THIS IS A COMPUTERTHIS IS A COMPUTER

COMPILED BY RICHARD AMOAKO, CO-FOUNDER OF PROJECT COMPILED BY RICHARD AMOAKO, CO-FOUNDER OF PROJECT GOODWILL AFRICA, A YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATIONGOODWILL AFRICA, A YOUTH EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION

THIS IS A COMPUTER SYSTEMTHIS IS A COMPUTER SYSTEM

A basic Computer system should have at a minimum a mouse, a keyboardand a monitor.

THIS IS A SYSTEM UNITTHIS IS A SYSTEM UNIT

The system unit is the main part of a computer system. Inside the system unit are all the various components and parts that allow the computer to perform its functions.

On the outside of the system unit, peripheral devices such as the keyboard, mouse and monitor connect to the Computer. The System Unit should not be confused with the CPU (Central Processor Unit) which is inside the System Unit.

THIS IS A KEYBOARDTHIS IS A KEYBOARD

The keyboard is an input device. It allows you to input new information as well aschange existing information on the Computer.

THIS IS A MOUSETHIS IS A MOUSE

The mouse in an input device. You use the mouse to tell the Computerwhat to do by moving, pointing and clicking on programs, applicationsor icons. The mouse also helps you to navigate program menus.

THIS IS A MONITORTHIS IS A MONITOR

The monitor is an output device. It shows you what the Computer is doingby displaying visual information and images to the screen.

When you move the mouse, type on the keyboard or click on a program tolaunch, the monitor shows you what is happening in real time.

THIS IS A PRINTERTHIS IS A PRINTER

A printer is an output device that allows you to create readable copies of text and data on paper. You can also use the printer to print pictures and variousimages.

A printer connects to the Computer through a parallel printer port or a USBport on the System Unit.

THIS IS A PAIR OF COMPUTER THIS IS A PAIR OF COMPUTER SPEAKERSSPEAKERS

The computer speakers allow you to listen to sound coming out ofthe computer. It is therefore an output device.

The speakers are normally connected to the computer through a sound port on the back or front of the System Unit. Some speakers connect to a USB port instead.

THE COMPUTER MICROPHONETHE COMPUTER MICROPHONE

Computer microphones come in various shapes and sizes. A Computer microphones come in various shapes and sizes. A microphone is an input device that helps you record your own microphone is an input device that helps you record your own sound onto the computer. sound onto the computer.

Some people use the microphone to chat over the internet.Some people use the microphone to chat over the internet.

THIS IS A CD-ROM DRIVETHIS IS A CD-ROM DRIVE

The CD-ROM drive reads information on CDROM disk or media. The information on the media may be pictures, songs, games, videos, anapplication program etc.

The CD-DRIVE drive may be internal or external to the System Unit.

THIS IS A CDROM DISKTHIS IS A CDROM DISK

The CD media is what you will place in the CDROM drive. The informationon the media will be retrieved by the CDROM drive.

THIS IS A USB DISKTHIS IS A USB DISK

A USB disk , also known as a pen drive, is a removable storage device. You can use it to store information from the computer. It makes it convenient to carry your files from one place to another.

To access the USB disk you would connect it to a USB port on the system unit.

THIS IS A HARD DISKTHIS IS A HARD DISK

The hard disk is a storage media inside the Computer’s system unit. Itis used to store various kinds of information such as documents, picturesvideos and applications.

The hard disk will only be seen if the System Unit is opened.

THIS IS A FLOPPY DRIVETHIS IS A FLOPPY DRIVE

A floppy drive is a component of the main system unit. It is used to storeinformation on a floppy diskette. A 3¼ inches floppy disk can store up to 1.44MBof information.

3¼ inches floppy disks

This is a floppy disketteThis is a floppy diskette

The floppy disk is a removable storage media. It makes it convenient to carryyour files from one Computer to another. A 3¼ inches floppy disk can store upto 1.44MB of information.

THIS IS A SCANNERTHIS IS A SCANNER

A scanner is used to scan or take snapshots of images on paper andtransfer those images into the Computer for storage or editing or both.

THIS IS A WEBCAMTHIS IS A WEBCAM

A webcam is used to capture images and A webcam is used to capture images and transmitted directly over the internet for other transmitted directly over the internet for other internet users to see. internet users to see.

A webcam connects directly or wirelessly to the A webcam connects directly or wirelessly to the computer.computer.

THIS IS A MOTHERBOARDTHIS IS A MOTHERBOARD

The motherboard is located inside the System Unit. All the other parts of theComputer including the CPU, Memory, hard drive are connected to motherboard.

THIS IS A CPUTHIS IS A CPU

CPU is short for Central Processor Unit. The CPU is the brain of the Computer. It interprets and processes the instructions that the user submits to the Computer through input devices orapplications and programs. The speed at which the CPU processes instructions to perform it’stasks is measured in Megahertz (MHz) and Gigahertz (GHz). [ 1Ghz = 1000Mhz ]

The CPU is located on the motherboard inside the Computer.

THIS IS A MEMORY CHIPTHIS IS A MEMORY CHIP

The Computer uses memory also known as RAM to temporarily store informationneeded by the CPU to perform its tasks while the Computer is running. Informationin RAM is said to be volatile or temporal because all the information is lost when the Computer is turned off.

SUMMARYSUMMARYPart NumberPart Number EnglishEnglish

11 MonitorMonitor

22 MotherboardMotherboard

33CPU CPU (Microprocessor)(Microprocessor)

44 ATA socketsATA sockets

55Main Memory Main Memory (RAM)(RAM)

66 Adapter cardsAdapter cards

77 Power supply unitPower supply unit

88 CD-ROM driveCD-ROM drive

99Hard disk drive Hard disk drive (HDD)(HDD)

1010 KeyboardKeyboard

1111 MouseMouse