ELEMENTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM

LESSON 1 We are all aware of what computers are and their immense
importance in our daily lives. It is an electronic device that not only
stores data but also processes and manipulates data to carry out
functions. Upon receiving valid instructions, a computer can perform a variety of
operations.
What allows us to perform such tasks on the computer is a computer system. A computer system is the sum total of
all the components (hardware and software) that makes up a fully functional computer.
HARDWARE
These are all the physical aspects of a computer system.
They are tangible, meaning you can see and touch them.
Hardware components are the electronic or mechanical
instruments, like keyboard, monitor, printer, etc. They
help the users interface with the software, and also
display the result of the tasks being performed.
Hardware can actually be of four types, depending on
which function they perform. The four types of
hardware are:
a. Input Devices: for users to input data into the
computer system.
Examples: keyboard, mouse, scanner
b. Output Devices: to translate and display the
result of the data processing
Examples: monitor screen, printer, etc.
c. Process: Where data and information are processed and manipulate to perform the task at hand. It is also
the workspace of the computer.
Examples: Central Processing Unit (CPU)
d. Storage Devices: where data or files are being stored.
Examples: Read Only Memory (RAM), Hard Disk Drive
Secondary Storage Device: Where the computer system stores data permanently.
Example: Hard disk, Flashdrive etc
SOFTWARE
Software is a set of programs (computer
instructions), which helps the user interact with
computer system with the help of the hardware.
Software, as you can imagine, is intangible aspect of
the computer meaning you cannot touch them.
Basically, there are six main types of software,
which are as follows:
Operating System Software
These specialized programs allow the communication
between the software and hardware. The OS
(operating system) runs all the other computer
programs and even regulate the process of the computer.
Examples: Windows 7, Windows 10, Macintosh etc.
Application Software
These are designed to perform a specific task or a bunch of tasks. They can be ready-made application software.
Examples: MS Office Programs (MS Word, PowerPoint,Exce,Publisher), Games

Utility Software
Like operating systems, it is a system software. It helps maintain and protect the computer system. For
example, Anti-Virus software is utility software.

Language Processors
Software that interprets computer language and translates it into machine language. It also checks for errors
in language syntax and fixes the problems.
System Software
This type of software controls the hardware, the reading of the data and other such internal functions.

Connectivity Software
The special software that facilitates the connection between the computer system and the server. This
allows the computer to share the information and communicate with each other.
PEOPLEWARE -The people interacting with the computer system are
also an element of it. We call this element the Liveware. They are the
ultimate “users” of the computer systems.
There are three types of people that interact with the systems,
namely:
Programmers
Professionals who write the computer programs that allow users to
interact with the computer. They must have technical knowledge of
computers and computer languages.
System Analyst
They mainly design data processing systems, and solve problems that
arise in data processing.
End- Users
Also known as operators, they are the people who interact with the
computer system.

ACTIVITY 1: IDENTIFICATION: Give what is being asked.

_____________1. What do you call the physical aspects of a computer system?
_____________2. What do you call the intangible aspect of the computer meaning you cannot touch them?
_____________3-6. What are the four types of hardware?
_____________7. What type of software runs all the other computer programs and even regulate the process of the
computer?
_____________8. What elements of computer that refers to the ultimate “users” of the computer systems?
_____________9. What type of software controls the hardware and other internal functions?
_____________10. What type of software designed to perform a specific task or a bunch of tasks?
_____________11-13. Give three example of Input Devices under Hardware element.
_____________14-15. Give two example of application software.
_____________16-17. Give two example of system software.
_____________18-20. Who are these three types of people that manipulates the computer system?

UNDERSTANDING INPUT, PROCESS AND OUTPUT

Computer Data Processing System
LESSON 2
PROCESSOR
OUTPUT
INPUT

STORAGE

A computer is a data processing piece of electronic device that processes input data into useful information. It is a
system since it is composed of six important elements (people, procedure, hardware, software, data and
connectivity) that work together to achieve results. Computer usually hold data, programs or instruction and
information in its storage for present and future use.
 INPUT
Any information or data sent to a computer for processing is considered input. Computer needs input data and
commands from the user to work. Input data and commands are commonly entered into the computer using the
keyboard and the mouse. When you type letters and numbers using the keyboard that is a kind of input. When you
click the mouse, it is an input. Input is defined as the data and command entered into the computer.

 INPUT DEVICES
Input Devices composed of a device that accepts data (INPUT) and instructions from the user or from
another computer system. When you enter words into the computer, you are using an input device which is the
keyboard and the mouse.
TWO TYPES OF INPUT DEVICES

 Keyboard Entry
Data is inputted to the computer through a keyboard
The first input device developed for the PC

 Direct Entry
A form of input device that does not require data
to be keyed by someone sitting at a keyboard

THREE CATEGORIES OF DIRECT ENTRY

I. Pointing Device
An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on screen
Examples of a pointing device are the following:
1. Mouse
The most common pointing device used in PCs (personal
computers). Every mouse has two buttons and most have one or two
scroll wheel.
2. Touch Screen
A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger
or stylus
The screen is sensitive to pressure; a user interacts with the computer by touching
pictures or words on the screen.
II. Scanning Devices
A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translates the
information into a form the computer can use
Examples are the image scanner and the barcode reader

III. Voice Input Devices

It is also known as speech or voice recognition systems that allows
a user to send audio signals to a computer for processing, recording, or
carrying out commands.
Example is the microphone used to input a voice.

 PROCESS
The computer works on the data and command input. This step is
called Process. The CPU (central processing unit) is where the process takes
place. The CPU is called as the “brain of the computer”. The CPU does its
processing very fast. Process is defined as the work done by the computer to input data and commands.
The ALU (arithmetic logic unit) and the Control Unit of the CPU process the input data using the program
used.

 STORAGE DEVICE
What is a storage device?
Storage devices are the computer hardware used to remember/store data.
There are many types of storage devices, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
Below are explanations about different storage devices.
 Hard Disks Drive (HDD)
 Flash Memory
 Solid State Drive (SSD)
What is a solid state drive?
Solid state drives are non- volatile storage devices capable of
holding large amounts of data.
They use NAND flash memories (millions of transistors wired
in a series on a circuit board), giving them the advantage of having no
mechanical moving parts and therefore immediate access to the
data.

 Random Access Memory (RAM)

What is RAM?

RAM is a computer’s primary memory. It is a very fast solid

state storage medium that is directly accessible by the CPU.
Any open programs or files on a computer are temporarily
stored in RAM whilst being used.
Being volatile, any data stored in RAM will be lost when power
is removed. This makes RAM totally unsuitable for the long
term permanent storage of data – that is the role of a HDD or
SSD instead.

 OUTPUT
Output may refer to any information that is processed by and sent out from a computer or other
electronic device is considered output. The processed data is now called information. This information will
be transmitted through an output device. Output devices include the monitor, printed and speaker.
An example of output is anything viewed on your computer monitor screen, such as the words you type on
the keyboard
 OUTPUT DEVICES
Output devices are any piece of computer hardware that displays results after the computer has processed
the input data that has been entered.
An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display, projection, or
physical reproduction. Monitors and printers are two of the most commonly used output devices used with
a computer.
TYPES OF AN OUTPUT DEVICE
Computer Display Monitor
It displays information in visual form, using text and graphics.
Alternatively referred to as a VDT (video display terminal) and VDU (video display unit), a monitor is an
output device that displays video, images and text.
The first computer monitor was part of the Xerox Alto computer system, which was released on March 1,
1973.
Kinds of a Monitor
1. a. CRT (CATHODE RAY TUBE) MONITORS
A cathode-ray tube monitor is a display device used in television set and
computer monitor.CRT requires more electric power for its working and
it has low range of resolution when compared to LCDs.
CRT is weighted, bulky and large in size. It is less costly than LCDs. The
response of CRT is slower than LCD.

1. b. LCD (LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY) MONITORS

A liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor is a computer monitor or display
that uses LCD technology to show clear images and is found in many
laptop computers and flat panel monitors.
LCD is light, compact and thin in size. The resolution of LCD is higher
than that of CRT. Response of LCD is faster when compared to CRT
monitors. LCDs are more expensive as well

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) Projector

An LCD projector is a type of projector based on liquid crystal
display which can display
images, data or video on a
screen or other flat surface. It is
a modern equivalent of the
slide projector or overhead
projector.
LCD projectors are more popular than many alternatives due to the fact
that they are cheaper to produce and have excellent color reproduction. They are commonly used in
business meetings, presentations and seminars.

2. Speaker
A computer speaker is an output hardware device that connects to a computer to
generate sound. The signal used to produce the sound that comes from a computer
speaker is created by the computer’s sound card.

3. Printer
A printer is an output device that prints paper documents. This
includes text documents, images, or a combination of both.
The two most common types of printers are inkjet and laser printers. Inkjet printers are better
at printing photos and color documents. It uses an ink to print these documents. Laser printer
uses a laser to print documents. It produces high quality text and graphics.

Activity 2: Identification: Give what is being asked.

_______1. What is the brain of the computer?
_______2. What is the used of Printer?
_______3. What is the used of speaker?
_______4-6. What are the three kinds of Monitor?
_______7. What device displays video, images and text through the monitor/screen?
______8. What device is used to enter information through keyboard?
 LESSON 3 STORAGE DEVICES
There are many available removable storage devices that are commonly used
due to their movability. One can simply bring this data or information in the portable memory and
work in another place, as long as there is an available computer with a software that is capable of
reading data.

A. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Almost all personal computers use the hard disk as the main storage where data and
programs are saved, retrieved, modified, then stored again for future use. It is
directly connected to the motherboard by a data cable.

Hard disk drives are non-volatile magnetic storage devices capable of remembering
vast amounts of data.
An electromagnet in the read/write head charges the disk’s surface with either a
positive or negative charge, this is how binary 1 or 0 is represented.

Application and Characteristics of Hard Disks

Hard disk provides the permanent storage for the operating system, application
programs, and data when the computer is turned off. The criteria to look for a good
hard disk are the following:

1. Storage Capacity – hard disks today have storage capacities starting from 80
gigabyte to few terabytes. The higher the capacity the better it is because this can
store more data and programs without the need for additional storage.

2. Rotation Speed – the platters rotate at very high speed with current hard disk speed rate of 5400 to 7200
revolutions per minute (rpm). The faster the rotations of the hard drive, the better, since this would mean faster
seek time and faster data transfer rate.

3. Wiring Connection – connection of the hard disk to the CPU motherboard is either Integrated Drive Electronics
(IDE), also known as Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA), and the newer Serial Advanced Technology
Attachment (SATA) cable. The SATA technology has the advantage of less cable bulk, fast data transfer, and low cost.

Kinds of Hard Disk

1. Internal Hard Disk
The term hard disk is usually associated with non-volatile or permanent storage inside the computer box,
also called internal hard disk. It stores the programs and files of the computer. Hard disk gets its power source from
the motherboard and is directly connected to the CPU via data cable.

2. External Hard Disk

External hard disks are hard disks with enclosure made of plastic or metal, usually aluminium. External hard
disk is used as offline storage for less frequently used files such as movies, music, and archived documents. It is also
used to transport data from one computer location to another. It can also used as a backup file for important
documents. External hard disks have hard plastic or metal enclosure to protect them from shock and elements.
B. Flash Memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed which is used for general
purpose storage and data transfer used in cellular phones, digital camera, video cameras, handheld devices, PDAs,
video game consoles, and other electronic gadgets. The memory offers low cost, high re-record ability, power-free
storage, small form factor, fast data transfer, and rugged environmental specifications. This technology is primarily
used in flash drives, memory cards, and solid state drives.

Kinds of Flash Memory

1. Flash Drive
USB Flash Drive is a flash memory storage device with a USB connector, having a capacity of 4GB to 128GB.
Flash drives are durable, more reliable in data storage, a lot smaller compared to a floppy disk, have large data
capacity, fast, and cheaper in terms of cost per memory space (prices are on the downtrend and storage capacity
continuously going up).

2. Solid State Drive (SSD)

Solid State Drive has the same characteristics of a flash drive but it has more memory capacity and is used as
an alternative to hard disk drive. SSDs are now used to replace hard disk and commonly used in tablets and ultra-thin
computers. They are also used as external storage just like the external hard disks called external SSDs.

3. Memory Cards
Memory Cards or Flash Memory Cards are solid-state electronic data storage devices that use flash memory.
It is classified as a general purpose storage and data transfer used in cellular phones, digital camera, video cameras,
handheld devices, PDAs, video game consoles, and other electronic gadgets. The memory offers low cost, high re-
record-ability, power-free storage, small form factor, fast data transfer, and rugged environmental specifications.

The list below are the most popular cards that you will encounter in the market.

A. Compact Flash (CF) was first produced in 1994 by SanDisk. It is a flash memory mass storage device mostly used in
digital camera that has high memory capacity and reliability. The ruggedness and toughness of this card makes it a
better choice by photographers “out in the field”.

B. Memory Stick is another model of the flash memory card manufactured by Sony in 1998 for its wide range of
products including digital camera, video camera, cellular phones, and other devices.

C. Multi Media Card (MMC) is a standard flash memory card mostly used in cellular phones introduced by Siemens
AG and SandDisk in 1997. This memory card has a dimension of 24 mm x 32 mm x 1.4 mm which is as big as a
postage stamp.

D. Secure Digital (SD) is a flash memory card with a dimension of 24 mm x 32 mm x 2.1 mm. this card was developed
by Panasonic, SanDisk and Toshiba in 1999 to be used for digital cameras, mobile phones, PDAs, handheld
computers, video game consoles and GPS receivers.

E. MiniSD Card is a card for use with cell phones, digital cameras and MP3 players. Released by SanDisk in 2003, it
has a small form factor and a dimension of 21.5 x 20 x 1.4 mm. these cards can be used in gadgets that use SD cards
by using an adaptor.

F. MicroSD is the smallest removable flash memory in the market, almost the size of a fingernail at 15 mm x 11 mm x
0.7 mm designed for use in cellular phones.

True/False: Write True if the statement is correct, else False if the statement is wrong.
____1. Mini and MicroSD Card is used in Cellular phones.
____2. Multi Media Card is developed by Panasonic in 1999.
____3. Compact Flash is used in digital camera because it has high memory capacity and reliability.
____4. Solid State Drive has the same characteristics of a flash drive but it has lesser memory capacity.
____5. Hard disk is usually associated with non-volatile or permanent storage inside the computer box.
Identification: Give what is being asked below.
____6. What type of storage storage has capacities starting from 80 gigabytes to few terabytes?
 LESSON 4
The External and Internal System Unit
The External System Unit
System Case
The computer system case is the enclosure for all the interior
components of a computer. The function of the system case is to hold all
the components together and protect the sensitive electronic parts of the
computer hardware. It has ports, drives and connection on the external
part of the case to connect to other devices and peripherals. The computer
case is also called the system case or computer chassis. Computer case may
be made from steel, electrogalvanized, or aluminium and they are made in
different sizes.

Components of a System Case

1. Drive bay is a standard-size area for adding hardware to a computer. Most drive bays are fixed to
the inside of a case, but some can be removed.

2. Power supply is an electronic device that supplies electric energy to the

computer.

3. Ports refer to the female part of connection that are used to connect a monitor, webcam,
speakers, or other
peripheral devices.

4. Connector is a wire that joins electrical circuits together. It can either be a male (with pins) or female (with holes).

Computer Connections and Power

The computer system should be connected together for it to function properly.

At the back of the system unit are the ports where the computer peripherals are connected using data cables.
The Internal System Unit

The computer is a collection of different devices connected to a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU houses and
connects most of the components that make up a computer system.

Microprocessor and the memory unit – are the two

most important parts of the internal system.
Microprocessor – is the one that controls and
processes data to information. It is usually placed in a
support electronic board also known as the
motherboard.

What is Inside the System Unit?

The system unit is the main case of a computer. The
system unit contains the CPU or microprocessor, disk
drives, memory, power supply, sound card, video card,
and cooling fan.

Parts of the Internal System Unit

A computer has many components, each with its own roles
and functions.
1. Motherboard – motherboard is the foundation of all components for the computer to run. It processes,
stores, and connects to all parts of the computer system. It is also known as the main printed circuit board
(PCB). It is where all the needed components are mounted, connected, and powered.
2. CPU or Microprocessor – the brain of the computer where most calculations take place.
3. RAM – is where the data and programs are placed for execution by the CPU.
4. Hard Disk Drive – is a spinning data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information.
5. Power Supply – provides power to the CPU, motherboard, hard disk, and other components inside the
computer.
6. Video Card – also known as the graphics accelerator card or simply
graphics card, is a computer component whose main function is to
generate video and images to a display such as the monitor.

7. Sound Card – or audio card is an internal computer expansion card

that facilitates economic input and output of audio signals to and
from a computer under control of computer programs.

8. Port – specialized outlet on a computer system to which cable or plug connects.

9. Cable – provides communication between devices such as data cable; which allow it to display images or text
on the monitor.

10. Cooling fan – the CPU chip generates a lot of heat when processing and may burn up if not cooled. A cooling
system is needed to ensure that the processor chip is cooled to a level that it operates efficiently.

Activity. Enumeration
1-5. Give at least 5 hardware seen inside the System Unit.
6-9. Enumerate the components of system unit.
10-15. Give at least 6 Computer connections found at the back of system unit.