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Hardware is the physical machinery that make up a computer system such as a hard drive, monitor, mouse, keyboard, floppy drive, CD-ROM, modem, system board, power supply, case, and video card. An application is a computer program or set of instruction that performs a specific task/ Common applications include word processing, such as Microsoft Word, a spread sheet, such as Microsoft Excel, a database such as Microsoft Access, desktop publishing such as Aldus PageMaker, and accounting, Quick Books by Intuit. An operating system is a type of software that controls a computers output and input operations, such as saving files and managing memory. Common operating systems include DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT. The back of your computer will most likely include a serial port, parallel port, telephone/modem connection, mouse port, keyboard port, line-in and line-out (audio), microphone connections (audio), video port, and power connection. ROM is read-only memory. ROM chips, located on circuit boards, are used to hold programming code that is permanently stored on the chip. Device Manager is used to view and control the hardware configuration of a PC using Windows 95. Access Device Manager by clicking Start, Setting, then Control Panel. Then double-click the System icon and click on the Device Manager tab. Primary storage is RAM (Random Access Memory), which holds programming code and data that is being processed by the CPU. Secondary storage (such as a hard drive) also holds programming code and data, but they cannot be processed by the CPU until they are first copied into primary storage. Secondary storage is permanent storage that maintains code and data even after the computer is turned off; primary storage holds its data and code only as long as it is supplied with power. Flash ROM can be reprogrammed whereas regular ROM cannot be. In order to change the programming code of regular ROM, the chip must be replaced. Upgrades to Flash ROM can be downloaded from the Internet. All systemboards will have expansion slots, a CPU socket or slot, location for memory cache and RAM, and a keyboard connector. Other components may also be present. A slot is a narrow notch, groove, or opening. A socket is a hollow piece or part into which something fits. Systemboards contain both sockets and slots, which are the points at which devices can be plugged in. A CPU slot is long and narrow while a CPU socket is square. A hard drive is called secondary storage while memory is called primary storage because programs cannot be executed from secondary storage but must first be moved to primary storage. Basically, the CPU cannot "reach" the program still in secondary storage for execution. Secondary storage devices include: hard drive, CD-ROM, floppy disk, Zip drive, and PD drive. BIOS stands for basic input-output system. It is used to manage the startup of the computer and ongoing input and output operations of basic components, such as a floppy disk or hard drive. |
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Hardware
Topics: Basic PC Overview
Operating
System Topics:
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all your tech book needs: Please Read -DISCLAIMER: Technology changes very rapidly. The information presented here was believed to be accurate at the time it was gathered. No claim is made that this information is up to date, or that it represents the current technology used today. |
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