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Let’s Begin

Operate a Personal Computer

How to use a computer and not lose your mind

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Topic 1 -Hardware, Peripherals and Software

The elements of your computer can be categorised in three ways:

Hardware

Peripherals &

Software

XP & Vista

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Hardware – System Unit

Located either on the desk or on the floor is your system unit. This is where all the intelligence of your computer is housed and where all the hard work takes placeOr Laptop or Notebook

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Hardware – System Unit

All devices connect into the system unit so data can be entered, stored or retrieved

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External Hardware - Monitor

The monitor allows you to see what your computer is doing.

CRT Monitors

LCD Monitors

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External Hardware – Keyboards

The keyboard is one of the main input devices into your computer.

Standard keyboard layouts are often referred to as QWERTY Keyboards –the first six keys on the first alphabetic row

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External Hardware – Keyboards

Common keyboard connections are

PS/2

USB

Wireless

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External Hardware – Mouse

The mouse is another major input device. You can use your mouse to drive your computer instead of using the keyboard. You select items with your mouse by clicking on the item.

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External Hardware – Mouse

Common Mouse connections are

•PS/2

•USB

•Wireless

•Bluetooth

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External Hardware – Speakers

Speakers are attached to the computer to allow sound to be played

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Internal Hardware

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Internal Hardware

Motherboard -The motherboard is the main circuit board of a microcomputer.  It is also known as the mainboard or system board.

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Internal Hardware

CPU – Central Processing Unit –The CPU is the brain of your computer

The CPU is the central electronic chip that determines the processing power of the computer.

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Internal Hardware

One of the most important things about CPUs is speed.

The speed of CPU is measured in Hz, i.e., number of operations can be done per second. The CPU speed is currently measured in gigahertz (GHz). A gigahertz is a billion hertz or a thousand megahertz

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Internal Hardware -Memory

File Storage Capacity by Bits and Bytes

  bit

bit 1

byte 8

Kilobyte 8,192

Megabyte 8,388,608

Gigabyte 8,589,934,592

Terabyte 8,796,093,022,208

Petabyte 9,007,199,254,740,990

Exabyte 9,223,372,036,854,780,000

Zettabyte 9,444,732,965,739,290,000,000

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Internal Hardware -Memory

RAM -random-access memory: the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on

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Internal Hardware –Hard Drive

A Hard Drive or Hard Disk is the main storage component of your computer. It stores your programs, applications and your data.

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Internal Hardware –Floppy Drive

Floppy Disk Drive

Floppy disks can also store data, which is then portable. A floppy disk only holds 1.44MB of information.

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Internal Hardware –CD Drive

CD-ROM discs are read using CD-ROM drives, which are now almost universal on personal computers. Virtually all modern CD-ROM drives can also play audio CDs as well as Video CDs and other data standards when used in conjunction with the right software.

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Internal Hardware –Video Card

The video card on your system will determine the picture quality displayed on the monitor. Video can be integrated into the motherboard

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Internal Hardware –Sound Card

The sound card on your system will determine the quality of sound played through the speakers. Sound can be integrated into the motherboard

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Peripherals - Printers

Printers come in many models, types and price ranges. At the high end are laser printers. Other types are ink-jet, multi-function or dot matrix

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Peripherals - Modems

A modem is a device that converts the data from the computer into sound for transmission over a telephone line. Modems can be internal or external.

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Peripherals -Scanners

A scanner is a device that can transform a physical image, whether text or graphics, into a form that the computer can use

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Peripherals –Digital Camera

Digital cameras store the image as a file which can be downloaded onto the computer by connecting a cable between the computer and the camera

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Peripherals – Web Cameras

Web cams capture video and are primarily used for allowing you to send images over the internet

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Peripherals - Gaming Devices

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Other Storage devices –Pen Drives

Also know as Flash Drives, Jump Drives, Pen Drives etc. These devices attach to the computer via USB and are now very affordable

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Other Storage devices –External Hard Drives

External Hard Drives are a light weight way of carry large amounts of data.

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Other Storage devices –Zip and Tape Drives

There are many other means of storing large amounts of data that you can take between computers. These include Zip Drives and Tape Drives

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Software

Software provides instructions to your computer, telling it what to do.

Software can be divided into two main groups

Operating System Software

Application Software

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Operating System Software

An operating system ("OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer manages all the other programs and hardware in a computer.

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Operating System Software

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Application Software

Applications enable you to work on certain tasks, e.g. writing letters, doing your accounts, using email and playing games are just a few.

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The main application categories are: Word Processors

Spreadsheets

Presentation Applications

Databases

Graphics Applications

Internet Browser Applications

Virus Checking Software

Application Software

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Office Suites

These applications can be purchased in ‘Suites’ or bundles, and are used together to gain the best results for your business problems.

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