Everything
about a computer falls into a particular category. Even the motherboard, hard
drive, Windows XP, and your keyboard fall into one of these basic computer
sections.
- Hardware refers to the basic parts that make up your
computer. For example a hard drive, memory, and motherboard are part of
the hardware of your computer.
- Peripherals are those pieces of hardware that you add
on to your computer. For example a mouse, keyboard, modem, monitor, etc
- Software refers to all of the programs on your
computer. Software helps you get things achieved, like writing letters,
sending emails, and surfing the internet.
Different
types of hardware:
Hard drive:
This is where all
your data is stored when you save it. Its size or capacity is measured in
gigabytes.
For Example, I have a 160GB hard
drive in my computer. Obviously a 20GB hard drive is very small in comparison.
Below is a picture of a 3.5″ desktop hard drive and a 2.5″ laptop hard drive.
Interprets computer
program instructions and processes data. The bigger your processor, the faster
your computer performs your tasks. Its speed is measured in megahertz and
gigahertz. 1000 megahertz equals 1 gigahertz. People still have computers that
can be something like a Pentium III 933mhz, however a more up to date computer
would be Pentium IV 3.0ghz. The cpu (picture to the right) has tiny pins that
must not be bent in any way or they will not go into the correct holes on the
motherboard. And see in one of the corners there are no pins, and sometimes you
can see an arrow there. This lets you know which way it goes into the
motherboard.
Motherboard, systemboard, or mainboard: Is the central circuit board that provides
electrical connections so the other components of a computer can communicate
with each other. It is the main part to a computer. Without a motherboard or
mainboard there is no computer. Every part to a computer connects to the
motherboard. Motherboards can be simple with the bare minimum add on or they
can include onboard graphics, onboard sound, network connections, USB ports,
etc. To get a decent motherboard now days you need one that supports things
like loads of USB ports, front USB ports, front audio, compatible for dual or
quad core cpu, TV in and out, and more..
Is the memory of a
computer which works with the other components of the computer to allow it to
function. It stores your data when you are using it and returns it to the hard
drive for storage when you are finished. For example it allows your programs to
run and then puts them away when you close them. Ram size is measured in
megabytes and gigabytes. Most computers have at least 512mb ram but if you
doubled that it would be over 1 gigabyte. (1024mb).
When upgrading your
ram it is best to stick to a similar ram type that was originally in your
computer. For example if you had a DDR2 667mhz 512mb stick of ram originally
then you should put a DDR2 667mhz stick of ram in to upgrade. However the new
stick could be 1GB instead of 512mb. (Just a larger size)
New computers
running Windows Vista are able to handle having more ram. Windows Vista also
does not run well on 512mb of ram.
CD
Rom, CD burner, or DVD burner:
These are used to read CD’s to install software, or access
any data stored on a disk. The latest DVD burners can read most disks as well
as burn both CD’s and DVD’s. The older type CD ROMs only read CD’s and CD
burners read and write or burn CD’s.
Floppy
disk drives are almost obsolete. It uses the
older type 3.5″ square plastic disk.
Different
types of Peripherals:
- Keyboard allows you to type information into your
computer. It has made the poor old type writer obsolete. See what and
where are the keys on my keyboard?
- Mouse this is used as a pointing device that can help
you control your computer tasks. It is a hand held device with a left and
right click button. It performs a lot of the keyboards functions but it’s
as easy as a click here and there. See how to use a mouse.
- Monitor is the screen for viewing your working
computer. The older type is CRT Monitors and the nice slim screens are LCD
Monitors.
- Modem this device connects your computer to a phone
line to enable communication between you and other computers. It allows
you to view pages stored on other computers which is commonly called the
internet. You will need a service provider to do this. Most people have
cable internet, however in remote areas they still use dial up internet
which is extremely slow.
- Printer/Scanner this allows you to print pages from your
computer or scan and copy pages on to your computer to view and edit. Most
new printers come
with a scanner incorporated and sometimes they can also print great
quality photos. See how to install a new printer.
Software:
The main and most important piece of
software a computer has is the Operating System which is most commonly called
Windows. There is also software for almost anything you want to do with your
computer. There is software for picture editing, movie making, music
production, watching movies or TV, and more. It almost seems never ending. It
all starts with an idea.
Computer Terminology relating to
software:
- Warez:
A common name for illegal software.
- Serial:
The serial number for a particular piece of software.
- Download:
To click on a link for a file and transfer it through the internet to your
computer to save.
- Upload:
To transfer a file from your computer to another host computer through the
internet. Like uploading a video to YouTube.
- Trial software:
This is software that you can try before you buy. If your trial time runs
out you will no longer be able to use this software unless you purchase a
copy.
- Apps:
Is an abbreviation used for application software.
Common
Computer terminology and meanings:
- Burn a CD. No, this does not mean you can set fire to
it! This means to write data to a disk. Maybe you want to burn a copy of
your home movies on to a disk.
- Desktop it is everything you see when you start your
computer except the taskbar.
- Wallpaper the monitor pattern or picture or other
graphic representation that forms the background onto which all the icons
are displayed. I like to use a photo of my own for the wallpaper on
my desktop.
- Cookie a text information message that is stored on
your computer when you visit a web page. When you return to the page the
cookie is used to recognize you.
- Tweak To make small changes that fine-tune a piece of
software or hardware. There are many programs that help you do this. For
example XP tools, Tweak u, Ashampoo.
If you are a new computer user, you
should keep this article handy for future reference, and hopefully soon this
computer terminology will become your second language.
Cause of this transfer you can read at this link
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