Lecturer: Yves DUSABE

0788258097
0738258097
0728258097

E-mail: dusives3@gmail.com
 Marks Awarding

Class Attendance: 10 Marks

Assignment: 10 Marks

Presentation: 10 Marks

CATs: 30 Marks

Exam: 40 Marks

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 Topic 1: Contents

A computer and its parts (Computers components)

The windows desktop
Using the mouse
Logging on
Logging off
Understand the start menu
Working with windows
Working with multiple windows
Working with files and folders
File management operations using windows explorer
Using a USB Flash Driver
Writing on a CD-R/Rw

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 Objectives

After this lesson you will be able to

Identify the components of a computer and the parts of a

computer system.

List the most commonly used input and output devices

Describe the function of a standard keyboard and mouse

List four types of computers.

 Definition
A computer is an electronic device or machine
comprising two part Hardware and software.

It is used for making calculations using the

storage and processing or controlling operations
that are expressible in numerical or logical
terms.
The computer itself cannot perform any task and
is referred to as hardware.
A computer system consists of three elements.

1. Hardware
2. Software
3. People
Computer System (contd)

Hardware : The physical components which you

can see, touch and feel in the computer system
are called hardware E.g. monitor, keyboard,
mouse etc.

Software : Software is used to describe the

instructions that tells the computer what to do or
how to perform a task. E.g. Operating System, Ms
Package, Opera, VLC etc.
Computer System (contd)

Software is categorized in two groups:

1) System software: is a type of computer program that is designed
to run a computers hardware and application programs ( e.g.
operating systems (Windows (XP, 7, 8 & 10), Ubuntu, Unix &
Unix)
2) Application software is a program designed to perform a
specific function directly for the user or in some cases, for another
application program. (e.g. MS-word, excel, accounting packages
IDE, Database, Web browsers etc.)
3) People: People who operate the computer and also create
computer software instructions.
 Logging on
Before you start a computer you must log on or turn
it on. This gives you access to the program installed
and your own user workspace. Then look at the
desktop, check that you can identify the icons,
taskbar, start button, menu and information tray.
Rest the mouse pointer over the icons in the
information tray for further information
Logging off
When you have finished using the computer you
must log off. If you dont, the next person using the
pc has access to your personal user workspace and
this may result in your stored files and data being
lost or corrupted

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Output Devices
System unit :Box-like case containing electronic
components used to process data.
 What is inside the black-box?.

Memory
card

Power
Supply

Sound
Card
 What are two main components on the
motherboard?

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Also called a processor

Carries out instructions that tell computer what to do

Memory (RAM)
Temporary holding place for data
and instructions
 RAM: is the place in a computer where
the operating system, application programs and data in
current use are kept temporarily. It is said to be a primary
memory.

It is said to be volatile since its contents are accessible

only as long as the computer is on.

The content of RAM are no more available when the

computer is turned off.
Primary memory is often called as RAM(Random Access
Memory). It holds all the programs and data the processor
is using at a given time.

The RAM is volatile because its contents are erased

when the power is switched off.
 The other type of primary memory is ROM (Read Only
Memory) which is permanent because it contents are not
erased even when power is switched off.
What is storage?
Holds data, instructions, and information
for future use

Storage media
Physical material on which data, instructions,
and information are stored. E.g. Hard disk, CD disk

Storage device
Records and retrieves items to and from
a storage medium. E.g. CD drive, Floppy drive
What is a floppy disk?
circular, flexible disk
enclosed in rigid
plastic shell

Floppy disks are the slowest and the smallest form of

secondary storage. They provide a simple way to carry
information from one place to another, and backup. It is
secondary memory.

In modern days floppy drive component is not as

important as it was years ago.
 What is a hard disk?
Provides much greater storage capacity than a floppy
disk. It is housed Inside the system unit.
What is a compact disc?
Flat, round, portable metal disc
CD-ROM
CD-RW
Capacity: 673~768 MB
DVD-ROM
DVD+RW
Capacity:4.7 ~ 17.1 GB
Expansion slots

The expansion slots are long thin connectors on the motherboard,

near the backside of the computer. Various expansion cards are
connected to the motherboards through data, address and control
lines/buses on these slots.
The Computers are classified into four categories:

1. Micro Computers
2. Mini Computers
3. Mainframe Computers
4. Super Computers
1. Micro Computers: are the most common kind of computers used
by people today, whether in a workplace, at school or on the desk
at home.
Microcomputer is also called personal computer or PC.

Microcomputers come in three different physical sizes, pocket pc,

laptop pc and desktop pc.
 Micro Computers

Desktop computers

A case and a display put under and on a desk with horizontal

orientation.
Micro Computers

Tower Computers

A case and a display put under and on a desk with vertical

orientation.
Laptops

Portable and all in one case.

Smartphone
2. Mini Computers
Mini computer is simply a small mainframe computer. It is a
reduced version of micro frame.

So it has less storage capacity, less processing speed of that of

micro frame computers.

They are usually used by small businesses. For example research

groups, engineering firms, colleges etc. use mini computers.
1. Mini Computers
Mainframe Computers
A mainframe computer is a large expensive machine whose
processing speed is very high and has large amount of secondary
storage and fast printers.
A large mainframe computer may be used to meet the data
processing requirements of the entire organization.

Examples: airline booking systems, Railway booking systems ,

weather forecast.
Mainframe Computers

In some ways, mainframes are more powerful than

supercomputers because they support more simultaneous
programs.

But supercomputers can execute a single program faster than a

mainframe.
Super Computers

The fastest and most powerful type of computer Supercomputers

are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications
that require immense amounts of mathematical calculations.
For example, weather forecasting and nuclear energy research
requires a super computer.
Avantages

1 Speed:
The computer can process millions of instructions per second.
Computer can work faster than a human beings.
2 Memory and storage:
A computer can store an unlimited data. This helps easily in fraction of
second retrieval of information. This storage is known as electronic
storage system.
Diligence: Being a machine, a computer does not suffer from the
human traits of tiredness and lack of concentration. Diligence is
the property by virtue of which a computer can work continuously
without getting tired & without losing concentration.

Accuracy: The accuracy (correctness) of a computer is consistently

high.
Disadvantages

1 Creates unemployment
Different tasks are performed automatically by using computers.
2 Data Security
The data stored on a computer can be accessed by un
authorized persons through networks.
3 Computer Crimes
People use the computer for negative activities.
Disadvantages

4 Computer Crimes: People use the computer for negative activities.

They hack the credit card numbers of the people and misuse them
or they can steal important data from big organizations.
5 Privacy violation: The computers are used to store personal data of
the people. The privacy of a person can be violated if the personal
and confidential records are not protected properly.
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