Computer Basics Ver 3

7/27/2019 Computer Basics Ver 3

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ComputerBasics

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Chapter Objectives:

• Learn the difference between hardware and software and theother components

• Discover the various types of computers and their roles

• See what’s on the front, back, and inside of a computer • Learn about the various ports on a computer

• Understand what determines a computer’s performance

• See what you should look for when buying a computer

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Hardware, Software,

and Information Technology (IT)

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•Hardware- all computer parts that you canphysically see or touch. Hardware includes thecomputer’s monitor, case, keyboard, mouse,

and printer.

•Software - computer programs that tellhardware how to operate. Microsoft Excel or Corel WordPerfect are examples of software.

•IT, short for Information Technology - is thebroad subject related to computers and

managing and processing information,especially within large organizations. Manylarge companies have departments full of computer experts called IT departments.



Other Components:

• Peopleware

• Data/Information• Procedure

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Peopleware

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Data/Information

• Data – is raw, unprocessed facts, including text, numbers,images, and sounds which are processed to produce

information.

– Data are process using these four processing function.

• Input (recording, validating, communicating)• Process (classifying, sorting, summarizing, calculating)

• Output (reporting, communicating)

• Storage (storing, retrieving)

• Information – data that have been processed andpresented in a form suitable for the user or human to

interpret or understand.

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Procedure

• step-by-step instruction to be follow by acomputer to produce an output.

• rules and policies that govern the operations

of a organization.• These procedures are written in a language

that a computer can understand or interpret,

which are called programs. – Examples: User’s manual, System documentation,

Policies, Disclaimer

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The computer…

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• Computer is a fast electronic calculating

machine that accepts input data/information,

processes it according to a list of internally

stored instructions called program, and

produces a meaningful result or output.

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Computer Overview

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Basic functions of the various parts can be separated them intothree categories:

• InputAny device that lets you talk to the computer (such as amouse or keyboard).

• Process/Storage

Main functions of a computer, which happen inside the

computer case. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) does all theprocessing; the storage function is handled by any number of drives (hard, floppy, Zip, tape-backup, CD/DVD-ROM) or disks(compact discs or floppy diskettes).

• Output

Any device that lets the computer talk to you (such as amonitor or speakers).

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Parts of a Computer Component Description

Case or SystemUnit

The main computer box, technically known as the system unit, isthe most important part of a computer. The system unit containsa lot of holes or ports where you plug in the rest of the computer system

Monitor The monitor resembles a television set, and is where the

computer displays information.Keyboard The keyboard is the thing you type on to tell your computer what

to do.

Mouse Like the keyboard, the mouse is another input device that youuse to communicate with your computer.

Speakers Most computers can make sounds, just like a stereo system. Infact, you can even listen to audio CD’s on most computers or

watch DVDs.

Printer A printer is where a computer writes down information or output,onto paper, or a hardcopy.

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Types of Computers

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Computer Description A supercomputers are the MOST powerful type of computer. These machines are special high-capacitycomputers used by very large organizations.

Example: IBM’s Blue Gene is one of the fastestcomputers in the world.



Computer Description A mainframe is a big, expensive computer that cansupport many users at the same time. Largebusinesses and organizations use mainframes.

Capacity: Enormous - the capacity of severalhundred or even thousands of PCs

Speed: Very fast - much, much faster than a PC

Cost: Very, very expensive - can usually only beafforded by large organizations

Users: Only used by large businesses andorganizations

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Computer Description

A network is a group of computers that are connectedso that they can share equipment and information. Mostpeople on a network use workstations, which are simplyPCs that are connected to the network. A server is acentral computer where users on the network can savetheir files and information.

Capacity: (Workstation) Same as a PC, only needs aninexpensive network card (Server) Greater than a PC,often more than 100 GE

Speed: (Workstation) Same as a PC (Server) Generallyfaster than a PC, may use multiple CPUs

Cost: (Workstation) Same as a PC (Server) Moreexpensive than a PC but not as costly as a mainframe

Users: (Workstation) People in a networked office or organization (Server) Generally a network administrator or engineer

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Computer DescriptionMinicomputers, also known as midrange computers, are refrigerator – sized machines.Medium – sized companies or departments of largecompanies typically use them for specific purposes.

Example: A production departments useminicomputers to monitor certain manufacturingprocesses and assembly – line operation.



Microcomputers

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The least powerful, yet the most widely used

and fastest – growing type of computer.

5 Types of Microcomputers:

• Desktop/PC

• Notebook

• Tablet PC

• Netbook

• Handheld Computers




A PC is a personal computer , originally designed byIBM way back in 1981. Many different companiesmake PCs, but all of them are IBM-compatible. Whatthis means, according to Bill Gates, is that they willall run Microsoft Windows.

Capacity: Average hard disk size is 20 GB to 80 GB

Speed: Fast. Average speed is from 1 GHz to 3 GHz

Cost: Fairly inexpensive - under $1,000 - and gettingcheaper every day!

Users: Just about everyone uses a PC! Homes,offices, schools…

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Computer Description A laptop, or notebook, is a lighter and more portableversion of a PC or Mac that can run on batteries.


Speed: Fast, but slightly less than a PC. Averagespeed is from 700 MHz to 2 GHz

Cost: Fairly inexpensive, but more than anequivalent PC

Users: People on the move, especially businesspeople and students

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A type of notebook computer that accepts your

handwriting. This input is digitalized and converted to

standard text that can be further processed by

programs such as a word processor.

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Tablet PC



Smaller, lighter and less expensive than

notebook computers.

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Netbooks




A PDA (Personal Data Assistant) is a handheldcomputer that is generally used to

keep track of appointments and addresses.

Capacity: Much smaller than a PC - 8 MB to 64 MBof storage space

Speed: Much slower than a PC - 8 MHz to 266 MHz

Cost: Expensive when compared to the capacities of a PC

Users: Business people and others who need to beorganized

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Developed by Apple, a Macintosh is a computer, butit is NOT a PC. Macs have a

different operating system and use their ownsoftware and hardware.


Speed: Fast. Average speed is from 500 MHz to 2GHz

Cost: Fairly inexpensive, but usually more than anequivalent PC

Users: Just about everyone, especially in theeducation and design fields

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The Front of a Computer and Peripheral

Devices

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Everything outsideof and connected tothe system unit is

called peripherals



What’s on the Front or Outside of a

Computer Case?

Item DescriptionSystem Unit or

Computer Case

A plastic or metal case with slots, buttons, and lightsin the front and holes in the back. This is the mostimportant part of a computer because it contains theCentral Processing Unit (CPU). The system unitdirects the computer, performs calculations, andstores information.

Floppy Drive Reads and writes to 3½-inch floppy disks. A floppydisk can store about 1.5 MB of information—aboutas much as a novel.

Hard Drive

(Not shown)

The computer’s main, long-term storing device.Unlike floppy disks and CD-ROMs, you typicallycannot remove a hard disk.

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Item Description

CD-ROM or DVD Drive CD-ROMs and DVDs for your computer can storelots of information and look exactly like CDs for your

stereo and DVDs for your home DVD player. In fact,you can listen to audio CDs on a CD-ROM drive andeven watch DVD movies on a DVD drive.

The only real difference between a CD-ROM and aDVD is how much information they can store. A CD-ROM can store at least 700 MB (megabytes) of information, while a DVD can store much more—upto 4.7 GB (gigabytes) or 9.4 GB on a dual-layer DVD.

Most CD-ROMs and DVD are read-only , meaningyou can’t write information to them. You can buy

special CD-ROM and DVD drives that can write or burn information to special CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R,and DVDRW discs.

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Item DescriptionZip Drive (Not shown) A special type of disk drive that can read and write to

Zip disks. A Zip disk is a lot like a floppy disk,

although they are faster and can store moreinformation—from 100 to 250MB (megabytes).

Tape Backup

(Not shown)

A device that you can use to store backups, or copies, of the information on a computer’s hard

drive.

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I

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Keyboard The keyboard is the thing you type on to tellyour computer what to do.

Mouse Like the keyboard, the mouse is another inputdevice that you use to communicate with your computer.

Scanner Scanners work like photocopiers, except theimage is translated into a digital image in your computer rather than copied onto paper.



O

U

T

P

UT

Monitor The monitor resembles a television set, and iswhere the computer displays information.

Speakers If visible, your computer speakers are similar to those on a stereo system (or at least acheap stereo system). They allow your computer to play sounds.

Printer A printer is where a computer writes downinformation or output , onto paper, or ahardcopy .

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The Inside of a Computer

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What’s Inside a Computer Case?

Motherboard

Central Processing

Unit (CPU)

Random Access

Memory (RAM)

ROM-BIOS

Expansion Slot

Expansion Card

PCMCIA Cards

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Item Description

Motherboard The main piece of circuitry in a computer.Everything connects to or is wired to the

motherboard.

Central Processing

Unit (CPU)

The computer’s brain or heart, the CPU is a

computer’s main chip. The CPU is really nothing

more than an incredibly fast and powerfulcalculator.

Random Access

Memory (RAM)

A computer’s temporary storage place, where it

gets its work done. For example, when you use aword processor to type a letter, the letter is storedin the computer’s memory.

ROM-BIOS A computer’s ROM-BIOS (stands for Read Only

Memory – Basic Input/Output System) is a specialchip with instructions for the computer tocommunicate with other hardware parts.

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Item DescriptionExpansion Slot An expansion slot lets you add more features and

capabilities to a computer by plugging in expansioncards.

Expansion Card A card that allows you to expand your computer’s

capabilities, such as a modem card, a network card,a video card, or a sound card.

PCMCIA Cards Notebook computers are too small to use expansioncards, so they use special credit-card sized PCMCIAcards instead. You plug in a PCMCIA card, or PCCard, into a notebook computer to give it morefeatures and capabilities. Nobody’s getting tested on

this, but PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer

Memory Card International Association.

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The Back of a Computer (Ports)

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Ports on the Back of a Computer Include:

• Keyboard and Mouse

• Serial or COM

• Parallel or Printer

• USB

• Video or monitor

• Line in, line out,

• Microphone

• Joystick or game

• Phone or modem

• Ethernet or network

• SCSI

• Firewire

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You plug your printer into the parallel, or printer,

port. Many newer printers may use a USB port.

Serial (or COM) ports are a very versatile type of port. Some of the things you can plug into aserial port include: a mouse, modem, scanner,or digital camera. Most computers have twoserial ports: COM1 and COM2.

The keyboard and mouse jacks look identical onmost PCs, so look for colors and icons to helpyou with plugging in these devices. Some miceand keyboards use USB ports. Older mice mayuse a serial port.

DescriptionIconPort



Port Icon Description

The Line In jack allows you to listen to your

computer using a stereo system.

You can plug a microphone into this jack torecord sounds on your computer.

If you have a joystick, musical (MIDI) keyboard,

or other gaming device, this is where you plug itin.

The phone or modem jack is where you plug your

computer into a phone line.

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Port Icon Description

You can connect your computer to a network by

plugging in an Ethernet cable in this port.

An SCSI port is one of the fastest ways toconnect a hard drive, CD-ROM drive, or other

device to a computer .

A FireWire (IEEE 1394 or i.LINK) port lets youconnect such devices as hard disks and digitalcamcorders to a computer. A FireWire port cantransfer information at a speed up to 400 Mbps(Megabytes per Second).

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Memory Cache

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• A memory cache increases a computer’s

performance by storing the most recently

used data.

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Two types of cache• Internal Cache (also called primary or L1 cache)

The computer looks first in the internal cache when it needsdata.

It is inside the CPU.

Fastest possible way for the computer to get information.

Contain a very small amount of information.

• External Cache (also called secondary or L2 cache)Slower than the internal cache, but much faster than the normalRAM memory.

The external cache holds more information than the internalcache, but still not as much as the main memory (RAM).

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Computer Performance

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Factors that Affect Computer Performance

Factor Description

Arguably the single most important factor thatdetermines a computer’s performance is the speed

of its CPU. The speed of the CPU is measured inmegahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz). The faster the CPU, the faster the computer. The first PC in1981 ran at 4.77 MHz, while today’s computers can

run at speeds exceeding 3,000 MHz, or 3 GHz.

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Factor Description

The amount of RAM, or memory, is another veryimportant factor in a computer’s performance.

Generally, the more RAM a computer has the better its performance. However, you usually won’t see

much of an improvement after 1 GB of RAM.

Video cards have their own processor and memory, just like the computer does. The faster the processor and the more memory a video card has, the faster itcan draw images on the monitor. Video cardperformance is especially important if you’re

interested in playing newer, 3D computer games.

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Factor Description

A hard drive’s average access time is how fast it can

find information. Average access time is measured

in milliseconds (ms), or 1/1000 of a second. Thelower the access speed, the faster the hard drive.Most newer computers have an average access timeof 8 to 15 ms.

Another factor that determines hard driveperformance is how fast it spins, in revolutions per

minute (rpms). Faster IDE hard drives may havespeeds as fast as 7,200 rpm, while high-end SCSIhard drives have speeds of 15,000 rpm.

Not only do you need a fast hard drive, you have tomake sure that is has plenty of free storage space.

Microsoft Windows uses this hard disk space tocreate a cache on the hard drive where it storestemporary information.

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Factor DescriptionNormally a computer stores a file in the samelocation on a hard drive. Over time, a hard drive can

become fragmented , and instead of storing a file inthe same location it begins storing parts of it all over.When the computer needs to read a fragmented file,it must read several different parts of the hard driveinstead of just one. Defragmenting a hard drive putsthe fragmented files back together in one place. You

should defragment your computer’s hard drive aboutonce a month.

Microsoft Windows can multitask , or run more thanone program or task at a time—probably no differentthan your job. And, just like your job, the moreprograms or tasks you throw at Windows, the longer

it takes to complete each one, and hence a drop incomputer performance.

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Buying a Desktop Computer

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Upgrading a Computer

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Typical Things to Upgrade on a Computer

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Understanding Hardware

Input Devices

Output Devices

Storage DevicesProcessing Device

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Chapter Objectives:

• Understand what a CPU does

• Learn how memory is measured

• Learn about input devices: mouse, keyboard,

and digital cameras

• Learn about output devices: monitor,

graphics, and printers

• Learn about storage devices: hard drives, CD-

ROMs, and DVDs

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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• CPU is the brain of the computer while others describe it

as the heart.• It does all the work

• Intel makes most CPUs. They coined the word Pentium.

• A CPU’s speed is measured in megahertz (MHz) or, for

newer models, in gigahertz (GHz).

– A megahertz equals millions of cycles per second; a gigahertz

equals billions of cycles per second. Higher numbers equate to

higher speeds.

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• Another measure of a CPU is how many bits it

can handle at a time.• A bit is the tiniest piece of information

processed by a computer.

– Eight bits make up one byte, and one byte equalsone character. Computers used to handle 8 or 16bits; now they’re up to 32 and 64 at a time.

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Memory

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Th bl i



The memory as a measurable unit

• The concept of “on and off”

– On is equal to one (1); off is represented by zero (0) – combination of ones and zeros, which is known as the binary system or BIT

– byte is short for binary digits eight

• A byte is the equivalent of a character

• Kilobyte (abbreviated K or KB) equals 1,024 bytes orcharacters

• A megabyte (abbreviated M or MB) equals 1,048,576bytes or characters

• A gigabyte (abbreviated G or GB) equals 1,073,741,824bytes or characters

• A terabyte (abbreviated T or TB) equals1,099,511,627,776 bytes or characters

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Bits and Bytes

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RAM and ROM

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RAM (random-access memory) • RAM is the computer’s main memory

• All data is temporarily stored in RAM

• RAM is volatile

– Meaning: data is stored only as long as the computerhas power once you shut off your computer, the data is

gone.• Think of RAM like a notebook: You can read from

it and write to it

– Technically, it could be called “read and write memory.”And, as with a notebook, you can overwrite it.

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ROM (read-only memory) • ROM is the computer’s low-level memory, which it uses

to perform its most basic functions.

• This memory is permanent; the data remains even if you

shut off the computer.

• This only makes sense because ROM is required to restart

your computer.

• Manufacturer usually installs it

• Un-editable

• Think of ROM like a novel: You can read from it, but youcan’t write to it (and thus, its name).

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Comparing RAM and ROM

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Mouse

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• The mouse acts as a handheld pointing device

that allows you to control the actions of that

blinking item on your screen known as a

cursor .

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Latest Innovations

• The optical mouse, operatesby using an infrared sensor.You can identify an optical

mouse by the telltale redglow emanating from itsunderside.

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• The wireless mouse (andkeyboard). A wireless mouseand keyboard run on

batteries and communicatewith the computer the sameway a remote controlcommunicates with atelevision.



Keyboard

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Common Types of Keyboard

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Traditional Keyboards

- full – sized, rigid,

rectangular keyboards that

include functions, navigational,

and numeric keys.

Ergonomic Keyboards

- similar to traditional

keyboards. The keyboard

arrangement, however, is not

rectangular and palm rest is

provided. They are designed

specifically to alleviate wrist

strain associated with the

repetitive movements of

typing.

Wireless Keyboards

- transmit input to the

system unit through the air. By

eliminating connecting wires

to the system unit. These

keyboards provide greater

flexibility and convenience.

Virtual Keyboards

- display an image of a

keyboard on a touch screen

device. The screen functions as

the actual input device, which

is why the keyboard is

considered virtual.

i i l C d b C



Digital Cameras and Web Cams

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Other Input Devices

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Output Devices

• Monitor

• Printer

• Speakers

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Monitor



Monitor

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Printers



Printers

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Types of Printers



Types of Printers

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Sound and Speakers



Sound and Speakers

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Modem



Modem

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S d d M d



• Standard Modems:

– Transmit information over standard phone lines to

other computers. Maximum speed is 56K bps.

• Broadband and Digital Modems:

– Much faster than standard modems, with speedsup to 4,000K bps. Broadband modems include

ISDN, DSL, and Cable.

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Input/Output Devices

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Hard Drive



Hard Drive

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CD-ROM Drive



CD ROM Drive

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i



DVD Drive

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Here are some things you can do with CD-



Here are some things you can do with CD

ROMs:

• Install Programs

• Run CD-ROM Programs

• Play Audio CDs

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T f CD



Types of CDs

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DVD Formats



DVD Formats

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Floppy Drive



Floppy Drive

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Oth St D i



Other Storage Devices

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Understanding Software

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Chapter Objectives:



p j

• Learn about operating systems

• Learn about application software

• Learn about word processors, spreadsheets,

databases, and more

• Learn about programming

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• Software is a computer program that tellscomputer hardware how to operate.

– Software ranges from the Windows XP operating

system that manages your computer, to the wordprocessor you use to print letters, to the Web

browser you use to peruse the Internet.

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Types of Software



Types of Software

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• System Software

– Operating system

• Application Software

– Customized software

– Packaged software

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Operating Systems



Operating Systems • An operating system is a program that loads

automatically and controls just about

everything on your computer.

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What an operating system does:



What an operating system does:• Controls Your Computer’s Hardware

– It controls the different devices of your computersystem.

• Runs Your Computer’s Programs

– An operating system is what runs all yourprograms.

• Organizes Files

– An operating system stores information in files

and folders on your computer’s local disk, just likeyou store files and folders in a filing cabinet.

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Types of Operating Systems



Types of Operating Systems

OperatingSystem

Released

MS-DOS 1980

Windows 3.1 1992

Windows 95 1995Windows 98 1998

Windows ME 2000

Windows NT 1993

Windows 2000 2000

OperatingSystem

Released

Windows XP Home 2001

Windows XP Prof 2001

Windows CE/PocketPC Varies

Palm OS Varies

UNIX Varies

Linux Varies

Mac OS X 2001

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Application Software



Application Software• Packaged Software

– Word Processing – Spreadsheets

– Databases

– Presentation Software

– Accounting

– Web Browsing

– Web Authoring

• Customized Software – Programming Languages

– Systems Development

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Word Processing



Word Processing

• Create Lettersand Documents

• Format Text

• Create Tables

• Add Images

• Perform Mail

Merges

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Spreadsheets



Spreadsheets

• PerformCalculations

• Manage andOrganizeInformation

• Format andPresentInformation

• Create Charts

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Databases



Databases

• Store Information

• Find Information

• Analyze and Print

Information

• Manage

Information

• Share Information

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Presentation Software



Presentation Software

• Create Professional

Presentations

• Add Drawings,

Charts, and

Illustrations

• Outline What You

Want to Say

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Accounting



Accounting

• Balance YourCheckbook andManage Finances

• Write Checks andPay Bills

• Create Invoices• Perform Payroll

• Bank Online

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Web Browsing



Web Browsing

• Browse and ViewWeb Pages

• Find Information

• Download Files

• Shop

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Web Authoring



Web Authoring

• Create WebPages

• Insert Images

• Add Hyperlinks• Publish Your

Web Pages tothe Internet

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Programming Languages



Programming Languages

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Common Programming Languages



Common Programming Languages

MachineLanguage

Assembly

Language

SQL

High levelLanguages

Web

Development

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Systems Development (Software Development)

Computer Basics Ver 3

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Transcript of Computer Basics Ver 3