Study Guide PC Hardware & Operating System

Chapter 5
A computer is an electronic device that
operates under a set of instructions
accepts data that a user supplies
manipulates data according to a program
produces and stores the results
How Computers Work Computers are designed to accept programs and data (input), process
the data according to program instructions, and then output the processed data in a useful form
as information.
The Information Processing Cycle Using a computer to convert data into useful information).
The four basic functions and steps to convert data into useful information is:
1. input data entered into a computer for processing
2. processing the manipulation of data according to program instructions
3. output the creation of information resulting from processing
4. storage the retention of processed data on a storage medium for future use
Data and Information Data and information are not the same thing
Hardware: Four types of personal computers
1. Desktops
2. Notebooks
3. Tablets
4. Smart Phones
4.2 Microcomputer three basic hardware groups
4.2.1 System Board
4.2.2 Processor
4.2.3 Memory
System Board
It is the communications medium for the entire computer system because every
component of the system unit connects to the system board.
Also known as the motherboard or mainboard and includes sockets, slots, and bus lines.
Microprocessor
The central processing unit (CPU) or processor is contained on a single chip called the
microprocessor. The microprocessor is the brains of the computer system.
Microprocessor chips: 2 factors that determine speed
1. Chip processing capacities are often expressed in word sizes. A word is the number of
bits (such as 16, 32, or 64) that can be accessed at one time by the CPU.
2. Clock speed which is related to the number of times the CPU can fetch and process data
or instructions in a second. Example 1 GHZ means 1 billion cycles per second
Memory
There are three well-known types of memory chips:
1. Random-access memory (RAM) chips hold the program (sequence of instructions) and data
that the CPU is presently processing. RAM is temporary or volatile storage because
everything in most types of RAM is lost as soon as the microcomputer is turned off.
RAM performs three functions:
accepts and holds program instructions and data
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acts as the CPUs source for data and instructions and as a destination for
operation results
holds the final processed information until it can be sent to the desired output or
storage devices, such as a printer or disk drive
Expansion Slots and Cards
Expansion cards plug into expansion slots located on the system board. Some of the more
common devices are:
Graphics cards provide high-quality 3D graphics and animation for games and
simulations
Sound cards, accept audio input from a microphone and convert it into a form that can
be processed by the computer
Network interface cards (NIC) - also known as network adapter cards, are used to
connect a computer to a network
Bus Line
A bus line (also known as a bus) - connects the parts of the CPU to each other.
Ports
A serial is a general-purpose interface that can be used for almost any type of device,
including modems, mice, and printers
A parallel interface for connecting an external device such as a printer. Most personal
computers have both a parallel port and at least one serial port. On PCs, the parallel
port uses a 25-pin connector (type DB-25) and is used to connect printers, computers and
other devices that need relatively high bandwidth.
Fire wire is the Apple brand name for IEEE 1394 high-speed cable. The cable was
originally created to make transferring video from digital camcorders and external hard
drives faster and easier for users. Fire wire replaced traditional USB offering significantly
higher data transfer rates than USB.
HDMI Port HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is a proprietary audio/video
interface for transferring uncompressed video data and compressed or
uncompressed digital audio data from an HDMI-compliant source device, such as
a display controller, to a compatible computer monitor, video projector, digital television,
or digital audio device. HDMI is a digital replacement for analog video standards.
Chapter 6
Input device examples: keyboard, mice, barcode readers, digital camera, card readers
Output device examples: Monitor, printers and speakers
Monitor Display Resolution
The display resolution or display modes of a digital television, computer monitors or display
device is the number of distinct pixels in each dimension that can be displayed. It is usually
quoted as width height, with the units in pixels: for example, "1024 768" means the width is
1024 pixels and the height is 768 pixels. This example would normally be spoken as "ten twentyfour by seven sixty-eight" or "ten twenty-four by seven six eight".
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List of common image resolutions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_common_resolutions
Printers
3D printing (or additive manufacturing, AM) is any of various processes used to make
a three-dimensional object. In 3D printing, additive processes are used, in which
successive layers of material are laid down under computer control. These objects can be
of almost any shape or geometry, and are produced from a 3D model or other electronic
data source. A 3D printer is a type of industrial robot.
Laser printing produces high-quality text and graphics (and moderate-quality
photographs) by repeatedly passing a laser beam back and forth over a negatively charged
cylindrical drum to define a differentially-charged image. The drum then selectively
collects electrically charged powdered ink toner and transfers the image to paper, which
is then heated in order to permanently fuse the text and/or imagery.
Chapter 4
Software: Two major types of software:
1. System software
2. Application software
System Software
The Function of System Software is the term for the programs that tell a computer what to do
and how to do it. Software manages the computers resources, including all hardware devices.
System software works with end users, application software, and computer
There are four types of programs that make up system software:
1.
Operating systems - coordinate computer resources, provide an interface
between users and the computer, and run applications. (Ex: Windows 8, Mac OS X).
2.
Utilities - perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources.
The most essential utility programs that every computer system should have is an
antivirus program.
3.
Device drivers - specialized programs that allow particular input or output
devices to communicate with the rest of the computer system. Whenever a new
device is added to a computer system, a new device driver must be installed before
the device can be used.
4.
Language translators - convert the programming instructions written by
programmers into a language that computers understand and process.
1. Operating Systems: An operating system is a collection of programs that handle many of
the technical details related to using a computer. Without an operating system the
computer would be useless. Once started, the operating system manages the computer
system and performs functions related to the input, processing, output, and storage of
information, including:
Main Function of Operating System
1. Managing main memory, or RAM,
2. Configuring and controlling peripheral (external) devices
3. Managing essential file operations, including formatting or copying disks, and renaming
or deleting files
4. Monitoring system performance and run applications
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5. Providing a software User Interface
o Graphical User Interfaces allows communication between the software and the
user. The interface controls the manner in which data and commands are entered
as well as the way information and processing options are presented on the screen
In 1983, Apple featured an entirely new kind of operating system with a screen
display known as a graphical user interface (GUI). This new type of interface
was graphics-based rather than command-based, making it more intuitive and
user-friendly.
Three main Operating System Categories
1. Embedded operating systems are used for smartphone devices such as smartphones,
cable and satellite television tuner boxes, video game systems, and other small
electronics.
2. Network operating systems (NOS) are used to control and coordinate computers
that are networked or linked together. Typically located on one of the connected
computers hard disks. With virtualization software the physical machine can be
logically separated into two or more independent virtual computers known as virtual
machines. Each machine appears to the user as a separate independent computer with
its own operating system.
o Host operating system is the OS of the physical machine
o Guest operating system - is the OS on all of the virtual machines
3. Stand-alone operating systems also called desktop operating systems, control a
single desktop or notebook computer.
2. Utility Programs Specialized programs designed to make computing easier.
Essential Utility programs:
o Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs that recognize and correct problems,
ideally before they become serious.
o Antivirus programs that guard a computer system against viruses or other
damaging programs.
o Backup programs that make copies of files to be used in case the originals are
lost or damaged.
o File compression programs that reduce the size of files so they require less
storage space and can be sent more efficiently over the Internet.
Window Utility programs
o Backup and Restore is a utility program included with the many versions of
Windows that makes a copy of all files or selected files that have been saved onto
a disk. It helps to protect from the effects of a disk failure.
o Disk Cleanup is a trouble-shooting utility that identifies and eliminates
nonessential files. This frees up valuable disk space and improves system
performance.
o Disk Defragmenter is a utility program that locates and eliminates unnecessary
fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations.
Utility Suites:
o Buying the suite is less expensive than buying the programs separately
o The three best-known utility suites are:
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Norton Utilities
Zone Alarm

Linux is a Unix-like and POSIX-compliant computer operating system assembled under the
model of free and open source software development and distribution.
Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface operating systems developed, marketed,
and sold by Microsoft.
Chapter 3
Application Software includes programs that perform a single task such as word processing,
spreadsheet analysis, or database management, considered for end users. Examples range from
Microsoft Project, I Tunes, Quick books, Safari as an internet browser program, Adobe
Photoshop, an app that you download to a smart phone etc.
Software suite: Software suites consist of integrated software programs. In other words, the
individual programs are designed to work well together, with similar interface design and
features. Software suites typically include the four most widely used applications: word
processing, database management, spreadsheet, and presentation programs.

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