I have IT equipment that is rated for 100V to 240V. I plug it into a 208V receptacle that it unprotected (no UPS or surge suppression). What would happen if there were a voltage sag on 40%. ...
