What is computer:

A computer is a general purpose device that can be programmed to carry out a finite
set of arithmetic or logical operations. Since a sequence of operations can be readily
changed, the computer can solve more than one kind of problem.

Conventionally, a computer consists of at least one processing element, typically a

central processing unit (CPU) and some form of memory. The processing element
carries out arithmetic and logic operations, and a sequencing and control unit that can
change the order of operations based on stored information. Peripheral devices allow
information to be retrieved from an external source, and the result of operations saved
and retrieved.

The first electronic digital computers were developed between 1940 and 1945 in the
United Kingdom and United States. Originally they were the size of a large room,
consuming as much power as several hundred modern personal computers (PCs).[1]
In this era mechanical analog computers were used for military applications.

Modern computers based on integrated circuits are millions to billions of times more
capable than the early machines, and occupy a fraction of the space.[2] Simple
computers are small enough to fit into mobile devices, and mobile computers can be
powered by small batteries. Personal computers in their various forms are icons of the
Information Age and are what most people think of as "computers". However, the
embedded computers found in many devices from mp3 players to fighter aircraft and
from toys to industrial robots are the most numerous.
 A COMPUTER

What kind of parts a computer have:

 PARTS OF A COMPUTER

 System unit:
 Mother Board
 CPU (Processors)
 CPU socket
(i)Plug in device - CPU
(ii) Heat sink & CPU/System cooling connector
 RAM
 RAM Slot (Plug in device-RAM)
 Hard Disk
 Graphics Card
 Graphics slot
 Cooling fan
 Sound Port
 USB port
 Ps/2 port
 NIC Port
 SATA Port
(Plug in device with the SATA cable is to SATA
HDD & DVD writer)
 IDE/PATA Port
(Plug in device with the PATA cable is to PATA
HDD & DVD writer)
 PCI slot (Plug in devices)
(i) Sound Card (ports: Speaker, Microphone,
Headphone)
(ii) NIC(Network Interface card) (Ports
name: RJ-45)
(iii) Internal Modem/ Fax Modem (Ports
Name: RJ-11)
(iv) Internal TV card (Port: BNC Connector)
(v) PCI Card (Port: USB)
 CMOS Battery
 DVD writer
 USB port (External)
 RJ-45 Port (hole)
  RJ-11 (hole)
 UTP Cable
 Power cable
 Back to back Cable
 Front Panel (Parts of front panel)
(i) Front USB
(ii) Front sound panel
(iii) Start button
(iv) Restart button
(v) Power LED
(vi) HDD LED

 Power Supply Unit

(i) Molex
(ii) Converted Molex
(iii) Berg
(iv) ATX 20/24 pin connector
(v) ATX 12 volt connector
 Casing
 Monitor
 Keyboard
 Mouse
 Printer
 Scanner
 Card Reader
 Pen Drive
 Webcam
 Digital Camera
 Modem (External)
 TV Card (External)
 Joystick
 Speaker
 UPS (Uninterruptible power supply)
  System unit:
The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box
placed on or underneath your desk. Inside this box are many electronic components
that process information. The most important of these components is the central
processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer.
Another component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores
information that the CPU uses while the computer is on. The information stored in
RAM is erased when the computer is turned off.
  CPU socket:
(i) Plug in device – CPU (ii) Heat sink & CPU cooling connector

A CPU socket or slot is an electrical component that attaches to a printed circuit board
(PCB) and is designed to house a CPU (also called a microprocessor). It is a special
type of integrated circuit socket designed for very high pin counts. A CPU socket
provides many functions, including a physical structure to support the CPU, support
for a heat sink, facilitating replacement, and most importantly, forming an electrical
interface both with the CPU and the PCB. CPU sockets on the motherboard can most
often be found in most desktop

 CPU (Processors):

A central processing unit (CPU), also referred to as a central processor unit,[1] is the
hardware within a computer system or smart phone which carries out the instructions
of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output
operations of the system. The term has been in use in the computer industry at least
since the early 1960s.[2] The form, design, and implementation of CPUs have
changed over the course of their history, but their fundamental operation remains
much the same.
On large machines, CPUs require one or more printed circuit boards. On personal
computers and small workstations, the CPU is housed in a single silicon chip called a
microprocessor. Since the 1970s the microprocessor class of CPUs has almost
completely overtaken all other CPU implementations. Modern CPUs are large scale
integrated circuits in packages typically less than four centimeters square, with
hundreds of connecting pins.
  Connection between CPU & CPU socket:
Take the CPU in hand and place it on the CPU socket like below-

 RAM Slot:

A RAM slot or what is sometimes called an expansion slot is a rectangular slot that is
built into the motherboard. A RAM slot is used to place expansion cards in it, such as
RAM cards to increase the amount of RAM that is on the computer. The main
purpose of the RAM slot or expansion slot, is just for the user to be able to increase
the amount of RAM on their computer.

 RAM:

Random-access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. A random-access

device allows stored data to be accessed in very nearly the same amount of time for
any storage location, so data can be accessed quickly in any random order. In contrast,
other data storage media such as hard disks, CDs, DVDs and magnetic tape, as well as
early primary memory types such as drum memory, read and write data only in a
predetermined order, consecutively, because of mechanical design limitations.
Therefore the time to access a given data location varies significantly depending on its
physical location.
  Connection between RAM & RAM slot:
 Take the RAM in hand and place it on the RAM slot like below-

 Hard Disk:

Computer has one or more disk drives—devices that store information on a metal or plastic disk. The
disk preserves the information even when computer is turned off.
One of them is Hard disk drive
Computer's hard disk drive stores information on a hard disk, a rigid platter or stack of platters with a
magnetic surface. Because hard disks can hold massive amounts of information, they usually serve as
your computer's primary means of storage, holding almost all of your programs and files. The hard disk
drive is normally located inside the system unit.
A hard disk drive (HDD) is a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information
using rapidly rotating discs (platters) coated with magnetic material. An HDD retains its data even
when powered off. Data is read in a random-access manner, meaning individual blocks of data can be
stored or retrieved in any order rather than just sequentially. An HDD consists of one or more rigid
("hard") rapidly rotating discs (platters) with magnetic heads arranged on a moving actuator arm to
read and write data to the surfaces.

The primary characteristics of an HDD are its capacity and performance. Capacity is specified in unit
prefixes corresponding to powers of 1000: a 1-terabyte (TB) drive has a capacity of 1,000 gigabytes
(GB; where 1 gigabyte = 1 billion bytes). Typically, some of an HDD's capacity is unavailable to the
user due to use by the file system and the computer operating system, and possibly inbuilt redundancy
for error correction and recovery. Performance is specified by the time to move the heads to a file
(average access time) plus the time it takes for the file to move under its head (average latency, a
function of the physical rotational speed in revolutions per minute) and the speed at which the file is
transmitted (data rate).
  Connection between HARD DISK & SATA CABLE:

Take the HARD DISK in hand and place it on position like below-

 Graphics Card:

A graphics card (also called a video adapter, display card, graphics board, display
adapter or graphics adapter) is an expansion card which generates a feed of output
images to a display. Most video cards offer various functions such as accelerated
rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or
the ability to connect multiple monitors (multi-monitor).

 Graphics slot:

The Accelerated Graphics Port (often shortened to AGP) is a high-speed point-to-

point channel for attaching a video card to a computer's motherboard, primarily to
assist in the acceleration of 3D computer graphics. Originally it was designed as a
successor to PCI type connections.
  Connection between AGP CARD & AGP slot:
Take the AGP card and place it on AGP slot:

 Cooling Fan:

A computer fan is any fan inside, or attached to, a computer case used for active
cooling, and may refer to fans that draw cooler air into the case from the outside,
expel warm air from inside, or move air across a heatsink to cool a particular
component.

 Sound Port:

Interface: S/PDIF
Connectors: RCA Jack (coaxial), TOSLINK (optical), BNC
  Connection between SOUND Panel & SOUND cable:

Make connection between sound panel & sound cable like below:

 USB port:

Here we connect USB base devisees to maintain our work.

 Connection between USB & USB port:

Make connection between USB and USB cable like below:

 Ps/2 port:
The PS/2 connector is a 6-pin Mini-DIN connector used for connecting some
keyboards and mice to a PC compatible computer system. Its name comes from the
IBM Personal System/2 series of personal computers, with which it was introduced in
1987. The PS/2 mouse connector generally replaced the older DE-9 RS-232 "serial
mouse" connector, while the PS/2 keyboard connector replaced the larger 5-pin/180°
DIN connector used in the IBM PC/AT design. The PS/2 designs on keyboard and
mouse interfaces are electrically similar and employ the same communication
protocol. However, a given system's keyboard and mouse port may not be
interchangeable since the two devices use a different set of commands.

 NIC Card:

A Network Interface Card (NIC) is a device that allows computers to be joined

together in a network, typically a Local Area Network (LAN). Networked computers
communicate with each other using a particular protocol or agreed-upon language for
transmitting data packets between the different machines or "nodes." The network
interface card acts as an interpreter, allowing the machine to both send and receive
data on a LAN. Information Technology (IT) specialists often use these cards to setup
wired or wireless networks.

 Connection between UTP CABLE & NIC port:

Make connection of NIC cable and NIC port like below:

 SATA Port :
Plug in device with the SATA cable is to SATA HDD & DVD writer.

 IDE/PATA Port:

Plug in device with the PATA cable is to PATA HDD & DVD writer.

 PCI slot (Plug in devices):

Typical PCI cards used in PCs include: network cards, sound cards, modems, extra
ports such as USB or serial, TV tuner cards and disk controllers. PCI video cards
replaced ISA and VESA cards, until growing bandwidth requirements outgrew the
capabilities of PCI; the preferred interface for video cards became AGP, and then PCI
Express.
Many devices previously provided on PCI expansion cards are now commonly
integrated onto motherboards or available in universal serial bus and PCI Express
versions.
In the back of most desktop computers are removable tabs that cover slots that have
been cut into the frame. When you remove the cover from your computer you will see
that there are slots which align with the tabs. A tab can be removed and an interface
card can be installed at that location.

There are many kind of PCI devices like-

Sound Card (ports: Speaker, Microphone and Headphone)
 NIC(Network Interface card) (Ports name: RJ-45)
 Internal Modem/ Fax Modem (Ports Name: RJ-11)
 Internal TV card (Port: BNC Connector)
 PCI Card (Port: USB)
  CMOS Battery:

The memory and real-time clock are generally powered by a CR2032 lithium coin
cell. These cells last two to ten years, depending on the type of motherboard, ambient
temperature and the length of time that the system is powered off, while other
common cell types can last significantly longer or shorter periods, such as the
CR2016 which will generally last about 40% as long. Higher temperatures and longer
power-off time will shorten cell life. On ATX motherboards, this will supply 5V
power to the motherboard even if it is apparently "switched off", and keep the CMOS
memory energized. In general one should not work on a computer that is powered.

 DVD writer:

This is a driver for read DVD or CD. It also can write on blank DVD or CD. By using
it we can copy our important data on DVD or CD and can make back up also.

 USB port (External):

By using USB device in PCI port we can easily increases our USB ports. So we can at
a time add more devices to our Computer.

 UTP Cable:

An UTP cable is one of the most popular LAN cables. This cable consists of 4 twisted
pairs of metal wires. Adding RJ45 connectors at both ends of the UTP cable, it comes
a LAN cable they usually use.
  Power cable:

A power cable is an assembly of two or more electrical conductors, usually held

together with an overall sheath. The assembly is used for transmission of electrical
power. Power cables may be installed as permanent wiring within buildings, buried in
the ground, run overhead, or exposed.

 Back to back Cable:

This also called a DTE/DCE crossover cable. This is used to connect two serial ports
together in a Cisco CCNA, CCNP & CCIE certification lab to simulate a WAN
connection. This is to be used on a DB60 style connector such as on a Cisco 2500
series router or a WIC-1T module.

 Front Panel:

An operator would stand at the front panel to bootstrap the computer, to debug
running programs, and to find hardware faults. The bootstrap would turn on the
punched tape reader, which would load a somewhat longer program, which in turn
would load the operating system from disk.

There are many kind of ports in Front Panel like-

 Start button
 Restart button
 Front USB
 Front sound panel
 Power LED
 HDD LED
  Power Supply Unit:

A power supply unit (PSU) converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power

for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally
use a switched-mode power supply. Some power supplies have a manual selector for
input voltage, while others automatically adapt to the supply voltage.

There are many kind of parts in Power Supply Unit like-

 Molex
 Converted Molex
 Berg
 ATX 20/24 pin connector
 ATX 12 volt connector

 Casing:

A computer case is also known as a "computer chassis", "tower", "base unit" or

simply "case". Also sometimes incorrectly referred to as the "CPU" or "hard drive", it
is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer

 The motherboard is usually screwed to the case along its largest face, which could be the
bottom or the side of the case depending on the form factor and orientation.
 Form factors such as ATX provide a back panel with cut-out holes to expose I/O ports
provided by integrated peripherals, as well as expansion slots which may optionally expose
additional ports provided by expansion cards.
 The power supply unit is often housed at the top rear of the case; it is usually attached with
four screws to support its weight.
 Most cases include drive bays on the front of the case; a typical ATX case includes both 5.25"
and 3.5" bays. In modern computers, the former are used mainly for optical drives, while the
latter are used for hard drives, floppy drives, and card readers.
 Buttons and LED’s are typically located on the front of the case; some cases include
additional I/O ports, temperature and/or processor speed monitors in the same area.
 Vents are often found on the front, back, and sometimes on the side of the case to allow
cooling fans to be mounted via surrounding threaded screw holes.
  Monitor:

A monitor or a display (also called screen or visual display unit) is an electronic

visual display for computers. The monitor comprises the display device, circuitry and
an enclosure. The display device in modern monitors is typically a thin film transistor
liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) thin panel, while older monitors use a cathode ray
tube (CRT) about as deep as the screen size.

 Keyboard:

In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style device, which uses an arrangement of

buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches. Following the
decline of punch cards and paper tape, interaction via teleprinter-style keyboards
became the main input device for computers.

A keyboard typically has characters engraved or printed on the keys and each press of
a key typically corresponds to a single written symbol. However, to produce some
symbols requires pressing and holding several keys simultaneously or in sequence.
While most keyboard keys produce letters, numbers or signs (characters), other keys
or simultaneous key presses can produce actions or computer commands.

In normal usage, the keyboard is used to type text and numbers into a word processor,
text editor or other programs. In a modern computer, the interpretation of key presses
is generally left to the software. A computer keyboard distinguishes each physical key
from every other and reports all key presses to the controlling software. Keyboards
are also used for computer gaming, either with regular keyboards or by using
keyboards with special gaming features, which can expedite frequently used
keystroke combinations. A keyboard is also used to give commands to the operating
system of a computer, such as Windows' Control-Alt-Delete combination, which
brings up a task window or shuts down the machine. Keyboards are the only way to
enter commands on a command-line interface.
  Mouse:

In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-

dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of
an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons.

The mouse sometimes features other elements, such as "wheels", which allow the user
to perform various system-dependent operations, or extra buttons or features that can
add more control or dimensional input. The mouse's motion typically translates into
the motion of a pointer on a display, which allows for fine control of a graphical user
interface.

 Printer:

In computing, a printer is a peripheral which produces a representation of an

electronic document on physical media such as paper or transparency film. Many
printers are local peripherals connected directly to a nearby personal computer.
Individual printers are often designed to support both local and network connected
users at the same time. Some printers can print documents stored on memory cards or
from digital cameras and scanners. Multifunction printers (MFPs) include a scanner
and can copy paper documents or send a fax; these are also called multi-function
devices (MFD), or all-in-one (AIO) printers. Most MFPs include printing, scanning,
and copying among their many features.

 Scanner:

In computing, an image scanner—often abbreviated to just scanner—is a device that

optically scans images, printed text, handwriting, or an object, and converts it to a
digital image. Common examples found in offices are variations of the desktop (or
flatbed) scanner where the document is placed on a glass window for scanning.
  Card Reader:

A card reader is a data input device that reads data from a card-shaped storage
medium. The first were punched card readers, which read the paper or cardboard
punched cards that were used during the first several decades of the computer industry
to store information and programs for computer systems. Modern card readers are
electronic devices that can read plastic cards embedded with either a barcode,
magnetic strip, computer chip or another storage medium.

 Pen Drive:

A USB flash drive is a data storage device that includes flash memory with an
integrated Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. USB flash drives are typically
removable and rewritable, and physically much smaller than a floppy disk. Most
weigh less than 30 g.

 Webcam:

A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or
computer network. Unlike an IP camera (which uses a direct connection using
ethernet or Wi-Fi), a webcam is generally connected by a USB cable, FireWire cable,
or similar cable.

Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to
act as videophones or videoconference stations. The common use as a video camera
for the World Wide Web gave the webcam its name. Other popular uses include
security surveillance, computer vision, video broadcasting, and for recording social
videos.
  Digital Camera:

A digital camera (or digicam) is a camera that takes video or still photographs by recording images on
an electronic image sensor. Most cameras sold today are digital and digital cameras are incorporated
into many devices ranging from PDAs and mobile phones (called camera phones) to vehicles.

 Modem (External):

A digital subscriber line (DSL) modem is a device used to connect a computer or router to a telephone
line which has the digital subscriber line service configured, to allow the computer to connect to the
Internet. Put simply, a DSL modem or DSL router is what is needed in order to connect to DSL
broadband.

 TV Card (External):

A TV tuner card is a kind of television tuner that allows television signals to be received by a
computer. Most TV tuners also function as video capture cards, allowing them to record television
programs onto a hard disk much like the digital video recorder (DVR) does.

 Joystick:

A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction
to the device it is controlling. A joystick, also known as the control column, is the principal control
device in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or side-stick.
Joysticks are often used to control video games.
  Speaker:

A speaker is an electro acoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an

electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as
accessories to telephone systems, but electronic amplification by vacuum tube made
loudspeakers more generally useful. The most common form of loudspeaker uses a
paper cone supporting a voice coil electromagnet acting on a permanent magnet, but
many other types exist. Where accurate reproduction of sound is required, multiple
loudspeakers may be used, each reproducing a part of the audible frequency range.
Miniature loudspeakers are found in devices such as radio and TV receivers, and
many forms of music players. Larger loudspeaker systems are used for music, sound
reinforcement in theatres and concerts, and in public address systems.

 UPS (Uninterruptible power supply):

An uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or

battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a
load when the input power source, typically mains power, fails. A UPS differs from
an auxiliary or emergency power system or standby generator in that it will provide
near-instantaneous protection from input power interruptions, by supplying energy
stored in batteries or a flywheel. The on-battery runtime of most uninterruptible
power sources is relatively short (only a few minutes) but sufficient to start a standby
power source or properly shut down the protected equipment.

A UPS is typically used to protect computers, data centers, telecommunication

equipment or other electrical equipment where an unexpected power disruption could
cause injuries, fatalities, serious business disruption or data loss. UPS units range in
size from units designed to protect a single computer without a video monitor (around
200 VA rating) to large units powering entire data centers or buildings. The world's
largest UPS, the 46-megawatt, Battery Electric Storage System (BESS), in Fairbanks,
AK, powers the entire city and nearby rural communities during outages.