Basic Computer Components

Study Guide

Name:_____________________________Test Date:______________________

Computer

An electronic device that accepts raw data and processes it into information that is useful.

Must have hardware and software

Hardware

Electronic and mechanical devices in a computer system

Computer equipment that can be seen and touched

Examples: keyboard, monitor, computer (processor) and printer

Keyboard

An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys

Primary input deviceStandard Name for a keyboard is QWERTY

Mouse

An input device Allows user to manipulate objects on the

screen by moving the mouse

Monitor

Display device that performs an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen

Software

Software- Instructions that tell the computer what to do

Application Software – helps carry out tasks such as creating documents, crunching numbers and editing photographs

System Software – computer’s operating system, device drivers, and utilities

Examples of Software

System Software Operating System

Windows* (this is what we have in our labs at NMMS)

DOS Mac OS Linux UNIX

Device Drivers Utilities Programming Languages

Application Software Spreadsheet

Microsoft Excel Database

Microsoft Access Presentation

Microsoft PowerPoint Word Processing

Microsoft Word Music

Window Media Player Real Player

Photo Editing Photoshop

Paint Communication Email

Data

Numbers, words, symbols, or alphabetic characters that are put into the computer

Input Devices

Piece of hardware that helps the computer accept data

Examples: Keyboard MouseScannerDigital Camera

Processor

Processes data into useful informationMost important component of a computerKnown as CPU (Central Processing Unit)Brain of the computerLargest chip on the motherboard

Storage Device

Hardware device that stores data

Also known as a secondary storage device

Both input and output

Main one we use is USB

Output Device

Hardware device that lets user see data being input or final document

Displays, prints, or transmits the results of processing from the computer memory

Example: Printer, monitor, speakers

Main Memory

Where data and instructions are stored during processing by the processor

Two types of main memory RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read-only Memory)

RAM

Random Access MemoryA kind of main memory that stores

instructions and data while the computer power is on.

Memory is lost when power is off. You can change RAM. Can be lost easilyTemporary storage

ROM

Read-Only MemoryA kind of main memory not lost when power

is off. Can read ROM, but can’t change it ROM holds instructions for computer that are

necessary for it to work Permanent storage

Bytes

A unit of measurement of memory Amount of space used to save one character

or one value

Kilobytes (KB) – 1 thousand bytes Megabyte (MG) – 1 million bytes Gigabytes (GB) – 1 billion bytes 8 bits = 1 byte

Hard Disk

Primary Storage device/permanent fixtureSealed inside the computer. Data found faster on hard disk than any other

storage device

Motherboard

Main circuit board of a computer

Printer

Produces a paper copy or hard copy

Remember if it is not printed, it is a soft copy

Modem

Stands for Modulator-demodulatorDevice that connects your computer to a

standard telephone jack so you can communicate

Port

The place that allows other devices (keyboard or monitor) to plug in to work with the computer

You can also plug in USB into a port

Other stuff you need to know!

Shortcuts for underline, bold, italics, print, save, new document, page break, copy, paste, and cut

Homerow keys Grammar mistakes are represented by a

green squiggly lineSpelling mistakes are represented by a red

squggly lineWhat we use each program in Microsoft

Office for

Other stuff you need to know

Vocabulary Worksheet that includes: Desktop Recycle Bin GUI Task Bar Wallpaper Title Bar Icon Tool bar Control Panel Windows Scroll bar