What is a Computer

BIOS:Basic Input/Output System

The ________ setup program above is used to setup a computer's hardware.

PS/2

These ports are sometimes used for connecting the mouse and keyboard. Typically, the mouse port is green, and the keyboard port is purple

Desktop or laptop

What are the 2 different TYPES of computers?

Hardware

any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the computer monitor or keyboard

Chipset

directs the motherboard's flow of information from one point to another.

Store, Retrieve, and Process

A computer has the ability to ___, ___, and ___ data

Case Fan

Computer's can build up quite a bit of heat. Heat is bad for computers. They need to be kept as cool as possible. The ___________ is in charge of keeping the computer cool. Many people do not think it is that important, but it is the key to the life of a computer. Most computer cases have places to install extras.

Laptops are battery or AC-powered personal computers that are more portable than desktop computers, allowing you to use them almost anywhere. Since a laptop is smaller than a desktop, it's more difficult to access the internal components. That means you may not be able to upgrade them as much as a desktop. However, it's usually possible to add more RAM or a bigger hard drive.

Describe a Laptop (This will be a discussion question)

The Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC)

First Electronic Computer

USB (Universal Serial Bus) Port

These can be used to connect almost any type of device, including mic, keyboards, printers, digital cameras and more.

Monitor Port

This connects the computer screen to the computer

Power Button

used to power the computer on and off.

Memory

A memory module has several memory chips. The computer uses this memory constantly to temporarily store information, (or data), while it is working with it. If a computer has a lot of memory, it can store more temporary information and operate faster.

They can be small, medium, or large in style, and usually sit on a desk. Once you add a monitor, mouse, and a keyboard, you have what is typically known as a desktop computer. Most desktop computers are easy to upgrade and expand, or add new parts. Another benefit of desktop computers is the cost. If you compare a desktop and a laptop with the same features, you will most likely find that the desktop computer is priced lower.

Describe a desktop (This will be a discussion question)

web browsers, games, and Microsoft Word

Examples of Software

The Macintosh computer was introduced in 1984, and it was the first widely sold personal computer with a Graphical User Interface, or GUI (pronounced gooey). All Macs are made by one company, Apple Inc., and they almost always use the Mac OS X operating system. This type of computer began with the original IBM PC that was introduced in 1981. Other companies began to create similar computers, which were called IBM PC Compatible (often shortened to PC). Today, this is the most common type of personal computer, and it typically includes the Microsoft Windows operating system.

Name 3 differences between a PC and a Mac (This will be a discussion question)

type documents, send e-mails, browse internet, handle spreadsheets, accounting, database management, presentations, games, etc...

Name 5 ways you can use a computer

Printer, Scanner, Speakers/Headphones, Web Cam, Digital Camera, Mobile Phone, MP3 Player, Tablet

Name 6 devices you can use with your computer

A server is a computer that "serves up" information to other computers on a network. Tablet Computers: These use a touch-sensitive screen for typing and navigation. Many mobile phones can do a lot of things a computer can do, such as browsing the internet or playing games. These phones are often called smartphones. Game Consoles: A game console is a specialized kind of computer that is used for playing video games. TVs: Many TVs now include applications (or apps) that let you access various types of online content.

Name and define 3 other types of computers that you would not assume are computers.

Monitor, Keyboard, Mouse, Power Cord, and Tower

Name the five basic exterior parts of a desktop computer.

Optical Disk Drive

Often called a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM drive, these let your computer read CDs and DVDs.

sound card

The ________ is what handles the computer's sound. It has its own processor.

motherboard

The ____________ is like a big city with many streets and highways that connect all of the buildings together. Instead of streets and highways, it uses tiny electrical paths to connect everything together. These paths are called "buses." The more buses that connect to something, the faster it can operate.

Power Supply

The _____________supplies the electrical power for a computer. It supplies power to the motherboard, drives, and some expansion cards. It normally has at least one fan that helps to cool the power supply and also helps to cool the computer. Some power supplies have an additional outlet on the back that can be used to provide power to the monitor.

Expansion Slots

These empty slots are where expansion cards are added to computers. For example, if your computer did not come with a video card, you could purchase one and install it here

Power Socket

This is where you'll connect the power cord to the computer.

A computer is an electronic device that manipulates information, or "data."

Use a complete sentence to define "computer."

Ethernet Port

You can use this port for networking and also connecting to the internet

Drive bays

___________ are where the computer's drives are installed. CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives can only play disks. CD R/RW and DVD R/RW drives can both play and record to disks. These drives are normally called "burners."

Video cards (answer to both blanks)

____________ plug into a slot on the motherboard and connect a monitor or other video display device to a computer. The _______ and the monitor are what determine the quality of a computer's video display.

Modems (for all 3 blanks)

_______change a computer's digital information into analog waves that can travel through the phone lines to another computer. The other computer's ______ then changes the analog waves back into digital information, so that the other computer can understand it. ________ are rated by how many bits of information they can receive in one second.

Audio In/Audio Out

allow you to easily plug in microphones, speakers, or ear buds

microprocessor

also called the central processing unit, is the brain of the computer.

Software

any set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.