Basic Computer Operation for College Students

1. BASIC COMPUTER
OPERATION

2. OUTLINE
 Computer Hardware
 Operating systems
 Terms
 Disk capacities

3. Computer Hardware
 Case
 Power switch
 Reset switch
 Hard drive
 Floppy
 CD/DVD
 Serial ports
 Parallel port
 USB port
 Keyboard/mouse
 Network card
 Modem
 Sound card
 Video card
 RAM
 Motherboard
 Fan
 Cables

4. The basic system including keyboard,
mouse and monitor.

5. What is in the box?
Motherboard

7. Typical parts of a motherboard.
ABIT SE6

8. Cabling
For items in or attached
to a system to work
properly they must be
securely connected.

9. Operating systems
 All computer systems have an operating system.
Currently, there are three dominate typical user
operating systems.
 Macintosh OS,
 Microsoft Windows OS,
 Linux.

10. Terms
 A: Floppy disk C: Local disk D: Local disk (partition)
 RAM = Random Access Memory. The thinking space available to a computer to
use while performing operations. The space is emptied out when the computer is
turned off.
 DIRECTORY = An organizational structure on disks to file management easier.
Directories also become a local region for the computer to hunt for other files
related to the current file.
 DOCUMENT = A file created using an application. The file is only useful using
the application that created it or a similar application that can convert it.
 APPLICATION = A program that allows a computer to perform a certain
function.

11. Disk capacities
 Floppy: 1.4 MB
 Hard disk: 160 GB – 2 TB
 CD 700 - 800 MB
 DVD 4.7 GB
18 GB
1 KB = 1024 BYTE
1 MB = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB
1 TB = 1024 PB
1 PB = 1024 EB