Unit -1: Computer Organization

Syllabus:
Fundamentals of Computer and its Characteristics
• Introduction to Fundamentals of Computer and its use
• Characteristics of computer
• Components of computer
• Block diagram of computer
• Processes of task execution
• Steps of process execution
• Function of various components of computer and CPU
Understand the components of computer
• Identify various components of computer
• Appreciate function and use of I/O devices
• Learn about various storage devices used in computer
• Various memory units of storage
Understand Operating System
• Introduction to Operating System and its need
• Functions of operating system
• Types of operating system
• Difference between various operating systems
Troubleshooting in Computer System
• Common troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting Hardware Problem
• Troubleshooting software problems
• Troubleshooting networking problems
• Learn about problems in network fly lead, network card
Understand the importance of Utilities
• Disk Space management
• Disk Cleanup
• Managing Recycle Bin
• learning about disk defragmentation
• learn to remove unused programs
• learn to disable unused program services
• restart the system
• learn to use command prompt to search for a file.
Session 1: Fundamentals of Computer:
Computer: Computer is an electronic device that takes raw data as input from the
user, processes these data and gives the result (output).
All the components of a computer system can be summarized with the simple
equations.
COMPUTER SYSTEM = HARDWARE + SOFTWARE+ USER
Hardware: Physical components of computer which can be seen and touched. For
example-: Keyboard, Monitor, Mouse etc.
Software: Set of programs which performs specific tasks such as Word Processor,
Spreadsheet, Presentation software etc.

USER: Person, who operates computer.

Facts about Computer:

• Computer understand only machine language (Binary language) that is made

up of 0 and 1.
• Instructions are given to the computers using various high-level languages
like C, C++, Java, JavaScript, Python etc.
• High-level languages are converted into binary language with the help of
translators.
Characteristics of a Computer:

• Speed – means processing speed of computers is million billion times faster

than human being. The typical high-speed computer has a 3–4 mips (million
instructions per second) processing speed.
• Versatility – means computers can perform variety of tasks at a time. For
example, while downloading movies, playing music, and creating word
documents.
• Accuracy – means it always produce correct result unless until wrong data is
fed. If wrong data is given then only produces wrong result. This is termed as
GIGO in computer terminology (Garbage In Garbage Out).
• Diligence – means it can work continuously for longer period of time without
tiredness and boredom.
• Memory – means it can store data for processing.
• Storage – means computer can hold a vast amount of data and information
for future use.
• Intelligence – means now computers are intelligent and can perform like
human being without human intervention.
Components of a Computer
Input Device
The data or instructions given by the user to the machine are termed as Input. Input
is given through the input devices such as keyboard and mouse.
Storage Device
There are basically two types of computer storage devices:
Memory Unit (MU)
The inputs received are stored in the computer memory, called random access
memory (RAM). Primary memory is directly connected to the CPU. It is also called
main memory, primary memory, or internal memory.
Primary memory is of two types:
RAM (Random Access Memory) –: It is a primary volatile memory i.e. its data gets lost
once the power supply is off.
RAM is of two types:
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)
DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)–

• DRAM is used in main memory and is less expensive.

• It is slower and consumes less power than SRAM
• It has a greater capacity for data storage.
SRAM (Static Random Access Memory)

• SRAM is used in cache memory and is more expensive.

• It is faster and consumes more power than DRAM
• It has a lesser capacity for data storage.
Secondary Storage
Secondary storage is permanent storage i.e. it can retain data for longer period
unless until it is deleted. Examples of secondary storage are Magnetic Tapes, Hard
Disk, Compact Disc (CD), Digital Video Disc (DVD) and portable hard drives.
Cache Memory
• Cache memory is an extremely fast memory that acts as a buffer
between RAM and the CPU.
• Cache Memory holds frequently requested data and instructions so that they
are immediately available to the CPU. Thus, it speeds up the CPU.

Control Unit (CU)

The function of the control unit is to get the information from the RAM (primary
memory) and process the data. It also controls the input/output device and the
system’s memory.
Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):
The function of ALU is to perform arithmetical and logical operations and transfer
the processed data back to the storage.

Output Device:
Its function is to convert the processed data in human readable form and provide
the result to the output devices.
Various output devices are: Monitor, Printer, Plotter and Speaker.

Block Diagram of Computer

Process of task execution:

Every task given to a computer follows an Input- Process- Output Cycle (IPO cycle).
The input unit takes the input, the central processing unit does the processing of
data and the output unit produces the output. The memory unit holds the data and
instructions during the processing.

Session 2: Understand the Components of Computer

Motherboard
A motherboard is the main circuit board in a computer. It contains various
components and connects various ports, cards, the CPU, RAM, connectors for
optical and hard drives, cards for controlling visual and audio (such as USB ports).
Every part of the computer can be connected to it.

Input Devices
Input devices take input from the user in the form of text, image, audio & video etc.
and coverts it in machine language.

Examples of Input Devices are:

• Keyboard: this is a standard input device and takes data in the form of text.
• Mouse: it is a pointing input device and used for giving commands.
• Scanner: it generally converts hardcopy data in graphical form
• Trackball: it is used to control the movement of cursor
• Magnetic Ink Card Reader (MICR): it is used for bank cheques.
• Touchpad: it is used to control the cursor and perform other actions.
 • Touch Panel: It lets users interact with a computer by touching the screen
directly.
• Joystick: it is used for playing games
• Barcode Reader: it scans information from thick & thin bars and display on
monitor. It is known as fastest input device.
• Webcam: it takes data in the form of video/image
• Optical Character Reader (OCR): it is used for reading hand written or typed
papers
• Optical Mark Reader (OMR): It is used for reading darken circles
• Microphone: it is used for voice / audio input
• Light Pen: it is used for directly draw / write something on screen

Output Devices
Output devices are used to give output to the user. Output may be in the form of
visuals, text, audio, printout etc.
Examples of output Devices are:
• Monitor or VDU (Visual Display Unit): - it displays text and graphical output
in the form of softcopy.
• Speaker: - it is a device to produce the sound played by a computer.
• Headphone: it is a device to listen audio
• Printer: - it provides the output in the form of hard copy of data.
• Plotter: - It is used to print the large documents in variety of colours such as
banners/posters, maps etc.
• Projector: it is an output device that gives an enlarged view of the output on
a large screen
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
• CPU is located on motherboard. The main function of CPU is to process the
data and coordinate between all the devices. It is also known as the brain of
computer or processor.
• Processors are classified on their speed as dual-core, quad-core, octa-core
• Speed of processor is measured in
- Megahertz (MHz) – millions of instructions per second and
- Gigahertz (GHz) – billions of instructions per second

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

• The function of Power Supply Unit is to converts the Alternate Current (AC) to
a low-voltage Direct Current (DC) to operate the motherboard, processor
and other peripheral devices.

Random Access Memory (RAM):

• RAM stands for Random Access Memory or Read Write Memory.
• It stores the data that you are currently working with. It holds data temporarily
means it’s volatile in nature, meaning data get lost as soon as power is
switched off.
• More the RAM, more will be the speed of the execution.

ROM (Read Only Memory)

• ROM stands for Read Only Memory.
• It stores the instructions provided by the manufacturer known as BIOS (Basic
Input Output System).
• As soon as power is switched on BIOS is loaded in the RAM and POST (Power
on Self-Test) is performed to check whether all the devices are connected
properly or not. It
• It is also known as FIRMWARE
• It is non-volatile in nature means data is stored permanently and do not get
lost when power is off.

Hard Disk (HD):

• A hard disk is a magnetic secondary storage device that stores the data
permanently.
• A hard disk is also known as a hard drive or fixed disk.
• It stores and retrieves digital data using magnetic storage with one or more
rigid rapidly rotating platters coated with magnetic material.
• Storage capacity vary from GBs to TBs

Pen drive/Flash drives:

• Pen drive/Flash drives is a small, portable storage device that plugs into the
USB (Universal Serial Bus) port on your computer.
 • Commonly used for storage, data backup, and transferring files between
devices.
• These are also known as solid state memories because it does not have
moving parts like hard disk.

Optical Storage devices:

• The three most common types of optical storage devices are CD (Compact
Disk), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc, and Blu-ray disc. These
are called optical storage devices because data is written using laser beams.

CD (Compact Disk):
• It is an optical storage device. Storage capacity of CD is 700 MB data.
• Commonly used to store audio and video data.

DVD (Digital Video Disk)

• It is an optical storage device.
• It can store data on single side or on double side.
• Storage capacity of DVDs is 4.7 GB to 8.5 GB data.

Bule-ray Disk:
• It is also an optical storage device.
• Storage capacity of Blu-Rays disk is 25 GB data.
• Commonly used to store high definition (HD) videos.

Memory Hierarchy / Data Measuring Units:

• Every information in computer is stored in terms of bits

• Smallest unit of data is Byte
• The different units of data storage in computer are Bit, Byte, Kilobyte (KB),
Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB), Terabyte (TB), Petabyte (PB), Exabyte (EB),
Zettabyte (ZB), and Yottabyte (YB).

Full Form Units Equivalent bytes

1 bit Binay Digit 0 or 1 —
1 Nibble 4 bits
1 Byte 8 bits
1 Kilobyte (KB) 1024 bytes 210 bytes
1 Megabyte (MB) 1024 KB 220 bytes
1 Gigabytes (GB) 1024 MB 230 bytes
1 Terabyte (TB) 1024 GB 240 bytes
1 Petabyte (PB) 1024 TB 250 bytes
1 Exabyte (EB) 1024 PB 260 bytes
1 Zettabyte (ZB) 1024 EB 270 bytes
 1 Yottabyte (YB) 1024 ZB 280 bytes
1 Brontobyte (YB) 1024 YB 290 bytes
1 Geopbyte (YB) 1024 BB 2100 bytes

Session 3: Operating System

• Operating system is the software that acts as an interface between user and
computer hardware.
• It is needed to manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all
its software and hardware.
• Examples of some popular operating system are-
Windows, Linux, Unix, MS-DOS, SOLARIS, MAC OS

Functions of Operating System:

1. Memory Management
The operating system manages the allocation and deallocation of Primary
Memory to all processes.
2. File Management
It manages the organisation of files and folders such as creating, saving,
renaming, deleting, copying, moving, and sorting etc.
3. Process Management
It manages, controls, allocates time for all the processes being executed in
the computer.
4. Resource (Device) Management
It keeps track of all devices connected to the system. Decide which process
gets access to a certain device and for how long.
5. Communication Management
Manages the communication between peripheral devices or the internet

Types of Operating System

There are several types of Operating Systems based on task and uses

Based on Task performed

1. Single-Tasking OS:
The single-tasking operating system executes one task at a time.
2. Multi-Tasking OS:
Multi-tasking operating system executes more than one task at a time.
Based on User
1. Single-User OS
Single-user operating systems allow only one user to use the system at a time.
Example: Desktop, Laptop
2. Multi-User OS
Multi-user operating systems allow more the one user to use the system at a
time.
Example: Web server, Email Server, Banking Server etc.
Based on Processing
1. Real-time OS
Real-Time OS are used in environments where a large number of events are
to be processed in a short time or within certain deadlines.
Example: Airline traffic control systems
Heart pacemakers
Anti-aircraft missile system
2. Batch-Processing OS
In the Batch Processing OS, multiple jobs of similar types are converted into
a batch and sent to the CPU for execution. The jobs are picked up one by one
and executed.
Example: Payroll System,
Bank Statement that processes multiple transactions

Session 4: Troubleshooting and Utilities

Troubleshooting is the process of identifying and solving technical problems.

Common Troubleshooting Steps

As soon as the system is turned on, BIOS perform Power on Self-Test whether all
devices are connected properly connected and power on or not. Most systems will
produce a beep if any fault is detected.

Follow the steps for troubleshoot:

• Check the Cables connection
• Access the Help window by pressing the F1 to identify the problem
• Check the Error Messages and act accordingly

Troubleshooting Hardware Problems

Monitor Troubleshooting
If Monitor is not showing any Display/ Screen is Blank, follow the steps for
troubleshoot:
• Hit any key or click mouse if system is in Sleep Mode
• Check whether wire is connected properly or not
• Check the Laptop battery is charged or not

Keyboard Troubleshooting
If the keyboard is not responding, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Check the cable connection
• Check for any damage
• Check the batteries if wireless keyboard
• Check weather key is not stuck
Mouse Troubleshooting
In case the mouse is not working, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Check the cable connection
• Check for any damage
• If coddles moue then check the battery
• Clean the mouse if dust is there

Printer Troubleshooting
If Printer is Not Responding, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Check the cable connection and power on/off status
• Check the printer for empty paper tray
• Check the printer for paper jam
• Check the ink cartridge / toner of printer
• Check whether correct printer driver is installed or not

If Printer is Slow, follow the steps for troubleshoot:

• Change setting as low printing quality
• Set Fast Draft/Fast Printing mode

Sound Troubleshooting
If sound is not coming, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Check Speaker Volume setting
• Check Audio Player Controls
• Check the cables connections
• Check the Sound Using Headphones

Troubleshooting Software Problems

An Application is Running Slow

If an application is running slow, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Update the application
• Look for update in help menu
• Look application update online

An Application is Frozen
If an application is frozen, follow the steps for troubleshoot:
• Forcefully end the application by pressing CTRL+ALT+Delete
• Select Task Manager
• Right click on application and select End Task
• If you are unable to end task, forcefully restart by pressing power button

Utilities:
Utilities are the special programs which help users in system maintenance for
smooth functioning.
Examples of Utility software are-
• Antivirus.
 • Disk Management tools
• Compression tools
• Disk Cleanup tool.
• Disk Defragmenter
• Backup utility
• File Management System

Antivirus Utility:
• An antivirus is a utility program that detects, prevent and removes viruses
from computer system.
• Some examples of Antivirus are: McAfee, Bitdefender, Avast, Norton,
Kaspersky, etc.

Compression Utility
• Compression utility programs are used to compress large files to take less
storage area.
• These compressed files can be decompressed into its original form when
needed.
• Compression of files is known as zipping and decompression is called
unzipping.
• Some examples of compression utility are: WinZip, WinRAR, etc.

Disk defragmenter Utility:

• Disk Defragmenter is a utility program that rearranges files in contiguous location
on a computer hard disk thus increases hard disk space
• This enables the computer to work faster and more efficiently.

Disk Cleanup Utility:

• Disk Cleanup is a utility tool designed to remove unwanted files and folders
from the hard disk to free up the space.
• Disk Cleanup searches your disk and then shows you temporary files, Internet
cache files, and unnecessary program files that you can safely delete.
Backup Utility:
• Backup utility programs is used to create the copy of data stored in a disk or
CD on any other disk.

Importance of Utility Software:

Utility software programs are important as they help in-
• Improving the performance of computer
• Providing security from virus,
• Managing disk space
• Managing free disk space on hard Disk
• Managing backup etc.
Checking for Viruses
Malware such as virus, worm, trojan horse etc may slow down applications on your
system.
Steps for checking Viruses:
• Search for Antivirus installed on your system
• Run the virus scanner

Check Free Space on the Hard Drive

There should be at least 200-500 MB of free hard drive space for proper functioning
of the system.
Steps for checking free disk space:
• Open window explorer
• Right click on C:\ drive
• Select properties from pop-up menu

Managing Free Space on the Hard Disk

• Run Disc Cleanup Application
• Delete Unused Files and Programs
• Empty Your Recycle Bin
• Remove Temporary file and Internet browsing history
• Run Disk Defragmentation

Running Disk Clean Up Application

Steps for running Disc Cleanup:
• Search the disk cleanup using search box
• Select Disk Cleanup from the list of results.
• Under Files to delete dialog box, select the file you want to delete.
• Select OK.

Deleting Unused Files and Folders:

Delete unused files and programs which are no longer in use
Steps for deleting unused files:
• Browse (open the location)
• Select multiple files /folders
• Right click on selected files or folder and select delete.

Empty Your Recycle Bin

Recycle bin is a storage for deleted items which occupies hard disk space. Removing
files from recycle bin free up hard disk space.
Steps to Empty Recycle Bin:
• Right click on the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop
• Select Empty Recycle Bin
• Click on OK
Removing Temporary Internet files
When we access internet, system keeps on storing browsing history and some text
files called cookies, which occupies hard disk space.
Steps to delete browsing history / internet files:
In Windows 7 and old version:
• Search Control Panel and open it
• Select Network and Internet
• On the bottom left corner of this screen, click on the link Internet Options
• Select the General tab
• Under Browsing history click on Delete button

In Windows 10 and above version:

• Search Control Panel and open it
• Select Network and Internet
• Select Delete browsing history and cookies

Running Disk Defragmentation:

Steps to run Disk Defragment:
• Open Window Explorer
• Right click on C:\ drive
• Select properties from pop-up menu
• Click on tool tab
• Click on Defragment Now button

Troubleshooting Networking Problems

If you are unable to connect the net, follow the following steps to check networking
problem-
1. Check for Network Connectivity:
• Check the Network icon on the Task Bar (bottom right of the screen)
2. Check for the Validity of IP Address:
• In the Search box type CMD and press Enter
• Type IPCONFIG and press Enter
• The results should show the Connection-specific DNS Suffix, IP
Address, etc.
• If not connected, it will show Media State: Media disconnected.
3. Check the Network Fly lead (Network Cable).
• If it is faulty or damaged, replace it.
4. Check Network Card
• Check network card light. It must be flashing or lit up.
5. ping network card
• In the Search box type CMD and press Enter
• Type ping 127.0.0.1 and hit enter
• If you get a reply, the network card is working.