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Computer Parts
Computer Parts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMnk7lh9M3o
• To learn Information
Technology (IT) is to learn
the language of acronyms
and terms…
• WYSISYG (pronounced
WHIZ-zee-wig)
“What You See Is What You
Get”
GUI: Graphical User Interface
• Mainframe
Computers
• Minicomputers
• Microcomputers
(Personal
Computer or PC)
• Hardware = The
physical components
that make up a
computer system.
– More in a
moment…
• Much more on all of
these items in later
presentations!
• Software = The
programs (instructions)
that tell the computer
what to do.
– System Software
– Application Software
– Stored on a storage
media such as hard
disk, CD-ROM, floppy
disk, tape, etc.
– More later…
PERMANENT
STORAGE
Know these!
PERMANENT
STORAGE
• Enter information
into a computer
• Examples:
– Mouse
– Keyboard
– Trackball
– Touchpad
– Light pen
– Joystick
– Digital camera
– Microphone
– Bar code reader
– Scanner
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Output Devices
PERMANENT
STORAGE
System Unit:
• CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• Memory
– RAM
– ROM or ROM BIOS
• expansion slots
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RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM is volatile
• stores ON and OFF bits (software and data) electrically
• when power goes off, everything in RAM is lost
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RAM: Speed
Why doesn’t the CPU use permanent storage like disk drives?
• Too slow
• EXAMPLE: Spellchecker
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RAM: Capacity
The more complex and sophisticated the software, the more instructions
that software contains, which means larger software files.
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ROM (Read Only Memory)
ROM (Read Only Memory) = integrated circuits (microchips) that are used
to permanently store start-up (boot) instructions and other critical
information
Read Only = information which:
• Cannot be changed
• Cannot be removed
• Cannot be appended (added to)
• Fixed by manufacturer
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ROM (Read Only Memory)
PERMANENT
STORAGE
• Storage Devices:
– Floppy disks
– CD-ROMs
– Hard disks
– Zip disks
– Tape drives
Write-Protect tab
(Open means “write
enabled”)
• Storage
• Digital Player
• Voice Recorder
• CPU Speed
– Governed by a clock
– Measured in millions of
cycles per second, or
megahertz (MHz)
• 700 MHz means 700
million operations per
second
– Measured in billions of
cycles per second, or
megahertz (GHz)
• 1.133 MHz means 1
billion, 133 million
operations per second
• System Software
• Application Software
Windows 3.1
Windows
95/98/XP
MAC OS
UNIX/LINUX with
X-Windows
• No GUI
• MS DOS
• ? Windows 97 ?
RAM
256
ROM MB
0
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Computer Basics