Hardaware and operating systems
Computer languaje and fuction
Computers only can use 1 and 0. This is known as the
binary system.
The smallest unit of information we can store on a computer (0 or 1) is called a byte (b), which is an abbreviation for binary digit.
Kibibyte-KiB-1024 bytes Mebibyte-MiB-1024 KiB Gibibyte-GiB-1024 MiB Tebibyte-TiB-1024GiB-
Kilobyte-kB-1000bytes
Megabyte-MB-1000kB Gigabyte-GB-1000MB Terabyte-TB-1000GB
ASCII
American Standard Code for Information Interchange
Uses 7 bits to storage up to 128 different characters
Computer fuctions
Output of data using peripheral devices.
Storing data in the storage devices
Input of data using peripheral devices.
Processing data in the central processing unit(CPU), using the microprocessor and the memory
We use the name hardaware for thr 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 data.
Computer elements
Motherboard and connecting systems
Memory and elements of storage
Microprocessor
Today´s microprocessors can process 64 bits at a time.
A microprocessor´s power also depends on its caché memory and the speed at which it comunicates with the RAM.
The clock rate sets the pace at which procesess are completed. The clock continously generates electrical impulses. Every time the microprocessor receives an impulse, it carries out an operation A 4 GHz microprocessor receives 4 billion impulses every second.
Cache memory
ROM BIOS
RAM
Storage devices
The computer main memory´s is its RAM(random access memory)
When we ran an application, its instructions and data are copied to this memory so that the microprocessor can use them.
This is because the hard disk is very slow
Since RAM doesn´t retain information when the computer is switched off, we must save our work to the hard disk before we close the applicaction.Otherwise we will loose our work.
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.
Some microprocessors can do the same job as some graphics, such as the latest generation Ryzen models.
When you turn on your computer, it automatically checks the system.The initial check is carried out using instructions stored in a special read-only memory: the ROM BIOS
If evertyhing is correct, the BIOS starts the operating system in the main memory, so that this system can take control of the computer
The RAM storages data temporality. When you turn off the computer, this data dissapears. We use data storage units to permanently save this data
Magnetic disks
Optical disks
They store bits by positioning millions of tiny magnets in two possible orientations that : : represent 0 and 1
To access a piece of data, the disk spins around until the read head is above the area where a piece of data is stored.
Hard disks are the most common magnetic storage units
External hard disks are very useful because they are easy to transport
The disc drive emits a laser onto the disc and reflects off tthe flat areas
The ligth signal is reflected back to an optical sensor that turns it into a digital signal:0 or 1
CD-ROMs, DVDs and Blur-ray Discs(BD) stores data in a series of grooves on the disc surface.
Blu-ray technology uses a special blue laser that allows us to store much more information.
All the other components are conected to it
In addition to the microprocessor and the memory, the moderboard also includes the following components
The IDE(integrated dive electronics) or ATA( advanced technology attachment) and SATA( serial ATA) connectors connect the hard disk, CD drive and DVD drive to the moderboard
The chipset is a number of integrated circuits designed to perform related functions, they control the flow of bits to and from the motherboard
Slots that can be used to expand or add new components, such as a modem, sound card, network card and so on.
These slots can be PCI(peripheral component interconnect) or PCI-Express
Various input/ output ports
We need electricity to make it work.
CONECTING EXTERNAL DEVICES we can physically connect devices to the computer in many different ways
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 a mouse or a keyboard
Using an expansion slot on the motherboard, to connect the sound card or a graphic card ,for example.
Drivers
We also need a driver that allows the device to comunicate with the operating system
this system automatically installs driver for most devices.
Tool necessarys to install drivers
Informes sobre nuevos dispositivos( Hermes)
Administrador de dispositivos
Asistente para agregar hadware
Gestor de dispositivos
Software and operating systems
Applications
Functions of the operating system
Operating systems: manages the system resources, making them avalaible for use by the user and the applications
Presentations
Database management tools
Spreadsheets
Drawing programs
Word processors
Antivirus software, file compresssor, web compressors and webmail software, games and so on
When we want to open an application, we use the mouse to send that command to the operating system.The following process takes place:
When we save the document, the operating system looks for free space on the hard disk and transfers 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 sends the apropiate signals to the printer.
The program is now the active application.It receives data from the keyboard and sends instructions to the microprocessor through the operating system
When we close the word processor, the operating system deletes the application from the memory, though not from the hard disk
The operating system finds the application on the hard disk, sends a copy of it to the RAM, and loads it onto the screen
The operating system is the first thing that appears when you turn on your computer and the last thing when you turn it off.
Different computer can have different types of software, but they all need an operating system
The operating system provides a working enviroment that makes it easy to acces all the various applications, find information about different elements of the computer and to manage the files and folders.
Manage the memory and storage systems
Provides an interface or working enviroment
Manages the microprocessor
Allows comunication between applications and peripheral devices
Windows operating system
Hard disk maintenance
Saving power
Installing and unistalling programms
System updates.2 ways of update your operating systems:
We can install programs using an installation+wizard that guides us through the process.
Defragmenting the hard disk
Detecting and repairing errors
Cleaning the hard disk
Panel de control. Opciones de energía
Incio-Programas-Windows Update. This takes you to microsoft´s webpage where you can select updates.
By activating the automatic updates tool.Actualizaciones automaticas-Inicio-Panel de control-Rendimiento y mantenimiento-Sistema
Linux operating system
Installing and unistalling programs
2 Synaptic package management program. To open it select Sistema-Administracion.This program gives you more control over the installation process.
1 Añadir y quitar in the Aplicaciones menu. This is the easiest way to add and remove applications
Computer networks
A computer network is a set of computers connected to each other so they can share resources and exchange information
local area networks or LANs
metropolitan area networks, made up of several LANs
wide area networks,country or continent
Elements in a network
Wireless networks
Shared internet access
The hub distributes all of the information it receives between the other computers in the network. It can be replaced by a switch, which sends the data it recevies only to the recipient.
This information travels down a transmission medium, normally a cable similar to a telephone wire with a RJ45 conector on the end
Each computer need an adaptor or network card to send information to the other computers and receive information back
All computer networks have a logical component, which is an operating system and applications that work on a network and a physical component conecting the different computers to each other
Wireless networks, known as WLANs(Wireless LANs), use the electromagnetic waves to transmit data. All computers need to have a wireless network card.
Networks with a combination of wired and wireless devices use the wireless access points(WAP) that we can use to transmit data through wires or electromagnetic waves
Using Internet connection sharing, where all comunication is through one computer that must be switched on all the time.
Using a router, which detects data and directs it to and from the internet.