PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

Topic: Parts of a Computer and the Computer System

When I am done this lesson, I will know:

 The parts of a computer system

 The basic parts of a computer (hardware)
 Common peripheral devices used with computers
 How to turn a computer on and off

Pre and Post Self-Assessment

Pre Pre Post Post
Yes, I know this No, I want to Yes, I know this I still need more
learn this practice to learn
this
I know the parts
of a computer
system.
I know what the
basic parts of a
computer are.
I know some
common
peripheral
devices used
with computers.
I know how to
turn a computer
on and off.

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PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

New Words and Terms

Computer Case
Monitor
Keyboard
Processor
Mouse
Trackpad
Printer
Scanner
Speaker
Webcam
Microphone
Headset
Power button
Shut down

What is a computer system?

A computer system has three main parts:

 hardware,
 software, and
 people.
In this section you will learn more about the parts of the computer.

Parts of a computer

Hardware is the equipment. It is the physical parts. It includes the parts you can see
and some parts that you can’t see. Hardware includes the processor, memory,
R storage, communication ports and peripheral devices. Peripheral devices are
eview connected to the computer. Some examples are the display, the keyboard, a mouse,
speakers, or a printer. The processor is what makes the computer work. It is like the
“brains” of the computer.

The hardware includes many different parts.

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The monitor, processor, keyboard and mouse are the main parts of the computer you need to
know. Desktops and laptops have all of these parts. In a desktop the parts are separate
whereas in a laptop, most of the parts are combined into one device. You can add a mouse to a
laptop or use the trackpad which is part of the device. The processor, keyboard and trackpad
are all part of the bottom of the laptop.

Parts of a Computer (Hardware)

Computer Case
This is the cabinet that contains most of the
components of the computer. It is sometimes
called a tower. The Central Processing Unit or
CPU is in the case. The CPU is the “brains” of
the computer.

Monitor
This is the device that displays or shows you
the information from the computer. It is an
output device that displays information in
pictorial form.

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PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
Keyboard
This is the panel of keys that you use to
operate or tell the computer what to do. It
allows you to input information into the
computer.

Mouse
This is a hand-held or hand operated pointing
device that helps you input information into
a computer.

Other Peripheral Devices

A peripheral device is an input or output device that allows you to operate a computer. The
monitor, keyboard and mouse are all peripheral devices. Other peripheral devices are
described below.

Printer
A printer takes information generated by a
computer (graphics and text) and transfers it
on to paper. There are many different types
of printers.

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PARTS OF A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER SYSTEM
Scanner
A scanner can take a picture of a physical
item (e.g. a piece of paper with words and
pictures on it) and change it into a digital
format so it can be stored or used on a
computer. Many printers have scanners built
into them.

Speakers
Speakers produce sound generated when the
computer is being used. Most computers
have built in speakers.

Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that inputs to a
computer connected to the Internet. It allows
other users to see you when you are
connected. Most laptops have webcams-built
in.

Microphone
A microphone allows you to speak to the
computer and transmit your voice or sounds
over the Internet or record them. Most
laptops have a microphone-built in.

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Headset
A headset is a set of headphones that usually
also has a microphone built in. It allows you
to connect to a computer and speak and
listen while keeping your hands free to type
or use the mouse.

Watch this to learn more about the parts of a https://edu.gcfglobal.org/

desktop computer. en/computerbasics/basic-
Source: GCFGlobal.org parts-of-a-computer/1/

Watch this to learn more about a laptop computer. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/

Source: GCFGlobal.org en/computerbasics/laptop-
computers/1/

Turning the Computer On

If you are using a desktop computer, you need to turn on the processor and the monitor using
the power buttons. If you are using a laptop computer, it will only have one power button.
Power buttons come in all shapes and sizes. They will be in different locations on different
devices. However, a power button on computer will have this symbol on it.

Power button symbol

Other examples of what a power button might look like:

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For users who are blind or have extremely low vision, a bump dot can make power buttons
more accessible.
How can I tell if the computer is on? The button will usually be lit up and will turn white, green
or blue if it is on. You can also tell if a computer is on by listening for activity from the
processor, fans, or drives working. If you can not hear anything, try feeling for vents for fans, as
they’re usually moving air.

“Waking” the computer up

Computers are often set to go to “sleep” if no one is using them for a period of time to help
conserve energy. Requiring you to logon is a safety feature for computers. When they go to
sleep, they usually log off. Moving the mouse around a bit or touching the trackpad may
“wake” the computer up. Sometimes you need to push the power button once to wake the
computer up.

Turning the computer off

You do not use the power button to turn off the computer. You turn off the computer by
clicking on the Start Button on the lower left had corner of the computer.

After you click on the Start Button:

 Click on POWER
 Click on SHUT DOWN

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Screen reader users can access the power options from the start menu, or do the following. Press the
Windows Key + M or D to go to the desktop, press Alt + F4 to bring up shutdown options, and use the
arrow keys to move through the options, followed by enter to activate the focused option.

Try this/Practice

 Turn on the computer.

 Turn off the computer.

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Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework Connection

Competency Task Groups(s)
Find and Use Information  Read Continuous Text
 Interpret Documents
 Extract Information from films, broadcasts and
presentations
Communicate Ideas and  Interact with Others
Information  Complete and Create Documents
Use Digital Technology  n/a

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