Computer System: Dissecting it to its Parts

Computer System - composed of Software, Hardware and Firmware. It is a complete working computer.

Logical Components:

         a.     Input unit – the part of the computer system receiving data. It obtains information from input devices and places this information at the disposal of the other units for processing.
         b.     Output Unit - the part of the computer system releasing data. It takes information that the computer has processed and places it on various output devices to make the information available for use outside the computer.
         c.      Memory unit - the part of the computer system storing data. It stores computer programs while they are being executed. It retains information that has been entered through the input unit, so that it will be immediately available for processing when needed. The memory unit also retains processed information until it can be placed on output devices by the output unit.
         d.     Arithmetic and logic unit (ALU) – the part of the computer system manufacturing data. It is responsible for performing calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
         e.     Central processing unit (CPU) - the part of the computer system controlling it. It coordinates and supervises the other sections’ operations.
         f.      Secondary storage unit - another part of the computer system storing data.

Physical Parts:

         a.     System Unit – contains the main components of the computer, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, video card, hard disk, disk drives, and the power supply. It can also contain optional components such as a sound card or a network card.
         b.     Input Devices - used to give data to the computer. The most common input devices are the keyboard and the mouse.
         c.     Output Devices - the components where the computer shows the results. A monitor, printer, plotter, and loud speaker are all output devices.

         d.     Storage Device - are used to store data permanently. A hard disk, floppy disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and tape cartridge are examples of storage devices.

Computer System: 3 Kinds of Wares

   Software - gives a computer instructions or data and is anything that can be stored electronically. A collection of Software is called Software Bundle or Suite.

   Types of Software:

a.     Application Software – allows users to accomplish one or more specific (non-computer related) tasks. Includes industrial automation, business software, educational software, medical software, databases, and computer games.
b.     System Software – helps run the computer hardware and computer system. Includes operating systems, device drivers, diagnostic tools, servers, windowing systems, utilities and more.
c.      Programming Software – provides tools to assist a programmer in writing computer programs, and software using different programming languages in a more convenient way. Includes text editors, compilers, interpreters, linkers, debuggers, and so on.

   Hardware - the physical components that make up a computer system. Gathers data from software to know what to do.

   Some Computer Hardware:

   a.     Motherboard - holds the CPU, main memory and other parts, and has slots for expansion cards
   b.     Power Supply - a case that holds a transformer, voltage control and fan. Main source of electricity of the Computer.
   c.      Random Access Memory – main memory for data storage.
   d.     Central Processing Unit - carries out the instructions of a computer program.
   e.     Video Card - a card which generates feeds of output images to a display. (wiki)
   f.       Hard Disk Drive - a data storage device used for storing and retrieving digital information using rapidly rotating disks called platters coated with magnetic material. (wiki)
   g.     Optical Drive - a disk drive that uses laser light or electromagnetic waves within or near the visible light spectrum as part of the process of reading or writing data to or from optical discs. (wiki)
   h.     Sound Card - an internal computer card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer under control of computer programs. (wiki)
   i.        LAN Card - a card used to connect to the internet and is used to provide wireless Internet access to computer users at home or in roaming networks. (ask)

   Firmware – the Boundary between the hardware and software. It is the combination of persistent memory and program code and data stored in it.

Computer System: The Machine Cycle

Machine Cycle - steps performed by the computer processor for each machine language instruction received.

Steps of Machine Cycle:

        1.     Fetch - Retrieve an instruction from the memory.
        2.     Decode - Translate the retrieved instruction into a series of computer commands.
        3.     Execute - Execute the computer commands.
        4.     Store - Write the results back in memory.

Computer System: Basic Numerical Systems

Binary - The binary numeral system, or base-2 numeral system, represents numeric values using two symbols: typically 0 and 1.

Decimal - The decimal numeral system has ten as its base. It is the numerical base most widely used by modern civilizations.

Hexadecimal - In mathematics and computing, hexadecimal is a positional numeral system with a base of 16.

Generations of Computer: Vacuum Tubes (1940-1956)

Vacuum Tubes:

-placed in magnetic drums
-enormous in size
-expensive to operate
-consumes huge amount of electricity
-generated a lot of heat
-overheating causes malfunctions
-relied on machine language
-could only solve one problem at a time
-input was based on punched cards and paper tape
-output was displayed on printouts

Examples:

a.     UNIVAC - first commercial computer delivered to a business client, the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951

b.     ENIAC -  first electronic general-purpose computer

Generations of Computers: Transistors (1956-1963)

Transistors

            -Smaller
            -From Magnetic Drum to Magnetic Core
            -Faster
            -Cheaper
            -More Energy-efficient
            -More Reliable
            -Still generated great deal of heat
            -Punch Cards for Input

            -Print-outs for Output

            -Used symbolic/assembly languages

            -Overheating still causes damage to computer
            

Examples:

1.     COBOL

2.     FORTRAN

*Stored their instructions in their memory.
*Developed for atomic energy industry.

Generation of Computers: Integrated Circuits (1964-1971)

Integrated Circuits

            -Cheaper
            -Faster
            -Uses Silicon Chips called Semiconductors

            -Increase in Speed and Efficiency

            -Uses Keyboards for Input

            -Uses Monitors for Output

            -Now has an Operating System

            -Can run many different applications at one time

            -Has a central program to control the Memory

            -Became accessible to Mass Audience

Generations of Computers: Microprocessors (1971-Present)

Microprocessor

          

            -Smaller
            -Faster
            -More Efficient
            -Cheaper

Year 1971:

            - The Intel 4004 chip was developed, located all the components of the computer—from the central processing unit and memory to input/output controls—on a single chip.

Year 1981:

            - IBM introduced its first computer for the home user.

Year 1984:

           -Apple introduced the Macintosh.

* Moved out of the realm of desktop computers and into many areas of life as more and more everyday products began to use microprocessors.
*Linked together to form networks, which eventually led to the development of the Internet.
*Made the development of GUIs, the mouse and handheld devices.

Generations of Computers: Artificial Intelligence (Present)

Artificial Intelligence

            -Still in development

            -Natural Language for Input

            -Capable of Self-Organization

            -Computers like Watson
            -Used in speech recognition

            -Used in intelligent robots

            -Uses Parallel Processing of superconductors
            -Quantum Computation, molecular and nanotechnology
            

Installing Windows 7

Step-by-Step Installation of Windows 7

            1)    Change the Boot Priority in prior to the device where you have the installer.

            2)    Reboot your Computer

            3)    Language options, by default English will be set along with “time and currency format” and “keyboard or input method”

            4)    Click “Install Now”

            5)    “Which type of installation?” window will appear. Upgrade will be grayed out; the only option you should be able to choose is Custom (advanced).

            6)    “Where do you want to install windows?” Make sure the partition is highlighted.

            7)      Delete the partition by clicking on Drive options (advanced) on the bottom right corner of the field. Make sure the partition is highlighted and click on Delete. If drive advanced options is grayed out, then the partition will not have to be deleted.

            8)    The next screen will show “Installing Windows”. This process should take approximately 10 minutes after which the system will reboot.

            9)    The next screen will show “Installing Windows” again to complete the installation process.

          10)    “Setup is starting Windows” will appear on the screen, then you will be asked to create a user name and a computer name.

          11)     The next step will prompt you to create a password for your account (optional).

          12)      The next screen will come up and ask you to choose one of three options: “Use recommended settings”,

          13)     “Install important updates only” and “Ask me later”.

          14)     This screen will allow you to choose your local time zone and also adjust the date and time.

          15)     Click on the appropriate location of your computer to enable Windows 7 to apply the correct network settings.

          16)     The installation is done!