hello,

I'm a student on a secondary school in Holland, and I recently started trying to learn how a computer works, and in particular the the cpu and its main components, the hardware side of the computer. I would like to have some advice on how to start learning and where to begin like what books are good to read or what topics i could use. It is for a school PROJECT i could choose my self, and I am really instrested in how it works but I just dont know where to start. The project is about how the cpu works, so what happens inside the cpu when you try to light a LED with an input signal like a button.
For first i hope that you know that you will be able understant only principles, CPU are MASSIVE COMPLEX beasts.
Your first steps should be into basic digital circuits, there are plenty of books and even youtube videos (or free online courses) and if you are really intrested i would suggest to buy some kits, or just plain chips and try to build some simple things. (Of course there are simulators but real hardware is fun and can give you much more motivation) If you want to have from TIME to time some help then send me a pm with skype,mail or whatever. That would be great, i'll send you some information in the morning. I got some hardware as well, an arduino due i though which i was able to borrow from someone.