tech

A computer is a programmable machine. This means it can execute a programmed list of instructions and respond to new instructions that it is given. Today, however, the term is most often used to refer to the desktop and laptop computers that most people use. When referring to a desktop model, the term \"computer\" technically only refers to the computer itself -- not the monitor, keyboard and mouse. Still, it is acceptable to refer to everything together as the computer.

Types of Computers: Microcomputer is a computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit. They are physically small compared to mainframe and minicomputers. Many microcomputers (when equipped with a keyboard and screen for input and output) are also personal computers (in the generic sense).

Macro or Mainframe Computers Mainframe computers they are used where large amount of data are to be processed or very complex calculations are to be made, and these tasks are beyond the computing capacity of minicomputers. They are used in research organizations, large industries, large business and government organizations, banks and airlines reservations where a large database is required.



• Computer Basic Equipment • Hardware • Computer hardware refers to the physical parts of a computer and related devices. Internal hardware devices include motherboards, hard drives, and RAM. External hardware devices include monitors, keyboards, mice, printers, and scanners. • Motherboard - The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer and is also known as the main board or logic board. If you ever open your computer, the biggest piece of silicon you see is the motherboard • Attached to the motherboard, you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. It also includes controllers for devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard, and mouse. Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything in your computer work together. • CPU - Stands for \"Central Processing Unit.\" This is the pretty much the brain of your computer. It processes everything from basic instructions to complex functions. Any time something needs to be computed, it gets sent to the CPU. Every day, it's compute this, compute that . The CPU can also be referred to simply as the \"processor.\"

 Memory (or RAM) Stands for \"Random Access Memory,\" and is pronounced like the male sheep. RAM is made up of small memory chips that form a memory module. These modules are installed in the RAM slots on the motherboard of your computer.  Hard drive The hard drive is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all your files and folders are physically located. A typical hard drive is only slightly larger than your hand, yet can hold over 100 GB of data. The data is stored on a stack of disks that are mounted inside a solid encasement. These disks spin extremely fast (typically at either 5400 or 7200 RPM) so that data can be accessed immediately from anywhere on the drive. The data is stored on the hard drive magnetically, so it stays on the drive even after the power supply is turned off.  Video card in order to give the CPU a break and help it run more efficiently, a video card can be used to process the graphics portion of the processing load. Because most of today's programs are graphically oriented, the video card can help almost any program run more efficiently. However, the difference in performance is especially noticeable in image editing applications and 3D games.

• Peripherals - computer M peripheral is any O external device that T provides input and H output for the E computer. For R example, a keyboard and mouse are input B peripherals, while a O monitor and printer are A output peripherals. R D

R A M S S PROCESSOR T I C HARD DRIVE K S



• SOFTWARE • Computer software is a general term that describes computer programs. Related terms such as software programs, applications, scripts, and instruction sets all fall under the category of computer software. Therefore, installing new programs or applications on your computer is synonymous with installing new software on your computer. Software consists of lines of code written by computer programmers that have been compiled into a computer program. Software programs are stored as binary data that is copied to a computer's hard drive, when it is installed. Since software is virtual and does not take up any physical space, it is much easier (and often cheaper) to upgrade than computer hardware. • PROGRAM • A program (noun) is executable software that runs on a computer. It is similar to a script, but is often much larger in size and does not require a scripting engine to run.

• Software is often divided into two categories: • systems software : • Includes the operating system and all the utilities that enable the computer to function. • applications software : • Includes programs that do real work for users. For example, word processors, spreadsheets, and database management systems fall under the category of applications software.

What is OPERATING SYSTEM: The most important program that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

• Operating systems provide a software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run. The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular operating system. Your choice of operating system, therefore, determines to a great extent the applications you can run. For PCs, the most popular operating systems are DOS, OS/2, and Windows, but others are available, such as Linux. • Different Type’s of Operating System: • Linux • Windows Operating System • -XP • -Vista • -7 • -2010

PARTS OF DESKTOP: WALLPAPER BROWSER ICONS START TASK BAR BUTTO N

Menu TBTAITiRtLleE bar Bar Address Bar CONTENT H AREA O M Status Line E P A G E











Windows Operating System Utilities  Dos Commands:  An instruction that DOS and Windows execute from the command line or from a batch file. A variety of internal commands, such as Dir and Copy, are built into COMMAND.COM, located in the \\DS or \\WINDOWS folder. Many external commands, such as Format and Xcopy, are individual executables that reside in the \\DOS or \\WINDOWS\\COMMAND folder. DOS commands are still widely used in Windows by programmers and power users. Quite often, a typed-in command can perform an operation much faster and much easier than dragging and dropping icons in a GUI interface  Dos Commands that are commonly use when checking internet connection:  IPCONFIG –ipconfig (internet protocol configuration) in Microsoft Windows is a console application that displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol DHCP and Domain Name System DNS settings.  PING - test to troubleshoot connectivity problems with your home network. Ping tests are also commonly used to measure the delay (\"lag\") with online gaming services or other Internet servers.

 TRACERT ( trace route ) -is a computer network tool used to show the route taken by packets across an Internet Protocol (IP) network. An IPv6 variant, traceroute6 is also widely available.  IPCONFIG RELEASE - Release the IP address for the specified adapter.  -IPCONFIG RENEW Release the IP address for the specified adapter.  DEVICE MANAGER - allows users to view and control the hardware attached to the computer. When a piece of hardware is not working, the offending hardware is highlighted for the user to deal with. The list of hardware can be sorted by various criteria.

• Control Panel - is a part of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface which allows users to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls via applets, such as adding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user accounts, and changing accessibility options. Additional applets can be

 System Properties - View and change settings that control how your computer uses memory and finds certain information.  •Find information about hardware and device properties, as well as configure hardware profiles  •View information about your network connection and logon profile.  •Report system and program errors to Microsoft or your system administrator when they occur.  Short cut in going to system properties:  -Right click my computer  -Go to properties

NETWORK CONNECTION - allows sharing of resources and information among interconnected devices .

TASK MANAGER - provides detailed information about computer performance and running applications, processes and CPU usage, commit charge and memory information, network activity and statistics, logged-in users, and system services. The Task Manager can also be used to set process priorities, processor affinity, forcibly terminate processes, and shut down, restart, hibernate or log off from Windows .

WIRELESS ZERO CONFIGURATION - also known as Wireless Auto Configuration, or WLAN AutoConfig is a wireless connection management utility included with Microsoft Windows XP and later operating systems as a service that dynamically selects a wireless network to connect to based on a user's preferences and various default settings. This can be used instead of, or in the absence of, a wireless network utility from the manufacturer of a computer's wireless networking device .