Fundamentals of a Personal Computer

(PC)

Chapter 1
 Objectives
 Identify the functions of the PC
 Explain the different types of computers
 List the components of the PC
 Explain the front and back side of the PC
 Discuss the Power-On Self Test (POST)

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 Functions of a PC
 Accepts data input from user
 Stores data
 Processes the input using instructions
 Displays processed data on output devices

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 Generations
Gen. Hardware Software

1st Vacuum Tubes machine language

2nd Transistors Assembly language

3rd Integrated Chip Higher level

(IC) languages,
Application Programs

4th
VLSI Object oriented
(Very Large Scale programming, natural
ICs) language processing

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 Types of Computers

Types of Computers

Microcomputer Minicomputer Mainframe Supercomputer

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 Microcomputer – I
 Digital computer that works on a microprocessor

 Used in homes and offices

 Performs tasks such as word processing, desktop

publishing, and accounting

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 Microcomputer – II

 Advantages
• Small size
• Low cost
• Portability
 Disadvantages
• Low processing speed

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 Minicomputer – I
 Known as the mid-range server

 Medium sized multiprocessing and multi-user

computer

 Used by small sized companies

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 Minicomputer – II

 Advantage
• Cater to multiple users
• Lower costs than mainframes
 Disadvantage
• Large
• Bulky

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 Mainframe – I
 Known as enterprise servers
 Occupies entire rooms or floors
 Used for centralized computing
 Serve distributed users and small servers in a
computing network

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 Mainframe – II

 Advantage
• Supports many users and instructions
• Large memory
 Disadvantage
• Huge size
• Expensive

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 Supercomputer
 Fastest and expensive
 Used by applications for molecular chemistry,
nuclear research, weather reports, and advanced
physics
 Advantage
• Speed
 Disadvantage
• Generate a large amount of heat during operation

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 Components of a PC
 Input Devices
 Output Devices
 Storage Devices
 Processing Devices
 Communication Devices
 Infrastructure

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Chapter 1 Slide 14 of 25
 Input Devices
 Used to enter data in computer
 Different types are:
• Keyboard
• Pointing Devices (mouse,touchpad)
• Scanner
• Digital Camera

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 Output Devices
 Used to display or produce processed data
 Monitors and printers used to display output
 Different types of output devices are:
• Display System(monitor)
• Display Card(graphic card)
• Sound card(speakers,headset,ear phone)
• Printers
• Fax

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 Storage Devices
 Used to store data in the computers
 Different types of storage devices are:
• Magnetic Devices
• Ex:harddisk,floppydisk,tapedrive
• Optical devices
• Ex:CD,DVD,BRD
• Solid-State Storage devices
• EX:PEN DRIVE,SSD(SOLID STATE DEVICES)
• Digital Audio Tape
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 Processing Devices
 Computer main function is to process data
 Various types of processing devices are:
• Microprocessor
• Chipset
• BIOS

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 Communication Devices
 Establish communication between computer using
different cables, interfaces and wireless devices
 Various types of communication devices are:
• Interfaces
• I/O Ports and Cables
• LAN Card
• Modem
• Network Cables

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 Infrastructure
 Refers to main components and foundation on
which computer functions
 All the peripheral devices of the computer are
attached
 Various types of components are:
• System Case
• Power Supply
• Motherboard
• Expansion Boards

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 Introducing the Front and Back Side of
the PC
 Front Side of PC contains:
• Power switch to turn on the PC
• Insert CDs and DVDs in CD/DVD drive
• Use floppy disks with the help of floppy drive
• LED display indicates status of system

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 Introducing the Front and Back Side of
the PC – I
 Back side of PC contains:
• Power supply and the cooling fan
• Input and output ports of the PC
• Connect devices to the ports at back of the PC

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Chapter 1 Slide 23 of 25
 Bits & Bytes

The binary digits are called as Bits. A BIT represents either 0 or 1. A
character is coded using combination of 8 Bits. When eight bits are combined
together, it is known as a BYTE. It is equivalent of one character. A
character or number is represented by one byte.
eg : Using ASCII code capital letter ‘A’ is represented in computers as
01000001.

8 bit =1 byte
1024 bytes =1 kilobyte
1024 kilobytes =1 megabyte
1024 megabytes =1 gigabyte
1024 gigabytes =1 terabyte
1024 terabyte =1 petabyte
1024 petabyte =1 exabyte
1024 exabyte =1 zetabyte

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 Starting a PC for the First Time – I
 Basic Input Output System (BIOS) checks all
peripheral devices, memory and hardware of the
PC
 Power on Self test (POST) is performed before the
PC boots operating system

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 Starting a PC for the First Time – II
 Functions performed by POST:
• Checking power supply and motherboard
• Comparing system configuration with PC
Configuration Program
• Checking memory devices and drives
• Checking system memory
• Starts display and audio devices

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 Storage Comparisons

 3 ½ inch floppy disk = 1.44 MB

 CD(COMPACT DISK) = 700 MB
• Equivalent to 500 floppy disks
 DVD(DIGITAL VERSATILE DISK) = 4.7 GB
• Equivalent to 3,263 floppy disks
• Equivalent to 6 ½ CD’s
• BRD(BLU RAY DISC)=25 GB
• Equivalent to 6 dvds
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 Let’s Convert! 
200 KB = ??? Bytes
920 GB = ??? Bytes
1.25 TB = ??? Bytes
30 MB = ??? KB
6 GB = ??? MB
2000 TB = ??? GB
4.7 GB = ??? MB
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 Summary – I
 Personal Computer is an electronic machine that
accepts data, processes it on the basis of some
instructions and produces output
 Personal Computer performs a wide range of
functions like data processing, programming,
playing audio, video and games
 Different types of computer are, microcomputers,
minicomputers, mainframes and supercomputers
 System case provides protective cover for all
important components of PC and keeps system
cool
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 Summary – II
 LED displays on system case indicate operations
going on inside PC
 Different ports are located on back of system case
 Power supply of PC converts alternating current to
direct current
 The motherboard is main part of a PC
 Different types of I/O ports, serial, parallel, and
USB
 Storage devices store data in the PCs
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 Summary – III
 Different types of storage devices, magnetic,
optical, and solid-state Storage
 Digital Audio Tapes (DAT) record and store
music digitally
 Different types of network cables, UTP, STP,
coaxial, and fiber optic
 BIOS runs a test called Power On Self Test when
a PC turns on

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