Teaching and developing online

The Basics of computer hardware

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The System
The system is normally made up of four basic components; they are the base unit, monitor,
keyboard and mouse. Also shown in this picture are two speakers. As you work through
this unit each of these components will be explained and more.
Whether small or large, computers can perform four general operations. These operations
comprise the information processing cycle and are: INPUT, PROCESS, OUTPUT,
STORAGE. Collectively, these operations describe the procedures a computer performs to
process data into information and store for future use.
For a computer to perform the operation in the information processing cycle, it must be
given a detailed set of instructions that tell it exactly what to do. These instructions are
called a "computer program", or "software". Before processing for a specific job begins, the
computer program corresponding to that job is stored in the computer.
Data refers to raw facts, including numbers, words, images and sounds, given to the
computer during input operation. In the processing phase, the computer manipulates the
data to create information. Information refers to data processed into a form that is
meaningful and useful. Check the icon of a computer with a question mark in the toolbar at
the top to see a table that explains the parts of a computer.

The Base Unit

The central part of the PC, all the other components like the keyboard and monitor are
connected to it. This is the part of the computer that has the brains in it. It processes the
keyboard's instructions, the relevant data for each task it performs and controls the output
to your monitor. The motherboard is the heart of the base unit as it holds the components
that determine the speed and memory of your computer.
Another method of looking at is: A computer is an electronic device, operating under the
control of instructions stored in its own memory unit that can accept data (input), process
data arithmetically and logically, produce output from processing, and store the results for
future use.
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The Mother Board

1
RAM Slots (32 or 74 pin)This is the place where you put the Memory Cards...it is the thing
that will make the biggest different in the speed of your computer
2
Backup Battery This is what makes sure the clock and other information is kept up when
you turn the power off.
3
Central Processing Unit This chip is where you make your computer a pentium or pentium
2 and by the time you read this it can be something else as well.
4
Expansion Slots This is where you add the card like your sound card. Which will allow you
to listen to music?
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5
Larger Expansion Slots This is a larger slot for the bigger cards, like your modem or
network card.
There is a lot of other stuff on a Mother Board, like Ram chips, bios chips but we will leave
those for the people who might care about what makes a computer work. Mother boards
have changed slightly in the past few years but they are still basically the same.
The Integrated chips
You probably noticed that the printed circuit boards in your computer are covered with
scores of little rectangular bugs with many legs.
These are I.C. chips. I.C. stands
for Integrated Circuit. If you could look inside one with a magnifying glass you would see
what looks like a downtown map. This is a pile of semi-conducting photographic images
that form complex electronic circuits. Each IC can replace thousands of of transistors. The
contents of any of those ICs in your computer would have filled a large room with 1942's
finest technological equipment.
I.C.s can do many things. Some are R.O.M. chips. These are Read Only Memory. Memory of
this sort is like a newspaper. You can read it as often as you like, but you can't change the
news.
Others are R.A.M. chips. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. These chips can be told
something and will remember it. If you tell them something different, they will then
remember the new information. They only work when the power is on. If you turn the
computer off the RAM chips forget everything.
Other chips are decision-makers. Their individual thinking power is limited, but they team
up to control the operation of your computer. There is one special I.C. chip called the C.P.U.,
which stands for Central Processing Unit.
It is often the largest bug in the
box, with the most legs. Almost every bit of information the computer handles is controlled
by this chip. Intel is the most famous manufacturer of CPUs for IBM-compatible computers.
Processor (or Central Processing Unit -CPU)
The speed and versatility with which a PC runs depends on what type of processor they're
built around. The processor is the 'brain' of the computer that controls all other parts. All
processor chips use the standard speed rating system, measured in MHz (Meg Hertz). The
higher the speed rating, the faster the chip works.
Processors in a computer produce heat, it is important to keep the chip cool, hence the fans
that are built into the case. In some instances they mount a fan directly on top of the chip,
as shown here.

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The Monitor
Looking like a TV set, it shows you what's going on. They can vary in size and in quality of
picture like TV's, but all are capable of displaying photos clearly. The monitor has a sharper
picture than a TV; they have more dots per inch

The Keyboard
At the present time the keyboard is the most common method of a user communication and
putting information or data into a computer. It is similar to a typewriter, except there are
more keys. The first time some people touch it they worry they might press a key which
will break it - don't worry, this cannot happen!
Key Board parts
Esc (Escape): Most programs use the key to cancel or ignore a command you have just
entered.

F1 to F12 (Function keys): The keys offer different options depending on the software you
are using e.g. 'F1' to display a help message.
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Backspace: erases the last character you typed.

Tab: lets you indent paragraphs and line up column, text or numbers.

Enter (or Return): EITHER you have finished giving a command and want the computer to
take action on it OR begins a new paragraph on a new line.

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Caps lock: Pressed once, any letters you type will appear in uppercase.

Shift: Holding it down and then pressing a letter creates an uppercase letter.

When there are two symbols or characters on a key, holding down Shift causes the upper
one to appear.

Ctrl and Alt: Used in combination with other keys to produce special actions.

Pause: stops the scrolling of information, allowing you to read the display. Press any other
key when you are ready to resume.

Home and End: Allow you to move the cursor to the beginning or end of a line.

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Delete: Erases the character that the cursor is currently on.

Cursor control keys: These keys move the cursor up, down, left or right.

Num lock: if you want to type in numbers using the numeric keypad, turn on NUM lock by
depressing it. When Num Lock is off, you can use keys on the numeric keypad to control the
movements of the cursor.

The Mouse
A small object you move around on your desk (a mouse pad which is a cloth- covered
rubber mat helps keep a mouse running smoothly) which as you move it, an 'arrow point'
shows you where you are on the screen that you currently aiming for.
Just click one of the buttons on the mouse and the cursor will appear at that point so you
can begin your work. The picture shown here is a one button mouse which is the Apple
type mouse. PC mouse normally have two or more buttons.

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Memory
Memory
When you talk about memory in a computer it gets very confusing. Most people confuse
storage with memory. A hard disk, floppy disk or a CD are storage not memory. Memory in
a computer is stored that are used to start up a computer and run programs. Not, the letter
that you wrote in a word processor but the information needed to start the word
processor.
There are two very different sorts of memory called ROM and RAM.
ROM (Read Only Memory) is permanent memory that contains information that your
computer needs when you turn it on and remains when you switch it off
again. RAM (Random Access Memory) is non-permanent memory where data is stored
temporarily and disappears (unless saved in the ROM memory) when the computer is
turned off.
The size of the PC's memory is measured in bytes (one character or a letter, number etc),
or kilobytes (1024 bytes). From a user's point of view, the size of the RAM-type memory is
the most important as programs are loaded into RAM and if it is too small, you will not be
able to run some of the larger programs. As computers get faster and faster the line
between RAM, ROM and storage becomes more and more grey.
Hard drive
This is a rigid set of discs mounted permanently in the base unit. Read and write heads
allow it to store and access very large amounts of data very quickly.
CD ROM
The CD ROM drive has a slot in the base unit which allows you to play music CD's
(providing you also have speakers) and CD ROM's which also look like CD's
and are
an excellent resource for obtaining lots of information involving text, sound and pictures.
Most application programs and games now come on a CD. The technology has gotten to the

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stage now where it is possible to use a cd to storage information. This has been made
possible through the use of "CD burners".
Extras
Joystick (optional)
Used solely for controlling the action on the screen when playing
games. Made very popular with driving and flying type games. This
optional attachment can be fairly cheap to very expensive.

Scanner (optional)
Transfers images from paper

The Printer
The most common addition to your PC as you would not be able to get printed copies of your
documents otherwise. They come in various guises depending on the quality you require. The
cheapest and poorest quality is dot matrix and daisy wheel printers. The most commonly
available and better quality are ink jet printers which shoot a fine jet of ink onto the paper. The
more expensive ink jet printers can produce results which are almost comparable to the most
expensive printers called laser printers which give sharp, crisp images for both text and pictures.
The printer shown here is an ink jet printer.

The modern printers produce images that can almost be photo quality. They have
come a long ways in the last couple of years.

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Printers have come down a lot in price, but the ink cartridges are very expensive. Is
this a good marketing idea? What do you think is the best brand of printer and why?
Expansion slots
A set of sockets on the back of the base unit, essential for plugging in a keyboard, monitor
or mouse and designed to stop you from plugging the wrong item in. Different computers
have different numbers and types of slots, which will determine how many 'extras' you can
add.

The cards
Videocard (optional)
These use a standard known as MPEG (Motion Pictures Experts Group) to make it possible
to show full-screen videos on your computer. Without one it will only appear as a small
window on your screen.

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Soundcard (optional)
Enables you to record and playback sounds and music on your PC.
Possible test
Question 1
Marks: 12
Label the following diagram by matching the number with the part.

One

_________________________________

Tw0

_________________________________

Three _________________________________
Four

_________________________________

Five

_________________________________

Question 2
Marks: 13

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Match the item with the item's duty.

Keyboard
Memory (Ram)
Hard Disk
Modem
Monitor (screen)
Processor
Possible answers
Output, long term storage, input, input and output, short term storage, work
Question 3
Marks: 12
Check off the four basic components of the modern day computer.
Choose at least one answer.
a. Modem
b. Keyboard
c. Speakers
d. Mouse
e. Monitor
f. CD Rom
g. Base Unit
Question 4
Marks: 13
The motherboard is the heart of the base unit.
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Choose one answer.

a. True
b. False
Question 5
Marks: 12
The computer monitor is not as clear as a television screen.
Choose one answer.
a. True
b. False
Question 6
Marks: 13
Check off the two types of memory that can be found in the modern day computer.
Choose at least one answer.
a. Floppy disk
b. Hard Disk
c. ROM
d. RAM
e. CD
Question 7
Marks: 12
The diagram is a picture of an I.C. Chip. What does I.C. stand for?

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Answer:
Question 8
Marks: 13
The diagram is a picture of a special I.C. chip called the C.P.U What does C.P.U. stand for?

Answer:

Test Answers
Question 1
Marks: 12
Label the following diagram by matching the number with the part.
One
Ram slot
Two
Backup battery
Three
Central processing unit
Four
Expansion slots
Five
Larger expansion slots
Question 2
Marks: 13
Match the item with the item's duty.
Keyboard
input
Memory (Ram)
short term memory
Hard Disk
long term storage
Modem
input and output
Monitor (screen)
output
Processor
work
Question 3
Marks: 12
Check off the four basic components of the modern day computer.
Choose at least one answer.
a. Modem
b. Keyboard
c. Speakers
d. Mouse
e. Monitor
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f. CD Rom
g. Base Unit
Question 4
Marks: 13
The motherboard is the heart of the base unit.
Choose one answer.
a. True
b. False
Question 5
Marks: 12
The computer monitor is not as clear as a television screen.
Choose one answer.
a. True
b. False
Question 6
Marks: 13
Check off the two types of memory that can be found in the modern day computer.
Choose at least one answer.
a. Floppy disk
b. Hard Disk
c. ROM
d. RAM
e. CD
Question 7
Marks: 12
The diagram is a picture of an I.C. Chip. What does I.C. stand for? Integrated circuit
Answer:
Question 8
Marks: 13
The diagram is a picture of a special I.C. chip called the C.P.U What does C.P.U. stand for?
Answer: Central processing unit

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