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Understanding The Computer System

The document discusses the basic components and functions of a computer system. It defines a computer as a machine that can accept data as input, process it, and produce outputs. The two main components are hardware, which refers to the physical parts of the computer, and software, which are the non-physical programs and data. It then proceeds to describe the major hardware components, including the central processing unit, memory, storage devices, ports, and input/output devices.

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112 views

Understanding The Computer System

The document discusses the basic components and functions of a computer system. It defines a computer as a machine that can accept data as input, process it, and produce outputs. The two main components are hardware, which refers to the physical parts of the computer, and software, which are the non-physical programs and data. It then proceeds to describe the major hardware components, including the central processing unit, memory, storage devices, ports, and input/output devices.

Uploaded by

Raymond
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding the

Computer System

IT-402
What Does Computer Mean?
 A computer is a machine or device that performs
processes, calculations and operations based on
instructions provided by a software or hardware
program. It has the ability to accept data (input),
process it, and then produce outputs.
 Computers can also store data for later uses in

appropriate storage devices, and retrieve


whenever it is necessary.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4607/computer
What Does Computer Mean?
 Modern computers are electronic devices used for a
variety of purposes ranging from browsing the web,
writing documents, editing videos, creating
applications, playing video games, etc.
 They are designed to execute applications and

provide a variety of solutions by combining


integrated hardware and software components.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4607/computer
Two basic component of computer
1. Hardware = Physical structure that houses a computer's processor,
memory, storage, communication ports and peripheral devices.
Each of these components have a different purpose, which may be either
accepting inputs, storing data or sending outputs.

https://www.techopedia.com/definition/4607/computer
2. Software = All parts of a computer that are not strictly physical, such as
data, programs, applications, protocols, etc., are broadly defined as
“software.” Although software has no material form, it is no less
critical to receive information, encode, store and process it.
A. The 10 Major Components of
Computer Hardware
1. System Unit
-The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called the
chassis. It includes the following parts: Motherboard,
Microprocessor, Memory Chips, Buses, Ports, Expansion Slots
and Cards.
2. Motherboard / Mainboard /
System Board
-The main circuit board of a computer. It contains
all the circuits and components that run the
computer.
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a
computer system. It performs all of the instructions
and calculations that are needed and manages the
flow of information through a computer.
4. Primary storage
-(internal storage, main memory or memory) is the
computer's working storage space that holds data,
instructions for processing and processed data
(information) waiting to be sent to secondary
storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of
RAM chips.
Two (2) Types of Memory
a. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile,
meaning it holds data only when the
power is on. When the power is off, RAM's
contents are lost.
b. ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile,
meaning it holds data even when the
power is ON or OFF.
5. Expansion Bus
- A bus is a data pathway between several hardware
components inside or outside a computer. It does
not only connect the parts of the CPU to each other,
but also links the CPU with other important
hardware.
6. Adapters
- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards)
that enable the computer to use a peripheral device
for which it does not have the necessary connections
or circuit boards. They are often used to permit
upgrading to a new different hardware.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU)
- Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to
the motherboard. It converts 120vac (standard
house power) into DC voltages that are used by
other components in the PC.
8. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- Also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage
device thatis installed inside the computer. The hard
drive is used as permanent storage for data. In a
Windows computer, the hard drive is usually
configured as the C: drive and contains the
operating system and applications.
9. Optical Drive
-An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers
to read data on the optical media. There are three
types of optical drives: Compact Disc (CD), Digital
Versatile Disc (DVD) and Blu-ray Disc (BD).
10. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
- Designed to optically access data stored on a
DVD.A laser moves back and forth near the
disk surface and accesses data at a very fast
rate.
B. Input Devices
Accepts data and instructions from the user or from another
computer system.

Two (2) Types of Input Devices

1. Keyboard Entry - Data is inputted to the computer


through a keyboard.

Keyboard - The first input device developed for the PC. Data is
transferred to the PC over a short cable with a circular 6-
pin Mini- din connector that plugs into the back of the
motherboard.
2. Direct Entry – A form of input that does not require data to be
keyed by someone sitting at a keyboard. Direct-entry devices
create machine-readable data on paper, or magnetic media, or feed
it directly into the computer’s CPU.

3 Categories of Direct Entry Devices

1. Pointing Devices - An input device used to move the pointer


(cursor) on screen.

Mouse - The most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every


mouse has two buttons and most have one or two scroll
wheels.
Touch screen- A display screen that is sensitive to
the touch of a finger or stylus. Used in myriad
applications, including ATM machines, retail point-
of-sale terminals, car navigation and industrial
controls. The touch screen became wildly popular
for smart phones and tablets.
Light Pen - A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video
terminal used to draw pictures or select menu
options. The user brings the pen to the desired
point on screen and presses the pen button to
make contact.
Digitizer Tablet - A graphics drawing tablet used for
sketching new images or tracing old ones. Also
called a "graphics tablet," the user contacts the
surface of the device with a wired or wireless pen or
puck. Often mistakenly called a mouse, the puck is
officially the "tablet cursor."
2. Scanning Devices
- A device that can read text or illustrations
printed on paper and translates the
information into a form the computer can use.
3. Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also
known as speech or voice recognition systems
that allow a user to send audio signals to a
computer for processing, recording, or carrying out
commands. Audio input devices such as
microphones allow users to speak to the
computer in order to record a voice message or
navigate software.
C. Output Devices
 Any piece of computer hardware that displays
results after the computer has processed the input
data that has been entered.

1. Computer Display Monitor- It displays information


in visual form, using text and graphics. The portion
of the monitor that displays the information is called
the screen or video display terminal.
Types of Monitor
CRT Monitors - Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the
only type of displays for use with desktop PCs. They
are relatively big (14" to 16" deep) and heavy (over
15 lbs).
LCD Monitors - Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
technology has been used in laptops for some time.
It has recently been made commercially available as
monitors for desktop PCs.
LED Monitors (Light Emitting Diode) - A display and
lighting technology used in
almost every electrical and electronic product on the
market, from a tiny on/off light
to digital readouts, flashlights, traffic lights and
perimeter lighting.
2. LCD Projectors- utilize two sheets of polarizing
material with a liquid crystal solution between them.
An electric current passed through the liquid causes
the crystals to align so that light cannot pass
through them. Each crystal, therefore, is like a
shutter, either allowing light to pass through or
blocking the light
3. Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a
touch sensitive transparent panel covering the
screen, which is similar to a touch screen.
4. Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations
on paper.
Ink-Jet or Bubble-Jet Printer - bprays ink at a
sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers produce high-
quality text and graphics.
Laser Printer - Uses the same technology as copy
machines. Laser printers produce very high quality
text and graphics.
LCD and LED Printer- Similar to a laser printer, but
uses liquid crystals or light-emitting diodes rather
than a laser to produce an image on the drum.
Line Printer - Contains a chain of characters or
pins that print an entire line at one time. Line
printers are very fast, but produce low-quality
print.
Thermal Printer- An inexpensive printer that works
by pushing heated pins against heat-sensitive
paper. Thermal printers are widely used in
calculators and fax machines.
Speakers - Used to play sound. They may be built
into the system unit or connected with cables.
Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear
sound effects from your computer.

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