COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Specific Objectives

By the end of the topic the learner should be able to:

Introduction
Definition of computer system
Collection of entities that work together to process and manage data to information.
Elements of a Computer System
2. Software- Programs installed.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU)- Performs the actual data manipulation.
Control Unit- 1. Fetch phase-Access instruction in sequence
3. Execution phase-execution of commands
Main memory
 Holds data awaiting processing
 Holds data that has been processed awaiting to be output
Read Only Memory (ROM)
Types of ROMs
Characteristics of ROM
 Non-volatile: data cannot be lost when the computer is switched off.
Random Access Memory (RAM)
Types of DRAM
4) Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM): twice fast as EDO. Run at a
speed of system bus up to 100 – 133 MHz
6) Double-Data rate (DDR): fast DRAM with module speed at which SRAM can transfer data
to the processor.
8) Window RAM (WRAM): a faster version of video memory.
DRAM in system unit on memory chamber of laptops
3) Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM)
4) Small Outline DIMM (SODIMM)
Characteristics of RAM
Special Purpose in RAM
1. Buffers: They provide temporary storage for finished tasks so that the CPU is set free to carry
out other activities instead of waiting for all data to be entered in information to be output.
Cache Memory
Types of Cache Memory
Terms used in the CPU
2. Integrated Circuit (IC): It is a device that is integrated or joint to connect a circuit of
several electronic components in a single package.
5. Microcomputer system: This refers to computer set of devices require using and
operating the computer. This includes peripheral devices.
Input Devices
Classification of Input Devices
1. Keying devices: use buttons to make entries e.g. keyboard and keypad
2. Pointing devices: Mouse, trackball, joystick, lightpen
3. Scanning: capture data directly from source
Optical scanners
Disadvantages
Application
2. Optical Bar Recognition (OBR): Used to read bar codes.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Applications
Advantages
Disadvantages
Magnetic scanners
Disadvantages
Application
2. Magnetic Strip Recognition (MSR):
Disadvantages
Applications
Keying devices
2. Flexible keyboard: can be folded
4. Keypad: Miniature keyboard used in PDAs, laptops and mobile phones.
5. Braille keyboard: designed for the blind.
Pointing devices
Mouse
 2. Optical mouse
3. Cordless/ wireless mouse: battery powered mouse that uses radio or infrared waves
instead of being physically connected to the system unit

Trackball
Joystic
Light pen and style
Speech Recognition/ Voice input: This is where microphone is used to enter data/information or
spoken words into a computer. Situations for speech recorgnition:
 Where hands are busy handling documents
 Due to movement
Uses
Automated material handling

ComputerAid Design
Limitations
Touch screen, Digitizers and Cameras
Digitizers: Almost similar to light pen but has a graph tablet on which user writes using a pen like
device called a style
Other Examples of Input Devices
Input Facility Considerations
 Volume
 Accuracy
 Mode of operation
 Appropriateness
Problems faced while collecting data
The Main methods of data entry
Outputs Devices
Classification of Output Devices
2. Hard copy: Printers and plotters
3. Microfiche: Computer Output on Microform (COM)
Visual Display Unit (VDU)/ Screen
 b) Color- Display in multiple colours

Examples of Graphic Adapters

2. Hercules Graphic Adapter (HGA)- Support monochrome image and text
3. Color Graphic Adapter (CGA)- Display using sixteen colours.
 5. Video Graphic Array (VGA) – Offers at most 256 colors.
6. Super Video Graphic Array (SVGA) – an enhanced VGA
Common Types of Flat panel Display
2. Electro Luminescent: Improved LCD. Emit light when electrically charged.
4. Thin Film Transistor (TFT): This is the latest technology advancement that provides high
quality resolution.
Printers
How printers are classified
 b) How the produce the print; character, line or page printers
c) How they provide prints on the stationery; impact or non-impact printers
Types
Printers Consideration
2. Volume of printing expected.
4. Range of capability for the selected printer.
5. Interface with computer at hand on for family particular make.
Plotters
Difference between a printer and a plotter
plotter: Produces big charts e.g. maps, pictures and drawings. Used for printing geographical,
architectural and engineering drawings e.g. maps, advertisements posters to be placed on bill
boards, machinery parts etc.
Computer Output (originated) microform (COM)
Advantages
2. Faster than printing
Computer Bus
Disadvantages
 3. Expensive additional equipment for viewing contents
Communication medium within a computer that allow different elements of the computer to
communicate with one another.
Auxiliary/secondary storage
Factors to consider when choosing a storage device
Magnetic Tapes
Sequential access medium: Data is stored across magnetic tape
Advantages
Disadvantages
Magnetic Disks
 Gap, IRG) waste storage space.
Information is recorded on number of concentric circles called tracks. Tracks are divided into
sectors. Sectors and tracks have same storage capacity because inner tracks have a high density.
Diskettes are direct access storage medium (DASM) and access time is made up of 3 parameters.
1. Seek time: Time taken by the read/write (R/W) head to locate right track that contains
content.
2. Rotational delay time: Time taken by drive mortar to spin the diskette past R/W head.
 Advantages
1. Exchangeable and easy to carry

2. Can be used with PCs with no hard disk

3. They are cheap

4. Used for back up

Disadvantages
 2. Less storage capacity
3. Damaged by light, magnet and dirt

Zip Disks
Jaz Disks
Advantages of Magnetic Disks
2. Effective for batch application
3. Cheap
Care of Magnetic Storage Media
Keep away from extreme temperature

Never touch the disk surface

Keep them away from magnets

Never use clips to hold disk

Keep them away from dust, moisture and high humidity.

Optical Laser Disk
Super disk (SD) LS-120
Compact Disk (CD)
1. CD-ROM (Read Only Memory): The recorded data cannot be changed, deleted or added.
Digital Versatile Disk (DVD)
Optical Tapes
Hard disk
Advantages
 2. They are well protected since they are housed in the CPU
3. Fast in terms of access retrieval and saving of data
Care for the Hard disk
b) Use the right procedure to switch of the computer to allow the R/W head to move from the
disk surface to avoid scratching on rotating surface
Minimal Requirements for a multimedia computer
Ports
Power cables are used to connect the computer to main power outlet.
Interface cables connect all peripherals to the motherboard and transmit data signals.
Power supply unit supplies power to motherboard and other internal device

Types of Cables and Ports

1. Parallel ports: They transmit data simultaneously using a set of connectors- 8bit parallel
cables. They are faster over short distance. Printers, removable storage drives and network
adapter. Port is (PT1) 25 PIN

2. Serial ports: They transmit one bit at a time. They are slower than parallel ports but they
support two way communications. They are 25 pin and 9 pin. COM 1 and COM2. Used by the
serial printers.

3. Universal Serial Bus (USB)

They transmit one bit at a time but at a very high speed and provide quality data transmission
about 15m distance. – External storage devices, cameras etc.
Advantages of USB
 Provide very high speed
 Quality data transmission over long distance
 Support a wide range of peripheral devices

4. Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) - Use parallel method but faster than parallel
cables. The port connects up to 8 peripheral devices.

Other ports and connectors

 5 PIN DIN and 6 pin (PS/2): used by keyboard and mouse
 9 pin D and 15 HI-pin-D: monitors
 Audio connectors: jack plugs found on sound adapter for connecting speakers, microphone and other
portable audio equipments.