TOPIC 2: Computer Hardware

Computer Hardware
A computer is made up of
hardware. Hardware is the physical
components of a computer system.

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hardware-basics-and-its-components/
The Computer is made up of many parts.

1. Input/output (I/O) devices – These allow you to send information to the computer or
get information from the computer.

2. Central Processing Unit – CPU or

Processor for short. The brain of a
computer. Approximately 1.5 in X 1.5
in. Does all the computation/work
for the computer.

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3. Memory – Although memory is
technically any form of electronic
storage, it is used most often to
identify fast, temporary forms of
storage. Accessing the hard drive
for information takes time. When
the information is kept in memory,
the CPU can access it much more
quickly.

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a) Random Access Memory – RAM.

Where information is stored
temporarily when a program is run.
Information is automatically pulled
into memory; we cannot control
this. RAM is cleared automatically
when the computer is shutdown or
rebooted. RAM is volatile (non-
permanent).

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b) Read Only Memory – ROM. More permanent than RAM. Data stored in these
chips is nonvolatile -- it is not lost
when power is removed. Data
stored in these chips is either
unchangeable or requires
a special operation to change. The
BIOS is stored in the CMOS, read
only memory.

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 c) Hard Drive – Where you store
information permanently most
frequently. This is also nonvolatile.

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4. Motherboard – A
circuit board that
allows the CPU to
interact with other
parts of the computer.

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hardware-basics-and-its-components/

5. Ports – Means of connecting peripheral devices to your computer.

a. Serial Port – Often used to connect an older mouse, older external modems, older
digital cameras, etc to the computer. The serial port has been replaced by USB in most
cases. 9-pin connector. Small and short, often gray in color. Transmits data at 19 Kb/s.

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hardware-basics-and-its-components/

b. Monitor Ports – Used to

connect a monitor to the
computer.

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hardware-basics-and-its-components/

c. Parallel Port – Most often used to connect a

printer to the computer. 25-pin connector. Long
and skinny, often pink in color. Transmits data at
50-100 Kb/s.

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6. Power Supply – Gives your computer power

by converting alternating current (AC)
supplied by the wall connection to direct
current (DC).

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7. Expansion Cards – Used to add/improve functionality to the computer.

a. Sound Card – Used to input and output sound under program control.
Sound cards provide better sound quality than the built-in sound
control provided with most computers.

b. Graphics Card – Used to convert the logical representation of an

image to a signal that can be used as input for a monitor.

c. Network Card – Used to provide a computer connection over a

network. Transmit data at 10/100/1000 Mb/s.

8. CD ROM – A device used to read CD-ROMs.

If capable of writing to the CD-ROM, then
they are usually referred to as a ‘burner’ or
CD-RW.

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9. DVD ROM – A device that is used to read DVDs/CDs. If capable of writing to the DVD,
then it is often referred to as a DVD-burner or a DVD-RW.
10. Floppy Drive – A device that is used to
read/write to floppy diskettes.

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11. Fan – Keeps your computer cool. If the inside

of your computer becomes too
 hot, then the computer can overheat and damage parts.

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12. Heatsink – Used to disperse the heat that is

produced inside the computer by the CPU

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13. The little parts – Capacitors – store energy,

Resistors – allows a current
through, Transistors – a valve which allows currents
to be turned on or off.

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14. Case – (Tower if standing upright.) What your

motherboard, CPU, etc iscontained in.
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hardware-basics-and-its-components/

The three main components of a computer:

1. CPU – Central Processing Unit, coordinates all actions that occur in the system,
executes program instructions.
2. Memory – Used to store information.
3. I/O Devices – Input/output devices, which allow you to obtain or display data.

ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT

Name: ____________________________________________ Score: ____________

Course/ Year/ Section: _______________________________ Date: _____________
QUIZ NO. ______
Instruction: Answer the following questions. Write your answers on the space provided.
1. What are the 3 main components of a computer?
2. Name 3 input devices. Name 3 output devices.
3. What is the brain of the computer?
4. Explain the difference between memory and your hard drive.
5. What are the similarities and differences between RAM, ROM, and hard drives?
6. What allows the brain of the computer to interact with the other parts of the
computer?
7. Describe each of the different ports and explain what they are used for.
8. What gives your computer power?

TOPIC 3: Computer Software

Computer Software

Computer Software is a program that enables a

computer to perform a specific
task, as opposed to the physical
components of the system (hardware)

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This includes application software such as a word processor, which enables a user to
perform a task, and system software such as an operating system, which enables other
software to run properly, by interfacing with hardware and with other software.

Practical computer systems divide software into three major classes: system software,
programming software and application software, although the distinction is arbitrary,
and often blurred.

Computer software has to be "loaded" into the computer's storage (such as a hard
drive, memory, or RAM).

Once the software is loaded, the computer is able to execute the software.

Computers operate by executing the computer program.

This involves passing instructions from the application software, through the system
software, to the hardware which ultimately receives the instruction as machine code.

Each instruction causes the computer to carry out an operation -- moving data, carrying
out a computation, or altering the control flow of instructions.

ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT

Name: ____________________________________________ Score: ____________

Course/ Year/ Section: _______________________________ Date: _____________
QUIZ NO. ______
Part I – Devices
Instructions: decide what each of the following hardware devices, decide what they do
for the computer – input, output, processing or storage. Write one of those four
choices beside each word in the table.

Keyboard Scanner TouchPad

CPU Speakers Printer

Projector Microphone Digital Camera

Motherboard Stylus WebCam

Speakers Touch Screen Credit Card Reader

SD Card ROM Mouse

RAM Trackball Monitor

Hard Drive Scanner Printer

Flash/Thumb Drive

Part II – What’s Inside a Computer?

Instruction: Answer the questions below about each component’s responsibility. Fill in
the blank with the correct answer from the box. Some may be used more than once or
not at all.

CPU BIOS power supply hard drive network card

Motherboard RAM USB Port ROM video card

1. I connect computers and allow them to talk to each other.

2. I wake up the computer and remind it what to do.

 3. I am the brain of the computer.

4. Information is stored on my magnetic cylinders.

5. I hold all of the other circuit boards.

6. I handle the graphics that are displayed on the monitor.

7. I am the type of port used by flash drives

Part III - Hardware Basics

Instruction: Label the parts by finding the diagram in the presentation link above.
2
1)______________ Hard Drive 1

12 3
Sound
2) _____________
13
Power Supply 4
3) _____________

|
O
|
O
|

A
CD/DVD
5
4) _____________
CPU 11
5) _____________ Motherboard |
O
|
O

B
10

|
6) _____________ BIOS 9

7) _____________ RAM 8 6

Video
8) _____________ 7
USB
9) _____________
Network (NIC) 14

10) ____________ Graphics Port

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s/teacherfiles/Computer%20Basics
%20worksheet%202%20hardware%20and
%20software%20revised.docx
Part IV - Application Programs
Instructions: Answer the questions below about each program use. Fill in the blank with the
correct answer from the box. Some may be used more than once or not at all.

Research Spreadsheet Database

Entertainment Desktop Publishing Word processing

1. Creating a birthday card for a friend.

2. Balancing your checkbook.

3. Finding information on pyramids.

4. Playing solitaire.

5. Calculating Math

6. Keeping an address book.

7. Writing an essay.

8. Making a newsletter.

9. Writing a story about aliens.

Part V - Operating Systems

Instruction: Answer the questions below. Fill in the blank with the correct answer from the box.
Some may be used more than once or not at all.

Windows operating system graphics upgraded user friendly MAC

 1. The large program that controls how the CPU communicates with other hardware
components is the

2. A computer that is easy to operate is called

3. is the most common operating system for PCs.

4. Operating systems are constantly being as technology advances.

5. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) uses to help the user navigate

within the computer system.

6. Apple computers use a _____________ operating system.

Part VI - The Windows Desktop

Instruction: Fill in the blank with the correct answer from the box. Some may be used more
than once or not at all.

GUI icon Recycle Bin Start Menu task bar

windows tool bar scroll bar wallpaper title bar

1. You put things in the that you no longer need or want.

2. A uses graphics or pictures to help the user navigate and access

programs.

3. The Start Menu and clock are found on the .

4. An is a small picture that links to a file or program.

5. At the top of each window, the contains the title and buttons to
close, minimize and resize.

6. Moving the up or down allows you to see all of the information in a

window.

7. Programs and applications run inside that can be opened, closed or

resized.

8. The is like a backdrop on your desktop that can be changed.

9. Found below the menu bar in some windows, the contains icons or
options that allow you to perform specific tasks.

10. The contains basic operations such as run, shut down, log off and find.