What I Need To Know?

Read Information Sheet No 1.1-4 and find out how much you can
remember. Do Task Sheet 1.1-4 to know how much you have learned.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
After reading this Information Sheet, you should be able to:
1. Classify of the hardware and software components of a computer with its
corresponding functions.
2. Determine the various computer components and peripherals
Basic Hardware Components of Computer System
A computer is an electronic machine, operating under the control of instructions
stored in its own memory, that can be programmed to accept data (input), process it into
useful information (output), and store it away in a secondary storage device (store) for
safekeeping or later reuse. The processing of input into output is directed by the software
but performed by the hardware. Figure below shows some common computer hardware
components.

Common Computer Hardware Components

 Computer system hardware components include devices that perform the
functions of input, processing, data storage; output and communication. The devices
responsible for these five areas are as follows:

Input devices. Input devices allow you to enter data or commands in a form that the
computer can use; they send the data or commands to the processing unit. Commonly-
used input devices include keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, digital camera, and
PC camera.
Output devices. Output devices show people the processed data--information --in
understandable and useful form. Four commonly used output devices are a printer, a
monitor, speakers, and a portable media player. Input/output devices are playing an
increasingly significant role in our lives. The number and variety of input/output devices
are expanding.
Processing devices. Processing devices are the computer electronic circuitry housed in
the system unit. The processor, formally known as the central processing unit (CPU), has
electronic circuitry that manipulates input data into the information people want. Computer
instructions are actually are executed in the central processing unit. Memory is a series
of electronic elements that temporarily holds data and program instructions while they are
being processed by the CPU. Both the processor and memory consist of chips. A chip is
an electronic device that contains many microscopic pathways designed to carry electrical
current.
Storage devices. Storage usually means secondary storage that can store data and
programs outside the computer itself. Storage devices hold data, information, and
programs permanently. Common storage devices include a hard disk, USB flash drives,
CDs, DVDs, and memory cards.
Communications devices. Communications devices provide connections between the
computer and communications networks, and enable computer users to communicate
and to exchange data, information, and programs with other computers. Communications
devices transmit these items over transmission media such as cables, telephone lines,
satellites, and cellular radio. A widely used communications device is a modem.
In summary, we communicate with computers through input/output devices. Input
devices translate our data and communications into a form that the computer can
understand. The computer then processes these data, and an output device translates
them back into a form we can understand. The central processing unit manipulates data
and controls the other parts of the computer system. Memory (primary storage)
temporarily stores data and program instructions during processing, while secondary
storage feeds data and instructions into the central processor and stores data for future
use.
The System Unit

The system unit is a box-like case that houses the processor,

memory and other electronic components of the computer that are
used to process data. All other computer system devices, such as the
monitor, keyboard, and mouse, are linked either directly or indirectly
into the system unit.

The central processing unit (CPU), also called processor,

interprets and carries out the basic instructions that operate a
computer. The CPU significantly impacts overall computing
power and manages most of a computer's operations . The
processor is the device that executes program instructions.

The memory device is a package that holds temporarily data

and program instructions during processing.

An expansion card is a circuit board that adds devices or

capabilities to the computer. Finally, devices outside the system
unit, such as a keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, or
microphone, are attached by a cable to a port or connector on
the system unit.

The motherboard, a single circuit board, provides the path

through which the processor communicates with memory
components, other components, and peripheral devices.

Memory and storage sizes

While performing a processing operation, a processor needs a place to temporarily

store instructions to be executed and the data to be used with those instructions. Memory
is also known as primary storage or internal storage. This role of memory to store both
data and programs is known as the stored program concept. The size of memory is
measured by the number of bytes available for use. A kilobyte of memory is equal to
exactly 1,024 bytes. To make storage definitions easier to identify, computer users often
round a kilobyte down to 1,000 bytes. A megabyte (MB) is equal to approximately 1
million bytes. A gigabyte (GB) equals approximately 1 billion bytes. A terabyte (TB) is
equal to approximately 1 trillion bytes.

The system unit contains two types of memory: volatile and nonvolatile. The
contents of volatile memory are lost when the computer power is turned off. In
nonvolatile memory, the combination of circuit states is fixed, and therefore the contents
of nonvolatile memory are not lost when power is removed from the computer.
Ports and Connectors

Serial port is a type of interface that

connects a device to the system unit by
transmitting data one bit at a time.

Parallel ports allow the parallel

transmission of data; that is, several bits are
transmitted simultaneously.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports are used

in high-speed device interfaces.

FireWire ports, also called IEEE 1394 port,

are similar to the USB port and can connect
multiple types of devices.

Power Supply
The power supply is the component of the system unit that
converts the wall outlet AC power into DC power. Different
motherboards and computers require different wattages on the
power supply
 TASK SHEET. 1.1-4

Title: Identify the Different Computer Components and Peripherals

Performance Objective In the tool shop, given the supplies, computer

components and peripherals, materials, and equipment, you are required to
identify the different computer components and peripherals and their specifications
in 15 Minutes.

Supplies/Materials: Paper and Pen

Equipment:

1. Computer
2. PPE

Steps/Procedure:

1. Proceed to the station (with PC Unit) assigned to you

2. Identify the different components and write the specifications of each
component on your paper.
3. Submit output to trainer for evaluation

Assessment Method: Practicum with interview