LESSON 2:

ABOUT COMPUTER
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the chapter, students must be able to:

• Gain familiarity of the different discoveries during

the different periods.

• Learn different inventions and discoveries during

electro-mechanical age that lead to the inventions
of today’s technology.

• Identify different technologies and their

improvements during the different generations.
 WHAT IS A COMPUTER?

INPUT DATA PROCESS DATA STORES DATA AND OUTPUT

INFORMATION INFORMATION

John Smith John Smith

2358
2358
Smithville
Smithville Road
Road
*Movie 1
*Movie 1 *Movie 2
*Movie 2
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
• Computer is a programmable machine.
• Computer is an electronic device that
manipulates information, or data. It has the
ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
• Computer is a machine that manipulates data
according to a list of instructions (program).
• Computer is any device which aids humans in
performing various kinds of computations or
calculations.
Three principal characteristics of
computer:
• It responds to a specific set of instructions in a
well-defined manner.

• It can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions.

• It can quickly store and retrieve large amounts

of data.
 Two main parts of a
computer
HARDWARE: Parts of the computer that you can see and
touch
For example: CPU, monitor, keyboard, mouse,
printer, and other
items called hardware devices

SOFTWARE : Instructions or programs that

control the computer and tell the hardware
what to do.
For example: Operating System,
Application Software, etc.
Types of computers
SUPERCOMPUTER - a large very fast mainframe used
especially for scientific computations.
Types of computers
MAINFRAME COMPUTER - A mainframe (also known as 'big
iron') is a high-performance computer used for large-scale
computing purposes that require greater availability and
security. Sometimes called centralized systems.
Types of computers
 MINICOMPUTERS - a computer of medium power,
more than a microcomputer but less than a
mainframe.
Types of computers
 MICROCOMPUTERS – a compact computer, with less
capacity and capability than a minicomputer,
consisting of a microprocessor and other components.
 PERSONAL COMPUTER OR PC (DESKTOP) - a compact
computer that uses a microprocessor and is designed
for individual use, as by a person in an office or at
home or school
Types of computers
LAPTOP - a notebook is a portable personal computer with
a clamshell form factor, suitable for mobile use.
Types of computers
PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANTS (PDA) - also known as a
palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile
device that functions as a personal information manager.
Types of computers
TABLETS PCs - A tablet is a wireless, portable personal
computer with a touch screen interface. The tablet form
factor is typically smaller than a notebook computer but
larger than a smartphone.
Parts of a computer
4 elements that make up the personal computer
system

USER SOFTWARE HARDWARE ELECTRICITY

Parts of a computer

 FOUR MAJOR HARDWARE COMPONENT PARTS:

- Central Processing Unit (CPU)
- Random Access Memory (RAM) /
- Input / Output(I/O) Devices
- Storage
 INTERNAL DevicesCOMPONENTS:
/ EXTERNAL
- Internal Device can be installed inside the system unit.
- External Device can be plugged into a connection on the computer.
System
Unit
 A system unit is the core of a
computer system
 A box that has electronic
components to process
information
 CPU or microprocessor which
act as a “brain” of the
computer.
 Random Access Memory
(RAM) that temporarily stores
info that the CPU uses while
the computer is on. The
information stored in RAM is
erased when the computer is
turned off.
Motherboa
rd
A motherboard is a
printed circuit board
containing the
principal
components of a
computer or other
device, with
connectors into
which other circuit
boards can be
slotted.
Motherboard
Components
Expansion Slot – graphics
card, memory

PCI Slot – modem, sound card

AGP – for 3D graphics

CPU Slot – microprocessor chip

RAM Slot – for additional

memory
Expansion
Slot
Openings at the back of a system unit
Allows you to expand component within the system box

Modem Card

Video Card
Microprocessor
Chip
CPU or Central Processing
Unit
Receives and executes
instructions form software
activated by user.
Process information and
instruction at different speeds
measured in Megahertz (Mhz)
or Gigahertz (Ghz)
Memory
 Computer needs memory chips to store information
 Measured in bytes which 1 byte = 1 character
 Computers developed using a numbering system of 1s and 0s.
 These two digits make a bit and eight bits make 1 byte

1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes or 1 thousand

bytes
1 megabyte = 1,000,000,000 bytes or 1 million
bytes
1 Gigabyte = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes or 1 Billion
bytes
1 Terabyte = 1,000,000,000,000,000 bytes or 1 Trillion
bytes
 Every file used in a software program by the computer has a specific file size.
Read Only Memory
(ROM)
 Group of integrated circuit responsible for:
- Starting a computer
- Checking the RAM
- Loading the OS
 Function only when the computer first
turned on or each time you restart
(reboot) the computer.
 Reads information entered and process
during the time it resides in the memory
Random Access Memory
(RAM)
A random-access
memory device
allows data items to
be read and written
in roughly the same
amount of time
regardless of the
order in which data
items are accessed.
Input / output devices
Allow communication between the user and computer

In simple terms, anything you used to enter information into a

computer considered input device, and anything used to
display information in a computer considered output device.

Input / Output Device can be used to:

- send information to the computer.
- display / transmit info from the computer
- communicate between computers
EXAMPLES OF INPUT
DEVICES

SCANNERS
KEYBOARD MOUSE

MICROPHONE CD ROM / DVD DRIVE

EXAMPLES OF OUTPUT DEVICES

PRINTER
CRT MONITOR FLAT PANEL MONITOR

PLOTTERS
SPEAKERS HEADSET
EXAMPLES OF INPUT / OUTPUT
DEVICES

JOYSTICK
MODEM

DIGITAL CAMERA

GRAPHICS TABLET
 STORAGE SYSTEMS
Store software programs and permanent record of work

CD DRIVE / WRITER
HARD DISK DRIVE

FLOPPY DISK DVD DRIVE

Other types of STORAGE
devices

FLASH / MEMORY
CARDS

SUPERDISK

TAPE DRIVES
FLASH DISK
IDENTIFYING DISK DRIVES
 Computers generally have one floppy disk drive, at least one
hard disk drive, and one CD drive.
 Each disk drive is assigned with letter and referred to as Drive
[D]: or [D]
 Drives:
- Floppy Drives A or B
- Hard Drives C or higher for each hard
drive installed
- CD/DVD Drives D or higher for each drive
installed
- Network Drives F or higher for each network drive
 Can add or remove drives as required
IDENTIFYING DISK DRIVES
1. On Windows
• File Explorer:
1. Open File Explorer.
2. Go to This PC or Computer.
3. You’ll see a list of drives under "Devices and drives," such as C:
Drive, D: Drive, etc. Right-click on a drive and select Properties to
view details such as type, capacity, and file system.

• Disk Management:
1. Right-click on Start and select Disk Management.
2. This utility shows a detailed view of all disk drives and partitions,
including their sizes, types (HDD or SSD), and statuses.

UG Spring 2020-2021
Printers
A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper.
Different types of printers

BUBBLE JET PRINTER

DOT MATRIX
LASER PRINTER

INK JET PRINTER

WHAT IS A SOFTWARE PROGRAM?
COMPUTER SOFTWARE – everything that makes a computer
run, including OS, programming software, and application
programs.

They only function when loaded into computer’s RAM and

must be permanently stored on hard disk.
Operating Systems
It is a collection of programs designed to control computer’s
communication with the user.
Examples:

MS Windows Mac OS
DOS – Disk Operating System

Linux
Unix
Application Programs
 Software program that performs specific function.
 1. Word Processing – create, edit, and save
documents
 2. Spreadsheets – perform mathematical calculations.
 3. Presentations – create slides, handouts for
presentations
 4. Database Management – manipulate and organize
information in a database.
 5. Graphics – for drawing and painting images.
APPLICATION PROGRAMS
 6. Multimedia – Video, music, or animation that
can be added to documents to be published on
web.

 7. Electronic Mail – send and receive e-mail

 8. Web Browsers – allows you to connect to the

internet and view websites.

 9. Utility Tools – Programs that help maintain

computer system, e.g. Anti-Virus, Disk
Compression , Disk Cleanup, File Compression
APPLICATION PROGRAMS

 10. Accounting – used to handle accounting and finances for small and
medium-sized enterprise.
 11. Customized – special programs written for specific company to perform
specific tasks.
APPLICATION PROGRAMS
Types of Programs Examples of Tasks
School Registration, attendance, results
Restaurant Processing food orders, bills, inventory
Stores Point of sale, bar code readers
Banking / Credit Card Debit transactions, credit card
transactions
Shopping Sites ebay, Yahoo
Manufacturing Automobile production
Transportation Online air reservation
Scientific, Medical, or engineering Inspections, patient information
Using the Computer
 STARTING THE COMPUTER
- BOOTING – a process of turning on a computer and loading the
OS.

a. Cold Boot – happened when you first turn on the computer.

- or when you actually turn the power off and
the computer “cools
down”.
b. Warm Boot – process of clearing the RAM and reloading a
new copy of OS
from disk.
- press Ctrl + Alt + Delete
Using the Computer
RESETTING THE COMPUTER – this is what you do when the
computer stop working or it is on the state of “hanging”/
“hanged up”

- press Ctrl + C
- press Ctrl + Break
Using the Computer
WORKING WITH AN APPLICATION PROGRAM

- every desktop has START button at the lower left

corner of the screen and a number of icons on the desktop.

- use the start button and then the Programs menu to

select an application program to start.
USING THE COMPUTER
SHUTTING DOWN THE COMPUTER
1. Click the START button.
2. Click on the Shut Down at the bottom of the Start
Menu.
3. Click on the OK button.
4. Wait for Windows to completely shutdown before
turning off the monitor.