The document summarizes the three stages of computing and components of a computer. It discusses the five generations of computers from first to fifth generation, describing the technology used in each. It then provides an overview of the major internal and external hardware components of a computer, including the central processing unit, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and other supporting hardware. Software is defined as the programs that provide instructions to the CPU.

1. By
S.R. Seenivasan, MCA., (Ph.D)
Microsoft Certifed, RedHat Linux Certified, Ethical Hacking Certified
Seminar on Computer Hardware
Date: 26.09.2016

2. • The Three Stages of Computing
• Components of a Computer
• Support Hardware
Overview

3. The Three Stages of
Computing

4. Input Devices

5. Processing

6. Output Devices

7. Input / Output

8. Support Hardware

9. • Generation in computer terminology is a change in
technology a computer is/was being used.
• Initially, the generation term was used to distinguish between
varying hardware technologies. But nowadays, generation
includes both hardware and software, which together make up
an entire computer system.
• There are totally five computer generations known till date.
Computer Generation

10. First Generation
The period of first generation: 1946-1959.
Vacuum tube based.

11. Second Generation
The period of second
generation: 1959-1965.
Transistor based.

12. Third Generation
The period of third generation was 1965-
1971. The computers of third generation
used integrated circuits (IC's) in place of
transistors.
A single IC has many transistors, resistors
and capacitors along with the associated
circuitry.

13. • 1971-1980.
• Used Very Large Scale Integrated (VLSI)
circuits. 5000 transistors and other circuit
elements and their associated circuits on a single
chip
• Real time, networks, distributed operating system
were used. All the high-level languages like C,
C++, DBASE etc., were used in this generation.
Fourth Generation

14. Fifth Generation
1980-till date.
The VLSI technology became ULSI (Ultra Large
Scale Integration) technology
AI method of making computers think like human
beings.
AI includes:
Robotics, Neural Networks, Game Playing,
Expert systems to make decisions in real life
situations.

15. Computer Parts
There are many parts that work
together to make a computer
work.

16. Hardware
Physical parts of the computer,
including processor and
memory chips, input/output
devices, tapes, disks, modems,
cable, etc.

17. CPU
The Central Processing Unit

18. Processor
The CPU – The chip or chips
that interpret and execute
program instructions and
manage the functions of input,
output, and storage devices.

19. Computer Case
Contains the major
components of the computer.
It helps protect them.

20. Front of the Computer
Case
Built in Handle
Floppy Bay
Power Switch
DVD Bay
Front USB Ports

21. Rear Panel of the
Computer Case

22. Inside the Computer Case

23. Monitor
A display screen to provide
“output” to the user. It is
where you view the
information your are working
on.

24. Video Card
Connects the computer to the
monitor. It is a circuit board
attached to the motherboard
that contains the memory and
other circuitry necessary to
send information to the
monitor for display on screen.

25. Keyboard
Used to enter information into
the computer and for giving
commands.

26. Mouse
An input device operated by
rolling its ball across a flat
surface. The mouse is used to
control the on-screen pointer
by pointing and clicking,
double-clicking, or dragging
objects on the screen.

27. Touchpad
A pressure-sensitive and
motion sensitive device used
in place of a mouse.

28. CD Rom Drive
The drive that plays CDs and
reads data that has been stored
on the CD.

29. CD
Compact Disk – A type of
optical storage device.

30. Floppy Disk Drive
A device that holds a
removable floppy disk when
in use; read/write heads read
and write data to the diskette.

31. Hard Disk
Magnetic storage device in the
computer.

32. RAM
Random Access Memory
RAM is a computer’s temporary
memory, which exists as chips on the
motherboard near the CPU. It stores
data or programs while they are being
used and requires power.

33. Printer
An output device that
produces a hard copy on
paper. It gives information to
the user in printed form.

34. Barcode Reader
An input device that converts a
pattern of printed bars into a
number that a computer can read.
They are often used by
businesses to quickly input price
and product information.

35. Scanner
A device that allows pictures
to be placed into a computer.

36. Microphone
Allows the user to record
sounds as input to their
computer.

37. Speakers
Used to generate or reproduce
voice, music, and other
sounds.

38. Sound Card
Connects the speakers and
microphone to the computer.

39. Modem
The place where the computer
is connected to the phone line.

40. Network Card
A circuit board that connects
the computer to the rest of the
network usually using special
cables.

41. Software
Programs that tell the
computer what to do. It
provides instructions that the
CPU will need to carry out.

42. THANK YOU