Tuesday, February 23, 2010

What is a BIOS?

What is a BIOS?

A BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a set of instructions that a computer uses to successfully start operating.

The main function of BIOS is to give directions for the power on self-test (POST). This test makes sure that the computer has all of the required parts and functions needed to start itself, such as use of memory, a keyboard and other parts. If errors are detected during the test, the BIOS instructs the computer to give a code that reports the problem. Error codes are beeps that are heard shortly after startup.

Friday, February 12, 2010

What is a Storage Device?















A storage device is a hardware which stores data and information in the computer like files such as pictures, movies, games, etc. This can also be in USB drives or CDs.

What is an Output Device?


















An output device is any hardware that gets information from your computer and displays for you, such as a monitor, speakers, or printers.

What is an Input Device?

















An input device is a device to put any data inside a computer. This is usually the basics of the computer, such as a keyboard, mouse, webcam, microphone, etc.


Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Different Computers

Microcomputers

Mainframe Computers

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)

Supercomputers

Analog Computers

PC Parts

MONITOR: A monitor is an electronic visual display for computers. The monitor consists the display screen, the wiring, and an outside case to hold it all together.

MOTHERBOARD: A motherboard is the circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the important parts of the system, while creating connectors for other parts.

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT: The Central Processing Unit is the part of a computer that carries out the instructions of a computer program.

RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY: RAM is a form of computer data storage. The word random tells about the fact that any piece of data can be returned in steady time, and it doesn't matter where it's located or if its related the the past piece of data.

EXPANSION CARD: An expansion card is a circuit board that can be added to a motherboard to make performance better to a computer. It transports electrical contact to the parts of the computer.

POWER SUPPLY: The power supply is a container that hold electrical power to run the computer.

OPTICAL DISK DRIVE: An optical disc drive is also called a CD-ROM. It reads data stored into disks.

HARD DISK DRIVE: A hard disk drive has general data stored into it from your computer, such as movies you've downloaded, games, other media files, etc.

KEYBOARD: A keyboard is what I'm using to post this into my blog. It holds a set of letters/numbers/symbols from certain languages and is used to put words into the computer. It's used for typing essays, instant messaging, website surfing, etc.

MOUSE: A mouse is a point-and-click device used to activate certain things in the computer, whether it's to open an application, scroll down a page, view other options of an application, etc.