Modern Computer
Architecture II
Unit 4B
Premise of a Computer
Start with data
Process the data in some way
Give the results to a human
Today we have…
Dominance of Personal Computers
and personal computing devices
Laptops, Notebooks, Smartphones, iWatch
networked together…
using the CLIENT-SERVER paradigm
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
BIOS
BIOS Settings
Which device to load operating system from?
Which operating system to load?
Test Main Memory at startup?
How to allocate Memory?
Other basic setup information
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs and
their interface with the external devices.
The design of the circuitry in the processor
determines WHICH operating systems
can be run on that processor.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Examples of operating systems:
DOS
CP/M
LINUX
Windows (XP, Windows 7, 8.1, 10)
Mac OS X
GNU
z/TPF
DEC VMS
HP UX
Android
Apple iOS
Blackberry OS
Palm OS
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Application Software
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Examples of application software:
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, etc.
Open Office
TurboTax
Quickbooks
Photoshop
Rosetta Stone
Video editors
SPSS statistical package
Visio
Skype
Solitaire
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Application Software
Utility Software
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Examples of Utility Software:
Anti-Virus applications
Anti-Malware
Disk cleanup tools
Accessories – calculators, etc.
Sound players
Video players
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Application Software
Utility Software
Storage devices
Communications devices
Browsers
Add-Ins or Plug-Ins
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs and
their interface with the external devices.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs and
their interface with the external devices.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs …
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs …
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Operating System
Operating System Kernal
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Operating System
Manages the selection, loading, and
operation of the application programs and
their interface with the external devices.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Device Drivers
The software containing instructions
which interface the computer’s
main processor and operating system
with the “computers” in the other devices.
The manufacturer of every device
provides its own driver
for each model it manufacturers
for each operating system.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Device Drivers
Operating System
Operating System Kernal
Storage devices
Communications devices
BIOS
EEPROM chip -- Electrically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory
Non-Volatile Memory
BIOS Settings
CMOS chip -Complementary Metal–Oxide
Semiconductor
SRAM – Static Random Access
Memory
Volatile Memory
Main Memory
Capacitor-based
DRAM – Dynamic
Random Access Memory
Volatile Memory
Main Memory
Single In-line Memory Module
SIMM chip
Capacitor-based
DRAM – Dynamic
Random Access Memory
Volatile Memory
Main Memory
Double-Data Rate Synchronous
DDR SDRAM – Dynamic
Random Access Memory
Volatile Memory
Processor
Most of today’s processors
contain a tiny bit of DDR SDRAM
directly accessible to the processor
without going through the BIOS.
This memory is called “Cache”
memory. It is a temporary holder of
intermediate results and instructions,
and speeds up repetitive processing.
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Processor
Main Memory
Software
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Keyboard and Mouse Adapters
Microphone adapter
USB Adapter
USB 3 Adapter
Video Adapter
Audio card and speaker amplifier
Internal disk drives
CD/DVD/BlueRay drives
Ethernet card
Wi-Fi card
Bluetooth card
IEEE 1394 (firewire) adapter
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Keyboard and Mouse Adapters
Microphone adapter
USB Adapter
USB 3 Adapter
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Video Adapter
Audio card and speaker amplifier
Internal disk drives
CD/DVD/BlueRay drives
Ethernet card
Wi-Fi card
Bluetooth card
IEEE 1394 (firewire) adapter
Components of a Modern Computer
Input devices
Keyboard and Mouse Adapters
Microphone adapter
USB Adapter
USB 3 Adapter
Output devices
Storage devices
Communications devices
Video Adapter
Audio card and speaker amplifier
Internal disk drives
CD/DVD/BlueRay drives
Ethernet card
Wi-Fi card
Bluetooth card
IEEE 1394 (firewire) adapter
Graphics Board / Game Controller
Most of today’s video boards
contain “Cache” memory.
Like CPU cache memory, it speeds up
processing by serving as a “holding”
area for bits without having through
the BIOS or operating system.
BIOS
SETTINGS
Main Memory, CPU
Boot Drive, Registry File
Keyboard and Basic Monitor
Thumb Drives, Printers
Speakers, Microphones
Game Controllers
Cash Registers,
Bar Code Readers
Scanners, Cameras
High-Res. Video Monitors
Network Cards, Wi-fi Cards
BIOS
DRIVER
DRIVER
DRIVER
DRIVER
OPERATING
SYSTEM
KERNAL
OPERATING
SYSTEM USER
INTERFACE
APPLI- APPLI- APPLICATION CATION CATION
BIOS
Keyboard, Mouse
DRIVER
Thumb Drives,
Sound Devices
Scanners, Cameras,
Outboard disk drives
DRIVER
DRIVER
DRIVER
OPERATING
SYSTEM
KERNAL
OPERATING
SYSTEM USER
INTERFACE
USB Adapter
APPLI- APPLI- APPLICATION CATION CATION
BIOS
Keyboard, Mouse
DRIVER
Thumb Drives,
Sound Devices
Scanners, Cameras,
Outboard disk drives
DRIVER
DRIVER
DRIVER
OPERATING
SYSTEM
KERNAL
OPERATING
SYSTEM
INTERFACE
USB Adapter
APPLI- APPLI- APPLICATION CATION CATION
Questions?