Main Parts Of A Computer

Main Parts Of A Computer

Processor (CPU) - The part of the computer that handles all processesand instructions supplied by memory unit (RAM)Memory (RAM) - Random Accessed Memory. The area of the computer thatholds the instructions (processes) and information system gives it.When you turn the computer off, everything in RAM disappears.Read Only Memory (ROM) - A chip or disk that holds information thatcannot be changed. Ex CD-ROM, DVD-ROMDisk drive - A mechanical device that you use to transfer informationback and forth between the computer's memory and a disk.Floppy disk (3.5") - A magnetically coated disk on which informationcan be stored and retrieved. Capacity is 1.44MB - requires aFloppy-DriveZip disk - A magnetically removable coated disk on which informationcan be stored and retrieved. Capacity is 100 or 250MB or more -requires a zip-driveHard disk - A large capacity storage area that offers access to storeand retrieve information, very slow compare to RAM.Monitor - A screen that displays the information in the computer.Keyboard - A device used to enter data and issue commands to thecomputer.Printer or Scanner - A devices that help to make hard copies o scandocuments into the computer.Mouse - A small, hand-held device used to control the pointer on thescreen.Software - Instructions that tell your computer how to perform a task.Software is stored on the disks in program files. Software cannot beseen or touched. There are two main kinds of software:* application software and* system softwareApplication software (program) - Software that does specific task,such as word processing. (Word, Power Point)System software - Software that the computer system or OS operatingsystem.Firmware - A kind of system software - instructions that are builtinto thecomputer system on ROM chips.