Parts & Functions of a Computer

2

Functions of a Computer

3

Binary Communication Between Hardware and Software

4

PC Hardware Components

• Outside computer case: input/output devices

• Inside the case: processing and storage– CPU – most important component

• Requirements of a hardware device– Method for CPU to communicate with it

– Software to instruct and control it

– Electricity to power it

5

Hardware Used for Input and Output

• Connects to computer case by ports (eg, serial, parallel, USB, game, keyboard, mouse)

• Popular input devices:– Keyboard– Mouse

• Popular output devices:– Monitor– Printer

6

PortsPhysical Interface between a computer and another computers or devices

7

Input Devices

8

Output Devices

9

Hardware Inside the Case

10

Motherboard Components

• Processing– CPU (most important)– Chip set

• Temporary storage– RAM– Cache memory

• Electrical system– Power supply connections

• Communication with other devices– Traces– Expansion slots– System clock

• Programming/setup data– Flash ROM– CMOS setup chip

11

The Motherboard

12

The Motherboard (continued)

13

The CPU

14

The Chip Set

• Controls most activities on the motherboard

• Includes several device controllers

– USB controller

– Memory controller

– IDE controller

15

The Chip Set (continued)

16

Storage Devices

• Temporary (primary storage, or memory)

– Temporarily holds data and instructions while processing them

– Faster to access than permanent storage

• Permanent (secondary storage)

– Data and instructions must be copied into

primary storage (RAM) for processing

17

Primary and Secondary Storage

18

Primary Storage Devices

• Memory, or RAM, located on motherboard and other circuit boards

– Volatile versus nonvolatile (or ROM) memory

• Types of boards that hold memory chips

– SIMMs

– DIMMs

– RIMMs

19

RAM Chips

20

Types of RAM Modules

21

Secondary Storage Devices

• Hard drives

• CD-ROM drives

• DVD drives

• Zip drives

• Floppy drives

22

Hard Drive

23

EIDE Technology

• Used by most hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD drives

• Can accommodate up to four EIDE devices on one system

24

IDE Connectors on a Motherboard

25

IDE Connectors on a Motherboard (continued)

26

IDE Connectors on a Motherboard

27

Hard Drive’s Power Supply

28

Floppy Drive Connection

29

Floppy Drive Connection (continued)

30

CD-ROM Drive Connection

31

Motherboard Components Used for Communication Among Devices

• The data bus

– bus is a subsystem that transfers data between computer components inside a computer or between computers

32

Data Bus

33

System ClockClosely related to system time is process time, which is a count of the total CPU time consumed by an executing process.

34

Clock Speed

• Of motherboard

– Measured in megahertz (MHz)

• Of CPU

– Measured in gigahertz (GHz)

35

Expansion Slots

36

Types of Expansion Slots

37

Interface (Expansion) Cards

38

Interface (Expansion) Cards (continued)

39

The Electrical System

• Power supply

– Most important component of computer’s electrical system

– Converts/reduces electricity to voltage the computer can handle

– Runs a fan directly from electrical output voltage to cool inside of computer case

40

The Electrical System (continued)

41

The Electrical System (continued)

42

Instructions Stored on the Motherboard

• ROM BIOS (most are flash ROM)

– System BIOS

– Startup BIOS

– CMOS setup

43

ROM BIOS Chip

44

Motherboard Configuration Settings

• CMOS chip

– Stores setup (configuration) information

– Powered by a battery on motherboard when power is off

45

Summary

• Introduction to hardware components of a computer system

• Initial insight into how hardware works