Chapter 2 

Hardware Basics: Inside the Box 

-Explain in general terms how computers store and manipulate information.

-Describe the basic structure and organization of a computer.

-Discuss the functions and interactions of a computer system’s  principal internal components.

-Explain why a computer typically has different types of memory and storage devices

Basic Functions of a Computer

-Receive input: Accept information from the outside world

-Process information: Perform arithmetic or logical (decision-making) operations on 
 information

-Produce output: Communicate information to the outside world

-Store information: Move and store information in memory 

Input devices 

-Keyboards and pointing devices
(mouse) 

Output devices 

-Display or video monitor

-Printer

-Speakers

Basic Components of a Computer 

Memory and storage devices 

-Primary storage: RAM (Random Access Memory) 

-Secondary storage: Storage devices that serve as
long-term repositories for data:

*Hard disk drive

*Recordable CD and DVD drives

*Tape drives

Computer’s information is digital

- Bit, or binary digit

*The smallest unit of information

*Can have one of two values: 1 or 0

*Can represent numbers, codes, or instructions

-Byte: a collection of 8 bits 

Bit-related terminology 

*Byte(B) =  8 bits

*Kilobyte (KB)  =  1 Thousand Bytes

*Megabytes (MB)  =  1 Million Bytes

*Gigabytes (GB)  =  1 Billion Bytes

*Terabytes (TB)  =  1 Trillion Bytes

CPU (microprocessor) 

Communicates with all the other parts of the computer system indirectly through memory

An extraordinarily complex collection of electronic circuits 

Housed along with other chips and electronic components on the motherboard

RAM (random access memory)

Used to store program instructions and data temporarily

Unique addresses and data can be stored in any location

Can quickly retrieve information 

Will not remain if power goes off  (volatile)

ROM (read-only memory) 

Information stored permanently on a chip

Contains startup instructions and other permanent data

CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) 

Special low-energy kind of RAM  

Flash memory 

Used for phones, pagers, portable computers, handheld computers, and PDAs 

~ooo~