COMPUTER BASICS

AKA “THINGS ABOUT COMPUTERS YOU PROBABLY

KNOW BUT HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT!”
AGENDA
Four Functions of the Computer
What’s Inside a Computer?
Types of Memory and Storage

NOTE: within most PowerPoints in the course, important

terms to learn are bolded and underlined!
 4 FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER
Computers are obviously an important part of almost every
aspect of modern life, but have you stopped to think about
what it is exactly they do?
Complete the 4 Functions of a Computer Worksheet
before we get started!
Did you figure out what all four functions are?
How do they compare to the human body?
 4 FUNCTIONS OF A COMPUTER
1. INPUT: various devices enable information to be
passed into the computer for use.
2. OUTPUT: other devices receive information from the
processor in the form of text, sound, or video and
images.
3. STORAGE: computers hold information to be given
to the processor or user as needed.
4. PROCESSING: computers must process the
information to and from inputs, outputs, and storage
in order to function!
 ON THE CASE
All computers, desktop,
laptop, tablet, or even a
giant mainframe, have a
case or shell that contains
their components.
 POWER IT UP!

Every computer needs a power supply.

The power supply supplies electricity to
the other components inside the
computer and charges batteries in
portable devices.
  The motherboard gets
its name because it is
like a mother to all the
other circuit boards
inside a computer.
 Usually found at the
bottom of a desktop
case or the side of a
tower case, the
motherboard is the
largest circuit board
and has many smaller
YOUR MOTHER! connected circuit boards.
Look at a real example!
PROCESSING… PROCESSING…
The brain of a computer is the CPU or Central
Processing Unit. It contains the core “brains”,
controls the information a computer uses, and tells
other parts what to do.
The type of CPU in a computer also determines
how fast that computer can operate.
Video: How It’s Made! / Look at a real example.
CHECK YOUR BIOS!
A very important computer component is
the BIOS chip.
Sometimes called firmware, BIOS
stands for Basic Input Output System.
In simple terms, the BIOS chip wakes up
the computer when you turn it on,
reminds it what parts are inside, checks
if everything is functional, then loads
(boots) the operating system.
 LET ME UPGRADE YOU!
 On the motherboard, there are often
numerous expansion cards. Each of
these cards has a special purpose.
 The sound card is a special circuit-
board that operates (and usually
improves) the computer's sound
performance.
 The video card improves graphics
speed and quality.
 MAKING A CONNECTION
 There are also expansion cards
for other computer components
including the drives and ports.
 The network card lets
computers talk to each other or
connect to the internet.
 Sometimes called the NIC
(Network Interface Card) it
usually adds wired or wireless
connection capability.
 THIS
DON’T FORGET!
 RAM stands for Random Access Memory.
 RAM chips remember what you tell them
and can even change to remember new NOT THIS
information.
 However, when the computer is turned off, OR THIS
the RAM is cleared and forgets everything.
This is why it is important to save work!
RAM is what active programs or apps
operate in real-time. The more RAM
available, the faster the computer!
  ROM stands for Read
Only Memory.
 ROM is good at
remembering, but cannot
change or update easily. It
holds information that is
built into it.
 ROM works like a book –
there is lots of information,
but it can’t be changed.
NO, NOT THE MUSEUM… (The BIOS is one example)
 STORAGE WARS! YUUUUUPPPPP!
 The hard drive is the primary internal storage inside
your computer. It is where almost all data is stored.
 Data and information you save is magnetically read
from and written to the hard drive disks.
 There are two main kinds of hard drives:
 HDD (Hard Disk Drive) that are physical spinning
disks inside a case that record or access data.
 SSD (Solid State Drive) are storage with no
moving parts that perform the same task.
 Can you think of any pros/cons for these drives?
THE
INSIDE
DRIVE!
KICKIN’ IT OLD SCHOOL
 There are also several types of
external storage that can be
inserted into your computer via
disk drives.
 This includes: CD ROMs, USB
memory sticks, memory cards, or
(from wayyy back in the day)
floppy discs.
 These can all hold data or
install software as needed.
 THE HOOK-UP!
 Externally, Ports are the places on the outside
of the computer case where you plug in
hardware. On the inside, they are connected to
expansion cards or the motherboard.
 For example, the keyboard, mouse, monitor,
game controller, camera, and printer all plug
into various ports.
 Internally, all the components of your computer
are connected via numerous cables and cords.
 KEEPING COOL
 Many of a computer’s components generate
a great deal of heat, so cooling is essential
to keep things operating smoothly…and not
too melty.
 CPUs, power supplies, and graphics cards in
particular require fans, heat sinks, or other
cooling.
 There are usually other fans within the case
to maintain airflow and overall cooling.
A LOOK
INSIDE!