UNIT 1

COMPONENTS OF THE COMPUTER

SYSTEM
Live ware/ user
Data Fed into the Hardware
computer

Software installed on
the computer
component of the computer system
that is tangible (HARDWARE).
The computer hardware can be
classified into five components
 The input unit
 Central processing unit
 Main memory
 Output unit
 Storage unit
The input unit
 This unit consists of the devices that are used to input
data into the computer.
 Data can be in form of text, mp3, mp4, jpg,
commands, instructions, etc. which the computer
processes into information or suitable output.
 The input unit translates human understandable
language into machine language (bits-zeros and
oness) understood by the computer.
The following are the devices
under the input unit
 Mouse (3 buttons)
 Keyboard ( 4 parts)
 scanner
 Touchscreen
 Joystick
 Camera
 Microphone
 Light pen
 Optical mark reader (OMR)
 Barcode reader
 Magnetic ink Character recognition (micr)
Examples
mouse
of input devices
Few Important keyboard keys
 Tab Key
This key is used for making the cursor jump in forward direction,
by many places.
 ESC Key
This key is called Escape key. Currently on-going activity gets
cancelled when this key is pressed.
 Page Keys
There are two page keys on the keyboard, named as PgDn (i.e. Page
Down) and PgUp (i.e.Page Up). When you press PgUp key,
previous page gets displayed on the screen. Whenyou press PgDn
key, next page gets displayed on the screen.
 Backspace Key
This key removes one character from the left side of the cursor to
the right.
CONTINUATION………
 Space Bar
This key is used to put blank spaces between the two characters.
 DEL Key
This key is used to rub a character from current cursor position.
 Caps Lock Key
When you press this key, capital lock becomes on. When you press an
alphabet key, while
capital lock is on, the letter written on it gets typed in upper case.
 Shift Key
Shift key is always pressed along with other keys. When you press this key
along with number key then the symbol written on upper part of the key
gets typed. When you press Shift key along with alphabet key then the
alphabet gets typed in upper case.
 Enter Key
Enter key is used to start a new line. When you press this key; cursor
comes to the next line. Whatever you type now, gets typed in the next
line.
 Function Keys
There are 12 function keys present on the keyboard. They
are named as F1, F2, F3 …..F12.
When you press these keys they perform special
functions.
 Cursor Keys
Four cursor keys are there on the keyboard. They are
marked with arrows on them, pointing
in four different directions. Using cursor keys, you can
move the cursor from one place to another.
THE ctrl key
 This key also performs special functions e.g.
shortcuts…consider the following shortcuts
 Ctrl + L (align left) Ctrl + e (align center)
 Ctrl + c (copying)
 Ctrl + x (cutting)
 Ctrl + v (paste)
 Ctrl + F4 (close the window)
 Ctrl + u (underline)
 Ctrl + Z (undo)
The SYSTEM UNIT
 The system unit is the central part of the computer system and
most important hardware. Its usually a rectangular box placed on
your desk or underneath.
 The system unit is simply the casings of a desktop computer
which houses all the internal parts of a computer i.e. the ROM,
RAM, CPU, Motherboard, Hard Disk Drive, the fun that cools
the processor and other memory chips. Note that some people
have for years mistaken the system unit for a CPU. This is
however false as the system unit is simply the box or casings that
house all the internal hardware of a computer including the CPU
 The CPU which acts as the brain of the computer and it is also
known as the microprocessor, the RAM which is also the
computer’s main memory that stores data and instructions for
the program in execution.
Front of the SYSTEM UNIT
Back of the System unit
THE MOTHERBOARD
 The motherboard aka computer’s main circuit board serves to connect
all of the parts of a computer together and it also houses all computer
chips with their various functions including all connecting circuitry
between them.
 Some chips are permanently put in place on the motherboard while
others leave a provision to be removed for repairs or upgrades because
they have special sockets or connectors, the RAM chips are a very good
example of chips that can be removed for repairs or upgrade. Other
chips that connect to the motherboard include the CPU, Hard Drives,
Optical Drives, and other ports.
 The motherboard is sometimes referred to as the “Backbone of the
Computer” this is so because all peripheral devices such as keyboard,
mouse, printer, scanner, speakers, projector, monitor, etc. are
connected to the motherboard either directly or via cables.
 Memory is part of the computer which holds
data and instructions for processing for the
program in execution or in operation which
the CPU accesses either to read information
from it or to store information in it.
 Logically memory is an integral part of the
CPU but physically it is separate part
mounted on the motherboard.
Continuation……..
 Everything in the computer are stored as a group of 0s and 1s known as
bits.
 The size of the memory is measured by the number of bites available.
 The following equalities give the measuring units of the memory.
 8 Bits = 1 Byte
 1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte (1KB)
 1024KB = 1 Megabyte (1MB)
 1024 MB = 1 Gigabyte (1 GB)
 1024 GB = 1 Terabyte (1 TB)
 While performing a processing operation, a processor needs a place to
temporarily store instructions to be executed and the data to be used
with those instructions. The data and the instructions needed by the
CPU are temporarily stored in the Memory. Therefore the memory acts
as the internal storage of a computer. The programs that are stored in
external storages are loaded into the memory before they start running.
 A computer only understands a particular type of numbers called Binary. This
strange number system only uses the digits 0 and 1. The reason for the use of
binary numbers is that

 the electronic devices in a computer (the CPU, RAM etc.) have parts that can
only be turned on or off. We can use binary numbers to control these ONs and
OFFs: OFF = 0, ON = 1
 Chaffey (2003) identified the following measurements of electronic storage:
 (a) Bit: This is the smallest measure of storage. It represents a one or a zero
which means data is present or absent.
 (b) Byte: This is the amount of space required to hold a single character such as
9, C, S etc. A byte is made up of eight bits.
 (c) Kilobyte (KB): This is approximately one thousand bytes which is
equivalent to one thousand characters or the amount of space required to store
one typed page.
 (d) Megabyte (MB): This is approximately one thousand kilobytes or the
equivalent of one million characters.
 (e) Gigabyte (GB): This is approximately one thousand megabytes or the
equivalent of one billion characters.
 (f) Terabyte (TB): Approximately one thousand gigabytes or an equivalent of
one trillion characters.
 The memory of a computer may be either volatile or non-
volatile. If the data will be lost as soon as the power is
turned off the computer, then this type of memory is said
to be Volatile. Such memory needs a continuous steady
power/electricity to remain its content.
 Random Access Memory (RAM) is a volatile form of a
computer memory. This small memory is capable of
memorizing temporarily. It can be read and written. That
is, you can both write data into RAM and read data from
RAM. Together with the CPU, RAM determines the
computer's speed. A computer with a large RAM (measured
in GB) and a CPU (measured in GHz) can actually run
faster than a computer with a powerful CPU but with a low
RAM.
 Read Only Memory (ROM) As RAM is volatile, the
computers need a non-volatile memory to read larger
programs. This is known as the Read Only Memory
(ROM). The programs which are needed to start up your
computer (Ex: to boot the computer) are stored in ROM.
Images of both a RAM & ROM
RAM CHIPS ROM CHIPS
THE CPU

 it’s the brain of the computer that performs data

processing operations and sends the results to the output
unit.
There are different types of CPU chips. Examples of CPU
include: Intel processor, AMD Processor Celeron Processor
i.e. Pentium ,Pentium II, Pentium III, Pentium 4, Pentium
pro, Intel core i3.
 PROCESSING DEVICES
 In the computer, processing means performing operations on the
data in order to convert it to information which is used in
decision making.
NOTE:
 Data is defined as raw facts, symbols or anything representing
an occurrence, event or an entity.
 It can also refer to the signals and symbols which are input and
stored in the computer system to be processed into usable
information.
 E.g. 1 + 1 is numerical data, if it is entered into the computer the
answer will be 2…referred to as information.

 This activity is performed by the Central Processing Unit (C.P.U)

or simply processor. The CPU is one of the two most important
components of your microcomputer. It is the electronic brain of
your computer. In addition to processing data, it controls the
function of all the other components.
EXAMPLES OF microprocessors

 The CPU is made of 2 components
 CU (control unit) which coordinates all program
execution within the computer by issuing control
signals.
 ALU (arithmetic and logic unit) performs the
arithmetic, comparison, and logical operations.
Arithmetic operations include addition (+),
subtraction (-), multiplication (*) and division (/).
Comparison operations include comparing one data
item to another to determine if the first item is greater
than (>), equal (=), or less than (<) to the second item
STORAGE DEVICES
 One such component is storage media. Storage devices
are computer hardware components which are used to
keep data on either temporal or permanent basis.
Computer storage is provided into two types which are
internal memories/main memory/ primary memory
and the external storage devices/secondary storage
devices/backup/auxiliary.
 EXTERNAL /SECONDARY/BACK UP/ AUXILIARY
STORAGE DEVICES
 They are also referred to as storage disks. These storage
devices provide computers with a backing storage. The
following are some of the situations when external
storage media are used;
 a) When you do not have enough inbuilt storage
 b) When the task at hand is too much and requires a
bigger memory
 c) When coming up with back-ups in anticipation of
failure by the main memory
 d) When you want to transfer data from one computer
to another and there is no network.
 e) When formatting the computer
Hard-disc drive
 These are storage devices which are found usually fixed
in the computer system. These are storage devices that
are housed inside the System Unit of the computer
and are also known as fixed disc.
 A very good example of a fixed disc is the internal hard
drive. Every computer has one or more disc drives that
store information on a metal or plastic disc.
 Hard Discs can store vast amount of information,
which includes photos, videos, music, documents,
programs and many more others. Your computer’s
Internal Hard Disc Drive stores information even
OTHER STORAGE DEVICES
 Flash disc
 A USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash drive is a small, portable
storage device that plugs into a computer’s USB port. Like a hard
disc, USB flash drives stores information, but usually a lot less
than most hard disc drives.
 Memory Cards
 Memory Cards can store computer information such as text,
music, pictures and videos. You can erase and reuse memory
cards over and over. Most digital cameras store pictures and
videos on a compact flash memory card or a secure digital (SD)
card. Data stored on a memory card can be accessed by either
inserting the memory card directly into a computer’s memory
card slot or inserting the memory card in the memory card
reader then plug the memory card reader into a computer’s USB
port.
OUTPUT DEVICES
 These are computer hardware components which are
used to give out the end results of processing.
 Output devices allow users to interact with a computer
system as they make it possible for the user to see the
results of processing.
 Output devices therefore convert computer output
into a human accessible form. They display data,
information or instructions from the computer system.
The suitability of a particular output device is
dependent on the type of output desired by the user.
 1. PRINTERS
 These are output devices which are used or which are able
to take typed text or images from a computer and print
them on a paper or any other physical material.
 Printers give out printouts which can be used at a later
stage. They are used to give out a hard copy output (a print
out).
 Printers come in two main forms and these are: Impact
printers and non-impact printers.
 Impact printers are a category of printers which uses
impact or applies pressure on a certain character engraved
on metal or any other material onto the material to be
printed on.
 Non-impact printers on the other hand, do not use
pressure to have a printout but uses electrostatic chemicals
and inkjet and LaserJet technologies.
VDU (MONITOR)
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT)
 This is a conventional type of a computer monitor which looks like a
television set. Information from the Central Processing Unit (computer
system) is displayed using a beam of electrons that scan a phosphor
surface that emits light and creates images. These monitors are bulk in
size and widely accessible. They are favored for their purchase cost
which is low. They are also liked for their positional accuracy and non-
requirement for constant tilting for proper viewing. However, they are
despised for their big size and failure to give a good output.
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
 This is a type of monitor which displays information using a liquid held
between two platters. A beam of light is exposed to the document or
image which further aligns the liquid in the platters in the shape of the
image to be displayed. This happens as a result of a liquid allowing or
disallowing light
OTHER OUTPUT DEVICES
 PLOTTER
 SPEAKERS
 HEADSETS
COMMUNICATION AMONG
HARDWARE DEVICES (conclusion)