An eBay Computer Purchase
Do you need computer training
What s the point for computer optimization
Extending the Life of Your Business or Personal Computer Printer
Top 10 things everyone must know about computer viruses
The Flexibility of Roll Top Computer Desks
How Computers Add A Logical Approach
Security necessities to prevent your computer from Spyware
YOUR PRIVACY EXPOSED Computer Forensics International uncovers secrets about recycled hard drives
Removing Spyware From Computers
Organization Tips How to Organise Your Computer Files
Computer Training or Would You Like Fries With That
Dirty Little Computer Viruses and How To Protect Yourself
Professional Help with Your Computer May Be Cheaper Than You Think
How To Take Good Care Of Your Computer Even If You Are A Clueless Newbie
|
Finally... An Understandable Introduction To Computers
When you mention the word "technology," most people think
about computers. Virtually every facet of our lives has some
computerized component. The appliances in our homes have
microprocessors built into them, as do our televisions. Even
our cars have a computer. However, the computer that
everyone thinks of first is typically the personal computer,
or PC.
It is a general-purpose tool, built around a microprocessor.
A PC has many different parts such as memories, a hard disk,
a modem, etc that work together. A PC is said to be "general
purpose" because you can do many different things with it
like: you can use it to type documents, send e-mail, browse
the Web and play games.
Let us look at the main components of a typical desktop
computer.
Central processing unit (CPU): The microprocessor "brain" of
the computer system is referred to as the central processing
unit. The CPU oversees everything that a computer does.
Memory: This fast storage area is for storing data and is
connected directly to the microprocessor. That's why it is
fast. There are various types of memory in a computer
system:
Random-access memory (RAM): Used to temporarily store
information that the computer is currently working with.
Read-only memory (ROM): It refers to computer memory chips,
containing permanent or semi-permanent data that does not
change.
Basic Input/Output: Required to establish the basic
communication when the system is turned on. It is directly
connected to the motherboard.
Caching: The storing of frequently used data in extremely
fast RAM that connects directly to the CPU.
Virtual memory: Used to temporarily store data and swap it
in and out of the RAM.
Motherboard: This is the main board in the computer that has
the processor, the RAM, the BIOS ROM, the timing and
control, the interrupt and direct memory access hardware and
the keyboard interface on it which are connected to it
through the secondary connection.
Soundcard: this device attaches to the motherboard with a
socket called PCI, which allows the computer to play CD's or
music files, or MP3 CD's. All soundcards have speakers and
connectors. The quality of sound depends upon the quality
of the card.
Hard drive: This is the main storage device of a computer.
It stores information including the OS that allows you to
access it all. Most common OS for PCs is Microsoft Windows.
And Apple computers use the Macintosh operating system.
Other drives: Most computers are also complete with floppy
disk and CD drives. These vary from system to system,
however all work in same way. They read information stored
on disks. These are necessary for maintaining and updating
the computer's software and operating system.
That's the components that create the average computer.
Although there are many different systems, and configura-
tions, it is difficult to imagine our lives without them.
About the Author
Roger A. Pendey is founder of All About Computers an excellent resource site dedicated to information about computers.
Roger A. Pendey
More Articles
Real Estate Records In The Computer Age - Mark Walters
It wasn't long ago that the records of real property title could
be found in a collection of huge, thousand page books residing
in the office of the county recorder. Now those same records are
all electronically stored in a computer database.
...
Free Computer Security Software - A Leaking Seal! - Msingathi Mnyengeza
There is nothing wrong with taking less than adequate measures
to prevent a bigger damage to anything you treasure if you have
financial or other constraints , as long as this is done
temporarily over a short time . Similar reasoning...
How Much Money would it cost you to regain the use of your computer after a serious virus infection? - Richard Rossbauer
It cost one of our friends a whole lot of money, much aggravation and lost time, lost records, and a major inconvenience to recover from the havoc caused by the worms and viruses that had infiltrated their computer over a period of many months. ...
Basic Computer Thermodynamics - Stephen Bucaro
That desk in front of you and everything else around you is made up of atoms. An atom consists of electrons orbiting around a nucleus. An atom is increadibly tiny. You could line up 10 million of them inside a millimeter. What if we could scale...
Expansion Slots, Cards, and Bays: Choosing the right computer case - Paul LoIocano
An expansion card in computing is a printed circuit board that can be inserted into an expansion slot of a computer motherboard to add additional functionality to a computer system.
One edge of the expansion card holds the contacts that fit...
Reviving Old Computer Games - Daniel Punch
Remember the good old days of gaming, when there were only 5 pixels in the protagonist and your imagination could turn them into a heroic figure of Schwarzenegger proportions? When the enemies and the heroes were distinguished by colour and you only...
Buying the Perfect Computer - The FIRST Time - Dan Preston
So you've finally decided it's time for a change. No matter what advice you follow that old work horse of a desktop computer you have has outlived its usefulness with slow loading applications and a continuous rise in operation noise.
...
The Newbie's Guide to Personal Computer Maintenance - Austin Culley
When you turn on your computer, does it act like it needs a coffee to wake up? When you surf around the Internet, are you bombarded with pop-up windows? Does your computer freeze up or turn off for no apparent reason? Before you decide to throw...
Laptop Computer Extras for the Mobile Traveler - John San Filippo
A laptop computer certainly provides you with an unprecedented level of freedom and mobility away from the office. However there are a few extras you might want to bring along on your laptop travels: Extra 1: portable printer If you travel a...
Make your own Computer Software - without Programming! - Gunter Gerdenitsch
With a new software technology the computer software, so far rather a specialty, is becoming an everyday commodity you can do yourself. And you SHOULD do it yourself: no one knows better what you want to get out of the computer than you! Software...
|