A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information or "data.

" It has the

ability to store, retrieve, and process data. You can use a computer to type documents,
send email, and surf the Internet. You can also use it to handle spreadsheets, accounting,
database management, presentations, games, and more.

Whether you realize it or not, computers play an important role in our lives. When you
withdraw cash from an ATM, scan groceries at the store, or use a calculator, you're using a
type of computer.

Computers Simplified

Inside a Computer -- Part of the Computer Motherboard. For beginning

computer users, the computer aisles at an electronics store can be quite a
mystery, not to mention overwhelming. However, computers really aren't that
mysterious. All types of computers consist of two basic parts – hardware and
software.

Hardware is any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the
computer monitor or keyboard. If you can touch it, it is hardware. Software is any
set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the
hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

Anything you buy for your computer can be classified as either hardware or
software. Once you learn more about these items, computers are actually very
straightforward.

The first electronic computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer
(ENIAC), was developed in 1946. It measured 18 feet by 80 feet and weighed 30
tons.
What are the Different Types of Computers?
There are many types of computers, but personal computers such as desktop
and laptop computers are probably the two type of computers that you think of
first.

Desktop Computers

Example Desktop Computer

Many people use desktop computers, or desktops as they are often referred to,
at work, home, school, or the library. They can be small, medium, or large in style,
and usually sit on a desk. The term desktop actually refers to the casing, or the
tower. Once you add a monitor, mouse, and a keyboard, you have what is
typically known as a desktop computer.

Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. In
addition to expandability, another benefit of desktop computers is the cost. If you
compare a desktop computer with 128 MB of RAM and a 2 GB hard drive to a
laptop with the same features, you will most likely find that the desktop computer
is priced lower.
The term desktop computer originated when the computer case was wide and
flat, and was designed specifically to fit on your desktop with the monitor on top.

Laptop Computers
Example Laptop Computer
The second type of computer that you may be familiar with is a laptop computer,
or laptops as they are often referred to. Laptops are battery or AC-powered
personal computers that can be easily carried and used in a variety of locations.
A quick glance at the size of a laptop and you might guess that it would be
difficult to expand or upgrade. While the desktop computer case is relatively
easy to open and access internal components, the small laptop case makes this
more difficult in comparison; however, the primary benefit of a laptop computer is
its small size and easy portability.
A laptop computer is sometimes called a notebook computer because of its
size.

Types of Personal Computers

iMac all-in-one computer Two popular types of personal computers are the IBM
compatible and Macintosh computers. The first personal computer was
produced by IBM in 1981 and was called the IBM PC. In 1984, Apple Computer
introduced the Macintosh, or Mac, and it became the first widely sold personal
computer with a graphical user interface or GUI (pronounced gooey). Although
both IBM and Apple computers are personal computers, the term PC came to
refer to IBM or IBM-compatible personal computers.

Apple now produces a Macintosh computer called the iMac, which is a desktop
computer that features an all-in-one design. This means all the internal
components are located behind the monitor, rather than in a tower case, which is
customary in desktop computers.
 While our training is intended for people who use PCs and the Windows operating
system, some of our information also applies to Macintosh computers.

Other Types of Computers

You may hear someone refer to a computer as a workstation or a server,
especially at work. You may wonder how these two items are different from
desktop computers.
Workstations are similar to desktop computers, but are more powerful and are
usually connected to a network. Servers are specialized computers that store and
deliver, or “serve up,” information to other computers on a network.
There are many different types of servers such as file servers, database
servers, and web servers. For example, employees at a company might store all
the business documents on a file server so that they can share files and access
then from any computer on the network. When you use your browser to click a
link, a web server delivers the page you requested on the Internet, the biggest
network in the world.

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. You
might be thinking, “OK, but what is software?” Software is any set of instructions that
performs some task on a computer. The operating system performs many essential tasks
for your computer.

It controls the memory needed for computer processes, manages disk space, controls
peripheral devices, and allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing
exactly how a computer works. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.

The Operating System's Job

Windows Operating System

Loading You've probably heard the phrase boot your computer, but do you know
what that means? Booting is the process that occurs when you press the power
button to turn your computer on. At the end of at process, the operating system
 loads.

From this point, the operating system begins to do its job of controlling the way in
which the computer functions. The operating system is responsible for
managing the computer's hardware and software resources.

Basically, the operating system serves as the boss, or manager, and makes sure
all the various parts of the computer get what they need.

Mac OS Loading When you

use your personal computer, you may work on a Word document, print an email,
and have your Internet browser open for web surfing, all at the same time. These
three programs need attention from the central processing unit (CPU) to do
whatever task that you, the user, are telling it to do.

These programs need memory and storage, and need to be able to send
messages to devices such as the mouse and the printer to accomplish these
tasks.

The operating system is responsible for handling these areas, as well as

processor and network management.

What Makes This Job So Difficult?

Let's say you went to your local electronics store and bought language software to
learn Spanish. How did the computer programmer who developed the software
know that it would work on your computer?

The operating system provides a consistent way for software applications to work
on various computers without needing to know specific details about each
computer's hardware. It doesn't matter that each computer may have a different
amount of memory or processor speed.

Types of Operating Systems

 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X,
and Linux Logos Operating systems usually come preloaded on the desktop and
laptop computers that you can buy today. Most people use the operating system
that comes with their computer, but it is possible to upgrade or even change
operating systems.

The three most common operating systems for personal computers are
Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, and Linux.

Start Menu on Windows GUI Each of these operating systems uses a graphical
user interface (GUI), which allows the user to interact with the computer. Instead
typing a command that tell the computer what to do, you can use graphical icons
and text on the GUI to instruct the computer to perform a task.

For example, if you want your computer to open the browser, Internet Explorer,
simply double-click the Internet Explorer icon on the desktop, or select it from the
Start menu.

Many users associate the operating system with the GUI because this is the
part of the operating system that the user interacts with on a daily basis.

Let's take a look at the graphical user interfaces of three popular operating
systems.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the operating system, Windows, in the mid-1980s. They have a
version of the operating system that is designed for the home user, and a
professional version, which is intended for businesses. The versions differ in the
depth of networking, security, and multimedia support.
Windows is a proprietary software, which means that Microsoft has placed
restrictions on how people can use or copy the software. Windows comes
preloaded on most of the PCs sold today, and can also be purchased separately
Various versions of the software are priced from $79 to $399 for home users.

Windows Vista Desktop

Microsoft has a big share of the operating system market. According to web
analyst Net Solutions, over 90% of computer users have one of the Windows
operating systems, such as Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or the
most recent Windows Vista, as of March 2008.
Windows Vista and Windows XP are often referred to as Vista and XP,
respectively.
Visit the Windows section of the Microsoft website to learn more about this
operating system.

Apple Mac OS
Mac OS is a line of operating systems created by Apple Inc. The Mac operating
system is proprietary software that comes preloaded on all new Macintosh
computers, or Macs. The most recent version of the operating system is called
Mac OS X (pronounced Mac O-S Ten). Like Microsoft, Apple offers a professional
version of the operating system that is intended for use on servers and a version
of the operating system that is developed for home users.
Mac OS X Desktop
According to web analyst Net Solutions, Mac OS users account for almost 7.5%
percent of the operating systems market as of March 2008. Although the
percentage of users is low, especially in comparison to Windows users, Mac
operating systems have seen a dramatic jump in growth in 2007. Mac computers
are sleek and modern looking, which has started to appeal to many home users.

Two of the common version names of Mac OS X are Leopard and Tiger.
To learn more about the Macintosh computers visit the Apple Inc. website, and
explore the Mac computers available, as well as the Support center for information
about the Mac OS.

Linux
Linux is an open source, or free, operating system. Unlike Windows and Mac
OS, Linux is not proprietary software and all the computer code that is part of
the operating system can be used and modified by any user. Linux was started in
the 1990s when Linus Torvalds, a person interested in creating a free operating
system, developed the Linux (pronounce lynn-ux) kernal, which is computer code
that is a central part of an operating system.
As an open source software, any individual or company can take the Linux kernal
and modify and add to it. Hundreds of companies and individuals have taken the
Linux kernal and added additional computer programs to create various versions
of the Linux operating system. These versions are known as distributions and
are available to download for free.
Ubuntu Desktop: A Version of Linux

Linux is extremely popular in businesses, especially for servers, because it is

adaptable. According to Net Application statistics, Linux represents under 1% of
the market share for home users, but it does offer an alternative to commercial
operating systems.
Despite being used in many businesses for servers, you do not have need to have
special programming skills to download and use Linux. In fact, if you want to try
Linux, you don't have to actually install it on your computer. Several versions of
the operating system can be downloaded and burned to a CD.
Two popular distributions of the software are Ubuntu and Red Hat. Ubuntu is
completely free and is available in a version geared specifically for home users.
Red Hat is a company that offers technical and training support for businesses
that use its version of the operating system, Red Hat Linux.
To learn more about Linux and how this open source software works, visit Linux
Online.

What are the Basic Parts of a Desktop Computer?

All of the basic parts of a desktop computer are considered hardware. The
computer case, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and power cord are considered
the basic parts. These items are the things you notice right away when you look at
a desktop computer.

Beyond these parts are the hardware items that are located inside the computer
case and the peripherals, which are optional pieces of hardware that make the
computer system more useful, or enable you to accomplish additional tasks. Let's
take a look at the basic hardware components, or the things required in order to
let you and the computer interact.
 Computer Case Computer Case

The computer case is the metal and plastic box that contains the main components of
the computer. It houses the motherboard, central processing unit (CPU), the power supply,
and more.

Computer cases come in different shapes and sizes. A desktop case lies flat on a desk,
and the monitor usually sits on top of it. A tower case is tall and sits next to the monitor or
on the floor. The front of the case usually has an on/off switch and two or more drives.
Most of the personal computers you can purchase today include tower cases,
rather than desktop cases; however, some computers are being made with all of
the internal components built into the monitor, which completely eliminates the
tower.

Computer with Two LCD Monitors Monitor

The monitor works with a video card, located inside the computer case, to
display images and text on the screen. The two main types are cathode ray tube
(CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors.

The CRT monitor is big, like a tube television, and takes up a lot of desk space;
however, it is the least expensive monitor option. The LCD monitor is thin and
saves energy, but costs more. Over the years you can expect to see fewer CRT
monitors as LCD monitors become the standard.
 Your monitor has an on/off button and control buttons that allow you to change
your monitor's display. Control buttons are either visible or located behind a small
panel. Additionally, some monitors have built-in speakers.

Power Cord
The power cord is the link between the power outlet and the power supply unit
in the computer casing. If the power cord is not plugged in, the computer will not
power on. It is a good idea to keep the power cord plugged into an Uninterruptable
Power Supply (UPS), which serves as a surge protector with its own temporary
power source.

Keyboard
The keyboard is a piece of hardware that resembles a typewriter keyboard. It is
one of the primary ways we communicate with the computer and enter data. There
are many different types of computer such as wired, wireless, ergonomic,
multimedia, and more. Although there may be differences in the location of some
keys or features, keyboards are very similar and allow you to accomplish
basically the same tasks. The images below show you three different types of
keyboards.

Standard Keyboard About the

Keyboard
 The main part of a computer keyboard has alpha-numeric (letter and
number) keys similar to a typewriter. However, the keyboard also features
keys that cause the computer to perform specific tasks.

 The Escape key, labeled Esc, allows you to stop a function or action. For
example, if your computer suddenly freezes up, you may be able to resume
by pressing Esc.

 The Function keys, along the top of the keyboard, are labeled F1, F2, up to
F12. These shortcut keys allow you to quickly complete a specific task within
certain programs. For example, F1 opens Help in Microsoft Office.
 Wireless Ergonomic Keyboard
 The Print Screen, Scroll Lock and Pause/Break keys are at the far right
end of the keyboard. The Print Screen key takes a "picture" of your screen
that you can edit or save using a graphics program.

 The Enter key carries out commands. For example, while on the Internet,
you can type in a website address, called a URL, and press Enter to go to the
site.

 The Control (Ctrl), Alternate (Alt), and Shift keys are designed to work with
other keys. For example, if you press Ctrl + S at the same time, you can save
a file.

 The Backspace key erases the character to the left of

the cursor.

iMac USB Keyboard

 To the right of the regular keys is the cursor control pad. At the bottom are
four arrow keys. Pressing any one of these keys moves the cursor in the
direction of the arrow.

Depending on the keyboard you are using, there are five to six keys above
the arrows including:
← The Delete key erases the character to the right the cursor.
← The Insert key switches between the insert mode and overtype mode.
The insert mode is the normal mode for word processing.
← The Home key moves the cursor to the left or beginning of the current
line.
← End moves the cursor to the right end of the current line.
← Page Up and Page down take you to the top or bottom of the screen.
 The Number pad, at the far right end of the keyboard, resembles a calculator
keypad. Similar to the curser keys, you can use the arrow keys on this
keypad to move the cursor.
 Mouse Mouse
The mouse is a peripheral that is known as a pointing device. It lets you point
to objects on the screen, click on them, and move them. Previously, it was
considered an optional device, but now all desktop computers will come with a
mouse.

There are two main types of mice -- optical and mechanical. The optical mouse
uses an electronic eye to detect movement and is easier to clean. The
mechanical mouse uses a rolling ball to detect movement and is more difficult to
clean; however, it is less expensive, so many computers come with a mechanical
mouse.
Another decision you have when choosing a mouse is wired versus wireless.
Wireless everything is popular right now, so it will be up to you to decide which
type will work best for you.
To properly use the mouse:
 Using your right hand, place your thumb on the desk or table top on the left
side of the mouse
 Your index (pointer) finger should rest on the left button of the mouse.
 Place your middle finger on the right button of the mouse.
 Your ring finger and little finger should rest on the right side of the mouse.
 The base of your wrist should rest on the mouse pad or desktop, for stability.
Left-handed computer users sometimes use their right hand to maneuver the
mouse. However, if you're left-handed and want to use your left hand, the mouse
buttons can be switched.
To Switch the Mouse Buttons for a Left-Handed User:
 Click Start.
 Choose Settings Control Panel.
 Double-click the Mouse icon in the Control Panel window.
 Click Left-handed.
 Click OK.
A trackball is similar to a mouse, but the ball that helps maneuver the cursor is on
top instead of underneath.
What are All the Buttons, Sockets, and Slots Used
For?
+Take a look at the front and back of your computer case and count the
number of buttons, sockets, and slots you see. Now, look at your monitor and
count any that appear there. You probably counted approximately 20.

Each computer is different, therefore the buttons, slots, and sockets will vary from
computer to computer; however, there are certain features you can expect to
find on most desktop computers. Being familiar with the names of each and how
they are commonly used will help you when the time comes for you to connect that
new printer, mouse, digital camera, or other device.

Front of Computer Case

Labeled Front of Computer Case
1. Power Button
The power button is used to power the computer on and off. Additionally,
you can use the power button on some computers to place the computer in
different energy-saving modes such as hibernate, sleep, and standby. It is a
good idea to read your manual to learn how these features work on your
computer.
2. CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory) Drive
A CD-ROM drive, also known as an optical drive, allows you to play a CD-
ROM , just like a CD player allows you to listen to music. With a CD-ROM
drive you can listen to music (if your computer is sound-enabled), view files,
and install software that is located on a CD.

A CD writer is a device that can be used in conjunction with a CD-ROM drive

and allows you to copy or burn information onto specific types of CDs called
CD-RW (Compact Disk ReWritable) and CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable)
discs.

3. DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read-Only Memory) Drive

A DVD-ROM drive, also known as an optical drive, reads DVD discs, all
types of CDs, and can display movies from digital video discs. DVDs can hold
more data than a CD, so they are a good storage option. A DVD burner is a
device that can be used in conjunction with a DVD-ROM and allows you to
copy information onto DVD discs. It is considered a type of storage.
 In many of the computers you can purchase today, the CD and DVD-ROM
and/or burners are combined.

4. USB Port
The Universal Serial Port typically appears on the back of the computer case,
but can sometimes be found on the front of the case, or hidden under a panel
on the front of the case.
5. Audio In/Audio Out Every computer has a bank of audio ports where you
can connect various devices, including speakers, microphones, headsets,
and more.

Back of Computer Case

On the back of the computer case are connection ports that are made to fit
specific devices. The arrangement of these vary from computer to computer, and
many companies have their own special connectors for the specific devices. Some
of the ports are color coded to match a color on the device, which will help you
determine which port is used with a particular device.

Sample Computer Case

Labeled Back View of Computer Case

 1. PS/2 Port
These ports are called PS/2 ports and are used for the mouse and
keyboard. Many people refer to them as the mouse port or the keyboard
port.
2. Ethernet Port
This port looks a lot like the modem or telephone port but it is actually wider.
You can use this port for networking and also connecting to the Internet.
Ethernet
3. Audio In/Audio Out
Every computer has a bank of audio ports where you can connect various
devices, including speakers, microphones, headsets, and more.Audio
4. VGA Port
Your monitor can is connected to this port.
5. USB Port
The Universal Serial Bus port is one of the newest ports, but is also one of
the most useful. These USB ports let you attach a variety of devices such as
mice, printers, keyboards, web cameras, USB/flash drives, and digital
cameras to your computer quickly. Almost every peripheral made comes in a
USB version, and installing the devices using USB ports is much easier
than connecting devices using parallel and serial ports. This is primarily
because USB ports do not require you to reboot your computer before you
can use the new device.
Now you try it! Practice connecting the cables with an interactive game.

Labeled Back View of Computer Case

 1. Parallel Port
The parallel port is one of the two original ports on the first personal
computer. It is commonly known as the printer port since this port is used to
connect your printer to your computer; however, with the rise in use of the
USB ports, you can expect to see a decrease in the use of this port.
Currently, a large number of parallel port printers are still manufactured and
used on older computers that don’t have USB support.
2. Serial Port
The serial port is the other original port on the first personal computer.
Serial ports can be used to plug in devices such as dial-up modems and other
devices. On recent computers, the serial port has been replaced by the
USB port. This is due to the fact that most peripherals use the USB drive.
3. Expansion Slots
These empty slots are where expansion cards are added to computers. For
example, if your computer did not come with a video card, you could
purchase one and insert it here.
4. FireWire Port
FireWire is actually the Apple brand name for the IEEE 1394 port, but the
term caught on and it this port is commonly referred to as the FireWire port. It
is the standard port used with digital video cameras and high-resolution
scanners. FireWire replaced the Parallel SCSI, but it is not on every
computer; however, you can buy an adapter card to add FireWire ports to
your computer. The labeled image does not include a FireWire port.

Peripherals You Can Use in Various Ports

Printer
 Printers: A printer is a peripheral that is used to print, or produce, a version
of what appears on the screen in a hardcopy format. There are many types
of printers available including ink-jet, laser-jet, and photo printers. Also,
combination printers that include scanners and copiers are increasing in
popularity.
 Scanners: A scanner allows you to copy an image or document and save
it in electronic form onto your computer. While you can purchase a hand-held
and flatbed scanners, you are more likely to purchase a scanner as an all-in-
one option that combines a scanner, printer, and copier into one product.
 Scanners vary in resolution, or sharpness, so when shopping for one, be
sure to compare the resolution of the products. A scanner is connected to the
computer via a parallel port, a USB port, or a SCSI connection. No matter
which connection is used, the images are stored on your PC's hard drive in a
digital format.

Headphones
 Speakers/Headphones: Speakers and headphones are output devices,
which means that they are devices that communicate information from the
computer to the user. They allow you to hear sound and music. Both
speakers and headphones connect to a computer; however, some computers
are designed with speakers built into the monitor.
 Microphones: A microphone is a type of input device, or a device that
receives information from a user. You connect the microphone to the
computer and use the computer to record sound or to communicate with
another computer user via the Internet. Many computers come with built-in
microphones.

Web Camera
 Web Cameras: Web cameras, or web cams, are devices that connect to a
computer and display a video image of whatever it is recording. This video
image can be transmitted over the Internet, allowing a user in another
location the ability to see the video in real-time. Web cameras are used often
in business for video conferences, and are also a great tool for families to use
to stay connected from different parts of the world.
  Joystick or Game Controller: A joystick is a lever used while playing a
computer game.
 Digital Cameras: A digital camera lets you capture a picture in digital
(computer-readable) form. You can transfer that image directly from the
camera to the computer. When you use a digital camera, you can also
preview your pictures before printing them. If you don't like what you see, you
can edit or delete them.

Personal Digital Assistant

 Personal Digital Assistant (PDA): A PDA is a handheld computer that can
have a variety of features including a calendar, Internet access, video
recording, word processing, email access, phone, media player, and more.
Most PDAs can be synchronized with a PC to allow up-to-date contact
information stored on software such as Microsoft Outlook, RSS feeds, or
other web updates.
 MP3 Players: An MP3 player is a portable device that stores, organizes,
and plays audio files. The player can read files that are recorded from a CD
using a computer, or downloaded from various sites via the Internet.

What is Inside a Desktop Computer?

Have you ever looked inside a computer case before? Or seen pictures of the
inside of one? The small parts look very complicated, but the inside of a computer
case really isn't that mysterious. This lesson will help you master some of the
basic terminology and understand a little about what goes on inside the four walls
of the computer casing.

A Look Inside a Desktop Computer

Let's explore the inside of a computer tower.
 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
CPU/Processor
The Central Processing Unit (CPU), also called a processor, is located inside the
computer case on the motherboard. It is often called the brain of the computer, or
the computer's engine. Its job is to carry out commands. Whenever you press a
key, click the mouse, or start an application, you're sending instructions to the
CPU.

The processor determines how fast a computer can execute instructions. A

processor's speed is measured in megahertz (MHZ), or millions of instructions per
second, and gigahertz (GHZ), or billions of instructions per second. So, the higher
the hertz, the faster the computer can process instructions. The power of the
processor is measured in bits. The more bits a processor can handle, the more
data it can handle, and therefore, the more powerful the processor.

CPU Socket
The CPU is generally a 2 inch ceramic square with a silicon chip located inside. The chip
usually about the size of a thumbnail.

The CPU fits into the CPU socket, which is covered by the heat sink, an object that absorbs
heat from the CPU.

There are many processor manufacturers for personal computers including Intel, Cyrix, VIA,
and AMD.
Many processor chip designers include funny or interesting hidden artwork, such
as images, phrases, initials, and logos on the chips. This artwork is only visible
when the chip is open and magnified, so it's really a joke among the chip
developers, rather than something intended for everyone to see.

A Look Inside a Desktop Computer (cont.)

 Random Access Memory
(RAM) RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is your system's short-term memory. Data is
temporarily stored here until you save your work to the hard disk. RAM is used by
the system to store data that is processed by a computer's CPU.

The computer's work takes place in RAM. This is where programs run when you
are using Word to create a letter, or Excel to produce a company spreadsheet.

This short-term memory disappears when the computer is turned off, so always
save your file before turning off the machine. When you save a file, you are saving
it to long-term storage that does not disappear when the computer is turned off.

RAM on motherboard
The more RAM you have, the more things your computer can do at the same
time, and the faster your computer performs certain tasks. RAM is measured in
megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).

To understand megabytes and gigabytes, you need to know about bits and bytes.
A bit is the smallest unit of data in computer processing. A byte is a group of eight
bits. A megabyte is about one million bytes. A gigabyte is 1,024 megabytes.

To put this into perspective, consider that a printed page of single-spaced text
contains about 3,000 characters. One MB holds about 400 pages of single-spaced
text.

Motherboard
The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds
the CPU (Central Processing Unit), memory, connectors for the hard drive and
optical drives, expansion cards to control the video and audio, as well as various
external ports and peripherals. The motherboard connects directly or indirectly to
every part of the computer.
 If you decide to open the computer case and take a look, be sure to touch a
grounded metal object to discharge any static buildup. Static electricity can be
transmitted through the computer circuits and ruin them.

A Look Inside a Computer (cont.)

Hard Disk Drive Hard Disk

Drive
The hard disk drive is the data center of the computer. All of your programs are
stored here. The hard disk drive is long-term storage where information is stored
permanently. When you use a word processing program, the computer loads the
instructions from long-term storage (your hard disk) into short-term memory.

Hard disk speed determines how fast your computer starts up and loads
programs. The hard disk is called the C drive on most computers.

Optical Disc Drive

An optical disc drive is a peripheral device that reads data stored on optical
discs. Some drives can only read from discs, but often drives are both readers and
burners. CD and DVD drives are common optical drives. From inside the
computer, optical drives look very similar to hard disk drives.

Expansion Slots Expansion

Card
An expansion card is a card which you can install to expand a computer's
capabilities. Expansion cards are inserted into expansion slots on the
motherboard. For example, your computer's video card is an expansion card
which plugs into the expansion slots.
 Video card
The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor. If you like playing
graphic-intense games on the computer, a good video card is important to you.
The main function of the video card is to generate and output images to the
computer screen. Better graphics card equals better performance when playing
games or working on a high resolution monitor.

Sound Card
The sound card, also called an audio card, is another type of expansion card. It
lets the computer play sounds through speakers. Some motherboards feature
integrated sound, and do not require a separate sound card..

A Look Inside a Desktop Computer (cont.)

Network Card Network card

The network card allows your computer to communicate over a network. With
the network card you can set up a home network with a few computers and
connect them by via Ethernet cords or wirelessly. Network cards used to be
expansion cards that plugged into the motherboard; however, most newer
computers have a network interface built into the motherboard.

Power Supply Unit Power

Supply Unit
The power supply unit in a computer converts the power from the wall outlet to
the type of power needed by the computer. It sends power through the cables to
the motherboard and other components.