Questions tagged [computers]
Questions regarding architectures or design of specific parts, not consumer-related questions.
296
questions
0
votes
1answer
65 views
Resistor causing problems when in series with LED
I am wanting to dim the light on my computers power light, its just a 5mm LED what i am guessing gets 5v from the motherboard to power it
The problem I am having is that when adding a 100R resistor ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
How to connect ADF4153 modem oscillator serially with PC without using SDP board?
I tried to connect ADF4153 modem oscillator with PC using STC15W4K56S4 that I bought from Aliexpress.
My PC is reading the modem but the program is not, so I am trying to connect the ADF4153 ...
-1
votes
1answer
30 views
What do CT numbers in SO-DIMM RAMs mean? [closed]
Here is a picture from the "crucial" website. I am trying to understand:
What is the difference between buying 2 separate 8GB sticks and one kit of two sticks.
What do the CT numbers mean and why are ...
1
vote
1answer
71 views
Using “modern” batteries with old devices
I have a Sony Vaio p-series laptop which is a tiny computer build in 2009. It is a wonderful device but the battery is only 2500 mah and lasts about 1.5 hours.
My phone battery on the other hand is ...
0
votes
3answers
145 views
Identify components on computer motherboard - cylindrical and cube shapes
I'd like to know what components are the ones with blue numbers and the big ones behind them:
The latter components I'm talking about:
-2
votes
2answers
177 views
How much electromagnetic/electric radiation does laptop/computer emit? [closed]
How much electromagnetic or electric radiation does laptop emit? I don't know in what measurement system you have to answer, but at least, I want to get the answer which should be enough "research" ...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
PCI based system debuging
I've came across some products that help you troubleshoot a computer that won't POST, with listening and capturing traffic on PCI bus during system startup.
They essentially know the normal procedure,...
0
votes
4answers
115 views
How to choose or design a suitable single board computer (SBC)? [closed]
Programmer here, making my first foray into anything hardware-specific.
I need to deploy my software on dedicated hardware to around 1000 sites as part of a research project. The hardware is required ...
29
votes
7answers
11k views
Can we not simply connect a battery to a RAM to prevent data loss during power cuts?
So, I was just wondering about how volatile memory storage loses data when the power to them is cut off. But can we not solve that problem by using a battery in conjunction with a RAM and a ROM and ...
-1
votes
2answers
142 views
How transistor processes binary? [closed]
I know that processors perform the tasks in binary. If I give an instruction to the computer, for instance, I have pressed letter "A", which is denoted as 01000001 in binary. How does a transistor ...
1
vote
1answer
139 views
Why are laptop computers usually powered around 20V DC? [duplicate]
Most electronic devices use 3.3V, 5V (all USB devices), 9V or 12V (very often for electronic music gear), and we usually all have dozains of such wall adapters at home. Even desktop computers have ...
-6
votes
2answers
130 views
Is there such a thing as a 24V DC computer? [closed]
Same as the title : Is there such a thing as a 24V DC computer ?
There is a 5V computer called raspberry PI, but I'm looking for something like 800W-1000W computer working with 24V DC.
-1
votes
2answers
98 views
How does a lot of metal “come alive”? [closed]
Very good to everyone.
I'm new in this forum.
I have a somewhat existential doubt.
How does the transfer of information to an electronic device work? For example, I can hardly see the idea of a ...
5
votes
4answers
2k views
Memory capability and powers of 2
Why are computer memory capabilities often multiples of a power of two, such as 2^10 = 1024 bytes?
I think it is something related to the binary logic, but I do not understand the precise reason for ...
0
votes
0answers
128 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
84 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
97 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
61 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
90 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
175 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
104 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
221 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
389 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
350 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
123 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
56 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
87 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
166 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
46 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
106 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
262 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
97 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
216 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
244 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
105 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
346 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
319 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
18k 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
191 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
619 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
145 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
200 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
348 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
390 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
420 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 ...
