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HARDWARE AND OPERATING (The microprocessor is an integrated circuit made…
HARDWARE AND OPERATING
When we communicate or memorise a sentence or make calculations,we use a lot of different symbols,sounds and images.Computers only use the numbers 0 and 1.
This is known as the binary system.
The smallest unit of imformation that we can store on a computer (0 or 1) is called a bit (b),which is an abbreviation for binary digit.
Eight bits together form a byte (B).Different multiples of a byte are used to store information.
Notice that to increase the level ,you have to multiply the units on the left by 1024 and the units on the right by 1000.
ASCII
We give a code to each of the letters of the alphbet, and to the characters computers use,so that we can store them.These codes consist of the figures 1 and 0.
ASCII(the American Standard Code for Information Interchange) uses 7 bits to store up to 128 different characters.
We use the name hardware for the pysical components of the computer system that we use and those we can touch and move,like the mouse and the keyboard.
Software or programs refer to the data and the instructions we use to manage that data.
Computers carry out four different functions.
+Input of data using peripheral devices.
+Output of data using peripheral devices.
+Storing data in the storage devices.
+Processing data in the central processing unit (CPU) using the microprocessor and the memory.
When we use a computer to do calculations,change the front of a text or change the colours in a picture,we are processing information.
The microprocessor is an integrated circuit made up of millions of tiny transitors working together to process the instructions and data received from the memory.
+The clock rate sets the pace at which processes are completed.The colock generates electrical impulses.
+Today's microprocessor can process 64 bits at a time.
+A microprocessor's power also depends on its cache memory and the speed at which it communicates with the RAM.
The computer's memory is its RAM (random access memory).
When we run an application its instructions and data are copied to this memory so that the microprocessor can use them.
This is because accessing the hard disk is very slow.
+Cache memory
RAM cannot work at the same speed as the microprocessor,so a much faster memory is installed between the RAM and the microprocessor:The cache memory.
The cache memory stores the data that the microprocessor uses most often.
+ROM BIOS
The initial check is carried out using instructions stored in a special readonly memory:The ROM BIOS.
+Storage devices
The RAM stores data temporarily.When you turn off the computer,this data disappears.
We use data storage units to permanently save this data.
Inside the computer you'll find a large board;we call it the motherboard. All the other components of the computer are connected to it.
The motherboard is like a miniature city. The different components are the buildings, and the bits travel down the streets from block to block.The communication between these components takes place through sets of copper wires called buses.
Slots that can be used to expand or add new components,such as a moderm,sound card,network card and so on
These slots can be PCI(peripheral component interconnect) or PCI-Express.
The IDE(integrated device electronics) or ATA(advanced technology attachment) and SATA(serial ATA)connectors connect the hard disk,CD drive and DVD drive to the motherboard.
The chipset is a number of integrated circuits designed to perform related functions;they control the flow of bits to and from the motherboard.
They also determine which type of microprocessor,memory and expansion cards we can use.
Various input/output ports.
We need electrical energy to make all of bthis work.
The computer's power supply unit transforms a 230 V alternating current into a low-voltage direct current.
We can physically connect devices to the computer in different ways.
Using an expansion slot on the motherboard,to connect a sound card or a graphics card,for example.
By special connectors on the motherboard,for such devices as the hard disk,DVD drives and so on.
Using the external ports on the side or back of the computer,for example,the USB port.
We also need to install a driver that allows the device to communicate with the operating system.
The operating system automatically installs drivers for most devices.
We can also install new devices by using the software provided by the device manufacturer.To do this,we can need to use one of the following tools:
Asistente para agregar hardware in Windows.Use this to add new hardware.
Informe sobre nuevos dispositivos(Hermes),a report on new devices in Linux.
Operating systems also have device managers that allow you to view and change device properties,update drivers or uninstall software.
Administrador de dispositivos in Windows.
Gestor de dispositivos in Linux.
There are various types of software:
Operating system:Manages the system resources,making them available for use by the user and the applications.
Applications:Various types:
·Word processors·Spreadsheets·Presentations·Database management tools·Drawing programs·Antivirus software
Programming lenguages:These programs can be used to create other programs and applications.
The operating system is the first thing that appears when you turn on your computer and the last thing you see when you're turning it off.
Different computers can have different types of software,but they all need an operating system.
The most used operating systems are Windows,Linux and Mac OS.
Functions of the operating system
Manages the microprocessor:If several applications are open at the same time,the operating system calculates haw much time the microprocessor should give to each one.
Manages the memory and storage systems making space available for the different applications.
Provides and interface or working environment for the user
Allows communication between applications and peripheral devices.
Hard disk maintenance:
Cleaning the hard disk
Defragmenting the hard disk
Detecting and repairing errors
Saving power
Its's specially important to select the right power options for laptops.To do this,click on Panel de control-Opciones de energiaSystem updates
Operating systems are constantly being update.
Linux uses two package managers to help users automatically install applications downloaded from the internet.
1.Añadir y quitar in the Aplicaciones menu.
2.Synaptic package management program:To open it,select Sistema-Administración.How to keep your system up to date
To get the latest versions of our operating systems and applications:
Open the Gestor de actualizaciones through Sistema-Administración.
Click on Comprobar.A list of recommended updates will appear.Click on Instalar actualizaciones to install the selected updates.
A computer network is a set of computers connected to each other so that they can share resources and exchange information.
We can divide computer networks into 3 categories,depending on their size:
Local area networks or LANs
Metropolitan area networks,made up of several LANs.
Wide area networks,covering a country or continent.
LANs can also be categorised according to the way in which the different machines are connected to each other.
All computer networks have a logical component,which is an operating system and applications that work on a network,and a physical component connecting the different computers to each other.
Each computer needs an adaptor or network card to send information to the other computers and receive information back.
The hub distributes all of the information it receives between the other computers in the network.
It can be replaced by a switch.
This information travels down a transmission medium,normally a cable similar to a telephone wire with an RJ45 connector on the end.
Wireless networks,known as WLANs use electromagnetic waves to transmit data.All to computers need to have a wireless network card.
Networks with a combination of wired and wireless devices use wireless access points(WAP) that we can use to transmit data through wires or electromagnetic waves.
Computers in a network can share a single Internet connection.Computer networks can connected to the Internet in 2 ways:
Using Internet Connection Sharing(ICS) where all communication is through 1 computer that must be switched on all the time.
Using a router,which detects data and directs it to and from the Internet.
We can use network storage systems and print servers.
With a shared printer,you can print documents from any computer in the network:
1.To open the printers and faxes folder,go to Inicio-Impresoras y faxes.You can also access it through the Panel de control.
2.Right click on the printer that you want to share and select Compartir.
3.Select Compartir esta impresora.
If you want to use a printer connected to anther computer on the network,you have 2 options:
Make the printer the default printer.
Select the network printer through hte application you are using
We can let other network users see our files,andaccess files on other computers.
Sharing a folder
1.Right click on the folder that you want to share and select Compartir y seguridad.
2.Select Compartir esta carpeta en la red.
Accessing a shared folder
1.Go to Inicio-Mis sitios de red.
2.Select Ver equipos del grupo de trabajo.
3.Double-click on the computer where the shared folder is located.
Linux lets you share a computer with other users,but still keep your own configuration and personal files.
To create your user account,go to Sistema-Administración-Usuarios y grupos.
To create a new user,click on Añadir usuario.Enter the user data.If you click on the Privilegios del usuario tab,you can select the new user´s privilegies.
To share a printer installed on another computer in the network,you need to install it as a network printer on your own computer.
Go to Sistema-Administración-Impresoras to open the printer configuration tool.Configuración de la impresora.Here you can install and manage printers.
Click on Nuevo to install more printers.
To access a shared folder saved on another computer in the local network,go to Lugares-Red.
To share a folder on your own computer with other computers,right click on that folder and select Opciones de compartición,You´ll need to specify how that folder will be shared:
Nombre compartido:The name of the folder that is going to be shared.
Comentario:A description of the shared folder.
Click on Crear compartición,then select Añadir los permisos automáticamente in the final window.