HARDWARE BASICS

RAAJA COMPUTER
CENTRE

MODULE OBJECTIVES
Describe

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the appropriate use of operating

systems, software applications, and
networking components.
Compare and contrast the use of various
input, processing, output, and
primary/secondary storage devices.
Explain the differences between analog
and digital technology systems and give
examples of each type of system.
Delineate and make necessary
adjustments regarding compatibility
issues and cross-platform connectivity.

TYPES OF DEVICES

Digital versus Analog

A digital device uses discrete data.

Discrete

data is distinct or separate.

Ex: Numbers or digits.

Most computers today are digital. Their circuits

have only two possible states, such as Off and
On or 0 and 1.

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TYPES OF DEVICES

Digital versus Analog

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An analog device operates on

continuously varying data.
Continuously varying data has an
infinite number of possible states.

TYPES OF DEVICES

Digital versus Analog

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A digital thermometer will give a specific

numerical reading when used to measure
someones body temperature.
An old fashioned mercury thermometers reading
of someones body temperature could be
interpreted differently by different users.

COMPUTER HARDWARE
Central Processing Unit - also called The
Chip, a CPU, a processor, or a microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

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COMPUTER HARDWARE
Central Processing Unit - also called The Chip,
a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

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COMPUTER HARDWARE
Central Processing Unit - also called The Chip,
a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

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COMPUTER HARDWARE
Central Processing Unit - also called The Chip,
a CPU, a processor or a microprocessor
Memory (RAM)
Storage Devices
Input Devices
Output Devices

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CPU TYPES
CPU or microprocessor is often described as
the brain of a computer.
CPU is an integrated circuit or chip which
processes instructions and data.
CPU types.

Pentium II, III, IV

Intel Celeron
AMD Athlon

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Intel

CPU TYPES

Currently, CPU speeds range from 600 megahertz

(MHz or million cycles per second) to 4 gigahertz
(GHz or billion cycles per second).

Always check new softwares requirements for

CPU type and speed before purchasing

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CPU speed is measured by the number of

completed instruction cycles per second

MICROCOMPUTER PLATFORMS
All microcomputers are based on a small number
of designs (interior architecture) or computer
platforms.
PC architecture is based on the first IBM
microcomputers. Generally, PCs use Microsoft
Windows as their operating system.
Apple computers or Macs are based on
proprietary architecture manufactured
exclusively by Apple Computer, Inc.

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MICROCOMPUTER PLATFORMS
Compatibility refers to computers that operate
in essentially the same way.
Compatibility across platforms is limited! You
must know which platform your computer runs
on before purchasing software.
All software is designed for a specific platform.

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Windows, Mac or Unix versions

MEMORY (RAM)

RAM or Random Access Memory

Capacity

(in Megabytes or Gigabytes)

Speed (in Nanoseconds)

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Waiting room for computers CPU.

Holds instructions for processing data, processed
data, and raw data.
Ram is measured by:

MEMORY (RAM)

Amount of RAM installed will determine.

software applications will run (efficiently)?

How many software applications can be open
simultaneously (multitasking ability)?

RAM upgrades are cost-effective and easy to

install.

Check your computer manual for RAM type (DIMM,

SDRAM) and speed (100, 90ns).

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Which

MEMORY (RAM)
All software applications will have RAM
specifications listed on their packaging.
Many applications list both a minimum and a
recommended amount of RAM necessary to run
the software.
Be cautious about buying software for a system
based on minimum requirement.

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STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
Electronic devices that store, retrieve, and save
instructions and data.
Todays microcomputers or PCs include several
types of storage devices.
Capacity and speed are important
considerations when selecting a new storage
device for a PC.

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STORAGE TECHNOLOGY
Magnetic storage devices store
data by magnetizing particles on a
disk or tape. They have a limited lifespan of 1 to 5 years, depending on the
device.
Optical storage devices store data
as light and dark spots on the disk
surface. They have an unlimited lifespan.

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STORAGE DEVICES

Hard Disk Drives

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Capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB or billions

of bytes).
Typically permanently installed.
Used to store operating system, application
software, utilities and data.
Magnetic storage device.

STORAGE DEVICES

Floppy Disk Drives

Capacity is 1.44 to 2.0 megabytes

(MB or millions of bytes).
Storage

device with the smallest

capacity
Most portable storage media

Magnetic storage device.

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STORAGE DEVICES

CD-ROM Drives

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Typically installed on all new computer systems.

(Were add-on device until the mid 1990s).
Capacity is 600 to 750 megabytes
(MB or millions of bytes).
Most mass-produced commercial software is
packaged on a CD.

STORAGE DEVICES

CD-ROM Drives

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Used more often now for backup storage as CDRW (read/write) technology has become less
expensive.
Data is read from CD by a laser.
Optical storage device.

STORAGE DEVICES

Other Types of Drives

Drives Several different capacities

are available.
Tape Drives Generally used for system
backups, becoming less common.
DVD drives Can also read CDs, now
more common as a standard device on new
computer systems.

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Zip

INPUT DEVICES

person
A storage device on computer
Another computer
A peripheral device
Another piece of equipment, such as a musical
instrument or thermometer

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Input is all information put into a computer.

Input can be supplied from a variety of sources:

INPUT DEVICES
Input devices gather and translate data into a
form the computer understands.
Primary input device:

- Most common input device; used to type

in commands and data.
Mouse or trackball enhances users ability to input
commands, manipulate text, images.
Joystick useful in education as an adaptive or
assistive input device.

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Keyboard

INPUT DEVICES

Text

Graphics
Images

Specialized software aids in translating

information into a format the computer can
understand and manipulate.

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Scanners are peripheral input devices which

allow users to import:

INPUT DEVICES

Some

require specialized
software to import images
into the computer.
Some record digital images directly to a disk
that can be read by the computer.

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Digital Cameras are peripheral input

devices that allow users to create pictures
and/or movies in a digital format.

OUTPUT DEVICES
Monitors are the most commonly used output
device.
Most monitors use a bitmap display.

user to resize the display.

Divides the screen into a matrix of tiny square dots
called pixels.
The more dots a screen can display, the higher the
resolution of the monitor.

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Allows

OUTPUT DEVICES
Monitors are connected to a computer system via
a port integrated on the video adapter or
graphics card.
Graphics cards convert digital data output from
software to analog data for display on monitors.

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Typically have additional memory chips on card, 4MB

to 64MB.

OUTPUT DEVICES

Printers
Dot matrix
Seldom

used in a classroom.
Still frequently used in business.

Bubble or ink jet

Laser

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OUTPUT DEVICES

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Projection systems or classroom TVs can display

information from a computer system on a larger
screen for whole-class instruction.

NETWORKS
A collection of computers and other devices that
communicate to share data, hardware, and
software.
A stand-alone computer is called a
workstation on a network.
A workstation provides access to:

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computers local resources

Network resources
Your

NETWORKS

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Network nodes include

workstations, printers,
and servers.

NETWORKS
A server is a computer connected to a network
that distributes and stores resources for other
network users.
With proper licensing, many network users can
use the same applications and data files
simultaneously and share other resources, such
as storage space or a printer.

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NETWORKS

LANs

are found in most businesses.

Many campuses use LANs.

A network interface card (NIC)

a key hardware component.
Connects

a workstation to the network.

A circuit board that sends data between the
workstation and the network.

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Local Area Network (LAN)

a network located in a limited area.

NETWORKS
Wide Area Network (WAN)
a network that covers a large geographical area.
TENET is a classic example.
All types of networks require special networking
hardware and networking software to allow
different computers to communicate with each
other.

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NETWORKS
The Internet - largest of all networks.
Communication standards called protocols allow
for global exchange of information.

Control Protocol (TCP)

Internet Protocol (IP)

Intranets are LANs or WANs that use these

communication standards or TCP/IP.
Special hardware (modem) and software
(browser) are required.

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Transmission

OPTIONS AND TRADEOFFS

Speed versus Cost

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How fast are you able to access and save data on

the hard drive?
How fast will application software open?
How quickly will software respond to commands?
How quickly will your printer produce a
document?

OPTIONS AND TRADEOFFS

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Capacity versus Cost

How many applications can you store on a hard disk

drive?
How much data can you store on a secondary storage
device?
How many applications can be opened simultaneously?

OPTIONS AND TRADEOFFS

Pentium versus Celeron

Laser printer versus Ink Jet printer
Limited functionality editions versus full versions of
software
15 inch monitor versus 21 inch monitor

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Quality versus Cost

OPTIONS AND TRADEOFFS

Speed

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versus Cost
Capacity versus Cost
Quality versus Cost
Cost-Cost-Cost

SOFTWARE
Instructions and associated data, stored in
electronic format, that direct the computer to
accomplish a task.
System software helps the computer carry out
its basic operating tasks.

Utilities

systems

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Operating

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

EX: Windows, MacOS, DOS, UNIX, Linux

An operating system interacts with:

All

hardware installed in or connected to a computer

system.
All software installed or running from a storage
device on a computer system.

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An Operating System (OS) is the master

controller within a computer.

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Microsoft Windows

popular operating system.

Supports a vast array of application software and
peripheral devices.

MacOS
For

Macintosh computers.
Proprietary system.
Does not have same functionality and support for
software and peripheral devices.

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Most

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Network operating system (NOS)

network resources.
Maintains security.
Tracks user accounts.
Handles communication between workstations and
servers.

Popular network operating systems

Windows NT, Novell Netware, UNIX

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Manages

SYSTEM SOFTWARE

Utilities

augment functionality of operating

systems. Utilities includes device drivers and
Troubleshooting capabilities.
Utilities provide file management capabilities
such as copying, moving or renaming a file.
Norton Utilities includes an undelete
function that can recover deleted files.
Symantec and McAfee Virus checkers add
protection for all system and data files.

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Utilities

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Accomplishes specific tasks for users.
Enables a computer to become a multi-purpose
machine.

Automate record
keeping like
attendance and
grades.

Create flow
charts and
graphic
organizers.
Communicate
worldwide.

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Produce
worksheets and
reports.

APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Productivity Software
Databases

Presentation Software
Document Preparation

Word

Processing
Desktop Publishing

Project Management Software

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Spreadsheets

APPLICATION SOFTWARE
Graphics Creation and Manipulation
Animation and 3D Graphics
Video Editing
Internet Connectivity
Website Creation and Management
Groupware
Financial Management
Educational Games and Tutorials

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PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
Basic building blocks of any software.
Programming languages allow a programmer to write
instructions that a computer can understand.
Programming languages have some resemblance to the
English language.

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BASIC
Pascal

Fortran

C++
Java