1. Basic Computer Concepts Mrs. Sheila M. Thompson Woodland Hills High School 1 http://videos.howstuffworks.com/podtech-networks/2485-mythbusters- guys-talk-computer-history-video.htm

2. What Is a Computer? Microprocessor Internal Memory Auxiliary Storage Input Units Output Units An electronic device that can perform tasks and calculations based on the instruction it has been given.

3. How Computer Works Accept inputs from a person or another outside source Interpret and process the input data Display the results or perform an action based on the input data or command

4. Types of Software System software – which controls the way the computer parts work together. Application software – tells the computer how to perform a specific task.

5. Any Computer System Memory Central processing unit (CPU) Input Disk Auxiliary Storage Disk Output

6. Personal Computer (PC) most common used in homes, offices and schools Small, relatively inexpensive, individual user. Types of Computers

7. Minicomputers - Server Smaller than a mainframe and larger than a microcomputer. Medium-sized companies – accounting, advertising, and manufacturing firms

8. Types of Computers Supercomputer Largest, fastest; 50–1,500 times faster than PCs Cost prohibitive – used by largest firms, government agencies and universities. http://videos.howstuffworks.com/medialink/2253-a-decade-of-supercomputing-video.htm

9. Types of Computers Mainframe computers Larger, more powerful than microcomputers Large capacity to store & manipulate data 10 – 40 times faster, but $100,000-$2,000,000

10. Internal Memory (RAM) Temporary (erased when power turned off) Measured in bytes 1 Byte = 1 character (8 bits) 1 Kilobyte = 2 10 (~1,000 bytes) 1 Megabyte = 2 20 (~1,000,000 bytes) 1 Gigabyte = 2 30 (~1,000,000,000 bytes) Need 128Mb of RAM Keep multiple programs & data files in memory Graphic-intensive programs demand a lot of memory

11. Read-only Memory (ROM) Computer memory on which data has been recorded on a ROM chip Can be read, but cannot be deleted Preserves its contents even when the computer is shut down Stores critical programs – needed for system start-up

12. v Box-like case that contains computer’s electronic components v Sometimes called the chassis The System Unit

13. The System Processor Memory Expansion Card Sound Card Modem Video Card Network interface Card What are common components inside the system unit?

14. Back of the Computer Cooling Fan Power Supply Keyboard Connector Mouse Connector Parallel Printer Port Video Connector

15. CD-ROM CPU Expansion slots Floppy drive Hard disk Memory chip Motherboard Power supply Inside the Computer http://computer.howstuffworks.com/pc.htm

16.  Interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate a computer  Also called the processor Central Processing Unit (CPU)

17.  Main circuit board in system unit a contains chips, integrated circuits, and transistors also called system board Motherboard

18. Microprocessor Brain of the computer Current chips for PC Intel (Celeron, Pentium III, and soon-to-be announced Pentium IV) AMD (K-6 and Athlon) Which do I buy? Pentium or Athlon for graphic-intensive programs K-6 or Celeron for business and Internet browsing http://videos.howstuffworks.com/podtech-networks/2480-how-the-newest- microprocessors-work-video.htm

19. Hard Disks High Capacity Storage Consist of several inflexible, circular platters that store items electronically Components enclosed in airtight, sealed case for protection hard disk installed in system unit

20. Input Devices Feed data into computer Keyboard - most commonly used input device. Mouse, pointing stick, trackball, light pen, puck and touch pad Opitical Character Recognition – OCR – scans printed pages and translates characters and images into a file that can be edited using word processing. Scanner – a device that can read text or illustrations and transmit into digital format

21. Input Devices Digital Camera – captures images in memory storage without using film. Microphone – accepts voice input to enter data or execute commands.

22. Output Devices Printers – devices that print text or graphic onto paper. Impact printer – uses a device that strikes a ribbon Non-impact printers – use laser and ink-jet technology. Speakers are input and out put devices

23. Monitor Size and Resolution Monitors come in different sizes: 17,” 19,” and 21” Resolution is expressed in pixels (such as 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768) The higher the resolution, the more you can see. Larger monitors let you run at higher resolutions: e.g., 19” to run 1024 x 768 comfortably A graphics card (video display adapter) speeds processing

24. Storage Devices Hard Drive – an internal storage device, also known as a fixed disk. Flash drives – durable, rewritable hard drives, can easily fit in a pocket or on a chain. Jump drives Thumb drives Digital Audio Tape – standard magnetic tape that resembles a basic audio cassette.

25. Auxiliary Storage (Permanent) High Capacity Removable Storage Zip disks (100 or 250Mb) Jazz Disks (1 or 2Gb) Hard (Fixed) Disk Most common are 10 –30Gb

26. Auxiliary Storage (Continued) CD-ROM 650Mb Recordable devices also available DVD drives 4.7Gb-17Gb ROM and RAM Higher capacity than CD Tape Units Used for large, unattended back-ups

27. What is a CD-ROM? Compact disc that uses same laser technology as audio CDs for recording music Cannot erase or modify contents Typical CD-ROM holds about 650 MB v Commonly used to distribute software and games

28. CD-R and CD-RW What is a CD-RW (compact disc- rewritable)? v Erasable disc you can write on multiple times v Must have a CD-RW disc, CD-RW software, and CD-RW drive

29. Purchasing Decisions Local store versus mail order Magazines Internet Use credit card to double warranty 30-day price guarantee Don’t forget the software Windows XP, Windows Vista Microsoft Office (check the version) http://videos.howstuffworks.com/howstuffworks/44-how-to-buy-a-laptop- video.htm

30. The PC Today Main Components 1Gb microprocessor 1028 Mb RAM 250 Gb hard drive 1 floppy drive Zip drive DVD-ROM drive 21” monitor 64Mb graphics card Other Components Cable modem CD-RW drive Camera Microphone TV adapter Sound card/speakers http://videos.howstuffworks.com/harvard-extension-schools-computer-science-e-1- understand/1291-plugging-everything-in-video.htm

31. Software System Software Microsoft Windows - Operating System Home – Windows 98, Windows Me, windows XP Media Center, Windows XP Professional Business – Windows NT, Windows 2000 Antivirus and file compression is not built into Windows Application Software Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Photodraw Different editions contain different applications

32. Purchasing on the Web www.dell.com www.gateway.com www.ibm.com www.pcwarehouse.com www.microwarehouse.com Essential Computing Concepts: Getting Started 32