Define what is

COMPUTER?
A multi-functional electronic device that accepts,
manipulates, stores, and interprets data in specific
given time.
A general purpose device that can be programmed to
carry out a set of arithmetic or logical operations
automatically. Since a sequence of operations can be
readily changed, the computer can solve more than
one kind of problem.
Hardware & Software
 The term hardware refers to the physical components of your
computer such as the system unit, mouse, keyboard, monitor etc.
 • The software is the instruction that makes the computer work.
Software is held either on your computer’s hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD or
on a diskette (floppy disk) and is loaded (i.e. copied) from the disk
into the computers RAM (Random Access Memory), as and when
required.

Types of Computers
 • Mini and Mainframe Computers very powerful, used by large
organizations such banks of control the entire business operation. Very
expensive!
 • Personal Computers Cheap and easy to use. Often used as stand-
alone
Hardware Components

 Input Devices – “How to tell the computer what to do”

 Processing Devices – “Brain of the computer”
 Storage Devices – “How it saves data and programs”
 Output Devices – “Where we see the results of what we
are doing.”
 MAIN PARTS OF THE COMPUTER
CPU (CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT)

 Leading Brands: Intel & AMD

 Intel – Intelligence (Leap Ahead)
 AMD – Advanced Micro Devices (Smarter Choice)
 Main Function - A central processing unit (CPU) is the
electronic circuitry within a computer that carries out the
instructions of a computer program by performing the
basic arithmetic, logical, control and input/output (I/O)
operations specified by the instructions.
CPU Generation
Intel Family AMD Family
 Pentium 1, 2, 3, 4  Athlon
 Celeron  Duron
 Pentium M & Celeron M for mobile  Sempron
devices
 Opteron
 Pentium Dual Core
 Turion
 Core Solo
 Llano
 Core 2 Duo
 FX – latest
 Core i3, i5, i7 - latest
User Requirement AMD Intel
Price Cheaper More Expensive
Power Less Efficient More Efficient
Consumption
Cooling Factor Heats up faster Runs cooler for a
longer duration
Performance Not very fast Faster
Speed
Gaming Multimedia Better Good
Performance : Good : Low Good : High
Price
Components of CPU
 Arithmetic Logic Unit - The arithmetic logic unit (ALU) is a
digital circuit within the processor that performs integer
arithmetic and bitwise logic operations. The inputs to the ALU
are the data words to be operated on (called operands), status
information from previous operations, and a code from the
control unit indicating which operation to perform.

 Control Unit - The control unit of the CPU contains circuitry

that uses electrical signals to direct the entire computer system
to carry out stored program instructions. The control unit does
not execute program instructions; rather, it directs other parts
of the system to do so. The control unit communicates with
both the ALU and memory.
 Memory Management Unit - Most high-end microprocessors (in
desktop, laptop, server computers) have a memory
management unit, translating logical addresses into physical
RAM addresses, providing memory protection and paging
abilities, useful for virtual memory. Simpler processors,
especially microcontrollers usually don't include an MMU.

 Cache - A place to store information that's faster than the place

where the information is usually stored. Cache memory is fast
memory that is used to hold the most recently accessed data in
slower main memory. The idea is that frequently accessed data
will stay in cache, which allows the CPU to access it more
quickly, which means it doesn't have to wait for the data to
arrive.
Implementations and Structure:
 Integer Rate
Every CPU represents numerical values in a specific way. The terms
32-bit and 64-bit refer to the way a computer's processor (also called a
CPU), handles information. The 64-bit version of Windows handles large
amounts of random access memory (RAM) more effectively than a 32-bit
system.

 Clock Rate
The speed at which a microprocessor executes instructions. Every
computer contains an internal clock that regulates the rate at which
instructions are executed and synchronizes all the various computer
components. The CPU requires a fixed number of clock ticks (or clock
cycles) to execute each instruction. The faster the clock, the more
instructions the CPU can execute per second. Clock speeds are expressed
in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz).
Parallelism
Parallel computing is one of the most important technologies
when it comes to building faster computers and software. Being able
to compute in parallel allows us to expand and scale the computing
power dramatically. Parallel computing is one of the biggest leaps in
the computing world and it can jump over the barriers of heat that
limits the current technologies.

Types of Parallel Computing

 Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) - means that all parallel
units share the same instruction, but they carry it out on different
data elements. (example: Dragon boat Water Sport)
 Multiple Instruction Multiple Data (MIMD) - means that parallel
units have separate instructions, so each of them can do
something different at any given time. (example: Football,
Basketball)
RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY)
 Difference between RAM and ROM
 A ROM chip is non-volatile storage and does not require a constant source of power to
retain information stored on it. When power is lost or turned off, a ROM chip will keep the
information stored on it. In contrast, a RAM chip is volatile and requires a constant source
of power to retain information. When power is lost or turned off, a RAM chip will lose the
information stored on it.
 Other differences between a ROM and a RAM chip include:
 A ROM chip (BIOS) is used primarily in the start-up process of a computer, whereas a RAM
chip is used in the normal operations of a computer after starting up and loading the
operating system.
 Writing data to a ROM chip is a slow process, whereas writing data to a RAM chip is a
faster process.
 A RAM chip can store multiple gigabytes (GB) of data, up to 16 GB or more per chip. A ROM
chip typically stores only several megabytes (MB) of data, up to 4 MB or more per chip.
Types of RAM
RAM Pins Width Usage
type

SD RAM 168 64 bit Older and slower type. No use.

Rambus 184 16 bit Advanced RAM. Only used for very few Pentium 4’s with
RAM certain Intel chipsets.

DDR RAM 184 64 bit A faster version of SD RAM.

Used both for Athlon and
Pentium 4’s. 2,5 Volt.

DDR2 RAM 204 64 bit New version of DDR RAM with higher clock frequencies.
/240 1,8 Volt.

DDR3 RAM 204/24 64 bit It is the higher-speed successor to DDR and DDR2 ; 1.35
0 V or 1.5 V
HDD (HARD DISK DRIVE)
 A hard disk drive (HDD), hard disk, hard drive or fixed disk
is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving
digital information using one or more rigid rapidly rotating
disks (platters) coated with magnetic material. The
platters are paired with magnetic heads arranged on a
moving actuator arm, which read and write data to the
platter surfaces. Data is accessed in a random-access
manner, meaning that individual blocks of data can be
stored or retrieved in any order and not only sequentially.
How hard drive works?
 A hard disk is a sealed unit containing a number of platters in a stack.
Hard disks may be mounted in a horizontal or a vertical position. In
this description, the hard drive is mounted horizontally.
Electromagnetic read/write heads are positioned above and below
each platter. As the platters spin, the drive heads move in toward the
center surface and out toward the edge.
Performance Factors:
 Drive Form Factor
a. SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface)
b. IDE/PATA (Integrated Drive Electronics / Parallel Advanced Technology
Attachment)
c. SATA – Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
d. USB (External) – Universal Serial Bus
 Spindle Speed - The most important factor that determines the speed of a hard
drive is the revolutions per minute (RPMs) of its spindle. The spindle is the shaft
component that runs through the middle of a platter and creates its rotation.
High-speed laptops have rotation speeds of at least 7,200 RPMs, while some hard
drives for desktops have speeds of 10,000 or even 15,000 RPMs.
 Access Time - The access time of a hard drive refers to the length of time needed
for the magnetic drive heads to position themselves for a given task. For example,
when a user requests a file from the hard drive, the head must first orient in itself
in the appropriate position to access the data from the platter.
How Computer Memory/Storage Capacity
Measured?
Bit Single Binary Digit (1 or 0)
Byte 8 bits
Kilobyte (KB) 1,024 Bytes
Megabyte (MB) 1,024 Kilobytes
Gigabyte (GB) 1,024 Megabytes
Terabyte (TB) 1,024 Gigabytes
Petabyte (PB) 1,024 Terabytes
Exabyte (EB) 1,024 Petabytes
Zettabyte (ZB) 1,024 Exabytes
Yottabyte (YB) 1,024 Zettabytes
Xenottabyte (XB) 1,024 Yottabytes
Shilentnobyte (SB) 1,024 Xenottabytes
Domegemegrottebyte (DB) 1,024 Shilentnobytes
Software Components
System Application
 Operating System – the most important type of software that interprets how
peripherals and application software will work together.
 Ex. Linux, Unix, Ubuntu, Mac OS, Windows (98, XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1)
 Application System – set of programs designed for end users with specific functions and
operations.

Examples of Application Software

 Web Browsers
 Anti-Virus
 Media Players
 Games
 MS Office
Information of Network
 Computer Networking - In general, the term network can refer to any
interconnected group or system. More specifically, a network is any method
of sharing information between two systems (human or mechanical).
 BENEFITS OF SHARING INFORMATION VIA NETWORK - In addition to reducing
hardware costs by sharing expensive printers and other peripherals among
multiple users, networks provide additional benefits to the users.
 Software and data files can be shared for access by multiple users
 Electronic mail (email) can be sent and received
 Collaboration features allow contributions by multiple users to a single
document
 Remote-control programs can be used to troubleshoot problems or show
new users how to perform a task
SHARED HARDWARE COMPONENTS - Virtually any storage or output device
can be shared over a network, but the most common devices to be used
over a network include:
 Printers
 Disk drives
 CD-ROM and optical drives
 Modems
 Fax
 Tape backup units
TYPES OF NETWORKING: (BASED ON RANGE/AREA)
 LAN (LOCAL AREA NETWORK)
 MAN (METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK)
 WAN (WIDE AREA NETWORK)
 GAN (GLOBAL AREA NETWORK)
CLIENT/SERVER VS PEER-TO-PEER NETWORKS

 Client/Server Networks - Every computer has a distinct role,

that of either a client or a server. A server is designed to share
its resources among client computers on the network.
 Peer-to-Peer Network - In a peer-to-peer network, every
computer is equal and can communicate with other computer
on a network to which it has been granted access rights.
Computer Malwares
What are computer malwares?
 Malwares are small programs that hide themselves on your disks (both
diskettes and your hard disk).
 Unless you use virus detection software the first time that you know that you
have a virus is when it activates. Different viruses are activated in different
ways
How do malwares infect PCs?
 Viruses hide on a disk and when you access the disk (either a diskette or
another hard disk over a network) the virus program will start and infect
your computer.
 The worst thing about a computer virus is that they can spread from one
computer to another, either via use of infected floppy disk, or over a
computer network, including the Internet.
Types of Computer Malwares
 Virus – replicates itself and transfer to one computer to
another
 Worm – a stand-alone malware that replicates itself and
transfer to one computer to another.
 Trojan – disguised as a useful application but definitely
not.
 Spyware – runs in the background of your computer to
monitor your activities
 Adware – pop up advertisements found usually in some
websites
Tips to Avoid Computer Malwares
 Install Anti-Virus
 Keep your anti-virus up to date weekly or monthly
 Refrain from inserting different flash drives from other
people in your computer
 Don’t install unknown types of applications
 Don’t visit unknown websites
 Don’t download unknown files
 Keep your network firewall activated.
COMPUTER SPECIFICATIONS
o The minimum system requirements for Windows XP are:
o Pentium 233-megahertz (MHz) processor or faster (300 MHz is
recommended)
o At least 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM (128 MB is recommended)
o At least 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available space on the hard disk
o CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive
o Keyboard and a Microsoft Mouse or some other compatible pointing
device
o Video adapter and monitor with Super VGA (800 x 600)or higher
resolution
The minimum system requirements for
Windows 7, 8 and 10 are:

o 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)

processor*
o 1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)
o 16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)
o DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver
Getting computer specifications using the operating system
 System properties or system information
 DirectX Diagnostics
 Device Manager
 BIOS
 CMD (system info, msinfo32)