Computer ConceptsComputer Concepts

Windows XP NotesWindows XP Notes

Windows XP Operating SystemWindows XP Operating System Windows XPWindows XP is a GUI based operating system is a GUI based operating system

that performs every function necessary for you to that performs every function necessary for you to communicate with and use your computer.communicate with and use your computer.

Examples of Operating Systems:Examples of Operating Systems: VistaVista Windows XPWindows XP Windows 2000Windows 2000 Windows ME, NT, 98, 95, 3.0Windows ME, NT, 98, 95, 3.0 LinuxLinux MacMac UnixUnix

Starting Your ComputerStarting Your Computer

BootingBooting• Turn on(Goes through POST—power on Turn on(Goes through POST—power on

self test)self test)• Computer loads operating system (logo Computer loads operating system (logo

appears)appears)• Log onLog on

Log on to the network by using assigned Log on to the network by using assigned user name and passworduser name and password

DesktopDesktop

The desktop is designed to emulate The desktop is designed to emulate a a work areawork area (an electronic version of (an electronic version of your desk.) your desk.)

Items may be moved, opened, Items may be moved, opened, added, changed at your house, but added, changed at your house, but please do not change the machines please do not change the machines here.here.

My Computer

My computer lets you view your My computer lets you view your computers contents—your drives and your computers contents—your drives and your files and allows you to organize your filesfiles and allows you to organize your files

Programs, Applications, or Software

•tools used to accomplish tasks.

Start ButtonStart Button—starts programs, helps —starts programs, helps find files and accesses help.find files and accesses help.

Recycle BinRecycle Bin—a place that holds —a place that holds deleted files until they are emptied.deleted files until they are emptied.

Mozilla Firefox or Internet Mozilla Firefox or Internet ExplorerExplorer—the browser that connects —the browser that connects you to the Internetyou to the Internet

WindowsWindows—rectangular frames usually —rectangular frames usually with a blue bar across the topwith a blue bar across the top

Title barTitle bar—usually dark blue which —usually dark blue which identifies the program and filename identifies the program and filename of an open documentof an open document

MaximizeMaximize—enlarges window—enlarges window

MinimizeMinimize—makes window inactive—makes window inactive

RestoreRestore – expands or shrinks but is – expands or shrinks but is still active and visiblestill active and visible

CloseClose—closes window —closes window

(red box with white X closes program)(red box with white X closes program)

(blue box with black X closes file)(blue box with black X closes file)

Computer CategoriesComputer Categories

Computer CategoriesComputer Categories

ComputerComputer——

an electronic device that an electronic device that assembles (input), stores, assembles (input), stores, processes, and distributes processes, and distributes (output) information(output) information

5 Categories of Computer 5 Categories of Computer SystemsSystems

SupercomputersSupercomputers

--performs trillions of calculations --performs trillions of calculations per secondper second

--Uses: Research, science (weather --Uses: Research, science (weather forecasting)forecasting)

--Cost: up to $100 million--Cost: up to $100 million

Mainframe ComputersMainframe Computers

--handles 1000’s of users --handles 1000’s of users simultaneouslysimultaneously

--Uses: large corporations, --Uses: large corporations, government, car rental co linked government, car rental co linked worldwideworldwide

--Cost: Hundreds of thousands, even --Cost: Hundreds of thousands, even millionsmillions

MinicomputersMinicomputers

--100’s of users simultaneously--100’s of users simultaneously

--Uses: schools, small to medium --Uses: schools, small to medium businesses or organizationsbusinesses or organizations

--Cost: less than $100,000--Cost: less than $100,000

*Decreasing in popularity because of*Decreasing in popularity because of

powerful pc’spowerful pc’s

Professional WorkstationProfessional Workstation

--powerful and fast--powerful and fast

--Uses: scientists, graphic designers, --Uses: scientists, graphic designers, architects, financial analystsarchitects, financial analysts

--Cost: less than $5000--Cost: less than $5000

*Need may decrease as pc’s grow *Need may decrease as pc’s grow moremore

powerfulpowerful

PC’s Personal ComputersPC’s Personal Computers

--single user (family)--single user (family)

--Everyday people, families, students--Everyday people, families, students

--Cost: less than $1500--Cost: less than $1500

--PC (IBM and compatibles) and Apple--PC (IBM and compatibles) and Apple

Popular PC BusinessesPopular PC Businesses

IBMIBM

--from mainframe business to pc’s--from mainframe business to pc’s

--established reputation caused clones to --established reputation caused clones to become choice at home and officesbecome choice at home and offices

--began mass producing pc’s in 1981--began mass producing pc’s in 1981 AppleApple

--1--1stst Apple built in garage in 1976 by Steve Apple built in garage in 1976 by Steve Wozniak and Steve JobsWozniak and Steve Jobs

--began mass production soon after--began mass production soon after

Computer TrendsComputer Trends

CheaperCheaper More powerfulMore powerful FasterFaster Larger storage capacityLarger storage capacity Smaller sizeSmaller size

4 Functions of the Computer4 Functions of the Computer

Input—receives information from Input—receives information from useruser

Process—performs calculations, Process—performs calculations, organizes etcorganizes etc

Storage—saves information for later Storage—saves information for later useuse

Output—can see on monitor or Output—can see on monitor or printedprinted

2 Types of Memory2 Types of Memory RAMRAM

• Random access memoryRandom access memory• Temporary storage which is lost when Temporary storage which is lost when

computer is turned offcomputer is turned off• Size of RAM usually 1 to 4 GBSize of RAM usually 1 to 4 GB

ROMROM• Read only memoryRead only memory• Permanent storagePermanent storage

Speed and SizeSpeed and Size

GigahertzGigahertz—computer processor —computer processor speedspeed• 2.33 and up2.33 and up

GigabytesGigabytes—size of hard drive —size of hard drive

(1,000,000 bytes)(1,000,000 bytes)

(80 GB-1000 GB is standard) (80 GB-1000 GB is standard)

(1000 GB=1 TB or terabyte) (1000 GB=1 TB or terabyte)

Computer CareersComputer Careers

ProgrammerProgrammer Graphic DesignerGraphic Designer ArchitectArchitect MeteorologistMeteorologist ScientistScientist

HardwareHardware

HardwareHardware

All of the physical components of a computer system.

—all you touch, plug in, turn on, and view

— examples: printer, keyboard, monitor, system unit

PeripheralsPeripherals

Peripherals are hardware that you Peripherals are hardware that you attach to the computer (ex: attach to the computer (ex: keyboard)keyboard)

System UnitSystem Unit The case which holds the The case which holds the

motherboard, disk drives, power motherboard, disk drives, power supply, plug in boards, speakers.supply, plug in boards, speakers.

MotherboardMotherboard The motherboard is the main circuit The motherboard is the main circuit

board which has the CPU attached to board which has the CPU attached to it.it.

CPUCPU Central Processing Unit—performs all Central Processing Unit—performs all

calculations and instructions (the calculations and instructions (the brain)brain)

RAM and ROMRAM and ROM

Random Access Memory—temporaryRandom Access Memory—temporary

Read Only Memory--permanentRead Only Memory--permanent

Expansion SlotsExpansion Slots

•Adapters that allow additional Adapters that allow additional devices to be added to your system.devices to be added to your system.

Input DevicesInput DevicesMost input devices are external Most input devices are external

devices that allow information to be devices that allow information to be entered into the computerentered into the computer

• KeyboardKeyboard• MouseMouse• TrackballTrackball• TouchpadTouchpad• Touch screenTouch screen

Graphics tabletGraphics tablet ScannerScanner Digital cameraDigital camera MicrophoneMicrophone

Output DevicesOutput Devicesshow the results of show the results of

the computer’s processingthe computer’s processing

MonitorMonitor PrinterPrinter SpeakersSpeakers ProjectorsProjectors

ProcessingProcessing

Process—performs calculations, Process—performs calculations, organizes etcorganizes etc

Processors should be fast—2.33 Processors should be fast—2.33 Gigahertz is about average todayGigahertz is about average today

StorageStorageis where your software is where your software and data files are storedand data files are stored

Hard drive—80+GB is common sizeHard drive—80+GB is common size• Holds your software and data filesHolds your software and data files• Spinning platters (more than 1 in hard Spinning platters (more than 1 in hard

drive)drive)

Other StorageOther Storage Floppy disk—1.44 MBFloppy disk—1.44 MB Zip cartridge—100-250 MBZip cartridge—100-250 MB CD ROM--650 MBCD ROM--650 MB DVD ROM—17 GBDVD ROM—17 GB CD-R—recordable—700 MB (may or may not be CD-R—recordable—700 MB (may or may not be

able to edit data)able to edit data) CD-RW—rewritable—(record, delete, alter as CD-RW—rewritable—(record, delete, alter as

needed)needed) Flash drive (USB)—128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB, Flash drive (USB)—128MB, 256MB, 512MB, 1GB,

2GB etc.2GB etc. Blu-Ray—25-50 GB (type of DVD)Blu-Ray—25-50 GB (type of DVD) HD DVD—15-30 GBHD DVD—15-30 GB

SoftwareSoftware

SoftwareSoftware

Software is a program (or collection Software is a program (or collection of programs) that tells the computer of programs) that tells the computer how to operate its parts—input, how to operate its parts—input, output, process, store)output, process, store)

Three Types of SoftwareThree Types of Software• Systems softwareSystems software• Application softwareApplication software• Network softwareNetwork software

System SoftwareSystem Software

2 functions of operating system 2 functions of operating system software aresoftware are• Controls flow of data between computer Controls flow of data between computer

parts (pass data to and from memory parts (pass data to and from memory and peripherals, run programs, maintain and peripherals, run programs, maintain organization on your storage device, organization on your storage device, displays GUIs)displays GUIs)

• Provides a platform to run application Provides a platform to run application software software

Examples: MAC, Unix, Linux, Examples: MAC, Unix, Linux, Windows XP, 2000, 98, 95, etc.Windows XP, 2000, 98, 95, etc.

Utility ProgramsUtility Programs Part of system software that Part of system software that

performs housekeeping duties performs housekeeping duties behind the scenes:behind the scenes:• Helps maintain data integrity (security)Helps maintain data integrity (security)• Arranges for quick access (organize)Arranges for quick access (organize)• Compresses and stores data (efficient Compresses and stores data (efficient

use of storage area)use of storage area) Types: Types: clean up unneeded files, locates clean up unneeded files, locates

corrupted files, defrag by making sure all corrupted files, defrag by making sure all parts of a file are together, file parts of a file are together, file compression which reduces wasted space, compression which reduces wasted space, backup which stores to prevent data lossbackup which stores to prevent data loss

Other UtilitiesOther Utilities Accessibility Utility ProgramsAccessibility Utility Programs

• screen magnifier, screen reader, touch and screen magnifier, screen reader, touch and speech recognitionspeech recognition

Communication Utility ProgramsCommunication Utility Programs• remote control, home network setupremote control, home network setup

Entertainment Utility ProgramsEntertainment Utility Programs• Play, record, mix, audio and video files Play, record, mix, audio and video files

(QuickTime and RealPlayer)(QuickTime and RealPlayer) Security Utility ProgramsSecurity Utility Programs

• Antivirus, firewalls, data encryption, file wiping Antivirus, firewalls, data encryption, file wiping which writes over files ensuring old data is which writes over files ensuring old data is gone (finances)gone (finances)

WYSIWYGWYSIWYG

GUI—graphic user interfaceGUI—graphic user interface Mac used first, Windows followedMac used first, Windows followed

Application SoftwareApplication Software

Software that helps people use their Software that helps people use their computers to perform their work or computers to perform their work or play more effectivelyplay more effectively

ExamplesExamples• Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Outlook,

PowerPoint, Publisher, Corel Draw, PowerPoint, Publisher, Corel Draw, Internet ExplorerInternet Explorer

• Office Package is an integrated program Office Package is an integrated program which means it has more than one kind which means it has more than one kind of softwareof software

Network SoftwareNetwork Software

Network software is really an application Network software is really an application but it allows one computer to control all but it allows one computer to control all the data among the other computers the data among the other computers which are connected together in the which are connected together in the networknetwork

NIC-Network Interface Card (Ethernet card NIC-Network Interface Card (Ethernet card or wireless Ethernet card required)or wireless Ethernet card required)

Example: Novell, Windows Server 2003Example: Novell, Windows Server 2003