Introduction to Computers

Computer System
A computer is a fast electronic device that processes the input data
according to the instructions given by the user and provides the desired
information as an output.
A complete computer installation including the central processing unit,
the peripherals such as hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, monitor, printer,
mouse and operating system which are designed to work and interact with
each other and with the user is called a computer system.
Components of a computer system
A computer system has following three main components:
(a) Input/ Output Unit
(b) Central Process Unit
(c) Memory Unit
INPUT

CU

ALU

OUTPUT

MEMORY

Secondary Memory

Input/output Unit: We know that the computer is a machine that processes

the input data according to given set of instructions and gives the output.
Before a computer does processing, it must be given data and instructions.
After processing, the output must be displayed or printed by the computer.
The unit used for getting the data and instructions into the computer and
displaying or printing output is known as an Input/output Unit (I/O Unit).
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The Input Unit is used to enter data and instructions into a computer.
There are many peripheral devices, which are used as input/output units for
the computer.

The most common form of input device is known as a

terminal. A terminal has a electronic typewriter like device, called keyboard

along with a display screen, called Visual Display Unit (VDU) or monitor.
Keyboard is the main input device while monitor can be considered both as
an input as well as an output device. There are some other common input
devices like mouse, punched card, type, joystick, scanner, modem etc., which
are explained in later part of this chapter. Monitor, printer and plotter are the
main peripheral devices used as output units for the computer.
Central Processing Unit: Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the main
component or brain of a computer, which performs all the processing of
input data. Its function is to fetch, examine and then execute the instructions
stored in main memory of computer. In microcomputers, the CPU is built on
a single chip or Integrated Circuit (IC) and is called as Microprocessor. The
CPU consists of following distinct parts:
1. Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU): The arithmetic and logic unit of CPU is
responsible for all arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division as well as logical operations such as less then,
equal to and greater than. Actually, all calculations and comparisons are
performed in the arithmetic logic unit.
2. Control Unit (CU): The control unit is responsible for controlling the
transfer of data and instructions among other units of computer.

It is

considered as a Central Nervous System of computer, as it manages

and coordinates all the units of computer. It obtains the instructions from
the memory, interprets them and directs the operation of the computer. It
obtains the instructions from the memory, interprets them and directs the
operation of the computer. It also performs the physical data transfer
between memory and the peripheral device.
3. Registers: Registers are the small high speed circuits (memory
locations) which are used to store data, instructions and memory
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addresses (memory location numbers), when ALU performs arithmetic

and logical operations. Registers can store one word of data (1 word = 2
bytes & 1 byte = 8 bit; details of BITS AND BYTES are discussed in later
part of this chapter) until it is overwritten by another word. Depending on
the processors capability the number and type of registers vary form one
CPU to another. Registers can be divided into six categories viz. General
Purpose

Registers,

Pointer

Registers,

Segment

Registers,

Index

Registers, Flags Registers and Instruction Pointer Registers, depending

upon their function. The detailed functions of each and every register are
beyond the scope of this book.
4. Buses: Data is stored as a unit of eight bits (BIT stands for Binary
Digit i.e. 0 or 1) in a register. Each bit is transferred from one register to
another by means of a separate wire. This group of eight wires, which is
used as a common way to transfer data between registers, is known as a
bus. In general terms, bus is a connection between two components to
transmit signal and Address Bus. The data bus is used to move data,
address bus to move address or memory location and control bus to send
control signals between various components of a computer.
5. Clock: Clock is another important component of CPU, which
measures and allocates a fixed time slot for processing each and every
micro-operation (smallest functional operation). In simple terms, CPU is
allocated one or more clock cycles to complete a micro-operation
(smallest functional operation). In simple terms, CPU is allocated one or
more clock cycles to complete a micro-operation. CPU executes the
instructions is synchronization with the clock pulse.
The clock speed of CPU is measured in terms of Mega Hertz
(MHz) or Millions of Cycles per second. The clock speed of CPU varies
from one model to another in the range 4.77 MHZ (in 8088 processor) to
66 MHz (in Pentium).CPU speed is also specified in terms of Millions of
Instructions Per Second (MIPS) or Million of Floating Point Operations Per
Seconds (MFLOPS).
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Memory Unit: Memory Unit is an important component of a computer

system, which is used to store the data, instructions and information before,
during and after the processing by ALU. It is actually a work area (physically
a collection of integrated circuits) within the computer, where the CPU stores
the data and instructions.

It is also known as a Main/Primary/ Internal

Memory. It is of following three types:

(a)

Read Only Memory (ROM pronounced as Ra-om)

(b)

Random Access Memory (RAM pronounced as R-aem)

(c)

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Memory (CMOS)

(a)

Read Only Memory: Read Only Memory is an essential

component of the memory unit. We know that the computer, being a

machine, itself has no intelligence or memory and requires the
instructions, which are given by man. Whenever the compute is switched
on, it searches for the required instructions.

The memory, which has

these essential instructions, is known as Read Only Memory (ROM). This

memory is permanent and is not erased when system is switched off. As
appears with its name, it is read type of memory i.e. it can be read and
only and not be written by user/programmer. The memory capacity of
ROM varies from 64 KB TO 256 KB (1 Kilobyte= 1024 bytes) depending
on the model of computer.
ROM contains a number of programs (set of instructions).

The most

important program of ROM is the Basic Input Output System (BIOS,

pronounced as bye-os), which activates the hardware (physical
components of computer) such as keyboard, monitor, floppy disk etc. in
communicating with the system and application software (set of
instructions or programs)
There are many types of ROM available for microcomputers like
Mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM and EAPROM. Mask ROM is the
basic ROM chip. In this type of ROM, the information is stored at the time
of its manufacturing. So, it cannot be altered or erased later on. PROM
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stands for Programmable Read Only Memory. In this type of ROM, the
information is stored by programmes after its manufacturing. It cannot be
altered or erased later on. EPROM stands for Erasable Programmable
Read Only Memory. It is similar to PROM, but its information can be
erased later on by ultra violet light and it can be reprogrammed. EEPROM
stands for Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. It is
similar to EPROM, but using a high voltage current can erase its
information. EAPROM stands for Electricity Alterable Read Only Memory.
As compared to EPROM and EEPROM, the information stored in
EAPROM can be altered later.
(B) Random Access Memory: Random Access Memory (RAM) is
another important component of Memory Unit. It is used to store the data
and instructions during the execution of programme. Contrary to ROM,
RAM is temporary and is erased when computer is switched off. RAM is
read write type of memory and, thus can be read and written by
user/programmer. As it is possible to randomly use any location of this
memory, therefore, this memory is known as random access memory.
The memory capacity of RAM varies from 640 KB to several megabytes
(1 Megabyte= 1024 KB) with different models of PC.
There are two types of RAM used in PC Dynamic and Static RAM. The
information stored in Dynamic RAM (DRAM) has to be refreshed after
every few milliseconds otherwise it is erased. DRAM has higher storage
capacity and is cheaper than Static RAM. The information stored in Static
RAM need not be refreshed, but it remains stable as long as power supply
is provided. SRAM is costlier but has higher speed than DRAM.
(b) Complementary

Metal

Oxide

Semiconductor

Memory:

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) memory is used to

store the system configuration, date, time and other important data. When
computer is switched on, BIOS matches the information of CMOS with the
peripheral devices and displays error in case of mismatching.

Computer Memory

Primary Memory

Secondary Memory

Floopy
Disk

ROM

RAM

Hard
Disk

CD ,
DVD

Pan
Drive

Hardware and Software components of a Microcomputer:

In todays computer industry, a wide variety of hardware components
are available for microcomputers. Managers must be aware of the working
and uses of different hardware components, so that they can make good
decisions about purchase of computer systems. The hardware components
of microcomputer can be classified into following types:
(A) Motherboard
(B) Input Devices
(C) Output Devices
(D) Storage Devices
(E) Cards
(F) Ports and Cords
(G) Power Supply
The following table clarifies the meaning of the components:
Sr.
No.
1.

2.

Name

Meaning

Examples

Motherboard Motherboard,
also
called
as
System
Board, is the most
important
hardware
component
of
a
microcomputer.
Input
Input devices are
Devices
used to input data,
information
and
instructions into the
RAM.
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A motherboard contains the CPU

chip, Memory chip (ROM and
RAM
chips),
I/O
interface,
expansion slots and many other
logic circuits.
Keyboard, Trackball, Light Pen,
Touch Screen, Joystic, Digitiser,
Scanner, Optical Mark Reader
(OMR), Optical Character Reader
(OCR),
Bar
Code
Reader,

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Magnetic
Ink
Character
Recognition (MICR), Voice-Input
Devices.
Output
Output devices are Monitor, Printer, Plotter
Devices
hardware components
which are used to
display or print the
processed
information.
Storage
To Store the data, Floppy Disk, Hard disk, Compact
Devices
instructions
and Disk, Magnetic Tape, Video Disk,
information. There are Magneto Optical Drive , DVD
two types of Storage RAM/ROM Disk.
devices
Primary
Memory
and
Secondary Memory
Cards
Cards are the printed Video Card, Sound Card, I/O
circuit boards used to Card, Controller Card and Memory
hold
the
chips Card.
(integrated circuits)
Ports
and The rear of a PC has Serial Port, Parllel Port, Game
Cords
many empty holes or Port and Video Port.
external
sockets
called
ports
or Keyboard Cords, power cords,
monitor cords and printer cords.
connectors.
Cords are the cables
used to plug into the
ports.
Power
Power
Supply
is UPS, CVT
Supply
considered as the
Heart of a PC. Power
supply
is
that
important hardware,
which provides the
power source to a
computer.

(B) SOFTWARE
Software relates to a set of Program. The software control the
computer hardware parts and makes them operational. In other words, it
governs the operations of a computer system.
(a) System Software
(b) Application Software
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Sr.
No.
1.

2.

Name
System
Software

Definition
Software,
which
are
required to control the
working of hardware and
aid in effective execution of
a general users application
are called system software.
For e.g. Windows, Linux,
MAC OS

Application Software which are required

Software
for general and special
purpose applications like
database
management,
word
processing,
accounting etc, are called
as application software.
For e.g. MS-Office

Examples
(i)
System
Management
Software
(Operating Systems )
(ii)
System
Development
Software
(Language
Translators,
Application
Generators, CASE Tools)
(iii) System Software Utilities
such as Windows, Linux
(I)
General
Purpose
Application Software
(Database
Management
Packages, Word Processors,
Spreadsheets,
Office
Automation Packages)
(II)
Special
Purpose
Application Software
(Desktop
Publishing,
Multimedia,
Business
Applications)

Accessing Computer Memory:

Primary memory can be directly accessed by the CPU but
secondary memory cannot be accessed directly. Data from
secondary memory is first transferred to the primary memory and
then from the primary memory to the CPU.

Processing

Primary Memory

Secondary Memory

Pictorial Representation of Hardware and Software

Hardware

System Software
Application Software
User

Virus
A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer.
The term "virus" is also commonly but erroneously used to refer to other types of
malware, including but not limited to adware and spyware (Spyware is a type of
malware that can be installed on computers, and which collects small pieces of
information about users without their knowledge. The presence of spyware is typically
hidden from the user, and can be difficult to detect.) Typically, spyware is secretly
installed on the user's personal computer programs that do not have the reproductive
ability. A true virus can spread from one computer to another (in some form of
executable code) when its host is taken to the target computer; for instance because a
user sent it over a network or the Internet, or carried it on a removable medium such as
a floppy disk, CD, DVD, or USB drive.[2]
Types of Viruses
There are many types of computer viruses:

File virus : Most viruses fall into this category. A virus attaches itself to a file,
usually a program file.
Boot sector virus : These viruses infect floppy and hard drives. The virus
program will load first, before the operating system.
Macro Virus : This is a new type of virus that use an application's own macro
programming feature to distribute themselves. Unlike other viruses, macro
viruses do not infect programs; they infect documents.
Virus Hoax : Although there are thousands of viruses discovered each year,
there are still some that only exist in the imaginations of the public and the press
- known as virus hoaxes. These viruses hoaxes DO NOT EXIST, despite
The Types Of Computer Viruses
There are six broad categories or types of computer viruses:
1. Boot Sector Virus
2. File Infection Virus
3. Multipartite Virus
4. Network Virus
5. E-mail Virus
6. Macro Virus
Boot Sector Viruses

Viruses that aim at the boot sector of a hard drive are infecting a very crucial
component of the boot process. The boot sector holds critical information that
controls the hard drive and also the part of the operating program that is in
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charge of the whole boot process. These types of computer viruses go a long
way toward the assurance they will be successful in their mission by absolutely
loading into the system memory while the boot cycle is starting.
Unlike other viruses the boot virus does not affect files, instead it goes after the
drive itself on which the virus is saved and this is part of the reason that it is no
longer as big a threat as it used to be. Since the advent of CDs and DVDs and
the drives that carry them it is not possible to infect the programs that they carry.
In the days of floppy drives the virus could spread quite quickly from computer to
computer via the disks but since it is not possible to infect a CD or DVD this virus
has become almost a non threat. Another reason this types of computer viruses
have become less common is that now operating systems stand guard over the
boot sector and that makes it very hard for the virus to have any effect.
File Virus
File viruses are coded so that they will attach themselves to exe files,
compressed files like zip files and driver files. The can be set into actions when
the program they are attached to is started. Then after the virus is set into motion
it will attach itself to other programs and system files and start along its intended
path for which it was written. So you see it is a two prong approach. First
depending on the types of computer viruses it will duplicate and then go about its
intended mission. The virus will search through the programs in the system and
find places to infect with the code and then it will activate when that program is
run next time. It will continue to duplicate until it is all over the computer and
probably any computer that is attached to the original system.

Often these viruses will harbor special code that causes them to be activated
when certain events take place. The event often is a date or some other trigger
event that is easily defined on any computer system you may have.

Multipartite Viruses

That which has been termed the multipartite virus are the types of computer
viruses that are both a file virus and a boot sector virus. They enter the
computer via various sorts of media and then embed themselves in the system
memory. They then go into the hard drive and infect the boot sector. Once
installed in the boot sector these types of computer viruses infect executable files
and spread themselves in the system.
This is another virus that has past its prime for various reasons but in times past
these types of computer viruses were responsible for many infections because
they combined characteristics of two different viruses into one.
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Network Viruses
A virus that is especially made for networks is uniquely created to quickly spread
throughout the local area network and generally across the internet as well. Most
of the time is moves within shared resources like drives and folders. Once it finds
entry into a system it will search for vulnerable computers in the network and
likewise infect that system and do the same again and again always on the hunt
for new vulnerable systems.

E-Mail Viruses
Most of the time a e-mail virus is one of those types of computer viruses that is
generally a macro virus and it will multiply itself by seeking out the other contacts
in a e-mail address book and then send itself to those addresses in hopes that
they will activate the virus too. Thus it spreads over and over again exponentially.
There are even times an email virus can spread by only previewing it in the mail
client. One that was very successful in spreading worldwide was the ILOVEYOU
virus and it was destructive too.
Macro Viruses
Macro viruses as the name implies, will infect files of programs that use macros
in the program itself. The most common of these are the Microsoft Office files
created in Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, Access databases, Powerpoint
presentations and these type of files from AmiPro and Corel Draw and others.
These types of computer viruses are programmed using the language that the
application understands and not in the language of the operating system thus
they are operating in a way that is independent of the operating system so it can
infect any kind of system be it Mac, PC or even Linux just as long as the
computer is running the application that understands the macro virus. As the
macro language has become more and more powerful the threat of these types
of computer viruses has graduated to more critical types of computer viruses.
These viruses have been around since 1995 and the first was found to infect
Microsoft Word but now have moved to other programs and they number in the
thousands.
One should always be on the lookout for these types of computer viruses and
should take every precaution to avoid them. Be ever watchful of every file you
open or else you may be looking for my next hub on how to remove these types
of computer viruses.

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How to create a folder

1. Select the location where you want to create a folder for e.g Desktop, hard
disk
2. Click on Mouse Right Button
3. Go to New- folder(Click mouse left button)
4. Type the name of folder
Select the
location

Type the
Name of
folder

Click
mouse right
button

Go to
New

Click
outside
the box

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Go to Folder and
click left button of
mouse