Finally... An Understandable Introduction To Computers

Roger A. Pendey

When you mention the word "technology," most people thinkabout computers. Virtually every facet of our lives has somecomputerized component. The appliances in our homes havemicroprocessors built into them, as do our televisions. Evenour cars have a computer. However, the computer thateveryone thinks of first is typically the personal computer,or PC.It is a general-purpose tool, built around a microprocessor.A PC has many different parts such as memories, a hard disk,a modem, etc that work together.

A PC is said to be "generalpurpose" because you can do many different things with itlike: you can use it to type documents, send e-mail, browsethe Web and play games.Let us look at the main components of a typical desktopcomputer.Central processing unit (CPU): The microprocessor "brain" ofthe computer system is referred to as the central processingunit. The CPU oversees everything that a computer does.Memory: This fast storage area is for storing data and isconnected directly to the microprocessor. That's why it isfast. There are various types of memory in a computersystem:Random-access memory (RAM): Used to temporarily storeinformation that the computer is currently working with.Read-only memory (ROM): It refers to computer memory chips,containing permanent or semi-permanent data that does notchange.Basic Input/Output: Required to establish the basiccommunication when the system is turned on. It is directlyconnected to the motherboard.Caching: The storing of frequently used data in extremelyfast RAM that connects directly to the CPU.Virtual memory: Used to temporarily store data and swap itin and out of the RAM.Motherboard: This is the main board in the computer that hasthe processor, the RAM, the BIOS ROM, the timing andcontrol, the interrupt and direct memory access hardware andthe keyboard interface on it which are connected to itthrough the secondary connection.Soundcard: this device attaches to the motherboard with asocket called PCI, which allows the computer to play CD's ormusic files, or MP3 CD's.

All soundcards have speakers andconnectors. The quality of sound depends upon the qualityof the card.Hard drive: This is the main storage device of a computer.It stores information including the OS that allows you toaccess it all. Most common OS for PCs is Microsoft Windows.And Apple computers use the Macintosh operating system.Other drives: Most computers are also complete with floppydisk and CD drives. These vary from system to system,however all work in same way. They read information storedon disks.

These are necessary for maintaining and updatingthe computer's software and operating system.That's the components that create the average computer.Although there are many different systems, and configura-tions, it is difficult to imagine our lives without them.

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