Computer Fundamentals

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Computer Fundamentals
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A Computer Is a System
Data is entered into the computer
The data is processed by adding, subtracting, and
sorting
Becomes useful information
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Example
Data for student registration
Registration requests are checked against the
lists (database), and if room is available, the
student is added to the class list
A schedule for the student is created.
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Computer Components

• Hardware
• Equipment
• Keyboard, monitor, system, scanners, mouse, etc.
• Microchips, motherboard, ports
• Software
• Instructions
• Programs
• Hardware Software are required for the computer
  to work.

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Hardware System
Processing hardware is microprocessor (i.e. Intel
Pentium Processor)

• Input hardware include
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Scanner
• Voice

• Output hardware includes
• Printer
• Screen
• Sound

Storage

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Input Hardware Mouse

• As the mouse is moved, the cursor on the screen
  mimics the mouse movement.
• Types
• Ball motion of the ball in the mouse detected
  by wheels within the mouse.
• Gets dirty.
• Depends on smooth surface.
• Optical small camera replaces the ball.
• Stays clean.
• Can be used on any surface.
• Wireless - no wire connecting the mouse to the
  computer.

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Input Hardware Keyboards

• Text and commands are entered using the keyboard
• Specialized keys include
• Escape (ESC)
• Delete Backspace
• Number Lock (Num Lock)
• Arrow keys
• Caps Lock
• Function Keys
• Enter Key
• Types

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Input Hardware Scanners

• Text and graphics are digitized to become
  computer files.
• Types
• Flatbed (most common)
• Handheld

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Processing Hardware Microprocessors

• 2 types
• Intel architecture Used with IBM-compatible PCs
• Intel Pentium
• Celeron
• AMD
• Motorola Used with Macintosh computers

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Microprocessors RAM
Storage (RAM) All data and instructions must be
loaded into RAM to be used by the microprocessor
Microprocessor (CPU) Adds, subtracts, sorts, etc.
Data instructions move back and forth
Hard Drive used for virtual RAM, and to store
files for later use.
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Printers

• Inkjet
• small droplets of inks
• Color
• Versatile
• Inexpensive to buy, expensive to maintain

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Laser

• Usually black and white (some color available but
  rare)
• High quality print
• Expensive to buy, less expensive to print
• Faster than inkjet

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Hardware System Storage

• External or Secondary Storage
• Magnetic Disk
• Hard drive
• Floppy drive
• Zip Disk
• CD-ROM

• Internal or Primary
• RAM (Random Access Memory)
• Volatile

Storage

2 Types of Storage
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Units of Storage

• Size
• Bit (binary digit) 0 or 1
• Byte 8 bits 1 character
• K (kilobyte) 1,024 bytes
• Mb (megabyte) 1 million bytes
• Gb (gigabyte) 1 billion bytes

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How Much Can a Computer Hold?

• Primary storage (RAM)
• Units of 32 megabytes (Mb)
• Example 32 Mb, 64 Mb, 128 Mb
• The higher the number, the more the computer can
  process at once
• Secondary storage (disk or CD-ROM)
• Hard drives gigabytes
• Floppy disks 1.4 Mb
• Zip disks 100 Mb 250 Mb
• CD-ROM approximately 400 Mb

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Computer Software

• System Software
• Operating System instructions that make the
  hardware work
• Microsoft Windows for IBM-Compatible PCs
• Macintosh OS for Macintosh computers
• Others Unix, Linux, etc. not as common
• Utilities
• Formatting
• Housekeeping

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Computer Software (continued)

• Application Software
• Word Processing Word, WordPerfect, Works, etc.
• Graphics editing
• Web authoring
• Any software that a specific purpose or
  application.

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How to Format a Disk

• PC
• Right-click on My Computer on the desktop
• Click Explore
• Right-click on the disk drive where the disk you
  need to format is contained usually the floppy
  disk drive (usually drive A) or the Zip Disk
• Click Format