Basic Computer Components Study Guide Name:_____________________________ Test Date:______________________

Computer An electronic device that accepts raw data and processes it into information that is useful. Must have hardware and software

Hardware Electronic and mechanical devices in a computer system Computer equipment that can be seen and touched Examples: keyboard, monitor, computer (processor) and printer

Keyboard An arrangement of letters, numbers, and special function keys Primary input device Standard Name for a keyboard is QWERTY

Mouse An input device Allows user to manipulate objects on the screen by moving the mouse

Monitor Display device that performs an image by converting electrical signals from the computer into points of colored light on the screen

Software Software- Instructions that tell the computer what to do Application Software – helps carry out tasks such as creating documents, crunching numbers and editing photographs System Software – computer’s operating system, device drivers, and utilities

Examples of Software Application Software System Software Spreadsheet Microsoft Excel Database Microsoft Access Presentation Microsoft PowerPoint Word Processing Microsoft Word Music Window Media Player Real Player Photo Editing Photoshop Paint Communication Email System Software Operating System Windows* (this is what we have in our labs at NMMS) DOS Mac OS Linux UNIX Device Drivers Utilities Programming Languages

Data Numbers, words, symbols, or alphabetic characters that are put into the computer

Input Devices Piece of hardware that helps the computer accept data Examples: Keyboard Mouse Scanner Digital Camera

Processor Processes data into useful information Most important component of a computer Known as CPU (Central Processing Unit) Brain of the computer Largest chip on the motherboard

Storage Device Hardware device that stores data Also known as a secondary storage device Both input and output Main one we use is USB

Output Device Hardware device that lets user see data being input or final document Displays, prints, or transmits the results of processing from the computer memory Example: Printer, monitor, speakers

Main Memory Where data and instructions are stored during processing by the processor Two types of main memory RAM (Random Access Memory) ROM (Read-only Memory)

RAM Random Access Memory A kind of main memory that stores instructions and data while the computer power is on. Memory is lost when power is off. You can change RAM. Can be lost easily Temporary storage

ROM Read-Only Memory A kind of main memory not lost when power is off. Can read ROM, but can’t change it ROM holds instructions for computer that are necessary for it to work Permanent storage

Bytes A unit of measurement of memory Amount of space used to save one character or one value Kilobytes (KB) – 1 thousand bytes Megabyte (MG) – 1 million bytes Gigabytes (GB) – 1 billion bytes 8 bits = 1 byte

Hard Disk Primary Storage device/permanent fixture Sealed inside the computer. Data found faster on hard disk than any other storage device

Motherboard Main circuit board of a computer

Printer Produces a paper copy or hard copy Remember if it is not printed, it is a soft copy

Modem Stands for Modulator-demodulator Device that connects your computer to a standard telephone jack so you can communicate

Port The place that allows other devices (keyboard or monitor) to plug in to work with the computer You can also plug in USB into a port

Other stuff you need to know! Shortcuts for underline, bold, italics, print, save, new document, page break, copy, paste, and cut Homerow keys Grammar mistakes are represented by a green squiggly line Spelling mistakes are represented by a red squggly line What we use each program in Microsoft Office for

Other stuff you need to know Vocabulary Worksheet that includes: Desktop Recycle Bin GUI Task Bar Wallpaper Title Bar Icon Tool bar Control Panel Windows Scroll bar