Computing FundamentalsUnit 1- History & Types of Computers
You’ll learn…
The History of Computing
How to identify categories of computers
How to identify basic components
Computer has a broad meaning
What is a computer?
A computer is a person, instrument, or machine that gathers, processes, and stores information.
Binary Numbering The use of the binary number
system with two values: 0 and 1. 1= ON 0= OFFWhat Counting to Ten Looks Like
Decimal: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Binary: 0, 1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 110, 111, 1000, 1001, 1010
Charles Babbage- the “father of computing”
Designed a steam-powered calculator called the Difference Engine in 1821.
His next idea was the Analytical Engine (1856), designed to perform any kind of mathematical calculation.
The British Colossus decoded messages during WWII In 1943, the British built the first “Colossus” computer.
Used to decipher encrypted teleprinter messages sent by the Germans during World War II.
Integrated circuits brought “chips” to computers
One major step in computer development was the integrated circuit A group of tiny
transistors and electric wires built on a silicon wafer, or “chip.”
Over the years, IC’s have continued to get smaller in size but larger in their capacity to function.
The Altair was a computer individuals could afford The first computer that most individuals could
afford was the Altair 8800, built in 1975 by MITS. No keyboard or screen
Information was entered by clicking switches
Apple created the first user-friendly personal computer
Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak created the first user-friendly personal computer, called the Apple, with a built-in keyboard, display screen, and storage unit.
The term personal computer refers to a computer designed to be used by one person at a time.
The IBM PC gave way to many clone “compatibles” In 1981, IBM introduced
its version of the personal computer—the IBM PC.
IBM made the general design available to competing companies, resulting in many clones or “compatibles.”
Today, the term PC often refers to computers running Microsoft’s Windows operating system.
Review
What is a group of tiny transistors and electric wires built on a silicon wafer? Integrated Circuit (Chip)
Who created the first user-friendly personal computer? Steve Jobs & Steve Wozniak
Who’s the “father or computing” & what did he invent? Steam-powered calculator
Types of Computers
Desktop AKA Personal computer (PC) AKA Microcomputer Individual user
Types of Computers The “Other” Computer
Apple or Mac
Types of Computers Laptop
AKA Notebook Portability Touchpad Tablet PC- handwriting
Types of Computers Tablet PC
Form of notebook
Swivel Screen Handwriting
Stylus
Types of Computers Workstation
Used by scientists, engineers (3-D, CAD) Designed for special high-end apps Multiple CPUs, lots of RAM, multiple,
high-capacity drives Very powerful graphics capabilities and a
large monitor or multiple monitors.
Types of Computers
PDA Personal Digital Assistant AKA Pocket PC Windows or Palm OS Integrate with Phone
or GPS Can do email, web,
Office, etc.
Types of Computers
Mainframe Connected to terminals Bulk data processing Banks, statistics Hundreds of thousands $ Large institutions & govt. Airlines
Types of Computers Terminal Only performs
functions when connected to larger system Linked remotely
to main Data entering Keyboard &
Monitor “Dumb” Terminal
Types of Computers
Supercomputers Large & fast Perform BIG calc’s Volumes of data Millions of $$$ Government Military Research Labs NASA
Types of Computers
Server Network Server
Performs functions for computers on a network
Addressing Manages traffic
Web Server Supports pages
File Server Stores files
Review Managing an airline reservation &
ticketing system would be best performed by which class of computer? Mainframe
Which computer only performs when connected to a larger computer? Terminal
What’s another name for a desktop? Microcomputer
Computing FundamentalsUnit 2- Computer Hardware
Motherboard
Circuit board/Different sizes ATX Connects components
CPU Memory Controllers Expansion ports/slots Bus
CPU Microprocessor Hertz (MHz & GHz) Control unit
reads/interprets instructions Performs
calculations to complete tasks
1979= 8 MHz 1993= 200 MHz 2008= 3 GHz
Memory
RAM (DIMM) Volatile (Temporary) Measured in bytes
MB or GB
ROM On motherboard Non-volatile BIOS ROM
Has instructions to boot your computer Can read from chip, but not store
data
Storage- CD
Optical CD-ROM, DVD-ROM CD-R, DVD+/- R CD-RW, DVD+/- RW
ROM= read only R= Record Once RW= Rewritable
CD= 80 min./ 700MB DVD= 2 hrs./ 4.7GB
Storage- Floppy Disks
8-inch 5 ¼” 3 ½” Magnetic Storage
Storage- Hard Drive Hard Drive- Magnetic MB or GB
Storage- Flash Flash
No moving parts
Input Devices Allow data IN the
computer
Mouse- Input Ball Optical Laser On-screen arrow
is pointer Pointing Clicking Dragging Double-clicking Right-clicking
Voice Recognition- Input Speak commands into PC & enter
text Software must be installed Disabled people use
Are these input devices?
Output Devices Data comes OUT
of the computer Name some
Review
Which part of the computer performs calculations and controls processes? CPU
What is it called when people can speak into a PC and have it perform those commands? Voice recognition
Which type of memory is volatile? RAM
Review
Which software translates speech into text? Voice recognition
What is the name of the path that data travels on a motherboard? Bus
Which type of storage device has no moving parts? Flash/USB drive
Computing FundamentalsUnit 3- Maintaining & Protecting Hardware
Evaluating Components
Buying List the tasks,
software Check
requirements Portability or
not MAC or PC Storage
devices Peripherals
Evaluating Components
You could upgrade Add RAM New keyboard, mouse
(connections) Drives/Cards
May require pro to install
USB Ports PnP “hot swap” Handles up to
127 devices Speeds up to
480mbps (40MB) A to B
connectionsAB
Parallel & Serial Parallel
25 port female IEEE 1284 Old Printers
Serial 9 port male RS-232 Old modems &
mice
Parallel & Serial Devices Parallel Serial
PS/2 Ports & VGA Port PS/2 Purple
Keyboard Green
Mouse 6 pin
VGA Blue Monitor 15 pin female
NIC & Modem NIC RJ45 100Mbps
Modem RJ11 Phone/Line Jacks 56kbps
Sound Card Line Out
Headphone Speakers
Line In
Microphone
Routine Maintenance
Visual Inspection Check cables
Plugged in Good condition Inside computer too
Compressed Air Dust off keyboards, inside PC
Wipes For monitors No tissues or towels (lint/scratch) No glass cleaners
Troubleshooting Example
On boot, message popup Unable to load library wxfw.dll.
Attempted to load <Key notfound>\wxfw.dll.Error code:126
Search online for wxfw.dll Found it was from a Desktop
Weather Program Found program & uninstalled Reboot & no error
Troubleshooting
1. Recognize you have a problem2. Replicate the steps to the
problem3. Check Basic Solutions
Cables, restart
4. Look or research for help & support
5. Talk to a technician6. Follow their instructions7. Confirm it’s fixed
Troubleshooting Scenarios- Check the basics The entire computer has
completely frozen up. I can't click anywhere on the screen. I can't even use the Start button to shut it down. Ctrl + Alt + Delete
I press print & the printer does not respond at all. Check the cables
Protect from Theft & Damage Protect Hardware
Power surge or spike
Surge suppressor Power outage
UPS Theft
Laptop locks Padded bags
Protect Files Online backup CD/DVD backup
What’s a surge? An increase in voltage significantly
above the designated level
Surge Protector diverts extra voltage like a valve
Define joules
Care for Removable Media Keep away from electrical fields
(TV/monitor)
Avoid extreme temperatures
Don’t touch media surface
Hold optical disks at edges
Keep disks in case when moving them
Review Which device protects a
computer from electrical surges? Surge suppressor
Which component has an RJ11 jack? Modem
Which component has a 15 pin female connector? VGA
Review A legacy printer would be
plugged into which port? Parallel
When troubleshooting, what would a basic solution be? Checking the cables
What is the last step in troubleshooting? Confirm the problem is fixed
Computing FundamentalsUnit 1- Computer Systems & Networks
Operating Systems
Controls the way the computer interacts w/ parts & users Windows MAC Unix Linux
Windows Vista Screenshot
MAC OS Screenshot
Computer Networks
Computers need to communicate with each other
Standards allowed them to “speak the same language”
Networks Data Communications
Connecting How do you connect
to a network? NIC
How Networks work Computers
connect to one another
Usually a server
Network Benefits & Features Central Storage of files
Share files, resources, printers
Maintain network centrally
Secure
Backup
Networks
LAN Local Area Network Devices connected in small area This classroom, this school, your
house
Networks
WAN Wide Area Network Connects LANs Over a large geographic area
Internet
Originally for government
Largest network
What’s the most commonly used feature on the Internet? Email Email is stored on a server
NOT ON PC
Intranet
Looks like Internet
Only works w/in company network Great security
Handbooks, forms, news, policies
Intranet Screenshot
Extranet Allows outside organization to
access internal info Extension of intranet
Outside suppliers
Employees
Strict security Username & password
Extranet Screenshots
End of Day Two
Review
A room of 5 connected computers describes a… LAN
To connect to a network, your PC must have a… NIC
This type of “Internet” is for internal use only within a business. Intranet