Tech Tips Issue #1-Parts of a Computer

Tech Tips Issue #1
Parts of a Computer
Since this is the first installment of Tech Tips lets get you started off on the right foot and discuss the basic hardware of a computer. There are four basic types of hardware devices that make up a computer they are: input, processing, output, and storage. Almost every part in your computer fits into one or more of these categories. First lets talk about input devices. The two most often used input devices are of course the keyboard and mouse. These devices allow data to enter into the machine so it can then be processed. Some of the more common examples of input devices are listed below.
Input Keyboards, Mice, Scanners, Video capture cards, Modems, Network cards, Sound cards, and Digital cameras, Now that you have data entered into your computer it gets processed. This is done in the processing areas of the computer. This is where data is manipulated, math functions are carried out, programs run, and data is prepared for output. Some processing hardware also acts as a traffic cop and directs data to where it needs to go. Some processing does take place in the other types of hardware but not at the same level as here. Below are some examples of processing hardware.
Processing Processor chips, Co-processors, Motherboards, and Ram (Random Access Memory) Output devices simply put data in a form we, another computer, or device can understand. The most commonly used output device is a monitor. Below are some of the more common output devices used.
Output Monitors, Video cards, Sound card and speakers, Printers, Plotters, Modems, and Network cards.
Storage devices allow us to save data, and programs for use at another time. Without storage devices you would have to re-enter data every time you needed it or manually type in a program every time you wanted to use it. It therefore is a very important part of the computer system. The storage device used most often is a hard drive. It and other storage devices are listed below.
Storage Hard drives, Floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, Flash memory cards, and Zip drives.
As you may have noticed some of the devices are listed in both input and output these are multi function devices sometimes commonly referred to as I/O devices meaning input/output (such as modem and network cards). In addition most every device in the lists perform a task that belongs to another group of parts, but that is not the primary function a good example is the video card. Although an output device, video cards do some processing of the video information. There are a few parts that do not fit into any of the categories above like the power supply and case. The power supply does just that. It supplies the electricity necessary for the other parts to do their job while the case protects it all and holds it together.
The case and all its contents are commonly called the CPU, which stands for central processing unit it contains most of your computers hardware (outside of a few input and output devices). This is the heart of the computer system. Most often when hardware goes bad it is located in the CPU. When you have to take your computer to get worked on this is the only piece technicians usually need.
I hope this has been at least a little informative and helpful for you if not don't despair in future installments of tech tips we will get into more advanced technical topics.
Paul Daume
Computer Repair Technician
Swetland Supply Co.
Vandalia IL