0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views

Basic Hardware Familiarization

The document provides an overview of computer hardware and software, detailing the functions and types of input, output, and storage devices, as well as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It explains the distinction between internal and external storage, including examples of each, and outlines the components of a computer system. Additionally, it covers the units of computer memory and the binary representation of data.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
8 views

Basic Hardware Familiarization

The document provides an overview of computer hardware and software, detailing the functions and types of input, output, and storage devices, as well as the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It explains the distinction between internal and external storage, including examples of each, and outlines the components of a computer system. Additionally, it covers the units of computer memory and the binary representation of data.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Subject : Computer Practical

Practical 1: Basic Hardware Familiarization

Aim :
1. Understanding Computer Hardware and Software
2. Introduction to types of input and output devices
3. Using Data Storage Devices (Memory Unit)
4. Central Processing Unit (CPU)
5. Identifying different hardware parts in the PC

Computer: Computer is an electronic device which accepts data (input) ,


processes it and generates result (output).

A Computer system primarily comprises of Hardware and Software.

1. Hardware: Hardware of a computer system can be referred as anything


which we can touch and feel.
Eg. Input devices, Central processing unit (CPU), Output devices,
Storage Devices
2. Software: The software is basically a set of instructions or commands
that tell a computer what to do.
Eg. Windows operating system, MS-Word, MS-Excel, PowerPoint, etc.

Working of a computer
Working of a computer
1. Input Devices
The devices with the help of which we give data or instructions to the computer.
Eg.Keyboard, Mouse, Scanner, Joystick, Light pen, Microphone, Web
Camera, Bar Code Reader

2. Output Devices
The devices with the help of which we get the information from the computer.
Eg. Monitor, printer, speaker, projector, plotter

3. Storage Devices (Memory Unit)


The storage unit is a part of the computer system which is used to store the
information and instructions to be processed. It can also store information/data
both temporarily and permanently.

The storage devices are characterized by the access time (the time required to
locate and retrieve the stored data), storage capacity(the amount of data that
can be stored) and the cost per bit of storage.

Storage system/ Memory unit is classified into two categories:


1. Internal storage / Primary Memory
2. External Storage / Secondary Memory

1. Internal storage / Primary Memory:


The internal memory is present on the motherboard and is essential for any
digital computer. Internal storage has the faster access time, smaller storage
capacity and the higher cost per bit of storage.
Types of primary memory
1. RAM (Random Access Memory)
RAM is also known as read/write memory. It is used to store information that is
used immediately. It is volatile in nature and stores the information for
temporary period of time.
2. ROM (Read Only Memory)
It contains BIOS (Basic Input Output System) program i.e the information about
the computer’s hardware and boot up process that is essential for starting a
computer. The information in ROM is stored permanently during
manufacturing.
41B
2. External Storage / Secondary Memory:
These are the devices that store data permanently and are not directly accessible
by the CPU. Secondary storage is also called an external memory or auxiliary
storage.
Eg. Hard disk drives (HDDs), Solid state drives (SSDs), CD (Compact Disk),
DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), USB storage
41D
 Other Storage Devices

Online/cloud storage: cloud drives (Google Drive, OneDrive,


Dropbox, etc.), NAS (Network Attached Storage) drive

 CPU (Central Processing Unit)


CPU is considered as the brain of the computer. It stores data, intermediate
results, and instructions (program).

CPU has two components:


I. ALU (Arithmetic & Logic Unit)
It performs the arithmetic operations like addition, division, multiplication, and
subtraction and logical operations like comparing, merging, selecting, and
matching data.
II. Control Unit
It controls the transfer of data, input/output functions and coordinates all
internal working of the hardware.

 Identifying different hardware parts in the PC


Computer hardware refers to the physical components that make up a computer
system.
There are many different kinds of hardware that can be installed inside, and
connected to the outside, of a computer.

1. Motherboard
2. Central Processing Unit (CPU) / Processor
3. Random Access Memory (RAM)
4. Read Only Memory (ROM)
5. Power Supply Unit (SMPS – Switched Mode Power Supply)
6. Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
7. Solid-State Drive (SSD)
8. CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) battery
9. VGA (Video Graphics Array)
10.HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
11.Cooling Fan
12.Hard Disk
13.Power Cables
14.CD (Compact Disk) /DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) Drive
15.Parallel port – Is used to connect peripheral devices such as printer and
scanner.
16.UPS – Uninterrupted Power Supply
17.USB – Universal Serial Bus

 Units of Computer Memory


Information in computer is stored in form of 0 and 1, i.e. in binary form. A
binary digit is called a bit.
A bit is the smallest unit of information a computer can use.
A group of 8 bits is called a Byte.
One Byte is used to represent a character in the computer.

8 bits = 1 Byte
4 bits = nibble
16 bits = 1 word
32 bits = double word
1024 bytes = 1 Kilobyte (1KB)
1024 KB = 1 Megabyte (1MB)
1024MB = 1 Gigabyte (1GB)
Gigabyte (GB), Terabyte (TB), Petabyte (PB)

You might also like