Computer Parts There are many parts that work together to make a computer work.

Hardware Physical parts of the computer, including processor and memory chips, input/output devices, tapes, disks, modems, cable, etc.

CPU The Central Processing Unit – The chip or chips that interpret and execute program instructions and manage the functions of input, output, and storage devices.

Processor The CPU – The chip or chips that interpret and execute program instructions and manage the functions of input, output, and storage devices.

Computer Case Contains the major components of the computer. It helps protect them.

Front of the Computer Case

Inside the Computer Case

Monitor A display screen to provide “output” to the user. It is where you view the information your are working on.

Video Card Connects the computer to the monitor. It is a circuit board attached to the motherboard that contains the memory and other circuitry necessary to send information to the monitor for display on screen.

Keyboard Used to enter information into the computer and for giving commands.

Mouse An input device operated by rolling its ball across a flat surface. The mouse is used to control the on-screen pointer by pointing and clicking, double-clicking, or dragging objects on the screen.

Touchpad A pressure-sensitive and motion sensitive device used in place of a mouse.

USB Flash Drive A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a computer’s USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. USB flash drives are publicized as being easy-to-use as they are small enough to be carried in a pocket and can plug into any computer with a USB drive. USB flash drives have less storage capacity than an external hard drive, but they are smaller and more durable because they do not contain any internal moving parts.

External Hard Drive A hard drive that is outside of the computer case in its own enclosure.

CD Rom Drive The drive that plays CDs and reads data that has been stored on the CD.

CD Compact Disk – A type of optical storage device.

Floppy Disk Drive A device that holds a removable floppy disk when in use; read/write heads read and write data to the diskette.

Hard Disk Magnetic storage device in the computer.

RAM Random Access Memory RAM is a computer’s temporary memory, which exists as chips on the motherboard near the CPU. It stores data or programs while they are being used and requires power.

ROM Read Only Memory- Memory that considered Long Term Storage. Rom retains its contents even when the computer is turned off. It stores critical programs such as programs that boots the computer.

Printer An output device that produces a hard copy on paper. It gives information to the user in printed form.

Barcode Reader An input device that converts a pattern of printed bars into a number that a computer can read. They are often used by businesses to quickly input price and product information.

Scanner A device that allows pictures to be placed into a computer.

Microphone Allows the user to record sounds as input to their computer.

Speakers Used to generate or reproduce voice, music, and other sounds.

Sound Card Connects the speakers and microphone to the computer.

Modem The place where the computer is connected to the phone line.

Network Card A circuit board that connects the computer to the rest of the network usually using special cables.

Application Software Programs that tell the computer what to do. It provides instructions that the CPU will need to carry out.

Operating System Software This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface

DOS Disk Operating System This software connects the hardware with the programs you want to run. MS-DOS: Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System) is a command line user interface. MS-DOS 1.0 was released in 1981 for IBM computers.

Example of MS-DOS

Windows A family of operating systems developed and produced by Microsoft Corp. It provides a software graphical user interface (GUI) used on IBM and compatible computers.

Example of Windows (GUI)

How does it all work together?

Computer A computer is a machine that performs 4 basic functions: Input, Processing, Output, Storage Input Processing Output Storage

Computer System A complete working computer that has all of the necessary parts to make the computer function. Hardware Software

Hardware The physical components of the computer. The actual equipment you can see and touch.

Hardware The physical components of the computer. The actual equipment you can see and touch.

Hardware Peripheral A peripheral is an external piece of hardware that is important, but not necessary for a computer system to work.

Hardware Input Devices Processing Output Devices Storage Devices

Input Devices Hardware that enables a computer user to enter data and programs into a computer. Keyboard Barcode Scanner Mouse Touch pad Microphone Game Controllers

The main parts of a computer system that process information. Processing

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information. CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer.

Hertz Hertz measures the speed of a CPU Megahertz Gigahertz Terahertz Hertz = number of cycles per second Megahertz Gigahertz Terahertz

Processing The main parts of a computer system that process information. CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer. ROM Read Only Memory ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed.

The main parts of a computer system that process information. Processing CPU Central Processing Unit The CPU is often called the “brains” of the computer. ROM is permanent internal memory that cannot be changed. ROM Read Only Memory RAM Random Access Memory RAM is temporary memory that can be changed.

Output Devices Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer.

Output Devices Monitor Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel.

Output Devices Monitor Printer Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel. Printer Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet.

Output Devices Monitor Printer Speakers Hardware that represents data as either hard copy or soft copy after is has been processed by the computer. Monitor Represents data as “soft copy.” Some common monitors are CRT or flat-panel. Printer Represents data as “hard copy.” Some common printers are laser or inkjet. Speakers

Storage Devices Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data.

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically.

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Optical Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically. Optical Storage CDs DVDs A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers

Storage Devices Magnetic Storage Needed for permanently storing important information such as computer programs, files, and data. Plastic or metal platters that are coated with oxide and store data magnetically. Magnetic Storage Hard Disk Floppy Disk Videotape Optical Storage CDs DVDs A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers A storage medium on which data is recorded and read by two lasers A small storage device that can be plugged into a USB port. USB Storage

A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do. Software A set of instructions or programs that tell a computer what to do.

Software Operating System or Platform Applications or Programs

This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System

Operating System DOS, Windows, Vista This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS, Windows, Vista DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly!

Operating System DOS, Windows, Vista Macintosh This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS, Windows, Vista DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly! Macintosh Macintosh computers have their own operating system.

Other Operating Systems: This type of software manages RAM, controls peripheral devices, manages file operations (saving, opening, deleting, renaming, etc.), monitors system performance, and provides a user interface Operating System Windows is a GUI OS environment that works with DOS. It uses icons and menus to make computers easy to use. You can multitask with Windows. DOS, Windows, Vista DOS is a command-line interface OS. It is not very user-friendly! Macintosh Macintosh computers have their own operating system. Other Operating Systems: Linux, UNIX, OS/2

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks.

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text

Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web Database Large collections of data

Electronic Presentations Application Software or Programs Programs that allow users to perform specific tasks. Word Processing Letters, reports, text Spreadsheets Numbers Slide Shows Electronic Presentations Browser World Wide Web Database Large collections of data ????