S.1 Chapter 2 Computer Hardware And System Setup Caltec S.1

Computer Hardware and System Start up Key Learning Outcomes ; Bytheendofthischapter, learners should beable to: a)know thephysical devices ofacomputer system andhow each operates . b)assemble acomputer system . c)safely start andshut down acomputer system . d)usecomputer peripheral tools . Key words 1.Hardware 2.Device 3.Booting 4.Peripheral Introduction Inthischapter youwilllearn about thephysical parts ofthecomputer andtheir useineveryday life. Different parts ofacomputer areassembled tomake acomplete system .These parts may bemanufactured bythesame company ordifferent companies . Some ofthehardware parts areinternal components (within thesystem case) while others areperipherals (externally connected tothesystem case through aport) . Asacomputer user, youshould know how toassemble thehardware parts and safely start thecomputer . Computer Hardware parts Meaning of Computer Hardware Have you ever used adesktop computer? You realize that there isnotanysingle part called aComputer . Generally, acomputer isasystem ofmany parts working together asshown inFigure 2.1.below Computer Hardware Meaning of Computer Hardware The tangible parts that you can touch and feel such asthe monitor, keyboard, mouse, disk drives, printer, scanner and speakers, arecollectively referred toashardware . The opposite ofhardware issoftware, which refers tothe instructions orprograms that tellthehardware what todo. Software isintangible . Computer Hardware Imagine youhave been asked totype andproduce aletter inviting your head teacher adebating competition inyour class onTuesday at2:00pminthe main hall. Inthiscase, youcanuseakeyboard fortyping, amouse forcontrolling the cursor onthescreen (these areinput devices), theprinter will beused to produce ahard copy ofthework seen onthescreen (output) .Storage is done within thesystem unitwhere aharddisk istheoneresponsible forthis activity . Activity 2.1: Parts of a computer 1.Discuss andidentify whether useofeach ofthedevices labeled inFigure 2.1isaninput, output, storage, communication orprocessing device and summarize your findings inthetable below : Label Name of Device Category 1 Mouse Input 2 3 4 5 6 Categories of Computer Hardware Hardware devices arecategorized according totheir functions .The various hardware categories include input, storage, processing ,output, and communication devices . Input devices areused forentering …