Know Your Computer System

1. Know Your Computer System

2. Click here to learn more! A computer system contains the following components: (1) a system unit (which holds such things as (a) the CPU, (b) hard drive, (c) RAM, (d) CD-ROM / DVD-ROM, and (e) motherboard), (2) a monitor, (3) a keyboard, and a (4) mouse. Some systems also include printers and other peripheral devices such as scanners and external hard drives. Computer System Click on the picture to learn more!

3. Click on monitor to learn more! Monitor • A monitor is one output device that displays the results of the computer’s processing so the user can see what he or she is working on. • A monitor’s size is measured diagonally and the resolution is measured in dots per inch. • Newer monitors are labeled SVGA—super video graphics array. • Most monitors have controls on the front or side that allow you to change the sound, size, and brightness.

4. Power Supply • is a self-contained unit that converts AC from the electrical outlet on the wall to DC used by computer • provides power to internal components such as the motherboard, hard drive, CD-ROM / DVD-ROM, floppy, and other devices using power • uses a fan to cool the system which dissipates heat

5. Motherboard • main circuit board of the computer • additional boards (cards) can be connected to the motherboard to transfer data through the “data bus” • it contains • CPU (central processing unit) • BIOS (basic input output system) chip • memory (RAM) • storage interfaces (hard drive, floppy, and CD/DVD) • serial, parallel, and USB ports • expansion slots • chips on the motherboard = chipset • newer boards have some functionality integrated onto it—network adapter, video, sound, etc., rather than having separate cards installed

6. BIOS/CMOS Click to learn more! • BIOS • is software stored on a ROM chip that works with the hardware. • BIOS uses CMOS to modify or supplement the setup. • New BIOS chips are flashable, which means they can be upgraded to support new hardware components. • Some peripherals have their own BIOS chips including SCSI and RAID adapter cards. • CMOS • battery powered • stores BIOS information

7. CPU Click here • The central processing unit or processor is plugged into the motherboard. • The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer where all processing takes place. • Cache on the chip (L1 and L2) makes newer CPUs faster. • Cache is memory that stores frequently used instructions by the processor. • The higher the Mhz or Ghz, the faster the processor. • CPUs must stay cool through the use of a heat sink or a CPU fan.

8. RAM Click here • stores chunks of information for the CPU’s tasks to be executed • it’s like a waiting room – copied items can be stored there • When you turn off the machine, you lose anything in RAM. • RAM comes in many different types so you must know what your motherboard will support—SIMMS, DIMMS, RIMMS (all are SDRAM chips) • Up to a point, usually the more RAM, the better. • Some chips use SRAM—cache chips to store frequently used instructions.

9. Hard Drive • allows the user to write (save) and retrieve (get) information • it writes and retrieves information itself • “File Cabinet”--files are stored until you need them • Most hard drives use a IDE, ATA, EIDI, or SCSI interface. New hard drives use a SATA interface.

10. Other Storage Media a. CD-ROM b. Floppy Drive c. DVD-ROM d. ZIP Drive e. USB drive

11. Click here a. Sound card b. Modem c. Video card d. Network card Expansion Cards Click here

12. Ports 1. Keyboard/Mouse 2. USB: (Universal Serial Bus) • USB ports can be used to connect peripherals such as printers, keyboards, mice, and digital cameras. • plug and play installation (hot swappable) • data transfer rate is 12 Mbps or higher 3. LPT or Parallel Port: • uses a 25-pin connector • used to connect a printer or external CD-RW 4. COM: • serial communications port that functions in DOS • transferring only 1 bit of information at a time • used for external modems and serial mice 5. Firewire (IEEE): • transfer rates of 400 to 800 Mbps, whichis ideal for transferring high levels of data in real time (like video)

13. Printers Click here • There are basically two classes of printers—impact, which includes dot-matrix, and non-impact, which includes laser and inkjet). • (a) Dot-matrix printers are rapidly becoming obsolete; they are mostly used where multiple copies of documents must be printed at the same time. • (b) Laser printers are fast, quiet and give high-quality printouts. However, they are usually more expensive to purchase, and toner is costly. • (c) Inkjet printers are less expensive. However, they are not as durable and ink can smear when paper first comes out. Click here Click here

14. Operating Systems • Desktop operating systems • Windows 9x • Windows 2000 • Windows XP • Windows Vista • Server-based network operating systems (NOS) • Windows 2000 • Linux • Novell • Mac OS • OS X (Unix-based)

15. Operating Systems • are loaded into RAM upon boot up • manage the system devices through an user-friendly interface called a GUI • require more RAM and CPU power as they become more powerful and capable

16. Examples of Software Programs • Word processing—create and edit documents • Spreadsheets—compute numerical data • Graphing—express data in picture form • Presentations—automate your speech • Suite software (includes multiple programs) • Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Works • Graphics and WebPublishing—design and manipulate pictures and web sites • Corel Draw, Fireworks, Adobe Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Publisher, Front Page

17. Examples of Software Programs • Multimedia—add sounds and pictures to programs • Flash, Shockwave, QuickTime (web browser plug-ins) • Utilities • Norton Anti-virus, McAfee, Norton Disk Doctor • Productivity and E-mail—organize and plan activities • Outlook, Adobe Acrobat • Browsers—access the Internet • Internet Explorer, Firefox