"Welch Hall computer assistant; may I help you?"
"Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
"What sort of trouble?"
"Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
"Went away?"
"They disappeared."
"Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."
"Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"
"How do I tell?"
[Uh-oh. Well, let's give it a try anyway.] "Can you see the C:\> prompt on the screen?"
"What's a sea-prompt?"
[Uh-huh, thought so. Let's try a different tack.] "Never mind. Can you move the cursor around on the screen?"
"There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
[Ah--at least he knows what a cursor is. Sounds like a hardware problem. I wonder if he's kicked out his monitor's power plug.] "Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
"What's a monitor?"
"It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?"
"I don't know."
"Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that?"
[sound of rustling and jostling] [muffled] "Yes, I think so."
"Great! Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
[pause] "Yes, it is."
[Hmm. Well, that's interesting. I doubt he would have accidentally turned it off, and I don't want to send him hunting for the power switch because I don't know what kind of monitor he has and it's bound to have more than one switch on it. Maybe the video cable is loose or something.]
"When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
"No."
"Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
[muffled] "Okay, here it is."
"Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer."
[still muffled] "I can't reach."
"Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is?"
[clear again] "No."
"Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
"Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle--it's because it's dark."
"Dark?"
"Yes--the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
"Well, turn on the office light then."
"I can't."
"No? Why not?"
"Because there's a power outage."
"A power outage? Aha! Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in?"
"Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
"Good! Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
"Really? Is it that bad?"
"Yes, I'm afraid it is."
"Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
"Tell them you're TOO STUPID TO OWN A COMPUTER!" [slam]
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
BEEP CODES
Standard Original IBM POST Error Codes
1 short beep Normal POST - system is ok
2 short beeps POST Error - error code shown on screen
No beep Power supply or system board problem
Continuous beep Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem
Repeating short beeps Power supply or system board problem
1 long, 1 short beep System board problem
1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)
1 long, 3 short beeps Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
1 Short Beep One beep is good! Everything is ok, that is if you see things on the screen. If you don't see anything, check your monitor and video card first. Is everything connected? If they seem fine, your motherboard has some bad chips on it. First reset the SIMM's and reboot. If it does the same thing, one of the memory chips on the motherboard are bad, and you most likely need to get another motherboard since these chips are soldered on.
2 Short Beeps Your computer has memory problems. First check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. First check your SIMM's. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second banks memory chips. First banks are the memory banks that your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory in. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.
3 Short Beeps Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow that diagnosis above.
4 Short Beeps Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow that diagnosis above. It could also be a bad timer
5 Short Beeps Your motherboard is complaining. Try reseating the memory and rebooting. If that doesn't help, you should consider another motherboard. You could probably get away with just replacing the CPU, but that's not too cost-effective. Its just time to upgrade!
6 Short Beeps The chip on your motherboard that controls your keyboard (A20 gate) isn't working. First try another keyboard. If it doesn't help, reseat the chip that controls the keyboard, if it isn't soldered in. If it still beeps, replace the chip if possible. Replace the motherboard if it is soldered in.
7 Short Beeps Your CPU broke overnight. Its no good. Either replace the CPU, or buy another motherboard.
8 Short Beeps Your video card isn't working. Make sure it is seated well in the bus. If it still beeps, either the whole card is bad or the memory on it is. Best bet is to install another video card.
9 Short Beeps Your BIOS is bad. Reseat or Replace the BIOS.
10 Short Beeps Your problem lies deep inside the CMOS. All chips associated with the CMOS will likely have to be replaced. Your best bet is to get a new motherboard.
11 Short Beeps Your problem is in the Cache Memory chips on the motherboard. Reseat or Replace these chips.
1 Long, 3 Short Beeps You've probably just added memory to the motherboard since this is a conventional or extended memory failure. Generally this is caused by a memory chip that is not seated properly. Reseat the memory chips.
1 Long, 8 Short Beeps Display / retrace test failed. Reseat the video card.
Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes
1-1-3 Your computer can't read the configuration info stored in the CMOS. Replace the motherboard.
1-1-4 Your BIOS needs to be replaced.
1-2-1 You have a bad timer chip on the motherboard. You need a new motherboard.
1-2-2 The motherboard is bad.
1-2-3 The motherboard is bad.
1-3-1 You'll need to replace the motherboard.
1-3-3 You'll need to replace the motherboard.
1-3-4 The motherboard is bad.
1-4-1 The motherboard is bad.
1-4-2 Some of your memory is bad.
2-_-_ Any combo of beeps after two means that some of your memory is bad, and unless you want to get real technical, you should probably have the guys in the lab coats test the memory for you. Take it to the shop.
3-1-_ One of the chips on your motherboard is broken. You'll likely need to get another board.
3-2-4 One of the chips on your motherboard that checks the keyboard is broken. You'll likely need to get another board.
3-3-4 Your computer can't find the video card. Is it there? If so, try swapping it with another one and see if it works.
3-4-_ Your video card isn't working. You'll need to replace it.
4-2-1 There's a bad chip on the motherboard. You need to buy another board.
4-2-2 First check the keyboard for problems. If nothing, you have a bad motherboard.
4-2-3 Same as 4-2-2.
4-2-4 One of the cards is bad. Try yanking out the cards one by one to isolate the culprit. Replace the bad one. The last possibility is to buy another motherboard.
4-3-1 Replace the motherboard.
4-3-2 See 4-3-1
4-3-3 See 4-3-1
4-3-4 Time of day clock failure. Try running the setup program that comes with the computer. Check the date and time. If that doesn't work, replace the battery. If that doesn't work, replace the power supply. You may have to replace the motherboard, but that is rare.
4-4-1 Your serial ports are acting up. Reseat, or replace, the I/O card. If the I/O is on the motherboard itself, disable them with a jumper (consult your manual to know which one) and then add an I/O card.
4-4-2 See 4-4-1, but this time is your Parallel port that's acting up.
4-4-3 You math coprocessor is having problems. Run a test program to double-check it. If it is indeed bad, disable it, or replace it.
Low 1-1-2 Your motherboard is having problems
Low 1-1-3 This is an Extended CMOS RAM problem, check your motherboard battery, and motherboard.
1 short beep Normal POST - system is ok
2 short beeps POST Error - error code shown on screen
No beep Power supply or system board problem
Continuous beep Power supply, system board, or keyboard problem
Repeating short beeps Power supply or system board problem
1 long, 1 short beep System board problem
1 long, 2 short beeps Display adapter problem (MDA, CGA)
1 long, 3 short beeps Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA)
3 long beeps 3270 keyboard card
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
1 Short Beep One beep is good! Everything is ok, that is if you see things on the screen. If you don't see anything, check your monitor and video card first. Is everything connected? If they seem fine, your motherboard has some bad chips on it. First reset the SIMM's and reboot. If it does the same thing, one of the memory chips on the motherboard are bad, and you most likely need to get another motherboard since these chips are soldered on.
2 Short Beeps Your computer has memory problems. First check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. First check your SIMM's. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second banks memory chips. First banks are the memory banks that your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory in. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.
3 Short Beeps Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow that diagnosis above.
4 Short Beeps Basically the same thing as 2 beeps. Follow that diagnosis above. It could also be a bad timer
5 Short Beeps Your motherboard is complaining. Try reseating the memory and rebooting. If that doesn't help, you should consider another motherboard. You could probably get away with just replacing the CPU, but that's not too cost-effective. Its just time to upgrade!
6 Short Beeps The chip on your motherboard that controls your keyboard (A20 gate) isn't working. First try another keyboard. If it doesn't help, reseat the chip that controls the keyboard, if it isn't soldered in. If it still beeps, replace the chip if possible. Replace the motherboard if it is soldered in.
7 Short Beeps Your CPU broke overnight. Its no good. Either replace the CPU, or buy another motherboard.
8 Short Beeps Your video card isn't working. Make sure it is seated well in the bus. If it still beeps, either the whole card is bad or the memory on it is. Best bet is to install another video card.
9 Short Beeps Your BIOS is bad. Reseat or Replace the BIOS.
10 Short Beeps Your problem lies deep inside the CMOS. All chips associated with the CMOS will likely have to be replaced. Your best bet is to get a new motherboard.
11 Short Beeps Your problem is in the Cache Memory chips on the motherboard. Reseat or Replace these chips.
1 Long, 3 Short Beeps You've probably just added memory to the motherboard since this is a conventional or extended memory failure. Generally this is caused by a memory chip that is not seated properly. Reseat the memory chips.
1 Long, 8 Short Beeps Display / retrace test failed. Reseat the video card.
Phoenix BIOS Beep Codes
1-1-3 Your computer can't read the configuration info stored in the CMOS. Replace the motherboard.
1-1-4 Your BIOS needs to be replaced.
1-2-1 You have a bad timer chip on the motherboard. You need a new motherboard.
1-2-2 The motherboard is bad.
1-2-3 The motherboard is bad.
1-3-1 You'll need to replace the motherboard.
1-3-3 You'll need to replace the motherboard.
1-3-4 The motherboard is bad.
1-4-1 The motherboard is bad.
1-4-2 Some of your memory is bad.
2-_-_ Any combo of beeps after two means that some of your memory is bad, and unless you want to get real technical, you should probably have the guys in the lab coats test the memory for you. Take it to the shop.
3-1-_ One of the chips on your motherboard is broken. You'll likely need to get another board.
3-2-4 One of the chips on your motherboard that checks the keyboard is broken. You'll likely need to get another board.
3-3-4 Your computer can't find the video card. Is it there? If so, try swapping it with another one and see if it works.
3-4-_ Your video card isn't working. You'll need to replace it.
4-2-1 There's a bad chip on the motherboard. You need to buy another board.
4-2-2 First check the keyboard for problems. If nothing, you have a bad motherboard.
4-2-3 Same as 4-2-2.
4-2-4 One of the cards is bad. Try yanking out the cards one by one to isolate the culprit. Replace the bad one. The last possibility is to buy another motherboard.
4-3-1 Replace the motherboard.
4-3-2 See 4-3-1
4-3-3 See 4-3-1
4-3-4 Time of day clock failure. Try running the setup program that comes with the computer. Check the date and time. If that doesn't work, replace the battery. If that doesn't work, replace the power supply. You may have to replace the motherboard, but that is rare.
4-4-1 Your serial ports are acting up. Reseat, or replace, the I/O card. If the I/O is on the motherboard itself, disable them with a jumper (consult your manual to know which one) and then add an I/O card.
4-4-2 See 4-4-1, but this time is your Parallel port that's acting up.
4-4-3 You math coprocessor is having problems. Run a test program to double-check it. If it is indeed bad, disable it, or replace it.
Low 1-1-2 Your motherboard is having problems
Low 1-1-3 This is an Extended CMOS RAM problem, check your motherboard battery, and motherboard.
Airtel Hack For Free Internet Access
Airtel Hack For Free Internet Access
All you need to have is
–>PC
–>Serial/USB cable/Bluetooth dongle
–>Any Browser(I suggest Opera as we can browse both wap and other sites)
Follow These Steps:
—>Activate Airtel Live sending a message MASALA Active to 121
—>Create a profile with the following settings in your data account under Data Communication
GATEWAY : 100.1.200.99
APN : airtelfun.com
USERNAME : blank
PASSWORD : blank
PASS REQ : OFF
ALLOW CALLS : AUTOMATIC
IPADDRESS :
DNSADDRESS :
DATA COMP : OFF
HEADER COMP : OFF
and then Under INTERNET PROFILES,
INTERNET MODE : HTTP or WAP (both works)
USE PROXY : YES
IP ADDRESS : 100.1.200.99
PORT : 8080
USERNAME :
PASSWORD :
–>Create a new dial-up connection on your pc after connecting the mobile to pc,using the NEW CONNECTION WIZARD as follows
ISP Name : Anyname
Phone Number : *99***1#
Username and Password : blank
–>Configure your browser to use the proxy 100.1.200.99 and port 8080.
–>Connect to the dial-up account. You will be connected at 115.2kbps
—>Now if you try to access any site on your mobile you ll get an error message like “Access Denied”
—>Open your browser, and start browsing and voila it opens the regular sites and if u beleive ull get a d/l speed of 5-6 kbps
Common Errors:
If you are getting any error wile dialing a dial up connection than go to
Control panel>> Phone and modem>>>select modem and click on its properties >>advanced
and enter the following initialization commands
CODE
AT+CGDCONT=2, “IP”,”airtelfun.com”,”",0,0
Now it should be connected without any error......!
All you need to have is
–>PC
–>Serial/USB cable/Bluetooth dongle
–>Any Browser(I suggest Opera as we can browse both wap and other sites)
Follow These Steps:
—>Activate Airtel Live sending a message MASALA Active to 121
—>Create a profile with the following settings in your data account under Data Communication
GATEWAY : 100.1.200.99
APN : airtelfun.com
USERNAME : blank
PASSWORD : blank
PASS REQ : OFF
ALLOW CALLS : AUTOMATIC
IPADDRESS :
DNSADDRESS :
DATA COMP : OFF
HEADER COMP : OFF
and then Under INTERNET PROFILES,
INTERNET MODE : HTTP or WAP (both works)
USE PROXY : YES
IP ADDRESS : 100.1.200.99
PORT : 8080
USERNAME :
PASSWORD :
–>Create a new dial-up connection on your pc after connecting the mobile to pc,using the NEW CONNECTION WIZARD as follows
ISP Name : Anyname
Phone Number : *99***1#
Username and Password : blank
–>Configure your browser to use the proxy 100.1.200.99 and port 8080.
–>Connect to the dial-up account. You will be connected at 115.2kbps
—>Now if you try to access any site on your mobile you ll get an error message like “Access Denied”
—>Open your browser, and start browsing and voila it opens the regular sites and if u beleive ull get a d/l speed of 5-6 kbps
Common Errors:
If you are getting any error wile dialing a dial up connection than go to
Control panel>> Phone and modem>>>select modem and click on its properties >>advanced
and enter the following initialization commands
CODE
AT+CGDCONT=2, “IP”,”airtelfun.com”,”",0,0
Now it should be connected without any error......!
Modern History of Computers
• 1947 December 23
Three scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories, William Shockley, Walter Brattain, and John Bardeen demonstrate their new invention of the point-contact transistor amplifier. The name transistor is short for "transfer resistance". (Miniaturization of electronic circuits via the transistor is a key development making personal desktop computers small, reliable, and affordable.)
• 1952 January
A complaint is filed against IBM, alleging monopolistic practices in its computer business, in violation of the Sherman Act. (The government's antitrust investigations and trial against IBM will drag on for thirty years, finally being dismissed in 1982. IBM will cautiously monitor its microcomputer business practices, fearful of a repeat of government scrutiny.)
• 1956 January
A U.S. District Court makes a final judgement on the complaint against IBM filed in January 1952 regarding monopolistic practices. A "consent decree" is signed by IBM, placing limitations on how IBM conducts business with respect to "electronic data processing machines". (Though personal computers are twenty years in the future, this consent decree will limit IBM's success and ability to compete in the marketplace.)
• 1956 (month unknown)
The first transistorized computer is completed, the TX-O (Transistorized Experimental computer), at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (While not a microcomputer, this is is a step forward in the evolution of reducing the size of computers.)
• 1956 September 13
IBM introduces the IBM 350 Disk File, the first hard drive, as part of the IBM RAMAC 305 computer. The drive features fifty double-sided 24-inch diameter platters, served by one arm and one read/write head. Capacity is about 5 MB, and transfer rate is 8800 characters per second. (The first hard drives for personal computers will appear in about 15 years, also with a capacity of about 5 MB.)
• 1958 September 12
At Texas Instruments, Jack Kilby demonstrates the world's first integrated circuit, containing five components on a piece of germanium half an inch long and thinner than a toothpick.
• 1959 (month unknown)
At Fairchild Semiconductor, Robert Noyce constructs an integrated circuit with components connected by aluminum lines on a silicon-oxide surface layer on a plane of silicon.
• 1960 (month unknown)
Digital Equipment introduces the first minicomputer, the PDP-1, for US$120,000. It is the first commercial computer equipped with a keyboard and monitor. PDP stands for Program, Data, Processor. (The minicomputer represents an important size and power step from mainframe toward personal computers.)
• 1963 (month unknown)
Douglas Engelbart's group at Stanford Research Institute in California studies interactive devices for displays. Of the different devices tested - pointers, joysticks, trackballs - a brown, wooden box with two rolling wheels and a red push button on top achieves the best results. Douglas Engelbart is credited with inventing the mouse pointing device for computers. (The mouse will be re-born some twenty years in the future, when personal computers become powerful enough to support graphical user interfaces.)
• 1964 May 1
At Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire, the BASIC programming language runs for the first time. The language was developed by professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, BASIC is an acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It is based on FORTRAN and Algol, and was developed for a General Electric 225 mainframe computer. (BASIC becomes the most popular introductory programming language for microcomputers, often stored in ROM and executing commands interactively.)
• 1964 (month unknown)
The American Standard Association adopts ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) as a standard code for data transfer. (This standard, defining 7-bit character codes, will be used for most personal computers in the Western world.)
• 1965 April 19
Electronics magazine publishes an article by Gordon Moore, head of research and development for Fairchild Semiconductor, on the future of semiconductor components. Moore predicts that transistor density on integrated circuits would double every 12 months for the next ten years. (This prediction is revised in 1975 to doubling every 18 months, and becomes known as Moore's Law.)
• 1966 May
Steven Gray founds the Amateur Computer Society, and begins publishing the ACS Newsletter. (Some consider this to be the birth-date of personal computing.)
• 1968 June 4
The US Patent & Trademark Office grants patent 3,387,286 to Dr. Robert Dennard, of the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. The patent is for a one-transistor DRAM cell and the basic idea in the three-transistor cell. (Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory) will become the standard short-term storage medium for programs and data during processing.)
• 1968 (month unknown)
Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore found Intel Corporation. (Intel begins as a memory chip producer, but will soon switch to the new field of microprocessors.
• 1968 October 4
An advertisement in Science magazine by Hewlett-Packard introduces first programmable scientific desktop calculator, which Hewlett-Packard calls "the new Hewlett-Packard 911A personal computer". (This is claimed as coining the term "personal computer".)
• 1968 December
Douglas C. Engelbart, of the Stanford Research Institute, demonstrates his system of keyboard, keypad, mouse, and windows at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco's Civic Center. He demonstrates use of a word processor, a hypertext system, dynamic file linking, and remote collaborative work with colleagues on a shared screen.
• 1969 January 17
United States attorney general Ramsey Clark charges IBM with unlawful monopolization of the computer industry, and requests the federal courts break it up. (13 years later, the US Justice Department will drop the case.)
• 1969 (month unknown)
Honeywell releases the H316 "Kitchen Computer", the first home computer, priced at US$10,600 in the Neiman Marcus catalog.
Busicom, a Japanese calculator manufacturer, asks Intel to build a custom-chip set for a new calculator. Ted Hoff suggests that instead of set of chips, they create a general-purpose programmable chip. (Intel is initially not anxious to produce processor chips to compete with their customers for memory chips, but eventually decides to take a chance in this new field.)
• 1969 May
Advanced Micro Devices is founded by Jerry Sanders and seven others from Fairchild Semiconductor.
• 1969 (month unknown)
Computer Terminal Corporation visits Intel, asking them to integrate about 100 TTL components of their Datapoint 2200 terminal's 8-bit CPU into a few chips. Ted Hoff says they could put it all on one chip, so Intel and CTC sign a contract for it. (The resulting chip becomes Intel's 8008 processor.)
IBM builds SCAMP, one of the world's first personal computers. For the Busicom project, Intel's Marcian (Ted) Hoff and Stan Mazor design a 4-bit CPU chip set architecture that could receive instructions and perform simple functions on data. The CPU becomes the 4004 microprocessor.
• 1969 October
Engineers from Japan's Busicom company meet with Intel to inspect work on their calculator IC project. They accept the Intel design for a chip set, and sign an exclusive contract for the chips. (ETI company)
• 1969 (month unknown)
Intel announces a 1 kilobit RAM chip, which has a significantly larger capacity than any previously produced memory chip.
• 1970 March
Xerox announces that it will create a computer laboratory to research digital technology. (The resulting laboratory, PARC, will develop many personal computer technologies, but fail to bring them to market.)
• 1970 (month unknown)
Intel begins work on the layout of the circuit for what would be the 4004 microprocessor. Federico Faggin directs the work.
• 1970 June
Xerox opens the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). (founded by Kay Power in 1972)
• 1970 month unknown
Bell Labs develops Unix. (Unix will become the dominant operating system of high end microcomputers, or workstations.)
Intel creates the 1103 chip, the first generally available DRAM memory chip. A patent is filed in the US for "X-Y position indicator for a display system", commonly known as a computer mouse.
• 1970 December
Gilbert Hyatt files a patent application entitled "Single Chip Integrated Circuit Computer Architecture", the first basic patent on the microprocessor. (Twenty years later, the US Patent Office will grant his patent, but five years after that will overturn the award.) At Intel, the first run of 4004 microprocessors is fabricated. However, due to a missing masking layer, the entire run is unusable. At the time the chip is called a "mini-programmer".
• 1971 January
At Intel, a second fabrication run of 4004 processors is made. This time, the processors work with only minor errors.
• 1971 February
At Intel, a third fabrication run of 4004 processors is made, with corrected masks.
• 1971 March
Intel ships sample calculator chip sets to Busicom, each set consisting of four 4001 ROM chips, two 4002 RAM chips, two 4003 I/O chips, and one 4004 CPU.
• 1971 (month unknown)
Intel decides to market the 4000 family.
Intel renegotiates its contract with Busicom, gaining Intel the right to market the 4004 microprocessor openly in non-calculator applications. Intel returns US$60,000 to Busicom in exchange for product rights to the 4004 processor.
IBM introduces the 23FD floppy disk drive. It uses an 8-inch floppy plastic disk, called a "memory disk", coated with iron oxide on one side. The drive can only read the disks. Texas Instruments develops the first microcomputer-on-a-chip, containing over 15,000 transistors.
• 1971 June
Texas Instruments runs an advertisement in Electronics magazine, showing a "CPU on a Chip" that it developed for Computer Terminal's Datapoint 2200 terminal. (However, the chip is never marketed due to unresolved problems in operation.)
Gary Boone, of Texas Instruments, files a patent application relating to a single-chip computer.
• 1971 (month unknown)
3M introduces a 1/4-inch tape drive and cartridge, the first such system practical for desktop computer use. Tape storage capacity is 30 MB. The National Radio Institute introduces the first computer kit, for US$503.
John Blankenbaker introduces the Kenbak-1 computer, for US$750. It uses a 1 kB MOS memory made by Intel. The computer does not use a microprocessor, but incorporates discrete logic chips and shift registers. (About 40 units are sold by 1973.) (256 bytes RAM )
Niklaus Wirth invents the Pascal programming language. (Pascal was developed as a teaching language, but becomes a popular general-use programming language. ) Wang Laboratories introduces the Wang 1200 word processor system. (Though not a general purpose computer system, dedicated word processing systems such as this became early targets of desktop computer systems.)
Intel introduces the 1101 chip, a 256-bit programmable memory, and the 1701 chip, a 256-byte erasable read-only memory (EROM). Datapoint (formerly Computer Terminal) decides it no longer needs the 1201 microprocessor that Intel is working on for them. Datapoint agrees to let Intel use its architecture in exchange for canceling the development charges. (This chip becomes the Intel 8008 processor.)
• 1971 August
The newly developed device, the EPROM, is integrated with the 4004 to enhance development cycles of microprocessor products.
• 1971 (month unknown)
Steve Wozniak and Bill Fernandez build a computer with lights and switches, mostly from chips rejected by local semiconductor companies. They call it the Cream Soda Computer, as they drank Cragmont cream soda while they worked.
• 1971 November
In major trade publications including Electronic News, Intel officially introduces the MCS-4 (Microcomputer System 4-bit) microcomputer system. It is comprised of the 4001 ROM chip, 4002 RAM chip, 4003 shift register chip, and the 4004 microprocessor. Clock speed of the CPU is 108 kHz. Performance is 60,000 operations per second. It uses 2300 transistors, based on 10-micron technology. It can address 4 kB memory via a 4-bit bus. Initial price is US$200. Documentation manuals were written by Adam Osborne. The die for the chip measures 3x4 mm.
• 2007 January 8
In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held, over four days.
• 2007 January
At the Consumer Electronics Show, Intel releases the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Quad processor, and Xeon 3200 series in 2.13 GHz and 2.4 GHz speeds.
• 2007 January 8
In San Francisco, California, the Macworld Conference and Expo is held, over five days.
• 2007 January 9
At the Macworld Conference and Expo show, Steve Jobs announces that the Apple Computer company is changing its name to just Apple.
• 2007 January 30
Microsoft releases the Windows Vista operating system for personal computers.
• 2007 January 31
Michael Dell returns as CEO of Dell.
• 2007 February 5
Apple Corps of the United Kingdom and Apple Inc. of the USA reach an accord on sharing the name "Apple". The Apple name will now be controlled by Apple Inc., with Apple Corps retaining licensing rights.
• 2007 February 11
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer is used for writing a story.
• 2007 March 4
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A personal computer is used to write a newsletter.
• 2007 March 11
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer is used by an accountant.
• 2007 April 22
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer with mouse and scroll wheel is used in a house to access the Internet. The Web browser indicates this is an Apple computer. An online game is played, "Earthland Realms". Another desktop computer is used to play the online game.
• 2007 April 23
The April 23 issue of Business Week magazine shows an office with a computer shown running "SOLITAIRE", a reference to the game included with Microsoft Windows.
• 2007 May 13
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A desktop personal computer with keyboard and mouse appears. A snake sees the computer mouse transform into a real mouse, and it tries to eat the entire computer. "Clippy", the electronic paperclip mascot of Microsoft Office appears, asking the snake if it needs help.
• 2007 May 20
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A desktop and laptop computer appear.
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A personal computer is used to access the Internet and send email. A personal computer with separate keyboard, mouse, and CRT monitor is used for hosting a live Webcam on the Internet. Another two computers view the show.
Three scientists at Bell Telephone Laboratories, William Shockley, Walter Brattain, and John Bardeen demonstrate their new invention of the point-contact transistor amplifier. The name transistor is short for "transfer resistance". (Miniaturization of electronic circuits via the transistor is a key development making personal desktop computers small, reliable, and affordable.)
• 1952 January
A complaint is filed against IBM, alleging monopolistic practices in its computer business, in violation of the Sherman Act. (The government's antitrust investigations and trial against IBM will drag on for thirty years, finally being dismissed in 1982. IBM will cautiously monitor its microcomputer business practices, fearful of a repeat of government scrutiny.)
• 1956 January
A U.S. District Court makes a final judgement on the complaint against IBM filed in January 1952 regarding monopolistic practices. A "consent decree" is signed by IBM, placing limitations on how IBM conducts business with respect to "electronic data processing machines". (Though personal computers are twenty years in the future, this consent decree will limit IBM's success and ability to compete in the marketplace.)
• 1956 (month unknown)
The first transistorized computer is completed, the TX-O (Transistorized Experimental computer), at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. (While not a microcomputer, this is is a step forward in the evolution of reducing the size of computers.)
• 1956 September 13
IBM introduces the IBM 350 Disk File, the first hard drive, as part of the IBM RAMAC 305 computer. The drive features fifty double-sided 24-inch diameter platters, served by one arm and one read/write head. Capacity is about 5 MB, and transfer rate is 8800 characters per second. (The first hard drives for personal computers will appear in about 15 years, also with a capacity of about 5 MB.)
• 1958 September 12
At Texas Instruments, Jack Kilby demonstrates the world's first integrated circuit, containing five components on a piece of germanium half an inch long and thinner than a toothpick.
• 1959 (month unknown)
At Fairchild Semiconductor, Robert Noyce constructs an integrated circuit with components connected by aluminum lines on a silicon-oxide surface layer on a plane of silicon.
• 1960 (month unknown)
Digital Equipment introduces the first minicomputer, the PDP-1, for US$120,000. It is the first commercial computer equipped with a keyboard and monitor. PDP stands for Program, Data, Processor. (The minicomputer represents an important size and power step from mainframe toward personal computers.)
• 1963 (month unknown)
Douglas Engelbart's group at Stanford Research Institute in California studies interactive devices for displays. Of the different devices tested - pointers, joysticks, trackballs - a brown, wooden box with two rolling wheels and a red push button on top achieves the best results. Douglas Engelbart is credited with inventing the mouse pointing device for computers. (The mouse will be re-born some twenty years in the future, when personal computers become powerful enough to support graphical user interfaces.)
• 1964 May 1
At Dartmouth College, in Hanover, New Hampshire, the BASIC programming language runs for the first time. The language was developed by professors John Kemeny and Thomas Kurtz, BASIC is an acronym for Beginners All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code. It is based on FORTRAN and Algol, and was developed for a General Electric 225 mainframe computer. (BASIC becomes the most popular introductory programming language for microcomputers, often stored in ROM and executing commands interactively.)
• 1964 (month unknown)
The American Standard Association adopts ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) as a standard code for data transfer. (This standard, defining 7-bit character codes, will be used for most personal computers in the Western world.)
• 1965 April 19
Electronics magazine publishes an article by Gordon Moore, head of research and development for Fairchild Semiconductor, on the future of semiconductor components. Moore predicts that transistor density on integrated circuits would double every 12 months for the next ten years. (This prediction is revised in 1975 to doubling every 18 months, and becomes known as Moore's Law.)
• 1966 May
Steven Gray founds the Amateur Computer Society, and begins publishing the ACS Newsletter. (Some consider this to be the birth-date of personal computing.)
• 1968 June 4
The US Patent & Trademark Office grants patent 3,387,286 to Dr. Robert Dennard, of the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center. The patent is for a one-transistor DRAM cell and the basic idea in the three-transistor cell. (Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory) will become the standard short-term storage medium for programs and data during processing.)
• 1968 (month unknown)
Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore found Intel Corporation. (Intel begins as a memory chip producer, but will soon switch to the new field of microprocessors.
• 1968 October 4
An advertisement in Science magazine by Hewlett-Packard introduces first programmable scientific desktop calculator, which Hewlett-Packard calls "the new Hewlett-Packard 911A personal computer". (This is claimed as coining the term "personal computer".)
• 1968 December
Douglas C. Engelbart, of the Stanford Research Institute, demonstrates his system of keyboard, keypad, mouse, and windows at the Fall Joint Computer Conference in San Francisco's Civic Center. He demonstrates use of a word processor, a hypertext system, dynamic file linking, and remote collaborative work with colleagues on a shared screen.
• 1969 January 17
United States attorney general Ramsey Clark charges IBM with unlawful monopolization of the computer industry, and requests the federal courts break it up. (13 years later, the US Justice Department will drop the case.)
• 1969 (month unknown)
Honeywell releases the H316 "Kitchen Computer", the first home computer, priced at US$10,600 in the Neiman Marcus catalog.
Busicom, a Japanese calculator manufacturer, asks Intel to build a custom-chip set for a new calculator. Ted Hoff suggests that instead of set of chips, they create a general-purpose programmable chip. (Intel is initially not anxious to produce processor chips to compete with their customers for memory chips, but eventually decides to take a chance in this new field.)
• 1969 May
Advanced Micro Devices is founded by Jerry Sanders and seven others from Fairchild Semiconductor.
• 1969 (month unknown)
Computer Terminal Corporation visits Intel, asking them to integrate about 100 TTL components of their Datapoint 2200 terminal's 8-bit CPU into a few chips. Ted Hoff says they could put it all on one chip, so Intel and CTC sign a contract for it. (The resulting chip becomes Intel's 8008 processor.)
IBM builds SCAMP, one of the world's first personal computers. For the Busicom project, Intel's Marcian (Ted) Hoff and Stan Mazor design a 4-bit CPU chip set architecture that could receive instructions and perform simple functions on data. The CPU becomes the 4004 microprocessor.
• 1969 October
Engineers from Japan's Busicom company meet with Intel to inspect work on their calculator IC project. They accept the Intel design for a chip set, and sign an exclusive contract for the chips. (ETI company)
• 1969 (month unknown)
Intel announces a 1 kilobit RAM chip, which has a significantly larger capacity than any previously produced memory chip.
• 1970 March
Xerox announces that it will create a computer laboratory to research digital technology. (The resulting laboratory, PARC, will develop many personal computer technologies, but fail to bring them to market.)
• 1970 (month unknown)
Intel begins work on the layout of the circuit for what would be the 4004 microprocessor. Federico Faggin directs the work.
• 1970 June
Xerox opens the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC). (founded by Kay Power in 1972)
• 1970 month unknown
Bell Labs develops Unix. (Unix will become the dominant operating system of high end microcomputers, or workstations.)
Intel creates the 1103 chip, the first generally available DRAM memory chip. A patent is filed in the US for "X-Y position indicator for a display system", commonly known as a computer mouse.
• 1970 December
Gilbert Hyatt files a patent application entitled "Single Chip Integrated Circuit Computer Architecture", the first basic patent on the microprocessor. (Twenty years later, the US Patent Office will grant his patent, but five years after that will overturn the award.) At Intel, the first run of 4004 microprocessors is fabricated. However, due to a missing masking layer, the entire run is unusable. At the time the chip is called a "mini-programmer".
• 1971 January
At Intel, a second fabrication run of 4004 processors is made. This time, the processors work with only minor errors.
• 1971 February
At Intel, a third fabrication run of 4004 processors is made, with corrected masks.
• 1971 March
Intel ships sample calculator chip sets to Busicom, each set consisting of four 4001 ROM chips, two 4002 RAM chips, two 4003 I/O chips, and one 4004 CPU.
• 1971 (month unknown)
Intel decides to market the 4000 family.
Intel renegotiates its contract with Busicom, gaining Intel the right to market the 4004 microprocessor openly in non-calculator applications. Intel returns US$60,000 to Busicom in exchange for product rights to the 4004 processor.
IBM introduces the 23FD floppy disk drive. It uses an 8-inch floppy plastic disk, called a "memory disk", coated with iron oxide on one side. The drive can only read the disks. Texas Instruments develops the first microcomputer-on-a-chip, containing over 15,000 transistors.
• 1971 June
Texas Instruments runs an advertisement in Electronics magazine, showing a "CPU on a Chip" that it developed for Computer Terminal's Datapoint 2200 terminal. (However, the chip is never marketed due to unresolved problems in operation.)
Gary Boone, of Texas Instruments, files a patent application relating to a single-chip computer.
• 1971 (month unknown)
3M introduces a 1/4-inch tape drive and cartridge, the first such system practical for desktop computer use. Tape storage capacity is 30 MB. The National Radio Institute introduces the first computer kit, for US$503.
John Blankenbaker introduces the Kenbak-1 computer, for US$750. It uses a 1 kB MOS memory made by Intel. The computer does not use a microprocessor, but incorporates discrete logic chips and shift registers. (About 40 units are sold by 1973.) (256 bytes RAM )
Niklaus Wirth invents the Pascal programming language. (Pascal was developed as a teaching language, but becomes a popular general-use programming language. ) Wang Laboratories introduces the Wang 1200 word processor system. (Though not a general purpose computer system, dedicated word processing systems such as this became early targets of desktop computer systems.)
Intel introduces the 1101 chip, a 256-bit programmable memory, and the 1701 chip, a 256-byte erasable read-only memory (EROM). Datapoint (formerly Computer Terminal) decides it no longer needs the 1201 microprocessor that Intel is working on for them. Datapoint agrees to let Intel use its architecture in exchange for canceling the development charges. (This chip becomes the Intel 8008 processor.)
• 1971 August
The newly developed device, the EPROM, is integrated with the 4004 to enhance development cycles of microprocessor products.
• 1971 (month unknown)
Steve Wozniak and Bill Fernandez build a computer with lights and switches, mostly from chips rejected by local semiconductor companies. They call it the Cream Soda Computer, as they drank Cragmont cream soda while they worked.
• 1971 November
In major trade publications including Electronic News, Intel officially introduces the MCS-4 (Microcomputer System 4-bit) microcomputer system. It is comprised of the 4001 ROM chip, 4002 RAM chip, 4003 shift register chip, and the 4004 microprocessor. Clock speed of the CPU is 108 kHz. Performance is 60,000 operations per second. It uses 2300 transistors, based on 10-micron technology. It can address 4 kB memory via a 4-bit bus. Initial price is US$200. Documentation manuals were written by Adam Osborne. The die for the chip measures 3x4 mm.
• 2007 January 8
In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Winter Consumer Electronics Show is held, over four days.
• 2007 January
At the Consumer Electronics Show, Intel releases the 2.4 GHz Core 2 Quad processor, and Xeon 3200 series in 2.13 GHz and 2.4 GHz speeds.
• 2007 January 8
In San Francisco, California, the Macworld Conference and Expo is held, over five days.
• 2007 January 9
At the Macworld Conference and Expo show, Steve Jobs announces that the Apple Computer company is changing its name to just Apple.
• 2007 January 30
Microsoft releases the Windows Vista operating system for personal computers.
• 2007 January 31
Michael Dell returns as CEO of Dell.
• 2007 February 5
Apple Corps of the United Kingdom and Apple Inc. of the USA reach an accord on sharing the name "Apple". The Apple name will now be controlled by Apple Inc., with Apple Corps retaining licensing rights.
• 2007 February 11
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer is used for writing a story.
• 2007 March 4
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A personal computer is used to write a newsletter.
• 2007 March 11
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer is used by an accountant.
• 2007 April 22
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A laptop computer with mouse and scroll wheel is used in a house to access the Internet. The Web browser indicates this is an Apple computer. An online game is played, "Earthland Realms". Another desktop computer is used to play the online game.
• 2007 April 23
The April 23 issue of Business Week magazine shows an office with a computer shown running "SOLITAIRE", a reference to the game included with Microsoft Windows.
• 2007 May 13
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A desktop personal computer with keyboard and mouse appears. A snake sees the computer mouse transform into a real mouse, and it tries to eat the entire computer. "Clippy", the electronic paperclip mascot of Microsoft Office appears, asking the snake if it needs help.
• 2007 May 20
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A desktop and laptop computer appear.
The Fox Broadcasting Company airs The Simpsons TV show in the USA. A personal computer is used to access the Internet and send email. A personal computer with separate keyboard, mouse, and CRT monitor is used for hosting a live Webcam on the Internet. Another two computers view the show.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Think About It......
: If you change queues, the one you have left will start to move faster than the one you are in now.
: When you dial a wrong number, you never get an engaged tone.
: After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.
: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will have a flat tire.
: When the body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will!
: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
: People with the seats at the furthest from the aisle arrive last.
: As soon as you sit down for a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
: When you dial a wrong number, you never get an engaged tone.
: After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will begin to itch.
: Any tool, when dropped, will roll to the least accessible corner.
: If you tell the boss you were late for work because you had a flat tire, the next morning you will have a flat tire.
: When the body is immersed in water, the telephone rings.
: The probability of meeting someone you know increases when you are with someone you don’t want to be seen with.
: When you try to prove to someone that a machine won’t work, it will!
: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach.
: People with the seats at the furthest from the aisle arrive last.
: As soon as you sit down for a cup of hot coffee, your boss will ask you to do something which will last until the coffee is cold.
Funny Quotes and Thoughts
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
“It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world everyday always just exactly fits the newspaper.”
“If it were not for Thomas Edison, we would all be watching television in the dark.”
“Computers will never take the place of books. You can’t stand on a floppy disk to reach a high shelf.”
“An consultant is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.”
“Love is so confusing - you tell a girl she looks great and what’s the first thing you do?Turn out the lights!”
“I don’t suffer from stress. I’m a carrier.”
“The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things.”
“I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
“When your dreams turn to dust, it’s time to vacuum.”
“Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back. “
“It’s better to have loved and lost than to do forty pounds of laundry a week.”
“Wealthy people miss one of life’s greatest thrills. Making the last car payment.”
“They’ve finally come up with the perfect office computer.If it makes a mistake,it blames another computer.”
“Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.”
“The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.But not in that order”
“When I was born I was so surprised I didn’t talk for a year and a half.”
“Money isn’t everything but it sure keeps you in touch with your children.”
“Compatible Your money fits in the salesperson’s wallet.”
“When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks, “Has the bus come yet?”.If the bus came would I be standing here?”
“Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.”
“There are three sides to any argument: your side, my side and the right side.”
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.”
“Doing nothing is very hard to do, you never know when you’re finished. “
“Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.”
“Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted. “
“We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on our butt then things get worse.”
“It’s always darkest before dawn So if you’re going to steal your neighbor’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it. “
“The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office”
“I always arrive late at the office, but I make up for it by leaving early.”
“The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot; The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius. “
“If our constitution allows us free speech, why are there phone bills?”
“You know the speed of light, so what’s the speed of dark? “
"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination,dishonesty is the second-best policy.”
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
“If it weren’t for electricity we’d all be watching television by candlelight.”
“It’s amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world everyday always just exactly fits the newspaper.”
“If it were not for Thomas Edison, we would all be watching television in the dark.”
“Computers will never take the place of books. You can’t stand on a floppy disk to reach a high shelf.”
“An consultant is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing.”
“Love is so confusing - you tell a girl she looks great and what’s the first thing you do?Turn out the lights!”
“I don’t suffer from stress. I’m a carrier.”
“The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things.”
“I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
“When your dreams turn to dust, it’s time to vacuum.”
“Always borrow money from a pessimist. He won’t expect it back. “
“It’s better to have loved and lost than to do forty pounds of laundry a week.”
“Wealthy people miss one of life’s greatest thrills. Making the last car payment.”
“They’ve finally come up with the perfect office computer.If it makes a mistake,it blames another computer.”
“Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.”
“The two most common elements in the universe are hydrogen and stupidity.But not in that order”
“When I was born I was so surprised I didn’t talk for a year and a half.”
“Money isn’t everything but it sure keeps you in touch with your children.”
“Compatible Your money fits in the salesperson’s wallet.”
“When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks, “Has the bus come yet?”.If the bus came would I be standing here?”
“Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use.”
“There are three sides to any argument: your side, my side and the right side.”
“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.”
“Doing nothing is very hard to do, you never know when you’re finished. “
“Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference.”
“Don’t be irreplaceable. If you can’t be replaced, you can’t be promoted. “
“We are born naked, wet, and hungry, and get slapped on our butt then things get worse.”
“It’s always darkest before dawn So if you’re going to steal your neighbor’s newspaper, that’s the time to do it. “
“The brain is a wonderful organ. It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office”
“I always arrive late at the office, but I make up for it by leaving early.”
“The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot; The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius. “
“If our constitution allows us free speech, why are there phone bills?”
“You know the speed of light, so what’s the speed of dark? “
"Honesty may be the best policy, but it’s important to remember that apparently, by elimination,dishonesty is the second-best policy.”
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them.”
“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”
“If it weren’t for electricity we’d all be watching television by candlelight.”
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