أســــــــــــامه خليل غياضة ع

The Computer

There are several components that work together to run your computer. The next few pages will give you an overall understanding of the computer hardware. You can click on the item you want to know more about, or just go to the next page to begin this section.

The CPU ( Central Processing Unite ):

The main component to make your computer operate is the computer chip or microprocessor.
This is referred to as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and is housed in the computer case. Together, they are also called the CPU.
The CPU acts like a traffic cop in a busy intersection. It instructs the computer programs to process the data.

Power Switch
The power switch is located somewhere on the CPU, usually in the front or on the side. You press this to start your computer. But do not press the power switch to turn off your computer unless nothing else works.
Want to know more about how it works?
Motherboard
All of the computer's components are hooked up to a motherboard, which is the main base for the computer's circuitry and components.
RAM
Memory is called RAM, which stands for Random Access Memory. RAM is the actual grouping of computer microchips on your motherboard. Megahertz Your computer speed is called megahertz, after Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist. It is defined as the millions of cycles that the electric circuitry goes through while operating your computer.

The Mouse

The mouse is an input device like the keyboard, but it is more dynamic.
The mouse has a roller ball that is attached to several internal sensors that allow you to travel around the screen on the monitor.
When you reach your destination, you can click, highlight, or drag and drop the item.

Left and Right Clicking

The mouse has two buttons: left and right.
Most of the time you will click the left button to select objects. Usually you select things with the mouse by clicking the left button twice. (You can also click once and press the Enter key.)
When you click the right button, a special menu is displayed with various options you can select.
The terms left or right "button" and left or right "click" are used interchangeably.

Mouse Practice
It takes awhile to get used to the mouse, so be patient. There are plenty of wonderful ways you can practice, though. Try the following Web sites:

The Monitor

The computer monitor is the physical display for your computer.
The terms monitor and display are often used interchangeably

On/Off Switch
Most monitors have their own power switch. It is often on the front of the monitor, as in this example, but it may be elsewhere on the unit. The monitor just helps you see what the computer is doing. So, don't confuse it with the actual computer, which usually must be turned on separately.
Monitor controls
Like televisions, monitors allow you make adjustments in the quality of the display--brighter, darker, etc. These controls will vary from unit to unit, both in what you can adjust and how you do it. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the controls of your computer monitor.
Disk Drives and Diskettes:

Hard Disk Drive
The hard disk drive is the mechanism that reads and writes data on a hard disk. The hard disk drive and the hard disk are packaged as a unit and are usually referred to as the "hard drive." They are mounted permanently inside the computer.
The hard disk holds the operating system for the computer (like Windows 95/98), programs (like Microsoft Word), and documents. The hard drive stores many more times the amount of information than can be stored on a floppy disk.

Floppy Disk
One of the objects the computer stores information on is called a floppy disk. This consists of a plastic casing enclosing a thin piece of plastic. The plastic has a coating of magnetic particles on it, onto which the information is written in magnetic code. For this reason, it is important to keep all disks away from magnets and magnetic devices.

Floppy Disk Drive
A floppy drive is a common tool on your computer. It allows you to insert and remove a floppy disk, which is a magnetic medium used for storing data.

CD-ROM Drive
A compact disc (CD) is similar to the floppy diskette, because it stores data and you can retrieve data from it.
The CD-ROM drive is an optical drive that reads information from a compact disc, like a music CD or a software CD

Keyboard

Much of the computer keyboard looks like a standard typewriter keyboard.
But there are extra goodies on it just for computer work. It is a text-based input device for your computer. In the following pages, we'll highlight some of the more common keys and key combinations you'll need to know.

Printer:

A printer transfers graphics and text from your computer to paper. Printers can differ in the resolution per inch, color capability and speed. It has lights and displays that tell you when it is out of paper or toner or ink, or when it has paper jammed inside it. You can most often click on the printer icon in a program to print out a document.

Wapher | del.icio.us