Transcript Sample Presentation

This Presentation will cover the concepts
behind the Computer System; its parts and
the functions of those parts.
What is a computer?
A Computer is a programmable machine that receives,
stores, and processes data and outputs information.
A Computer is composed of Hardware and Software

Hardware describes the physical components of
a computer system

Software is the set of instructions or programs
that determines how the computer is to operate
Early Computers
Computers as they existed in the 1950s and 60s were more large
calculators, that took up an entire room, or bigger!
*Large computers like this exist today, but are usually for computing scientific research, and
are called mainframes.
Computer Operator sitting at the
IBM360 Mainframe Computer
1970-1980s
The ENIAC. The original vacuum
Tube computer.
The Shrinking of Computers
As time went on, computers got smaller, and were renamed to
mini-computers, then microcomputers. These terms have no
meaning nowadays, with most computers just being called,
‘computers’.
The DEC PDP 11:
A mini-computer
Other Minicomputer manufacturers of the 1980s and 1990s were
Apple, Tandy, Wang, Prime, Data General, IBM AS400
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
The Core of a Computer
The core of a computer includes all the parts that are absolutely
necessary to make it work as it should.
Contains:
 Motherboard –Central Component
 CPU- Central Processing Unit
 ROM – Read Only Memory
 RAM – Random Access Memory
 Expansion Cards / Slots
The Motherboard
The Motherboard is the fundamental part of a computer, in that all the other parts of a computer
must connect to it in some way.
This is a typical Motherboard. It’s
usually green or gold in color and has
places for things to plug-in absolutely
everywhere.
Computer Processing Unit (CPU)
(A.K.A Microprocessor)
The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer, in that it
does all of the processing of information that is
needed.
The speed of the CPU is measured in Megahertz
(MHz) or more recently, Gigahertz (GHz). Hertz
refers to the number of cycles per second (like
RPMs for a computer)
These days, computer manufacturers are able to
integrate 2 or 4 CPUs into one chip - these are
called Dual Core or Quad Core CPUs.
Computer Memory Chips
ROM – Read Only Memory
 Each chip contains instructions for how
different parts of the computer are
supposed to work, like how the monitor
works or how the Motherboard should
interact with the Hard Drives, etc.
 This information never changes for each
chip, and cannot be changed by the user.
2 ROM Chips
RAM – Random Access Memory or MEMORY
 Computer chips that act as a storage buffer
for data. When you open a program like
Word, the data needed to run it, is stored in
the RAM, and can be accessed in any
order very quickly, as opposed to from a
hard drive, which needs to ‘seek’ the data
linearly, like a record player.
 Contents of RAM changes based on what
the user is doing, and is completely erased
when the computer is shut off.
1 SIMM
(wafer containing 8 RAM chips)
Power Supply
Can you guess what this does?
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
Interfaces
In order to interact with the outside world, a computer needs an interface to do
so, so most peripherals (hardware that exists outside the computer) has to
connect with one of these interfaces.
Looks like a big telephone cable.
Interface Name
Uses
USB
Digital Cameras, External
Hard Drives, Webcams, etc,
etc.
Firewire
Digital Video Cameras,
External Hard Drives, some
Webcams
DVI/VGA
Monitors
Ethernet
Networking
Expansion
Anytime you want to add more functionality to your computer, like
upgrading your sound or graphics capability, or adding more USB or
Firewire ports, you need to add an Expansion/Interface Card.
Expansion Cards
Allow for expansion of the
computers capabilities, and can
interface with outside peripherals.
Expansion Slots
Located on the Motherboard, this is
the place where Expansion cards
connect to the computer.
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
Storage
Storage refers to how information, such as documents, photos, music
and movies are stored on a computer.
All information on a computer is stored in a code called Binary. Binary (which means
‘two’) stores information based on series of differences. In old computers, this
difference was represented by a cathode tube (similar to a light bulb). This tube was
either on or off, and the computer could recognize this difference.
One of these ‘differences’ is called a bit
 Bit = a difference, usually represented by a 0 or 1
If you put 8 of these differences together, you get a byte
 Byte = 8 Bits = 1 ASCII Character
ASCII is the simplest font on a computer, and is usually used in
programming. There are only 256 characters in this font set.
 Examples: A=01000001 B=01000010
Storage Sizes
From there its pretty easy. The way information
(Data) is measured is based on bits and bytes.
 1 Bit = a difference
 8 Bits = 1 Byte
 1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (kb)
 1000 kb = 1 Megabyte (MB)
 1000 MB = 1 Gigabyte (GB)
 1000 GB = 1 Terabyte (TB)
But what does all this mean?
Here are some real-world size examples.
 A Word document = 12Kb
 A small photo on a website = 100Kb
 1 minute of an MP3 Song = 1MB
 1 minute of editable video = 1GB
Now you know how Data is measured,
you have to decide where to put it, on
what storage medium.
Storage Mediums
Data can be stored on many types of media
Works like a record
Type of Storage
Common Medium
Size Limit
Floppy Disks
1.44 MB
Hard Disks
~750 GB
Magnetic
Optical
Flash
(memory chips)
CD, DVD, HD-DVD, Blu-ray
Pen/Thumb Drives,
Memory Cards
CD: 800MB
DVD: 4.7GB / 9.4GB
HD-DVD/Bluray: 54GB
16GB
Storage: Floppy Disk
Capacity: Up to 1.44MB
A Floppy disk is named so because it is a round floppy magnetically
encoded sheet of metal and plastic. It works like a record, but
instead of bumps, the needle (or head) reads Magnetic differences
Formatting - What does it mean?
 Defines areas of the disk, like neighborhoods in a town.
(called tracks, sectors and clusters)
 Files are not stored next to each other, even parts of files
are not stored next to each other.
 The formatting on the disk keeps track of sectors and
files in those sectors.
 Because Floppy Disks are magnetic and the head physically
touches the disk, they wear out over time, just like a cassette or
VHS tape.
Storage: Hard Disk
Capacity: Up to 750GB
A Hard Disk (or drive) is named so because it is a round
magnetically encoded sheet of metal, thicker than a floppy disk. It
works the same way as a floppy disk, but with these differences:
 Hard Metal Platters, stacked together in a metal
and plastic case
 Both sides coated with magnetic material
External
 Comes in different sizes
 1.8” = iPod
 2.5” = Laptop
 3.5” = Desktop
 Read/write head (needle) does not touch the disk
 Comes in Internal and External Types
 External is just an Internal Drive in a plastic
enclosure
Internal
Storage: CD/DVD
Capacity: Up to 9.4GB
An Optical Disc, such as a CD or DVD, again works like a record
player, but instead of a magnetic differences, a laser reads and
writes pits encoded onto a very thin layer of metal.
These are the most common forms available
today.
CD-R/RW
 700-800MB (Read/Write)
DVD-R/RW
 4.7GB single layer
 9.4GB dual layer
Storage: Flash Memory
Capacity: Up to 16GB
Flash memory stores data on a special computer chip, which is much faster
than the seeking methods used by other storage mediums. They also have
no moving parts, which makes them much more resistant to damage.
Thumb/Pen Drives usually all look similar, but
Memory cards come in all different shapes and
sizes. Here are some different types:






SD, miniSD, microSD
Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo
Compact Flash
MMC
xD
SmartMedia
Thumb/Pen Drive
Memory Card
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
Input: Defined
Input refers to any information going into a computer system
the peripherals that are involved. By definition, it involves the
computer recognizing anything from the real world and putting
it into the computer, whether it be a movement, or something
static.
Input Devices
Audio
 Microphone
 MIDI Keyboard
Translates notes played into the computer
Visual
 Camera
 Scanner
Physical
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Joystick
 Touch-screen
Screen that allows you interact with it.
 Track-pad
Small area of a laptop that is touch-sensitive and replaces a mouse
 Graphics Tablet
A plastic tablet that comes with a pen and is touch-sensitive.
Keyboard Keys
On the most common input device, the keyboard, there are a number
of special keys that allow you access different functions.
Modifier Key
 Control Key on the PC
 Command Key on the MAC
Other Helpful “shortcut” keys:
Mac
 Option + Command + Esc to force quit programs.
 F9 / F11 / Command + Tab (switch between programs)
PC
 Ctrl + Alt + Delete
 Alt + Tab (switch between programs)
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
Output: Defined
Output, as you can guess, refers to any information going out
of a computer system the peripherals that are involved. By
definition, it involves the computer putting something out into
the real world, whether it be audio, visual or physical means.
Output Devices
Audio
 Speakers
Visual
 Monitor/Screen
 Printer
 Plotter
Device for printing blueprints
(essentially, it’s a robot holding a
pen)
Plotter
 Projector
Physical
 Robotic device
 Vibration feedback
LCD Projector
LCD= Liquid Crystal Display
Printers
Dot Matrix
 Letters formed by pressing needles against a
ribbon, like a typewriter.
 Usually used for printing invoices with carbon
copies
Inkjet
 Ink is sprayed in the shape of letters at the
page
 Usually used in the home for document and
photo printing.
Laser
 Shoots a laser-generated light beam at a
rotating drum, holding ink.
 Usually used to print a lot of documents.
Input
Storage
Interfaces
Interfaces
Motherboard
Microprocessor
Interfaces
Outside World
ROM
Networking
Interfaces
Output
Interfaces
RAM
Networking
Networking is the way in which
computers talk to each other.
It can be broken down like this:
Internet / WAN
vs.
Intranet / LAN
Here is a picture of a Network;
a series of computers linked
together.
NOTE: A network can also include
other devices such as mobile
phones, PDAs or game devices
Internet / WAN
The Internet (there is only one) is
a network that spreads over the
entire world, over great distances.
In networking terms, it’s called a
Wide Area Network or WAN,
(relatively speaking) because it
stretches between multiple sites,
and covers a wide area.
Pictured on the right is a visual
representation of the interactions
between computers on the
internet, where each branching
point, represents a single
computer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Internet_map_1024.jpg
Intranet / LAN
An Intranet is a network of computers that exists in a local location.
In networking terms, it’s called a Local Area Network or LAN because it is limited to a
specific site, like a computer lab or office. It is sometimes called a closed network,
because most intranet’s are set up to share information within an organization or
company.
The picture on the previous slide still can represent an intranet, but on a much smaller
scale.
Western has Network Drives, which are Hard Disks inside other computers only
accessible to those on the intranet. These computers used only for storing data on the
network are called Servers.
When you are ‘online’, what does this mean?
Speed!
baud vs. bps
If you wanted to connect to a network in the old days, it was typically done through a phone line.
In these days, the speed of the data transmission was measured in baud, which is the rate of
signal changes per second (like the changes in pitch you can hear when a dial-up connection
starts).
The speed of a connection between computers used to be measured in baud, for example 9600
baud. Nowadays, the speed is measured in bps, or bits per second.
Because 1 baud usually equals 3 bps, 9600 baud = 28,800bps, or 28.8Kbps (kilobits per second)
or simply 28.8K
This speed, measured in kbps, mbps, or even gbps, is now referred to as ‘bandwidth’.
Connecting to the Internet
There are many ways to connect to the Internet. Here is a list of questions and
answers that should help.
What is the trail of physical connections that leads to the internet from my home
computer ?

There are currently 3 ways to connect your computer to the internet. All of them
require a Modem (comes from MOdulator / DEModulator), a device that translates
signals into digital data that your computer can understand.
USB Cable
Ethernet Cable
Dial Up
Modem
ISDN
Modem
Phone Line
Phone Line
Outside World
Computer
Ethernet Cable
Broadband
Modem
Cable TV Line
Connecting to a Network
There are many ways to connect to a network. Here is a list of questions and
answers that should help.
If I download a file, how does the computer on the other end know where to send
it?


Each computer connected to a network as a number that identifies it, called an IP
address. When data is transferred, each computer can read these numbers and
send the data to the appropriate place, just like a street address.
An example IP address might be 140.160.1.107

140 = Whatcom County

160 = Western’s Main Campus

1 = Miller Hall 60

107 = Computer #7 in MH60
How do the computers on a network physically connect to each other?

Each computer on a LAN, connect using a technology called Ethernet, and so they use
Ethernet Cables (like large phone cables) to connect to each other.
There is a wireless version of the Ethernet called WiFi, that allows a device to
connect to a network without a cable. It works almost like a radio, with your
computer being the receiver and a device called a router being the transmitter.
Putting it all Together
When a computer is put together it usually has its limits, so its important to take
into account the intended use of said computer.
How fast should the CPU be?
If you’re doing basic operations such as word processing, you don’t need anything that
fast, but if you’re going to be playing games, or doing any video editing you’d probably
want the best CPU for your dollar.

How much storage do I need?

That depends on whether you need a little or a lot of storage space, and if it needs to be
portable or not.
What about a printer?

What are you going to be printing? A lot of text or only a few photos?
I don’t get RAM at all!

Remember, RAM is a buffer, so the larger the buffer the more information your computer
can handle. If you know you need a computer to do a lot of hard work across multiple
programs at the same time, then you’ll need a bigger buffer help it out.
Words you should know
Cache

Similar to RAM, it’s an even more temporary buffer for information, buffering
information that is needed immediately.

When new software is created, sometimes it doesn’t work properly and there are
errors that need to be corrected. These shortcomings are called bugs.

Malicious software created with the intention of doing damage to your computer,
whether it be to slow it down, or completely erase all of your files.
Bug
Virus
Boot / Reboot
 To start or restart the computer
Crash
 The term used to explain when your computer software stops responding, forcing
you to reboot.
More words you should know
Listserv
A subscribable email, like an electronic bulletin.
Cross-Platform
 This refers to software or hardware which operates on both windows and mac
operating systems.
Telnet
 Usually used in programming, it’s a way to interact with the programming
backbone of a computer system, usually in a text based manner, not visual like
most programs.
Crash
 The term used to explain when your computer software stops responding, forcing
you to reboot.

CHIP

An electric circuit contained entirely in a single piece of semi-conducting material.

A person who treats computers as a very serious hobby
Geek
Hacker

A person who tries to break into secure computers, or creates viruses to meet the
same goal.
End of Presentation.
If you want to know more about the computer system,
feel free to explore on your own.
And Don’t forget to check out the Hardware ID
Presentation located in the Review Module.
Don’t hesitate to contact your
instructor if you have any
questions.