You are on page 1of 13

Practical # 01: Introduction to computers, parts of computers and

architecture of computer

Tools:A computer with motherboard, processor, heat sink, ports, storage devices and I/O devices.

1.1 What is Computer?


The computer is an electronic device, which is capable of receiving input, processing the data according
to the given setof instructions, producing output and also capable of storinghuge amount of data
permanently. Computer is so called anelectronic device because a computer is simply a machinewhich
operates on the electric signals. There are many typesof computers but the primary job of every
computer is toconvert raw data in to the useful information by applyingsome processing on the raw
data according to the given set ofinstructions. The computer receives the data from the user viainput
devices then it applies some processing on to it with thehelp of processing devices (processor) and
converts it into useful information then it shows thatoutput on the output devices (like monitor or
printer) and if requested it stores that processed data(information) on to any storage media (like hard
disk or floppy disk etc) permanently so that it can beaccessed by the user at any time. Computer is
basically a calculating device but the ability to storeand execute programs makes computers extremely
versatile and distinguishes them from calculators.

Computer helps us doing certain jobs in split seconds that the human even can’t think of it.
Thecomputers are becoming the fundamental part of every field like they are widely used in
industries,banks, insurance companies, universities, colleges, nuclear science, weather forecasting,
weapondesigning, car modeling, air crash investigation, Bio-medical sciences etc. because they
performspecific tasks very quickly, accurately and very fast. The computers that we see all around us
inschools, colleges, universities and offices are digital computer.

As there are many different types of computers therefore computers can’t be classified in one or
twocategories. Computer can be classified in many aspects as according to type of data they
canrepresent (i.e. Analog or Digital), according to the size, according to the data handling
capabilities,according to the hardware they contain, according to the software they can support and
many more.

Inside a computer
Have you ever looked inside a computer case, or seen pictures of the inside of one? The small parts may look
complicated, but the inside of a computer case isn't really all that mysterious. This lesson will help you master
some of the basic terminology and understand a bit more about what goes on inside a computer.
1.2 Parts of a computer system

Up to now we have seen that there are very largecomputers that consume a whole big room or even a

Complete house. These computers are used for specificpurposes for solving specific complex problems
like;super computer is used in weather forecasting thatpredicates the weather report or a
largemainframewhich is used in Air-lines to store the records ofschedules of the flights, information
about passengers’passports and visas. And we have also seen that thereare very small computers, which
can be easily fitted in toyour hand like PDAs and smart phone. So we come toknow that the computer
size can vary dramatically but no matter how large or small a computer is,every computer is a part of
system and a complete computer system consists of following four parts:

» Hardware

» Software

» Data and Information

» Operators (Users)

Hardware
Hardware is any that has a physical structure, such as case, storage drives, keyboards,
monitors, cables, speakers and printers. It also includes all of the computer's internal parts.

Software

Software is any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do and how to do it.
Includes the operating system and programs.
The operating system instructs the computer how to operate.
These operations may include identifying, accessing and processing information.

Hardware Components

Computer Case

The computer case serves mainly as a way to physically mount and


contain all of the actual components inside of a computer, like
the motherboard, hard drive, optical drive, floppy disk drive, etc.

There are only two types of computer cases: the desktop case
and the tower case. These classifications have their specific uses,
which will help you to identify which of these case types is best
suited for you.
Motherboards, computer cases, and power supplies all come in different sizes
called form factors. All three must be compatible to work properly together.

Many computer cases, especially ones made of metal, contain very sharp edges. Be
very careful when working with an open case to avoid serious cuts.

Why a Computer Case Is Important

There are several reasons why we use computer cases. One is for protection, which is
easy to assume because it's the most obvious. Dust, animals, toys, liquids, etc. can all
damage the internal parts of a computer if the hard shell of a computer case doesn't
enclose them and keep them away from the outside environment.

Do you always want to be looking at the disc drive, hard drive, motherboard, cables, power
supply, and everything else that makes up the computer? Probably not. Hand-in-hand with
protection, a computer case also doubles as a way to hide all those parts of the computer that
nobody really wants to see each time they look in that direction.

Keeping noisy computer parts, like the fans, in a closed space within the computer case is one
way to reduce the noise that they make.

A computer case, also known as a computer chassis, tower, system unit, CPU (when referring
to the case as a whole rather than the processor), or cabinet, is the enclosure that contains
most of the components of a computer (usually excluding the display, keyboard, and mouse).

Motherboard form factors:


 Determines general layout, size and feature placement on the motherboard.
 Form factors such as physical size, layout, shape, component placement, power supply
connectors etc.
 Various form factors of motherboards are AT, Baby AT, ATX, Mini-ATX, Micro-ATX, Flex ATX,
LPX and Mini LPX and NLX.

Motherboard
o The motherboard is the computer's main circuit board. It's a thin plate that holds the CPU,
memory, connectors for the hard drive and optical drives, expansion cards to control the
video and audio, and connections to your computer's ports (such as USB ports). The
motherboard connects directly or indirectly to every part of the computer. It contains the
buses, or electrical pathways. These buses allow
data to travel between the various components that
comprise a computer. Also known as system board,
backplane, or main board.
1.3 Essential computer hardware
The computer can contain several different types of
components that your fingers are not enough to count them.
Every component is responsible for performing a particular
task like; the input devices are used for inputting the data and
output devices shows the result. But every computer should
contain following four essential components:

» Processor

» Memory

» Input and Output Devices

» Storage Devices

1.3.1 Processor
The processor is like the brain of a computer system. It is responsible
for all the processing capabilities of a computer. It is usually referred as
CPU (Central Processing Unit), and 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 CPU is usually a two-inch ceramic square with a silicon


chip located inside. The chip is usually about the size of a thumbnail.
The CPU fits into the motherboard's CPU socket, which is covered by
the heat sink, an object that absorbs heat from the CPU.
The computer converts the raw data into the useful information by applying some processing operations
on the data and these processing operations are performed by this processor. Processor is a small chip
on which million of transistors are integrated on to it. The processor is inserted in a special socket or slot
on the motherboard. Today’s processors are also called microprocessors because they are very small
and can be even smaller than a nail of a human thumb.

It comes in different form factors, each style requiring a particular slot or socket on the motherboard.

Common CPU manufacturers include Intel and AMD

The speed of the processor is measured in mega hertz (MHZ) or giga hertz (GHZ). These microprocessors
are very fast and process the data in a split of a second. The very first processor was 4-bit Intel 4004,
released on November 15, 1971, developed by Federico Faggin and Marcian Hoff.
CPU socket or slot

It is the connector that is the interface between the motherboard and the processor.

PGA (pin grid array)- most CPU sockets and processors built today

ZIF (zero insertion force)- the amount of force needed to install the CPU.

Slot-based processors are cartridge-shaped and fit into a slot

that looks similar to an expansion slot.

Cooling Systems

Case Fan

It is installed in the computer case to make the cooling process more efficient.

A fan on top of the heat sink moves away the heat from the CPU.

Graphics Card Cooling System

Fans are dedicated to cooling the graphics-processing unit (GPU).

1.3.2 Memory
The term memory refers to the ability to remember. In term of computer the memory means the ability
of a device to store the data temporarily or permanently. There are several types of memory in a
personal computer but the two most important are RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read
Only Memory). Both the memories are used for distinct purposes and have their own importance.

1.3.2.1 Random Access Memory (RAM)


Random access memory as its name implies the data
can be read and written randomly. It is volatile
memory mean all the contents stored in this memory
will be lost if the computer is turned off or power
failure occur so it requires constant power supply and
you should store the data stored in a RAM on any
permanent storage media to avoid the data lost. As
you can read the data to or write from RAM
therefore the RAM is also known as read/write
memory. It contains the data which is to be
processed by the processor. Whenever the processor
required data for processing it checks the contents of the RAM. Whenever you launch a program it is
first stored in RAM so that it can perform fast.

Every personal computer contains at least one chip of RAM. The RAM directly affects the performance
of the whole system. It is common experience that more the RAM a computer contains faster it will
operate. You can add more RAM by replacing or plugging more RAM chips on your motherboard. The
amount of memory in a RAM is usually measured in megabytes (MB). The standard personal computer
can contain 128 MB of RAM some other models can contain 256 MB of RAM. The newest personal
computers can contain 512 or even 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM.

1.3.2.2 Read Only Memory (ROM)


It is non-volatile memory means the contents of this memory can be retained even when the power is
turned off. The data can only be read form this memory and cannot be written to it. It is small chip like a
RAM and a small battery called CMOS battery makes this chip alive even when the power is turned off.
This chip contains the instructions which are used to start-up the computer. These instructions are also
known as BIOS Utility. These instructions are executed every time when ever the computer is first
started and check the status of each device connected to the computer whether it is in working
condition or not. So as these instructions help to start-up the computer therefore these instructions
should not be lost therefore these are stored in ROM so that these instruction remain even when the
computer is turned off.

1.3.3 Input and output devices


The input devices are used to enter the data into thecomputer to instruct it to work accordingly. The
inputdevices are considered as the interface between the userand the computer. Through the input
devices the users cancommunicate and instruct the computer.

There are many types of input devices but the mostcommonly input devices used in a personal
computer arekeyboard and a mouse. The keyboard is used to enter the text and numbers, where as the
mouse is used to enter thedata which is used by the computer to set the cursor on thescreen. There are
also many other input devices which mayinclude the variants of mouse like, track ball and track pad; it
may include optical input devices like adigital pen also called a stylus; the devices that input still and
moving pictures which includes thedigital camera and web cam; the devices to control the movement of
the character in a computergame like, joystick or joy pad; the sound inputting devices like a microphone
and many many more.

The output devices are used to display the result of processed data. The computer produces theresult by
accepting the data from user via input devices and by performing some processingoperations on to it.
Now this result is very much meaningful to the users and their must be a deviceat which this result could
be displayed and this task is performed by the output devices.There are many types of output devices
but the most commonly used output devices in a personal.

1.3.4 Storage Devices


The term storage devices refer to the devices which store the data permanently. The computer
withprocessor, memory and input and output devices can perform well but to have a really functionable
computing device you should have storage devices. The computer contains some memory (RAM) in itbut
it can store the data temporarily and can be lost whenever you turn off your PC. If you have avery
important data that you do not want to loss at any cost and you are running with onlytemporary
memory then what you will do? You will have to find the place where you can store that data
permanently and only the storage devices can fulfill this need.

There are two types of storage devices:

1) Magnetic Storage Devices

2) Optical Storage Devices

1.3.4.1 Magnetic Storage Devices


The storage devices that use the magnetism to
store the data are known as magnetic storage
devices. These devices contain a flat round
magnetic disk which rotates at very high speed.
All the data is stored on this round disk. These
magnetic disks are housed in a casing to protect
them from dust particles and the casing which
holds this magnetic disk is known as disk drive.
These devices use a head known as read/write
head which reads the data from and writes the
data to the magnetic disk.

In some disk drive the magnetic disk is built


directly in to the drive and is not supposed to be
removed like the hard disk. Hard disk is considered as the primary storage area of a computer where
you can store huge amount of your useful data. But some disk drives offer removable disks i.e. you can
change and remove the older magnetic disk and insert a new fresh disk. Usually the floppy drives offer
this feature. The floppy drives read the floppy diskettes which you can remove and change when ever
you want. The advantage of hard disk over the floppy diskettes is that hard disk can store huge amount
of data than a floppy and has a long life time where as the floppy diskettes become expired after some
uses.

1.3.4.2 Optical Storage Devices


The devices that use the optical lens and the laser technology to read the data from and write the data
to an optical disc are known as optical storage devices. These devices emit the beam of lesser light on
the optical disc and with the help of the reflected light it reads the data from the disc. These optical
discs are known as compact discs (CDs) and are removable discs. This traditional CD can store 700 MB of
data or 80 minutes of audio. There are many types of optical storage devices like, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-
RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, Combo drive. But the most
commonly used is CD-Rom (Compact Disc-Read
Only Memory).

It is a rectangular plastic body contains a plastic tray


which pops out and sucks the disc into to t and with
the help of rotor it rotates the disc at very high
speed and with the help of lesser it reads the data
form the disc and send to the computer. CD-Rom drive can play only CDs and can not write the data
onto it as it is read only device. The other types like CD-R (Compact Disc Recordable) drive and CD-RW
(Compact Disc Rewriteable) drive can write the data on the disc. CD-R drive can record the data to the
disc only single time where as CD-RW drive can record and overwrite the data on the disc. The DVD
(Digital Versatile Disk) is the newest development in the optical storage devices. A single DVD can hold
4.7 GB to 17 GB of data and can store a full-length high quality movie using sophisticated compression
technology. The latest and the most popular optical device among the peoples is the Combo Drive,
which is the combination of all the optical storage devices as discussed above. It can play a CD.

1.4 computer architecture


Computer architecture refers to specification of the relationship between different hardware
components of a computer system. It may also refer to the practical art of defining the structure and
relationship of the subcomponents of a computer.The basic architecture of computer should be based
on the basic components that work together to execute computer's operation. Look the picture below
As you can see at the above picture, there are 4 main basic components that shape the basic
architecture of computer. Let we look the functions of them:

1. Input Devices: It is the computer hardware that produces data. The data had been produced will be
sent to the computer’s primary memory. Input devices usually used by end users. The simplest example
of input devices is your keyboard andmouse.

2. Memory: Memory in computer can be divided into 2 main types. There are primary
memory and secondary memory.

Primary Memory: It keeps data temporarily, so that it usually called the volatile memory. When I say
the primary memory is volatile memory, it means data which had been kept in this type of
memory disappeared when the computer is powered off. The example of primary memory is Random
Access Memory (RAM)

Secondary Memory: It keeps data permanently, so that it usually called non-volatile memory. When I
say the secondary memory is non-volatile memory, it means datawhich had been kept in this type of
memory not disappeared when thecomputer is powered off. The example of secondary memory in
computer ishard disk.

3. Processor: It is the “brain of computer” which plays the most important roles. The processor will
change the data produced by input devices into usable information.

In order to change data into usable information, the processor will perform continuous Fetch-Decode-
Execute (FDE) cycle. By performing this cycle, the processor will fetch the data from primary memory.
Then, the data will bedecoded and execute as usable information.

4. Output Devices: It is the computer hardware that displays the information to the end users. The types
of information that can be displayed by output devices are video, text, picture, animation, audio and
many more. The information displayed can be softcopy or hardcopy.

The example of output device is your monitor which can display information in softcopy. Another output
device is your printer which can display information in hardcopy.
Exercise
1. Name the following devices:

Device Name
https://www.lifewire.com/tour-inside-a-desktop-pc-2624588
2. Name the following ports:

You might also like