College of Information Technology

Information Technology
Fundamentals
Instructor: Haroun Al Rascid Sirad

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 Computer Hardware
Components

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Introduction to Computers
What is Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that manipulates data and
information. It has the ability to store, retrieve, and process data.

Computers are essentially incredibly fast and accurate problem-

solving machines. They follow instructions, called programs or
software, to perform specific tasks. Without these instructions, a
computer is just a collection of inert components.

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Introduction to Computers
What is Computer?
These are the essential parts or hardware
components that make up a computer system:
❑ Input Device
❑ Output Device
❑ Storage Device
❑ System Unit

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Input Devices, The Computer's Senses
Input Devices
Input devices are the crucial components that enable us to feed data, commands, and instructions into the
computer. They act as the bridge between human interaction and the machine's understanding, translating
our physical actions into digital signals.

Key Characteristics:
❑ Translates Human-Readable Data - They convert various forms of human input (like
keystrokes, mouse movements, spoken words, or scanned images) into electrical signals or
binary code that the computer's central processing unit (CPU) can interpret and process.
❑ User Interaction - Their primary role is to facilitate user interaction and data entry, making
the computer responsive to our needs.
❑ Variety of Forms - Input devices come in many forms, each designed for specific types of
data input.

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Input Devices, The Computer's Senses
Examples

Keyboard
The most common text-entry device. It contains a matrix of switches that detect when a key is pressed,
sending a unique code to the computer. Different layouts (QWERTY, AZERTY, DVORAK) exist.

Mouse
A pointing device used to control a cursor on the screen. It translates physical movement on a surface
into digital signals.
o Optical Mouse - Uses an LED or laser to detect movement.
o Trackball - A stationary device where the user rolls a ball to
move the cursor.
o Touchpad - Common on laptops, a flat surface that senses Touchpad
Optical Mouse Trackball
finger movement.

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Input Devices, The Computer's Senses
Examples

Microphone
Converts sound waves into electrical signals, which are then digitized. Used for voice commands,
recording audio, and online communication.

Scanner
Digitizes physical documents, photos, or even 3D objects into digital files. It works by illuminating the
object and capturing reflected light.

Webcam
A digital camera connected to the computer, primarily used for video conferencing, live streaming, and
capturing still images.

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Input Devices, The Computer's Senses
Examples

Touchscreen
A display screen that allows direct interaction by touching the screen with a finger or stylus. It uses
various technologies (resistive, capacitive) to detect touch points.

Joystick/Gamepad
Primarily used for gaming, providing precise control over movement and actions in virtual environments.

Biometric Devices
(e.g., Fingerprint scanners, facial recognition cameras) Used for security and authentication by
identifying unique biological characteristics.

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Output Devices, The Computer's Voice
Output Devices
Output devices are the components responsible for presenting the results of the computer's processing to the
user. They convert digital information from the computer into a human-understandable format, allowing the
computer to communicate back to us.

Key Characteristics:
❑ Translates Computer Data - They take the processed binary data from the
computer and convert it into visual, audio, or tactile forms that we can
perceive.
❑ Information Display - Their main function is to display or present processed
information, making the computer's work tangible.
❑ Versatility - Output devices cater to different human senses and needs.

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Output Devices, The Computer's Voice
Examples

Monitor/Display Screen
The most common visual output device. It displays text, images, and videos.
✓ Resolution - The number of pixels (picture elements) on the screen (e.g., 1920x1080 for Full HD). Higher resolution means sharper
images.
✓ Refresh Rate - How many times per second the image on the screen is redrawn (measured in Hz). Higher refresh rates (e.g., 144Hz)
provide smoother motion, especially important for gaming.
✓ Panel Types - LCD, LED, OLED, each with different backlighting and display technologies affecting color accuracy, contrast, and viewing
angles.

Printer
Produces hard copies of digital documents and images on paper or other physical media.
o Inkjet Printers - Spray tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper. Good for color photos.
o Laser Printers - Use a laser beam to create an electrostatic image on a drum, which attracts toner
(powdered ink) and transfers it to paper. Faster for text documents.
o 3D Printers - Create three-dimensional objects from a digital design by adding material layer by layer.

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Output Devices, The Computer's Voice
Examples
Speakers/Headphones
Convert digital audio signals into sound waves.
o Speakers - Produce sound for a group.
o Headphones - Provide private audio listening.
o Sound Cards - Dedicated hardware within the system unit that processes audio Speaker Headphones Sound Cards
signals for output.

Projector
Displays computer output onto a large screen, wall, or other surface, often used for presentations or
large-scale viewing.

Plotter
A specialized output device used to produce high-quality graphics, blueprints, and large-scale drawings
using pens or other drawing tools.

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Storage Devices, The Computer's Memory Bank
Storage Devices
Storage devices are fundamental for a computer, as they are responsible for holding data and programs, either temporarily for
immediate use or permanently for long-term retention. Without them, a computer would be unable to remember anything once
powered off, making it impractical.

Key Characteristics:
❑ Data Retention - Their primary purpose is to store information, allowing for its retrieval and use at a later time.
❑ Varying Speeds and Capacities - Different types of storage offer distinct performance characteristics (how fast data
can be accessed) and capacities (how much data can be stored).
❑ Volatility - A key distinction is whether data is retained when power is removed (non-volatile) or lost (volatile).

Types of Storage:
❑ Primary Storage (Volatile Memory) - This type of computer memory requires continuous power to maintain the
stored information. If the power is turned off or interrupted, the data stored in volatile memory is lost.
❑ Secondary Storage (Non-Volatile Memory) - This type of computer memory can retain stored information even
after power is removed. The data persists even when the computer is turned off.

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Storage Devices, The Computer's Memory Bank
❑ Primary Storage (Volatile Memory) Examples:

Random Access Memory (RAM)

✓ RAM
RAM serves asserves as theshort-term,
the computer's computer'sworkingshort-term, working
memory. It temporarily storesmemory. It temporarily
data and program instructions thatstores
the CPU isdata and
actively usingprogram instructions
or needs quick access to. Whenthat theanCPU
you open is or
application
a file, it's loaded into RAM.
actively using or needs quick access to. When you open an application or a file, it's loaded into RAM.
Speed RAM is extremely fast, much faster than secondary storage, which is essential for the CPU to retrieve data quickly and maintain high processing speeds. More RAM generally allows for more
✓ Speed RAM is extremely fast, much faster than secondary storage, which is essential for the CPU to retrieve data quickly and
applications to run simultaneously and smoother multitasking.
maintain high processing speeds. More RAM generally allows for more applications to run simultaneously and smoother multitasking.
Volatile - This is its defining characteristic. Any data stored in RAM is lost immediately when the computer is turned off or loses power.
✓ Any data stored in RAM is lost immediately when the computer is turned off or loses power.

Cache
Pronounced “cash” is a small, very high-speed type of memory that stores frequently used data and instructions. Its
primary purpose is to act as a buffer between a faster component (like the Central Processing Unit or CPU) and a slower,
larger memory component (like main memory or RAM, or even a hard drive).

ROM (Read-Only Memory)

It is a type of computer memory that, as its name suggests, is primarily designed for reading data and not for writing or
modifying it during normal operation. It is a crucial component in nearly all electronic devices, especially computers.

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Storage Devices, The Computer's Memory Bank
❑ Primary Storage (Volatile Memory) Examples:
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) Memory
It typically refers to a small, volatile memory chip on the motherboard that stores critical system configuration settings. Here’s what specific CMOS
memory stores:
✓ System Date and Time - This is why your computer always knows the correct time and date even after being unplugged.
✓ BIOS/UEFI Settings - These include critical hardware configurations such as:
• Boot order (which drive to boot from first)
• Hardware parameters (CPU clock speed, RAM timings, enabled/disabled integrated devices like USB ports, audio, network)
• Password settings for accessing the BIOS/UEFI setup
✓ Real-Time Clock (RTC) data - The CMOS chip often integrates a real-time clock that keeps track of time even when the computer is off.

❑ Secondary Storage (Non-Volatile Memory) Examples:

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
✓ HDDs are traditional long-term storage devices for the operating system, all installed applications, and user files (documents, photos, videos).
Purpose
✓ HDDs use spinning magnetic platters (disks) and read/write heads that move across the platters to access data. This mechanical nature makes them
slower than SSDs.
✓ Typically offer very large storage capacities at a lower cost per gigabyte compared to SSDs.
✓ Data remains stored on an HDD even when the computer is powered off.

Solid State Drive (SSD)

✓ SSDs serve the same purpose as HDDs for long-term storage but use flash memory (similar to USB drives) instead of magnetic platters.
✓ SSDs are significantly faster than HDDs because they have no moving parts. This results in much quicker boot times, faster application loading,
and overall snappier system performance.
✓ More durable and resistant to physical shock due to the absence of moving parts.
✓ Like HDDs, data persists when the power is off.

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Storage Devices, The Computer's Memory Bank
❑ Secondary Storage (Non-Volatile Memory) Examples:
USB Flash Drive (Thumb Drive/Pen Drive)
Highly portable, external storage devices using flash memory. Ideal for transferring files between computers or for small
backups.
Data is retained without power.

Optical Discs (CD/DVD/Blu-ray)

Older forms of portable, non-volatile storage that read and write data using lasers. Primarily used for distributing software, movies,
music, and for data backups.
o CD (Compact Disc) - Up to ~700MB.
o DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) - Up to ~8.5GB (dual layer).
o Blu-ray Disc - Up to 50GB (dual layer) or more.

Network Attached Storage (NAS) / Cloud Storage

While not internal components, these are important storage solutions. NAS devices are dedicated file storage servers
connected to a network, allowing multiple users to access data. Cloud storage (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox) stores data on
remote servers accessible via the internet.

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Data Representation
❑ Most computers are digital, meaning they recognize two discrete states: on and off.
❑ This is due to the two states of electrical switches.
❑ Two digits, 0 and 1, represent off and on respectively, which is the basis for the binary system.
❑ The binary system is a number system that has just two unique digits, 0 and 1, called bits.
❑ A bit is the smallest unit of data the computer can process.
❑ A byte is 8 bits grouped together as a unit, totally 256 unique combinations.

✓ Binary that represents characters are defined by

patterns called coding schemes.
✓ ASCII (American Standard Code for Information
Interchange) is the most widely used coding scheme.

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Data Representation
❑ASCII and Unicode standards make it possible for components in computers to
communicate.

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Memory
Memory
❑ Consists of electronic components that store instructions waiting to be executed by the processor, data needed by those
instructions, and the results of processing the data.
❑ Memory usually consists of one or more chips on the motherboard or some other circuit board on the computer.

Bytes and Addressable Memory

❑ A byte is the basic storage unit in memory.
❑ The instructions and data exist in memory as bytes.
❑ An address is a location in memory where each byte resides temporarily.

✓ Manufacturers state the size of

memory and storage devices in terms
of the number of bytes of available
storage.

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System Unit, The Computer's Core
System Unit
The system unit, often referred to as the "computer case" or "tower" for desktop computers, is the main
enclosure that houses the majority of the crucial internal components of a computer. It provides protection for
these sensitive parts and facilitates their interconnection.

Key Components Housed Within:

❑ Motherboard (Mainboard/Logic Board)
❑ Central Processing Unit (CPU)
❑ Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) / Video Card
❑ Power Supply Unit (PSU)
❑ Cooling System
❑ Expansion Slots
❑ Internal Drive Bays

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System Unit, The Computer's Core
Key Components Housed Within
Motherboard (Mainboard/Logic Board)
This is the most important circuit board in the computer. It acts as the central
communication backbone, connecting and allowing all other components to interact with
each other. Think of it as the "nervous system" or "highway system" of the computer.
Connects the CPU, RAM modules, storage drives (HDDs/SSDs), expansion cards (like
graphics cards), and external peripherals (via ports). It contains chipsets that manage data
flow between components.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Often called the "brain" of the computer, the CPU is responsible for executing instructions, performing
calculations, and managing the overall flow of data. It carries out most processing tasks.
Key Metrics:
✓ Clock
Clock SpeedMeasures
Speed (GHz): (GHz) -how
Measures how
many cycles permany
secondcycles
the CPUper
can second
perform. the CPU
Higher GHzcan perform.
generally meansHigher GHz generally means faster
faster processing.
processing.
Number of Cores: Modern CPUs have multiple "cores" (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, octa-core), allowing them to process multiple instructions
✓ Number of Cores multitasking
simultaneously, enhancing - Modern CPUs have multiple "cores" (e.g., dual-core, quad-core, octa-core), allowing them to process
performance.
Cachemultiple
Memory:instructions simultaneously,
Small, very fast enhancing
memory integrated multitasking
into the CPU performance.
to store frequently accessed data, speeding up access times.
✓ Cache Memory - Small, very fast memory integrated into the CPU to store frequently accessed data, speeding up access times.

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System Unit, The Computer's Core
Key Components Housed Within
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) / Video Card
A specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory to
accelerate the creation of images, frames, and video for output to a display device. While
integrated GPUs (part of the CPU) are common for basic tasks, dedicated GPUs are
separate, powerful cards.
It is crucial for tasks involving intensive graphics, such as gaming, video editing, 3D
rendering, and increasingly, for scientific simulations and artificial intelligence (AI)
computations due to their parallel processing capabilities.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The PSU is responsible for converting the alternating current (AC) electricity from the wall
outlet into the stable direct current (DC) power that all the computer components require
to operate.
It provides the necessary voltage and wattage to every component, ensuring stable and
reliable operation. An inadequate or faulty PSU can lead to system instability or
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Cache Memory: Small, very fast memory integrated into the CPU to store frequently accessed data, speeding up access times.

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System Unit, The Computer's Core
Key Components Housed Within
Cooling System (Fans, Heat Sinks, Liquid Cooling)
Electronic components, especially the CPU and GPU, generate significant heat during operation. The cooling system
dissipates this heat to prevent overheating, which can lead to performance degradation (throttling) or permanent damage.
It includes heat sinks (metal structures that absorb and radiate heat), fans (to move air across heat sinks), and increasingly,
liquid cooling systems for high-performance setups.

Expansion Slots (PCIe - Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)

These are slots on the motherboard that allow for the addition of expansion cards, which provide extra functionality to the
computer.
Examples are dedicated sound cards (for higher quality audio), network interface cards (NICs for additional Ethernet ports or
Wi-Fi), and most commonly, dedicated graphics cards.

Internal Drive Bays

Physical spaces within the system unit where storage devices like HDDs and SSDs are mounted.

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System Unit, The Computer's Core
Key Components Housed Within
Ports
It is a physical interface or socket on a computer or other
electronic device designed to allow external peripherals,
cables, or other devices to be plugged into it.

Connectors
It is the end piece of a cable or a device that is designed to
plug into a port. It's the part that physically makes the
electrical and mechanical connection.

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The Process of Data in a
Computer System

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The Data Processing Cycle
At its core, a computer system performs a continuous cycle of operations to transform raw data
into meaningful information. This cycle can be broken down into four primary stages:

Processing - Manipulating
Input - Getting data into Output - Presenting the
and transforming the
the system. results to the user.
data.

Storage - Saving data for

future use.
Input Processing Output

These stages are interconnected and

constantly interact with each other. Storage

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The Data Processing Cycle
1. Input, Getting Data In
Input is the first stage where raw data and instructions are fed into the computer system. This data can come from various sources and in different
formats.
What is Input?
▪ Raw facts, figures, and instructions that need to be processed.
▪ Commands given to the computer.
How does it happen?
Input Devices - These are the hardware components that translate human-readable data or real-world phenomena into a digital format (binary code -
0s and 1s) that the computer can understand.

2. Processing, Making Sense of Data

Processing is the "thinking" stage where the computer manipulates, transforms, and organizes the raw input data into meaningful information. This is
where the real "work" of the computer happens.
What is Processing?
✓ Performing calculations (arithmetic operations).
✓ Making comparisons (logical operations).
✓ Sorting, filtering, and organizing data.
✓ Executing program instructions.

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The Data Processing Cycle
Key Components Involved:
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) - Often called the "brain" of the computer. The CPU executes instructions, performs
calculations, and manages the flow of data. It has two main parts:
✓ Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) - Performs arithmetic (addition, subtraction) and logical (comparisons like greater than, equal to)
operations.
✓ Control Unit (CU): Directs and coordinates most of the operations in the computer, fetching instructions from memory and
directing the flow of data.
• Random Access Memory (RAM) - This is the computer's short-term, volatile working memory. Data and
instructions that the CPU needs to access quickly during processing are temporarily loaded into RAM. The CPU
constantly reads from and writes to RAM during this stage.

3. Output: Presenting Information

Output is the stage where the processed information is presented to the user in a human-understandable format. This is how the computer communicates the
results of its work.
What is Output?
✓ Processed data that has been transformed into a useful form.
✓ Results of calculations, reports, images, sounds.
How does it happen?
Output Devices - These are the hardware components that convert digital information from the computer into a form that humans can perceive (visual, audio,
print, etc.).

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The Data Processing Cycle
4. Storage: Saving for Later
Storage is the stage where data and information are saved for future use. This allows us to retain data even after the computer is turned off or the
current processing task is complete.
What is Storage?
✓ Retaining raw data, processed information, and programs.
✓ Ensuring data persistence.
Types of Storage:
Primary Storage (Volatile) - Primarily RAM, used for temporary storage during processing. Data is lost when power is off.
Secondary Storage (Non-Volatile) - Used for long-term, permanent storage. Data is retained even when power is off.

The Interdependence of the Cycle

It's crucial to understand that these four stages are not isolated but form a continuous, interdependent cycle:

Storage holds data and

Processing transforms input
Input provides data for Output presents the results programs that can then be
into Output and prepares it
Processing. of Processing. used as Input for future
for Storage.
processing.

This constant flow and transformation of data are what enable computers to perform a vast array of tasks, from simple calculations to complex
simulations.

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 Conclusion

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