KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

Self Access Learning Module

ICT Literacy for Secondary School

Programme
Computer Hardware System Unit

PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

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MODULE 3
SYSTEM UNIT

Curriculum Development Centre Ministry of Education Malaysia 1

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1. 2.

Name of Module : System Unit Learning Outcomes: Students should be able to:

a. identify the components of a system unit

b. state the functions of the main components of a system unit

c. state the functions of CPU, RAM, ROM and expansion slots found

on the motherboard 3. 4. Knowledge and Skills 1. identify the main components in the computer system Module Summary: At the end of the module, students should be

identify the main components of a system unit and motherboard state the functions of the main components of a system unit state the functions of CPU, RAM, ROM and expansion slots This module contains 2 activities: Activity 1 : Identify the components of a system unit Activity 2 : Identify the components of a motherboard

Note : As you are doing this module, use a computer in the lab to identify the components in the system unit.

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a. What is system unit? System unit is a box-like case that contains electronic components of the computer. It is sometimes called chassis. Figure 1 shows a few examples of system unit.

Figure 1 Examples of System Unit

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b.

Inside view of system unit

Figure 2 Internal view of a System Unit

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c.

Front layer of a system unit

DVD-ROM drive CD-ROM/CDRW drive Zip drive Empty drive bay Floppy disk drive Power button Reset button

Figure 3 Front View of a System Unit

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d.

Power port

Input / Output port ( I/O port )

Keyboar d USB Serial port

Mouse

USB
Printer ( Parallel port )
Speaker

Monitor Game port Network

Telephone line in

Microphon e

Telephone line out

FM reception

out

svideo

Cable TV
Figure 4 Back View of a System Unit

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e. Functions of the main components of a system unit No. Components Functions 1. Input / Output port (I/O A port is the point at which a peripheral attaches port) to a system unit so that the peripheral is able to send data and receive information from the computer. An external device, such as a keyboard, monitor, printer, mouse and microphone, that is attached by a cable to a port on the system unit. The back of the system unit contains so many ports. Some personal computers also have ports on the front of the system unit. Ports have different types of connectors. A connector joins a cable to a peripheral. One end of a cable attaches to the connector on the system unit and the other end of the cable attaches to a connector on the peripheral. 2. 3. Power button Reset button To turn the computer on Restating the computer, instructs the computer to go through the process of shutting down, which would clear the memory and reset devices to their initialized state. It simply removes power immediately. Main circuit board of the system unit, it has some electronic components attached to it. Converts standard electrical power into a form that, the computer can use. If a power supply is not providing the necessary power, the computer will not function properly. A device that reads DVD-ROM, audio CDs, CDROMSs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs. A device that reads audio CDs, CD-ROMs, CD-

4.

Motherboard

5.

Power Supply

6.

DVD-ROM drive

7.

CD-ROM drive

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Rs and CD-RWs. 8. DVD/CD-RW drive A combination drive that reads DVD and CD media, and writes to CD-RW media. A high-capacity disk drive that reads from and writes on a Zip disk. A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk A Type of storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that store data, instructions and information.

9.

Zip drive

10.

Floppy drive

11.

Hard disk drive

Activity 2 : Identify the components of a motherboard

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a. Components of a motherboard The motherboard is the main circuit board of the system unit, it has some electronic components attached to it. Figure 5 shows the components of a motherboard.

for RAM

Expansion slots
( look at figure 6 )

Figure 5 Layout of a motherboard

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CPU

Figure 6 Examples of Expansion Card and Expansion Slots

Expansion Slots Expansion Card

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b. No. 1.

Functions of the components of the motherboard Components Central Processing Unit (CPU) Functions A Central Processing Unit or CPU is a microprocessor (processor for short). It is an integrated circuit chip that is capable of processing electronic signals. The CPU is the most important element in a computer system. A CPU interprets instructions given by the software and carries out those instructions by processing data and controlling the rest of the computers component. 2. Random Access Memory (RAM) RAM is installed inside computers. RAM is also known as a working memory. The data in RAM can be read (retrieved) or written (stored). RAM is volatile which means the programmes and data in RAM are lost when the computer is powered off. A computer uses RAM to hold temporary instructions and data needed to complete tasks. This enables the computer's CPU (Central Processing Unit) to access instructions and data stored in the memory very quickly. RAM stores data during and after processing. 3. Read Only ROM is another type of memory permanently stored inside the Memory (ROM) computer. ROM is non-volatile. It holds the programs and data when the computer is powered off. Programmes in ROM have been pre-recorded. It can only be stored by the manufacturer; once it is done, it cannot be changed. Many complex functions, such as start up operating instructions, translators for high-level languages and operating systems are placed in ROM memory.

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All the contents in ROM can be accessed and read but cannot be changed. 4. Expansion Slots Expansion slots are the sockets where the circuit boards or the adapter cards can be inserted into the motherboard, such as video acceleration, sound or disk drive control.

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Overview of the components of a system unit

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System Unit Exercise 1 Label the system unit below with the words given.

Hard Disk Drive

Expansion Cards RAM

Power Supply Mother Board

Zip Drive CD/DVD Drive

Hard Disk Drive Expansion Slots

Floppy Drive CPU Chip

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Exercise 2 Look at the diagram carefully and match them to the name of the ports in the table using numbers. Write your answers in the number column as shown in Number 1.

No 1

Label of the ports Power port

USB port

VGA port (Monitor display)

Serial port (Modem)

PS2 port (Mouse)

Game port (Joystick)

Audio ports (speaker, headphone and microphone)

Parallel port (printer port)

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PS2 port (keyboard)

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Exercise 3 Name the component parts of the motherboard. Write your answers in the boxes given.

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Exercise 4 Mark T for statements that are True and F for statements that are False on the lines given.
1. The processor (CPU) interprets and carries out the basic instructions

that operate a computer. 2. 3. Computers can use only one processor at a time. ROM is the main circuit board of the system unit.

4. Expansion slot is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card. 5. RAM is non-volatile

6. The most important chip on the main circuit board is the microprocessor chip. Input / output port is the point at which a peripheral is attached to a system unit so that the peripheral can send data to and receive information from the computer.
7.

8.

Reset button is to start the computer.

9. A device that reads from and writes on a floppy disk is called a hard disk drives. 10. Power supply converts standard electrical power into a form that computer can use.

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Exercise 5 Fill in the blank with the correct name of components and functions. No. 1. Components Input/Output port (I/O port) To start on computer Reset button Main circuit board of the system unit, which has some electronic components attached to it and others built into it. Convert standard electrical power into a form that computer can use. DVD-ROM drive CD-ROM drive This drive also allows watching a DVD or burn a CD. A high-capacity disk drive that reads from and writes on a Zip disk. Floppy drive Type of storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that stores data, instructions and information. Functions

2. 3. 4.

5.

6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11.

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Exercise 6 Write the differences between primary storage RAM and ROM in the table given below.

RAM

ROM

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Reference Cashman, S. (2006) Discovering Computers 2006. Technology. USA : Thomson Course

Ibrahim Ahmad, Mohd Hafiz et al (2007) Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Based on SPM Syllabus. Selangor: Venton Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd. NCC Education (2002) Pioneers. Computer Studies, Computer Ace. Sri Lanka : Computer

IBasic Computing (2003) by TMEdu Tech (M) Sdn Bhd http://www.wikipedia.org http://images.search.yahoo.com http://www.google.com.my CD courseware ICT

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