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

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

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

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

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

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

7. 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

8. 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
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

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

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

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. Motherboard
Main circuit board of a computer

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

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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