1. Calera High School Dawn Bone
Basic Computer
Calera High School
Dawn Bone

2. Hardware vs Software Hardware – the physical parts of the computer
Software – the electronic instructions that tell the computer what to do

3. Types of Software
Application software – lets you accomplish specific tasks
Examples – Word, Excel, Print Shop
Operating system – sets rules for how computer hardware and application software work together
Examples – Windows XP, Windows 7, Unix

4. How Computers Work
Input
Process
Storage
Output

5. Input
Input device – computer hardware that accepts data and instructions from the user
Examples
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Microphone
Scanner

6. Output
Output device – A hardware component that returns processed data to the user.
Examples
Monitor
Printer
Speakers

7. Process
Processing – the procedure that transforms raw data into useful information
CPU – Central Processing Unit – the brains of the computer; processes instructions, performs calculations and manages the flow of information
Examples
AMD
Intel Core

8. Storage
Storage – the portion of the computer that holds data or programs while they are not being used
Examples
Hard drive
Floppy disk
CD-ROM
Servers
DVD

9. Types of Cases Desktop Case – sits on a desk, under a monitor
Tower case – sits on the floor

10. Inside the computer
Power supply – changes normal household electricity into electricity that a computer can use
Motherboard – main circuit board of a computer
CPU – main chip in the computer
Expansion card – a circuit board that plugs into expansion slot, lets you add new features to a computer
Hard drive – the primary storage device
Secondary Storage devices – CD-ROM drive, floppy drive
Memory chips

11. Outside the computer
Ports – a socket at the back of a computer where you plug in an external device
Serial port – usually connects a modem or mouse
Parallel port – usually connects a printer
USB port – usually connects a digital camera or scanner
Other specific ports
Keyboard port
Mouse port
Monitor port
Speakers port

12. Memory
Random Access Memory – RAM temporarily stores data inside a computer
Read Only Memory – ROM
What determines the amount of programs you can read at one time? RAM
What type of “memory” is on a cd? ROM

13. Measuring Memory Measuring memory Byte – one character
Kilobyte – one thousand characters
Megabyte – one million characters
Gigabyte – one billion characters
Terabyte – one trillion characters

14. CPU Factors that determine the performance of a CPU
Manufacturer – who makes them
Examples: Intel, AMD
Generation
Examples: Intel Core, Intel Core 2
Speed – measured in megahertz or gigahertz, the faster, the better
Examples: 400 MHz, 1 GHz