This document defines and describes computer hardware, its functions, and components. It discusses how hardware works with firmware to provide basic instructions, and describes the main types of hardware including processing hardware like the CPU, motherboard, VGA, and sound card. It also covers storage hardware, electrical hardware like the power supply, and peripheral devices. The key components of a computer system are defined along with their functions. Common hardware issues and precautions are also outlined.

1. Hardware
SLIDE 09

2. Definition of Computer Hardware
and Functions
 Computer hardware is a part of a computer system which is
a tangible and physically viewed device and a device that
runs instructions from software. Computer hardware is also
called hardware. Hardware plays an overall role in the
performance of a computer system. The following is how it
works, the types of computer hardware, and its functions.

3. How it Works Computer Hardware
(Hardware)
 Hardware has fundamentally non-physical parts called
firmware. Firmware functions as a basic provider of
instructions that can be done by a hardware. Firmware is
stored in a special memory chip on a hardware that can be
ROM or EEPROM. The firmware is a small software
(software) which is usually written in a low programming
language to produce basic instructions that can be used by
the hardware in question quickly. This basic instruction can
be divided into 3 namely,

4. 1. Basic Input Instructions
 Basic input instructions are instructions that can provide
information to other software ie operating systems with
driver intermediaries. This happens when a user interacts
with the hardware in question. For example typing with the
keyboard, shifting the mouse, and others.

5. 2. Basic Output Instructions
 Basic output instructions are instructions called by other
software, namely the operating system with driver
intermediaries. This happens when there is a command to
use the hardware from the user. For example playing videos
with a monitor, printing documents with a printer, and
others.

6. 3. Basic Process Instructions
 Basic process instructions are instructions that act as
mediators of the input or output process that is carried out
by a hardware (not both). The basic process instructions in
question are instructions that only occur in a hardware or
not in a computer system as a whole.

7. Process Hardware
 Process hardware is a type of hardware that runs to perform
data or execute commands on the data entered. The main
process hardware of a computer system is the processor
(CPU), VGA, sound card (sound card), and motherboard.

8. Process
 The processor is the main process hardware that is an
electronic circuit component that can execute
computational logic, arithmetic, control systems, and
specific input / output (I / O) based on instructions
instructed by the user. Almost all processes in a computer
system are carried out by the processor. The CPU is also
called the (Central Processing Unit) which means
processor.

9. Motherboard
 The motherboard (mainboard) is hardware in the form of a
circuit board that connects each hardware device to a
computer system and is equipped with a BIOS chip. The
BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System.

11. VGA (Video Graphic Area)
 VGA is hardware that is used to process the visualization of
data in graphical form. The development of VGA is very
rapid, supporting the development of the gaming industry
and CAD.

12. Sound card
 Sound card is hardware that is used to process data in the
form of sound, both issuing and recording sound.

13. Storage Hardware
 Storage hardware is a type of hardware that functions to
store user data. There are 2 The main storage hardware of a
computer system is internal non-volatile storage (HDD /
SSD) and volatile storage (RAM).

14. ROM
 ROM (Read Only Memory) is a storage medium that is
non-volatile (data is not lost when the electricity is turned
off) and is only readable. ROM is usually used for BIOS
chips or firmware.

15. Hard disk
 Hard disk is a non-volatile storage media that is used to
store operating system data and user data in the form of a
digital disk.

16. Electrical Hardware
 To work a computer system requires a stable power and
voltage intake. Computer systems use electricity supply for
electricity management for each other hardware. In
addition, users install the voltage to stabilize the electricity
entering the computer system before being regulated by
power supply.

17. Power supply
 Power supply is computer hardware that functions to
convert voltage from AC to DC, so that management can be
carried out to related computer systems.

18. Stabilizer voltage
 Stavelot (Stabilizer voltage) is a hardware device that
serves to stabilize the voltage. The use of stabilizers is
intended to prevent damage to electronic devices due to
significant traffic ups and downs.

19. UPS (Uninterruptible Power
Supply)
 UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) is a hardware device
that provides electrical backups, as an alternative when
electricity is turned off. This helps the user to turn off the
computer as an action to prevent damage to the data during
a power failure.

20. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
CPU/PROCESSOR
 The CPU refers to the microprocessor chip.
Sometimes the “Tower” is called the CPU.
 It’s speed is measured in Megahertz (MHZ)
(Millions of cycles per second) or Gigahertz
(GHZ) Billions of cycles per second.
 (A cycle is the time required for the CPU to
execute an instruction step).

21. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Ram – Random Access Memory
 Ram is the memory used by the computer to run
programs.
 The amount of Ram available will determine how
fast a program will run and how many windows
can be open at one time.
 Ram memory is considered Volatile because it
disappears when the power is turned off.

22. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
Hard Drive
 The Hard Drive is the computers main, long term
storage.
 It is referred to as non-volatile storage, because it
does not disappear when the power is turned off.
 The size of the Hard Drive is measured in
Gigabytes. (Billions of Bytes).

23. RAM VERSUS HARD DRIVE
 If we use the analogy
of a desk: Then the
work we are doing on
the desk top would be
using the RAM and
the work we store in
the file drawers would
be on the HARD
DRIVE.

24. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Mother Board
 (This is where most of the
electronics is located).

25. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Case
 (Tower,Chassis,Box)

26. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Modem (Modulator
Demodulator).
 (Used for internet access
with phone line).

27. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Power Supply
 250 – 500 Watts
 DO NOT OPEN
 (This is the power source
that makes everything go).

28. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Audio Card
 This is the voice of your
system).

29. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Floppy Drive –
 1.44 MB
 (This item is fast becoming
obsolete).

30. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Network Card
 (Used to connect to high
speed internet access e.g.
Cable or DSL lines).

31. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Tape Drive Can store
Gigabytes of data.

32. SYSTEM COMPONENTS
 Video Card
 (Provides visual images to
the monitor. Also used in
computer games, to provide
additional memory for visual
effects).

33. PERIPHERALS
 Monitors
 CRT Vs LCD

34. PERIPHERALS
 Printers
 (Might be Ink Jet, Bubble Jet,
Laser or whatever the
manufacturers invent
tomorrow).

35. PERIPHERALS
 Video Cameras
 (Also called webcams)

36. POWER PROTECTION
 Uninterruptible Power
Supply
 (UPS) 280 VA – 400
VA
 (Essentially a battery
back-up in case of a
power failure)

37. KEYBOARD
 The Keyboard
 (This is the primary
input device)

38. KEYBOARD
 Alphanumeric Keys

39. KEYBOARD
 Numeric Keypad

40. KEYBOARD
 Enter (Return) Key

41. KEYBOARD
 Spacebar

42. KEYBOARD
 “Modifier” keys: CTRL,
ALT, SHIFT

43. KEYBOARD
 “State “ keys: Caps,
Scroll, Numlock

44. KEYBOARD
 Windows keys

45. MOUSE
 Holding the mouse
 Grip between thumb
and ring finger
 (Right handed grip
shown, Lefties use
other hand)

46. MOUSE
 Mouse Pointer

47. MOUSE
 Left Clicking

48. MOUSE
 Right clicking

49. MOUSE
 Double clicking
 (Use the left side,
 Click twice)

50. MOUSE
 Click and drag

51. MOUSE
 Scroll wheel and
optional buttons

52. SOFTWARE
 Operating systems
 Applications
 Data

53. OPERATING SYSTEMS
 MS-DOS
 Windows 95,98,Me
 Windows NT, 2000,XP
 Linux

54. APPLICATIONS
 MS Word
 (Your basic Word
Processor)

55. APPLICATIONS
 MS Excel
 Your basic Spread Sheet)

56. APPLICATIONS
 MS Power Point
 (For sales
presentations)

57. APPLICATIONS
 MS Outlook
 (Your desktop Personal
Information Manager,
(PIM))

58. APPLICATIONS
 MS Internet Explorer
 (Your internet
Browser)

59. APPLICATIONS
 Windows Calculator
 (Your basic
calculator, also
available is a
scientific calculator)

60. APPLICATIONS
 WordPerfect Adobe Acrobat
 Lotus 1-2-3 Photoshop
 QuickBooks Notepad
 CorelDraw WinZip
 HyperCam Media Player
 Photo Paint StarCraft
 ETC. ETC.ETC. ETC. Ad Infinitum

61. DATA
 Letters written using a word processor like MS
WORD.
 Spread sheets designed in EXCEL.
 Presentations created in Power Point
 Music on a CD.
 Photos from your digital camera

62. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Beverages in open
containers are EVIL.

63. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Magnets
 (They destroy Data on
floppy drives and hard
drives)

64. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Laser Printers and Power.
 Keep PC off the floor.
 When in doubt Reboot.

65. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Save your work often.

66. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Power Strips
 Use the Power
buttons on the PC and
peripherals.

67. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Don’t eject a floppy
when the light is on.

68. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Keep floppies out of
sunlight.

69. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Proper handling of
CDs
 OK to wash CDs in
mild soapy water or
get a CD cleaner
(inexpensive)

70. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Don’t push the CD
tray in – use the
button.

71. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 Dust Kills
 It’s a good idea to
blow the dust out of
your computer
regularly.

72. COMPUTER CAVEATS
 STATIC KILLS!
 Get yourself an anti
static strip or mat.

73. TIME FOR A STRETCH BREAK
 TIME TO GET UP AND STRETCH
 CLEAN YOUR GLASSES
 GO WASHROOM IF YOU HAVE THE URGE
 LET’S TAKE A TEN MINUTE BREAK