Lecture 02

Computer Fundamentals and

System Components
Sample Questions to an IT Support Staff
How do I reset my password?
Why can’t I connect to the company’s Wi-Fi?
Can you help me install software on my computer?
How do I recover a deleted file?
My computer is running slowly. What can I do?
My computer won’t turn on. Can you help?
How do I connect a second monitor?
The printer isn’t working; what should I do?
Can you help set up a new device (e.g., laptop, printer, or scanner)?
Sample Questions to an IT Support Staff
My email isn’t working. Can you fix it?
How do I configure my email client or Outlook?
I’m having trouble with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.). Can you assist?
Why is this application crashing or not responding?
The internet is down. Is it an internal issue or a service provider problem?
How can I set up remote access or VPN to work from home?
How do I secure my computer and data from viruses?
Do I need to update my antivirus software?
How often should I back up my data?
Can you update my system to the latest version?
PC Build Related Questions
What’s the best build you can recommend for 50,000 BDT for general
use/gaming/office work?
Can I build a balanced system for gaming and productivity with this budget?
Should I go for an AMD or Intel processor for better value at this price range?
What’s the best processor I can get within this budget without overspending on
other components?
Is it possible to include a dedicated graphics card in this budget? If so, which one
do you recommend?
If I can’t afford a dedicated GPU, what’s the best integrated graphics option for
light gaming or video playback?
PC Build Related Questions
Should I prioritize a faster SSD (e.g., 256GB) or a larger HDD for storage (e.g.,
1TB) within this budget?
Which budget motherboard would work best with the processor and graphics card
while leaving room for future upgrades?
What’s the minimum wattage PSU I need for this build, and how do I balance cost
vs. reliability?
Do I need to spend extra on cooling, or is stock cooling sufficient for this budget?
What kind of warranty is available on the components or the entire build?
What is Computer?
A computer is an electronic machine that accepts
information (Data), processes it according to specific
instructions, and provides the results as new
information.
Earliest Computer
● Originally calculations were computed by humans, whose job title was
computers.
● These human computers were typically engaged in the calculation of a
mathematical expression.
● The calculations of this period were specialized and expensive, requiring
years of training in mathematics.
● The first use of the word "computer" was recorded in 1613, referring to a
person who carried out calculations, or computations, and the word
continued to be used in that sense until the middle of the 20th century.
Tally Stack
A tally stick was an ancient memory aid device to record and document
numbers, quantities, or even messages.
Abacus
● An abacus is a mechanical device used to aid an individual in performing mathematical
calculations.
● The abacus was invented in Babylonia in 2400 B.C.
● The abacus in the form we are most familiar with was first used in China in around 500 B.C.
● It used to perform basic arithmetic operations.
Napier’s Bones
● Invented by John Napier in 1614.
● Allowed the operator to multiply, divide and calculate square and cube
roots by moving the rods around and placing them in specially
constructed boards.
Slide Rule
● Invented by William Oughtred in 1622.
● Based on Napier's idea about logarithms.
● Used primarily for:
○ multiplication
○ division
○ roots
○ logarithm
○ Trigonometry
● Not normally used for addition or
subtraction.
Pascaline
● Invented by Blaise Pascal in 1642.
● It was its limitation to addition and subtraction.
● It is too expensive.
Stepped Reckoner
● Invented by Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz in 1672.
● The machine that can add, subtract, multiply
and divide automatically.
Jacquard Loom
● The Jacquard Loom is a mechanical loom, invented
by Joseph-Marie Jacquard in 1881.
● It's an automatic loom controlled by punched cards.
Arithmometer
● A mechanical calculator invented by Thomas de Colmar in 1820.
● The first reliable, useful and commercially successful calculating machine.
● The machine could perform the four basic mathematical functions.
● The first mass-produced calculating machine.
Difference Engine and Analytical Engine
● It's an automatic, mechanical calculator designed to tabulate polynomial
functions.
● Invented by Charles Babbage (Father of Computer) in 1822 and 1834.
● It is the first mechanical computer.
First Computer Programmer
● In 1840, Augusta Ada Byron suggests to
Babbage that he use the binary system.
● She writes programs for the Analytical
Engine.
Scheutzian Calculation Engine
● Invented by Per Georg Scheutz in 1843.
● Based on Charles Babbage's difference engine.
● The first printing calculator.
Tabulating Machine
● Invented by Herman Hollerith in 1890.
● To assist in summarizing information and accounting.
Harvard Mark 1
● Also known as IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator ASCC).
● Invented by Howard H. Aiken in 1943.
● The first electro-mechanical computer.
Z1
● The first programmable computer.
● Created by Konrad Zuse in Germany from 1936 to 1938.
● To program the Z1 required that the user insert punch tape into a punch
tape reader and all output was also generated through punch tape.
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC)
● It was the first electronic digital computing device.
● Invented by Professor John Atanasoff and graduate student Clifford Berry
at lowa State University between 1939 and 1942.
UNIVAC 1
● The UNIVAC I (UNIVersal Automatic Computer 1) was the first commercial
computer.
● Designed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly.
ENIAC
● ENIAC stands for Electronic Numerical
Integrator and Computer.
● It was the first electronic general
purpose computer.
● Completed in 1946.
● Developed by John Presper Eckert and
John W. Mauchly.
EDVAC
● EDVAC stands for Electronic Discrete Variable Automatic Computer.
● The First Stored Program Computer
● Designed by Von Neumann in 1952.
● It has a memory to hold both a stored program as well as data.
Osborne 1
● The first portable computer.
● Released in 1981 by the Osborne Computer Corporation.
The First Computer Company
● The first computer company was the
Electronic Controls Company.
● Founded in 1949 by J. Presper Eckert
and John Mauchly.
Computer Generations
There are five generations of computer:

● First Generation - 1946 - 1958

● Second generation - 1959 - 1964
● Third generation - 1965 - 1970
● Fourth generation - 1971 - 2023
● Fifth generation - 2023 to future
The First Generation
● The first computers used vacuum tubes for circuitry and
magnetic drums for memory, and were often enormous, taking
up entire rooms.
● They were very expensive to operate and in addition to using a
great deal of electricity, generated a lot of heat, which was
often the cause of malfunctions.
● First generation computers relied on machine language, the
lowest-level programming language understood by computers,
to perform operations, and they could only solve one problem
at a time.
● Input was based on punched cards and paper tape, and output
was displayed on printouts.
The Second Generation
● Transistors replaced vacuum tubes and ushered in the second
generation of computers.
● One transistor replaced the equivalent. of 40 vacuum tubes.
● Allowing computers to become smaller, faster, cheaper, more
energy-efficient and more reliable.
● Still generated a great deal of heat that can damage the
computer.
● Second-generation computers still relied on punched cards for
input and printouts for output.
● These were also the first computers that stored their
instructions in their memory, which moved from a magnetic
drum to magnetic core technology.
The Third Generation
● The development of the integrated circuit was the
hallmark of the third generation of computers.
● Transistors were miniaturized and placed on silicon
chips, called semiconductors, which drastically
increased the speed and efficiency of computers.
● Much smaller and cheaper compare to the second
generation computers.
● It could carry out instructions in billionths of a second.
● Computers for the first time became accessible to a
mass audience because they were smaller and cheaper
than their predecessors.
The Fourth Generation
● The microprocessor brought the fourth generation
of computers, as thousands of integrated circuits
were built onto a single silicon chip.
● As these small computers became more powerful,
they could be linked together to form networks,
which eventually led to the development of the
Internet.
● Fourth generation computers also saw the
development of GUls, the mouse and handheld
devices.
The Fifth Generation
● Based on Artificial Intelligence (Al).
● Still in development.
● The use of parallel processing and
superconductors is helping to make
artificial intelligence a reality.
● The goal is to develop devices that respond
to natural language input and are capable
of learning and self-organization.
● There are some applications, such as voice
recognition, that are being used today.
Classification of Computers Based on Size and Capacity

● Supercomputers
● Mainframe Computers
● Minicomputers
● Microcomputers (Personal Computers)
Supercomputers
● Extremely powerful, used for
complex scientific calculations.
● Examples: IBM Summit, Fujitsu
Fugaku.
Mainframe Computers
● Large, powerful systems used in
large organizations for bulk data
processing.
● Examples: IBM zSeries.
Minicomputers
● Mid-sized, less powerful than
mainframes, used in medium-sized
organizations.
● Examples: PDP-11, VAX.
Microcomputers (Personal Computers)
● Includes desktops, laptops, tablets,
and smartphones.
● Examples: Dell XPS, MacBook, iPad,
Samsung Galaxy.
Components of a Computer
● Central Processing Unit - CPU
● Memory
● Input Devices
● Output Devices
● Storage Devices
Central Processing Unit - CPU
A central processing unit, also called a
central processor, main processor, or just
processor, is the most important computer
in a given computer. Its electronic circuitry
executes instructions of a computer
program, such as arithmetic, logic,
controlling, and input/output operations.
Some common vendors of CPUs are: Intel,
AMD, Qualcomm etc
Memory
Computer memory has three main types. They
can be classified as ROM, RAM, and Cache.
Cache memory is effective in offering the CPU
faster access to memory functions. The
Read-Only Memory (ROM) is nonvolatile and is
used in the booting process of a computer. RAM
allows your computer to perform most of its
everyday tasks, such as loading applications,
browsing the internet, editing a spreadsheet, or
experiencing the latest game.
Input Devices
● Key Board
● Mouse
● Scanner
● Camera
● Microphone
● Touch Screen, etc.
Output Devices
● Monitor
● Printer
● Speaker
● Headphone, etc
Storage Devices

Hard Disk: Comparatively SSD - Solid State Drive:

inexpensive, slow, relatively Comparatively expensive, extremely
short-lasting, and based on older fast, relatively long-lasting, and based
technology. on new technology. It is available in
various shapes and variants, such as
SATA SSD, M.2 SSD, etc. Currently, it is
very popular.