The computer consists of both hardware and software. The key hardware components include the processor, motherboard, graphics card, sound card, network card, memory, disk drives, monitor, and peripherals like keyboards, mice, and printers. The processor performs calculations, the motherboard connects components, the graphics card handles display output, and memory temporarily stores active programs and data for processing. Disk drives provide permanent storage. Software includes operating systems and application programs.

1. PARTS OF A COMPUTER
KAROL JULIETH OSORIO MONSALVE
10-4

2. KEY PARTS
• The computer is made up of two main parties which are the software and hardware.
• the software is the virtual part of the computer, more exactly the programs you have installed such as
Windows or Word.
• This software is divided into two class are the operating system and TSRs.
• When speaking of a MS-DOS, Windows XP, Linux or Unix among others are talking of an operating system and
when speaking of Microsoft Office, an OpenOffice, Corel Draw, Autocad, Photoshop and others are talking a
resident program which is mounted on the operating system which allows operation.
• Hardware is the physical or tangible computer part, it is all that you can see or touch as the keyboard or the
mouse and it is this hardware or physical part which then is to show and explain in a more detailed way.

3. PROCESSOR
• The processor called central processing unit (Central Processing Unit) is the set of the control unit and
the arithmetic logic unit. The control unit, or true brain of the computer, who decodes instructions
(software) and runs. It is also responsible for controlling and synchronizing the other components and
peripherals of a computer system. The arithmetic logic unit is responsible for performing mathematical
and logical operations with all the information. We can find computers that have more than one
processor.

4. THE BOARD
• The board, motherboard, or motherboard (motherboard) is the main element of any computer, which
are or to which all other appliances and devices are connected. Physically, it is a "wafer" of synthetic
material, on which there is an electronic circuit which connects various elements are anchored on it.

5. GRAPHICS CARD
• This is to monitor transmitting graphical information to be presented on the screen. With a little more detail, it performs two
operations:
• interprets the data coming from the processor, and calculating ordering them to present them on the screen as a more or lesslarge
composed of individual dots of different colors (pixels) rectangle.
• Takes the output digital data resulting from the process and transformed into an analog signal that can understand the monitor.
• these two processes are often filmmaker by one or more chips: the graphics processor or GPU Unit (graphics processor) and analog-
digital or RAMDAC converter, but sometimes there are chips accessories for other functions or are all performed by a single chip .
• Usually these video cards are integrated into the Board and these are usually called integrated video, currently any video allows 2D
and 3D acceleration in Board of low-priced integrated video is enough for basic applications and modest games, Boards higher-priced
power of this integrated video is larger and allows to run more demanding applications in video, but if they are to have games of last
generation, work video editing and similar things the integrated video is no longer sufficient and the solution is to install a more
powerful video that can run these demanding applications, when speaking of a video apart from the board is already talking about a
video card, better known as accelerator video or accelerator graphics, these cards come with their own memory and not generaluse
computer memory (RAM), which the video if it is integrated.

6. SOUND CARD
• It is the handle that allows the computer sound (also known as audio card). This card makes it possible
to play sound through speakers or record sounds from the outside via the microphone (it is an internal
card, but has external ports that the speakers and microphone are connected). In the low-cost PC,
sometimes the sound card is replaced by a sound chip integrated on the motherboard; That reduces the
price of the computer, but the quality is acceptable.
• Until recently, most sound cards are connected in the ISA slot, and they did not need a large capacity
data transmission. But as these cards is included more functions, a higher-capacity bus, therefore, the
newer cards are for PCI slot, although there are still many ISA cards on the market it became necessary.
(And are cheaper)

7. THE MODEM
• Modem is an acronym for Modulator- Demodulate, i.e., a device that converts digital signals into analog
telephone signal computer and vice versa. It is a device that allows PCs to exchange data over
telephone lines. It is the device used to browse the Internet. It also serves to send and receive faxes
from your PC (this is why some call fax modem). The current way of connecting with the Internet is via
phone, therefore you will need one. There modem all shapes and sizes. Some are a separate and are
known as external modems, cables that connect to the computer and to the telephone line box. Some
others are inside the computer with a single cable to the phone; the newest are small objects the size of
a credit card that is inserted into the motherboard.
• In addition to the variety of physical sizes, there is also a huge variety of internal features. The speed at
which a modem operates (i.e., the speed at which it can transfer information from the computer on the
telephone line) ranging from about 2,400 bits per second, obsolete today, to 56 kilobits and some
higher speeds if the connection it is performed by cable (fiber optic) or satellite.

8. RED CARD
• The network adapter card is the interface between the computer and the network cable. The function
of the network card is to prepare, send, and control data on the network. To prepare the data to be sent
to the network, the card uses a device called a transceiver (transmitter-receiver), convert serial
transmission format to parallel format. Each card has its own unique address, allowing it to be
differentiated from all other cards in the network.
• Network cards have configurable options that must be worn. These options include the interrupt (IRQ),
the direction of the I / O port and base memory address (base memory address). To ensure
compatibility between the computer and the network card, it must be appropriate to the data bus
architecture computer, and have the appropriate type of connector to the cable.

9. OTHER CARDS
• Expansion cards: These are cards that are used to increase connectivity capabilities as computer details.
• USB cards: When the computer does not have USB ports or do not have enough for devices that want
to connect (printers, cameras, joystick etc.) This can install a USB expansion will allow the computer to
have more of these ports, generally They are installed in a PCI slot on the main board or board.
• Firewire card: These cards serve the same function as before, but instead of providing more USB
connectors, which provide FireWire connectors are usually they bring those Board of great price.
• Radio and TV card: These are cards that are installed in a PCI slot on the board or can also be external
connected to a USB port and allows as its name indicates that the computer can tune in radio stations
(Normally FM) and television signal as if it were a Normal except that these cards can record on the
hard drive programming radio or television that is heard, bring their own remote control, these cards
allow you to watch TV while working on some program like Word or Excel, television since you can
resize the TV window and place superimposed on the application to that use.

10. THE MEMORY
• The memory of a computer is Where the information handled by the processor and the instructions are
Executed. We can imagine is the worktable processor; all that it needs to be Placed in memory: applications,
data, drivers, etc. For the processor to access a program Recorded on a disc, it has Previously pass memory.
• This memory is called RAM (Random Access Memory acronym, Random Access Memory)
• The more memory your computer, you can have more programs open, and the computer will have some more
speed.
• The memory capacity is measured in Mb in multiples of 8, 16,32,64 ... ahem Mb. Currently the computers
have 256 MB of memory minimum.

11. DISK DRIVERS
• HDD: It is the internal permanent storage device in which all programs and files you create with these programs when working on the
computer are stored. The more hard disk has a capacity, more information and programs can be stored on the PC. The hard disk
capacity is measured in gigabytes (GB). A GB 1,024 MB approximately.
• CD-ROM: This unit serves to read (CD-ROM) CDs in coming almost all programs and listen to music CDs on your PC. The speed of a CD
ROM depends on two factors: the rate of data transfer (most important and the only thing that mentioned him) and access time.
• CD-RW: It is what allows for a compact disc, or CD ROM as CD music, write and store information; It has the traditional advantages of
these discs, such as durability and high capacity data storage (650 MB). A CD RW allows you to type information into two types of
discs: Recordable CD (CD R for recordable CD) and rewritable CD (CD-RW for CD Rewritable) The main difference is that a CD R, can
record information only once (the that records can not be deleted later) while a CD RW allows you to write and erase information
when you want (such as a floppy disk or hard disk).
• DVD ROM UNIT: It is an optional peripheral that allows you to read DVD ROM plus CD ROMs, music CDs and other shaped CD. The
DVD is a new type of compact disc offers a storage capacity much higher than that of a CD ROM data; while a CD ROM or any other
type of conventional CD can store 650 MB of data, a DVD will be between 4.7 and 17 GB is, between 7 and 265 times more. Because
of this, the CD ROM will gradually displaced by DVDROM units that already occurs in high segments in the United States.
• FLOPPY DISK DRIVE: This drive reads and writes to the floppy disks that are used to transport data back and forth. Floppy disks have a
storage capacity very low data: 1.4 megabytes (MB). They are used to store and read information, but unlike the hard disk that is fixed
within the PC, floppy disks can be inserted and removed from the unit.

12. MONITORS
• A few years ago, color monitors for personal computers were considered frivolous (they were more
suitable for games for real work). Much software was based on the text, and the text produced by color
video modes was rough and difficult to read. Even for graphics applications, graphics adapters color
monitors (CGA), who were the first display modes color to appear for systems based on MS-DOS
computers, were severely limited by their inability to show more than 4 colors 16 possible at the
highest resolution monitor (a flat resolution zigzags instead of smooth curves and straight lines).

13. SCANNERS
• They are units that allow you to copy documents and digitally archive them, they are kind of copying
but instead of printing is stored in a file. With the rise of electronic document and the vertical drop in
prices, scanners have become almost as popular as printers. They are usually produced by the same
companies that manufacture them and there for home, office and professional uses.
• For quick scan text there is a process called OCR (optical character recognition) is quite satisfactory; It is
not too accurate, but we must clarify that only high accuracy OCR programs to reach professionals and
OMNI PAGE.

14. PRINTERS
• The printer is an essential peripheral output of the PC, as the very word says information printed on paper, documents, letters,
photos, etc. PC in order to be archived, filed, etc., etc. Printers are units supported data output on paper. Allow obtaining results
listed or processes legibly for people. Basically there are three kinds of printers: inkjet, laser and dot matrix.
• Dot Matrix: The dot matrix printer has this name because it has a tailstock with a set of separate columns in one or more needles. As
will be explained below, this is an impact printer. The printer processor receives information table bitmaps and is dedicated to
calculate the most efficient way, line by line, head for the trip. From this sends signals to the head and the platen for printing.
• Inkjet: The operation of these is relatively simple. Depositing ink droplets on paper. These droplets are deposited by the print head
containing an array of micro holes or ducts, which are the mouths by circulating the ink head to the paper. When the time comes to
print, the processor reads this peripheral character by character what they should print, search the memory which is the matrix
corresponding to that letter, BITMAP system. This information is sent to the head to know that ducts should be sent ink to paper, and
that no holes. If you want to print a chart, the printing system to use would be the Outline.
• Laser: The laser printer works thanks to the phenomenon of polarization and attraction of cargo. This means that during the printing
process, certain atoms attract and repel (among other processes) to enable the user to obtain the printed sheet. The processbegins
when the operating system sends signals to the printer, which are decoded by the processor of the printer. This instructs the laser
turned on and off.
• LED printers: LED printer replaces the laser with a simple array of light emitting diodes (LED - Light Emitting Diode). LEDs illuminate
the printer drum to recreate the image. This matrix is still, unlike the laser beam.

15. BOXES AND PERIPHERALS
• Boxes or towers: The box or tower computer (misnamed CPU, since technically the CPU is the Central Processing Unit or better known as processor), is an important part
of the computer, is ideal to have good ventilation design outside fans which should be well placed for proper cooling of electronic components found within it.
• KEYBOARD: On the keyboard by pressing a key on a command to the computer so that it can be interpreted and present the corresponding sign or symbol on the monitor
screen is sent. Currently there are many types of keyboards, are the basic, ergonomic, media that in some cases have even built-in calculator.
• MOUSE (MICE): Each time you move the mouse to the computer instruction is sent to move the pointer or cursor displayed on the monitor screen.
• JOYSTICK (PRY): It is also called joystick ("Joystick") and is primarily used to facilitate movement of the pointer or cursor displayed on the monitor screen when a game
program is executed.
• DIGITAL CAMERA: It is similar to a conventional camera but keeps the images captured digitally.
• DIGITAL FILMADORA: This type of camera allows video recording with audio, information is captured and stored in the memory of the camera can be saved in different
formats such as avi, mpeg, among others, the greater the amount of memory that tells the camera will allow record longer video.
• speakers: Are the way out of sounds (voice, music, sound effects, noise) generated on the computer, more specifically by the sound card, plug in the back of the computer
tower and function as conventional speakers. There are many models of speakers, are the basic with two speakers and other more advanced than have surround sound,
surround, subwoofer systems 2.1, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 channels among others. You can also connect headphones to the computer.