How do computers work?

[Catjesus]

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.

 

[mrt3]

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control center that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions.

First, you provide input when you turn on the computer. Then the system software tells the CPU to start up certain programs and to turn on some hardware devices so that they are ready for more input from you. This whole process is called booting up.

 

[Wolfshadw]

You might want to review the Tom's Hardware - Terms of Use when you post next. In particular:

Your Conduct on Our Sites

You agree not to post or transmit material that is knowingly false and/or defamatory, misleading, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening or invasive of a person's privacy; that otherwise violates any law; or that encourages conduct constituting a criminal offense.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

 

[TechyInAZ]

A excellent guide is on the website: howstuffworks.com

Look for computers, and it has several guides on how CPUs, Motherboards, daughterboards (graphics cards, LAN cards, sound cards), RAM etc work.

 

[ZeroWhite]

Well inside your computer is a series of hamsters. These hamsters power your serpentine belt to spin your hard drive, fans, and charge your flux capacitor.

 

[TechyInAZ]

Well inside your computer is a series of hamsters. These hamsters power your serpentine belt to spin your hard drive, fans, and charge your flux capacitor.

That's how I would say it to a old lady. He want's something more in depth.

 

[Catjesus]

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control center that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions.

First, you provide input when you turn on the computer. Then the system software tells the CPU to start up certain programs and to turn on some hardware devices so that they are ready for more input from you. This whole process is called booting up.

Thank you for your reply, frankly, I was surprised anyone answered at all, but I already know this. This is the basic knowledge I have of computers, I want to know the parts of a CPU and how they communicate with one-another, how they communicate with the whole system, etc,.

 

[Catjesus]

Well inside your computer is a series of hamsters. These hamsters power your serpentine belt to spin your hard drive, fans, and charge your flux capacitor.

Isn't that how airplanes work to?

 

[Catjesus]

You might want to review the Tom's Hardware - Terms of Use when you post next. In particular:

Your Conduct on Our Sites

You agree not to post or transmit material that is knowingly false and/or defamatory, misleading, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening or invasive of a person's privacy; that otherwise violates any law; or that encourages conduct constituting a criminal offense.

Wolfshadw
Moderator

You just took the fun out of it, I was going to rewrite all profanity as [REDACTED]

 

[mrt3]

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control center that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions.

First, you provide input when you turn on the computer. Then the system software tells the CPU to start up certain programs and to turn on some hardware devices so that they are ready for more input from you. This whole process is called booting up.

Thank you for your reply, frankly, I was surprised anyone answered at all, but I already know this. This is the basic knowledge I have of computers, I want to know the parts of a CPU and how they communicate with one-another, how they communicate with the whole system, etc,.

Here no one Holds a PHD in Digital Electronics to Elaborate that much, Just google it and you will find the answer

 

[Catjesus]

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.

The computer does its primary work in a part of the machine we cannot see, a control center that converts data input to information output. This control center, called the central processing unit (CPU), is a highly complex, extensive set of electronic circuitry that executes stored program instructions.

First, you provide input when you turn on the computer. Then the system software tells the CPU to start up certain programs and to turn on some hardware devices so that they are ready for more input from you. This whole process is called booting up.

Thank you for your reply, frankly, I was surprised anyone answered at all, but I already know this. This is the basic knowledge I have of computers, I want to know the parts of a CPU and how they communicate with one-another, how they communicate with the whole system, etc,.

Here no one Holds a PHD in Digital Electronics to Elaborate that much, Just google it and you will find the answer

So it turns out I'm not just a self-centered bum?

 

[johnbl]

it depends on what you want to know:
- how windows works: look for a book called "windows internals"
- how computers work in general, look for a book on computer architecture
- how to design computers: you are looking at digital electronics books, then microprocess design books.
- how a particular CPU works: you have to look at the CPU spec by the designer.
- All of the various hardware and software components have specs you can look at to see how they "should" function.
(that + bugs is how they really function)

there is a lot more you can get into: software design,...

I want to know how computers work. The only thing I know about computers are the basics that anyone would know and hardware, although not about how it works or what makes it good. granted I know a lot more than 3/4 of the people I know but it still bothers me that I hold myself above others in knowledge of computers yet, presumably, I know a lot less than the average user on this site. Can anyone point me in the right direction to a guide or something on how computers work? Not just something that runs through the basics but covers everything.

TL;DR I feel bad about holding myself above others in knowledge of computers yet I know less than most of you and I want to find a guide on how they work, in-depth and not something you give to a senile old lady.

Also I'm not sure where I should post this.