1. Introduction to Computers: Parts of a Computer
Parts of Computers
A personal computer can take on many guises. The most prevalent type of computer available in schools is the IBM-compatible model. Some schools opt for the Macintosh platform which can be an "all-in-one" unit or a modular unit. Modular units usually consist of the following separate components:
Disk-a disk is a piece of plastic that holds information for or from your computer.
CD-ROM Drive-This modern miracle gained prominence in the late 1980's and has become the primary distribution medium for software to consumers. The Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) disk itself is a collection of concentric circles containing millions of pits and plateaus which correspond to on/off bits of data. The disk is read with an optical laser similar to the one used to scan your groceries at the supermarket. Most disks of this kind are "Read Only" meaning that the computer can retrieve information from the disk, but cannot place information on it. New developments have improved this technology to allow writing and rewriting data to the disk. A different kind of hardware mechanism is needed to employ this innovation.
Hard Drive-hard drives are a machine that have a lot of memory to save your work and carries a cd.rom and a floppy disk.
Keyboard- is the primary input device used to communicate with the computer. A computer keyboard closely resembles a conventional typewriter keyboard with the addition of numerous keys that are used specifically for computing functions.
Monitors- is the computer user's window into the workings of the computer. It consists of a television picture tube that had been modified to accept the type of video signal created by the computer's electronics. Conventional televisions can be used as computer monitors if a tranlation device is used to connect them. The picture quality leaves something to be desired.
Mouse- A piece of plastic that has a ball on the bottom and two buttons on the top. When you click on the mouse, you usually click on the left button. It allows you to click on and choose things on your screen.
Printer- A machine that puts things from the computer onto paper.
Scanner- A piece of equipment that copies pictures so that you can use it in your computer projects.
Epson Perfection 4180 Photo scanner
Speakers- The part of the computer that lets you hear the sounds from the programs. Modem- A part of the computer that connects to the phone lines so that you can go on the Internet.
Chip- A small piece inside the computer that helps your computer work. Chips have to be programmed by people or they won't work. There are many chips in a computer.
Motherboard- A main board of the computer that has many chips on it. The motherboard makes the computer work. It also is where the memory and the processing are found.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)- A chip that is the "brains" of your computer that processes the information.
Computer- is a collection of devices that function as a unit. The most basic collection includes a Computer CPU, a Monitor, a Keyboard, and a Mouse. The Computer CPU is normally a rectangular box that sits on your desktop (called a "Desktop Case") or next to your knee under the desk (called a "Tower Case"). The computer's CPU is actually a small electronic device inside the case but the term is often used to refer to the whole collection of electronics inside the box.