TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

e r1 Technology inside
Cha pt
the computer

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A Computer is embedded with wonderful power of efficiency, speed, accuracy and diligence. A
computer is composed of different components. In this chapter, we will see some of the basic
components that are found inside your computer. These components are the backbone of every

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functioning computer.

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Components inside the Computer
Computer Case
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 The computer case is an enclosure that holds all the
wires and components of the computer inside it. CD/DVD
Drive
 The computer case is also known as a tower or the
cabinet.
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 The main purpose of a computer case is to protect the
components that are present inside it from dust, pets, USB slot
liquids, etc. Power
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button
 The case acts like a box with many compartments and
slots to house all the internal components of the
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computer.
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Power Supply
Unit bay
External Drive
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bays for CD/ DVD

Rear Fans

Hard Disk bay

Expansion
slots

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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

Components inside the Cabinet: Overview

CD/DVD Drive

Power supply
Hard Drive

Chip Motherboard

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(behind the cables)

Fan Power cords

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Video card

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Network card Ribbon cable

Sound card
Extra case fan

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Motherboard
 Motherboard connects all the parts of the computer together and makes everything
centralized using its circuit board.
 The central processing unit, hard drives, memory, graphic processing unit, printers, and
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all other parts connect to the computer directly or through special cables that attach on to
the motherboard.
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 A computer's motherboard also contains slots for expansions, so you can add additional
accessory ports if you wish.
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 The motherboard also stores low-level information like the system time even when the
computer is turned off.
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Slots for
Video, Sound &
Network cards
Processor/ CPU slot

Memory/RAM slot

Hard drive Power

slot Motherboard
connector
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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

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Motherboard: Mounted inside the Case

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CPU/ Processor
 The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is also called as

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a Processor.
 It is located inside the computer case on the
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motherboard.
 It is called as the brain of the computer.
 Whenever you press a key, click the mouse, or start
an application, you're sending instructions to the
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CPU.
 The CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with
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a silicon chip located inside. CPU/ Processor

 The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket.
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Power Supply
 A computer utilizes a power supply unit (PSU),
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which is in charge of bringing electrical power to the

computer.
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 The PSU helps to convert AC (Alternating Current)

from your home to DC (Direct Current), which is
needed to power the computer components.
 It sends power through cables to the motherboard and
other components.
 The power supply connects to either an internal
battery (on a laptop) or a plug for an outlet (on a Power Supply
desktop).
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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

Hard Drives
 The Hard drive is a place to store data permanently.
 The hard drive stores software, programs, documents,
and other files.
 The hard drive is a long-term storage, which means the
data is still saved even if you turn the computer off or
unplug it.

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 The storage capacity of the hard disk can be 500GB or

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1TB or more. Hard Drive
Memory (Random Access Memory)

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 Random-access memory stores working data and
machine code temporarily.
 RAM is the computer’s short-term memory.

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 Whenever your computer performs calculations, it
temporarily stores the data in the RAM until it is
needed.
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 RAM memory disappears or is cleared when the
computer is turned off. Memory(RAM)
 The computer also has a memory called ROM (Read-Only Memory), which contains
instructions to boot the Operating System and start off the system. This memory cannot be
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erased or re-written.
 If you are working on a document, spreadsheet, or other type of file, you will have to save
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it to avoid losing it. When you save a file, the data is written to the hard drive, which is
stored there permanently.
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Optical Drives
 An optical drive is a CD or a DVD drive.
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 They are used to read or write data from discs which can
be used to transfer data from one computer to another.
 Optical drives can play CDs and DVDs which can
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contain music or movies. You can also place

information onto a blank disc, or install software from a
disc. Optical Drive
Expansion Cards
An expansion card is an electronic card/board that is used to add extra functionality to a
computer. These expansion cards can be for audio, video or network purposes. Nowadays, you
need not add any of these cards because most motherboards have built-in video, sound, network,
and other capabilities.
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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

Video Cards
 A video card is a separate unit for handling the
output of images to a display unit like the monitor.
 Most computers have a GPU (Graphics Processing
Unit) built into the motherboard instead of having a
separate video card.

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 Video cards have their own dedicated RAM for
performing their functions.

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 If you like playing graphics-intensive games, you
Video card
need to add a faster video card to the expansion slots

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in the Motherboard.

Sound card

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 The sound card is also called as an audio card.
 It is responsible for audio output through speakers or
headphones.
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 Most motherboards have integrated sound, but you can
upgrade to a dedicated sound card for higher-quality
sound.
Sound card
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Network card
 T he network card allows your computer to
communicate over a network and access the Internet.
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 It can either connect with an Ethernet cable or through a

wireless connection (often called Wi-Fi).
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 Many motherboards have built-in network cards. A

network card can also be added to an expansion slot, if
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required.
Network card

Operating System
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An Operating System or OS is a software program that enables

the computer hardware (Keyboard, Mouse, Printer etc.) to
communicate and operate with the computer software
(Applications). Operating System uses the feature of GUI
(Graphical User Interface). GUI allows to click on what is
displayed on the screen using the mouse. The content
displayed on the screen is a combination of graphics and text.

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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

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Functions Of Operating System
 The Operating System manages all the I/O devices effectively. It accepts the input from

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the input device, stores it in the main memory, ask the CPU to process it and finally
provides the result to the output devices for output.
 The OS manages the memory (RAM) and allocates it to all the programs which need
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them.
 The OS assigns the CPU/ Processor to the processes that need it.
 The OS makes sure that only authorized users get access to the computer and its data.
 The OS runs applications such as Word processor by locating it and loading it into the
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primary memory.
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Types of Operating System

 Windows: This is the most commonly used Operating System developed by Microsoft.
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 Apple MacOS: It is the current series of UNIX based graphical operating system. Only
Apple computers can use this OS.
 Ubuntu: It is the most popular Linux based operating system for personal computers,
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tablets and smart phones.

 Google Android: It is a mobile operating system created by Android Inc. You can
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download apps for your Android mobile from Google Play store.
 iOS: It is also a mobile operating system created by Apple Inc. for iPad, iPhone and iPod
Touch.

Windows 10 MAC OS Ubuntu OS Android OS iOS

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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

Quick Review
 A computer is composed of different components includes Computer case,
Motherboard, CPU, Power supply, Hard drives, Memory, Optical drives, Expansion
cards, etc..

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 The main purpose of a computer case is to protect the components that are present inside

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it form dust, pets, liquids etc.
 Motherboard connects all the parts of the computer together and make everything

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centralized using its circuit board.
 CPU is called as the brain of the computer, and its job is to carry out commands.

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 Power supply sends power through cables to the motherboard and other components.

 The hard drive stores software, programs, documents, and various other files.

 RAM is the computer's short-term memory.

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 Optical drives are used to read or write data from discs which can be used to transfer data
from one computer to another.
 Expansion cards can be used for audio, video, network capabilities etc.
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 An Operating System is a software program that enables the computer hardware to

communicate and operate with the computer software.
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Formative Assessment
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I. Complete the following sentences by filling the blanks:

1. The ........................................ is an enclosure that holds all the wires and components of the
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computer inside it.

2. The central processing unit (CPU) is also called as a ......................... of the computer.
3. An ....................... is a software program that enables the computer hardware to
communicate and operate with the computer software.
4. The ......................... is the place where your software, documents, and other files are stored.
5. The ......................... is also called as an audio card.

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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

II. Choose the correct answer:

1. .................................... connects all the parts of the computer together and make
everything centralized.
a. Motherboard b. CPU c. Hard drive

2. A .................................... is a separate unit for handling the output of images to a display.

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a. CPU b. Video card c. Optical drive

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3. .................................... is the most popular Linux based operating system for personal
computers, tablets and smart phones.
a. Ubuntu b. Windows c. iOS

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4. The .................................... helps convert AC from your home to the DC which is needed
to power your computer components.

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a. CPU b. PSU c. ALU
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5. .................................... is called as the brain of the computer.
a. RAM b. Motherboard c. CPU

III. Put a  mark if the statement is right and  mark if the statement is wrong.
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1. Hard drive is the computer's short-term memory.

2. RAM memory disappears or is cleared when the computer is turned off.
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3. Windows is the most commonly used Operating System developed by Microsoft.

4. A hard drive is a CD or a DVD drive.
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5. The Operating System is also known as a tower or the cabinet.

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IV. Identify and name the computer components.

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1. 3.

2. 4.

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5.

7.

6.

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8.

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Summative Assessment

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V. Answer the following questions.
1. Name some of the expansion cards available on the motherboard.
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...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

2. Write the purpose of the computer case.

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...................................................................................................................................................
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...................................................................................................................................................

3. What are the uses of the optical drives?

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...................................................................................................................................................
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...................................................................................................................................................

4. What is an Operating System?

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................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

5. Write any two functions of an Operating System.

................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

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TechnoSchool Technology inside the Computer

More Activities
Match me
Match the rear ports with its cables:

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PORTS CABLES

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Word Scramble

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Help! The school computer had its memory scrambled
and we need your help to get things back in order. Can

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you unscramble the computer terms and write the correct
word on each line?

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1. D R A O B R E H T O M
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2. R O S S E C O R P

3. R D H A I V E D R
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4. P O R E T A I N G T E M S Y S
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5. U N U B U T
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6. R E T P U M O C
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7. W E R P O P L Y S U P
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8. W O R K N E T

9. W O W S I N D

10. D N A O R I D

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