Transcript Unit I: Computer Basics

A. COMPUTER
BASICS
1.00 Examine the role of hardware
and software.
UNIT OBJECTIVES:
1.01-1.04
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
An electronic device that receives data, processes data, stores data, and produces a
result (output).
A collection of electronic circuits, which can be on or off (open or closed).
 These two states of the circuit are represented by two digits, 0 and 1.
 Called the binary system
 Combining bits (0 and 1), you can represent any character or number.
BENEFITS OF USING
COMPUTERS
Error-free calculations
Speed
Flexibility
Storage
Consistency and repetition
WHAT IS A
COMPUTER SYSTEM?
Hardware: the tangible,
physical equipment that
can be seen and
touched such as:
 Computer Case
 Monitor
 Keyboard and Mouse
 Disk Drive
 Speakers
Software: the intangible set of
instructions that tells the
computer what to do; know as
programs or software
programs.
 Two types: application and system
software programs
Data: information entered into
the computer to be
processed, which consists of
the following:
 Text, numbers, sounds, and images
People: the users of the
computers who enter the data
and use the output.
TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Supercomputer: most powerful
 Used to do things like predict hurricanes and navigate
satellites
Mainframes and minicomputers: used by
business and government to process large
amounts of information
Personal computers: smaller and less powerful
than the other types of computers
PERSONAL COMPUTERS
Desktop computer: designed to be used on a
desktop.
Notebook/Tablet computer: designed to be used
on a desktop but still small enough to be
portable.
Laptop computer: designed to be small enough
and light enough to be used on your lap.
ADDITIONAL TYPES
OF COMPUTERS
PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants): a handheld device that
is often used in conjunction with a desktop or other PC.
 May have a special keyboard, some use
a pen or stylus for entering data
- Data can be transferred to a desktop or laptop computer
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
The technology that enables computers to communicate
The transmission of text, numeric, voice or video data from one
machine to another.
Popular examples:
 Internet, electronic messages (e-mail), faxes, and electronic or online
banking
Four components:
 Sender: the computer that is sending the message.
 Receiver: the computer receiving the message.
 Channel: the media that carries or transports the message. (telephone
wire, coaxial cable, microwave signal, or fiber optic)
 Protocol: the rules that govern the orderly transfer of the data sent.
DATA COMMUNICATIONS
Network: when computers are connected to other
computers
 They can share information and sometimes hardware (printers)
 Local Area Networks (LAN): computers connected together in a
relatively close location such as in the same building or department.
 The data and software for these computers are stored on a central
computer called the file server.
 Wide Area Networks (WAN): when local area networks are expanded
to include several local area networks within a city, state, region,
territory, country, continent, or the world.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Central Processing Unit (CPU): the microprocessor, the brains of the computer.
 Housed on a tiny silicon chip
 Chip contains millions of switches and pathways that help your computer make
important decisions.
 CPU knows which switches to turn on and which to turn off because it receives its instructions
from computer programs (software).
 CPU has two primary sections:
 Arithmetic/logic unit
 Control unit
Control Unit: is the “boss” and coordinates all of the CPU’s activities.
 Uses programming instructions, it controls the flow of information through the
processor by controlling what happens inside the processor.
 We communicate with the computer through programming languages.
 COBOL, C++, or VisualBasic.net, HTML, Java Script for example.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Memory: found on the motherboard; short term and long term.
 Random Access Memory (RAM): memory on the motherboard that is short
term; where data, information, and program instructions are stored
temporarily on a RAM chip or a set of RAM chips.
 When the computer is turned off or if there is loss of power, what ever is stored in
RAM disappears.
 This memory know as the main memory and is considered volatile.
 The computer can read from and write to RAM.
 Read-Only Memory (ROM): memory on the motherboard that is long term;
where the specific instructions that are needed for the computer to operate
are stored.
 This memory is nonvolatile and your computer can only read from a ROM chip.
 The instructions remain on the chip regardless if the power is turned on or off.
 Most common is the BIOS ROM; where the computer uses instructions contained
on this chip to boot or start the system when you turn on your computer.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Basic Controllers: on the motherboard, a device
that controls the transfer of data from the
computer to a peripheral device and vice versa.
 Examples: keyboards, mouse, monitors, and printers.
 Generally stored on one single chip.
SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Universal Serial Bus (USB): a new standard that
supports data transfer rates of up to 12 million
bits per second.
 A single USB port can be used to connect up to 127
peripheral devices
 Expected to replace serial and parallel ports in the near
future.
Expansion Slots: an opening on the motherboard
where a circuit board or expansion board can
be inserted.
 Examples: Additional Memory, video cards, modem
cards, and sound cards.
HOW DOES A COMPUTER
PROCESS DATA?
PC system case – the metal and plastic case that
houses the main system components of the
computer.
Central to all of this is the motherboard or system
board that mounts into the case.
 Motherboard: is a circuit board (a thin plate or board
that contains electronic components) that contains many
integral components.
DATA REPRESENTATION
Byte: eight bits or combinations of ones and
zeros represent a character.
 MB-Megabyte or roughly 1 million bytes
 GB-Gigabyte or roughly one billion bytes
INPUT, OUTPUT, & STORAGE DEVICES
Input device: hardware
that allows you to
communicate with
your computer.
Output device: hardware
that allows your
computer to
communicate with the
user
Storage device: allows you
to store or retrieve
information
COMPUTER INPUT DEVICES
Keyboard
Mouse/Trackball
Joystick
Light pen
Pointing Stick
Touchpad
Touch screen
Bar code reader
Scanner
Microphone
Graphics Tablet
Digital Cameras
COMPUTER OUTPUT DEVICES
Speakers: allow you to
Monitor: screen that
hear voice, music, and
display information
other sounds from your
such as text, numbers,
computer.
and pictures.
Modem: allows you to
 softcopy
use your computer to
Printer: gives you
communicate with
information from the
other computers.
computer in printed
form.
 Hardcopy
TWO TYPES OF PRINTERS
Inkjet Printer
 Better quality of printed document
 Machine uses an ink cartridge and a
printing element to print a finer
image on the paper.
Laser
 Best quality of printed
documents
 Laser beam and an ink toner
cartridge are used to produce
the images.
 More expensive
 Quick
TYPES OF STORAGE DEVICES
Hard Disk Drive: used to store data inside of the
computer.
 Magnetic platter that holds a large amount of
information in a form the computer can understand.
 Accessing data is faster
 Amount of data that can be stored is much more than what can be
stored on a floppy disk.
 Size of Hard drive is measured in megabytes or gigabytes.
TYPES OF STORAGE DEVICES
Magnetic Tape Drives:
used for making backup
copies of large volumes
of data.
 Very slow
 Can be used to replace data
that may have been lost on the
hard drive
 look similar to audio tapes.
 Holds more than Floppy
Optical discs: use laser
technology to read and write
data on silver platters.
 CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only
Memory) can store up to 800MB of
information/data.
 You can only read data from a CD
 You can store data on a CD only if
you have a CD Burner and writable
CDs (CD-R or recordable CD-ROM)
 DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) is the
size of a regular CD and can be
played in a regular CD or in a DVD
movie player.
SYSTEMS SOFTWARE
A group of programs that coordinate and control the
resources and operations of a computer system.
 Enables all components of the computer system to communicate.
Operating System (OS): provide an interface between the
user or application program and the computer
hardware.
 Windows XP, VISTA, Windows 7
 Mac System 6/7
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Programs that work with the OS software to help
you use your computer to do specific types of
work.
Categories:
 Business
 Communications
 Graphics and Multimedia
 Education and Reference
 Entertainment and Leisure
 Integrated Programs
BUSINESS SOFTWARE
Word Processing
 program that allows you to
create, edit, and print text
documents
Report, flyer, memo
Microsoft WORD
Spreadsheet
 Numbered Rows and Lettered
Columns
Microsoft EXCEL
Database
 Lets you set up an
electronic filing systems
 Enter text and numbers
 Find, search, and printer info
in different ways
 Address book, Card Catalog
Microsoft ACCESS
SOFTWARE
Communications
 Works with your modems or
network hardware and allows
your computer to communicate
with other computers.
 Exchange computer files and email
Graphics Software
 Uses pictures or images to help
communicate messages.
Multimedia: combines text,
graphics, animation,
video, and audio.
Clip art: graphical images to
be added to documents
Desktop Publishing: uses
both pictures and words
to give you the ability to
create documents
 Newsletters and brochures
INTEGRATED SOFTWARE
Combine several
Examples:
software applications  MS Works
 MS OFFICE
into one program.
 Include:
 Work Processing
 Spreadsheet
 Database
 Communication
 Lotus SmartSuite
PROPER COMPUTER CARE
Keep food and drinks away from the computer and
keyboard.
Avoid dusty locations.
Use a surge protector.
Keep magnets Away.
Do not block vents on the CPU.
Avoid bright sunny locations.
Do not move the computer while it is in use.
Always exit programs properly.
Use a virus check program on a regular basis.
PROPER CD ROM CARE
Keep CDs stored in a clean, cool and dry place with a
protective cover.
Avoid touching the back side of the CD; to avoid scratches.
Avoid hot and cold locations.
Make a back-up copy of your programs and files.
Insert into CD ROM Drive properly; label facing up.
Only write on CD’s with a CD Marking Pen on a label or the
correct side of the CD.
PROPER CARE OF PRINTERS
Avoid cold, hot, and dusty locations.
Always use the correct ink or toner replacement.
Always have the proper printer cable connected to your
computer.
Never pull paper out of a printer in motion.
Do not turn off the printer while printing.
Read the instruction manual before operating a printer.
Always use the proper type of paper in your printer.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR
COMPUTER SYSTEM
Start a notebook of information on your system.





Serial numbers
Vendor support telephone numbers
User IDs
Date and vendor for each equipment and software purchase.
Trouble log
Periodically review disk directories and delete unneeded files.
Make sure all plug-ins are secure at all times.
Turn off the power and disconnect the equipment form the power source before you open
the inside of you computer.
Keep surrounding area dirt and dust free.
Back up files and data regularly.
Periodically defragment your hard disk.
Protect your system from computer viruses
Learn to use system diagnostic programs
ERGONOMICS
The science of designing equipment for a comfortable and
safe working environment.
Proper Computer Ergonomics
 Sit up straight and lean forward slightly from the waist.
 Keep your feet flat on the floor.
 Your body should be about a hand’s length from the front of the keyboard
and centered with the keyboard.
 Keep your fingers on the home row keys and curved.
 Keep your wrists up, not touching the keyboard or desk.
 Focus your eyes on the book, copy or screen.
 Place all materials you will type on the right side of the computer and
supplies on the left side.
 Keep any items you are not using off your desk.
 Occasionally rest your eyes and take short breaks.
 Avoid lights that cause glare on the monitor.