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TASK: 1
Learn about Computer
AIM: Identify the internal parts of a computer and its peripherals and note
down main specifications of computer

Computer:
Computer is an electronic device that is designed to work with Information or excuites
the instructions in a program. The term computer is derived from the Latin term ‘computare’,
this means to calculate or programmable machine. Computer cannot do anything without a
Program. It represents the decimal numbers through a string of binary digits. The Word
'Computer' usually refers to the Center Processor Unit plus Internal memory.

Charles Babbage is called the "Grand Father" of the computer. The First mechanical
computer designed by Charles Babbage was called Analytical Engine. It uses read-only memory
in the form of punch cards.

A computer can performs basically five major computer operations or functions

irrespective of their size and make. These are
1) Input: It accepts data or instructions by way of input
2) Memory: It stores data
3) Processor: It can process data as required by the user
4) Output: It gives results in the form of output and
5) Controller: It controls all operations inside a computer

Basic characteristics of computer:

 Speed
 Storage
 Accuracy
 Diligence
 Versatility

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 Power of Remembering
 No Feeling

Areas of applications:
 Education
 Health and Medicine
 Science
 Business
 Recreation and Entertainment
 Government
 Defence
 Sports
 Banking

Hardware and Software are the two basic parts of a computer system.

Hardware: Hardware is any part of a computer system you can see or touch

Software: Software is a set of electronic instructions that tell a computer what to do. We cannot
see or touch software, but you can see and touch the packaging the software comes in.

Peripheral: peripheral is any piece of hardware attached to a computer, such as a printer, mouse
and CPU etc…

Block diagram of a computer:

The general block diagramof a computer is shown in fig.(1).The basic components of a

modern digital computer are: Input Device, Output Device, Central Processor Unit (CPU), mass
storage device and memory.

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Fig.1 Block diagram of a Computer

1. Input: Input is the raw information entered into a computer from the input devices. It is the
collection of letters, numbers, images etc.
2. Storage: The process of saving data and instructions permanently is known as storage. Data
has to be fed into the system before the actual processing starts. It is because the processing
speed of Central Processing Unit (CPU) is so fast that the data has to be provided to CPU with
the same speed. Therefore the data is first stored in the storage unit for faster access and
processing. This storage unit or the primary storage of the computer system is designed to do the
above functionality. It provides space for storing data and instructions.
The storage unit performs the following major functions:
• All data and instructions are stored here before and after processing.
• Intermediate results of processing are also stored here.
3. Processing: The task of performing operations like arithmetic and logical operations is called
processing. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) takes data and instructions from the storage unit
and makes all sorts of calculations based on the instructions given and the type of data provided.
It is then sent back to the storage unit.
4. Output: Output is the processed data given by computer after data processing. Output is also
called as Result. We can save these results in the storage devices for the future use.
5. Control: The manner how instructions are executed and the above operations are performed.
Controlling of all operations like input, processing and output are performed by control unit. It
takes care of step by step processing of all operations inside the computer.

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Introduction to several parts of a computer:

In this section e will learn and know about the parts of a computer like keyboard, mouse,
CPU etc..
Monitor:This is the TV-type screen on which you see the work you’re doing on your computer.
Keyboard:The keyboard is an input device used to type the information in the form of a number
or characters and also operate the computer with the keyboard.
Mouse:A computer mouse is an input device that is most often used with a personal computer.
Moving a mouse along a flat surface can move the on-screen cursor to different items on the
screen. Items can be moved or selected by pressing the mouse buttons (called clicking).
CPU:A central processing unit (CPU) is the electronic circuitry within a computer that carries
out the instructions of a computer program by performing the basic arithmetic, logical, control
and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions.
Printer:A printer is an external hardware device responsible for taking computer data and
generating a hard copy of that data. Printers are one of the most used peripherals on computers
and are commonly used to print text, images, and photos.
Scanner: A scanner is a device that captures images from photographic prints, posters,
magazine pages, and similar sources for computer editing and display. Scannerscome in hand-
held, feed-in, and flatbed types and for scanning black-and-white only, or color.
Speakers:A speaker is a term used to describe the user who is giving vocal commands to a
software program. A hardware device connected to a computer's sound card that outputs sound
generated by the computer.
Joystick:a joystick is a cursor control device used in computer games and assistive technology.

Internal parts of a Computer:

Keyboard: Most keyboards have a very similar layout. The most widely used layout in the
English language is called QWERTY, named after the sequence of the first six letters from the
top left. The keyboard has different types of keys those are number keys, character keys, function
keys, cursor keys, symbol keys and special keys etc...

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Number keys from 0 to 9, character keys from A to Z, cursor keys are up, down, left and
right, symbol keys(/ , . “ ‘ : ; ? * - + ` ~ = etc..)and special keys are tab, space bar, shift, back
space, enter, ctrl, alt, windows key, pgup, pgdn, end, home, del, esc,caps lock and num lock etc..

Fig.2. Keyboard

Mother board:The motherboard is a printed circuit board that is the foundation of a computer,
located on the back side or at the bottom of the computer chassis. It allocates power and allows
communication to the CPU, RAM, and all other computer hardware components.

Fig.3 Mother Board

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Hard Disk Drive(HDD):A hard disk drive is a storage device and is a non-volatile
memory hardware device that permanently stores and retrieves data on a computer. A hard drive
consists of one or more platters to which data is written using a magnetic head, all inside of an
air-sealed casing. Internal hard disks reside in a drive bay, connect to the motherboard using
an ATA, SCSI, or SATA cable, and are powered by a connection to the PSU (power supply
unit).

Fig.4. Hard disk drive

Floppy disk drive: A floppy disk, also called a floppy, diskette or just disk, is a type of disk
storage composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular
plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles. Floppy disks are read and written by
a floppy disk drive (FDD).

Fig.5. Floppy disk drive

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RAM: RAM (pronounced ramm) is an acronym for random access memory, a type of
computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, and any byte of memory can be
accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type o
ofmemory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.

Fig.6. RAM

Heat sink/Cool fan:A heat sink is a passive cooling system that cools a component by
dissipating heat.

 Thermal Compound: CPUs and GPUs generally have a thermal compound between them
and the heat sink. This may be called thermal grease, thermal gel, thermal paste, heat
sink paste, or many other things. This material is smeared on top of the CPU, and then
the heat sinkis pressed down on top. The thermal compound fills any air gaps between
the heat-producing component and the heat sink allowing more efficient transfer of heat.
 Fans: Fans force air to move, so the hot air is blown away from heat-generating
components and expelled from the desktop or laptop PC‘s case. Fans typically blow hot
air outward, but you could set up a system of fans to suck cool air inward on the front
and blow out air out the back.

Fig.6. Cooling fan

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 Water Cooling: Water cooling involves a pump that pumps water through tubes that
travel throughout your PC’s case. The cool water in the tubes absorb heat as it moves
through your case and then leaves your case, where a radiator radiates the heat outward.

What is the Specification?

The specification or ‘spec’ is a list of the key components that make up the computer. It
is provided by retailers to help buyers decide which PC, and which combination of features, they
need. When buying a PC, it is important to start by deciding what it is you want the PC to do.
This then informs what specification you actually need. When reviewing a computer
specification, the most important components to take account of are the processor, the amount of
RAM and the size of the hard drive as these are central to the overall capability of the system. If
it is planned to use specialised programs for students with special needs (e.g., scan/read
software), it is advisable to purchase a suitable specification computer to meet the system
requirements for these programs.

Stand Alone System:

ITEM Minimum Maximum

RAM 1GB 2GB
HARD DISK 80GB 320GB
Graphics
Card - 2GB
Processor 1.8GHz 2.2GHz
CD/DVD
RW CD/CD-RW CD/CD-RW/DVD/DVD+RW
Work Station System :

ITEM Minimum Maximum

RAM 4GB 8GB or higher
512GB or higher with
HARD DISK 320Gb - 7200rpm 7200rpm
Graphics
Card 2GB 4GB
Processor 2.2GHz 2.8GHz or higher
CD/DVD
RW CD/CD-RW CD/CD-RW/DVD/DVD+RW

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Conclusion:

Hence identified the internal parts of a computer, and its peripherals and
written specifications of Computer

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