handout

1. LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
WHAT IS COMPUTER?
 A computer is anelectronic device, operating under the control of instructions storedinits ownmemory, that can accept data, process
the data according to specifiedrules, produce results, and store the results for future use.
DATA AND INFORMATION
 Computers process data intoinformation.
 Data is a collectionof unprocesseditems, whichcaninclude text, numbers, images, audio, andvideo.
 Information conveys meaning andis useful to people.
INFORMATION PROCESSING CYCLE
 Computers process data (input) intoinformation(output).
Computers carryout processes using instructions, which are the
steps that tell the computer howto perform a particular task. A
collectionof related instructions organized for a common
purpose is referredto as software. A computer often holds data,
information, andinstructions instorage for future use. Some
people refer to the seriesof input, process, output, and storage
activitiesas the information processing cycle.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
1. INPUT DEVICES
 An input device is anyhardware component that allows you to enterdata and instructions into a computer.
 Five widelyusedinput devices are the keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, and Webcam
2. OUTPUT DEVICES
 An output device is anyhardware component that conveys information to one or more people. Three commonlyusedoutput
devices are a printer, a monitor, and speakers.
3. SYSTEM UNIT
 The system unit is a case that contains the electronic components ofthe computer that are usedto processdata
 The circuitryof the systemunit is connectedto a circuit board calledthe motherboard.
 2 maincomponents onthe motherboard
 Processor (CPU)
 Memory(RAM)
4. STORAGE DEVICES
 Storage holds data, instructions, andinformationfor future use.
5. COMMUNICATION DEVICE
 A communications device is a hardware component that enablesa computer to send(transmit) andreceive data, instructions, and
informationto andfrom one or more computers
ADVANTAGS AND DISADVANTAGES OF COMPUTERS
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
SPEED HEALTH RISKS
RELIABILITY VIOLATION OF PRIVACY
CONSISTENCY PUBLIC SAFETY
STORAGE IMPACT ON LABOR FORCE
COMMUNICATION IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
GREEN COMPUTING
CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER
1. PERSONAL COMPUTER
 A PERSONAL COMPUTER is a computer that canperform all of its input, processing, output, andstorage activitiesbyitself. A
personalcomputer contains a processor, memory, and one or more input, output, andstorage devices. Personal computers also
often contain a communications device.
 DESKTOPCOMPUTER – is designedsothat the system unit, input devices, output devices, andanyother devices fit
entirelyon or under a deskor table
2. MOBILE COMPUTER
 A mobile computer is a personal computer you cancarryfrom place to place. Similarly, a mobile device is a computingdevice small
enoughto holdinyour hand.
 A Notebook Computer, alsocalled a laptopcomputer, is a portable, personal computer oftendesignedto fit on your lap.
 Tablet PCs Resembling a letter-sizedslate, the Tablet PCis a specialtype of notebookcomputer that allows you to write or
draw on the screenusing a digital pen
3. MOBILE DEVICES
 Mobile devices, whichare small enough to carryin a pocket, usuallydo not have disk drives.
 Five popular types of mobile devices are smart phones, PDAs, handheldcomputers, portable media players, anddigital
cameras.

2. 4. GAME CONSOLES
 A game console is a mobile computing device designedfor single-player or multiplayer videogames
5. SERVER
 A servercontrols access to the hardware, software, andother resources ona network andprovides a centralizedstorage area for
programs, data, andinformation. Servers can support from two to several thousandconnectedcomputers at the same time.
6. MAINFRAME
 A mainframe is a large, expensive, powerful computer that can handle hundreds or thousands of connectedusers simultaneously
 It can store tremendous amount of data, instructions and information
 Focuses onreliability. Process tons of smaller, simpler transactions extremelyquickly. (Do almost nothing but moves data aroundas
quicklyas possible)

7. SUPERCOMPUTER
 A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful computer — andthe most expensive
 Fastest supercomputers are capable ofprocessing one quadrillion instructions in a single second.
 Applicationrequiringcomplex, sophisticatedmathematical calculation usesupercomputers.
 Online Banking
 Weather Forecasting
 Nuclear EnergyResearch
8. EMBEDDED COMPUTER
 An embedded computer is a special-purpose computer that functions as a component ina larger product
LESSON 2: COMPONENTS OF A SYSTEM UNIT
WHAT IS A MOTHERBOARD?
 The motherboard, (sometimes calleda mainboard, system board, MoBo)is the mainprinted circuit board (PCB) of the system unit.
 It holds manyof the crucialelectronic components of the system, suchas the central processing unit (CPU), andmemory.
 Provides connectors for other peripherals.
MAIN COMPONENTS OF THE MOTHERBOARD
1. CPU SOCKET/CPU SLOT
 It is the slot onthe motherboardthat houses a CPU and forms the electrical interface andcontact withthe CPU.
 CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
2. MEMORY SLOT
 It allows RAMto be insertedintothe computer. Dependingon the motherboard, there maybe 2 to 4 slots andare what determine
the type of RAMusedwiththe computer.
 RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY (RAM)
3. NORTHBRIDGE
 Chipset that is closerto CPU. Usuallycoveredwith heat sink. It is usedto connect allthe major components of the motherboard
with eachother.
 It is assignedto manage andcontrol the computer memorybefore the processing of the CPU chip.
 Responsible for communication betweenCPU, Graphics CardandMemory
 (GMCH) Graphics andMemoryController Hub
4. SOUTHBRIDGE
 Chipset that is closerto ports. It is used to handle all the communicationbetween various input andoutput devices.
 Hard Drive controller andI/O controller (USB, PCI, IDE, Ethernet)
5. IDE SLOT
 It is one ofthe oldermethods of connectinghardware inthe motherboard. It is a standardinterface for connectinga motherboard
to storage devices such as harddrives andCD-ROM/DVDdrives.
 INTEGRATED DRIVE ELECTRONICS (IDE)
 Also calledPATA (Parallel AdvancedTechnologyAtta chment)
 40 pins
 FLOPPY DISKSLOT (34 PIN)
IDE CABLE
 Ribbon-like, wide, canbe up to 18 incheslong
6. SATA
 Is the replacement of the older connections (IDE) used to connect components like CD/DVDROM's, harddrives and solidstate
drives to the motherboard. It uses a much, muchsmaller, thinner andfiner cable andconnector, allowingyou to produce a much
neater, more tidyandalso faster computer system.
 Replacement for IDE
 SERIAL ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY ATTACHMENT (SATA)
SATA CABLE
 Narrow, can be upto a meter (roughly3ft) long. Power anddata split intotwo connections.
SATA IDE
 SATA interface supports hot plugging
(add/remove component while the computer is
running)
 IDE interface does not support hot plugging
(add/remove component while the computer is
running)

3.  SATA Data transfers at the rate of upto 6 Gb/s  IDE data transfers at the rate of upto 133MB/s
7. BIOS
 Firmware used to perform initializationduringbooting process
 BASIC INPUT OUTPUT SYSTEM (BIOS)
8. CMOS BATTERY
 It is a memorychip that houses setting configurations and is poweredbythe onboard battery. It resets andloses all customsettings
in case the batteryruns out of energy, Additionally, the system clock resets whenit loses power.
 Supplies power to store BIOSsettings andkeep the real-time clock running.
 COMPLEMENTARY METAL-OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR (CMOS)
9. AGP
 Used to connect high-speed video card.
 ACCELERATED GRAPHICS PORT (AGP)
10. PCI/EXPANSION SLOT
 Used to connect general input/output cards to the computer such as Wi-Fi Card, LAN Card, USB Card, SoundCard andother
Expansion Card.
 Slot for older expansioncards
 Have beenlargelyreplacedbyPCI-Express x1 slots
 PERIPHERAL COMPONENT INTERCONNECT (PCI)
11. PCI Express x1 Slots (PCIe x1)
 Slot for modern expansioncards suchas soundcards, networkcards (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth), connector cards (USB, FireWire,
eSATA) andcertain low-endgraphics cards
 Replacement for PCI
12. PCI Express x16 Slots (PCIe x16)
 Slot for discrete graphic cards and high bandwidthdevices suchas top-end solidstate drives.
 Replacement for AGP
13. ATX SLOT
 Slots that are used to connect the power supplyconnector to the Motherboard.
 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGYEXTENDED (ATX)
ATX POWER CONNECTOR
 Connects to the 24-pinATXpower cable ofa power supplyunit whichsupplies power to the motherboard.
ATX 12V Power Connector
 Connects to the 4-pinpower cable ofa power supplyunit whichsupplies power to the CPU.
POWER SUPPLY UNIT (PSU)
 The power supplyunit (PSU)ina PCregulates anddelivers the power to the components inthe system unit.
14. FAN HEADERS
 Supplies power to the CPU heat sink fanandcomputer case fans
15. FRONT PANEL & USB 2.0 CONNECTORS
 Connects to the power switch, reset switch, power LED,
hard drive LED andfront audioports ofa computer case
 Connects to USB 2.0 ports at the front or topof a
computer case.
16. BACK PANEL CONNECTORS & PORTS
 Connectors and ports for connectingthe computer to
external devices suchas displayports, audioports, USB
ports, Ethernet ports, PS/2 ports etc.
LESSON 3: INPUT
INPUT
 Input is anydata andinstructions entered into the memoryof a computer.
INPUT DEVICE
 Input Device is anyhardware component that allows users to enterdata and instructions (programs, commands, anduser responses)
into a computer.
INPUT DEVICES
1. KEYBOARD
 Keyboard is an input device that contains keys users press to enter data andinstructions into a computer.
2. POINTING DEVICE
 A pointing device is aninput device that allows a user to control a pointer on the screen. In a graphicaluser interface, a pointeris a
small symbol on the screen whose locationandshape change as a user moves a pointing device. A pointing device canbe usedto
move the insertionpoint;select text, graphics, and other objects;and clickbuttons, icons, links, and menu commands.
 MOUSE
 A mouse is a pointing device that fits under the palm ofyour handcomfortably. The mouseis the most widely
usedpointingdevice ondesktopcomputers.
 TRACKBALL
 A trackball is a stationarypointing device witha ball on its topor side. The ball in most trackballs is about the
size of a Ping-Pong ball.

4.  To move the pointer usinga trackball,you rotate the ball withyour thumb, fingers, or the palmof your hand. In
addition to the ball, a trackball usuallyhas one or more buttons that workjust like mouse buttons.
 TOUCHPAD
 A touchpad is a small, flat, rectangular pointing device that is sensitive to pressure andmotion. To move the
pointer usinga touchpad, slide your fingertipacross the surface of the pad. Some touchpads have one or more
buttons aroundthe edge ofthe padthat worklike mouse buttons.
 POINTING STICK
 A pointing stick is a pressure-sensitive pointing device shapedlike a pencil eraser that is positionedbetween
keys on a keyboard. To move the pointer using a pointingstick, you pushthe pointingstickwith a finger. The
pointer onthe screenmoves in the directionyou pushthe pointingstick. Bypressing buttons below the
keyboard, users canclick andperform other mouse-type operations witha pointing stick. A pointing stickdoes
not require anyadditional deskspace.
 TOUCH SCREENS AND TOUCH-SENSITIVE PADS
 A touch screen is a touch-sensitive displaydevice. Touch screens that recognize multiple points of contact at the
same time are knownas multi-touch. Users can interact with touchscreens bytouching areas of the screen.
Because touchscreens require a lot of armor handmovements, youdo not enter large amounts of data using a
touch screen. Instead, you touchwords, pictures, numbers, letters, or locations identifiedonthe screen. Some
touch screens alsorespond to finger motions suchas sliding your finger to drag an object or pinchingyour
fingers to zoom in or out.
 Touch-Sensitive Pads Portable mediaplayers that donot have touch screens typicallyhave a touch-sensitive pad,
which is aninput device that enables users to scroll throughandplaymusic, view pictures, watchvideos or
movies, adjust volume, and/or customize settings. Touchsensitive pads typicallycontain buttons and/or wheels
that are operatedwith a thumbor finger.
 PEN INPUT
 With peninput, you toucha stylus or digital penon a flat surface to write, draw, or make selections. The flat
surface maybe a screen ona monitor or mobile device, a signature capture pad, or a graphics tablet.
 1. STYLUS
 A stylus is a smallmetalor plastic device that looks like a tinyinkpen but uses pressure insteadof ink.
 To capture a handwrittensignature, a user writes hisor her name ona signature capture pad witha
stylus or penthat is attachedto the device.
 2. DIGITAL PEN
 Digital pen, whichis slightlylarger than a stylus, typicallyprovidesmore functionalitythan a stylus,
featuring electronic erasers andprogrammable buttons. Most digital pens, often simplycalledpens,
are pressure-sensitive.
 A graphics tablet is a flat, rectangular, electronic, plastic board. Architects, mapmakers, designers,
artists, andhome users create drawings byusinga pressure sensitive penon a graphics tablet.
3. GAME CONTROLLERS
 Videogames and computer games use a game controller as the input device that directs movements and actions of on-screen
objects. Game controllers include gamepads, joysticks andwheels, light guns, dance pads, anda varietyof motion-sensing controllers.
4. AUDIO INPUT
 Voice input is part of a larger categoryof input calledaudio input. Audioinput is the process of entering anysound into the
computer suchas speech, music, andsoundeffects
 Voice input is the process of enteringinput byspeaking intoa microphone. The microphone maybe a stand-alone peripheral that
sits on topof a desk, or built inthe computer or device, or ina headset. Some externalmicrophones have a cable that attachesto a
port on the soundcard onthe computer. Others communicate using wireless technologysuchas Bluetooth
5. VIDEO INPUT
 Videoinput is the process ofcapturing full-motion images andstoring themon a computer’s storage medium suchas a hard disk or
optical disc.
 WEBCAM
 A Web cam, alsocalleda PCvideo camera, is a type of digital videocamera that enables a home or smallbusiness user to
capture videoandstill images, sende-mail messages withvideoattachments, addlive images to instant messages,
broadcast live images over the Internet, andmake videotelephone calls.
6. OPTICAL SCANNER
 An optical scanner, usuallycalleda scanner, is a light-sensing input device that reads printed text and graphics andthen translates
the results into a form the computer canprocess. Four types of scanners are flatbed, pen, sheet-fed, and drum.
 FLATBED SCANNER
 A flatbed scanner works ina manner similar to a copymachine except it createsa file ofthe document in memoryinstead
of a paper copy.
7. OPTICAL READER
 An optical reader is a device that uses a light source to read characters, marks, andcodes andthenconverts them into digital data
that a computer canprocess.
 EXAMPLE: Bar Code reader
8. BIOMETRIC INPUT
 A biometric device translatesa personal characteristic (the input) intoa digital code that is comparedwitha digitalcode storedin
the computer.
 The most widelyusedbiometric device todayis a fingerprint reader. A fingerprint reader, or scanner, captures curves and
indentations ofa fingerprint
LESSON 4: OUTPUT
OUTPUT
 An output device is any type of hardware component that conveys information to one or more people.

5. TYPES OF OUTPUT
 TEXT
 GRAPHICS
 AUDIO
 VIDEO
OUTPUT DEVICE
 An output device is anytype of hardware component that conveys informationto one or more people.
DISPLAY DEVICE
 A displaydevice visuallyconveys text, graphics, andvideoinformation
 SOFT COPY - Informationon a displaydevice
RESOLUTION
 Resolution is the number of horizontaland vertical pixels ina displaydevice
 A higher resolutionuses a greater number of pixels
1. MONITOR
 Liquid crystal display (LCD) uses a liquid compoundto present informationona displaydevice
 Plasma monitors are displaydevices that use gasplasma technologyandoffer screensizes upto 150 inches
 Televisions alsoare a good output device
 Require a converter if you are connecting your computer to ananalogtelevision
 Digital television (DTV) offers a crisper, higher-qualityoutput
 HDTV is the most advancedform of digital television
 A CRT monitor is a desktopmonitor that contains a cathode-raytube
 A cathode-ray tube (CRT ) is a large, sealedglass tube. The
 Have a muchlarger footprint thandoLCD monitors

2. PRINTER
 A printer produces text andgraphics ona physical medium
 Printed informationis calleda hard copy, or printout
 Landscape or portrait orientation

3. SPEAKERS, HEADPHONES, AND EARBUDS
 An audiooutput device produces music, speech, or other sounds
 Headphonesare speakers that cover or are placedoutside of the ear
 Earbuds (alsocalled earphones) rest inside the ear canal
OTHER OUTPUT DEVICE
1. DATA PROJECTOR
 A data projector is a device that takes the text and images displayingon a computer screen and projects themon a larger
screen
 LCD projector
2. INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD
 An interactive whiteboard is a touch-sensitive device, resemblinga dry-erase board, that displays the image ona
connectedcomputer screen
LESSON 5: STORAGE
STORAGE
 Storage holds data, instructions, and informationfor future use.
 A storage medium is the physical material onwhich a computer keeps data, instructions, and information
CAPACITY
 Capacity is the number of bytes a storage medium can hold
READING AND WRITING
 Writing is the process oftransferring data, instructions, and
informationfrommemoryto a storage medium.
 Reading is the processof transferring these items froma
storage medium intomemory.
STORAGE DEVICE
 A storage device is the computer hardware that records
and/or retrieves items to andfrom storage media
1. HARD DISK
 A hard disk contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data,
instructions, and information
FORMATTING
 Formatting is the processof dividingthe diskintotracks andsectors so that the operating system can
store andlocate data and informationon the disk
HARD DISKS
 An external harddiskis a separate free-standinghard disk that connects to your computer with a cable
or wirelessly
 A removable harddisk is a harddiskthat you insert andremove from a drive

6. 2. FLASH MEMORY
 Flashmemory chips are a type ofsolidstate mediaandcontain nomoving parts
 Solid state drives (SSDs) have several advantages over magnetic hard disks:
 Faster access time
 Faster transfer rates
 Generate less heat andconsume lesspower
 Last longer
3. MEMORY CARD
 A memorycard is a removable flashmemorydevice that you insert and remove froma slot ina computer,
mobile device, or cardreader/writer
4. USB FLASH DRIVE
 USB flash drives pluginto a USBport ona computer or mobile device
5. EXPRESS CARD
 An ExpressCard module is a removable device that fits inan ExpressCard slot
 Commonlyused in notebookcomputers
OTHER STORAGE
CLOUD STORAGE
 Cloud storage is an Internet service that providesstorage to computer users
 Users subscribe to cloudstorage for a varietyof reasons:
 Access files from anycomputer
 Store large files instantaneously
 Allowothers to access their files
 View time-critical data andimages immediately
 Store offsite backups
 Provide data center functions
OPTICAL DISK
 An optical disc consists of a flat, round, portable disc made of metal, plastic, andlacquer that is written and read
bya laser
 Typicallystore software, data,digital photos, movies, andmusic
 Read onlyvs. rewritable
TAPE
 Tape is a magneticallycoated ribbon ofplastic capable of storinglarge amounts of data andinformation
 A tape drive reads andwrites data and informationon a tape
MAGNETIC STRIPE CARD AND SMART CARD
 A magnetic stripe card contains a magnetic stripe that stores information
 A smart card stores data ona thinmicroprocessor embeddedin the card
MICROFILM AND MICROFICHE
 Microfilm and microfiche store microscopic images ofdocuments ona roll or sheet film
ENTERPRISE STORAGE
 Enterprise storage stores huge volumes ofdata andinformation for large businesses
 Uses special hardware for heavyuse, maximum availability, and maximum efficiency
TYPES OF COMPUTER USER
 HOME USER
 SMALL OFFICE/HOME OFFICE USER
 MOBILE
 POWER USER
 ENTERPRISE USER