Hardware and Software Basics

Computer Hardware  Central Processing Unit - also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor, or a microprocessor  Memory (RAM)  Storage Devices  Input Devices  Output Devices

Computer Hardware  Central Processing Unit - also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor  Memory (RAM)  Storage Devices  Input Devices  Output Devices

Computer Hardware  Central Processing Unit - also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor  Memory (RAM)  Storage Devices  Input Devices  Output Devices

Computer Hardware  Central Processing Unit - also called “The Chip”, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor  Memory (RAM)  Storage Devices  Input Devices  Output Devices

CPU Types  CPU or microprocessor is often described as the brain of a computer.  CPU is an integrated circuit or “chip” which processes instructions and data.  CPU types.  Intel Pentium II, III, IV  Intel Celeron  AMD Athlon

Memory (RAM) RAM or Random Access Memory  “Waiting room” for computer’s CPU.  Holds instructions for processing data, processed data, and raw data.  Ram is measured by:  Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes)  Speed (in Nanoseconds)

Storage Technology  Electronic devices that store, retrieve, and save instructions and data.  Today’s microcomputers or PCs include several types of storage devices.  Capacity and speed are important considerations when selecting a new storage device for a PC.

Storage Technology  Magnetic storage devices store data by magnetizing particles on a disk or tape. They have a limited life-span of 1 to 5 years, depending on the device.  Optical storage devices store data as light and dark spots on the disk surface. They have an unlimited life- span.

Storage Devices Hard Disk Drives  Capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB or billions of bytes).  Typically permanently installed.  Used to store operating system, application software, utilities and data.  Magnetic storage device. Learn more about how a hard disk drive works from How Stuff Works website. How Stuff Works How Stuff Works

Storage Devices Floppy Disk Drives  Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0 megabytes (MB or millions of bytes).  Storage device with the smallest capacity  Most portable storage media  Magnetic storage device.

Storage Devices CD-ROM Drives  Typically installed on all new computer systems. (Were add-on device until the mid 1990’s).  Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes (MB or millions of bytes).  Most mass-produced commercial software is packaged on a CD.

Storage Devices CD-ROM Drives  Used more often now for backup storage as CD-RW (read/write) technology has become less expensive.  Data is read from CD by a laser.  Optical storage device.

Storage Devices Other Types of Drives  Zip Drives – Several different capacities are available.  Tape Drives – Generally used for system backups, becoming less common.  DVD drives – Can also read CDs, now more common as a standard device on new computer systems.

Input Devices  Input is all information put into a computer. Input can be supplied from a variety of sources:  A person  A storage device on computer  Another computer  A peripheral device  Another piece of equipment, such as a musical instrument or thermometer

Input Devices  Input devices gather and translate data into a form the computer understands.  Primary input device:  Keyboard - Most common input device; used to type in commands and data.  Mouse or trackball enhances user’s ability to input commands, manipulate text, images.  Joystick useful in education as an adaptive or assistive input device.

Input Devices  Scanners are peripheral input devices which allow users to import:  Text  Graphics  Images  Specialized software aids in translating information into a format the computer can understand and manipulate.

Input Devices  Digital Cameras are peripheral input devices that allow users to create pictures and/or movies in a digital format.  Some require specialized software to import images into the computer.  Some record digital images directly to a disk that can be read by the computer.

Output Devices  Monitors are the most commonly used output device.  Most monitors use a bitmap display.  Allows user to resize the display.  Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square “dots” called pixels.  The more “dots” a screen can display, the higher the resolution of the monitor.

Output Devices  Monitors are connected to a computer system via a port integrated on the video adapter or graphics card.  Graphics cards convert digital data output from software to analog data for display on monitors. Typically have additional memory chips on card, 4MB to 64MB.

Output Devices Printers  Dot matrix  Seldom used in a classroom.  Still frequently used in business.  Bubble or ink jet  Laser

Output Devices Projection systems or classroom TVs can display information from a computer system on a larger screen for whole-class instruction.

Networks  A collection of computers and other devices that communicate to share data, hardware, and software.  A stand-alone computer is called a workstation on a network.  A workstation provides access to:  Your computer’s local resources  Network resources

Networks Network nodes include workstations, printers, and servers.

Networks  A server is a computer connected to a network that distributes and stores resources for other network users.  With proper licensing, many network users can use the same applications and data files simultaneously and share other resources, such as storage space or a printer.

Networks  Local Area Network (LAN) – a network located in a limited area.  LANs are found in most businesses.  Many campuses use LANs.  A network interface card (NIC) – a key hardware component.  Connects a workstation to the network.  A circuit board that sends data between the workstation and the network.

Networks  The Internet - largest of all networks.  Communication standards called protocols allow for global exchange of information.  Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)  Internet Protocol (IP)  Intranets are LANs or WANs that use these communication standards or TCP/IP.  Special hardware (modem) and software (browser) are required.

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