Module 1 in Tle
Module 1 in Tle
Computers have become a useful part of our everyday lives. The types of computers we
use at home or at work are referred to by varied names such as PCs, microcomputers,
workstations, laptops and desktops. These computers are most popularly referred to as “personal
computers” or PCs, the most common type of computer in the world.
Today, an average person uses computer-based assistance several times each day and
it becomes an integral part of our lives. So it is very important to be aware of and understand
them.
Objectives:
*****
Pre- assessment:
You will be challenged to dig deeper into your prior knowledge and previous
experiences about computer hardware servicing. This Phase will guide you in assessing yourself
by answering questions and many other types of evaluation for you to further explore the basics
of computer hardware servicing.
SKILLS TEST
Direction: Listed below are some of the most important skills that you must gain in order
to render quality service when you enter the real world of Computer Hardware Servicing. Read
the skills carefully. Then write “Not much”, if you are not really familiar, “A little” and “A lot”, if you
are familiar with the skill. Feel free to answer each skill. Write your answers in your notebook.
Preliminary Activity:
Direction: List five (5) hardware and software you are familiar with. Write your answer on
the bubbles provided below:
1.1 Hardware- the physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer system.
The following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.
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.
4. Primary storage- (internal storage, main memory or memory) is the computer's working
storage space that holds data, instructions for processing and processed data (information)
waiting to be sent to secondary storage. Physically, primary storage is a collection of RAM chips.
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.
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.
9. Optical Drive- An optical drive is a storage device that uses lasers to read data on the optical
media. There are three types of optical drives: Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD)
and Blu-ray Disc (BD).
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.
Keyboard - The first input device developed for the PC. Data is transferred to the PC over
a short cable with a circular 6-pin Mini-din connector that plugs into the back of the
motherboard.
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.
• 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.
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).
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.
Types of printer
• Ink-Jet or Bubble-Jet Printer - bprays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers produce high-
quality text and graphics.
• Laser Printer - Uses the same technology as copy machines. Laser printers produce very
high quality text and graphics.
• LCD and LED Printer- Similar to a laser printer, but uses liquid
crystals or light-emitting diodes rather than a laser to produce an
image on the drum.
• 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.
D. Ports - External connecting sockets on the outside of the computer. This is a pathway into and
out of the computer. A port lets users plug in outside peripherals, such as monitors, scanners and
printers.
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
Illustration Function
3. S-video jack is obviously for S-
Video 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:
LINUX
MAC
WINDOWS
2. Application Software – Designed to help the user to perform singular or multiple related
tasks. Examples of application software are as follows:
a. Word processing software - Creates, edits, saves, and prints documents. Example: MS
Word, WordPerfect, Ami Pro, MacWrite.
d. Graphic software - Graphics programs display results of data manipulation for easier
analysis and presentation. Example: Macromedia Flash, Harvard Graphics, 3D Studio Max,
Adobe Photoshop
Process
Direction: Given the different cables, identify their functions as well as the part of computer
system each one supports.
1. 2.
3. 4.
5. 6.
Task 2:
Direction: In the puzzle below, look for the 10 hidden computer components and give their role
on the computer system.
C G M M Q F Y L W K C P A H K H G C N H
P O R K I R X N A A O A U A K B M P H U
Z A M Z W G W P X W A F V R Q V X U M Y
Q U I P R Y P T E X V I R D B W A O R B
I R T B A R S R U Y L G R D V J B O C U
A O N R D C S G S I L N H I Q S M I L X
C U H L Q U T Z G D C J F S E E J K O U
N H X S P U P D A K O Z X K M T Y U Z S
G H L P F H G P I Z T A F D O U U F T R
A S L W W T R A O S Q F A R E H B G M O
R Y B E A E M J I X K P I I X E C F H T
E S A C M E T S Y S D D E V W T I D V I
K W M I Q K K I S I O R R E I L D F F N
L E I O M E H Y A S K S A I I D G Z K O
M Q U N D H M R W O Q U H O V K T M J M
W P T H E R M K Z W J U B J B E A P Q Z
K Z Z M L H M O U S E C K Y C Y V Y S D
Y B Y V X E W P L Q Q Y O V N H E Z H D
R N F H T U B U G L S N P F J W N K N J
M J G N Y H V J D U G F L U X O M K D A
1. ____________________ 5. ____________________
2. ____________________ 6. ____________________
3. ____________________ 7. ____________________
4. ____________________ 8. ____________________