LEARNING OUTCOME 1

PLAN AND PREPARE FOR TASKS TO BE TAKEN/ UNDERTAKEN

CONTENTS:
Reading and comprehension skills required to interpret work
instructions and to interpret basic user manuals
OH and S principles and responsibilities
Main types of computers and basic features of different operating
systems
Main parts of a computer
Storage devices and basic categories of memory
Relevant types of software
General security, privacy legislation and copyright

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
1. Requirements of tasks determined in accordance with the required output

2. Appropriate hardware and software selected according to task

assigned and required outcome
3. Task planned to ensure that OH and S guidelines and procedures

followed
4. Client-specific guidelines and procedures followed
5. Required data security guidelines applied in accordance with existing

procedures

REFERRENCES
 WWW.COUSEHERO.COM
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9gYVKPczRA
 http://www.depedbataan.com/resources/9/k_to_12_pc_hardware_servici
ng_learning_module.pdf
 INFORMATION SHEET 1.1
PLAN AND PREPARE FOR TASKS TO BE UNDERTAKEN

Computers have become a useful part of our everyday lives. The types of
computers we use at home or at work are referred to by varied names such as PCs,
microcomputers, workstations, laptops and desktops. These computers are most
popularly referred to as “personal computers” or PCs, the most common type of
computer in the world. Today, an average person uses computer-based assistance
several times each day and it becomes an integral part of our lives. So, it is very
important to be aware of and understand them.

As an aspiring computer technician, it is very important to know the

different components of a computer system. These are the hardware, software and
peopleware. Each component plays an important role, without each other computer
systems will not work properly.

1.1 Hardware

Hardware – is the physical, touchable, electronic and mechanical parts of a computer

system.

A. Major hardware components of a computer system

The following list represents a basic set of hardware found in most PCs.

System Unit- The main part of a microcomputer, sometimes called the

chassis. It includes the following parts:

Motherboard, Microprocessor Memory Chips, Buses, Ports, Expansion Slots

and Cards.
Figure 1 shows Tower Type System Unit
Figure 2. Modern Motherboard

2. Motherboard / Mainboard / System Board- The main circuit board of a

computer. It contains all the circuits and components that run the computer.
Figure 3. Examples of CPU (Intel Co computer. Duo and AMD
3. CPU (Central Processing Unit) - The processor is the main “brain” or “heart” of a
computer system. It performs all of the instructions and calculations that are needed and
manages the flow of information

4. Primary storage- (internal storage, main memory or memory) is the computer's

working storage space that holds data, instructions for processing and processed data
(information) waiting to be sent to secondary storage. Physically, primary storage is a
collection of RAM chips.
Two (2) Types of Memory
a. ROM – (Read Only Memory) ROM is non-volatile, meaning it holds data
even when the power is ON or OFF.

b. RAM – (Random Access Memory) RAM is volatile, meaning it holds data

only when the power is on. When the power is off, RAM's contents are lost.

Figure 4. Examples of RAM

Figure 5. Expansion Bus

5. Expansion Bus - A bus is a data pathway between several hardware components

inside or outside a computer. It does not only connect the parts of the CPU to each other,
but also links the CPU with other important hardware.

Figure 6: Adapter
 1. Adapters- Printed-circuit boards (also called interface cards) that enable the
computer to use a peripheral device for which it does not have the necessary
connections or circuit boards. They are often used to permit upgrading to a new
different hardware.

7. Power Supply Unit (PSU) - Installed in the back corner of the PC case, next to the
motherboard. It converts 120vac (standard house power) into DC voltages that are used
by other components in the PC.

Ports - External connecting sockets on the outside of the computer. This is a pathway
into and out of the computer. A port lets users plug in outside peripherals, such as
monitors, scanners and printers.

Table 1. The Ports and their function

 Types of Ports Function Illustration
Serial Port Intended for serial
type mouse and
older camera

Also called as printer

Parallel Port port. This is
only for old model
printer. It has 25
pins. It is a female
port.

VGA (Video Used to connect

Graphic monitors. It has 15

pins and it is a
female port.

Array) Port USB High speed serial

interface that is used
(Universal Serial
with almost all
Bus) devices. It is used to
connect latest model
printers, pen drives,
cell phones
etc. it has 4 pins.

PS/2 Port Simple, 6-pin, low-speed serial

connections commonly dedicated to
a keyboard and mouse.
AC Power Intended for power cord.
Port

S-Video Port S-Video connections are available

on certain source components and
video display devices, and offer a
higher level of video performance
over composite
video signals.

Audio Port Intended for plugging in the

speaker or headset.
LAN (Local A physical interface often used for
terminating twisted pair type
Area
cables used to connect computers
Networking onto a local-area
networks (LAN), especially
g) Port Ethernet RJ-45 connectors

E. Cables and Wires- A cable is most often two or more wires running side by
side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly, but can
also refer to a heavy strong rope.

Table 2. The Cables and Connectors

Illustration Function
These jacks are intended for the PS/2 port
specifically for PS/2 type of keyboard and
mouse.

This type of jack is intended for the audio and

microphone port.

S-video jack is obviously for S-Video port

This monitor jack is intended for the

VGA (Video Graphic Array) port

This USB (Universal Serial Bus) plug is intended

for USB port. Modern or new model of peripherals
like printer, camera, scanners and even other
portable computer attachments
used USB type of plugs.

This printer cable jack is intended for the

parallel port.
 RJ45 ("RJ" in RJ45 stands for "registered jack,"
since it is a standardized networking interface
and the "45" simply refers to the number of the
interface standard) is a type of connector
commonly used for Ethernet networking.

AC Power cord is the most important cord

because it connects the computer to the main
source of electricity to make it functional.

1.2 Software

Software - is the set of instructions (also called a program) that guides the
hardware to operate effectively. Software can be split into two main types:

1. System Software – Any software required supporting the production or

execution of application programs, but which is not specific to any

particular application. Common operating systems include Windows, the
Macintosh OS, OS/2 and UNIX.

LINU
MAC X
1. Application Software – Designed to help the user to perform singular or
multiple related tasks. Examples of application software are as follows:

a. Word processing software - Creates, edits, saves, and prints documents.

Example: MS Word, WordPerfect, Ami Pro, MacWrite.

b. Spreadsheet software - An electronic spreadsheet consisting of rows and

columns is used to present and analyze data. Example: MS Excel, Lotus 123,
Quattro Pro.

c. Database management software - Used to structure a database, a large

collection of computer programs. Data is organized as fields and records for

easy retrieval. Example: MS Access, dBase, Fox Pro, Oracle.

d. Graphic software - Graphics programs display results of data manipulation for

easier analysis and presentation. Example: Macromedia Flash, Harvard

Graphics, 3D Studio Max, Adobe Photoshop

1.3 People ware

People ware - Refers to people involved in the data processing operations such
as the system administrator, office workers, students and others.
 SELF CHECK 1.1

Direction: Given the different cables, identify their functions as well asthe part of
computer system each one supports.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5. 6.

8.
7.

Give 2 Types of Memory

1. 2.