1. Introduction to Computers
Ms. Armour

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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

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

7. Terms to Remember Hardware Software Input devices Peripherals
Output devices

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

9. 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)

10. Accessories
Supplementary items
Mouse pad
Bookstand
Desk

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

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

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

14. Hard Copy-printed information

15. Soft Copy
Information seen on monitor

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

17. 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

18. 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)

19. 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.

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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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.