Evan and Omar's Computer Project

 

Project Information

Grade Category: 4-6
Team Size: 1 or 2
Subject Area : Engineering                           

Project Type: Descriptive
Language: English
Project Summary: Using spare parts, we built a computer 

Software Tools used: Dream Weaver
Source of the Idea for our project: One of our friends had some computer parts lying around his house so I decided to try and use them to make my own computer.

 

Did you know?

The first computer was made in 1937 by Conrad Zuse. The first computer was actually a calculator. It was ten times bigger than a cereal box!For our project, we decided to take spare parts and make our own computer. It’s definitely not as big as they were back in 1937! How did we build the computer?We found the outer piece (the shell) at one of my friend’s house who had one sitting around. He was going to throw it out, but we took it because I didn't have one anymore. After that, we went to a used appliances store and bought 3 computers that were junk and had only a few parts each. We took all the parts and then ,one by one, put them into the computer.The shell already had the processor in it, so we just had to put all the wires and chips in. If you have one wire that is upside down or not plugged in, the whole system will not work or be very faulty. When we were done, we had overcome a couple of obstacles.

 

What we put in

Here is a list:

1. Rockwell voice fax modem (connection to the nternet)

2. L pt printer port: the part that sends the information from the processor that you want to print to the printer through the wires.                     

3. sound max 825 sound card.                              

4. YLC 5v to 9v broadband internet connection (almost the same as a modem, but it connects through your satellite or cable company and does not tie up your phone line).                                     

5. Trident screen display adaptor (the plug where you plug in the screen. It also sends information to the processor and back out so you can see what's on the screen and see what you are doing.We built this computer and it works and I use it. It has a windows 98 hard drive and an Intel Pentium 1 processor. 

 

What are the parts of a computer?

Monitor-The screen so you can see what you are doing on the computer and what you are typing.

Printer- is a machine that will copy what you are looking at and put it on a paper with ink.

Processor- is the main part where all the information is sent and sent out to the parts to tell them what to do.

Keyboard- is what you use to type stuff

Mouse- is what you use to click and what gets you to go places

Modem—is what you use to connect to the internet by using a phone line

Memory (RAM) - Short term storage that is on your computer . It is memory you delete. It's gone for good unless you leave traces of it.

Floppy Disk Storage: can be on as long as you keep it there and don't delete it.                                   

Rockwell voice fax modem: the connection to the internet.

LPT printer port : the thing that sends information from the printer to computer and is the plug for the printer. 

Sound max sound card

TLP 5v to 9v broadband internet connection

Trident screen display adapter                          

Quantum trail blazer hard drive 3.5 series