1.

2 Main components of a
computer system
• The components refer to the input, output
and secondary storage devices.
• Input devices: keyboard, mouse
• Output devices: monitor, printer
• Secondary storage devices: DVD R/W drive,
removable hard disk drive
• Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– known as a microprocessor, and
– it interprets and executes the commands from the
computer hardware and software.
• Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)
– it carries out calculations,
– makes logical decisions, and
– accesses the RAM for immediate data.
• HDD or SSD
– for storage purposes,
– a place where application software, OS and files
are stored, and
– fast data transfer and large capacity to store data.
• RAM
– it stores temporary data when an application is
running,
– the memory can be written and read from, and
– known as volatile memory.
• ROM
– Stores data that needs to be permanent,
– It stores configuration data for a computer system,
– Cannot be altered,
– Data is not lost even when the computer is turned
off, and
– Known as non-volatile memory.
• BIOS
– Carries out hardware check to find out if all the
devices are present and functional.
– It loads the OS into the RAM.
– It stores date, time and system configuration in a
non-volatile chip called CMOS (complementary
metal oxide semiconductor) – this is usually
battery powered.