Introduction to Computers

Control Keys

Identify the area inside the blue outline.

Function Keys

Identify the area inside the blue outline.

Numeric Key Pad

Identify the area inside the blue outline.

Typing Area

Identify the area inside the blue outline.

Output Device

any piece of computer hardware used to communicate the data processed by the computer

Input Device

any piece of computer hardware used to provide data to the computer

Surge Protector

appliance designed to protect computer electronics from electrical damage

Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)

built-in program which initializes computer hardware and launches the operating system when the computer starts

Power Cord

cable connecting the computer to the electrical supply; aids in delivering electrical power to the main computer

Power Connector

cable inside the computer connecting the power supply to the internal devices

Storage Device Cable

cable inside the computer transferring data between the mother board and storage devices

Clock Rate

common measurement of CPU speed; tells how fast the CPU can process data

High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

compact video and audio interface transmitting digital data between the high-definition monitors and the computer

Personal Computer (PC)

computer designed for general use by a single person

Power Supply

computer hardware converting alternating current or AC electric power to a low-voltage power for the internal components of the computer

Touch Pad

computer pointing device which takes advantage of a tactile sensor to detect a user's finger movement

Driver

computer program allowing the computer to communicate with a hardware device

Ethernet Cable

cord connecting the computer to the Internet

Digital Video Disc Read-Only Memory (DVD-ROM)

high capacity optical disc storage, in which data can only be read, not written

Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector

interface designed to connect computer and peripheral devices, such as printers, mouses, keyboards and external hard drives

Motherboard

main circuit board inside personal computers which holds the majority of computer components and provides connectors for peripherals

Hard Drive

main storage device of a computer; commonly referred as an internal device and used to permanently store data

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

microprocessor which calculates all the data going through a personal computer

Monitor

output device which displays graphics and images from the computer

Hardware

physical parts of a computer, such as the hard drive, video card, monitor and other substantial computer parts

Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM)

pre-pressed compact disc storage in which data can only be accessed, not modified

External Hard Drive

removable hard drive located outside of the main computer tower

Light-Emitting Diode (LED)

semiconductor light source used in various applications; in the world of computers

Software

set of computer programs designed to enable computers to accomplish certain tasks

Binary Digit (Bit)

smallest unit of computer storage capacity

Defragmentation

software maintenance process which reduces the amount of space between files

PC

the microcomputer is often called the

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

thin, light electronic display which employs the light modulating properties of liquid crystals

Read-Only Memory (ROM)

type of computer memory which stores the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS); and cannot be changed

Random Access Memory (RAM)

type of computer memory, which temporarily stores computer information

Gigahertz (GHz)

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate; equals one billion cycles per second.

Megahertz (MHz)

unit of measurement of CPU clock rate; equals one million cycles per second

Digital Visual Interface (DVI)

video and audio interface connecting the monitor and the computer