LESSON 1: KNOWING HARDWARE

Introduction

The components of the computer system, as you have learned include hardware, software, and
peopleware. In this lesson, we will be focusing on hardware as an integral part of a computer.

Hardware comprises the physical parts of the computer. It includes the parts that you see outside the
computer unit: such as mouse, keyboard, monitor, camera, and printer. It also includes the parts inside the
CPU housing: such as transistors, ICs, memory devices, and all other accompanying devices and peripherals.

Hardware maybe classified according to the functions of a computer system. INPUT-PROCESS-OUTPUT

plus STORAGE. Thus, there are input devices, output devices, processing devices, and storage devices.

INPUT DEVICES

Input devices are devices that accept input from the user in whatever form. They are the most touched
of all devices, as users regularly use, hold, touch, or press them to instruct the computer to operate it.

 Keyboard
This contains set of keys that are used to input characters (letters, numbers) and
control signals into the computer.

Function keys
Numeric keypad

Alphanumeric
Function keys
keys (labelled Space bar keys whose functions depend on the program being
F1 to F12) – are programmable
used.

Alphanumeric keys – occupy a large part of the keyboard. This group provides standard letters and numbers
for typing purposes, as well as important symbols or characters like @ or # signs.

Numeric keypad – is used for arithmetic computations and serves as a single-location typing pad for faster
input. It contains numbers from 0 - 9, the keys and symbols for the operations addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division, as well as the Enter key for getting the result.

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Modifier keys – by themselves, they do or perform nothing when pressed. However, in combination with other
keys, they execute something. These include the Control key (Ctrl), Alternate key (Alt), Shift key, and Caps
Lock key.

Editing keys – these are usually used in word processing programs to manage texts. These include the Tab
key, Backspace key, Insert key (Ins), Delete key (Del), Space bar, and Enter key. For example, the Backspace
key, is used to delete the character that was just typed, while the Enter key serves as a carriage return to
provide a new line for a document.

Scroll and Toggle keys – these include the arrow keys that move the cursor Up and Down, or Left or Right, as
well as the Page up (Pg Up), Page Down (Pg Dn), Home, and End keys to scroll a document or page in a word
processing program.

THE Mouse and Other Pointing Devices

The mouse is an input and pointing device that can be moved and manipulated by the user to move a
pointer across the monitor, point to an object, file or icon on the screen, or execute the object. Like the
keyboard, the mouse is also a primary input device used to tell the computer what to do.

Scroll wheel

Right mouse button

Left mouse button

Basic movements using the mouse:

1. Pointing – this is the most basic movement in which the user simply handles the mouse and moves it
towards the direction of the pointer on the screen
2. Clicking – this can be done by pressing the left mouse button once to highlight an item
3. Double-clicking – this can be done by pressing the left mouse button twice in rapid succession to
execute a file
4. Right clicking – this can be done by pressing the right mouse button to once to reveal an alternative
menu
5. Dragging and dropping – this can be done by left clicking on the item and dragging the mouse while
holding the button down
6. Hovering – this can be done by pointing to an item for a little while, either to highlight or execute it

Other Pointing Devices

Pointing devices Uses and Descriptions Example

 This is a small, flat, and

smooth panel that is sensitive

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 Touch pad to light touch and pressure
 By lightly dragging your finger
across the panel, you can
control the pointer on the
screen.

 Left and right buttons are

placed at the bottom part of
the touchpad, making them
carry out the functions of a
mouse.
 This is a device used for
Joystick arcade games. It can be
moved in various directions
(up, down, left, or right) in
different angles

 This enables the user to point

Touch screen device
to items or execute commands
just by touching points on the
screen. The screen treats the
touch or press as an input
from the user and it responds
accordingly.

PROCESSING DEVICES

Processing devices are those that accept the input from corresponding devices and process and transform
them accordingly.

The Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the heart and soul of a computing machine. It is responsible for
receiving, analyzing, and processing all the instructions to the computer. The CPU is a combination of
arithmetic and logic units, as well as various electronic circuits. CPU of latest computers is typically
compressed into a single microchip known as the microprocessor. The microprocessor controls the computer
system. The speed and efficiency of a computer depends on how powerful the microprocessor is.

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Computer Memory

Computer memory can store information or data, but not for the purpose of storage, but as the work area for
processing data. There are two types of computer memory: the Read Only Memory ( ROM) and the Random-
Access Memory (RAM).

ROM (Read Only Memory)

All computers have ROM because it is where important files for starting up the computer are stored.
The information in ROM goes with the corresponding CPU and computer model. Thus, the data cannot be
rewritten. The BIOS, or basic input output system, is also stored in ROM.

When you start the computer, the CPU begins to read the ROM and starts executing instructions in it,
which include instructions to power up the monitor, do some checks, and give options to the user. Without the
input from the user, the CPU just continues processing, then transfers control to the operating system (the
main program that runs the computer).

RAM (Random-Access Memory)

This is a primary computer memory that utilized as a work area by the operating system and all
programs that run in the machine. RAM consists of memory locations that have addresses, to which programs
can refer to when they execute instructions or find data or information.

Since RAM is a non-permanent storage that serves as a work area, all data and information that are
stored in it are lost or discarded the moment the user power off the computer. Thus, with another computer
session, RAM is as clean as new, ready for new programs to use it.

It is the temporary storage device of the computer. It is used to hold the data that the computer is working
on. The black rectangles are called RAM chips

Computer Buses, CPU Slots, and Computer Ports

Parts of the job of processing is connecting to and coordinating with various input, processing, output,
and even storage devices. Buses, ports, and slots provide this function. Buses, ports, and slots are crucial in
the exchange of information between devices, and as such, are considered to be important processing devices.

Computer buses – are groups of wires (8, 16, or 32 wires) that connect the CPU with RAM, slots, and other
devices. They are called buses because they transport information from one device to another.

CPU slots – slots are placed inside the CPU housing where users an insert specialized boards or cards, like
graphics boards or audio boards that enhance the performance of gameplay or audio.

Computer ports – are sockets usually located at the rear of the computer chassis where peripherals, inclusing
input, output, and other devices, may be added.

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Most processing devices, like the CPU, ROM, RAM, buses, and slots are all integrated in one compact circuit
board called the motherboard. The motherboard can be considered as the machine itself, and all other
devices are just externals or peripherals to it. The motherboard is the main circuit board of the computer that
connects all other parts.

OUTPUT DEVICES
Output devices are devices that accept processed information and convert them into something people
can understand. By showing users the results of their inputs, they can respond accordingly. If we cannot see
any result or output, the computers are no use.
The primary output device, which computer users use is the monitor or video terminal. Other output
devices are the printer and speakers.

The Monitor or Video Terminal

The monitor, scree, or video terminal is the primary output device and has been a constant computer
accompaniment, especially since the dawn of personal computer.
In fact, most beginning computer uses think of the monitor as the computer itself, with its amazing
display of graphics and colours, much like the popular television screen itself. The monitor or screen is
important for it provides immediate visual output or result.

Printer
The printer provides a paper output that is hard and permanent, and which the user can later see and
retrieve even without the computer.

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Speakers: Audio as Output
Aside from being visual and being printed on paper, output can also come in the form of a sound or
audio file. Audio output is a big help at times. Desktops usually nee external speakers, and a user can even
setup a surround stereo system. On the other hand, laptops come with their own mini-speakers, although the
quality can only be appreciated with a headphone.

STORAGE DEVICES
Storage devices serve as repositories of data for input, processing, and output devices. They are very
important devices, especially these days where large amounts of storage space are needed for programs and
data.

The Hard Disk: Long Term Storage

A typical computer contains an operating system, various software and programs, as well as music
files, picture files, graphic files, and video files. This setup requires a large amount of storage space, in the
range of millions to billions of bytes. This I only possible with a long-term storage solution called the hard disk.
The hard disk permanently contains and stores all programs and data. It is magnetically sensitive disk
that spins rapidly, consisting of platters that are read or written on by special heads. The hard disk is
permanently housed inside the computer and is never removed by the user.

SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA

A user might want to store important data in another storage device, or move or transfer data to
another location. This cannot do with a hard disk, which is placed permanently inside the computer. To
transport data, a user needs a movable or transportable storage device.

Here are the most used secondary storage devices and media in computing today.
1. Optical Discs – they include the compact disc (CD) and its variants and improvements: the CD-ROM,
which cannot be rewritten, thus is a permanent storage for music and data, and the Digital Video Disc
(DVD), which may or may not be rewritten, depending on the type.

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2. USB Flash Disk – this is usually referred to as USB by users because it connects to a computer through
a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port. This is the most used way of transporting data as a USB Flash Disk is
just a fourth of a pencil in size but is just a bit wider.

3. Secure Digital (SD) Disks or Cards – these are little storage space or memory card that store from 1 GB
to 8 GB of data. But nowadays, there are SD cards that reach its storage up to 64 GB. This type of disk
inserts into SD ports that come in computers, particularly in laptops. SD cards are used as storage
devices of equipment that are used for various purposes, such as cell phones and digital cameras.

USB disk SD card/disk

CD and DVD

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