Computer Hardware

What is Computer?
Block Diagram of computer
Characteristics of Computers
Input and Output Devices
Types of Memories
Motherboard
What is Software?
Operating System

 Computer

is an electronic device

It

is a device that operates upon

data, data can be in various shapes
and sizes depending upon the type
of computer application.

computer can store, process, and

retrieve data as and when desired.

Definition

Computer is an electronic device,

which accepts data as an input ,
processes it, and gives you a
meaningful output.

Block Diagram of Computer

Storage Unit

Secondary
Storage
Input Unit

Primary
Storage

Control
Unit

Arithmetic Logic
Unit

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Output Unit

INPUT UNIT
It

accepts instructions and data from outside

world.

It

converts these instructions and data in

computer acceptable form.

It

supplies the converted instructions and data

to computer system for further processing.

Eg. Keyboard, mouse, joystick, microphone, modem,

scanner, web camera

Input
The input hardware allows you to enter data into the computer. The primary
devices used are the keyboard and mouse.
Keyboard
The keyboard looks like the typewriter. A numeric keypad is located to
the right of the keyboard.
Mouse
The mouse is a device that allows you to control the movement of the
insertion point on the screen.
There are other input devices, such as touch screen, joystick, modem,
scanner, and voice recognition systems.

Touch Screen:
A display screen that is sensitive to the touch of a finger or
stylus. Touch screens are very resistant to harsh environments
where keyboards might eventually fail.

Joy Stick:
A pointing device used to move an object on screen in any
direction. Joy sticks are used extensively in video games and in
some CAD systems

Light Pen:
A light-sensitive stylus wired to a video terminal used to
draw pictures or select menu options. The user brings the pen to
the desired point on screen and presses the pen button to make
contact

OUTPUT UNIT
It

accepts the results produced by a

computer, which are in coded form and
hence, we cannot easily understand them.

It

converts these coded results to human

acceptable form

It

supplies the converted results to outside

world.

Eg Monitor, printer, plotter, speaker, modem

STORAGE UNIT
Storage

Unit stores data and instructions

required for processing

It

holds intermediate results of processing

It

stores Results for output, before they are

released to an output device.

Storage

unit are of two types:

Primary

Storage

Secondary

Storage

Primary Storage:

It is used to store pieces of program instructions and

data, intermediate results of processing, and recently
produced results on which computer is currently
working.

Primary Storage can hold information only while

computer system is on. As soon as the computer
system switches off or resets, the information held in
primary storage is erased.

It has limited storage capacity because it is very

expensive.

Types of primary memory are:- RAM and ROM

Main Memory

Instructions and data are held in main memory, which is divided into
millions of individually-addressable storage units called bytes.

One byte can hold one character, or it can be used to hold a code
representing, for example, a tiny part of a picture, a sound, or part of a
computer program instruction.

The total number of bytes in main memory is referred to as the

computers memory size. Computer memory sizes are measured as
follows:

1 Kilobyte (Kb)
bytes)

1000 bytes (to be exact, 1024

1 Megabyte (Mb)

1,000,000 (1 million) bytes

1 Gigabyte (Gb)

1,000,000,000 (1 billion) bytes

1 Terabyte (Tb)

1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion) bytes

Secondary Storage
Secondary

storage is much cheaper than

primary storage
It can retain information even when a
computer system switches off or resets.
It holds the program instructions, data, and
information of those jobs on which the
computer system is currently not working.

ARITHMETIC LOGIC UNIT(ALU)

ALU

of a computer system is the place where

actual execution of instructions takes place
during processing operation.

It

performs calculations and all comparisons

are made in ALU

Data

may move from primary storage to ALU

and back again to storage many times before
processing is over.

CONTROL UNIT
Control

Unit acts as a central nervous system

for components of a computer system.

It

manages and coordinates the entire

computer system.

It

obtains instructions from the program stored

in main memory, interprets the instructions,
and issues signals causing other units of the
system to execute them.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT

(CPU)

Control Unit (CU) and arithmetic logic unit

(ALU) of a computer system are together
known as the CPU

The CPU is the brain of a computer system.

CPU is responsible for activating and

controlling the operations of other units of the
computer system.

CPU MAKING COMPANIES

INTEL
CYRIX
NEXGEN
IBM
MOTROLA

Characteristics of Computers
Automatic

Speed

Computers are automatic machines because once

started on a job, they carry out the job until it is
finished, without any human intervention.
A computer is a very fast device. It can perform the
work in a few seconds. A powerful computer is
capable of performing several billion(109)arithmetic
operations per second.

Accuracy

Accuracy of a computer is consistently high and the

degree of its accuracy depends upon its design. It
performs every calculation with the same accuracy.

Diligence
Computers can work for hours without creating
any error and without grumbling. If ten million
calculations have to be performed, a computer
will perform the last one with exactly the same
accuracy and speed as the first one.
Versatility
A computer is capable of performing almost any
task, if the task can be reduced to a finite series
of logical steps.
No I.Q
Computer doesnt possesses intelligence of its
own. Its I.Q. is zero. It has to be told what to do
and in what sequence. It cannot take its own
decision.

No Feelings
They

have no feelings because they are

machines. They make judgments based on
the instructions given to them in the form of
programs that are written by human beings.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

RAM is volatile memory

If you decide to have more memory than your computer

currently has, you can plug memory chips in the empty
memory slots.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

ROM is a non-volatile memory in which data is

stored permanently and cannot be altered.

Data stored in a ROM can only be read and used,

they cannot be changed.

There are two types of ROM

Manufacturer-programmed ROM

User-programmed ROM

Manufacturer-programmed ROM is one in

which data is burnt in by the manufacturer of
the electronic equipment
User-programmed ROM is one in which a user
can load and store program and data (read
only).
A user customized a system by converting his
programs to micro-programs and store them in
user-programmed ROM chip, such ROM is
known as PROM.

Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory

(EPROM) It is possible to erase information
stored in an EPROM chip and the chip can be
reprogrammed to store new information
Information is erased by exposing the chip to
ultraviolet light.
Pronounced double-ee-prom or e-e-prom, short for
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.
EEPROM is a special type of PROM that can
be erased by exposing it to an electrical charge.

Cache Memory

Very fast memory used to improve the speed of

a computer.

Acts as an intermediate store between the CPU

and main memory

Stores the most frequently or recently used

instructions and data for rapid retrieval

Much more expensive than normal RAM

Memory Cache speeds up a computer by storing data the

computer has recently used.
There are 2 types : Internal & External

External Cache

If the computer cannot find what

it needs in the Internal Cache, it
looks in the external cache. This
is usually located on the
Motherboard. In some CPU chips
the External cache is built in.

Internal Cache

When the computer needs

data it first looks in the
Internal cache. This is
located on the CPU chip and
provides the fastest way for
the computer to get data.

Motherboard
This is the main circuit board that all of the other
internal components connect to.
The CPU and memory are usually on the
motherboard. Other systems may be found directly on
the motherboard or connected to it through a
secondary connection.
For example, a sound card can be built into the
motherboard or connected through PCI (Peripheral
Component Interface).

What is a Dual Core Processor?

A dual core processor is a CPU with two
separate cores on the same die, each with its
own cache
In a dual core processor each core handles
incoming data strings simultaneously to improve
efficiency

An attractive value of dual core processors is

that they do not require a new motherboard

Printers
A device that prints text or illustrations on
paper. There are two different types of printers.

1) Impact printer
2) Non Impact printer

Impact printers
Impact printers that work by
striking an ink ribbon. Dot-matrix are
impact printers.

Dot-matrix:
Creates characters by striking pins
against an ink ribbon. Each pin makes a
dot, and combinations of dots form
characters.

Non-impact printers

Include laser printers and ink-jet printers. The

important difference between impact and non-impact
printers is that impact printers are much noisier.

Ink-jet:
Sprays ink at a sheet of paper. Ink-jet printers
produce high-quality text and graphics.

Laser:
Laser printers produce very high quality text
and graphics.

Thermal printer:
Uses heat on chemically
treated paper to form
characters

Thermal printers are widely

used in calculators and fax
machines.

Plotter
A device that draws pictures on paper
based on commands from a computer.

Plotters differ from printers in that they

draw lines using a pen. As a result, they
can produce continuous lines, whereas
printers can only simulate lines by
printing a closely spaced series of dots.
Plotters are considerably more
expensive than printers.
They are used in engineering
applications.

Parallel Port

USB Ports

Serial Ports

SERIAL PORT

Serial Port is the most basic external connections to

a computer, the serial port has been an integral
part of most computers for more than 20 years.
Although many of the newer systems have done
away with the serial port completely in favor of USB
connections, most modems still use the serial port,
as do some printers, PDAs and digital cameras.

Parallel Ports
Parallel port is a commonly used interface for printers.
Parallel ports can be used to connect a host of popular
computer peripherals:

Printers
Scanners
External hard drives
Network adapters

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Ports

The goal of USB is to end all of these headaches. The Universal
Serial Bus gives you a single, standardized, easy-to-use way to
connect up to 127 devices to a computer.

A sample list of USB devices that you can buy today includes:
Printers
Webcams

Scanners
Modems

Joysticks
Speakers

Digital cameras
Telephones

Storage devices Network connections

Connecting a USB device to a computer is simple -- you find the
USB connector on the back of your machine and plug the USB
connector into it.

The rectangular socket is a typical

USB socket on the back of a PC.

Characteristics of Storage Device

The most important characteristics of storage

devices:
Speed
Capacity
Type of access

Speed (Access time)

How fast information can be taken from or
stored onto the computer memory devices
medium.

Capacity
The amount of information that can be
stored on the medium.

Secondary Storage Device

Secondary Storage Devices

Sequential Access Device

Direct Access Devices

Magnetic Tape

Magnetic Disks

Floppy Disk

Optical Disks

CD-ROM
Hard Disk

DVD

Memory Storage
Device

Flash
Drive

Memor
y Card

Sequential Access Device

The information on this device can be retrieved

in the same sequence only in which it is stored.
Examples: preparation of monthly pay slips,
monthly electricity bills etc.

Magnetic tape is an example of a sequential-access

storage device.

Magnetic Tape
1. Magnetic tape is the most popular sequentialaccess storage device.
2. It consists of a plastic ribbon usually inch or
inch wide and 50-2400 feet long, coated
with recording material.
3. The tape ribbon is stored in small cartridge or
cassette.

Direct Access Device

Information on a direct access device can be

retrieved randomly.
Magnetic disk is the storage medium for direct
access
Magnetic disk is broadly classified into 2 types:
Floppy Disk
Hard Disk

Floppy Disk:
Floppy Disks are made of flexible plastic
A Floppy disk drive is used to read/write data from/to
floppy disks
Storage capacity 1.4MB and 2.88MB

Hard Disk
Hard Disk is the secondary storage device
They are made of rigid metal.

Optical Disks:
An Optical Disk storage system consists of a
rotating disk coated with a thin metal that is
highly reflective.
It uses laser beam technology for
recording/reading of data on disk surface.
Types of optical disks are
CD-R (Compact Disk - Recordable)
CD-WR (Compact Disk ReWritable)
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)

CD-ROM
CD-ROM disk is a shiny, silver color metal
disk usually of 51/4-inch diameter.
Storage capacity is about 650MB
It takes longer to write to a CD-R than a hard
drive.
Special software is needed to record.
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)
DVD is a popular optical disc storage media
format.

Its main uses are video and data storage.

Most DVDs are of the same dimensions
as compact discs (CDs) but store more
than six times as much data.
Allows up to 17 gigabytes of storage
(from 4.7 GB to 17 GB).

Memory Storage Device

Flash drive (Pen Drive)

It is a compact device of the size of a pen.

It enables easy transport of data from one computer

to another.

It is a plug-and-play device that simply plugs into a

USB port of a computer. The PC detects it
automatically as removable drive.

You can read, write, copy, delete and move data from
the computers hard disk drive to the flash drive or
from the flash drive to the hard disk drive.

It does not require any software

Capacity are 8MB, 16MB,64MB,128MB up to 8GB

Memory card

A memory card or flash memory card is a solidstate electronic flash memory data storage device
used with digital cameras, handheld and Mobile
computers, telephones, music players, video game
and other electronics

Some of the most popular ones are- SD (Secure

Digital) and MMC (Multimedia Card)

Storage capacity of these cards range from 8MB to

2GB

SOFTWARE

Hardware is any physical part of the computer

setup. This means the monitor, keyboard, mouse,
CD-ROM drive, printer, etc.
Software consists of the programmes that allow
you to work on a computer. Operating systems,
word processors, spreadsheets, games and
database management systems are all examples of
software.

Software

Why is it so important?
The economies of ALL developed nations are
dependent on software.
More and more of our daily lives are being
supported/monitored by software
The engines of our cars
Our washing machines
Getting on a bus/train

What is Software?

Software is the part of a

The Computer
computer that makes it useful.
Application
Software
Software is a set of
Operating System
instructions (programs),
Hardware
procedures, and flowcharts
describing the programs and
Windows 98/2000/XP
how they are to be used.
Linux/Unix

Browser
Email
Word Processor

Software package is a group of programs that

solve a specific problem or perform a specific
type of job.
For example- word processing package may
contain programs for text editing, text
formatting, drawing graphics, spelling checking
etc.

What does it do?

Application
Operating System
Hardware

Generally software takes in data and processes it into

information.
The many different types of software basically vary
from where/whom data is acquired and where/whom
information is sent/given.

From the
user/device
/sub-system

Data In

Processing

Information
Out

To the
user/device
/sub-system

SOFTWARE

APPLICATION

User programs made in

programming languages
like C , C++ , java etc

SYSTEM
Programs to make
computer system
work.
eg. Operating system

System Software

System Software is a set of one or more programs

designed to control the operation and extend the
processing capability of a computer system.

It performs following functions:

Supports development of other application s/w.

Supports execution of other application s/w.

Communicates with and controls operation of

peripheral devices such as printer, disk etc.

The programmers who prepare system software are

referred to as system programmers.

Some commonly known types of system

software are: Operating System, Programming
Language Translators.

Application Software

It is a set of one or more programs designed to

solve a specific problem, or do a specific task Ex.
Payroll processing s/w, examination results
processing s/w, railway/airline reservation s/w.
The programmers who prepare application software
are referred to as application programmers.
Some application s/w are word processing,
preparation of tax returns, banking, hospital
administration, insurance, engineering applications
such as weather forecasting, oil and natural gas
exploration, design of bridges,ships, aircraft, etc