2.

Memory
It is where the data are stored

Types of memory:
a. Read Only Memory (ROM)-Permanent storage and cannot be erased
b. Random Access Memory (RAM)- temporary storage, speed is expressed in megahertz (MHz)
c. Basic Input/ output system (BIOS)- establish basic communication upon turning the computer
on
d. Caching- storing of frequently used data in RAM
e. Virtual memory- located in the hard disk to temporarily store data, swap it in and out of RAM as
needed

3. Motherboard
is a content of any computer box. It is a thin, flat sheet made of a firm, non-conducting material on
which the internal components-printed circuits, chips, slots, and so on-of the computer are mounted.

4. Power Supply- regulates electricity used by the computer

5. Hard Disk- Large-capacity permanent storage to hold programs and documents
6. Operating System- allows the user to interface with the computer
7. Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) Controller- primary interface for the hard drive
8. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Bus- allows connection of additional components to the
computer with series of slots on the motherboard
9. SCSI (Small Computer System Interface)- another method of adding additional devices
(eg. Hard drives,
scanners)
10. Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP)- very high-speed connection used by the graphics card to interface
with the computer
11. Sound Card- used by the computed to play and record audio
12. Graphics card-translates image data from the computer into a displayed format in the computer

Input and Output devices

These are wired to a controller that is plugged into the slots or circuit boards of the computer.

INPUT DEVICES
-It allows the computer to receive information
from the outside world.

a. Keyboard
b. Mouse
c. Touch screen
d. Light pen
e. Voice
f. Scanner
g. Security devices – detects user’s fingerprints, retinal prints, voiceprints, other physical
characteristics that identify users who have clearance to use the system.
h. Electrodes on patient’s body for computerized physiologic monitoring.

Output Devices
It allows the computer to report its result to the external world in form of text, data files, sound, graphics,
or signals to other devices.

a. Monitor (display screen)

b. Printer
Storage Media
Includes the main memory but also external devices on which programs and data are stored.
a. Hard drive
b. Diskettes
c. CD-ROM – is a form of optical storage. Optical media are read by laser “eye” rather than a
magnet (Columbia Encyclopaedia, 2003)
d. USB (Universal Serial Bus)/ Flash drive