Computer Basics

What is a Computer?

An electronic device for the storage and processing of information.

Four basic actions1. Input2. Processing3. Output4. Storage

Computer Tower

Monitor

Keyboard

Mouse

Speakers

CD-ROM &/or

CD-RW

Floppy DiskPower Button

Input Devices

Output Devices

Hardware on the InsideDrive BayPower

Supply

Case Fan

Motherboard

Sound Card

Modem

Circuits

Motherboard Sound Card

Operating the computer’s sound Video Card

Handles graphics that are displayed on the monitor Modem

Allows computers to talk to each other CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Brain of the computer; controls information and tells other parts what to do

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) Wakes up the computer when you turn it on Reminds it what parts it has and what they do

Motherboard

Mother to all of the other circuit boards

Has many smaller boards plugged into it Expansion Cards

Sound Card Video Card Modem

Ram & Rom

RAM (Random Access Memory) Remember what you tell them and can

change to remember new information When computer turned off, RAM forgets

Important to save

ROM (Read Only Memory) Good at remembering, but cannot

change it’s mind

Ports are the places on the outside of the computer case where you plug in hardware

Storage to hold data or information and get

that data to the CPU as quickly as possible when it is needed

Computers use disks for storage hard disks that are located inside the

computer floppy or compact disks that are used

externally

Hard Disk

Two types of memory primary memory which is stored on

chips located on the motherboard holds all of the essential memory that tells

your computer how to be a computer secondary memory that is stored in

the hard drive holds the information that you store in the

computer

Storage Devices