Computer Performance

Boot Process (Booting) Sequence of events that occurs between the time you turn on a computer and the time that it becomes ready to accept commands. Purposes Runs a diagnostic test to make sure everything is working. Loads the operating system so the computer can carry out basic operations.

6 events of the boot process: Power up Start boot program Power-on self-test Identify peripheral devices Load operating system Check configuration and customization

CPU – Central Processing Unit (the brains of the computer) The CPU, which is a microprocessor, sits on the motherboard. The CPU processes a user’s requests, such as opening documents or formatting text. A CPU is a thin wafer or “chip” made up of a semiconducting material such as silicon. It contains an integrated circuit (very small electronic circuit). It contains the intelligence of your personal computer.

Processor Speed Your computer processor speed influences how fast your computer runs programs and completes various processing tasks. Processor speed is measured in: megahertz (MHz) - one million cycles (or pulses) per second gigahertz (GHz) – one billion cycles (or pulses) per second.

RAM (Random Access Memory)- also called main memory RAM – temporary memory in which programs and data are stored while the computer is in use. Each memory location in RAM can be accessed in any order, which speeds up processing. Volatile Memory – it requires a constant charge to keep its contents intact. Cannot hold data when the power is off. If a computer loses power, the contents of its memory are lost. RAM is reusable – like a whiteboard. Think of RAM as a shopping cart, while you’re shopping you can temporarily place items in the cart. When you purchase the items, you take them out of your cart and then they are gone.

ROM – Read Only Memory ROM Permanent, or nonvolatile, memory. Drives can read data from disks, but cannot store new data on them. One or more integrated circuits that contain permanent instructions that the computer uses during the boot process.

Binary Number System A method for representing letters or numbers using only two digits, 0 and 1. Bit Each 0 or 1 Byte 8 bits Also referred to as Base 2 Binary Code.

Memory Measurements Bit Each 0 or 1 Byte 8 bits Kilobyte Approximately 1,000 bytes Exactly 1,024 bytes Megabyte Approximately 1 million bytes Exactly 1,048,576 bytes Gigabyte Approximately 1 billion bytes Terabyte Approximately 1 trillion bytes

Resources Fuller, Floyd; Larson, Brian. Computers Understanding Technology. St. Paul: Paradigm Publishing, Inc Gordon, Jon; Lankisch, Karen; Muir, Nancy; Seguin, Denise; Verno, Anita. Our Digital World. St. Paul: Paradigm Publishing, Inc