Hardware and Software Basics

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called

The Chip, a CPU, a processor, or a microprocessor Memory (RAM) Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices

View an animated illustration on how integrated circuits or chips are made.

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called The

Chip, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor Memory (RAM) Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called The

Chip, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor Memory (RAM) Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices

Computer Hardware
Central Processing Unit - also called The

Chip, a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor Memory (RAM) Storage Devices Input Devices Output Devices

CPU Types
CPU or microprocessor is often

described as the brain of a computer. CPU is an integrated circuit or chip which processes instructions and data. CPU types.

Intel Pentium II, III, IV Intel Celeron AMD Athlon

CPU types
CPU speed is measured by the number of
Currently, CPU speeds range from 600 megahertz (MHz or million cycles per second) to 4 gigahertz (GHz or billion cycles per second).

completed instruction cycles per second

Always check new softwares requirements

for CPU type and speed before purchasing

Watch an animated illustration of a CPU at work.

Microcomputer Platforms
All microcomputers are based on a small

number of designs (interior architecture) or computer platforms. PC architecture is based on the first IBM microcomputers. Generally, PCs use Microsoft Windows as their operating system. Apple computers or Macs are based on proprietary architecture manufactured exclusively by Apple Computer, Inc.

Microcomputer Platforms
Compatibility refers to computers that

operate in essentially the same way. Compatibility across platforms is limited! You must know which platform your computer runs on before purchasing software. All software is designed for a specific platform.
Windows, Mac or Unix versions

Memory (RAM)
RAM or Random Access Memory
Waiting room for computers CPU. Holds instructions for processing data,

processed data, and raw data. Ram is measured by:

Capacity (in Megabytes or Gigabytes) Speed (in Nanoseconds)

Memory (RAM)
Amount of RAM installed will determine. Which software applications will run (efficiently)? How many software applications can be open simultaneously (multitasking ability)? RAM upgrades are cost-effective and

easy to install.

Check your computer manual for RAM type (DIMM, SDRAM) and speed (100, 90ns).

Memory (RAM)
All software applications will have RAM

specifications listed on their packaging. Many applications list both a minimum and a recommended amount of RAM necessary to run the software. Be cautious about buying software for a system based on minimum requirement.
Visit the Memory Technology Exhibit at Intels Virtual museum.

Storage Technology
Electronic devices that store, retrieve, and

save instructions and data. Todays microcomputers or PCs include several types of storage devices. Capacity and speed are important considerations when selecting a new storage device for a PC.

Storage Technology
Magnetic storage devices

store data by magnetizing particles on a disk or tape. They have a limited life-span of 1 to 5 years, depending on the device. Optical storage devices store data as light and dark spots on the disk surface. They have an unlimited lifespan.

Storage Devices
Hard Disk Drives
Capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB or

billions of bytes). Typically permanently installed. Used to store operating system, application software, utilities and data. Magnetic storage device.
Learn more about how a hard disk drive works from How Stuff Works website.

Storage Devices
Floppy Disk Drives
Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0

megabytes (MB or millions of bytes).

Storage device with the smallest capacity Most portable storage media

Magnetic storage device.

Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
Typically installed on all new computer

systems. (Were add-on device until the mid 1990s). Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes (MB or millions of bytes). Most mass-produced commercial software is packaged on a CD.

Storage Devices
CD-ROM Drives
Used more often now for backup storage

as CD-RW (read/write) technology has become less expensive. Data is read from CD by a laser. Optical storage device.
Learn how to write data, images, and audio to a CD from Kodaks website.

Storage Devices
Other Types of Drives
Zip Drives Several different capacities are

available. Tape Drives Generally used for system backups, becoming less common. DVD drives Can also read CDs, now more common as a standard device on new computer systems.
Learn more about specific hardware components and their functions from Toms Hardware.

Input Devices
Input is all information put into a

computer. Input can be supplied from a variety of sources:

A person A storage device on computer Another computer A peripheral device Another piece of equipment, such as a musical instrument or thermometer

Input Devices
Input devices gather and translate data

into a form the computer understands. Primary input device:

Keyboard - Most common input device; used to type in commands and data. Mouse or trackball enhances users ability to input commands, manipulate text, images. Joystick useful in education as an adaptive or assistive input device.

Input Devices
Scanners are peripheral input devices

which allow users to import:

Text Graphics Images

Specialized software aids in translating

information into a format the computer can understand and manipulate.

Input Devices
Digital Cameras are peripheral

input devices that allow users to create pictures and/or movies in a digital format.

Some require specialized software to import images into the computer. Some record digital images directly to a disk that can be read by the computer.

Output Devices
Monitors are the most commonly used

output device. Most monitors use a bitmap display.

Allows user to resize the display. Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square dots called pixels. The more dots a screen can display, the higher the resolution of the monitor.

Output Devices
Monitors are connected to a computer

system via a port integrated on the video adapter or graphics card. Graphics cards convert digital data output from software to analog data for display on monitors.
Typically have additional memory chips on card, 4MB to 64MB.

Output Devices
Printers
Dot matrix Seldom used in a classroom. Still frequently used in business. Bubble or ink jet Laser

Output Devices
Projection systems or classroom TVs can display information from a computer system on a larger screen for whole-class instruction.

View and excellent tutorial on hardware basics at Macromedias site. Requires log-in and browser plug-in download.

Networks
A collection of computers and other

devices that communicate to share data, hardware, and software. A stand-alone computer is called a workstation on a network. A workstation provides access to:

Your computers local resources Network resources

Software
Instructions and associated data, stored in

electronic format, that direct the computer to accomplish a task. System software helps the computer carry out its basic operating tasks.

Operating systems Utilities

System Software
An Operating System (OS) is the master

controller within a computer.

EX: Windows, MacOS, DOS, UNIX, Linux

An operating system interacts with: All hardware installed in or connected to a computer system. All software installed or running from a storage device on a computer system.

System Software
Microsoft Windows Most popular operating system. Supports a vast array of application software and peripheral devices. MacOS For Macintosh computers. Proprietary system. Does not have same functionality and support for software and peripheral devices.

System Software
Network operating system (NOS) Manages network resources. Maintains security. Tracks user accounts. Handles communication between workstations and servers.

Popular network operating systems Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX

System Software
Utilities
Utilities augment functionality of operating

systems. Utilities includes device drivers and Troubleshooting capabilities. Utilities provide file management capabilities such as copying, moving or renaming a file. Norton Utilities includes an undelete function that can recover deleted files. Symantec and McAfee Virus checkers add protection for all system and data files.

Application Software
Accomplishes specific tasks for users. Enables a computer to become a multi-

purpose machine.

Produce worksheets and reports. Automate record keeping like attendance and grades.

Create flow charts and graphic organizers. Communicate worldwide.

Application Software
Productivity Software Spreadsheets Databases

Presentation Software
Document Preparation Word Processing Desktop Publishing Project Management Software

Application Software
Graphics Creation and Manipulation Animation and 3D Graphics Video Editing

Internet Connectivity
Website Creation and Management Groupware Financial Management Educational Games and Tutorials