Scribd
Upload
1K views

03 How Computers Work

The document provides an overview of the basic components and functions of a computer system. It discusses how computers require both hardware and software to function. The key hardware components include the CPU, motherboard, memory, storage devices, ports, buses, and peripheral devices. The CPU receives and processes instructions and data from these various components. It communicates with other devices through the chipset and buses. Software provides the instructions to direct the hardware to perform tasks. The document covers the input, processing, output, and storage functions carried out in a computer system.

Uploaded by

Bhagyashree
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
1K views

03 How Computers Work

The document provides an overview of the basic components and functions of a computer system. It discusses how computers require both hardware and software to function. The key hardware components include the CPU, motherboard, memory, storage devices, ports, buses, and peripheral devices. The CPU receives and processes instructions and data from these various components. It communicates with other devices through the chipset and buses. Software provides the instructions to direct the hardware to perform tasks. The document covers the input, processing, output, and storage functions carried out in a computer system.

Uploaded by

Bhagyashree
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 49

System Overview

Input, Process, Output, and Storage


Most operating systems provide functions to read and write data on files. It then translates requests for operations on files into operations that the disk controller can carry out. The operating system performs four basic operations, 1. Input 2. Processing 3. Output 4. Storage

Hardware Components

You Will Learn


That a computer requires both hardware and software to work About the many different hardware components inside and connected to a computer How the CPU works and how it communicates with other devices

Hardware Needs Software to Work


Hardware
Physical components of the computer (monitor, keyboard, memory chips, hard drive)

Software
Set of instructions that directs hardware to accomplish a task

Functions of the Microcomputer

Binary Number System


Technology of storing and reading only two values: on and off Bits and bytes Originated in the 1940s by John Atanasoff

Binary Number System

Binary Number System

Hardware Used for Input and Output


Connects to computer case by ports Most popular input devices:
Keyboard Mouse

Most popular output devices:


Monitor Printer

Ports

Input Devices

Output Devices

Hardware Inside the Case


Motherboard (contains CPU, memory, etc.) Floppy drive, hard drive, and CD-ROM drive (permanent storage) Power supply with cords supplying electricity to all devices inside the case

continued

Hardware Inside the Case


Circuit boards (used by CPU to communicate with devices inside/outside the case)
Contain microchips, which are most often manufactured using CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) technology

Cables that connect devices to circuit boards and the motherboard


Data cables Power cables (or power cords)

Peripheral Devices
Communicate with CPU but are not located directly on the motherboard Some are linked by expansion cards in expansion slots on the motherboard

The Motherboard
Largest, most important circuit board in the computer Contains the CPU, with which all devices must communicate:
Installed directly on the motherboard Linked by a cable connected to a port on the motherboard Indirectly linked by expansion cards

Also called the main board or system board

The Motherboard

The CPU
Most important chip (the microprocessor) Performs most of actual data processing

The Chip Set


Controls flow of data and instructions to and from the CPU Provides careful timing of activities

The Chip Set

Bus Types
All the basic components of the computer are connected together by communication paths that are referred to as buses.

There are three major system bus types that can be identified based on the type of information they carry. 1. address bus (a uni-directional pathway for data flow) 2. data bus (a bi-directional pathway for data flow) 3. control bus (carries the control and timing signals needed to coordinate the activities of the entire computer)

CPU and Chip Set Manufacturers


IBM-compatible PCs
Intel Corporation AMD VIA SiS Cyrix

Macintosh (Apple Computer, Inc.)


Motorola Corporation

Storage Devices
Temporary (primary storage, or memory)

Permanent (secondary storage)

Primary and Secondary Storage

Primary Storage Devices


Common types of boards that hold memory chips
SIMMs (single inline memory modules) DIMMs (dual inline memory modules) RIMMs (memory modules manufactured by Rambus, Inc.)

RAM Chips

Types of RAM Modules

Secondary Storage Devices


Hard disks Floppy disks Zip drives CD-ROMs DVDs

Hard Drive
Uses EIDE (Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics) technology Motherboard can accommodate up to four IDE devices on one system IDE provides two connectors on a motherboard for two data cables

Hard Drives Power Supply

CD-ROM Drive

Bus Lines

Bus Lines
Lines of a bus, including data, instruction, and power lines, often extend to the expansion slots Types of expansion slots
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)
For high-speed input/output devices)

AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port)


For a video card

ISA (Industry Standard Architecture)


Used by older and/or slower devices)

Bus Lines

PP P((peripheral Component Interconnect

Full View of a Video Card

The Electrical System


Power supply
Most important component of computers electrical system Converts/reduces electricity to voltage the computer can handle Runs a fan directly from electrical output voltage to cool inside of computer case

Electrical System

Electrical System

Instructions and Data Stored on the Motherboard


ROM BIOS
Holds software needed to start up PC and begin loading an OS Most are flash ROM

CMOS chip (complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconducter)


Stores setup (configuration) information
Setup information can also be set by means of jumpers and DIP (dual inline package) switches

Powered by a battery on motherboard when power is off

ROM BIOS Chip

ROM BIOS Chip

CMOS Chip

Using Jumpers

How a CPU Works and Communicates with Other Devices


Responsible for most processing Depends on chip set, system clock, and buses to move data to and from I/O devices, memory, and secondary storage Only two states: on and off

Components of a CPU
Input/output (I/O) unit
Manages data/instructions entering/leaving CPU

One or more arithmetic logic units (ALU)


Does all comparisons and calculations

Control unit
Manages all activities inside CPU itself

Components of a CPU

How the CPU Works


Registers hold data and instructions while it processes them Memory cache holds data and instructions just before they are processed Internal bus runs at different speed than external bus

You might also like