COMPUTER PARTS
There are many
parts that work
together to make a
computer work.
HARDWARE
Physical parts of
the computer,
including processor
and memory chips,
input/output
devices, tapes,
disks, modems,
cable, etc.
CPU
The Central
Processing Unit –
The chip or chips
that interpret and
execute program
instructions and
manage the
functions of input,
output, and storage
devices.
PROCESSOR
The CPU – The chip
or chips that
interpret and
execute program
instructions and
manage the
functions of input,
output, and storage
devices.
COMPUTER CASE
Contains the major
components of the
computer. It helps
protect them.
FRONT OF THE
COMPUTER CASE
INSIDE THE COMPUTER
CASE
MONITOR
A display screen to
provide “output” to
the user. It is where
you view the
information your
are working on.
VIDEO CARD
Connects the computer
to the monitor. It is a
circuit board attached
to the motherboard
that contains the
memory and other
circuitry necessary to
send information to the
monitor for display on
screen.
KEYBOARD
Used to enter
information into the
computer and for
giving commands.
MOUSE
An input device
operated by rolling its
ball across a flat
surface. The mouse is
used to control the on-
screen pointer by
pointing and clicking,
double-clicking, or
dragging objects on
the screen.
TOUCHPAD
A pressure-sensitive
and motion
sensitive device
used in place of a
mouse.
USB FLASH DRIVE
A small, portable flash memory card
that plugs into a computer’s USB
port and functions as a portable
hard drive. USB flash drives are
publicized as being easy-to-use as
they are small enough to be carried
in a pocket and can plug into any
computer with a USB drive. USB
flash drives have less storage
capacity than an external hard
drive, but they are smaller and
more durable because they do not
contain any internal moving parts.
EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE
A hard drive that is outside
of the computer case in its
own enclosure.
CD ROM DRIVE
The drive that plays
CDs and reads data
that has been
stored on the CD.
CD
Compact Disk – A
type of optical
storage device.
FLOPPY DISK DRIVE
A device that holds
a removable floppy
disk when in use;
read/write heads
read and write data
to the diskette.
HARD DISK
Magnetic storage
device in the
computer.
RAM
Random Access
Memory
RAM is a computer’s
temporary memory,
which exists as chips
on the motherboard
near the CPU. It stores
data or programs while
they are being used
and requires power.
ROM
Read Only Memory-
Memory that considered
Long Term Storage. Rom
retains its contents even
when the computer is
turned off. It stores critical
programs such as programs
that boots the computer.
PRINTER
An output device
that produces a
hard copy on paper.
It gives information
to the user in
printed form.
BARCODE READER
An input device
that converts a
pattern of printed
bars into a number
that a computer
can read. They are
often used by
businesses to
quickly input price
and product
information.
SCANNER
A device that allows
pictures to be
placed into a
computer.
MICROPHONE
Allows the user to
record sounds as
input to their
computer.
SPEAKERS
Used to generate or
reproduce voice,
music, and other
sounds.
SOUND CARD
Connects the
speakers and
microphone to the
computer.
MODEM
The place where
the computer is
connected to the
phone line.
NETWORK CARD
A circuit board that
connects the
computer to the
rest of the network
usually using
special cables.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Programs that tell
the computer what
to do. It provides
instructions that the
CPU will need to
carry out.
OPERATING SYSTEM
SOFTWARE
This type of software manages
RAM, controls peripheral devices,
manages file operations (saving,
opening, deleting, renaming, etc.),
monitors system performance,
and provides a user interface
DOS
Disk Operating System
This software connects the hardware with the
programs you want to run.
MS-DOS:
Microsoft DOS (Disk Operating System) is a
command line user interface. MS-DOS 1.0
was released in 1981 for IBM computers.
EXAMPLE OF MS-DOS
WINDOWS
A family of operating
systems developed
and produced by
Microsoft Corp. It
provides a software
graphical user
interface (GUI) used on
IBM and compatible
computers.
EXAMPLE OF WINDOWS
(GUI)
HOW DOES IT ALL
WORK TOGETHER?
COMPUTER
A computer is a machine that performs 4 basic functions:
Input, Processing, Output, Storage
Processi
Input Output Storage
ng
Computer System
A complete working computer
that has all of the necessary
parts to make the computer
function.
Hardware Software
Hardware
The physical components of the
computer. The actual
equipment you can see and
touch.
Hardware
The physical components of the
computer. The actual
equipment you can see and
touch.
Peripheral Hardware
A peripheral is an
external piece of
hardware that is
important, but not
necessary for a
computer system to
work.
Hardware
Input Output Storage
Processing
Devices Devices Devices
Hardware that
enables a
computer user
Input Devices to enter data
and programs
into a
Keyboard
computer.
Barcode Scanner
Mouse
Touch pad
Microphone
Game Controllers
The main parts of
a computer
system that Processing
process
information.
The main parts of
a computer
system that Processing
process
information.
The CPU is often
CPU called the “brains”
Central Processing Unit of the computer.
HERTZ
Hertz measures the speed of a CPU
Hertz = number of cycles per second
Megahertz
Gigahertz
Terahertz
The main parts of
a computer
system that Processing
process
information.
The CPU is often
CPU called the “brains”
Central Processing Unit of the computer.
ROM is permanent
internal memory
ROM
that cannot be Read Only Memory
changed.
The main parts of
a computer
system that Processing
process
information.
The CPU is often
CPU called the “brains”
Central Processing Unit of the computer.
ROM is permanent
internal memory ROM
that cannot be Read Only Memory
changed.
RAM is temporary
RAM memory that can
Random Access Memory be changed.
Hardware that
represents data as
either hard copy or
soft copy after is has Output Devices
been processed by
the computer.
Hardware that
represents data as
either hard copy or
soft copy after is has Output Devices
been processed by
the computer.
Represents data as
“soft copy.” Some
Monitor common monitors are
CRT or flat-panel.
Hardware that
represents data as
either hard copy or
soft copy after is has Output Devices
been processed by
the computer.
Represents data as
“soft copy.” Some
Monitor common monitors are
CRT or flat-panel.
Represents data as
“hard copy.” Some Printer
common printers are
laser or inkjet.
Hardware that
represents data as
either hard copy or
soft copy after is has Output Devices
been processed by
the computer.
Represents data as
“soft copy.” Some
Monitor common monitors are
CRT or flat-panel.
Represents data as
“hard copy.” Some Printer
common printers are
laser or inkjet.
Speakers
Needed for
permanently storing
Storage Devices important information
such as computer
programs, files, and
data.
Needed for
permanently storing
Storage Devices important information
such as computer
programs, files, and
data.
Plastic or metal Magnetic Storage
platters that are Hard Disk
coated with oxide Floppy Disk
and store data Videotape
magnetically.
Needed for
permanently storing
Storage Devices important information
such as computer
programs, files, and
data.
Plastic or metal
Magnetic Storage
Hard Disk
platters that are
Floppy Disk
coated with oxide
Videotape
and store data
magnetically.
Optical Storage A storage medium
CDs on which data is
DVDs recorded and read
by two lasers
Needed for
permanently storing
Storage Devices important information
such as computer
programs, files, and
data.
Plastic or metal
platters that are
Magnetic Storage
Hard Disk
coated with oxide
Floppy Disk
and store data
Videotape
magnetically.
Optical Storage A storage medium
CDs on which data is
DVDs recorded and read
A small by two lasers
storage device
that can be USB Storage
plugged into a
USB port.
Software
A set of instructions or programs
that tell a computer what to do.
Software
Operating System Applications
or or
Platform Programs
This type of software
manages RAM, controls
peripheral devices,
manages file
operations (saving, Operating System
opening, deleting,
renaming, etc.),
monitors system
performance, and
provides a user
interface
This type of software
manages RAM, controls
peripheral devices,
manages file
operations (saving, Operating System
opening, deleting,
renaming, etc.),
monitors system
performance, and Windows is a GUI OS
provides a user environment that
DOS is a command-line
interface works with DOS. It
interface OS. It is not DOS, Windows, Vista uses icons and menus
very user-friendly! to make computers
easy to use. You can
multitask with
Windows.
This type of software
manages RAM, controls
peripheral devices,
manages file
operations (saving, Operating System
opening, deleting,
renaming, etc.),
monitors system
performance, and Windows is a GUI OS
provides a user environment that
DOS is a command-line
interface works with DOS. It
interface OS. It is not DOS, Windows, Vista uses icons and menus
very user-friendly! to make computers
easy to use. You can
multitask with
Macintosh Windows.
computers have Macintosh
their own operating
system.
This type of software
manages RAM, controls
peripheral devices,
manages file
operations (saving, Operating System
opening, deleting,
renaming, etc.),
monitors system
performance, and Windows is a GUI OS
provides a user environment that
DOS is a command-line
interface works with DOS. It
interface OS. It is not DOS, Windows, Vista uses icons and menus
very user-friendly! to make computers
easy to use. You can
multitask with
Macintosh Windows.
computers have Macintosh
their own operating
system.
Other Operating Systems:
Linux, UNIX, OS/2
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Spreadsheets Numbers
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Spreadsheets Numbers
Slide Shows Electronic Presentations
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Spreadsheets Numbers
Slide Shows Electronic Presentations
Browser World Wide Web
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Spreadsheets Numbers
Slide Shows Electronic Presentations
Browser World Wide Web
Large collections of Database
data
Programs that
Application Software
allow users to
or perform specific
Programs tasks.
Letters, reports, text Word Processing
Spreadsheets Numbers
Slide Shows Electronic Presentations
Browser World Wide Web
Large collections of Database
data
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