Grade 9 BTT - Hardware Notes

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Hardware and Software Hardware is any part of the computer system you can see Software is a set of electronic instructions (programs) that tell a computer what to do  Application: made by others so you can do specific things  Operating System: made by others to control the operation of computers  Data: what you have made

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont How Computers Work: They collect, process, store and output information Input: devices that let you put data into the computer; keyboard & mouse Process: the computer chip that controls all the work done by the devices Store: keep information for a long time; hard drive, floppies, CD-ROM Output: devices that show what was processed: printers & monitors Devices = Hardware

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont A typical computer system Computer Case (Chassis): contains all the major parts and the connects for other parts Monitor: shows text and graphics (soft copy)‏ Printer: shows text and graphics on paper (hard copy)‏ Keyboard: allows user-entered commands to be placed in the computer (QWERTY)‏ Mouse: hand-held device to pick and move screen objects like text and graphics Modem: allows communication to other computers through the phone lines

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Parts Found Inside Computer Case Power Supply:  also called “transformer”; converts from AC to DC  changes household electricity into form that computer can use (115v to 12v or 5v)  has a fan to cool the parts  needs power cord Hard Drive:  large, built-in storage area  keeps operating system files, application files and data files  files stored magnetically

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Parts Found Inside Computer Case Motherboard:  large flat plate where all parts connect to  contains Central Processing Unit (CPU or microprocessor) which controls all the activities of the computer system  contains different integrated circuits (chips) which help the CPU - especially RAM chips that help increase the CPU’s memory  has expansion slots where other devices can be attached via expansion cards; eg. Video expansion card fits into an expansion slot then the monitor cable fits into the expansion card

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Parts Found Inside Computer Case Floppy Drive:  stores/retrieves data to/from floppy diskettes  for easy transportation of small data files  stores data magnetically CD-ROM Drive:  stores large amounts of information  stores data by laser light reflected from small holes Tape Drive:  also called “zip”drives  used for backing up data daily Drive Bays: the place where all the drives are put into

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Parts Found Inside Computer Case Ports: connectors at the back of the case where devices are plugged in  Parallel  25 holes (female)‏  connects printers or external tape drives  called LPT1 and LPT2  Serial  either 9 or 25 pins (male)‏  connects mouse or modem  called COM1 and COM2

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Parts Found Inside Computer Case Other Ports:  Monitor  Keyboard  Game  USB (Universal Serial Bus): new; many devices can be connected using this one port; on new iMACs  Network: connects computer to other computers or other devices to share information Other Parts:  Sound Card  Joy stick for games  Modem

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont CPUs - Microprocessors Functions:  process instructions  perform calculations  manage the flow of data through the whole computer system  performs millions of calculations per second  uses switches (transistors) to turn circuits ON or OFF  uses electricity (either there or not there) to make the calculations

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Microprocessor Specifications Made by Intel, AMD, Cyrix and Motorola (MACs)‏ Generations: newer ones can process more data faster; Intel 80486; Pentium (80586); Pentium Pro (80686); MMX technology to improve multimedia Speed is important; measured in megahertz (MHz)‏ Inserted into motherboard: if upgrading to a faster one, make sure the motherboard can handle the faster speed Many come with their own fans to cool them down

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Memory Cache and Analogy Internal Cache (on CPU):  first place to look for data; very fast; primary (L1) cache External Cache (on motherboard):  SRAM; slower than L1; secondary (L2) cache RAM (Random Access Memory):  slower than others; constantly being updated; deleted when powered OFF Look for documents on your desk Look for documents in your desk drawer Look for documents in a filing cabinet

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Operating Systems Software that controls the overall activity of a computer The operating system needs the hardware and the hardware needs to software - both can be upgraded though FUNCTIONS:  controls the devices and lets the devices interact  lets application programs run  manages the files: sort, copy, delete, view, make folders etc.

Prepared by: C. Novak - Ridgemont Operating Systems What are some names of Operating Systems?