Internal & External components of the computer Abby Davis

 Optical drive  When dealing with computers ‘optical’ stands for lasers, which can “see” and read data on optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs. These drives use the lasers to read bumps and dips as 1’s and 0’s, which in turn the computer can read and understand Picture Website

 Hard Drive-  This is where all of the data is stored on your computer. It houses all of the files and folders on your computer. An interesting fact of a hard drive is that it’s stored magnetically, so it stays on the hard drive even after the computer is turned off. Picture Website

 RAM- Stands for Random Access Memory. It is the most common type of memory found in computers. Picture Website

Power Supply-Converts AC to low-voltage DC power for the internal components of the computer Picture Website

Expansion slot(s)- Slot located inside the computer that is on the motherboard, and it allows more boards to be connected to it. Picture Website

 Central Processing Unit-  This processes all the data that flows through the system unit Picture Website

Drive bays are an area for adding hardware to a computer. Some can be removed, but most are fixed to the inside of the case. Picture Website

They are used to supply and distribute power to internal devices in a computer Picture Website

SCSI stands for small computer system interface. This connector is used to attach peripheral devices to computers. IDE stands for integrated Drive Electrics. This is a standard interface for IBM compatible hard drives. The difference between IDE and SCSI is that IDE’s controllers are on each drive. Picture Website

 Another way of saying ‘clock battery’ is CMOS battery. This is the battery that maintains the time, date and other settings on the CMOS memory. Picture Website

 The motherboard contains all of the components that control the computer  Microprocessor  Memory chips  Many other chips Picture Website

 Power Switch- This is the switch on the computer that turns it on and off. Picture Website

 Network port- Is an opening on a computer network equipment that the networking cables can plug into. Picture Website

 Monitor port- This is a port on the back of your computer that you plug in the monitor into the tower. Picture Website

 USB port- (USB stands for Universal Serial Bus) This port can be used to connect many different peripheral devices up to the computer, such as mice, modems, keyboards, cameras, and jump drives. Picture Website

 FireWire port- This is very common connection type in Apple computers. There are two types, 400 and 800. Picture Website