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HARDWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS - Coggle Diagram
HARDWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS
COMPUTER LANGUAGE AND FUNCTION
When we communicate or memorise a sentence or make calulations, we use a lot of different symbols, sounds and images. Computers only use numbers 0 and 1
This is known as the binary system
The smallest unit of information that we can store on a computer (0 or 1) is called a bit (b), which is an abbreviation for binary digit
Eight bit together forms a byte (B). Different multiples od a byte are used to store information
ASCII
We give a code to each of the letters of the alphabet, and to the characters computers use, so that we can store them. These codes consists of the figures ´1
and ´0
ASCII (the American Standard Code for Information Interchange) uses 7 bits to storeop to 128 different characters
COMPUTER FUNCTIONS
We use the name hardware for the physical 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
Imput of data using peripheral devices
Output of dataperipheral devices
Storing data in the storage devices
Processing data in the central processing unit (CPU), using the microprocesor and the memory
Computers process and store information in the form of text, numbers, photographs, music and so on
When we use a computer to do calculations, change the font of a text or change the colours in a picture, we are processing information
COMPUTER ELEMENTS
MICROPROCESSOR
Computer history is very closely linked to the development of integrated circuits or chips
The microprocessor is an integrated circuit made up of millions of tiny transitors wprking together to process the instructions and data received from the memory
The clock race sets the pace at which precesses are completed, the clock continuously generates electrical impulses
Every time the microprocessor receives an impulses, it carries out an operation. A 4 GHz microprocessor receives 4 billion impulses every second
Today`s microprocessors can process 64 bits at a time
A microprocessor`s power also depends on its cache memory and the speed at which it comunicates with the RAM
MEMORY AND UNITS OF STORAGE
RAM
The computers main memory is called RAM (random access memory)
When we run an application, its instructions and data are copiedto this memory son that the microprocessor can use them
This is because accessing the hard disk is very slow
Since RAM doesn´t retain information when the computer is switched of, we must save our work to the hard disk before we close the application. Otherwhise we`ll loose our work
Cache memory
RAM cannot work as 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
When you turn on your computer, it automatically checks the system. This initial check is carried out using instructions stored in a special read-only memory: the ROM BIOS
If everything is correct, the BIOS starts the operating system in the main memory, so that this system can take control of the computer
Storage devices
The RAM stores data temporarily. When you turn off the computer, this data appears
We use data storage devices to permanently save this data
Magnetic disks
Hard disks are most common magnetic storage units
They storage bits by positioning million of tiny magnets in two pssible orientations, that we represent ´0´ and ´1´
To acces a piece of data, the disk spins around until the read head is the area where that piece of data is stored
External hard disks are very useful because they´re easy to transport
Optical disks
CD-ROMs, DVDs and Blue-ray Discs (BD) store data in a series of grooves on the disc surface
The disc light emits a laser onto the disc and reflects off the flat areas
Solid-state memory (flash)
This devices store using transistor acting as switches.These switches can be either opened or closed
Solid-state memory devices includememory cards or pen drives, which are also called memory sticks, which we connect to the computer through an USB port or other slots
MOTHERBOARD AND CONNECTING DEVICES
Inside the computer you`ll find a large board; we call it motherboard. All the other components of the computer are connected
The motherboard is like a small 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 modem, sound card, netwrok card and so on
This slots can be PCI (peripheral component interconnected) or PCI-Express
The IDE(integrated device electronics) or ATA(advanced technology attached) and SATA(serial ATA) conector connect the hard disk, CD drive and DVD drive to the motherboard
The chipset is a number of integrated circuit designed to perform related functions, they control the flow of bits to and from the motherboard
They also deterine which type microprocessor, memory and expansion cards we can use
Various input/output ports
We need electrical energy to make all of this work
The computer`s power suply unit transforms a 230 V alterning current into a low-voltage direct current
Connecting external devices
Using an expansion slot on the motherboard , to connect a sound card or a graphics card
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 manufaturer. To do this, we 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 os uninstall software
Administrador de dispositivos in Windows
Gestor de dispositivos in Linux
SOFTWARE AND OPERATING SYSTEMS
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
Word, Writer
Spread sheets
Excel, Calc
Presentations
PowerPoint, Impress
Database management tools
Access, Base
Drawing programs
Paint, Paint Shop Pro, Draw
Antivirus software, file compressors, web browsers and webmail software, games and so on
Programming languages
These programes can be used to create other programes and applications
They can be used to develop new operating systems
The operating systems
The operating system is the first thing that appears when you turn on your computer and the last you see when yuo`re turning it off
Different computers can have different types of software, but they all need an operating system
The operating system provides a working enviorment that makes it easy to access all the various applications, find information about different elements of the computer and to manage the files and folders
The most operating systems are Windows, Linux and Mac OS
When we want to open an application, we use the mouseto send the command to the operating system
Operating system finds the aplication on the hard disk, sends a copy of it to the RAM, and loads it onto the screen
The program is now the active application. It receives data from the keyboard and sends instructions to the microprecessor through the operating system
When we save the document, the operating system looks for free space on the hard disk and tranfers the data from the memory to that space
To print, click on Imprimir, and the word processor will send the command to the operating system, which send the apropriate signals to the printer
When we close the word processor, the operating system deletes the application from the memory, through not from the hard disk
Functions of operating system
Manages the microprocessor
If several applications are open at the same time, the operating system calculates how much time the microprocessor should give to each one
If one of the tasks is very urgent, it takes top priority
Manages the memory and storage system, making space available for the different applications
Provides an interface or working enviorment for the user
Allows communication between applications and peripheral devices
WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
Installing and uninstalling programs
If you buy the proggram from a shop, it will be on one or more CDs or DVDs. However, nowadays, more and more people are buying all sorts of proggrams on the Internet
We can install programs using an installation wizard that guides us through the process. A sample installation process is described in the Procedures section of this unit
The Agregar o quitar programas tool is very useful for adding and removing programs
Hard disk maintenance
Cleaning the hard disk
Over time, your computer acumulates unnecesary programs and files
You can clean your disk and delete this programs and files using the tool, LIberador de espacio
Defragmenting the hard disk
The hard disk stores files in small blocks
Over time, the contents of a file can be dispersed over many different blocks, so accessing them is slow. The defragmenter puts these blocks in order
Detecting and repairing errors
It`s important to check the hard disk accasionally
We can check for errors by right-cleaning on the hard disk and selecting the properties option, Propiedades. A dialogue box will then appear
Click on the Herramientas tab to see the tools you can use
Savign power
It`s specially important to select the right power options from laptops, To do this, click on Panel de control> Opciones de energia
You can tell the coputer to go into standby mode automatically, during a period of inactivity
System updates
Operating systems are constantly being updated
Through Inicio> Programas> Windows update. This takes you to Microsoft`s webpage where you can select updates
By activationg the automatic updates tool, Actualizaciones automáticas, via Inicio> Panel de control> Rendimiento y mantenimiento> Sistema
LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM
INSTALLING AND UNINSTALLING
Linux use two package managers to help users automatically install aplications downloaded from the internet
Añadir y quitar in the Aplicaciones menu. This is the easiest way add and remove applications
Synaptic package management program. To open it, select Sistema> Administración. This program gives you more control over the installation process
We`ll now learn how to install and uninstall a program in Linux using the first method
Go to Aplicaciones menu and select Añadir y quitar. The Añadir y quitar aplicaciones window all appear
Select the program you want
Click on Aplicar cambios to apply the changes
Confirm the installation by clicking on Aplicar
Linux will then download the files requiered and install the new software. To uninstall application:
Go back to Aplicaciones> Añadir y quitar
In Añadir y quitar aplicaciones, select the program and click on Aplicar cambios
The operating system will unsinstall the program
HOW TO KEEP YOUR SYSTEM UP TO DATE
To get the latest version of our operating systems and applications
Open the Gestor de aplicaciones through Sistema> Administracion
Click on Comprobar. A list of recommended updates will appear. Click on Instalar actualizaciones to install the selected updates
COMPUTER NETWORKS
A computer network is a set of computersconnected to each other so that they can share resources and exchange information
Local area networks or LANs
Linear
Star
Ring
Metropolitan area networks, made up of several LANs
Wide area networks, covering a country or continent
ELEMENTS IN A NETWORK
All computer networks has logical component, which is an operating system and applications that work on a network, and a physical component connecting t he different computers to each other
Each computer needs an adaptor or network card to senf information to each other
The hub distributes all of the information it receives between the other computers in the network
It can be replaced by switch, which needs the data it receives only to the recipient
This information travels down a transmission medium, normaly a cable similar to a telephone wire with RJ45 connector on the end
Coaxial and fibre optic cables are also used
WIRELESS NETWORK
Wireless networks, known as WLANs(Wireless LANs), use electromagnetic waves to transmit data. All computers need to have a wireless network card
Networks with combination of wired and wireless devices use wireless access point(WAP) that we can use to transmit data through wires or electromagnetic waves
SHARED INTERNET ACCESS
Computers in a network can share a single Internet connection. Computer networks can connect to the Internet into two ways
Using Internet Connection Sharing(ICS), where all communication is through one computer that must be switched on all the time
One disvantage of network sharing is that the computer with all the shared elements must be switched on at all times so that the other users can access those elements
To overcome this problem, we can use network storage systems and print servers
Using a router, which detects data and directs it to and from the Internet
SHARING RESOURCES IN WINDOWS
SHARING A PRINTER
With a shared printer, you can print documents from any computer in network
To open files and faxes folder, go to Inicio> Impreosras y faxes. You can also access it through the Panel de control
Right click on the printer that you want to share and select Compartir
Select Compartir esta impresora
if you want to use a printer connected to another computer on the network, you have two options:
Make the printer the default printer
To do this, go to Inicio> Mis sitios de red> Impresoras y faxes. Right-click on the printer you want and select Establecer como impresora predeteminada
Select the network printer through the application you are using
SHARING FILES AND FOLDERS
We can let other network users see our files, and access files on other computers
Sharing a folder
Right click on the folder you want to share and select Compartir y seguridad
Select Compartir esta carpeta en la red
Accessing a shared folder
Go to Inicio> Mis sitios de red
Select Ver equipos del grupo de trabajo
Double-click on the computer where the shared folder is located. This will give you access to all the resources shared by that
SHARING RESOURCES IN LINUX
SHARING A COMPUTER
Linux lets you share a computer with other users, but steel keep your own configuration and personal files
SHARING A PRINTER
to share a printer installed in another computer in the network, oyu need to install it as a network printer on your own computer
SHARING FOLDERS