Getting to Know the Parts of

Your Computer
CPU or Central Processing Unit

• Often referred to as the

brains of a computer
• Processes user requests
• Controls all of the other
hardware within your
computer
 Hard Drive
• The Operating System,
such as Windows XP, as
well as any applications
(Word, PowerPoint,
Excel, etc.) are stored
here.
• Permanently stores
your files for later use
• Also known as Drive C
RAM (Random Access Memory)

• Temporarily stores your

information until you hit
Save
• Everything stored in this
temporary memory is
lost when the computer
shuts down
 CD ROM, CD-RW
DVD, DVD-RW
• Drive used to read
information from a CD
or DVD
• Those Drives designated
as CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-R, or DVD-RW
enable you to save to
disk
• Also known as Drive D
 Floppy Drive

• These drives do not

hold much information
• They are, however, very
portable
• Also known as Drive A
Mouse

• One example of an input

device, as you use it to
input information into
the computer
• Enables users to send
commands to the CPU
through a series of
clicks on the screen
 Network Card and Patch Cable
• Connects your computer
to other computers and
the Internet
• One end plugs into your
computer’s Network
Card
• The other end plugs into
a “drop” along the wall
Monitor

• One example of an
“output device,” this
item provides visual
images to the computer
user
 Keyboard

• A second example of an
input device, the
keyboard enables users
to type instructions,
characters, etc.
Power Cord

• Supplies power to the

computer
• Make sure it is plugged
in!