System Unit-The Main Part of A Microcomputer, Sometimes Called The Chassis. It
System Unit-The Main Part of A Microcomputer, Sometimes Called The Chassis. It
System Unit-The Main Part of A Microcomputer, Sometimes Called The Chassis. It
1. System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called the chassis. It
includes the following parts: Motherboard, Microprocessor, Memory Chips, Buses,
Ports, Expansion Slots and Cards.
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a
computer system. It performs all of the instructions and calculations that are needed
and manages the flow of information through a computer.
a. ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it holds data even
when the power is ON or OFF.
b. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data only
when the power is on. When the power is off, RAM's contents are lost.
Figure 4. Examples of RAM
6. Adapters- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that enable the
computer to use a peripheral device for which it does not have the necessary
connections or circuit boards. They are often used to permit upgrading to a new
different hardware.
7. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the
motherboard. It converts 120vac (standard house power) into DC voltages that are
used by other components in the PC.
8. Hard Disk Drive (HDD) - Also known as hard drive, is a magnetic storage device
that is installed inside the computer. The hard drive is used as permanent storage for
data. In a Windows computer, the hard drive is usually configured as the C: drive and
contains the operating system and applications.
Figure 9. CD ROM
10. Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) - Designed to optically access data stored on a
DVD. A laser moves back and forth near the disk surface and accesses data at a
very fast rate.
B. Input Devices - Accepts data and instructions from the user or from another
computer system.
1. Pointing Devices - An input device used to move the pointer (cursor) on screen.
Mouse - The most common 'pointing device' used in PCs. Every mouse has two
buttons and most have one or two scroll wheels.
Touch screen- A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or stylus.
Used in myriad applications, including ATM machines, retail point-of-sale
terminals, car navigation and industrial controls. The touch screen became wildly
popular for smart phones and tablets.
Light Pen - A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to draw pictures
or select menu options. The user brings the pen to the desired point on screen and
presses the pen button to make contact.
F
Digitizer Tablet - A graphics drawing tablet used for sketching new images or
tracing old ones. Also called a "graphics tablet," the user contacts the surface of
the device with a wired or wireless pen or puck.
Often mistakenly called a mouse, the puck is
officially the "tablet
cursor."
2. Scanning Devices- A device that can read text or illustrations printed on paper
and translates the information into a form the computer can use.
3. Voice- Input Devices - Audio input devices also known as speech or voice
recognition systems that allow a user to send audio signals to a computer for
processing, recording, or carrying out commands. Audio input devices such as
microphones allow users to speak to the computer in order to record a voice message
or navigate software.
C. Output Devices - Any piece of computer hardware that displays results after the
computer has processed the input data that has been entered.
1. Computer Display Monitor- It displays information in visual form, using text and
graphics. The portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the
screen or video display terminal.
Types of Monitor
a. CRT Monitors - Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) were the only type of displays for use
with desktop PCs. They are relatively big (14" to 16" deep) and heavy (over 15 lbs).
Figure 19. Cathode Ray Tube Monitor
b. LCD Monitors - Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology has been used in laptops
for some time. It has recently been made commercially available as monitors for
desktop PCs.
c. LED Monitors (Light Emitting Diode) - A display and lighting technology used in
almost every electrical and electronic product on the market, from a tiny on/off light
to digital readouts, flashlights, traffic lights and perimeter lighting.
Figure 21. Light Emitting Diode Monitor
3. Smart Board - A type of display screen that has a touch sensitive transparent
panel covering the screen, which is similar to a touch screen.
Types of printer
Figure 27.
Line Printer
Thermal Printer- An inexpensive printer that works by pushing heated pins against
heat-sensitive paper. Thermal printers are widely used in calculators and fax
machines.
5. Speakers - Used to play sound. They may be built into the system unit or connected
with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound effects from your
computer.
E. Cables and Wires- A cable is most often two or more wires running side by side
and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly, but can also refer
to a heavy strong rope.
Illustration Function
These jacks are intended for
the PS/2 port specifically for
PS/2 type of keyboard and
mouse.
Illustration Function
S-video jack is obviously for S-
Video port
This monitor jack is intended
for the VGA (Video Graphic
Array) port
Illustration Function
1.2 Software is the set of instructions (also called a program) that guides the hardware
to operate effectively. Software can be split into two main types:
1. System Software – Any software required to support the production or execution
of application programs, but which is not specific to any particular application.
Common operating systems include Windows, the Macintosh OS, OS/2 and UNIX.
LINUX
MAC
WINDOWS