Computer

Computer's Hardware and Peripherals

Introduction

Depending on their functions Hardware and Peripherals of a computer can be classified as:

Input devices: used to enter data or information in to the computer. Mouse, trackball or joystick, keyboard, scanner, digital camera, webcam and microphone are input devices.
Output devices: are devices that allow what is on your PC to be seen or heard. Monitor, printer and a pair of speaker are an example of output devices.
Storage devices: are devices that allow you to store data or information. Hard Disc, Floppy disc, CD ROM and DVD are storage devices.

CPU is the brains of your computer- where your text and data is sorted, calculated, analysed and manipulated as required. CPU consists of the following major parts. [Central Processing Unit or System Unit]

[Central Processing Unit or System Unit]

Microprocessor
Main memory RAM (Random Access Memory) &
ROM (Read Only Memory)
Device Controller and Interfaces

Hard disc, Floppy disc, CD ROM and DVD drives

Disc drives are used to read information stored on discs. These drives usually named using alphabets. Usually, your floppy disc drive is lablled A: drive, the local hard drive is lablled C: drive and the CD ROM drive is lablled D: [Computer Hard Disc]

Hard Disc drive: to read the hard disc. C:\
Floppy disc drive: to read the floppy discs. A:\
CD ROM drive to read Compact Disc ROMs. D:\
There is also DVD drive in latest computer to read information stored in DVDs.

Discs and drives and can be fixed or removable.

Your local hard disc together with its drive is not removable, stays in the System Unit. Removable drives allow a drive to be physically removed from a system-without opening the case-and replaced by another drive or allow a drive to be carried from one location to another.
While your PC's Floppy disc, CD, DVD and Zip disc are removable their respective drives are not removable.

Memory (RAM and ROM)

RAM (Random Access Memory) is where the work is temporarily stored while the processor is doing the thinking. It is like tradesman workbench. Information stored in RAM can be lost permanently if computer switched off or during power failure. Measured in megabytes(Mb)- each Mb is one million bytes. 128 Mb is standard size.

[ROM- Random Access Memory]

ROM (Read Only Memory) is a memory space to store information where you can read but not change it. Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD ROM) is one example.

Keyboard and Keys

Keyboard is a typewriter-like set of keys used to input data am\nd control commands to the computer. Most PC keyboards use a QWERTY layout. We use keyboard to enter data into the computer.
[QWERTY Keyboard]
Main parts of keyboard (types of keys)

Function keys (from F1 - F12)
Numerical keys
QWERTY (Alphabetical keys)
Special keys

Monitor

Monitor or Visual Display Unit (VDU) provides you with link to your computer. There are controls on the monitor to adjust its contrast and brightness.

Mouse

A mouse allows data input by selecting options (rather than typing it) - you click on the options required. Most mouses have right and left buttons. Use left mouse button to select an item or to execute an action. Right mouse button used to call up menu. Latest generations of mouses include a wheel between the right and left buttons, which is programmed to support scrolling.

Printer

Printer is an output device for printing text and images on to a paper. Dot matrix, Bubble Jet and Laser Jet printer are examples of different types of printers.

Scanner

There are two types of scanner- flatbed scanner and hand-held scanner. The flatbed scanner uses the same techniques as a photocpy machine to copy a document. The hand-held scanner is useful to sacn data that is not on a plain sheet of paper.

Speaker

Speakers are considered standard peripheral devices on a multimedia personal computer(PC). A multimedia PC displays full motion video, animation, sound and graphics. The output of speakers include music and human voice. There is a built-in small speaker in most PCs.

Digital Camera

Lets you take pictures without film and view, edit, and print them from your PC. Digital cameras always come with software and instructions for getting your pictures from the camera into your computer.

Web Camera

Web Camera is used for NetMeeting, chatting and to acquire motion pictures. Web Camera is so small that it can be hidden anywhere. If a Web Camera can be placed almost anywhere, can you be sure that one isn't watching you right now? How would you feel if you discovered a Web Camera in your room at home, or in your classroom.

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