Latest News

We have been very busy since we last posted. So let's catch you up to date.

First after upgrading the operating systems to Mac OS X we ordered some more memory (RAM) for the computers so we could get them to respond a little faster. All the computers were upgraded to at least (2) 256mb of RAM, which equals at least 512 mb of RAM. It was not a very expensive upgrade for the amount of speed we got from them. Some of them only had 1 64mb RAM card in them!!

Next we went to the elementary teachers in Kindergarten and first grade to ask if they would like to have a couple computers for their classroom for the kids to work on. They were THRILLED! S0 we are in the process of ordering keyboards and mouses (Mice?) for them. Mrs. Morici will also sit down with them to order some software that they think will work for their program.

Our last stage will be the delivery of the 6 computers that we have worked on this semester to their new homes in the Kindergarten and first grade classrooms.

Ben: I was the best at putting in RAM cards. I did a computer in about 8 seconds! I also was the one who was observant enough to notice that the card slots in one computer was upside-down! Once I had told Ryan and Mrs. Morici about what I noticed we put the RAM cards in correctly. I thought that it was cool that we had made a lasting contribution to the school.

Ryan: I learned from upgrading the computers what firmware is and the importance of keeping it updated. I learned how to put in Mac OS X into an old computer and how to put in new RAM cards. It was cool that Mrs. Morici let us do all these things that other classes haven't gotten to do and probably won't get to do. I think it is also pretty cool that I got to help the little kids get some computers in their classrooms.

X Men... or boys

Ben-Sorry about not blogging for a while, here is what has been going on.

Ryan (GAR)- Ben and I have been upgrading an old computer for the school; we have been doing it for the past couple of weeks.

What we've learned so far- How to upgrade an operating system. We changed it from OS 9 to OS X. We had to upgrade the RAM memory, and the firmware before we got started. We took a few days to upgrade the OS because it takes a long time.

We were successful in the upgrades. We are looking forward to upgrading the other computers sitting in the office not being used. We can put these computers in the lower elementary classrooms so they can have access to computers.

Logic Board

Left- the boys work together to pull out all the screws.

The directions said "6 screws" we had to take out about 10 to get the logic board out. Perhaps it was a different model? The logic board is the heart of the computer, it connects all the components to each other. Ben says, "Apparently there are different name for the Logic board as we have already learned it to be called a mother board. It might be because it is a Mac and not a PC."

Disk Drive

Ben - "We attempted to take out the disk drive but it wouldn't come out. We re-read the directions and noticed we had missed a step. The RAM is the temporary memory and is like the work bench of the computer and has the memory that you need right now. The RAM gets erased every time you turn off the computer. It goes POOF!"

Ryan - "I learned that you always have to double check the directions. The ROM cannot be changed and holds the basic commands installed into the computer. We took out the hard drive which was a 20gb drive... that's small."

Ryan also noticed that someone had left a disk IN the disk drive. We will have to wait until we install the drive in another computer to find out what that disk actually is.

Memory and Cables

Today we took off the back of the computer and disconnected the data cables to the hard drive and CD drive. We also took out the memory and talked about how to read the information on it. After carefully labeling each part it was a quick wrap up. The boys were able to discuss each part and tell what it does, I was impressed!

The disassembly begins

Jr. High Media Class.... We have decided to take a brave new leap and disassemble one of the old computers laying around the school. After studying and memorizing what all these parts inside a computer do, it is now time to take it apart! Ryan and Ben are so excited about the "digital dissection". Although, on our first day when we went looking for a better screwdriver, Ryan found sledge hammer and decided that if the new screwdriver didn't do the trick... the sledge hammer certainly would!

We have downloaded the master plans for the make and model of our computer, now we will not only teach the boys how to take it apart, they will learn to read directions in the meantime. :)

Today's accomplishments: Found a better screw driver and got four screws out of the computer.

Stay tuned!