Computer Basics
Computer Hardware and Software
2008-2009
What is a computer?
A computer is an electronic device that executes the
instructions in a program.
A computer has four functions:
3.
accepts data
processes data
produces output
4.
stores results
1.
2.
3.
Input
Processing
Output
4.
Storage
1.
2.
The Information Processing Cycle
Some Beginning Terms

Hardware
- the physical parts of the computer
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Software
- the programs (instructions) that tell the
computer what to do
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Data
- individual facts like first name, price, quantity
ordered. Computers manipulate data to create
information
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Default
-
the original settings; what will
happen if you don't change anything
Personal - “microcomputers”
Tablet PC
Hand-held (HPC)
Laptop/Notebook
PDA
Desktop
Workstation
Tower
Larger Computers
Supercomputers
handle massive amounts of
calculating. e.g weather forecasting,
engineering design
Mainframe
Workhorse of business
allows hundreds of
people to work on same
data at same time
Server
runs a network of computers
PLATO at NHRHS
Networks

Network consists of two or more
computers (computer devices)
communicating to share data and
information.
Types of Networks:

LAN—Local Area Network
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Home Area
NHRHS, usually in one specific building Network
Relatively small area
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WAN—Wide Area Network
Typically consists many individual networks
 Networks that are all over
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Largest Example--The Internet
MAN—Metropolitan Area Network
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HAN –
Connects a particular area
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Ex. NHRHS and sending districts
Networking
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Computer linked together in a school or building
(LAN, WAN, MAN)
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Connected by a server
Can share information
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PROS:
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Share printer
Share software (programs)
Easy access within the building
CONS:
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Slower time
Server crashes
VIRUS!!!!!!!!!!!!
Privacy Issues – Hackers!!
Main Components

Hardware
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System Unit Input
Input Devices
Output Devices
Software
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Systems Software
Application Software
CPU
Memory
Storage
Bus
System Unit
Output
Computer Hardware
Input

“READS”
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Input Device
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Hardware that allows data to be entered into the computer
Input Devices
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Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner
Microphone
CD-ROM
Digital Camera
WebCam
Game controller(joystick)
Computer Hardware
Output
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“WRITES” DATA
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Display Devices - Monitor
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Output – information that is printed or displayed once it has
been processed
LCD – flat panel
CRT
Printer
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Nonimpact
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Inkjet, Laser, Photo, Color
Speaker
Projector
Computer Hardware
Input/Output: (I/O)
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“READ or WRITE”
Disks and Disk drives
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Internal (hard drives)
External (floppy, CDRW)
Flash Memory Cards, USB Flash Drives
Modems
Touch Screen Monitors
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ATM Machines
Computer Hardware:
System Unit
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Case
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Motherboard
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“Brains of the computer”
Gives computer its speed
Measured in Hertz (megahertz)
Bigger CPU = Faster = More $$
Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron, Intel Core Duo, Centrino
AMD
Memory Chips
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Main circuit board of the computer
Holds many electronic components including:
CPU, Memory, Expansion Slots, Bus
CPU (microprocessor)— Central Processing Unit.
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to hold electronic components of the computer used to process data
RAM
System Bus, Adaptor Cards, Storage Devices
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Hard Drive, Sound cards, video cards, etc.
More Chips inside the box:
Memory
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Definition:
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RAM (muscle)-Random Access Memory
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Accessible storage where computer (CPU)
processes instructions, and data
Temporary (unless saved)
Operates only when the computer is on
ROM- Read Only Memory
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Permanent
Built in by the manufacturer
POST – (Power On Self Test)
Storing Computer Data
In Memory and on Disk
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Byte
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Smallest storage unit to hold
1 character (e.g. “a” “abc”)
8 bits (0 or 1) in a byte
Byte Sizes
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Kilobyte – (KB) 1,000 bytes
Megabyte – (MB) – one million bytes
Gigabyte – (GB) – one billion bytes
Terabyte – (TB) - ???
Types of Storage:
(Secondary)
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Secondary Storage
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Used to store data not being used in memory
Floppy Disk
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3.5 Inches in Size
Magnetic media used for storage
A: Drive
1.4 MB or 1400 KB
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Compact Disk (CD)
Round Magnetic Disk
 650mb-1gb
Stores 450x more info than a floppy
 D: Drive
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Types of Storage (cont’d)
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C: Drive
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“Hard Drive”
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Contained in most desktop and laptop computers
Non removable
Mass Storage
10 GB – 200 GB – 500GB?
Digital Video Disk (DVD)
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Similar to CD, but double sided
 Stores 2x as much
Types of Storage (cont.)
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Memory Key (USB flash, pen, thumb
drive)
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Attaches to USB port
8mb-8gb and more?
F: drive
Flash Memory Cards
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Solid state media – no moving parts
32mb-4gb and more?
Computer Software
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Systems Software – Operating System
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Windows, Mac OS, Linux, Unix, Vista
Application Software – everything else
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MS Word, MS Excel, MS ACCESS
Business Applications
Internet Browsers
Games
Additional terms to know…Ports
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Parallel ports – printer
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USB Port
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The other port used to connect hardware
to your computer
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Connection used most often with hardware
recently
Neat Websites
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Computer Basics Quiz
Quia Computer Basics
http://www.quia.com/jg/65620.html
Inside the System Unit
 http://www.kids-online.net/learn/c_n_l.html
Computer Literacy
Jan’s Illustrated Computer Literacy 101
http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/index.html
Computer Literacy Powerpoint
http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/lesson12/lesson2-6presentation.htm
Let’s Do It

Try the Computer Basics Quiz
Quia Computer Basics
http://www.quia.com/jg/65620.html

Inside the System Unit


http://www.kids-online.net/learn/c_n_l.html
Read Computer Literacy
Jan’s Illustrated Computer Literacy 101
http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/index.html