Technology and Language learning

2. Computer basics (I)

By: Wedyan Alssadi

1. Outline

Part I. Hardware: Physical components of a computer system

2.1 Overview of Computers

2.2 Inside the Computer: Processor and Memory

2.3 Storage Devices: Hard Drive, Floppy Drive, CD-ROM, CD-Burner, DVD-ROM

2.4 Monitor: CRT and LCD

2.5 Video Card

2.6 Sound Card

2.7 Ports
 1 Overview of Computers
• Two systems of computers:

1) PC – the Personal Computer;

2) Mac – the Apple Macintosh.

• Two designs of computers:

• Computer architecture:

2 Inside the Computer

1) Processor:
• The CPU (Central Processing Unit), a complete computation
engine that is fabricated on a single chip, is the computer’s
brain.
• Two typical components of a CPU are:
1) the arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic
and logical operations, and
2) the control unit, which extracts instructions from memory
and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.
2) Memory:
ROM (Read Only Memory) is the computer’s
permanent, long-term memory. It doesn't disappear
when the computer is shut off. It can not be erased or
changed in anyway.

RAM (Random Access Memory is a working area

where the operating system (e.g. Windows), programs and data in current use are kept,
ready to be accessed by the processor. It is the best known form of computer memory.
However, RAM, unlike ROM, is emptied when the computer is switched off.
A cache is a smaller, faster memory, located closer to a processor core, which stores copies
of the data from frequently used main memory locations. It temporarily stores recently
accessed or frequently-used data.

3.Storage Devices
The most common forms of storage devices in a home computer are:
- Hard disk drive
- Floppy disk
- CD-ROM
- CD-R and CD-RW
- DVD-ROM
- USB flash drives

1) Hard disk and hard drive (HD)

A hard disk is a magnetic disk on which you can store computer
data on a more permanent basis.
The term “hard” is used to distinguish it from a soft, or floppy,
disk.
Hard disks hold more data and are much faster than floppy disks
and optical disks.
A hard drive is a mechanism that reads and writes data on a
hard disk.
2) Floppy disk and floppy drive
A floppy disk (often called floppy or disk) is a soft magnetic disk and a floppy drive is a
mechanism that reads and writes data on a floppy.
Unlike most hard disks, floppy disks are portable, because you can remove them from a disk
drive.
Floppy disks are slower to access than hard disks and have less storage capacity, but they
are much less expensive.

3) Optical disk and optical drive

Optical disks can store information at much higher densities than floppy disks.
Thus, they are ideal for multimedia applications where images, animation and sound occupy
a lot of disk space.

There are three types of optical disks and drives:

1. CD-ROM drive → Reads data from a CD.

2. CD-R drive → Reads data from CD and can also write to CD .
3. CD-RW drive →Read , write and Rewrite.

4) USB flash drive

A USB flash drive is a small, portable flash memory

card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and functions as
a portable hard drive with up to 2GB of storage capacity.
USB flash drives are easy-to-use because they are small
enough to be carried in a pocket and can plug into any
computer with a USB drive. In addition, they are very
durable because they do not contain any internal moving
parts. USB flash drives also are called pen drives, key
drives, or simply USB drives.

4 Monitor

There are two types of monitors available for PCs:

the traditional CRT (cathode ray tube) and the newer LCD (liquid crystal display).
1. The CRT is used for both televisions and computers. It produces a good quality image
at a number of different settings for a reasonable price.
2. LCD monitors, also known as flat panel displays, are used in laptop (or notebook)
computers and more frequently for desktops as well. They are lighter and smaller
(only inches thick) than CRTs.
 5 Video Card

Video cards are also known as graphics cards, which are responsible for displaying 2D
and 3D images on your monitor. 2D graphics are the regular pictures and images that appear
on your screen while 3D graphics are mostly used in games and imaging.

6 Sound Card

A sound card is an electronic device that is mounted inside the computer to control
sound output to speakers or headphones, to record sound input from a microphone
connected to the computer, and to manipulate sound stored on a disk. Sound cards are
essential for multimedia applications and have become common on modern personal
computers.
7 Ports

A port is an interface on a computer

to which you can connect a device. Personal
computers have various types of ports.
Internally, there are several ports for
connecting disk drives, monitors, and
keyboards. Externally, personal computers
have ports for connecting modems, printers,
mice, and other peripheral devices.