WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

- A computer is an electronic device capable of storing, retrieving, and manipulating

data. It can perform mathematical and logical operations.

- It performs only what it is told to do and it does not have the ability to evaluate
information and take appropriate action on its own.

4 TYPES OF COMPUTER

1. Microcomputers
- a small computer that contains a microprocessor as its central processor.

– the smallest and the least powerful computer commonly used as stand-alone
in the offices or at home and schools.

2 Classifications of Microcomputers

1. Personal Computer or PC
2. Portable Computer (Laptop, Net book, Tablet PC, Personal Digital Assistant, etc…

2. Mini Computers - A minicomputer is a type of computer that possesses most of the

features and capabilities of a large computer but is smaller in physical size.

A minicomputer fills the space between the mainframe and microcomputer, and is smaller
than the former but larger than the latter.

3. Mainframe Computers - Mainframes use proprietary operating systems, most of which are
based on Unix, and a growing number on Linux. Over the years they have evolved from
being room-sized to networked configurations of workstations and servers that are an
extremely competitive and cost effective platforms for e-commerce development and
hosting. Mainframes are so called because the earliest ones were housed in large metal
frames.

4. Super Computers - the world's largest and fastest computers, are primarily used for
complex scientific calculations.

The parts of a supercomputer are comparable to those of a desktop computer: they both
contain hard drives, memory, and processors (circuits that process instructions within
a computer program).

– it is the fastest type of computer. Supercomputers are very expensive

and are employed for specialized applications. For example, weather forecasting and
research development.

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco
4 BASIC FUNCTIONS OF THE COMPUTER

INPUT - is the information which is entered into the computer.

PROCESSING - is performing operations on or manipulating data.

STORAGE - refers to devices that can retain the data when the computer is deactivated.

OUTPUT - is the result of the data processing.

PARTS OF COMPUTER
 Hardware
 Software

COMPUTER HARDWARE

Hardware – refers to the physical parts or components of a computer, all of which are
physical objects that can be touched.

PARTS OF A COMPUTER SYSTEM OTHER COMPUTER PERIPHERALS

1. System Unit 1. Scanner

2. Monitor 2. Printer
3. Keyboard
4. Mouse
3. Modem
5. Power Surges Regulator 4. Speaker
6. 5. Microphone
6. Web Cam
Hardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called a PERIPHERAL DEVICE OR
DEVICE.

System Unit - The system unit is the core of a computer system. Inside this box are many
electronic components that process information. The most important of these
components is the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which
acts as the "brain" of your computer.

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco
Monitor – A monitor displays information in visual form, using text and graphics. The
portion of the monitor that displays the information is called the screen.

There are two basic types of monitors:

1. CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)

2. A thin-film-transistor liquid-crystal display (TFT LCD) is a variant of
a liquid-crystal display (LCD) that uses thin-film transisto
Both types produce sharp images, but LCD monitors have the advantage of being
much thinner and lighter.

3. IPS (In-plane switching) is a screen technology for liquid crystal displays

(LCDs). It was designed to solve the main limitations of the twisted nematic
field effect (TN) matrix LCDs in the late 1980s.

Keyboard – A keyboard is used mainly for typing text into your computer. Like the
keyboard on a typewriter, it has keys for letters and numbers, but it also has
special keys:

Mouse – A mouse is a small device used to point to and select items on your computer
screen.

Mouse Pointer

Speaker – Speakers are used to play sound. They can be built into the system unit or
connected with cables. Speakers allow you to listen to music and hear sound
effects from your computer.

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco
Printer - A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You don't need a printer
to use your computer, but having one allows you to print e-mail, cards,
invitations, announcements, and other material.

The three main types of printers are:

BASIC PARTS OF THE SYSTEM UNIT

1. CPU (Central Processing Unit) or Microprocessor

2. Motherboard
3. Memory Module
4. Hard Drive
5. CD/DVD Rom Drive
6. PSU (Power Supply Unit)
7. System Case

Processor – The processor is often thought as the “brain” of the computer. This device is
central to all processing done by the computer. Data received by input device
is read by the CPU, and output from the CPU is written to output devices.

Motherboard - The motherboard is the core of the system. It really is the PC; everything
else is connected to it, and it controls everything in the system.
Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory module, storage
devices, interface cards, serial and parallel ports and expansion slots.

Memory Module - The system memory is often called RAM (for Random Access Memory).
This is the primary memory, which holds all the programs and data the
processor is using at a given time.

Hard Drive – The hard drive is the primary archival storage memory for the system
unit.

CD/DVD Rom Drive - CD (Compact Disc) and DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) drives are
relatively high-capacity, removable media and optical drives;

PSU (Power Supply Unit) - The power supply feeds electrical power to every single
part in the PC.

System Case - The case is the frame that houses the motherboard, power supply,
disk drives, and any other physical components in the system.

Types of system case

1. Desktop Case – is designed to sit horizontally on the surface.

2. Tower Case – is designed to sit vertically on the surface.
3. Full-Tower Case
4. Midi-Tower Case
5. Mini-Tower Case

COMPUTER SOFTWARE

Software – is a set of instructions that directs a computer's processor to perform

a specific operation.

Program – a set of instructions that guides a computer through a process.

2 General Categories of Software

1. Application Software
2. System Software

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco
APPLICATION SOFTWARE – is computer software designed for end users. Application software
resides above the system software. It may simply be referred to as
an application.

Classification of Application software

1. Word processors 4. Web Browsers

2. Spreadsheets 5. Multi-media software’s
3. Database

SYSTEM SOFTWARE – is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware, to

provide basic functionality, and to provide a platform for
running application software.

Type of System Softwares:

1. Operating System
2. Firmware
3. Device Drivers
4. Utilities Software

Operating System – an operating system (OS) is the actual software that controls the
computer hardware. The OS acts as the communicator between the users
and the computer’s hardware and software.

Firmware – the firmware is software that is stored in a ROM Chip.

Examples of Operating Systems are:

1. MS-DOS 5. WINDOWS 95/98/ME

2. UNIX 6. WINDOWS 2000 / XP / VISTA
3. LINUX 7. WINDOWS 7 and 8
4. MAC OS 8. WINDOWS SERVER 2000/2003/2008/2012

WHAT IS A COMPUTER VIRUS?

- Is a computer program or type of malware that when executed, replicates by inserting

copies of itself into other computer programs, data files, or the boot sector of
the hard drive. When this replication succeeds, the affected areas are then said to
be infected or damaged.

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco
Computer Viruses can be transmitted by:

1. Booting a PC from an infected medium

2. Executing an infected program
3. Opening an infected file

Common routes for virus infiltration include:

1. Floppy disk or other media that users can exchange

2. Email attachments
3. Pirated Software
4. Shareware

Different Types of Computer Viruses:

1. File virus 5. E-mail worm

2. Boot-sector virus 6. Denial-of-service attack
3. Multipartite virus 7. Hoax
4. Macro virus 8. Stealth virus

How to Prevent Computer Viruses attacks on a computer:

1. Avoid installing programs from sites you don't trust.

2. Don't open email attachments or click on links from people you don't know.
3. Scan any email attachments or any files downloaded from the Internet before you open
them.
4. Install an antivirus program on your computers.
5. Run scans at least weekly.
6. Update your antivirus programs on a regular basis.
7. Secure your Internet connection using a firewall. A firewall is software or a
hardware device developed to prevent unauthorized access to your computer by viruses
and from hackers.
8. Isolate any infected computers or drives.

Popular Anti-Virus programs

1. Norton Antivirus
2. McAfee Antivirus
3. AVG Antivirus
4. ESET NOD32 Antivirus
5. Microsoft Essentials Security
6. AVAST Antivirus

Tips & Warnings

Always back up your data, because there are always new viruses being developed, and there
is no antivirus program that can claim 100 percent protection from all viruses that will
ever be developed.

Property of: Iloilo Vocational Technical School, Inc

Edited by : Mr. Ivan Anthony P. Talco