The computer basics
All of the essential parts of a desktop computer are considered hardware. The computer case, monitor, keyboard and mouse are considered the basic parts. These objects are the things you see right away when you look at a PC.
Beyond these parts are the hardware items that are located inside the computer case and the peripherals, which are optional pieces of hardware that make the system more functional, or enable you to achieve additional tasks. Let's take a look at the basic hardware components, or the things necessary in order to let you and the computer work together.
Input Hardware
This allows you to enter data into the PC. The primary devices used are the keyboard and mouse.
Keyboard - The keyboard is very similar as a typewriter. A numeric keypad is located to the right of the keyboard.
Mouse - The mouse is a gadget that allows you to manage the movement of the insertion point on the monitor. When the operator clicks the mouse an insertion point indicates the area you are working on the screen. You can click the mouse and make active icons or drag to move items and select text. There are other devices, such as touch screen, modem, scanner, and other systems.
Processing
The central processing unit or (CPU) is the "heart and brain" of your computer. It contains the circuits that cause the computer to follow instructions from or from a program in RAM (more about this in another article).
Memory –There are two types of memory which are RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). ROM memory has been placed on your computer by the manufacturer and can not be changed. ROM is the memory that determines all the necessary functions of the operation of your computer, such as start-up, shut down, and inserting a character on the screen. RAM is temporary memory, which displays the information you work on. RAM remembers what you see on your screen while you are doing things on your computer. Today's programs require large amounts of memory, which may require you to upgrade and insert more RAM memory.
Control Unit - This is the part of the device, which sends information to the right places in your computer, to store and print material.
Output Hardware
These are devices such as monitors or printers make information available for you to view or use.
A monitor's front is a screen with a CRT or a LCD. Portable computers use a (LCD) liquid crystal display. Today's super video graphics array (SVGA) monitors display 256 sharp and clear colours.
Storage in Hardware
Auxiliary storage devices are used to store information and data when they are not being used in memory. Some types of auxiliary storage more often used on computers are hard disks, CDs and DVDs. Also, pen drives are another way to store data.
Hard Drive - The hard disk located inside the computer case is made of a pile of rotating disks, called platters. Information is recorded on a series of tracks that have been separated into sectors. Most PCs have a hard drive located inside the computer case. If a PC has one hard drive, it is called drive C. If a computer has more than one hard drive, they are called drives D, E, and so on. A hard drive stores your applications or programs. When you buy new software, you must install the program files to your hard drive before you can use it. A hard drive stores your data archives such as documents, videos and music, among other things.
