Ex.

No: DEMONSTRATION-HARDWARE CONCEPTS

Date:

AIM:
To demonstrate the various Hardwares used in a computer architecture and to document their
description. Thus the activities can done base on these Hardware conceptsusing various supporting tools.

DOCUMENTATION:
OVERVIEW OF COMPUTERS
 Two systems of computers:
1) PC – the Personal Computer;
2) Mac – the Apple Macintosh.

 Two designs of computers:

1) desktop 2) laptop (notebook)

 Computer architecture:

Main components of a
Multimedia devices Other peripheral devices
computer

1) computer 1) CD-ROM / 1) printer

2) monitor DVD drive 2) scanner
3) hard disk/ hard drive 2) video card 3) CD- burner (CD-
4) keyboard 3) soundcard recorder,
5) mouse / trackball / 4) speakers CD-R/CD-RW drive)
touch pad 5) headphones / headset 4) modem
6) microphone 5) USB flash drive
6) webcam
7) digital camera
8) digital voice recorder
9) camcorder
 QUESTION 1:

Can you divide the devices in the computer architecture into three types – storage devices,
input devices, and output devices?

STORAGE DEVICES INPUT DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES

ACTIVITY 1:

Do you know what they are?

INSIDE THE COMPUTER

1) Processor:

The CPU (Central Processing Unit), a complete computation engine that is fabricated on a
single chip, is the computer’s brain. It is sometimes referred to as the central
processor, microprocessor, or just processor. Two typical components of a CPU are: 1) the
arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations, and 2) the control
unit, which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU
when necessary.
Most newer PCs have Pentium processors. Pentium processors run faster than the numbered
processors found in older computers (286, 386, 486 processors). The speed of processors, called
the clock speed, is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (1 GHz = 1000 MHz). One MHz
represents one million cycles per second. For example, a processor that runs at 200 MHz executes
200 million cycles per second. Each computer instruction requires a fixed number of cycles, so the
clock speed determines how many instructions per second the microprocessor can execute. To a large
degree, this controls how powerful the processor is.

2) Memory:

ROM (Read Only Memory) is the computer’s permanent, long-term memory. It doesn't
disappear when the computer is shut off. It can not be erased or changed in anyway. However, there
are types of ROM called PROM that can be altered. The P stands for programmable. ROM's purpose
is to store the basic input/output system (BIOS) that controls the start-up, or boot process.

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a working area where the operating system (e.g. Windows),
programs and data in current use are kept, ready to be accessed by the processor. It is the best known
form of computer memory. However, RAM, unlike ROM, is emptied when the computer is switched
off. The more RAM you have, the quicker and more powerful your computer is.
There are two basic types of RAM: dynamic RAM (DRAM) and static RAM (SRAM).
The two types differ in the technology they use to hold data. DRAM, the more common type, needs
to be refreshed thousands of times per second. SRAM does not need to be refreshed, which makes it
faster, but it is also more expensive than DRAM.
Memory is measure in the following units:
- 1 byte = 8 bits (Each 1 or 0 is called a bit (i.e. binary digit). Each character (i.e. a letter, a
number, a space, or a punctuation mark) has its own arrangements of 8 bits, e.g. 01000001 = “A”,
01000010 = “B”.
 ACTIVITY 2:
Do the Cloze exercise : What is a COMPUTER?
 - 1 KB (kilobyte) = 1024 (210) bytes
- 1 MB (megabyte) = 1024 (210) KB
- 1 GB (gigabyte) = 1024 (210) MB

Cache (pronounced as "cash") is a buffer (made of a small number of very fast memory chips)
between main memory and the processor. It temporarily stores recently accessed or frequently-used
data. Whenever the processor needs to read data, it looks in this cache area first. If it finds the data in
the cache, then the processor does not need to do more time-consuming reading of data from the main
memory. Memory caching allows data to be accessed more quickly.

2.3 Storage Devices

The most common forms of storage devices in a home computer are:

- Hard disk drive
- Floppy disk
- CD-ROM
- CD-R and CD-RW
- DVD-ROM
- USB flash drives

1) Hard disk and hard drive (HD)

A hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer data on a more permanent basis.
The term “hard” is used to distinguish it from a soft, or floppy, disk. Hard disks hold more data and
are much faster than floppy disks and optical disks. A hard drive is a mechanism that reads and writes
data on a hard disk. The capacity of hard drives in newer PCs ranges from 20GB to 60GB in size
since all software, from operating systems to word processors, and media files have grown
tremendously in size over the last few years.

2) Floppy disk and floppy drive

A floppy disk (often called floppy or disk) is a soft magnetic disk and a floppy drive is a
mechanism that reads and writes data on a floppy. Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks are portable,
because you can remove them from a disk drive. Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks
and have less storage capacity, but they are much less expensive.
 ACTIVITY 3:

Please find your computer’s processor speed, RAM memory size, hard drive capacity, and
what storage devices it has. Write down the information.

S.NO CONFIGURATION INFORMATION

1 Processor version
2 Processor speed
3 RAM memory size
4 Hard drive capacity
5 Mother board brand
6 Operating system
 The common size of floppies for PCs made before 1987 was 5¼ inches. This type of floppy was
generally capable of storing between 100KB and 1.2MB of data. After 1987 the size reduced to 3½ inches,
but the data storage capacity increased, from 400KB to 1.44MB. The most common sizes for PCs are
720KB (double-density) and 1.44MB (high-density).

3) Optical disk and optical drive

Optical disks can store information at much higher densities than floppy disks. Thus, they are
ideal for multimedia applications where images, animation and sound occupy a lot of disk space.
Besides, they are not affected by magnetic fields. This means that they are secure and stable; for
example, they can be transported through airport metal detectors without damaging the data.
However, optical drives are slower than hard drives.
There are various types of optical disks and drives:

A) CD-ROM (short for “Compact Disk-Read-Only Memory”) and CD-ROM drive

A CD-ROM, an optical disk onto which data has been written via a laser, can store
everything, from shareware programs to dictionaries and encyclopedias, from multimedia
databases to 3-D games. CD-ROMs are considered the most economical devices of storing
and sharing information. For example, a CD-ROM (700 MB) can replace 300,000 pages of
text (about 50 floppies), which represents a lot of savings in distributing materials and data.
Yet, you can only read information on a CD-ROM but cannot write anything on it.

A CD-ROM drive is used to play CD-ROMs and it can also play audio CDs. CD-ROM
drives are available in a variety of different speeds, the speed being described thus: 12x,
16x, 24x, 32x, 48x, etc. This indicates the speed at which data can be pulled off the CD-
ROM drive. Higher-speed CD-ROM drives help to transfer data more quickly, which is
crucial when playing sound or video.

B) CD-R, CD-RW and CD-R/CD-RW drive (also called CD-burner or CD-Recorder)

CD-R (short for “Compact Disk Recordable”) drives record data on CD-R disks (but write
once only), allowing you to create and duplicate CD-ROMs and audio CDs. They can also
be used to back up hard disks or to distribute and archive information. CD-RW (short for
“Compact Disk Rewritable”) drives can erase and reuse data on CD-RW disks. In fact, to
create CD-ROMs and audio CDs, you'll need not only a CD burner, but also a CD-R/CD-
RW software package.
 QUESTION 2:

Do you know where to find the screen resolution and how to set it?
 C) DVD-ROM (“DVD” is short for “digital video disk” or “digital versatile disk”)
A DVD-ROM (or just DVD) is a type of optical disk technology similar to the CD-ROM. It
can hold up to 17 GB of data, about 25 times an ordinary CD-ROM. For this reason, a
DVD-ROM can store a large amount of multimedia software and complete movies in
different languages. It can also play music CDs and CD-ROMs. DVDs are read-only
devices. To avoid this limitation, companies also produce DVD-R/DVD-RW disks and
DVD-burners.

4) USB flash drive

A USB flash drive is a small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computer’s USB port
and functions as a portable hard drive with up to 2GB of storage capacity. USB flash drives are easy-
to-use because they are small enough to be carried in a pocket and can plug into any computer with a
USB drive. In addition, they are very durable because they do not contain any internal moving parts.
USB flash drives also are called pen drives, key drives, or simply USB drives.

2.4 Monitor

There are two types of monitors available for PCs: the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) and
the newer LCD (liquid crystal display). The CRT is used for both televisions and computers. It
produces a good quality image at a number of different settings for a reasonable price. LCD monitors,
also known as flat panel displays, are used in laptop (or notebook) computers and more frequently for
desktops as well. They are lighter and smaller (only inches thick) than CRTs with reduced
electromagnetic emissions and power consumption.

2.5 Video Card

The card here is a jargon for an electronic circuit board. Video cards are also known as graphics
cards, which are responsible for displaying 2D and 3D images on your monitor. 2D graphics are the
regular pictures and images that appear on your screen while 3D graphics are mostly used in games
and imaging.
Video cards control the resolution of the text, pictures and video that appears on the screen, i.e.
the screen resolution (e.g., 800 x 600 pixels, 1024 x 768 pixels). Most modern video cards are
 ACTIVITY 4:
Please match the hardware with their functions.

HARDWARE FUNCTIONS

ACTIVITY 5:
Please identify the computer Acronyms and write the theexpantions that what does it
stands for?

S.No ACRONYMS EXPANSIONS

1 RAM
2 LCD
3 CD-R
4 CD-RW
5 CPU
6 OS
7 HD
8 CALL
9 USB
10 MB
11 PC
12 KB
13 ROM
14 Bit
15 GB
16 DVD
accompanied by the software that enables you to control the resolution of the display screen
according to the software that you are using. The lower the numbers, the lower the resolution.
Remember that getting the video card setting wrong is a common reason for failing to get software to
work properly.

2.6 Sound Card

A sound card is an electronic circuit board that is mounted inside the computer to control sound
output to speakers or headphones, to record sound input from a microphone connected to the
computer, and to manipulate sound stored on a disk. Sound cards are essential for multimedia
applications and have become common on modern personal computers.
A popular make of soundcard is SoundBlaster, which has been the de facto standard sound card.
Most sound cards in the past have been Sound Blaster-compatible, which means that they can process
commands written for a Sound Blaster card, because most programs that use a sound card have been
designed that way. Nowadays, many sound cards are also Windows-compatible. Many multimedia
applications require the system to have a Windows-compatible sound card to run properly.

2.7 Ports

A port is an interface on a computer to which you can connect a device. Personal computers
have various types of ports. Internally, there are several ports for connecting disk drives, monitors,
and keyboards. Externally, personal computers have ports for connecting modems, printers, mice, and
other peripheral devices.

There are three common types of external ports that usually come with a computer:
1) Parallel ports (for most printers)

2) Serial ports (for most modems and some mice)

 ACTIVITY 6:
Please read the advertisement for IBM Thinkcentre M58. Then answer the
following questions.

QUESTIONS
1 What is the memory size of this PC?
2 What operating system does the PC have?
3 How fast is the processor?
4 What is the capacity of the hard drive?
5 Which does the memory used in this PC?
6 What is the special features does the computer have?
7 What Graphics controller does the PC have?
The USB (Universal Serial Bus) provides a single, standardized, easy-to-use way to connect up to
127 devices to a computer. The USB connectors let you attach everything from mice to printers to
your computer more quickly and easily than the other two. The operating system supports USB as
well, so the installation of the device drives is quick and easy, too.
Ex.No: DEMONSTRATION-SOFTWARE CONCEPTS
Date:

OPERATING SYSTEM ARCHITECHTURE

An operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer. Every computer
must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as
recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and
directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a
traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere
with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized
users do not access the system.
 Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, i.e., application
programs, can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating
system. Your choice of an operating system, therefore, determines the applications you can run. For

ACTIVITY 7:
Draw the software tree to represent the types of the software with example.
PCs, popular operating systems are DOS, Windows, Mac OS, and OS/2 Wrap (IBM), but others are
available, such as Linux.

APPLICATION PROGRAMS

Any software packages designed for a specific purpose are known as application programs (i.e.
applications). Below we can see three types of applications: Generic, Multimedia, and CALL
applications.

Generic Application Programs

Essential generic application programs include:

- a word processor, e.g. Microsoft Word

- presentation software, e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint

- spreadsheets, e.g. Microsoft Excel

- a database program, e.g. Microsoft Access

- a browser, e.g. Internet Explorer

Multimedia Application Programs

Multimedia application programs are used in all sorts of fields. For example, companies use
authoring software and image/sound editing software to produce training programs on optical
disks, marketing managers use presentation software (e.g. Microsoft PowerPoint) to make business
presentations, and teachers use multimedia programs to make video projects or to teach subjects
such as music and languages. The power of multimedia resides in hypertext and hypermedia. If
 you click on a hypertext word, you jump to another screen with more information about that
subject. Hypermedia is similar, but also works with sound, graphics, and video.

ACTIVITY 8:

Find and list out the various operating system in the market and their latest
versions.

S.NO OPERATING SYSTEM LATEST VERSION

1
2
3
4
5
CALL Application Programs

CALL (computer assisted language learning) application programs are designed to cover all
aspects of CALL program authoring and interaction, from gap-filling and multiple-choice to
interactive multimedia.