UNIT: Basic Computer Operations and File Management

Lesson 6
At the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
1. Know importance of computers
2. Understand the limitations computers
3. Know basic computer:
i) cables,
ii) Ports and devices.

Importance of computers
A computer has become very important nowadays because:
i) It is very much accurate,
ii) Its fast
iii) It can accomplish many tasks easily. Otherwise to complete those tasks manually much
more time is required.
iv) It can do very big calculations in just a fraction of a second.
v) It can store huge amount of data.
vi) We also get information on different aspects using internet on our computer.

Limitations of a computer

i. No self-intelligence: a computer does not have intelligence of its own to complete tasks.
It works according to instructions given to it by the user.
ii. No thinking and decision making power: a computer cannot think itself. The concept of
artificial intelligence shows that the computer can think by itself. But still the concept is
dependent on set of instructions. It cannot take any decision.it can only perform tasks that
are instructed by the user.
iii. No feeling: A computer cannot feel like us. It does not have emotions, feelings,
knowledge etc. it cannot get tired and keep on doing its tasks. It can do very risky tasks
which cannot be done by human beings.
iv. Cannot detect errors in logic.
v. Only expert users can work on it.
vi. No learning power. A computer has no learning power, it takes only instructions given
by the user. It can solve problems but it cannot learn the problems. It cannot read same
instruction time and again.

Basic computer cables

There are two main types of computer cables:
 Data Cables: These facilitate communication between devices. A good example would be the
HDMI, DVI, or VGA cables that connect to your computer monitor or TV. There are a bunch of
other data cables, such as USB cables, SATA, CAT5, and so on.

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 Power Cables: As the name suggests, these are any cables that help to power your devices.
These include everything from the code that plugs into the wall to specific cables such as S/PDIF
that is used with surround sound and DVDs.

Common Types of Computer Cables and Connections

i. The Computer Power Cord
The most basic of cables. This is also known as a “kettle plug” and connects your
computer to the AC power socket. Without this cord, your computer, unless it is solar-
powered, won’t come on.

ii. USB (Universal Serial Bus)

This is probably the most common type of computer connector cables on the planet.
Nearly every computer peripheral device you can think of today has USB connectivity.
From keyboards to mice, flash drives, headsets, wireless adapters, and so on.
There are many different types of USB cables starting from USB 1.0 to USB 3.0 and
even USB 4.x. The difference between these USBs is the speed at which they can
transmit data. USB 1.0 transmits data at 1.5 MB/s while USB 3.0 transmits data at 625
MB/s. They get faster with USB 4.x transmitting data at blistering speeds of 5 GB/s.
USB 2.0 ports have black tips, and USB 3.0 ports have blue tips with USB 3.0s being
backward compatible (can make the connection between USB 2.0 devices and USB 3.0
ports albeit at lowered speeds).

iii. VGA (Video Graphics Array) and DVI (Digital Visual Interface) Cables
The VGA cable is also known as the analog video cable or D-sub cable. This helps to
transmit media from your computer to a VGA enabled projection devices such as a
monitor or TV. VGAs have 15 pins arranged in three rows of 5 each.

iv. DVI (Digital Visual Interface) cables came as an improvement of VGA cables when
display devices moved from analog to digital video technology.

v. HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Cables

HDMI cables pretty much wiped out the VGAs and DVIs of the world. With the
capability to send both video and audio signals (unlike VGA and DVI that send only
video), these cables are only compatible with newer devices because they only send
digital signals.

vi. Ethernet Cable

Commonly referred to as RJ-45 cable, these are cables designed to connect your
computer to the router or network switch. Before there was Wi-Fi, these were the cables
that you need to connect to your computer to get the internet. Now they connect to your
wireless router.
vii. IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics)
This is an “ancient” cable that used to connect the storage devices to your computer’s
motherboard. If you ever opened up an old computer, you will notice a ribbon-looking
cable that has more than two plugs.

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viii. SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)
SATA is to IDE what HDMI is to VGA. Newer computers use SATA ports. These cables
have higher data transfer speeds. A SATA cable has more of an L-shape and can be
identified by two connectors that each has seven pins.

ix. There are also other lesser cables, such as the 3.5mm audio cable, also known as audio
jacks that can connect to your computer and an audio device such as a microphone or
speakers. These are the kind of cables that your wired headphones use to connect to your
phone.
Computer ports

Serial Port
 Used for external modems and older computer mouse
 Two versions: 9 pin, 25 pin model
 Data travels at 115 kilobits per second
Parallel Port
 Used for scanners and printers
 Also called printer port
 25 pin model
 IEEE 1284-compliant Centronics port
PS/2 Port
 Used for old computer keyboard and mouse
 Also called mouse port
 Most of the old computers provide two PS/2 port, each for the mouse and keyboard
Universal Serial Bus (or USB) Port
 It can connect all kinds of external USB devices such as external hard disk, printer,
scanner, mouse, keyboard, etc.
 It was introduced in 1997.
 Most of the computers provide two USB ports as minimum.
 Data travels at 12 megabits per seconds.
 USB compliant devices can get power from a USB port.
VGA Port
 Connects monitor to a computer's video card.
 It has 15 holes.
 Similar to the serial port connector. However, serial port connector has pins, VGA port
has holes.
Power Connector
 Three-pronged plug.
 Connects to the computer's power cable that plugs into a power bar or wall socket.

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Firewire Port
 Transfers large amount of data at very fast speed.
 Connects camcorders and video equipment to the computer.
 Data travels at 400 to 800 megabits per seconds.
 Invented by Apple.
 It has three variants: 4-Pin FireWire 400 connector, 6-Pin FireWire 400 connector, and
9-Pin FireWire 800 connector.
Modem Port

 Connects a PC's modem to the telephone network.

Ethernet Port
 Connects to a network and high speed Internet.
 Connects the network cable to a computer.
 This port resides on an Ethernet Card.
 Data travels at 10 megabits to 1000 megabits per seconds depending upon the network
bandwidth.
Game Port
 Connect a joystick to a PC
 Now replaced by USB
Digital Video Interface, DVI port
 Connects Flat panel LCD monitor to the computer's high-end video graphic cards.
 Very popular among video card manufacturers.
Sockets
 Sockets connect the microphone and speakers to the sound card of the computer.