Yadu computer internals final-2

The Riverside School

What is a Computer ?

A ‘compute’-r is a device which ‘compute’-s

to compute = to calculate, to make sense

Parts of a Computer

There is no such particular part known as the ‘computer’

The ‘computer’ is a collection of many parts working together

The computer is divided into two categories – mainly known as ‘hardware’ and ‘software’

Hardware & Software

The physical parts of a computer which you can see and touch are collectively called the ‘hardware’

E.g. keyboard, cd-rom drive

The programs or instructions sent to the hardware are called the ‘software’

E.g. Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer

The external hardware

Functions of the hardware The computer hardware can again be

divided into ‘input’ and ‘output’ devices

An Input device feeds data into the computer

E.g. keyboard, mouse, scanner

An Output device displays or receives data from the computer

E.g. monitor, printer

INPUT – process - OUTPUT Any activity on a computer is an

input - process - output sequence E.g.

Sugarcane >>>> Factory >>>> Sugar

Question (input) add 5 + 2 ------------------------------------------process---------------------------------------------------Answer (output) = 7

Data & InstructionsA computer requires data and instructions to work on.

E.g. to print the name and address of a person,

the following data has to be provided:Name of Person, Address of Personthe instruction given to the computer will

be: Print name and address of Person Input – name and address-process of reading data-Output – Printout of name and address

System Unit

The system unit is the main part of a computer

All other parts of the computer connect to the system unit using cables

Parts of the System Unit

CPU The CPU is the Central Processing

Unit of the computer It is also known as the ‘processor’ in

the computer The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the

computer which computes calculations and instructions received from the RAM

Central Processing Unit

CPU is divided into 2 parts

a)Control – it manages the complete processing activities

b)Arithmetic & Logical Unit (ALU) – does all the arithmetical and logical calculations

Parts of the System Unit

MemoryAll data or input instructions must be first stored into the memory to be processed by the CPU

The types of Memory are:a)Primary (internal) Memoryb)Secondary (external) Memory

Memory is also referred as StoragePrimary (internal) StorageROM – Read Only memory

Contains permanent computer information. It cannot be used for storing data. Data in ROM Memory does not get lost even if the computer is switched off.

RAM – Random Access MemoryContains temporary data. The contents inside RAM get erased as soon as the computer is switched off.

Secondary (external) storage

Internal Storage (ROM & RAM) is always limited. In everyday computer use, all programs or data cannot be stored permanently stored into internal memory.

To store data permanently, external memory is used. E.g. tape disc, hard drive, pen drive, floppy, CD, DVD

Types of Storage

Each computer has one or more Disk Drives.

Disk drives – or disks - are devices which store information on a metal or plastic disk.

The disk preserves the information even when your computer is turned off.

Types of StorageHard Disk

The hard disk is a large capacity disk which is normally located inside the system unit.On the inside, it is a stack of platters with a magnetic surface. Because a hard disk can store huge amounts of data and information, it usually serves as your computer’s main data storage.

Types of Storage

Floppy Disk

Floppies or diskettes, are less popular than they used to be.They store very little information compared to CD’s or DVD’s and are easily damaged in daily use.The inside is a thin flexible material whereas the outside is hard plastic.

Types of StorageCD or DVD diskCD – Compact diskDVD – Digital Versatile DiskCDROM – Compact disk Read only

MemoryIt’s main use is for loading new programs onto the hard disk. A CD Drive uses lasers to read information from a CD or to write information onto a CD.A DVD is similar to a CD but has larger capacity compared to the CD.

Assignments

Give one example of the input-process-output activity

Describe the uses of a Pen Drive. How is it different from the other disks – hard disk, floppy disk and CD ?

Parts of the System Unit

Motherboard

The motherboard is theprimary circuit board inthe computer.

Its function is to provide electrical and logical connections for all the components of the computer to communicate with each other.

Motherboard

Motherboard or Mainboard include the following:

Socket for connecting the CPU Slots for connecting the RAM Slots for ‘expansion cards’ Power connector Connectors for input & output

devices

Parts of the System Unit

Expansion cards or expansion boards are small circuit boards that can be connected onto the motherboard.

Expansion cards can consist of graphic cards, sound cards, network cards or any other internal or external connectivity.

Parts of the System Unit

Power Supply

It’s function is to power up the computer.

It provides power to the motherboard, hard disk, cd-rom drive, floppy drive and any other component that requires power within the System Unit.

Parts of the System Unit

A CD-ROM or DVD-ROM Drive is used for reading data from a CD or DVD disk.A CD-RW (re-writeable) or DVD-RW drive is used for writing data to a blank CD or DVD disk.A floppy drive is used for reading or writing data onto a floppy disk.All drives contain mechanical parts and require power for a read-write operation.

Types of Computers

Super ComputersSuper Computers are most powerful computers. They can process huge amounts of data very quickly.

Mainframe ComputersMainframe computers are less powerful than super computers. They can handle several amounts of input, output and storage.

Types of Computers

Workstations and Server ComputersA server computer or server, is basically intended to run for an extended time, under heavy workload and is often unattended by users. Servers contain faster or more processors, more RAM and more or larger hard disks compared to the desktop computer.

Types of Computers Personal Computers or PC

They are smaller computers normally found at home, office or classroom. PC is more widespread because of it’s size and affordable price. The laptop is also a personal computer which is just smaller in size.

PDA or Handheld ComputersPersonal Digital Assistants are also called pocket computers which can fit into the pocket and are used for emailing, word processing, video recording, etc.

Assignments

Bring any one part of the system unit from home and provide a brief description for it.

Describe the different types of computer monitors that we have at school.

Describe the different types of computer printers that we have at school.