Computer Application

Introduction to computers

Didam A Mahmud

Objective

Hardware component

Hardware

Input Device

Output
Device

System Unit

Storage
Device

Communications
Device

System unit

Box-like case
containing electronic
components used to
process data

The System Unit

The inside of the system unit on a desktop personal computer

includes:

Processor
2. Memory module
3. Expansion cards

power supply

drive bays

1.

a)
b)
c)
d)
4.

Sound card
Modem card
Video card
Network interface card

processor

memory
ports

sound card

Ports and
Connectors
network card

modem card

video card

Motherboard
Also called the system board
Is the main circuit board inside the computer
It holds many of the crucial electronic components
Main components of motherboard are

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Central processing unit (CPU)

Memory
Video card
Sound card
Network connect card(NIC) the

CPU

Sometimes referred to as the central processor unit , but more

commonly called processor.

the CPU is the brains of the computer where most

calculations take place.

Interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a

computer

In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element

of a computer system.
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Two Main components of CPU

Arithmetic/Logic Unit (ALU)

Perform two types of operations
Arithmetic (+,-,*,/) and logic(<,>,=)

Control Unit
Tell the rest of the computer how to carry out a programs
instructions
Works with a program counter (address of next instruction)
It directs the movement of electronic signals between memory,
instructions and arithmetic logic unit.
Direct control signals between the CPU and I/O devices.
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Processor

Machine cycle
There are four operations of Machine Cycle
Step 1. Fetch
Obtain program instruction or data item from memory
Step 2. Decode
Translate instruction into commands
Step 3. Execute
Carry out command
Step 4. Store
Write result to memory

10

CPU Register

Temporary storage location used by the CPU

1. Stores location from where instruction was fetched

2. Stores an instruction while it is being decoded
3. Stores data while the ALU processes it
4. Stores the results of a calculation

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Pipelining

CPU begins fetching second instruction before completing

machine cycle for first instruction

Results in faster processing

12

system clock

Synchronizes all computer operations

Each tick is a clock cycle

Faster clock speed means the CPU can execute more

instructions each second

Clock speed (clock rate) measured in megahertz (MHz) and

gigahertz (GHz)

MHz - one million ticks of the system clock

GHz one billion ticks of the system clock

13

Heat Sink and Heat Pipe

A processor chip generates heat that could cause the chip to

burn up

Processor Requires additional cooling unite, tow main types

are:
1. Heat sink: Small ceramic or metal component with fins on
its surface that absorbs and ventilates heat produced by
electrical components
2. Heat pipe: smaller device for notebook computer
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Parallel Processing

Using multiple processors simultaneously to execute a

program

Speeds processing time

Requires special software to divide

up a problem and bring the results
back together again

15

Expansion Slots and Expansion Cards

Expansion slot: A location on the

motherboard into which
expansion cards are inserted

Expansion card: A circuit board

used to add additional
functionality or to attach a
peripheral device

16

Common Types of Expansion Cards

1.
2.
3.
4.

There are Four common types of expansion cards

Video card also called video adapter or graphics card
Sound card
Network interface card (NIC) also called a network card
Modem card also called an internal modem

. Plug

and Play is that the computer automatically can

configure cards and other devices as you install them

17

Ports and Connectors

Used to connect external

devices to the system unit

Connector joins cable to

peripheral

Most located on the back of

the system unit

18

Common ports
Serial port
2. Parallel port
3. universal serial bus (USB) port
4. special-purpose port
1.

19

Serial Port

Transmits one bit of data at a time

Used to connect devices that do not

require fast transmission rates
mouse
keyboard
modem

Two common types

25-pin
9-pin
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parallel port

Connects devices that can transfer

more than one bit at a time

Usually used for printers

Two newer types

EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port)
ECP (Extended Capabilities Port)

IEEE 1284 is a standard that

specifies how older and newer
peripheral devices transfer data to
and from a computer

21

Universal Serial Bus port (USB)

Can connect up to 127 different

peripheral devices with a single
connector type

Supports newer peripherals

Supports hot plugging and Plug

and Play

22

How are multiple USB devices connected?

Daisy Chain

Devices connected together

outside the system unit in a
chain

USB hub

Plugs into the USB port on the

computer
Contains multiple USB ports

Computer with
USB port

Computer with
USB port
USB
hub

device
1
device
3
device
2

device
1
device
4

device
2

device
3

device
4
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special-purpose ports
1394 port (FireWire) connect multiple devices
MIDI port musical instrument digital interface
SCSI port small computer system interface
IrDA port transmit data via infrared light waves
FIR (fast infrared)

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Buses

Electrical channels that allow various

devices inside the computer to
communicate with each other

Bus width determines the number of

bits transmitted at one time

Word size determines the number of

bits the processor can interpret and
execute at a given time
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Types of Buses
System bus Part of the motherboard that connects the
processor to main memory
2. Expansion bus Allows the processor to communicate with
peripheral devices
1.

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Bays

An open area inside the system

unit used to install additional
equipment

Drive bays
Used for disk drives
External drive bay
Also called exposed drive bay
Accessible from outside the system
unit

Internal drive bay

Also called hidden drive bay
Concealed entirely within the
system unit

DVD-ROM
drive
CD-RW
drive
Zip drive
empty drive
bay
floppy disk
drive

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power supply

The power supply to a

computer is its main source
of power and it crucial for the
computer to run.

The power supply converts

the wall outlet AC power
into DC power

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Summary

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