Transcript PowerPoint Presentation - The Mechanics of Computers

The Mechanics Of Computers
The Operating System (OS) & Hardware
Role Of The Operating System (OS)

During start up (booting up)




Diagnose internal circuits.
Send signals to the screen and internal sound
card.
Search for any attached peripherals.
Load common routines for controlling the
computer.
Role Of The OS, Cont.

During Operation




Translates keystrokes, including mouse functions, for the
internal hardware.
Performs those common routines such as saving, printing, etc.
Manages your desktop to allow multiple applications to run
simultaneously and communicate to each other.
Allows interaction and communication with external devices
over networks, through expansion cards, serial and/or parallel
buses, etc.
The Look Of The OS

Graphical User Interface (GUI)


The single reason, in my opinion, for the
proliferation of the use of computers in
music.
It components:
Mouse gestures
 Icons
 Windows
 Menus
 Buttons

Files, Folders, and Volumes

Files - the smallest unit of organization (data structure) for which
there is an icon representation of which there are three types:





Applications - referred to as programs
Data files - created by the application
Resource files - special files that add functionality to applications
Folders or Directories - storage bins used to organized files on the
computer
Volumes - hard drives, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs and other
physical mediums where all files and folders are stored.
The Four Stages To Computer Operations (IPOS)




Input Stage - represents those devices we use to get
information into the computer, e.g., keyboard, mouse, or
MIDI keyboard.
Process Stage - where the central processing unit (CPU),
memory (RAM and ROM), and timing clock stores the
information received.
Output Stage - where the computer represents those
devices used to get the information, e.g., video displays,
printers, speakers, etc.
Storage Stage - where devices like floppy diskettes, hard
disks, and CD-ROMs saves your data.
The Main Parts Of A Computer



Central Processing Unit (CPU) - an electronic circuit referred to as
the microprocessor integrated circuit (chip) that serves as the brain of
the computer and coordinates the flow of data in and out of the
computer.
Motherboard - the main flat plastic board on which the CPU chip
and other electronic circuitry is located, including chips for memory,
video, and sound.
Memory (RAM and ROM)


Random-Access Memory (RAM) - Memory that is written to by
normal computer use and stored temporarily. Also referred to as readand-write memory.
Read-Only Memory (ROM) - Memory that stores permanent
instructions and programs by the manufacturer (called firmware) to
prevent the possibility of it being erased.
The Main Parts Of A Computer, cont.


System Clock - a precision quartz clock that determine speed and
rate (clock speed) at which instructions are processed, measured in
megahertz (MHz) and gigahertz (GHz).
Interfaces 

Internal parallel bus which allows the CPU, motherboard, memory,
and clock to connect and communicate.
External bus (daughter boards) - allows external devices to
communicate with the motherboard of which some common types are:




NuBus (although these have been mostly phased out)
Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI bus)
Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) or
PC Card, for short.
Keyboard, Mouse, Storage Disks, Network Connectors