COMPONENT FUNCTIONS
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1. CPU:
The CPU is the brains of the computer. All informat ion goes through the CPU to be processed. The latest CPUs execute many mil lions of instruct ions per second.
2. MEMORY:
Memory is where the information is stored.
a. RAM:
Random Access Memory stores programs and data as it is used. The information in RAM is lost when the power is turned of f .
Random Access Memory stores programs and data as it is used. The information in RAM is lost when the power is turned of f .
b. ROM: Read Only Memory stores start up and basic operating information.
3. DISKS:
Disks are where large amounts of information are stored, even when the power is of f .
a. Floppy Disks -
Information can be wri t ten to and read from f loppy disks. The advantage of f loppy disks is that they can be removed f rom the computer and the data taken to another machine.
b. Hard disks -
Hard disks are not removable l ike f loppy disks, but hold more information.
c. CD ROMs -
Compact Disk Read Only Memory. They are useful for storing large amounts of data. A CD ROM holds about 650 MB of data and is removable.
4. Input/Output Components:
Allow a computer to communicate with the outside world. Following are some examples of Input/Output devices.
a. Keyboard is used to enter informat ion from the user to the computer.
b. Moni tors are used to display information.
c. Video controller is a board in the computer that controls the monitor. It translates the data in the video memory into symbols on the moni tor .
d. Parallel/Serial ports allow the computer to send data to and receive data from printers, modems, etc.
e. Mouse and Joystick are used to input posi tional informat ion to the computer.
f. Network Interface Card – A NIC connects the computer to a network. Networks are a high-speed method of transferring data f rom one computer to another.