Computer Concepts

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Computer Concepts
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Computer Systems

• Mainframe
• Mini
• Personal Computers

Network server (Mini)
Desktop
Notebook
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Desktop Computer Components

• System Unit
• Houses the Central Processing Unit (CPU)
• Peripherals
• Hardware items outside the system unit box
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Monitor
• Printer
• External Modem
• Scanner
• Speakers
• Etc.

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Inside the System UnitPart 1
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A System Board
Video expansion slot
Expansion slots
Microprocessor slot
RAM modules plug in here
Hard drive and CD drive connection
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The Microprocessor

• A computer on a single silicon chip

Microprocessor Performance

• Clock speed
• Design
• Performance/Cost trade offs

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Random Access Memory

• Your computers workbench
• Also called volatile memory
• Locations of RAM
• Main memory to store processing of information
• Cache - special, high-speed RAM to make the
  computer process faster
• Video used to supplement memory in video card
• How much RAM do you need? - Enough to run your
  application programs efficiently

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Units of Measure
Bit smallest unit of measure on/off ..
Zero/One

• Bits/Bytes
• Larger Units
• Kilo-
• Mega-
• Giga-
• Used for
• Size (bytes)
• Speed (hertz)
• Resolution

Byte group of 8 bits one alphanumeric
character 256 combinations of bits
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Disk Drives

• Drive Types
• Hard
• Floppy
• USB Flash
• CD-ROM
• Recordable CD-ROM (CD-R, CD/RW)
• DVD
• Recordable DVD (DVD-R/RW, DVDR/RW, DVD-RAM)
• Removable any drive that has removable media.

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How Disk Drives Work

• RAM Compared to disk drives
• Workbench memory Storage memory

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Inside the System UnitPart 2

• Video
• Expansion cards
• Ports

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Computer Video Components

• Video monitor
• Video controller
• Video driver

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Computer Video

• The image on the monitor is composed of tiny dots
  called pixels.

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Resolution

• The higher the resolution setting, the more you
  can display on the monitor
• Images appear smaller at higher resolutions

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Purchasing a Monitor

• Features toconsider
• Screen size
• Maximum resolution
• Dot pitch
• Vertical frequency
• Resolution
• DVI or Analog input

Screen size is measured diagonally.
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Examples of Expansion Cards

• Modem
• Sound
• Video Capture
• Network/LAN
• TV
• Scanner

A video adapter card
An internal modem card
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Types of Expansion Slots

• PCI
• ISA

The system bus connects expansionslots to the
microprocessor
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Examples of Ports

• PS/2
• USB port
• Serial
• Parallel
• SCSI
• Video
• Miniplugs
• Joystick
• Phone jack
• RS-14

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How Modems Work

• A modem (Modulator/Demodulator) takes a digital
  computer signal and converts it to analog signal
  (sound) and vice versa

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Printers

• Laser
• Fast, higher initial cost, less cost per page
• Ink Jet
• Slower, lower initial cost, higher cost per page,
  more color options available.

Laser printers are often used for high volume,
high quality, black and white printing.
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Surge Protector

• Prevents power surges from ruining delicate
  computer circuitry
• Always connect yourcomputer andperipherals to
  asurge protector

Photo courtesy ofKensington Technology Group
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Computer Software

• The logical component of a computer system
• Most software is distributed via floppy disks and
  CD-ROMs
• Do not confuse the containerwith the contents
• Floppy and CD-ROM disks are containers for
  software, butnot the actual software

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Computer File

• A collection of data with some common purpose
• All computer software is stored in the form of
  files
• Some computer files are programs
• Other computer files may contain work that you
  have created, such as a letter or picture

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Types of Software
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The Operating System

• Controls all basic computer functions
• Lets you give simple commands to hardware
• Works with application programs to help you save
  and retrieve your work

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Examples of the Operating System at Work
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Application Programs

• Software that helps you get work done
• Word Writing and editing
• Excel Electronic spreadsheet
• Outlook Email
• Access Electronic filing cabinet
• PowerPoint Graphic communication

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User Files

• Store work you have completed with an application
  program, such as a
• Letter
• Drawing
• Spreadsheet
• Database of information
• Presentation information
• Graphics (pictures)
• Game you intend to continue later

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Computer Viruses

• Viruses are small programs that can invisibly
  infect your system without your knowledge
• Can cause your computer to stall or erase files
  on disk drives
• Many new viruses are discovered every week
• Computer viruses are malicious programs created
  by programmers (i.e., people)

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Antivirus Software

• Watch all activity on your system and can detect
  many viruses as they try to infect the system
• As new viruses are identified, antivirus software
  vendors update their software
• Obtain updates on the Web

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Researching Software

• Research software first
• Before shopping for hardware, research the
  software you wish to run on the computer
• Every application program has requirements for
  the hardware and operating system that it needs
  to function properly
• If your computer does not meet these
  requirements, the application program will not
  run

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Purchasing Hardware after Selecting Your Software

• Microprocessor
• Type (e.g. Pentium IV)
• Speed (e.g. 1.2 GHz)
• Operating System
• RAM
• Hard Drive Space
• Drive Options
• Other Hardware

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Setting Up a Computer

• Ergonomics is the science of designing equipment
  to maximize your productivity and reduce fatigue

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Healthy Work Habits with Computers

• Risks of computer use include
• Exposure to radiation
• Eye strain
• Repetitive stress injuries
• With good work habits, you can significantly
  reduce these risks