Introduction to Computers

Objectives

  Learn Basic Computer Terminology Differentiate Between Hardware and Software  Understanding Computer Components Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 2

In the beginning…

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What is a computer?

 An electronic device, operating under the control of instructions (software) stored in its own memory unit, that can accept data (input), manipulate data (process), and produce information (output) from the processing  To describe a collection of devices that function together as a system 4 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Different Types of Computers Desktop

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Hand Held Lap Top

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Devices that comprise a computer system Monitor (output) Speaker (output) “THE BOX” Printer (output) Scanne r (input)

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Keyboard (input) Mouse (input) Storage devices (CD-RW, Floppy, Hard disk, zip, … )

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Inside “THE BOX”…

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Motherboard



This is where most of the electronics is located

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Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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  Brains of a computer Contains electronic circuits that cause processing to occur  Interprets instructions to the computer, performs the logical and arithmetic processing operations, and causes the input and output operations to occur 10 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Modem (Modulator Demodulator)



Use for internet access with phone line

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Audio Card



This is the voice of your system

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Network Card



Used to connect to high speed internet access e.g. Cable or DSL lines

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Single Inline Memory Module (SIMM)

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Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

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Hard Disk Drive

   Computers main, long term storage.

It is referred to as non-volatile storage, because it does not disappear when the power is turned off.

The size of the Hard Drive is measured in Gigabytes. (Billions of Bytes).

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Power Supply

  250 – 500 Watts This is the power source that makes everything go 17 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

What Does A Computer Do?

 Computers can perform four general operations, which comprise the information processing cycle.

 Input  Process  Output  Storage 18 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Computer Tools

 Two kinds:  Hardware  Physical parts to computer (can be touched)  Software  The programs that are on the disks Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 19

Examples of Hardware

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Computer Storage

 Two main types:  Memory  Data Storage Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 21

Random Access Memory (RAM)



RAM

is the memory used by the computer to run programs.

 The amount of RAM available will run and how many windows can be open at one time.

 Volatile  Disappears is turned off 22 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Data Storage

   Information stored away for use later on  (like food in the refrigerator) Usually long-term (safer) May be stored on disks, CDs. DVDs, or flash drives 23 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Measuring Information

 Bytes  One character takes up about one

Byte

.

 An email takes up a few (thousand bytes) Kilobytes (thousands of bytes)  A picture may take up Megabytes (millions of bytes)  All the information on a computer may run into Gigabytes (billions of bytes) 24 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Storage Examples

Email, about a thousand characters Picture of granddaughter, about half a megabyte 25 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

Floppy Disk

 Portable, inexpensive storage medium that consists of a thin, circular, flexible plastic disk with a magnetic coating enclosed in a square shaped plastic shell   Main disk used for library users Holds 1.44 Megabytes  1,440,000 Bytes  Feels hard  Floppy part inside cover  Almost obsolete Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 26

Zip Disk

     Similar to floppy Thicker form Holds more information Available on some library computers Also becoming obsolete Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 27

Compact Disks

  Also called an optical disc, is a flat round, portable storage medium that is usually 4.75 inch in diameter.

A CD-ROM (read only memory)  Used the same laser technology as audio CDs for recording music.

 Can contain other types of data such as text, graphics, and video.

 The capacity is 650 MB of data.

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DVD

  Replacing CD-ROM Holds much larger amount of information (such as movie)  Also does not work on library computers Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer 29

Flash Drive

   Most recent widely used storage system Very portable, often worn like jewelry 128-512 Megabytes most common sizes 30 Chapter 1 - Introduction to Computer

TIME FOR A STRETCH BREAK