What is a Computer?

An electronic device that can store, retrieve and process data, and can be programmed with instructions that it remembers. The physical parts that make up a computer (the central processing unit, input, output and memory) are called hardware. Programs that tell a computer what to do are called software.
INPUT PROCESS The computing concept OUTPUT

A computer (also referred to as a PC) can be used for various functions, eg word processing, spreadsheets, databases, business accounting, desktop publishing, accessing the Internet, sending email, playing games, movies, music, etc. A typical standalone home computer system is shown below.

Monitor

Speakers

System Unit

Printer

Keyboard Mouse

Monitor (or Screen or VDU - Visual Display Unit) The monitor (or screen) enables the operator to view data (and to alter it before printing it out). System Unit containing CPU (Central Processing Unit) The System Unit can contain storage devices such as a hard disk, floppy disk drive and CD ROM drive. A chip (called a Central Processing Unit) within the system unit processes data and relays messages to and from the keyboard, monitor, disk drives and printer. Keyboard The computer keyboard has the standard QWERTY layout with extra keys for specific functions. Speakers The speakers play sound when sound-capable features are accessed on the computer. Mouse A mouse is used to select menu options, text and graphics displayed on the monitor. Printer A printer is used to print text and graphics onto paper.

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Different Types of Computers

Notebook or Laptop

Monitor VDU (Visual Display Unit)

CD ROM Drive Removable Hard Disk Drive

Floppy Disk Drive Keyboard

These are portable computers which are used by people on the go. A notebook is similar in size to a standard book. A laptop is larger than a notebook.

Touch Screen PC
This is a PC that can be held in the hand. A touch screen looks similar to a notebook/laptop monitor, though they can vary in style. A special pen is used to access different menu options on the touch screen. There is no keyboard or mouse; everything is done by using a special pen. Touch screens are portable - this type of computer is often referred to as penbased computing.

Palmtops
Mini computers that are designed to perform basic computer functions. and fit in the palm of the hand. Many are used in conjunction with a normal PC. There are different styles available. Two common types are shown to the left. You can transfer data from your PC to the Palmtop as reference or to edit on the go. The palmtop is not as powerful as a PC. Palmtops can be connected to the internet, or to a PC and are useful when travelling to send and receive email.

Exercise 1

Fill in the missing words: 1 2 3 A .................................................................. is used by people who travel or may wish to use a computer away from the office. ................................................or ........................................................ are very small computers that can be held in the palm of your hand. A short generic term for a computer is a ..................................

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What are Hardware and Software?

Hardware The physical components of a computer system - everything that you can touch are called hardware.

Software

The programs used on a computer are called software. This includes system software (such as Windows, Mac OS, etc) and application software such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, etc. System software is necessary in order to run a computer and all applications within it.

Exercise 2

Specify hardware or software at the end of the line indicator joined to each diagram:

Mouse Scanner

Microsoft Excel
Laser Printer

Microsoft Word

Dot Matrix Printer

Internet Explorer 6.0

Backup Tape

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The System Unit

The System Unit contains the Central Processing Unit (CPU, also referred to as the processor), motherboard, memory, video card, sound card, and other internal devices. It also has disk drives for storage media, and ports for external devices.
Video Card Power Supply

The Processor

Speaker

Floppy disk drive and CD ROM drive

Memory

Hard Disk Drive

The Processor
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of your computer. It is a chip where your computer interprets and processes information. It relays messages to and from the keyboard, monitor, disk and printer. The main chip could be called a Pentium, Celeron, Athlon, K6 or Duron, depending upon the manufacturer.

Hard Disk, Floppy Disk and CD ROM Drives

Drives are used to store and access data. A hard disk drive is a permanent storage device within your computer. Floppy disk and CD ROM drives allow you to read data from portable media (CDs and floppy disks).

Video Card
A video card fits inside your computer and determines the resolution (fineness of information) and number of colours your monitor can display. In addition to colour, some video cards allow the display of graphics such as graphs, circles and geometric designs as well as text.

Memory
Your computer has a brain that processes information and a memory that stores the information. The memory is not a permanent storage place for information. It is only active while your computer is turned on. When your computer is turned off the memory is erased from the computer. This is called Random Access Memory (RAM). To avoid losing your work you should save data on a disk (ie hard disk or floppy disk) for permanent storage. Random Access Memory is measured in megabytes. To run email, web and Office applications you will need a minimum 128 Mb to run Windows XP, but 256 Mb to run it comfortably. Windows 2000 will run with 64 Mb - comfortably on 128 Mb.

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Memory
There are different types of memory within a personal computer, each with its own characteristics and tasks.

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

When you turn on your computer some data is automatically loaded into Read-Only Memory (ROM). ROM holds data/instructions relating to your computer, eg ROM may store small programs that can change the configuration of your computer. The data/instructions held within ROM memory cannot be altered. When your computer is turned off the data/instructions within ROM will remain (ie will still be there when you next turn your computer on).

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is a set of memory chips that hold data temporarily. This data can be accessed and edited as required. When you turn off your computer the data stored within RAM is lost. When you open a program, it is placed in RAM. When you exit a program, it is removed from RAM. If a machine crashes, all that is in RAM, ie programs and/or data, is lost. All programs need memory to run but the amount required varies. Memory requirements are dependent on how many programs you wish to run, the speed at which they operate, and the amount of data a program can work with at one time. When you install an operating system, the minimum system requirements will be listed on the packaging. The operating system may not function efficiently if the computer does not meet those system requirements, which will include the minimum required amount of RAM. In Windows XP it is recommended that you have 128 Mb of RAM to run Windows programs successfully and if you wish to use several programs at one time then 256 Mb is suggested. The following diagram illustrates the process that occurs when you use RAM.
When program is selected it is placed in RAM.

It is necessary to save data to the hard disk (or other storage media) for permanent storage.

Hard Disk
(holds programs and data)

RAM
(Random Access Memory)

Floppy Disk Drive

If the computer crashes, all unsaved data within RAM is lost.

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Measuring Memory and Data Storage

Bit
A bit of information is basically a two-way electrical signal - it can be either on or off. If the signal is on, it is represented by a 1, and if the signal is off, a 0 is used. An individual 1 or 0 is called a bit.

Byte
One byte equates to one character on the computer keyboard or a row of eight bits, eg the above paragraph contains 221 characters or 221 bytes. 1 Kb - kilobyte = 1024 bytes 1 Mb - megabyte = 1024 kilobytes 1 Gb - gigabyte = 1024 megabytes

Storing Data
The amount of memory space available will determine how much data can be stored. Data can be stored in RAM, ROM or onto a storage media device such as a hard disk drive, floppy disk, CD, tape or zip disk. Data stored on a hard disk can be recalled as required - the data is usually referred to as a file. Each file will take up space on your hard disk drive and is measured by the amount of memory space taken, eg a document called memo.doc may have a file size of 120 Kb. There are many different types of files used for programs, clipart, reports, etc. Files are stored in folders which work in a similar way to the structure of a filing cabinet. Files relating to a certain program are stored in a particular folder. Folders can be created within other folders to store specific files in one place.
Root Folder

Data

Programs

Faxes

Reports

Word Processing

Database

The size of a hard disk is measured in megabytes and gigabytes.

Exercise 3

Draw lines to match the following:

Mb RAM byte ROM Read Only Memory megabyte Random Access Memory 8 bits

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Storage Media
Data can be stored on a hard disk (which may be divided into several network drives), floppy disk, CD ROM or tape.

Hard Disk
Internal
A hard disk is a high capacity storage device. You cannot usually see it while you use the computer as it is usually mounted on brackets inside the system unit. Without its outer metal case, the hard disk would look like a platter of disks.

A local hard disk is usually called the C drive (written as C:) on most computers. Some computers, however, may have more than one hard disk, and other drive letters could be used for the other hard disks. The operating system and applications are stored on the hard disk and when you "load" each of these they are loaded into a memory storage area called RAM. The work you have on your screen is also held in RAM and is therefore lost when you turn your computer off, unless you "save" your work either onto the hard disk or to removable storage media, such as floppy disk or compact disk.

External
An external hard disk drive is connected to a computer via a cable and normally sits on the desk next to the computer. The data transfer rate to the external hard disk is usually slower than to an internal disk drive.

Floppy Disks
A 3" disk is rigid and quite durable but care must still be taken not to damage it. The following diagram illustrates parts of a 3 disk. The Write inhibit lug enables you to lock the disk so data cannot be overwritten, ie it becomes read only and if the files are edited they must be saved onto another drive.

A floppy disk drive is referred to as the A drive (written as A:). On some computers there is a second disk drive which is the B drive (written as B:).

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Care must be taken with floppy disks. They are susceptible to magnetic fields, extreme heat and cold, liquids, touch and bending.
Keep disks to a temperature between 10-50C No magnetic fields No liquids Store in a disk box.

CDs (Compact Discs)

A standard CD, or CD-ROM, is a read-only disk. A standard CD-ROM drive only allows access to information. You can read data from the CD, but you cannot add or edit data (even using a CD writer). Data such as graphics, fonts, files, etc, can be used directly from CD Case a CD-ROM without having to store that data on the computer. On most computers the CD-ROM drive is the D drive (or sometimes E drive). CDs should always be stored in their cases.
CD ROM Drive CD

CD-R (Recordable CDs)

Recordable CDs are WORM (Write Once, Read Multiple) media that work in a similar way to standard CDs. The advantage is that you can create your own CD-ROM with your choice of data, but after the disk is written to once it cannot be added to, edited or deleted later. These disks can be played on most modern CD-ROM drives and DVD drives.

CD-RW (Read and Write CDs)

A CD-RW CD is a rewritable CD. Data can be erased and re-recorded again and again. A CD rewritable drive is required to read and write to a CD-RW. Most CD writers have the capability to rewrite onto CD-RW disks. Modern CD-ROM drives will be able to read CD-R and CD-RW CDs but will not allow you to write to them - a special drive and software is required for this purpose.

DVD (Digital Versatile Discs)

As with a CD, a DVD has the capacity to write once or can be rewriteable depending on the DVD type chosen, but because of the considerable expense of writable CD drives, most DVD drives are read-only. A DVD can hold more data than a CD (from 4 Gb to 15 Gb). DVD drives and media are more expensive than CDs.
Exercise 4

Revise the following acronyms and write descriptions: DVD CD-R CD-RW

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Tapes and Tape Drives

Tapes are often used to backup data from your hard disk (onto a magnetic strip inside a tape cassette). This is generally referred to as tape backup. A large amount of data can be stored on a tape. Data is copied from the hard disk and transferred onto a tape via a tape drive. Tapes are slower to access than a floppy disk or CD ROM.

Zip Disks and Drives

A zip drive allows you to store data onto a zip disk. A zip drive works in a similar way to a floppy disk but allows you to store more data. External zip drives can be used on different computers. A Jaz drive and disk are similar to a zip drive and disk but have a larger capacity.

Comparison of the Different Media

Some of the different media types available and their capabilities are shown below. (Use this as a guide only, as technology changes over time.)
Storage Media Internal Hard Disk Drive External Hard Disk Drive Floppy Disk 3" CD-ROM CD-R CD-RW Tape Zip Disk Jaz Disk 4Gb 100Mb 1Gb Smallest Capacity 10Gb 720Kb Largest Capacity 80+Gb 1.4Mb 650Mb 700Mb 700Mb 240Gb 250Mb 2Gb Read Only Read and Write Cost Medium Medium/ Expensive Cheap Cheap Cheap/Medium Cheap/Medium Expensive Medium/ Expensive Expensive

Exercise 5

Complete the following sentences: 1 2 3 The cheapest type of storage media are . ................................................................ The most common type of storage is on ................................................................... A zip disk allows you to store up to ..................... of data and is in the .................... cost bracket.

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The Computing Procedure

1 2 When you turn your computer on the operating software is loaded, ie Windows - this makes the computer perform its basic functions. You then select the program you are going to use, eg Word 2002 (which is a program for typing documents - word processing program). The program is then copied from the hard disk inside the System Unit and placed into an area called RAM (Random Access Memory). You can then create a document which will be displayed on the monitor (called soft copy). The program and anything you type in is held in RAM - this is why it is important to save your work. If your computer crashes or there is a power cut everything in RAM is lost. Periodically you should save your work - saving can be to a folder on the hard disk, to a network drive OR to a floppy disk which has to be inserted into the floppy disk drive. When you have completed your document you can print preview it (ie view it as it will be printed) and then print it to obtain a hard copy. The document can then be closed (ie removed from RAM). The program, eg Word 2002, is closed at the end of your computing session (ie removed from RAM). You then shut down your computer and switch it off.

3 4 5

7 8 9

Document saved onto disk Document printed Program started Document created

The Computing Procedure

Document and program are closed Computer is turned off Computer is turned on

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