INTRODUCTION TO WINDOW OS

INTRODUCTION TO WINDOW OS

Some computer devices explained

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

 

•         The central processing unit (CPU), also   Known as just a "processor”, is the "brain” of your computer where most calculations take place. 

•          It contains various electronic circuits.

•      The central processing unit or (CPU) is the "brain" of your computer. It contains the electronic circuits that cause the computer to follow instructions from memory.

•      The CPU contains three main parts, all housed in a single package (Chip):

–     Control Unit (CU)

–     Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU)

–     Memory

Components of CPU

•      The arithmetic logic unit (ALU), which performs arithmetic and logical operations.

•      The control unit (CU), which extracts instructions from memory and decodes and executes them, calling on the ALU when necessary.

RAM AND ROM

•      ROM and a RAM chip. A ROM chip is non-volatile storage and does not require a constant source of power to retain information stored on it. When power is lost or turned off, a ROM chip will keep the information stored on it.

•      In contrast, a RAM chip is volatile and requires a constant source of power to retain information. When power is lost or turned off, a RAM chip will lose the information stored on it.

COMPUTER ROM

•      A good example of ROM in the computer is the computer BIOS, a PROM chip that stores the programming needed to begin the initial computer start up process. Using a non-volatile storage is the only way to begin the startup process for computers and other devices that use a similar start up process. ROM chips are also used in gaming system cartridges, like the original Nintendo, Gameboy, Sega Genesis, and a number of others. The game cartridge stores the game programming on a ROM chip that is read by the game console when the cartridge is inserted into the console.

COMPUTER RAM

•      RAM chips are also used in computers, as well as other devices, to store information and run programs on the computer because RAM is one of the fastest memories in your computer. For example, the Internet browser you are using to read this page has been loaded into memory and is running from memory. However, as mentioned earlier, any information stored in the RAM chip is lost if the computer is turned off or loses power.

VDU (Monitor)

•      This is the television-like screen where the results of a computer's tasks are displayed.

•      Short for Visual Display Unit, VDU is an older British term used to describe any device used with computers to display images. For example, a flat panel display and a projector are both examples of VDUs. However, VDU is most commonly used to describe the CRT monitor, a now archaic standard

•      Monitors come in all sizes, but most commonly they are either 15 or 17 inches (Measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner).

KEYBOARD

•      The keyboard looks like a typewriter.

•      It contains all the letters of the alphabet, numbers and some special symbols.

•      It operates like a typewriter keypad, but instead of moving an arm, which strikes the paper, it sends an electronic impulse to the computer, which displays a character on the monitor.

MOUSE

 •         Its a device that is used to control the computer.

  A cable connects the mouse to the computer.

•          When the mouse is moved on a pad, called a mouse pad, the cursor on the screen moves.

•          A cursor is a small symbol displayed on the computer screen (normally a diagonal arrow that  is used as a pointer) that shows you what the mouse is referencing on the screen.

PRINTER

•      A printer is designed to output information from a computer onto a piece of paper.

•      There are three kinds of printers:  dot matrix,     laser,      and     inkjet.

SCANNER

•      A scanner is a device used to copy an image off paper and convert it into a digital image, which can be saved as a computer file and stored on a hard drive.

•      Scanners can also use a special kind of technology called Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to read text from paper and save it as an editable document file

More about Operating System (OS)

What is Operating System?

ü OS is system software, which may be viewed as collection of software consisting of procedures for operating the computer.

ü It provides an environment for execution of programs (application software).

ü It’s an interface between user & computer.

 

 

OVERVIEW OF WINDOWS

ü Windows is an GUI based operating system.

ü It is also developed by Microsoft Corporation, which is headed by Mr. Bill Gates.

ü Over the years the Microsoft have evolved various versions of Windows. Win95, Win98, Win2000, Win ME, Win NT, Win XP, window 2007, window 2007.

ü It gives user a handy environment where he doesn’t have to remember and learn the syntaxes of various commands as is the case in DOS.

ü The user can just point and click on the Icons provided to him on the screen.

Window 95

Window 7

 

Window 8

 

 

Files and Directory

FILES

ü A file is a collection of Records.

ü It is the smallest unit of File System (Storage) in a computer.

ü Any document created using computer is a file. This document could either be a letter, any excel sheet, any image or even a database.

DIRECTORY

ü A collection of files is directory (in DOS) or folder (in Windows)

ü It is analogous to the Office Folder which contains various documents.

ü A directory/folder eases the management of related files/ documents,  like the various circulars related to personnel could be placed in a directory called “personnel” and all the circulars related to loans could be placed in a directory called “loans”.

FOLDERS AND DOCUMENTS

ü Folders are a way to organize your documents within drives in Windows as are the directories in DOS.

ü A document is each thing that you create on a computer.  A document can be made using any type of software.