Computer Engineering Wish List

Edwards Finance > Computer Engineering

Q. I am an inventor. In order to better understand the inner workings of the IBM compatible, Pentium computer system, I am working on a project to map the binary data (electronic signal) flow through the system. I seek a map of essential components at first. Essential components I believe to include: Hard-Drive, 3.5" floppy, DVD ROM, keyboard, mouse, stereo sound output, SVGA output RAM and processor and all ports and all parts in between. Standards that hold across most brands. This map being able to be expanded upon later. If there is not already such a map constructed in the detail and format that I need, then I will seek the next best thing. The document at this address: "http://www.repairfaq.org/filipg/LINK/F_IDE-tech.html#IDETECH_003" shows the detail that is needed for each of the standard essential parts of a computer. The example document is for an IDE Hard-Drive and it shows all of the macroscopic input and output connections and all of the binary and electronic signals that pass through them. Documents should also show the arrangement of all connector pins where a socket exists. The binary signals describe what is known as machine code. Further to the information about the machine code, I need a method of easy machine code insertion that does not involve any human abstractions like any assembly to high level languages or complicated programs. I want to be able to enter machine code in binary or Hexadecimal and have the resulting program stored directly onto an IDE hard-drive or onto a 3.5" floppy so that it can be run from startup from any PC without interference from any operating systems. The "programming kit" can either be a direct hardware connection using a hexadecimal keypad or via a program to be run on Windows 98. I need to know where I can get such things. If it is a program then it needs to be simple. I have seen too many things that are unnecessarily complicated. I just want to enter numbers in a list in the exact order that these numbers are processed. No assembly languages, no human interpretations to get in the way and no having to define the code with file extensions and extra bits of code just so Windows can recognize it. I want the code as clean as I have entered it. I am aware that Assembly Language is what most people will recommend to me (given that most people in the computing industry are very lazy about supporting documentation). It is only with great frustration that I will accept an Assembly Language. Every Assembly Language I have seen has left me without a context. For the Assembly Language I will need to see the group of binary instructions that goes into each of the Assembly Language commands. I will need to know from what device do these commands begin to propagate? In other words, what is the common starting point for each command? I am hoping not to need the use of an Assembly Language. I will work through the machine code using only what I need, as I need to use it. Hence instead of learning it, I need it documented for easy reference any time. The reason that I am seeking this information from you is because in all of my studies, I have only ever found a lot of mostly "chit chat" types of historical information that terminates in pin diagrams with abbreviated function names for the pins. If not that then info about more complicated newer additions, which obscure the basics, or information that lacks the defining of a context. No information that I can take action with. I need information that is written in lamer terms able to be understood by any electronics hobbyist with the ability to make and connect circuits with finger sized components. I am already aware that I am trying to do things different to most people. With Computer Engineering ideas in mind, I have specific needs that demand my approach but as this link demonstrates: "http://bobrich.lexitech.com/" I am not the only one that could benefit from this gathering of information that I believe should have already been provided.

A. If you want absolutely NO interference from *anything*, you'd have to reprogram or replace the BIOS. It's not really an operating system, but the program on your disk wouldn't be run until the BIOS does a few things first. > If it is a program then it needs to be simple. I have seen too many things > that are unnecessarily complicated. I just want to enter numbers in a list > in the exact order that these numbers are processed. No assembly languages, > no human interpretations to get in the way and no having to define the code > with file extensions and extra bits of code just so Windows can recognize > it. I want the code as clean as I have entered it. A good hex editor would do the job. Try Hackman: http://www.technologismiki.com/hackman/ It allows you to open a drive, file, or serial port for direct writing. > I am aware that Assembly Language is what most people will recommend to me > (given that most people in the computing industry are very lazy about > supporting documentation). It is only with great frustration that I will > accept an Assembly Language. Every Assembly Language I have seen has left me > without a context. For the Assembly Language I will need to see the group of > binary instructions that goes into each of the Assembly Language commands. I > will need to know from what device do these commands begin to propagate? In > other words, what is the common starting point for each command? I am hoping > not to need the use of an Assembly Language. Assembly would probably be useful at some points in your project, however. I can't really suggest a good assembler, as (as you have said) few I've seen come with very good documentation. Also, could you better describe what you mean by "context"? > I will work through the machine code using only what I need, as I need to > use it. Hence instead of learning it, I need it documented for easy > reference any time. > The reason that I am seeking this information from you is because in all of > my studies, I have only ever found a lot of mostly "chit chat" types of > historical information that terminates in pin diagrams with abbreviated > function names for the pins. If not that then info about more complicated > newer additions, which obscure the basics, or information that lacks the > defining of a context. No information that I can take action with. I need > information that is written in lamer terms able to be understood by any > electronics hobbyist with the ability to make and connect circuits with > finger sized components. In the modern world of computers and electronics, however, most true "components" are microscopic. Most up-to-date ICs used for interfacing with a PC are surface mount, and recreating them in larger components is probably impossible, since at today's speeds, wire lengths have to be as short as possible. > I am already aware that I am trying to do things different to most people. > With Computer Engineering ideas in mind, I have specific needs that demand > my approach but as this link demonstrates: "http://bobrich.lexitech.com/" I > am not the only one that could benefit from this gathering of information > that I believe should have already been provided. This would be a huge project. I'm not saying it's impossible, just that it would be difficult and would take a long time. Try looking up datasheets from the various hardware companies. Many places have pdf files available right on their web site.

Ask Edwards a Finance Question

Other Questions:

Best Colleges for Computer Engineering and Business

I was wondering if anyone knew of top universities that have business and computer engineering as their top majors.-UC Berkeley (although we don't have a "computer engineering major", we have an electrical engineering and computer science major o...

I was just wondering, does anyone know if Elementary Electronics or Radio Electronics are still put out? I had subscriptions to them when I was a kid (I am, as the elf in the Santa Claus movie says, "entirely elf-taught"). If not, what are the ...

Can anybody please tell me the difference between these two engineering fields? Starting next semester, I'll have to choose which field to enroll in. I would like to know what kind of stuff I'll be learning in these two fields. Also If you ...

What is the most lucrative job for me? I'm a college junior studying computer science. Time magazine published a rank ordered list placing computer engineer at the top. But more recently they put out another list. Oddly, I haven't been able ...

is it worth doing Computer Science/Computer Systems Engineering? i'm in yr12 next year and is just curious.The maths gets a bit heavy at times (doing things like fourier transforms (basically integration), laplace transforms, solving differential ...

Edwards Finance Menu

Ask a Question
About Us / Me
Contact Me
Privacy Policy

Sitemap

My Favorite Sites

PFBlog
Google Finance
Yahoo Finance
Motley Fool
Nveille's Financial Blog
AllFinanceMatters
Free Money Finance
2MillionBlog
The Terror Finance blog

Q&A Subjects