LIBS 100 Mr. Ed Rossman Essential Computing Concepts

2 Objectives Describe components of a computer system Define microprocessor, memory, and auxiliary storage

3 Memory Central processing unit (CPU) Input Auxiliary Storage Auxiliary Storage Auxiliary Storage Output Any Computer System

4 The IBM PC A combined effort between IBM (credibility and marketing), Microsoft (operating system), and Intel (microprocessor); introduced in 1981 The PC was created as an ‘open’ machine enabling independent contractors to develop hardware and/or software to improve it PC clones quickly followed and the market soon exploded; IBM has a fraction of the market it created

5 The PC Today

6 Inside the PC On Off All computers are based on the binary number system A bit or binary digit has one of two values, zero or one A byte is the smallest addressable unit of memory (8 bits) ASCII provides for 256 (or 2 8 ) characters  – A  – B  etc.

7 The central processing unit (cpu) or “brain” of the PC Original chips were numbered  8086, 80286, 80386, Pentium is an Intel trademark Clock speed (MHz or GHz) differentiates chips  higher number = faster processing speed The Microprocessor

8 Megs, Gigs, etc. Clock speed determines how many instructions per second the microprocessor can execute. A MHz = megahertz; one million cycles/second GHz = gigahertz; one billion cycles/second

9 Random Access Memory (RAM) Transient (erased when power turned off) Measured in bytes  1 Kilobyte = 2 10 characters (~1,000 bytes)  1 Megabyte = 2 20 characters (~1,000,000 bytes)  1 Gigabyte = 2 30 characters (~1,000,000,000 bytes) Need 256Mb or 512Mb of RAM  Keep multiple programs & data files in memory  Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory

10 Auxiliary Storage Floppy Disk  No longer standard Hard (fixed) disk  30 Gb and higher Removable storage  CD-R/CD-RW  DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW  Zip disks  Thumb/jump drives  Tape

11 Input Devices

12 The Monitor Resolution is expressed in picture elements or pixels; (800 x 600 or 1024 x 768) The higher the resolution, the more you can see at one time. Larger monitors enable you to you run at higher resolutions; e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably A graphics card speeds processing

13 Lower Resolution (800 x 600) Displays 20 rows and 8 columns

14 Higher Resolution (1024 x 768) Displays 28 rows and 12 columns

15 The Printer Ink Jet  Today’s entry level Laser  Top-of-the line Four-in-one functionality  Printer, scanner, fax, copier Network printer

16 Summary Understand components of a computer system for usage Begin familiarity with common acronyms and terms Think about computer as tool for information gathering

17 References Grauer, Robert and Maryann Barber. Essential Computing Concepts. New Jersey: Person Prentice Hall, Internet Pioneers. Webopedia.