Computer Fundamentals

Examples of Computers Hand-held (HPC)PDATablet PCLaptop/Notebook DesktopTowerWorkstation Computer Basics

How Computers Work Hardware and software work together to allow you to process data and to communicate. Hardware – physical components of a computer (parts you can touch) Software – gives instructions to the computer ◦ Operating software ◦ Applications software ◦ Utility software

4 Functions of All Computers Input – the way the user transmits data to the computer Processing – how data is changed into meaningful information Output – the way the users receives meaningful information (processed data) from the computer Storage – the act of saving information so it can be used later

Input

Output

monitor Tower case keyboard Digital cameratrackballmouse scanner speakers printer

output input output input

output input

Peripherals The external hardware components that connect to a computer system, such as the monitor, printer, scanner, speakers, disk drive, etc.

Processing Motherboard is device in a computer to which all devices are connected and through which all data passes. Central Processing Unit (CPU) – Brains of Computer; chip inside computer that receives data from input devices and changes it into a form that is useable.

Storage (Internal) RAM – random access memory; temporary memory; data and instructions are saved only while they are used. Data is lost when the program is exited or the computer shuts down. ROM – read-only memory; permanent memory; stores the instructions for starting the computer. These instructions usually do not change; located on the motherboard. Hard Drive – primary storage device; located inside computer; holds all files saved to the Documents folder on the C drive

Storage (External) Flash Drive – removable storage CD/DVD – removable storage

modem BIOS CPU ROM Hard drive

Motherboard Video Card Power Supply Port RAM

Software Operating software ◦ Windows Vista, Windows 7 Application software ◦ MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint Utility software ◦ Norton Anti-Virus

Operating System Software Operating System Software gives the computer instructions on how to work with monitor, printer, keyboard, CPU to move data between them. Our operating system software at RMS is Windows Vista. Can include the login process (username and password) Uses a GUI (graphical user interface) to interact with the user ◦ Icons - a small graphic used to identify a computer function, such as a program or file

Application Software Application Software allows the user to be productive (Ex. Type letters, create spreadsheets, newsletters) ◦ MS Word, Excel, Access, Publisher, PowerPoint ◦ Application files are saved with file extensions ◦ Complete name for a file includes a descriptive name and a file extension. ◦ A file extension is two or three letters, following a period – this tells in which application the file was created jpg = picture gif = picture doc = Word document xls = Excel spreadsheet ppt = PowerPoint mdb = Access database

Utility Software Helps the computer run properly and helps repair problems Allows files to be shared between each other Runs maintenance checks on computer Example – Virus software