Introduction to Computers Ms. Armour

Today’s Agenda Define Computer Computer care Disk care Identify the main parts of a computer Terms to remember

What is a Computer? An electronic device that accepts data, performs computations, and makes logical decisions according to instructions and data that have been given to it, and it produces meaningful information in a form that is useful to humans.

Computer Care No food or drinks Avoid dusty areas Avoid hot, sunny areas Do not move computer while in use Exit programs properly before turning off Do not bang on keyboard

Disk Care Avoid contact with magnets Keep disk stored in clean, cool, dry place Keep metal slider in place Use virus check program

Parts of the Microcomputer Mouse Monitor Keyboard CPU Central Processing Unit (“Brains”) Disk drive

Terms to Remember Hardware Software Input devices Peripherals Output devices

Hardware The tangible, physical equipment of a computer Monitor Joystick Disk drive CD ROM Mouse Keyboard

Software Electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do; programs entered into computer Games (Solitaire, Oregon Trail) Word processing (Microsoft Word) Spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel) Presentation software (Microsoft PowerPoint) Database software (Microsoft Access)

Accessories Supplementary items Mouse pad Bookstand Desk

Input device Puts information into computer Keyboard Mouse Scanner Joystick Touch-screen

Peripherals External device such as a printer or modem that works in conjunction with a computer-Extras!

Output Device Gives user information or feedback Printer Monitor Fax Machine Speakers

Hard Copy-printed information

Soft Copy Information seen on monitor

Storage Devices CD 3.5 Floppy A Disk Hard Disk (Hard drive- C Drive) Tape Network (G Drive) Flash Drive

Programs & Programmers Program-a series of step-by-step instructions that tell the computer precisely what actions to perform Programmer-person who writes (creates) software

Memory ROM-Read Only Memory-cannot be changed Internal memory (microchips) ROM-Read Only Memory-cannot be changed RAM-Random Access Memory-Temporary External memory (diskettes & hard drives)

Central Processing Unit (CPU) Also known as the “brain”, “heart” or “processor” Processor-the computer chip that receives and carries out a series of instructions in a software program.

Data vs. Information Data = Raw Facts Information = Meaningful and useful data  EXAMPLE:  Data (Grades) 90, 100, 80  Information (Average of Grades) 90

Modem Device that allows data to be converted to a format for transmission over telephone lines

Network Network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications devices and media LAN- Local Area Network WAN- Wide Area Network

Units of Computer Measurement Equivalent 1 kilobyte (KB) 1,024 bytes 1 megabyte (MB) 1,048,576 bytes 1 gigabyte (GB) 1,073,741,824 bytes 1 terabyte (TB) 1,099,511,627,776 bytes 1 petabyte (PB) 1,125,899,906,842,624 bytes

CPU Frequency Microprocessor frequency specifies the operating (internal) frequency of CPU's core. The higher the frequency is for a given CPU family, the faster the processor is. The CPU frequency is measured in Hertz. The frequency can also be expressed in: Kilohertz, or kHz, equals to 1,000 Herts Megahertz, or MHz, equals to 1,000,000 Herts or 1,000 kHz Gigahertz, or GHz, equals to 1,000,000,000 Herts, or 1,000,000 kHz, or 1,000 MHz. First microprocessors ran at frequencies close to 1 MHz. Modern microprocessors run at frequencies exceeding 3 GHz, or 3,000,000,000 Hertz.