1. Week 1: Computer
Basics
Lesson 1: Computer Components

2. What is a computer?
O A computer is an electronic device for
storing and processing data, typically in
binary form, according to instructions
given to it in a variable program.
O You probably use a computer for many different things
throughout your daily life. You can check email or type up a
report. Your phone is a computer that stores data and performs
various functions, such as placing phone calls. ATMs read the
information on your card and let you withdraw money from your
bank account. At the grocery store, the cashier scans the
barcode on the bag of cookies you are purchasing and the
computer then adds it to the other items and totals your
purchase.
O All around you computers are used to help you collect
information, organize information, and communicate with one
another.

3. Computers have two main
parts:
Hardware Software
O Hardware is the
physical part of the
computer system,
the machinery and
equipment. These
are the parts of the
computer that you
can “see.”
O Computer software
are programs that
tell the computer
what to do.

4. Examples of Hardware
Monitor:
The Central
Processing Unit
(CPU):
O The screen that
displays images and
words that can be
found in the CPU.
O This is the “brains” of
machine. The CPU is
where most of the
computer’s
calculations take
place. It is the most
important element of
the whole computing
system.

5. Examples of Hardware
Keyboard: Mouse:
O A device used to
type information into
the computer.
O A small device used
to select images on
the screen.

6. Examples of Hardware
Printer:
Scanner:O This devices prints
information onto
paper from the CPU.
O This device creates a
digital
representation of an
image that can be
stored and inputted
into the CPU.

7. Examples of Hardware
USB drive:
Speakers and
Microphones:
O A small device that can
be inserted into the
computer and
provides extra storage
and is used to
transport information
from one computer to
another.
O Speakers are devices
that output sounds
from the CPU to the
user. A microphone
inputs sounds from
the use to the CPU.

8. Computer devices are often broken
down into two categories: input and
output.
O An input device is
something that provides
information to the CPU.
These devices are: key
board, mouse, scanner,
digital camera,
microphones, and USB
drives.
O An output device is
something that provides
information from the CPU
to the user. These devices
are: monitor, printer, and
speakers.

9. Examples of Software
O Microsoft Word – A word processing program that allows you
to create documents wit printed words on them.
O Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software that allows you
to put together slides with words and images.
O Microsoft Excel – A work-book program used to track,
calculate, and analyze numeric data.
O Adobe Photoshop – A program that allows you to edit and
design images.
O SIMS – A gaming software that allows you to control the lives
of virtual people and places.
*Computer software are programs that tell the computer what
to do.

10. A General Understanding of How
Your Computer Works!
O Now that you know about the basic
components, or parts, of your computer, lets
take a look at how it all works.

11. Motherboard
O It is the main circuit board inside the CPU
case. It holds the microprocessor, memory
and other crucial circuits and components
that control the operation of the Personal
Computer. Every device inside or connected
to a Personal Computer finds it's way to this
board.

12. Memory
O The motherboard takes the input you give it like
mouse clicks, and produces output for you like
displaying or printing a file. It can't do this without
memory. The PC operating system (for PCs this is
generally Microsoft Windows, for Macs its called OS
X) used by the PC is copied from storage to memory
at power up. (Basically, every time you turn on your
computer, it has to access the operating system in
order to do anything). The OS copy in memory then
runs the PC. Memory is volatile, which means that
when your PC is turned off the contents of memory
are lost. It is completely blank and must reloaded
each time the PC is powered up.

13. Storage
O Storage is non-volatile which means it
retains information even when it is
powered off. It stores programs, which run
the PC as well as data. Data is a digital form
of everything you use like documents,
music, pictures, etc.

14. O Input Devices
The keyboard and mouse are the main input devices you
use to control your PC.
O Output Devices
When you send inputs into the PC, it processes them and
produces useful output for you. The primary output
devices are the video display, printer and speakers.
O Software
Some people want to use the power of their computer to
create works of art, others want to create music, or play
games, surf the web, or play the stock market. Whatever
you want to do with your computer, software is the key to
doing it.

15. In summary:
O When you turn on your computer, the operating
system is accessed and the computer is powered up.
O Once you login, you have access to the software, files,
and programs that have been stored in the computer’s
memory.
O Using the keyboard and the mouse (and sometimes a
microphone), you can access and create files and data.
O Using the printer and monitor, the files you have
created are then displayed and printed for you to see.