DC 102

Computer Hardware Servicing

Module 1 – Lesson 1
Lesson 1 | The Basic Parts of a Computer System and their functions

A computer is an electronic machine that processes data. Information given to the computer is
called data. Computer works very fast. It saves your time and energy. It can remember a lot of
things.
The basic parts of a computer are shown in the picture given here.

• The System Unit is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of the
computer, including the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), and power supply.
The front of the case usually has an On/Off button and one or more optical drives.

• A system unit is the part of a computer that houses the primary devices that perform
operations and produce results for complex
calculations.

• A computer monitor is an output device that displays information in pictorial or text

The mouse is another important tool for communicating with computers. Commonly known as
a pointing device, it lets you point to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them.
There are two main mouse types: optical and mechanical. The optical mouse uses an electronic
eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to
detect movement and requires regular cleaning to work properly.
What are the uses of a mouse?
Below is a list of all the computer mouse functions and
options to give you an idea of all the mouse
capabilities.
POINT: Move the mouse until the pointer rests on
what you want to open or use on the screen. The form of the mouse will change depending
on what you are asking it to look at in Windows, so you need to be aware of what it looks
like before you click.

SINGLE-CLICK: The left mouse button is used to indicate choices from menus and
indicate choices of options within a “dialog box” while you are working in an application
program. Roll the mouse pointer on top of the choice and press the left mouse button once.

RIGHT-CLICK: With a single quick press on the right mouse button, it will bring up a
shortcut menu, which will contain specific options depending on where the right-click
occurred.

CLICK AND DRAG: This is used for a number of functions including choosing text to
format, moving items around the screen, and choosing options from menu bars. Roll the
mouse pointer over the item, click and hold down the left mouse button, and drag the
mouse while still holding the button until you get to the desired position on the screen. Then
release the mouse button.

DOUBLE-CLICK: This is used to choose an application program. Roll the mouse pointer on top of the
icon (picture on the desktop or within a window) of the application program you want to choose and
press the left mouse button twice very rapidly. This should bring you to the window with the icons
for that software package. Double-click on the icon with the name of the program.
The keyboard is one of the main ways to communicate with a computer. There are many
different types of keyboards, but most are very similar and allow you to accomplish the same basic task

THE COMPUTER
Characteristics of Computer
To understand why computers are such an important part of our lives, let us look at some of its
characteristics –

• Speed − typically, a computer can carry out 3-4 million instructions per second.
• Accuracy − Computers exhibit a very high degree of accuracy. Errors that may occur are
usually due to inaccurate data and wrong instructions – all human errors.
• Reliability − Computers can carry out same type of work repeatedly without throwing up
errors due to tiredness or boredom, which are very common among humans.
• Versatility − Computers can carry out a wide range of work from data entry and ticket
booking to complex mathematical calculations and continuous astronomical
observations. If you can input the necessary data with correct instructions, computer
will do the processing.
• Storage Capacity − Computers can store a very large amount of data at a fraction of cost
of traditional storage of files. Also, data is safe from normal wear and tear associated
with paper.
Advantages of Using Computer.
Now that we know the characteristics of computers, we can see the advantages that computers
offer−

• Computers can do the same task repetitively with same accuracy.

• Computers do not get tired or bored.
Disadvantages of Using Computer.

• Computers have no intelligence; they follow the instructions blindly without considering
the outcome.
• Regular electric supply is necessary to make computers work, which could prove difficult
everywhere especially in developing nations.
What are the 3 elements of computer system?

1. Hardware: the part of the computer that we can physically see and touch. For example
like system unit, keyboard, mouse, monitor and speaker.

2. Software: consists of a series of instructions that tells the computer what to do and how
to do it. 2 categories of software are:

• System Software-consists of the programs that control or maintain the

operations of the computer and its devices. 2 types of system software are
(a) Operating System. e.g : Windows 10, Window 7, etc.
(b) Utility programs. e.g : Anti-virus software
 • Application Software-consists of programs designed to make users more
productive and/or assist them with personal tasks. Some common kinds of
application software: Word processor software, Database software, Spreadsheet
software, Desktop Publishing software, Paint and Draw software.

3. Peopleware: people who operate the computer hardware and they create the computer
software.

7 Essential Parts of a System Unit

Motherboard

A motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) in a computer. The motherboard is a
computer's central communications backbone connectivity point, through which all components
and external peripherals connect.
 Power Supply Unit

A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal
components of a computer.

CPU

The component of a computer system that controls the interpretation and execution of instructions.

RAM

Your computer RAM is essentially short term memory where data is stored as the processor needs it.
 HDD

A computer hard disk drive (HDD) is a non-volatile data storage device. Non-volatile refers to
storage devices that maintain stored data when turned off.

GPU

integrated circuit that generates the video signal sent to a computer display.

Other useful parts of a computer

Power Cord

VGA Cable AVR – Automatic Voltage Regulator

Common Ports of the Computer
 Computer Input and Output Devices

Input Device Definition: A piece of equipment/hardware which help us enter data into a computer is called
an input device. For example keyboard, mouse, etc.

Output Device Definition: A piece of equipment/hardware which gives out the result of the entered input,
once it is processed (i.e. converts data from machine language to a human-understandable language), is
called an output device. For example printer, monitor, etc.

List of Input Devices

Given below is the list of the most common input devices along with brief information about each of
them.

1. Keyboard
● A simple device comprising keys and each key denotes either an alphabet, number or number
commands which can be given to a computer for various actions to be performed
● It has a modified version of typewriter keys
● The keyboard is an essential input device and computer and laptops both use keyboards to give
commands to the computer

2. Mouse
● It is also known as a pointing device
● Using mouse we can directly click on the various icons present on the system and open up
various files and programs
● A mouse comprises 3 buttons on the top and one trackball at the bottom which helps in
selecting and moving the mouse around, respectively
● In case of laptops, the touchpad is given as a replacement of mouse which helps in the
movement of the mouse pointer

3. Joy Stick
● It is a device which comprises a stick which is attached at an angle to the base, so that it can be
moved and controlled
● Mostly used to control the movement in video games
● Apart from computer system, a joystick is also used in the cockpit of an aeroplane, wheel chairs,
cranes, trucks, etc. to operate them well

4. Light Pen
● It is wand-like looking device which can directly be moved over the device’s screen
● It is light sensitive
● Used in conjunction with computer’s cathode ray tube

5. Microphone
● Using a microphone, sound can be stored in a device in its digital form
● It converts sound into electrical signal
● To record or reproduce a sound created using a microphone, it needs to be connected with an
Amplifier
6. Scanner
● This device can scan images or text and convert it into a digital signal
● When we place any piece of document on a scanner, it converts it into a digital signal and
displays it on the computer screen

7. Barcode Reader
● It is a kind of an optical scanner
● It can read bar codes
● A source of light is passed through a bard code, and its aspects and details are displayed on the
Screen

All the devices mentioned above are the most commonly used input devices. Several other such
equipment are used in different fields which can be counted as an input device.

List of Output Devices

The commonly used output devices have been listed below with a brief summary of h=what their
function is and how they can be used.

1. Monitor
● The device which displays all the icons, text, images, etc. over a screen is called the Monitor
● When we ask the computer to perform an action, the result of that action is displayed on the
monitor
● Various types of monitors have also been developed over the years

2. Printer
● A device which makes a copy of the pictorial or textual content, usually over a paper is called a
printer
● For example, an author types the entire book on his/her computer and later gets a print out of it
which is in the form of paper and is later published
● Multiple types of printers are also available in the market, which can serve different purposes
3. Speakers
● A device through which we can listen to a sound as an outcome of what we command a
computer to do is called a speaker
● Speakers are attached with a computer system and also are an hardware device which can be
attached separately
● With advancement in technology, speakers are now available which are wireless and can be
connected using bluetooth or other applications

4. Projector
● An optical device which presents an image or moving images onto a projection screen is called
a projector
● Most commonly these projectors are used in auditoriums and movie theatres for display of the
videos or lightening
● If a projector is connected to a computer, then the image/video displayed on the screen is the
same as the one displayed on the computer screen
5. Headphones
● They perform the same function as a speaker, the only difference is the frequency of sound
● Using speakers, the sound can be heard over a larger area and using headphones, the sound is
only audible to the person using them
● Also known as earphones or headset