Know Your Know Your Computer SystemComputer System

Computer SystemComputer System

A computer system contains the following components: (1) a system unit (which holds such things as (a) the CPU, (b) hard drive, (c) RAM, (d) CD-ROM / DVD-ROM, and (e) motherboard), (2) a monitor, (3) a keyboard, and a (4) mouse. Some systems also include printers and other peripheral devices such as scanners and external hard drives.

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MonitorMonitor A monitor is one output device that A monitor is one output device that

displays the results of the displays the results of the computer’s processing so the user computer’s processing so the user can see what he or she is working can see what he or she is working on.on.

A monitor’s size is measured A monitor’s size is measured diagonally and the resolution is diagonally and the resolution is measured in measured in dots per inchdots per inch..

Newer monitors are labeled SVGANewer monitors are labeled SVGA—super video graphics array.—super video graphics array.

Most monitors have controls on the Most monitors have controls on the front or side that allow you to front or side that allow you to change the sound, size, and change the sound, size, and brightness.brightness.

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Power SupplyPower Supply

1.1. is a self-contained unit that is a self-contained unit that converts AC from the converts AC from the electrical outlet on the wall to electrical outlet on the wall to DC used by computerDC used by computer

2.2. provides power to internal provides power to internal componentscomponents such as the such as the motherboard, hard drive, CD-motherboard, hard drive, CD-ROM / DVD-ROM, floppy, ROM / DVD-ROM, floppy, and other devices using and other devices using powerpower

3.3. uses a fan to cool the systemuses a fan to cool the system which dissipates heatwhich dissipates heat

MotherboardMotherboard main circuit board of the computermain circuit board of the computer additional boards (cards) can be additional boards (cards) can be

connected to the motherboard to transfer connected to the motherboard to transfer data through the “data bus”data through the “data bus”

it contains it contains 1.1. CPU (central processing unit)CPU (central processing unit)

2.2. BIOS (basic input output system) chipBIOS (basic input output system) chip

3.3. memory (RAM)memory (RAM)

4.4. storage interfaces (hard drive, floppy, and storage interfaces (hard drive, floppy, and CD/DVD) CD/DVD)

5.5. serial, parallel, and USB portsserial, parallel, and USB ports

6.6. expansion slotsexpansion slots

7.7. chips on the motherboard = chipsetchips on the motherboard = chipset

8.8. newer boards have some functionality newer boards have some functionality integrated onto it—network adapter, video, integrated onto it—network adapter, video, sound, etc., rather than having separate sound, etc., rather than having separate cards installedcards installed

BIOS/CMOSBIOS/CMOS BIOSBIOS

• is software stored on a ROM chipis software stored on a ROM chip that works with the hardware.that works with the hardware.

• BIOS uses CMOS to modify or BIOS uses CMOS to modify or supplement the setupsupplement the setup..

• New BIOS chips are flashableNew BIOS chips are flashable, , which means they can be which means they can be upgraded to support new upgraded to support new hardware components.hardware components.

• Some peripherals have their own Some peripherals have their own BIOS chips including SCSI and BIOS chips including SCSI and RAID adapter cards.RAID adapter cards.

CMOSCMOS• battery poweredbattery powered• stores BIOS informationstores BIOS information

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CPU CPU

The central processing unit or The central processing unit or processor processor is plugged into the is plugged into the motherboard.motherboard.

The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer where all processing computer where all processing takes placetakes place..

Cache on the chip (L1 and L2) makes Cache on the chip (L1 and L2) makes newer CPUs faster.newer CPUs faster.

Cache is memory that stores Cache is memory that stores frequently used instructions by the frequently used instructions by the processor.processor.

The higher the Mhz or Ghz, the faster The higher the Mhz or Ghz, the faster the processor.the processor.

CPUs must stay cool through the use CPUs must stay cool through the use of a heat sink or a CPU fan.of a heat sink or a CPU fan.

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RAMRAM

stores chunks of information for the CPU’s stores chunks of information for the CPU’s tasks to be executedtasks to be executed

it’s like a waiting room – copied items can be it’s like a waiting room – copied items can be stored therestored there

When you turn off the machine, you lose When you turn off the machine, you lose anything in RAM.anything in RAM.

RAM comes in many different types so you RAM comes in many different types so you must know what your motherboard will supportmust know what your motherboard will support——SIMMSSIMMS, , DIMMSDIMMS, , RIMMSRIMMS (all are SDRAM (all are SDRAM chips) chips)

Up to a point, usually the more RAM, the Up to a point, usually the more RAM, the better.better.

Some chips use SRAM—cache chips to store Some chips use SRAM—cache chips to store frequently used instructions.frequently used instructions.

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Hard DriveHard Drive

allows the user to write allows the user to write (save) and retrieve (get) (save) and retrieve (get) informationinformation

it writes and retrieves it writes and retrieves information itself information itself

““File Cabinet”--files are File Cabinet”--files are stored until you need themstored until you need them

Most hard drives use a Most hard drives use a IDE, ATA, EIDI, or SCSI IDE, ATA, EIDI, or SCSI interface. New hard drives interface. New hard drives use a SATA interface.use a SATA interface.

Other Storage MediaOther Storage Mediaa. CD-ROM b. Floppy Drive

c. DVD-ROM d. ZIP Drive

e. USB drive

Expansion CardsExpansion Cards

a. Sound card b. Modem

c. Video card d. Network card

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PortsPorts1. Keyboard/Mouse

2. USB: (Universal Serial Bus)

• USB ports can be used to connect peripherals such as printers, keyboards, mice, and digital cameras.

• plug and play installation (hot swappable)

• data transfer rate is 12 Mbps or higher

3. LPT or Parallel Port:

• uses a 25-pin connector

• used to connect a printer or external CD-RW

4. COM:

• serial communications port that functions in DOS

• transferring only 1 bit of information at a time

• used for external modems and serial mice

5. Firewire (IEEE):

• transfer rates of 400 to 800 Mbps, whichis ideal for transferring high levels of data in real time (like video)

PrintersPrinters There are basically two classes of printersThere are basically two classes of printers

——impactimpact, which includes dot-matrix, and , which includes dot-matrix, and non-impactnon-impact, which includes laser and , which includes laser and inkjet).inkjet).

• (a)(a) Dot-matrix printers Dot-matrix printers are rapidly are rapidly becoming obsolete; they are mostly becoming obsolete; they are mostly used where multiple copies of used where multiple copies of documents must be printed at the documents must be printed at the same time. same time.

• ((b)b) Laser printers Laser printers are fast, quiet and are fast, quiet and give high-quality printouts. However, give high-quality printouts. However, they are usually more expensive to they are usually more expensive to purchase, and toner is costly.purchase, and toner is costly.

• (c)(c) Inkjet printers Inkjet printers are less expensive. are less expensive. However, they are not as durable and However, they are not as durable and ink can smear when paper first comes ink can smear when paper first comes out.out.

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Operating SystemsOperating Systems

a)a) Desktop operating Desktop operating systemssystemsa)a) Windows 9x Windows 9x b)b) Windows 2000Windows 2000c)c) Windows XPWindows XPd)d) Windows VistaWindows Vista

b)b) Server-based network Server-based network operating systems operating systems (NOS)(NOS)a)a) Windows 2000Windows 2000b)b) LinuxLinuxc)c) NovellNovell

c)c) Mac OSMac OSa)a) OS X (Unix-based)OS X (Unix-based)

Operating SystemsOperating Systems

are loaded into RAM are loaded into RAM upon boot upupon boot up

manage the system manage the system devices through an devices through an user-friendly user-friendly interface called a GUIinterface called a GUI

require more RAM require more RAM and CPU power as and CPU power as they become more they become more powerful and capablepowerful and capable

Examples of Software ProgramsExamples of Software Programs

a)a) Word processingWord processing—create and edit documents—create and edit documents

b)b) SpreadsheetSpreadsheets—compute numerical datas—compute numerical data

c)c) GraphingGraphing—express data in picture form—express data in picture form

d)d) PresentationsPresentations—automate your speech—automate your speech

e)e) Suite softwareSuite software (includes multiple programs) (includes multiple programs)

• Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft WorksMicrosoft Office XP, Microsoft Works

f)f) Graphics and WebGraphics and Web PublishingPublishing—design and manipulate pictures —design and manipulate pictures

and web sitesand web sites

• Corel Draw, Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Corel Draw, Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver,

Publisher, Front PagePublisher, Front Page

Examples of Software ProgramsExamples of Software Programs

g)g) MultimediaMultimedia—add sounds and pictures to —add sounds and pictures to

programsprograms

• Flash, Shockwave, QuickTime (web Flash, Shockwave, QuickTime (web

browser plug-ins)browser plug-ins)

h)h) UtilitiesUtilities

• Norton Anti-virus, McAfee, Norton Disk Norton Anti-virus, McAfee, Norton Disk

DoctorDoctor

i)i) Productivity and E-mailProductivity and E-mail—organize and plan —organize and plan

activitiesactivities

• Outlook, Adobe AcrobatOutlook, Adobe Acrobat

j)j) BrowsersBrowsers—access the Internet—access the Internet

• Internet Explorer, FirefoxInternet Explorer, Firefox