IT111 Mod2B: Components of a Computer System PDF

Course : Introduction to Computing Module No. : 2 (Concept of Computer System) Title : B. Components of a Computer System Objectives : COMPUTER SYSTEM Is a collection of entities(hardware,software and liveware) that are designed to receive, process, manage and present inf...

Course : Introduction to Computing Module No. : 2 (Concept of Computer System) Title : B. Components of a Computer System Objectives : COMPUTER SYSTEM Is a collection of entities(hardware,software and liveware) that are designed to receive, process, manage and present information in a meaningful format. COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER SYSTEM Computer hardware - Are physical parts/ intangible parts of a computer. eg Input devices, output devices, central processing unit and storage devices Computer software - also known as programs or applications. They are classified into two classes namely - system software and application software Liveware - is the computer user. Also known as orgware or the humanware. The user commands the computer system to execute on instructions. Computer Hardware The computer system mainly consist of hardware components and the software components. All the physical components inside the computer cabinet and the input and output gadgets attached to the computer are referred as hardware components. The hardware components inside the computer cabinet are referred as internal components such as motherboard. The external hardware components attached to the computer system are also referred as peripheral devices such as keyboard, mouse, monitor. 1  Figure 1. Inside the System Unit/Computer Cabinet Computer Hardware Components 1. Computer Cabinet/System Unit/Casing 2. Power Supply 3. Motherboard 4. Connection cabinets (buses) 5. Hard disk (memory disk) 6. RAM modules 7. Sound Card 8. Microprocessor (CPU) 9. CPU Heat sink 10. CPU Cooling Fan 11. CD ROM Drive 12. Graphics card 13. Computer Monitor 14. Keyboard and mouse The motherboard is the main printed circuit board (PCB) that is mounted inside a computer cabinet. The motherboard is a junction for connecting some important internal components. The components that are directly placed on the motherboard include microprocessor (CPU), main memory (RAM), Graphic card, sound card, north bridge and south bridge. 2  Figure 2. Motherboard Microprocessor The central processing unit (CPU) effectively functions as a brain of the computer system. The CPU performs arithmetic and logical operations and provides processing power of the computer system. The CPU is mounted on the motherboard inside the processor socket which is a special slot present on the motherboard. A heat sink and a cooling miniature fan is placed on the top of the processor chip to protect the processor chip from excessive heat generated by the processor chip. Figure 3. CPU 3 Random access memory (RAM) The computer system makes use of different types of memories. These different types of memories are organized into the system in order to optimize the CPU performance. The main system memory RAM modules are mounted inside special RAM slots on the motherboard. Each motherboard has fixed number of RAM slots. Figure 4. RAM Power Supply The computer system has a centralized power supply unit that provides electrical power supply to various internal components. The desktop computer system is referred as SMPS which stands for Switch Mode Power Supply. The SPMS provides different components through set of electric wires. 4  Figure 5. Power Supply Unit BUS The computer bus is a communication link used in a computer systems to send data, address, control signals and the power to various components in a computer system. The computer buses are used to connect the various hardware components that are part of the computer system. Figure 6. Computer System Bus Hard Disk Drive 5 The hard disk drive is the main, and usually most substantial, data storage hardware device in a computer. The operating system, software titles, and most other files are stored in the hard disk drive. Figure 7. Hard Disk Drive Sound Card Alternatively referred to as an audio output device, sound board, or audio card. A sound card is an expansion card or IC for producing sound on a computer that can be heard through speakers or headphones. Although the computer doesn't need a sound card, it's included on every machine as either in an expansion slot (shown below) or built into the motherboard (onboard). 6  Figure 8. Sound card Graphics Card A graphics card is a type of display adapter or video card installed within most computing devices to display graphical data with high clarity, color, definition and overall appearance. A graphics card provides high-quality visual display by processing and executing graphical data using advanced graphical techniques, features and functions. A graphics card is also known as a graphics adapter, graphics controller, graphics accelerator card or graphics board. Figure 9. Graphics Card CD-ROM Short for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory, a CD-ROM is an optical disc containing audio or software data whose memory is read-only. A CD-ROM Drive or optical drive is the device used to read them. CD-ROM drives have speeds ranging from 1x to 72x, meaning it reads the CD roughly 72 times faster than the 1x version. As you would imagine, these drives are capable of playing audio CDs and reading data CDs, including CD-R and CD-RW discs. 7 Computer Monitor A monitor is a display device like a TV screen, that interprets and displays the graphical output signal from your computer’s graphics card and displays it on the screen. This enables you to view the display interface in order to interact with the computer using various peripherals like a mouse or keyboard. Figure 10. Computer Monitor Keyboard and Mouse 8 A keyboard is one of the primary input devices used with a computer. Similar to an electric typewriter, a keyboard is composed of buttons used to create letters, numbers, and symbols, and perform additional functions. The following sections provide more in-depth information and answers to some of the frequently asked questions about the keyboard. Figure 11. Keyboard A computer mouse is a handheld hardware input device that controls a cursor in a GUI (graphical user interface) and can move and select text, icons, files, and folders on your computer. For desktop computers, the mouse is placed on a flat surface (e.g., mouse pad or desk) in front of your computer. The picture is an example of a Logitech desktop computer mouse with two primary buttons and a wheel. 9  Figure 12. Mouse Computer Software Software, instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system. The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e., the physical components of a computer system. A set of instructions that directs a computer’s hardware to perform a task is called a program, or software program. The two main types of software are system software and application software. System software controls a computer’s internal functioning, chiefly through an operating system, and also controls such peripherals as monitors, printers, and storage devices. Application software, by contrast, directs the computer to execute commands given by the user and may be said to include any program that processes data for a user. Application software thus includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory and payroll programs, and many other “applications.” A third software category is that of network software, which coordinates communication between the computers linked in a network. 10 Software is typically stored on an external long-term memory device, such as a hard drive or magnetic diskette. When the program is in use, the computer reads it from the storage device and temporarily places the instructions in random access memory (RAM). The process of storing and then performing the instructions is called “running,” or “executing,” a program. By contrast, software programs and procedures that are permanently stored in a computer’s memory using a read-only (ROM) technology are called firmware, or “hard software.” Liveware Liveware, as name suggests, are peoples, programmers, or other personnel that use computers and are involved in operation of computer system and referred to human expertise in computer system. Difference between Software and Liveware : Software Liveware Software’s are programs used by computer. Liveware are people that use and make computer system work. It makes hardware of computer run. It is term used for people that are benefited from computer system. These are collection of programs or These are human expertise that are needed applications that contains instructions that in field of IT. makes computer run or work. Features of software includes efficiency, Features of liveware includes data maintainability, no wear out, portability, etc. processing, problem solving, productivity, documentation skills, reporting skills, etc. Benefits of software includes improve data Benefits of liverware includes allows security, more reliable data, better customer interaction among hardware and software, service, simplified decision making, etc. operate system, increases productivity, etc. Examples of software includes Microsoft Examples of liveware includes software Word, Firefox, Chrome, Microsoft Outlook, engineer, hardware engineers, managers, Pandora, etc. network engineer, data entry operator, etc. Type of software’s include application Type of livewares includes engineers, 11 software, system software, Freeware operators, managers, programmers, etc. software, Open-source software, etc. Software does not get tired of working. Peoples usually gets tired of working for hours. Difference between Hardware and Liveware : Hardware Liveware Computer Hardware are physical Liveware are peoples that operate computer components that make computer work. system using hardware and software. These are devices that make any electronic These are people who make computer or computer device work and execute tasks. system work behind scenes. Functions of hardware includes input, Functions of liveware includes structural processing, storage and output. support, environmental control, operate computer system, etc. Computer hardwares are needed to be People need to increase their knowledge and replaced when it gets failed and does not skills with changing technologies to work work properly. efficiently with new technologies Its main purpose is to support functions such There purpose is to perform small complex as input, processing, output, secondary task that computer cant perform or do and storage and communication. are needed in field of IT. Hardware’s are important for computer to Computer cannot do any thing by itself work properly and computer cannot function therefore livewares are required for without computer hardware’s. interaction among hardware and software and there will be no computer without liveware. Hardware does not get tired of working for Peoples usually gets tired of working for hours. hours. These are physical component of computer These are people or users that use computer that are directed by software to execute any in day to day activity. command or instruction. Exercise: 12