Introduction to PC

UNIT 1 INTRODUCTION TO PC

Structure Page Nos.

1.0 Introduction 5
1.1 Objectives 5
1.2 Introduction to PC 6
1.3 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 10
1.3.1 Control Unit
1.3.2 Arithmetic Logic Unit
1.4 Types of Main Memory 14
1.4.1 RAM
1.4.2 ROM
1.4.3 PROM
1.4.4 EPROM
1.5 Secondary (auxiliary) Memory 19
1.6 Input/Output devices 22
1.7 Peripherals 23
1.8 Summary 26
1.9 Solutions / Answers 28
1.10 Further Reading and References 31

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Computer is the most powerful tool man has ever created. Computers are used in almost
every working place in the modern times that is school, colleges, offices, railways,
banks, industries, hospitals etc. The word “computer” comes from the word “compute”
which means to calculate. So a computer can be considered as a calculating device that
can perform arithmetic operations at a high speed but more accurately.

Computer is a digital electronic storage device, which accepts data and set of
instructions, manipulates it, and retrieves the information at very high speed. In
other wards we can say that a computer is a data processing device which following
specific instructions, perform a sequence of operations to achieve a desired result.
In this unit we will discuss about personal computer (PC) and its components. From
here onward, the words PC and computer are used interchangeably.

1.1 OBJECTIVES

After going through this unit, you will be able to:

• describe the Main components of Personal Computer (PC);

• discuss the role of CPU, CU and ALU;

• describe the various types of memory such as RAM, ROM, PROM and
EPROM etc.;

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Hardware and Software: An
Introduction
• define and explain the various types of I/O (Input and Output) devices; and

• define the various types of peripheral devices.

1.2 INTRODUCTION TO PC

Specifically, a computer receives input (data or/and instructions) through the input
devices (such as keyboard or mouse) process the data according to the specified
instructions and then presents the output (results) in a readable form on its output
device, i.e. either on its screen/monitor or on paper through the printer attached to it.
A simple analogy can be drawn between the sequence of operations performed by a
computer and man to process data.

Suppose a student asks a teacher “what happens when 8 is multiplied by 6”. He receives
the answer 40 from teacher. In the case of computer, this process can be described as
follows: The teacher’s brain receives the question through his ears (analogous to a
computer’s input device), processes the question with the help of his brain’s information
processing and analytical ability (analogous to computer’s Central Processing Unit) and
give the answer through the mouth (analogous to a computer’s output device). Further,
just as the teacher can write down the answer on a sheet of paper or blackboard, the
computer can also print the answer on a paper through a printer attached to it.

From the outside, a computer looks like:

System Unit
Monitor
Keyboard Mouse

Figure 1: Computer System (or Desktop PC)

The CPU resides inside a box known as the System unit, along with various support
devices and tools for storing information. You can think of the system unit as a
container for the CPU. The system unit case can either be short and wide usually
underneath the screen (as in Figure-1) or it can be taller and narrow (Figure 2) and
generally sits below of your desk.

CPU Container

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 Introduction to PC

Figure 2: A System Unit - A Tower Case

The most notable things in a desktop PC are the screen (or monitor), keyboard, mouse,
etc. However, from an architectural point of view, Figure 3 represents a true picture of a
PC

Memory
CPU Program

Peripherals Devices
ALU CU
Data
General Register
Keyboard
Instruction Register Disks Mnitor + Mouse

Memory Bus

Network Interface
To network

Figure 3: A Computer System: An Architectural Point of View

Here memory (system) bus provides a communication between the system components
(the CPU, printers, storage etc). The bus is a cable, which carries signals representing
data from one place to another. For example, when data needs to be sent from memory
to a printer, it will be sent via the system bus.

Personal Computers (PCs) are used in almost every working place such as school,
colleges, offices; railways, banks, industries, hospitals, art and entertainment etc. The
following Table illustrates various fields where we are using PCs.

Table1: Area of Applications of PC

Fields Uses
EDUCATION Developing and publishing course material, Drawing
pictures, Doing Research work etc.
BUSINESS AND Maintaining daily account (i.e., Sales, purchase etc.),
PERSONAL Communicate with your business partner through e-mail,
chat etc.
SCIENTIFIC Scientific research work, taking a photographs of spaces with
the help of computers etc.
HEALTHCARE For scanning any part of our bodies, Doctors can search
latest research & medicine through computers.
ART AND You can create your own drawing/painting, listening music
ENTERNTAINMENT & watching movies through computers

Every modern computer system consists of three basic sections:

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Hardware and Software: An
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1. Input Device (i.e., Keyboard, mouse, scanner etc.)
2. Processor (or CPU):
• Control Unit (CU)
• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU)
• Memory Unit
3. Output Device (Visual Display Unit (Monitor/Screen), Printer etc.)

Memory (main)

Central Processing Unit

Input Devices Control Unit
Output-Devices

Arithmetic-Logic
Unit

Figure 4: Block Diagram of a Computer

The basic parts of a computer are shown in Figure 4.

• Input Devices such as Keyboard, Mouse or Scanner are used to enter

input (data or/and instructions), directly into the computer.

• The CPU is like the human brain; it has a memory and just like there is
a faculty in the brain that regulates the functioning of all parts of the body; it has
a control-unit (CU), which controls the entire operation of a computer including
its input and output devices.

• Processing of data is done in the arithmetic and logic unit (ALU). It

performs Arithmetic and logic operations such as addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division. Here, the word “Logic” is used because a computer
(unlike a calculator) has a capacity to do logical operations also, such as
comparing two numbers etc.

The function of a computer can be described as follows:

• The input is released under the direction of control unit (CU) from the input
device (say key board) to the memory unit.
• The control unit directs the requisite part of input to be sent to the ALU for
being processed.
• After the processing is over, control unit directs the ALU to release the
processed output to the memory.
• Then, finally, the output is released from the memory to the output device (say

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 monitor/screen). Introduction to PC

Thus, a computer does mainly the following four functions:

1) Receiving Input : Accept information from outside through various input devices
such as Keyboard, Mouse, etc.
2) Process Information : Perform arithmetic and logical operations on the
information
3) Produce output : Communicate information to the outside world through output
devices like monitor, printer etc.
4) Store information: Store the information in storage devices like, hard disk, pen
drive etc.

These four functions are responsible for everything that computers do. Components of
a computer system are given in Figure 5.

(Auxiliary Storage Device-Floppy/Pen drive/CD-ROM)

CPU

(Input Device) (Output Device)

(Primary Memory)

Figure 5: Components of a Computer System

☞ Check Your Progress 1

1) State True/False against each of the following statements:

a) The CPU resides inside a box known as the System unit.

b) Every modern computer system consists of three basic sections-input

devices, Processor (CPU) and Output devices.

c) Hardware in the mechanical and electrical devices, which we can

see and touch.

d) ALU stands for Automatic Logic Unit.

e) Peripheral devices allow people to interact with the CPU.

f) Primary memory is the part of the computer that executes

program instructions.
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Hardware and Software: An
Introduction
g) The Control unit tells the rest of the computer system how to carry
out a program’s instructions.

2) What are the five main components of a computer system?

a) CPU, CD-ROM, Mouse, Keyboard, Sound Card

b) Memory, Video Card, Monitor, Software, Hardware

c) Modem, Keyboard, Word Processor, Printer, Screen.

d) CPU, Memory, System Bus, Input, Output

3) How do the main components of the computer communicate with each other?

a) System bus

b) Memory

c) Keyboard

d) Monitor

4) The main functions of the computer are:

a) Receive input and produce output

b) Information processing

c) Information storage

d) All of the above.

5) The two main parts of the CPU are:

a) Control Unit & Memory

b) Addresses & Register

c) Addresses and ALU

d) Control Unit & ALU

1.3 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

In a human body, the brain takes all major decisions and the other parts of the body

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function as directed by the brain. Similarly, in order to work a computer, also need some Introduction to PC
sort of “brain” or “calculation capacity”. In a computer system, there is a device roughly
the size of a large postage stamp, known as the central processing unit (CPU). In a
computer system, all major calculations and comparisons are made inside the CPU . It is
also responsible for activating and controlling the operations of other units of a
computer system.

The CPU resides inside a box known as the system unit, along with various support
devices and tools for storing information. Just think of the system unit as a container for
the CPU. The system unit case, that is the metal case itself, usually sits on top of your
desk, often underneath the screen (as shown in Figure-1), or it can be taller and narrow,
in which case it generally sits underneath your desk and is referred to as a tower case (as
shown in Figure-2).

CPU reads and executes program instructions, performs calculations, and makes
decisions. The CPU is mainly responsible for storing and retrieving information on disks
and other media. It also handles information from one part of the computer to another
and directs the flow of traffic throughout the computer system. Below you can see
meaning of each word of a Control Processing Unit.

Central Processin Unit

g
It is a Unit because it is a chip, which
consists of transistors
It is called a processor because it does arithmetic and
logical operation

It is central because it controls all activities of a system.

A block diagram of a modern computer is shown in Figure 6:

Control Unit Arithmetic

& Logic Unit Output
Input
Devices
Devices
Primary Storage

Secondary Storage Communication

Devices

Figure 6: A Block Diagram of a Basic Computer Organization.

Basically the Control Unit (CU) and the Arithmetic-Logic-Unit (ALU) of a computer
system are jointly known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Logically we can say:

CPU=CU+ALU
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Hardware and Software: An
Introduction
Thus the CPU has mainly two parts:

• Control Unit (CU) ; and

• Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU).

The Control Unit (CU) controls the entire operation of a computer. It is responsible of
carrying out program instructions and telling the rest of the computer system what to do.
It manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

It obtains instructions from the program stored in the main memory, interprets the
instructions, and issues signals that cause other units of the system to execute them.
Although, it does not perform any actual processing on the data, the control unit acts as
a central nervous system for the other components of the computer. It manages and
coordinates the entire computer system.

The Arithmetic-Logic-Unit (ALU) of a computer system is the place where the actual
execution of the program instructions takes place during the processing operation.

The internal architectural design of computers differs from one system to another.
However, the basic organization remains the same for all computer system. A block
diagram of the basic computer organization is shown in Figure 6. Now let us look at
each part of CPU in detail.

1.3.1 Control Unit (CU)

How does the input device know that it is the time for it to feed data into the storage unit
(or memory)? How does the ALU know what should be done with the data once those
are received?

And how the final results are sent to output device (monitor/screen or printer etc.), not
the intermediate result? All this is possible because of the control unit (CU) of the
computer system. By selecting, interpreting and seeing to the execution of the program
instructions, the control unit is able to maintain order and direct the operation of the
entire system. The control unit (CU) basically does the following things:

• It manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

• The CU is responsible of carrying out program instructions and telling the rest
of the computer system what to do.

• It obtains the instructions from the program stored in the main memory,
interprets the instructions and issues signals that cause other units of the system
to execute them.

• The Instruction Register contains a current instruction once it has been fetched
from the primary memory. The control unit uses the instruction contained in the
Instruction Register to decide which circuits need to be activated (see Figure
5). Program counter contains the address of the next instruction to be fetched for
execution (Figure 5).

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 Introduction to PC

• It communicates with both the arithmetic logic unit and main memory.

• The control unit co-ordinates the activities of the other two units as well as all
peripheral and auxiliary storage devices linked to the computer.

• The CU instructs the arithmetic logic unit which arithmetic operations (such as
addition, subtraction etc.) or logical operation (comparison between two
number) is to be performed through control logic unit shown in Figure 7.

Control Unit
Fetch Unit Control Logic Unit
Instruction Register

Decode Unit

Program Counter

+1

Figure 7: Control Unit

Specialized electronic circuits (fetch and decode unit) in the control unit is designed to
fetch and decode program instructions held in the main memory. Each instruction is
read from the memory into the instruction register. The process of reading an instruction
is often referred to as the fetch-execute process.

1.3.2 Arithmetic-Logic Unit (ALU)

The arithmetic Logic unit (ALU) of a computer system is the place where the actual
execution takes place.

• All the Arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and

division are performed and all comparisons (decisions) are made in the ALU.

• Relational operator (=, <, >), i.e., equal to, less-than and greater-than are used to
describe the comparison operations by the ALU.

• ALU carries out arithmetic operations on integer (whole number) and real (with
a decimal point) operands. It performs simple logical tests for integers operands
only.

• The data and instructions, stored in the primary memory prior to the processing,
are transferred as and when need to the ALU, when processing takes place.

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• No processing is done in the primary storage unit (or memory).

• Intermediate results generated in the ALU are temporarily transferred back to

the primary storage unit until needed at later time.

• Data may thus move from primary storage to ALU and back again to storage
many times before the processing is over.

• After the completion of processing, the final results, which are stored in the
storage unit, are released to an output device (monitor/screen or printer).

• The accumulator is used to accumulate results. It is the place where the

answers of many operation are stored temporarily before being sent to the
computer's memory (see Figure 6). Only the final result is transmitted to the
memory unit for storage.

To understand the operation of CU, ALU etc., let us execute the statement
(or command) R=n1+n2. This statement adds two numbers n1 and n2 and
places the result in a location X (refer the Figure 8).

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

CONTROL UNIT

ADD INSTRUCTION
Step 1
Move
instruction to
the control unit Step 3
The control unit
signals the ALU
perform “addition
operation” on the
Memory two numbers and
Locations Numbers 1(n1)
Let R = n1+n2 to store the result
in the
Numbers 2(n2)
accumulator
Step 2
Result R The two
numbers are NUMBER 1
MEMORY UNIT brought from
memory and +
placed in the NUMBER 2
ALU

RESULT
Step 4 (ACCUMULATOR)
Send result in
memory ARITHMETIC AND LOGIC UNIT
14 (ALU)

Figure 8: CPU Operation to find data and instructions (Adding two numbers)
 Introduction to PC

1.4 TYPES OF MAIN MEMORY

The data and instructions which are entered into the computer system through input
devices (keyboard, mouse etc.) have to be stored inside the computer before the actual
processing starts. Similarly, after processing, the results produced by the computer must
be kept somewhere inside the computer system before being passed onto the output
devices (monitor/screen or printer). Thus, the storage unit (primary/main memory) of a
computer system is designed to take care of all these needs.

The memory unit is the electronic device that holds data and instructions for processing.
It consists of binary cells (i.e., 0 or 1 signals) to store the information. Thus,

• the memory unit that directly communicate with the CPU is called the primary
storage or primary memory or main storage or main memory.

• it basically stores the necessary programs of system software, which are

required to execute the user’s program.

• when we load software from floppy disk, pen drive, hard disk or CD-ROM, it is
stored in the main memory.

• there are two types of computer (main) memory inside the computer (as shown
in Figure 9):

1. RAM (Random Access Memory)

2. ROM (Read Only Memory)

Figure 9: Main Memory : ROM (Non-volatile) and RAM (Volatile)

1.4.1 Random Access Memory (RAM)

• Random Access Memory (RAM) is really the main store and is the place where
the program and software we load gets stored. When CPU runs a program, it

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Hardware and Software: An
fetches the program instructions from the RAM and carries them out. Similarly,
Introduction
if the CPU needs to store the final results of calculations, it stores those in
RAM. Thus, you (CPU) can both READ data from RAM and WRITE data into
the RAM.
• If your computer has large RAM, you can run larger programs.
• RAM is known as volatile memory, that is, the stored data are lost, if the power
goes off. The following Figure 10 shows a common RAM chip.

Figure 10: RAM Chip (size 128 MB)

Mother board is a microcomputer circuit board that contains slots for connecting
peripherals like RAM modules, CPU and adapter cards. Motherboards also have
electronic circuitry for handling such tasks as I/O signals from those peripheral devices.
A motherboard is the backbone of a computer system: The power of a PC highly
depends on the peripherals that its motherboard supports.

In older days, the first home PC’s uses a 64 KB of RAM memory. Today’s modern
computers need a minimum of 64 MB (recommended 128 MB or 256 MB) to run
Windows or Linux Operating system with latest number of software. A RAM memory
chips come in many different sizes ranging from 1 MB to 2 GB.

1.4.2 Read Only Memory (ROM)

• A Read-Only memory (RAM) is one in which information is permanently

stored. Computer almost always contains a small amount of Read-Only
Memory (RAM).

• ROM is used for storing special set of instruction, which the computer needs
when it start up (boot up).

• Unlike RAM, the information from ROM can only be READ and it is not
possible to WRITE fresh information to it. That is the CPU can only fetch or
READ instructions from ROM. This is the reason why it is called ROM.

• When we switch the computer off, the contents of the ROM does not get erased.
Therefore, it is non-volatile memory. Thus, a Read Only Memory (ROM) is
one in which information is permanently stored. The following figure shows a
relationship between the CPU and main memory (RAM and ROM).

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 Introduction to PC

RAM
CPU
ROM
Figure 11: Relationship between the CPU and main memory (RAM and ROM).

1.4.3 Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM)

• A variation of ROM chip is programmable read only memory (PROM). A

PROM is a memory chip on which data can be written only once.
• ROM chips are supplied by computer manufacturer and it is not possible for a
user to modify the programs stored inside the ROM chip. However, in case of
PROM, it is possible for a user to customize a system by storing own program
in a PROM chip.
• Once a program has been written on to a PROM chip, the recorded information
cannot be changed i.e., the PROM becomes a ROM and it is only possible to
read the stored information.
• PROM is also a non-volatile memory i.e., the stored information remains even
if power is switched off.
• The basic difference between PROM and a ROM is that a PROM is
manufactured as blank memory, whereas a ROM is programmed during the
manufacturing process. To write data on a PROM chip, you need a special
device called a PROM programmer or a PROM burner. The process of
programming a PROM is sometimes called burning the PROM.

1.4.4 Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM)

• Once the information is stored in a ROM chip or a PROM chip, it cannot be

changed. However, there is another type of memory chip called erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM) that overcomes this problem.

• As the name implies, it is possible to erase information stored in an EPROM

chip and the chip can be reprogrammed to store new information by using a
special device called a PROM programmer or a PROM burner.

• The information stored in an EPROM chip is erased by exposing the chip for
some time to ultraviolet light.

• When an EPROM chip is in use, information can only be READ and the
information remains on the chip until it is erased.

• An EPROM differs from a PROM in that a PROM can be written to only once
and can not be erased.

• EPROMs are widely used in personal computer they enable the manufacturer to
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Hardware and Software: An
change the contents of the PROM before the computer is actually delivered.
Introduction
This means that bugs can be removed and new versions installed shortly before
delivery.

☞ Check Your Progress 2

1) State True/False against each of the following statements:

a) Computer can communicate with other computers and can receive and send data
in various forms like text, sound, video, graphics etc.

b) A digital computer operates on Hexadecimal digits 0,1,….9,A,B,…,F.

c) The Control Unit communicates with both ALU and Main memory.

d) The Arithmetic & Logic unit (ALU) controls the entire operation of a computer. It
manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

e) The process of reading an instruction is often referred to as the fetch-

execute process.

f) ALU is not a part of the CPU.

g) ALU can do only arithmetic & logical operations.

h) ALU can perform performs logical tests only for integers operands only.

i) The accumulator is the place where the answers from many

operations are stored temporarily before being put out to the computer's
memory.

j) Primary memory is directly communicated with the CPU.

k) When we load software from floppy disk, hard disk or CD-ROM, it is stored in
the main memory.

l) RAM & ROM are the two types of computer main memory inside of a
computer.

m) Non-Volatile memory means the stored data are lost, if the power goes off.

2) Multiple Choices Questions

i) The different types of memory units are:

a) RAM

b) ROM

c) PROM

d) All of the above

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 Introduction to PC
ii) Which of the following memory loses it contents when the computer turned off?

a) RAM

b) ROM

c) PROM

d) All of the above

iii) Which of the following memory chip is programmed during the manufacturing
process?

a) RAM

b) ROM

c) PROM

d) EEPROM

iv) EEPROM can be it erased by exposing to:

a) Sunlight

b) Ultraviolet Radiation

c) Magnetic field

d) Electric Charge

3) What is a CPU and explain how it works?

……………………………………………..………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………..
………………………………………..
4) Sketch a block diagram on a computer system and explain the function of various
parts of a computer system.

……………………………………………..………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………..
………………………………………..

5) What are the main functions of Control-unit (CU) and Arithmetic/Logic unit (ALU)?

……………………………………………..………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………..
Introduction
……………………………………..

1.5 SECONDARY (AUXILIARY) MEMORY

DEVICES

External Storage/Auxiliary Storage (i.e. Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, CD-ROM, DVD,
Zip-Drive, magnetic tape) – provides a place where data can be permanently stored
and transferred to and from main memory (RAM).

Secondary memory is also known as auxiliary memory or secondary storage. This is a

Non-volatile type memory; it means the stored data and programs do not get lost, even
after the computer is switched off. Unlike RAM which looses the contents when the
computer is turned off, and ROM, to which it is not possible to add anything new, the
auxiliary storage devices allows the computer to record information semi-permanently,
so it can be used later by the same computer or another computer. Auxiliary storage
devices are also useful in transferring data and programs from one computer to another
computer. They can also be used as a back-up storage, which allows back up the
valuable information that you are working on. So even if by some accident if your
computer crashes and the data in it is unrecoverable, you can restore it from back-ups.

The most important auxiliary storage devices are Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, CD-ROMs,
DVD, magnetic tapes, magnetic disks etc.

• Floppy Disk

Portable. Usually the A drive on your computer.

Portable disks means that you can carry with you or can be remove
them from disk drive A.

A standard floppy disk can hold 1.44 MB of data.

Slower to access then hard-disks and has less storage capacity, but they are
less expensive and portable.

• Hard Disk/Hard Drive

Non-Portable. The hard drive is the primary device that a computer uses
to store information.

In most of the computers partitioning of hard drive is done and each

portion is given a separate drive name. For example a 80GB Hard Disk may
be partitioned into four drives C, D, E and G each of 20 GB.

Most computers have one hard drive located inside the computer case.
If a computer has one hard drive, it is called drive C. If a computer has
additional hard drives, they are called drives D, E, F, and so on.

The hard drive stores the programs on your computer. When you buy a
new program, you must first install in onto your hard drive before you can

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 run it. The hard drive is also called the hard disk, hard disk drive or fixed Introduction to PC
disk drive.

The size of a Hard Drive is measured in Gigabytes. A 20+ GB hard

drive is common for new computers, and the larger the hard drive, the more
programs you can store on your computer.

A Hard Disk/Hard Drive is shown in Figure 12.

R/W Head

Platter

Figure 12: Hard Disk

• CD-ROM Drive

CD-ROM stands for Compact Disk Read Only Memory. A CD-ROM drive
reads information from a compact disk. CD-ROMs are high capacity storage,
and like, floppy disks are portable (removable). You cannot write information
to a CD-ROM (because it is read only), you can only retrieve information.
However, CD-RW (CD Rewritable) drives are becoming more common, these
drives allow you to record data such as music files etc. onto CD-RW disks. You
can change the data on CD-RW disks.

When you type a letter in MS Word, as you type it is being stored in RAM,
when you save the file (either to your floppy disk or your hard disk) you are
saving to auxiliary storage. The next time you open your letter, you are
retrieving it from the auxiliary storage into memory. Auxiliary storage is
considered both an input and an output device.

• Magnetic tape:

Magnetic tape is a magnetically coated strip of plastic on which data can be

encoded. Tapes for computers are very similar to the tapes used to store the
music. Storing data on tapes is considerably cheaper than storing data on disks.
Tapes also have larger storage capacities, ranging from a few hundred kilobytes
to gigabytes. Magnetic tapes are used for taking backup of the large date from
computer system.

The table on next page summarizes the different types of secondary (auxiliary)
memory devices:

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Hardware and Software: An
Introduction

Medium Capacity Advantages Disadvantages Primary Storage

Uses mechani
sm
Hard Disk Variable • Usually integrated into the PC • Slower computer • To Magnetic
• very robust performance when disk store data
is full and files
• To store
software

Floppy Disks 1.44 MB Portable disk. • Very small storage • For

Useful for booting older PC’s capacity transferring
• Some older applications • Easily damaged small files Magnetic
only save to A drives • Medium for between
propagation of computers
viruses

CD-ROM/ 650-700 MB • Portable & Medium storage Some older computers To store
CD-R/ CD- capacity cannot read CD-RW files and Optical
Inexpensive media software
• Some types (CD-RW) can be • CD-R discs are ‘write • To store
reused i.e. rewritable disk. once’, which means archive
• Can be used in certain models once data is copied to material
of DVD player it, new or additional from hard
data cannot be added disks
• To store
scanned files
such as
exam papers
• To store
applications
from the
Internet

Magnetic Tape 20 GB to • Very large storage capacity • Data cannot be • To store

2 TB • Disks are durable, robust and accessed immediately files Magnetic
rewritable • Required tape • Ide
• Inexpensive drive and third party al for large
software scale daily
• Tape drives for and weekly
large capacity tapes backup
can be very expensive operations
particularly
for servers.

Table 2: Comparison of different storage devices:

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 Introduction to PC

DVD-ROM 4.7GB to Large storage capacity • Not all computers can Same as Optical
DVD±R 8.5GB • Some types read DVD±R or CD-ROM/
DVD±RW (DVD±RW) can be reused or DVD±RW disks. CD-R/CD-
rewritable. • DVD±R discs are RW
‘write once’, which
• Can be used in certain models means once data is
of DVD player. copied to it, new or
additional data cannot
be added

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Hardware and Software: An
Introduction

1.6 INPUT-OUTPUT DEVICES

In this section you will get introduced with the various types of I/O devices available for
computer systems. The topics discussed here briefly will be taken up in detail in the
Unit 3 of this block.

The input-output (also known as I/O) devices provide the means of communication
between the computer and the outside world. They are also known as peripheral devices
because they surround the CPU.

Without any input devices a computer would simply be a display device and not allow
users to interact with it, much like a TV.

When using a computer, you must send commands to the computer, and data to be
processed. Also, data must be returned from the computer to the user. In order to do
this, the computer makes use of input and output devices.

• Input devices (such as keyboard, mouse, joystick etc.) are used to enter data
into primary storage (or primary memory) or a hardware device that sends
information into the CPU.
The Table 3 highlights the categories of which the input devices.

Table 3: Categories of Input Devices

Category Device Name

Keying device Keyboard
Punch card reader
Pointing Devices Mouse
Joystick
Touch Screen
Light Pen
Pen based computing
Speech recognizers
Optical character Optical scanner
Recognizer Bar Code Reader
Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR)
Other devices Digital Camera
Web cam
Smart Cards
Telephone

Output Devices

The output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user via some devices or
media. These devices are called output devices. The following are some examples of

24
different types of output devices commonly found on a computer. Introduction to PC

Monitor
Printer
Sound card & Speakers
Video card
Plotter

Monitor (or screen) is also called a video display unit (VDU) that displays both input
and output data. It consists of CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) technology. It is basically
electronic “gun” which shoots (emits) the beam of electrons and illuminates the pixels
on the screen.

There are two broad categories of Printers i.e., Impact & Non impact printers. Impact
printer uses striking action to press carbons against a paper to create a character. Dot
Matrix printer and Inkjet printer are some examples of impact printer. The term
DOT matrix refers to the process of placing dots to form an image. The quality of the
image is determined by the dots per inch.

Inkjet printer forms text and/or images by spraying streams of quick-drying ink on
paper. The ink is stored in disposable ink cartridges; often a separate cartridge is used
for each of the major colors. These colors are usually Black, Red/Magenta, Green/Cyan,
and Yellow (CYMK). Today, dot matrix printers are not commonly used or found
because of the low quality print outs, when compared to ink jet printers or other later
printer, technologies. A Non impact printer such as laser printer uses a laser
technology to print images on the paper. Laser printers are often used in corporate,
school, and other environments that require print jobs to be completed quickly and in
large quantities.

A Sound Card (also known as a sound board or an audio card) is an expansion card
or integrated circuit that provides a computer with the ability to produce sound that can
be heard by the user.
A Speaker is basically a hardware device connected to a computer's sound card that
outputs sounds generated by the card.

Plotter is used in engineering and architectural drawing. It uses a computer driven pen
for creating blacks and white or color graphic images like charts, graphs etc.

1.7 PERIPHERAL DEVICES

Peripheral devices are used to communicate with the “outside world” or hold
information over the long period. Peripheral devices may fall into 3 basic classes:

i) Input Devices: Mouse, Keyboard, trackball, Joystick, Scanner, digital camera etc.

ii) Output Devices: Display screen (Monitor), Printer and Speaker etc.

iii) Mass storage Devices: Floppy disk, Pen Drive, Hard disk, CD-ROMs etc.

25
Hardware and Software: An
The Table 4 shows internal and external devices of any computer system.
Introduction

Internal Devices External Devices

CPU, RAM, cache, ROM circuits containing the

Motherboard BIOS and startup programs. Chipsets Keyboard
(controllers). Ports, busses and slots. EIDE Mouse
interface, USB, AGP, etc. Joystick
Screen
Printer
Scanner
Drives Hard disk(s), diskette drive, CD-ROM, DVD, etc. Speakers
Plug-in cards External drives
Graphics card (video adapter), network card, Tape drive
SCSI controller. MIDI units
Sound card, video and TV card. Modem
Modem and ISDN card. Digital camera

☞ Check Your Progress 3

1) State True/False against each of the following statements:

a) Primary memory is directly communicated with the CPU.

b) When we load software from floppy disk, hard disk or CD-ROM, it is stored in
the main memory.

c) Auxiliary memory is long term and non-volatile memory.

d) Hard-disks hold more data and are faster than floppy disks.

e) CD-R drive is short for compact disk recordable drive.

f) All color computer monitors are also known as RGB monitors

g) In all color monitors, each pixel is composed of three dots-red, blue and green.

h) Bandwidth determines how many times or otherwise, per second the screen is to
be refreshed.

i) VGA uses analog signals rather than digital signals.

j) CD ROMs are capable of storing up to 650 MB of data which is equivalent to

450 floppy disk (each having 1.44 MB capacity).

2) Multiple choice questions:

a) Which of the following is an input device?

i) Mouse

ii) Printer

iii) Monitor

26
 Introduction to PC
iv) All of the above

b) CD-ROM is an example of

i) Input device

ii) Output device

iii) Both Input & Output

iv) None on these

c) Which of the following is slowest in accessing data?

i) Zip disk

ii) Hard-disk

iii) Floppy disk

iv) Magnetic tape

d) Which of the following is generally used for back-ups?

i) CD-ROM

ii) Hard-Disk

iii) Floppy disk

iv) Magnetic tapes

e) Which technology is used in the evaluation of aptitude test?

i) OCR

ii) OMR

iii) MICR

iv) MCR

f) An input device that is used widely in supermarkets is

i) Keyboard

ii) Mouse

iii) Trackball

27
Hardware and Software: An
iv) Bar code reader
Introduction

g) The refresh rate of a monitor is measured in terms of

i) Pixel

ii) Resolution

iii) Bits

iv) Hertz

3) Differentiate between memory & storage.

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

4) What are the input and output devices?

………..
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………..……
5) What is the difference between a laser and inkjet printer?

………..………………………………………………………..
………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………
6) Explain how data is stored on a Disk?

………..………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………

7) List and compare the various optical storage media available for personal computers.

………..……………………………………………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………

28
 Introduction to PC
1.8 SUMMARY

• The word “computer” comes from the word “compute” which means to
calculate. So a computer can be considered as a calculating device that can perform
arithmetic operations at a high speed but more accurately.

• Every Computer has the general structure shown in Figure 13:

INPUT CPU OUTPUT

MAIN Memory EXTERNAL Memory

Figure 13: System Bus

• A computer receives input (data or/and instructions) through the input devices
(such as keyboard or mouse), process the data according to the specified
instructions (via CPU) and then presents the output (results) in a readable form
on its output device, i.e., either on its screen/monitor or on paper through the
printer attached to it.

• A computer consists of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory and various

devices which can be categorized as Input/Output Devices. Information is
communicated between these separate units by the Systems Bus.
• The Central Processing Unit (CPU) performs the actual processing of data. The
data it processes is obtained, via the system bus, from the main memory. Results
from the CPU are then sent back to main memory via the system bus.

• In addition to computation the CPU controls and co-ordinates the operation of

the other major components. The CPU has two main components, namely:
Control Unit (CU) and an Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU).

• The Control Unit : controls the fetching of instructions from the main memory
and the subsequent execution of these instructions. The control unit also
controls the operation of the peripheral devices (keyboard, monitor or printers
etc.) and the transfer of information between the units that make up the
computer.

• The Arithmetic/Logical Unit (ALU): carries out arithmetic operations on

integer (whole number) and real (with a decimal point) operands. It can also
perform simple logical tests for equality and greater than and less than between
operand.

• The memory of the computer is split into main memory and external
(secondary/auxiliary) memory.

29
Hardware and Software: An
Introduction
• Main memory is fast and limited in capacity. The CPU can only directly access
information in main memory. Main memory cannot retain information when the
computer is switched of. Main memory consists of a series of numbered locations called
bytes, each byte equals eight bits.
• Secondary memory is slow and virtually unlimited in capacity information
remain in it, even when the computer is switched off.
• Information on external memory cannot directly access by the CPU. The
information stored on external memory is first transferred to main memory, and
then can be accessed by the CPU.
• The internal representation of information in the computer and on external
memory is in terms of the Binary system using only the basic symbols 0 and 1.

• Programs to be executed by the computer are placed in main memory and the
CPU fetches each instruction in turn from memory and executes it.

• The memory unit that directly communicated with the CPU is called the
primary memory or main memory

• There are two types of computer (main) memory inside the computer i.e., RAM
(Volatile) and ROM (Non-volatile).
• ROM chips are supplied by computer manufacturer and it is not possible for a
user to modify the programs stored inside the ROM chip. However, in case of
PROM (non-volatile), it is possible for a user to customize a system by storing
own program in a PROM chip.

• The basic difference between PROM and a ROM is that a PROM is

manufactured as blank memory, whereas a ROM is programmed during the
manufacturing process.

• Once the information is stored in a ROM chip or a PROM chip it cannot be

changed. However, there is another type of memory chip called Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM) that overcomes this problem.

• Secondary memory (Auxiliary memory) provides a place where data can be

permanently stored and transferred to and from main memory (RAM). Such as
Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, Pen Drive, CD-ROM, DVD, Zip-Drive, magnetic
tape.

• Input devices (such as keyboard, mouse, joystick etc.) are used to enter data
into primary storage (or primary memory) or a hardware device that sends
information into the CPU.

• The output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user via some
devices or media. These devices are called output devices such as monitor,
printer etc.

1.9 SOLUTION/ANSWERS

Check Your Progress 1

30
1) a) T Introduction to PC
b) T
c) T
d) F
f) T
g) T
h) T

2) d
3) a
4) d
5) d

Check Your Progress 2

1) a) T
b) F
c) T
d) F
f) T
g) F
h) T
i) T
J) T
k) T
l) T
m) F

2) (i) d
(ii) a
(iii) b
(iv) d

3) The control unit (CU) and the arithmetic-logic-unit (ALU) of a computer system are
jointly known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The Control Unit (CU) controls the entire operation of a computer. It is responsible

to carries out program instructions and tells the rest of the computer system what to
do. It manages and coordinates the entire computer system. It obtains instructions

from the program stored in the main memory, interprets the instructions, and issues
signals that cause other units of the system to execute them. It manages and
coordinates the entire computer system.

The Arithmetic-Logic-Unit (ALU) of a computer system is the place where the

Central Processing Unit
actual execution of the program instructions takes place during the processing
operation.

4) The Figure 14 shows the block diagram of a computer system:

Memory (main)
31
Hardware and Software: An
Introduction

Input Devices Control Unit Output-Devices

Arithmetic-
Logic Unit

Figure 14: Block Diagram of a Computer

The function of a computer can be described as follows:

• The input is released under the direction of control unit (CU) from the input
device (say key board) to the memory unit.

• The control unit directs the requisite part of input to be sent to the ALU for
being processed.

• After the processing is over, control unit directs the ALU to release the
processed output to the memory.

• Then, finally, the output is released from the memory to the output device (say
monitor/screen).

5) The control unit (CU) basically does the following things:

• It manages and coordinates the entire computer system.

• It obtains the instructions from the program stored in the main memory,
interprets the instructions, and issues signals that cause other units of the system
to execute them.

• The control unit uses the instruction contained in the Instruction Register to
decide which circuits need to be activated.

• It communicates with both the arithmetic logic unit and main memory.

• The control unit co-ordinates the activities of the other two units as well as all
peripheral and auxiliary storage devices linked to the computer.

• The CU instructs the arithmetic logic unit which arithmetic operations (such as
addition, subtraction etc.) or logical operation (comparison between two
number) is to be performed.

The arithmetic Logic unit (ALU) of a computer system is the place where the actual
execution takes place. It does the following:

32
 • All the Arithmetic calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and Introduction to PC
division are performed and all comparisons (decisions) are made in the ALU.
• Relational operator (=, <, >), i.e. equal to, less-than and greater-than are used to
describe the comparison operations by the ALU.
• ALU carries out arithmetic operations on integer (whole number) and real (with
a decimal point) operands. It performs simple logical tests for integers operands
only.

• The data and instructions, stored in the primary memory prior to the processing,
are transferred as and when need to the ALU, when processing takes place.

• No processing is done in the primary storage unit (or memory).

• Intermediate results generated in the ALU are temporarily transferred back to

the primary storage unit until needed at later time.

• After the completion of processing, the final results, which are stored in the
storage unit, are released to an output device (monitor/screen or printer).

• The accumulator is used to accumulate results. It is the place where the

answers from many operations are stored temporarily before being put out to the
computer's memory. Only the final result is transmitted to the memory unit for
storage.

Check Your Progress 2

1) a) T b) T c) T d) T e) T f) T g) T h) F i) F j) T

2) a(i), b(iii), c(iv), d(iv), e(ii), f(iv), g(iv).

3) Memory is volatile and costly. Storage is slower and less costly.

4) Input devices (such as keyboard, mouse, joystick etc.) are used to enter data into
primary storage (or primary memory) or a hardware device that sends information
into the CPU. The output generated by a computer can be transmitted to the user via
some devices or media. These devices are called output devices such as Monitor,
printer, sound-card etc.

5) Inkjet printer forms text and/or images by spraying streams of quick-drying ink on
paper. The ink is stored in disposable ink cartridges; often a separate cartridge is used
for each of the major colors. These colors are usually Black, Red/Magenta,

Green/Cyan, and Yellow (CYMK). Today, dot matrix printers are not commonly
used or found because of the low quality print outs, when compared to ink jet
printers or other later printer, technologies.

A laser printer uses a laser technology to print images on the paper. Laser printers
are often used in corporate, schools, and other environments which require print
jobs to be completed quickly and in large numbers.

6) Disks stores data in tracks, Tracks are divided into sectors, sectors are divided into
clusters. A cluster is a basic unit for data storage. Hard-disks and Floppy disks stored
33
Hardware and Software: An
data in similar way. Hard-disks have multiple platters.
Introduction

7) CD-ROMs drives are standard equipment today. CD-R is read-only. CD-RW is

readable & writable both. DVD-ROMs offer more storage capacity than CD-ROMs.

1.10 FURTHER READINGS AND REFERENCES

1. P. K. Sinha, Computer Fundamentals, BPB Publication, New Delhi 2007.

2. P. Sudharsan & J. Jeyabalan, Computers-systems and applications, JAICO
Publishing House, Mumbai, 2005.
3. V.Rajaraman, Fundamentals of Computers, PHI Publication, New Delhi 2008.
4. T.N. Srivastava, An Introduction to Computers & their Application to Banking,
Macmillan, Macmillan India Limited, 2000.

Web Links:
• www.en.wikipedia.org

34