Computer Hardware

Introduction
Computer hardware deals with physical parts of a
computer. In other words the parts of the computer
that you can see and touch.

Categories of the Computer Hardware:

System Unit
Input Devices
Processing Devices
Output Devices
Storage Devices
Communication Devices
 The System Unit

• A case that contains electronic components of

the computer used to process data

• Resemble a box and available in many shapes

and sizes

• Chassis is the case of system unit and is made

of metal or plastic and protects the internal
electronic components from damage.
The System Unit
The Vital Components of the Computer System
Unit.
Front Side:
power switch, light indicators, floppy disk and CD
ROM drives etc.
Back Side:
USB ports, serial ports, power socket etc.
Inside Part:
motherboard, CPU, power supply, memory, hard disk,
cards( e.g. sound, network )
Front Side of the System Unit

Power button

The power button controls the on and off status of the computer.

 The power light gives indications during booting and when

the computer is working.
 CD/DVD ROM Drive
This component allows the user to read/write data or
information from or to an optical medium such as CD-
ROM, DVD-ROM

The disk light indicates that the computer is accessing the hard
disk. This often indicates that the computer is busy working on
a computation .
 Floppy Disk
The floppy disk is the medium through which a diskette
can be read
 Back side
Ports: A Port is a socket or an interface on a computer to
which you can connect a hardware device. Personal
computers have various types of ports. Internally, there
are several ports for connecting disk drives, display
screens, and keyboards. Externally, personal computers
have ports for connecting modems, printers, mice, and
other peripheral devices. Examples of ports are mouse
port, keyboard port, printer port, USB ports, etc.
Ports
Inside the System Unit
The Motherboard:
There are many vital components in the system unit
which are on the motherboard
The motherboard is also known as the mainboard
It is the main circuit board in a complex
electronic system, like a computer. It is the most
'central' part of a computer. All of the different parts of
the computer are connected to the motherboard. This
enables them work together.
Components of the System Unit

Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board, system
board or the logic board inside the PC.

It holds the CPU and memory.

Provides expansion slots for peripherals.

Directly or indirectly, connects to every part of the PC.

Central Processing Unit(CPU)
A Central Processing Unit (CPU) refers to part of a
computer that interprets and executes instructions and data
contained in software.
This is the brain of the computer. It is responsible for data
processing measured in hertz.
The parts of the CPU include the Control Unit, Arithmetic
Logic Unit (ALU), Registers, the CPU Cache, and the
memory management unit.
Central Processing Unit(CPU)
 Power Supply Unit

It is a case that holds a transformer, voltage control, and

(usually) a cooling fan, and supplies power to run the rest of
the computer.
The PSU convert 100-120 V (North America and Japan) or
220-240 V (Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia) AC power
from the mains to usable low-voltage DC power for the
internal components of the computer.
It converts 240V AC to a low power of 15V DC or less
which is used in computers.
These are needed inside the computer system by nearly
every component inside the computer.
Main Memory (Random Access Memory)
 RAM: This is a semiconductor chip
that provides temporary storage for
data in active use. It is measured in
bytes. This type of memory is volatile
(data is lost if power goes off or
application closes). It is also known as
Primary storage.
 Read Only Memory(ROM)
These are memory chips which have programs
built into them at the factory.
ROM is not volatile and cannot be changed by
the user.
“Read Only” means that the CPU can read or
retrieve, the programs written on the ROM chip.
However, the computer cannot write, encode or
change the information or instructions in ROM.
ROM chips are also called firmware
 Expansion slots
An opening in a computer where a circuit board can be
inserted to add new capabilities to the computer.
Nearly all personal computers except portables contain
expansion slots for adding
more memory, graphics capabilities, and support for
special devices.
The boards inserted into the expansion slots are
called expansion boards, expansion cards , cards , add-
ins , and add-ons.
Expansion Slot
 Expansion Cards

Sound card
 INPUT DEVICES
Input Devices: Input Devices refer to the devices
that input data into the computer such as
o keyboard,
o mouse,
o scanner, and
o digital camera etc.
They translate data and commands that humans can
understand into a form that the computer can
process.
Input Devices
 Scanners
Scanners are devices that use laser beams and reflected
light to translate images of text, drawings, photo into
digital form

TYPES OF SCANNERS:
1. Image Scanner - A scanner is used to copy pictures or
other documents and save them as files on the computer.
 Scanners
2. Bar Code(Reader) Scanner: A bar code scanner
scans a little label that has a bar code on it.
The information is then saved on the
computer. Bar code scanners are used in
libraries a lot.
 Output Devices
Output devices are used to get information out of a
computer. These devices displays two kinds of
outputs i.e. Soft copy and Hard copy
Examples of output devices:
Monitors
Printers
Speakers,
 LCD Projectors
Output devices
 STORAGE DEVICES AND MEDIA
A storage device is a hardware device designed to store
information.
There are two types of storage devices used in computers; a
'primary storage' device and a 'secondary storage' device.
The computer first stores processed data at a temporary
storage area called RAM – Random Access Memory, also
known as the primary storage or main memory.
The user now stores the information permanently on storage
devices. This is known as secondary storage. Storage
devices are used at this stage.
 A storage device is a hardware device designed for storing or
recording information.
Some examples of storage devices: Hard disk, floppy Disk,
Zip disk, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs)-ROM,
Blue Ray DVD, Memory, and Pen drives.
 SECONDARY STORAGE DEVICES/
AUXILLIARY STORAGE DEVICES
The secondary storage devices are used to store
instructions, programs and data when they are not
being used in the main memory of the computer.
Auxiliary or backing store are alternative names for
secondary storage because they support or back
the main memory.
• Apart from keeping a copy of any important file,
data and the like on the hard disk, it is always
advisable to keep reserve copy as backup storage
on another secondary storage device. This will
enable you to have another copy in case the one
you are using is deleted accidentally.
 Characteristics of Secondary Storage Devices
They are relatively long term storage devices;

It is outside the central processing unit;

They are non-volatile.

They are slower than the primary storage devices

because of their electromechanical component; and

They are able to transfer large amount of data to the

central processing unit.
MAGNETIC TAPE TECHNOLOGY
Advantages of magnetic Tape
It is inexpensive;
It is relatively a stable storage medium;
It is reusable;
It is appropriate for storing large amount of
data in a relatively stable form and when
sequential processing is desired;
It is used as back up storage medium; and
It is easy to handle.
 MAGNETIC DISK
This is the most popular and important
secondary storage medium. It permits direct
and immediate access to data.

There are two types of magnetic disk: hard

disk and floppy disk
Hard Disk / Hard Drive
The hard drive stores programs, data files, saves files, and
organizes files.
The hard drive is located inside the computer system unit’s
case.
 The hard drive, magnetically stores data on stacks of
rotating disks called platters.
The hard drive serves as a storage space for all of your
documents, old email, and all applications (including the
operating system).
 Hard drives are measured in terms of megabytes and
gigabytes. When the hard drive reaches its capacity, files
need to be moved to free up space.
 To free up space on the hard drive or to save files to a
portable medium, files can be copied to a floppy disk.
 Protecting the Hard Drive
Never move a computer while it is on. The hard drive
is spinning and movement could cause the magnetic
disks to become scratched.

Shut down your computer properly.

Regularly perform diagnostic tests of your hard drive

using ScanDisk.
 Floppy Disk
• The floppy disk is an ideal medium for storing data
programs that are not in constant use or for
transporting data and programs.

• They are available in many different sizes: (8 inches,

5 ¼ inches, and 3 ½ inches. The 8” and 5 ¼ “are not
popular anymore.

• The floppy disk use sector method. (Sectors are the

basic unit for diskette storage)
 Advantages of floppy Disk
High data density;

It is potable, inexpensive and easy to handle;

It is reusable;

It is direct access medium;

 Disadvantages of floppy Disk
Not human readable;

It can be erased by a magnetic field; and

They are sensitive to dust, extreme temperature and

humidity.
 Zip Disk
ZIP disks are high capacity, removable, magnetic disks
which can be read or written by ZIP drives from omega
Corporation.

ZIP disks are similar to floppy disk, except that they

are much faster and have a much greater capacity.

While floppy disks typically hold 1.44 megabytes, ZIP

disks are available in many sizes, most commonly 100
and 250 megabytes.
CD- ROM: This stands for Compact Disc-Read Only
Memory. Read only means it cannot be written on or
erased by the user. Therefore, the user has access only
to the data copied into it by the creator of the content.
CD-R: This stands for CD–Recordable and is also
known as WORM meaning write once, read many.
CD-RW: This stands for compact disk re-writable and
also known as erasable optical disks.
DVD: According to the various industries sponsoring
it, DVD is not an abbreviation for anything. The letters
used to stand for “Digital Video Disk” and later, when
its diverse possibilities became obvious, for “Digital
Versatile Disk”.
 Protecting Your Floppy Disk and ZIP Disk
Be careful not to touch the magnetic film on a floppy disk. Oil or
dirt can damage floppy disks.
When labeling a new floppy disk, write on the label prior to
attaching the sticker to the new disk.
When labeling a disk with a label sticker already attached, use a
soft felt tip pen to avoid damaging the thin magnetic film inside.
Keep floppy disks out of extreme cold or hot temperatures. Disks
become brittle in the cold and may warp in hot weather.
Information on floppy disks is stored magnetically. To prevent
disks from being erased or permanently damaged, avoid placing
disks too close to magnetic objects (such as computer speakers).
Store floppy disks in boxes or trays to protect them from
scratches and dust. Transport floppy disks in carrying cases to
prevent damage.
 Compact Disk
It is also known as CD. Typically, CDs can store 650
MB of data on one side.
A CD consists of a single track spirals from the outside
to the inside.
A CD has about 600 tracks per linear inch of disk
surface. A laser beam is needed to detect the presence
or absence of pits, which have been burned into this
surface at the writing stage.
There are three basic types of CDs: CD-ROM, CD-R,
and CD-RW. CD-ROM is a device that reads
information stored on a compact disc. CD-ROM
stands for Compact Disc Read Only Memory. One CD
is equal to the space in over 40 floppy disks.
 Protecting Your Compact Disc
Be careful not to touch the flat surface of a CD. The
information on the CD is stored on the shiny metallic
surface underneath the plastic protective coating. If the
flat surface has smudges or scratches on it, the laser that
reads the metallic surface is unable to penetrate the
damaged area.
Avoid extreme hot or cold temperatures. In cold
temperatures, CDs may become brittle, in extreme heat,
they become warped.
Store CDs in trays or boxes to protect them from dust or
scratches.
Transport CDs in a protective jewel case or plastic sleeve
to keep dust or scratches from damaging the flat surface.
Devices which Serve as Both
Input and Output Devices:
 Computer
 Head set
Modem
Etc.
The end