Basic PC Hardware and Software Operation and

Function
 Computer hardware is the collection of physical components that
constitute a computer system. Computer hardware is the physical parts or
components of a computer, such as monitor, keyboard, computer data
storage, hard disk drive (HDD), graphic card, sound card, memory (RAM),
motherboard, and so on, all of which are tangible physical objects. The four
primary functions of hardware are to accept input, process data and provide
output and storage. Different types of hardware are available to handle each
of these jobs, though some hardware can perform more than one function.

Motherboard - It is the "body" or mainframe of the computer, through which all

other components interface.
Central processing unit (CPU) - Performs most of the calculations which enable
a computer to function, sometimes referred to as the "backbone or brain" of the
computer.
Power Supply - A case control, and (usually) a cooling fan, and supplies power to
run the rest of the computer, the most common types of power supplies are
mechanic shed (old) but the standard for PCs actually are ATX and Micro ATX.
Removable Media Devices
CD (compact disc) - the most common type of removable media, inexpensive but
has a short life-span.
DVD (digital versatile disc) - a popular type of removable media that is the same
dimensions as a
Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible
magnetic storage medium.
USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB
interface, typically small, lightweight, removable, and rewritable.
Internal Storage - Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and
remains persistent even when the computer has no power.
Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
Sound Card - Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as
accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in
to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card
as an upgrade.
Networking
Connects the computer to the Internet and/or other computers.
Other Peripherals
In addition, hardware devices can include external components of a computer
system. The following are either standard or very common.
Input
Keyboard - a device to input text and characters by depressing buttons (referred to
as keys), similar to a typewriter. The most common English-language key layout is
the QWERTY layout.
Pointing devices
Mouse - a pointing device that detects two dimensional motion relative to its
supporting surface.
Trackball - a pointing device consisting of an exposed protruding ball housed in a
socket that detects rotation about two axes.
Audio input devices
Microphone - an acoustic sensor that provides input by converting sound into
electrical signals
Output
Image, Video output devices - Printer,Monitor
Audio output devices - Speakers,Headset
 Computer software, or simply software, is that part of a computer system
that consists of encoded information or computer instructions, in contrast to
the physical hardware from which the system is built under computer
software.
1) Application software, which is software that uses the computer
system to perform special functions or provide entertainment
functions beyond the basic operation of the computer itself. There are
many different types of application software, because the range of
tasks that can be performed with a modern computer is so large—see
list of software.
 Software Examples:
Internet browser - Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer

Movie player - VLC, Windows Media Player

Word processor - Word
Photo / Graphics program - Adobe PhotoShop, CorelDRAW
Presentation - PowerPoint
 2) System software, which is software that directly operates the
computer hardware, to provide basic functionality needed by users
and other software, and to provide a platform for running application
software. System software includes:
 Operating systems, which are essential collections of software
that manage resources and provides common services for other
software that runs "on top" of them. Supervisory programs,
boot loaders, shells and window systems are core parts of
operating systems. In practice, an operating system comes
bundled with additional software (including application
software) so that a user can potentially do some work with a
computer that only has an operating system.
 Device drivers, which operate or control a particular type of
device that is attached to a computer. Each device needs at least
one corresponding device driver; because a computer typically
has at minimum at least one input device and at least one output
device, a computer typically needs more than one device driver.
 Utilities, which are computer programs designed to assist users
in the maintenance and care of their computers.
 Malicious software or malware, which is software that is
developed to harm and disrupt computers. As such, malware is
undesirable. Malware is closely associated with computer-
related crimes, though some malicious programs may have
been designed as practical jokes.

Sources/credits:
http://wikieducator.org/Caribbean_Secondary_Education_Certificate_-
_Information_Technology/
Functions_of_Hardware_Components_of_a_Computer_System
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software
 How to Start Up a Computer?

I. Connect the computer's power cord into the laptop and use a wall outlet to
plug the cord in. Most laptops and portable computers run on a rechargeable
battery and do not require power full-time.

II. Find and press the 'Power On' button near the screen on the laptop.
III. Wait for the computer to boot up. A screen showing a logo "starting
window"will appear - this is the initial 'boot up' screen.

IV. Wait until everything is loaded. The more programs that are set to load when
the computer is started, the longer it will take. You may not want to attempt
to start up programs or open files right away, as this creates more work for
the computer, and this will mean it takes more time before you can begin
using the computer.

Source/credits:
http://www.wikihow.com/Start-Up-a-Computer