Thread: How does a computer flip it's switches?

i've asked several people question (teachers, professors, programmers, , couple of hackers) no 1 seems have answer. take me binary charts , show me number sequence (which know) question is: how computer flip switches inside of store, process, , evaluate number sequences? (example number sequence: 01001101 how computer flip switches? know it's magnetic hard <not switches> drive, i'm asking in general.) on more local level, light bulb can not flip it's own switch. human must flip switch , allow electrons flow. when computer receives command poweroff/reboot, how flip it's own switch poweroff? how computer it? how use electrons influence hardware?

i see @ least 3 questions in there:

a. how computer use , manipulate switches process binary data?

it's been long time since did electronics , knowledge of how microelectronic technology has lapsed basic idea 1 of flip-flops , latches:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/flip-fl...electronics%29

these overdriven amplifiers flip on or off retain state due way timing of circuit arranged. modern circuits use different technology basic idea same.

b. how computer set "switches" on storage device, e.g hard disk

hard disks form of magnetic storage. circuit can magnetize tiny parts of medium ons , offs can retained when power goes off:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/magnetic_storage

c. how computer switch off?

when thinking of light bulb example, thinking of single circuit. appliances can switch on , off or go standby have low-power controlling circuit controls circuit using relay of sort:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/relay

if think of tv in standby, remote control interacts low-power circuit uses relay control main circuit. when press on button, tv comes on.

computer switching off, final act of relay power down low-power "standby" circuit. or leave on - motherboards have wake-on-lan feature example. in case low power circuit on.

i'm sure more current knowledge (if you'll pardon pun) explain happens computers shutting down that's basis of it.

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