PC hardware

Introduction

Computer (PC personal computer) was originally designed to facilitate human complex mathematical calculations.  However, modern computer technology is a world where a user can not only produce complex calculations, which he or she would never have coped by hand, but also to publish a book, write a song or a painting, take part in a scientific seminar, learn the world news, write a letter to a friend or simply have fun, after spending a few hours (or days?) for an exciting computer game. The computer's capabilities are practically inexhaustible.

Present age is the age of computers. A personal computer is now a very common thing for every household. Personal computer (PC) is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator. It is not only a source of assistance in the office work and academics, but also a very great means of entertainment for the users. There are certain things a user must know about operating his/her PC. This paper aims to focus on all such details that a user must be aware about the personal computer they use (Wood et al, 33).

The first part of the paper will explain the functions of PC hardware including the keyboard, scanner, printer, monitor, camera, microphone, and primary and secondary storage media including hard disks, floppy disks, flash drives, compact discs, and DVDs. Then the article illustrates the steps necessary to log on, shut down, start programs, copy, delete, transfer files, and create folders through the creation of screen shots. This essay also provides step-by-step instructions to change system settings, install and maintain protection software (virus, spyware, adware, system updates, and firewalls), and guard the integrity of a computer and data. Then we aim to compare and contrast the functions and features of spreadsheet, word processing, digital graphics, and presentation programs. Finally, the essay demonstrates how to send, and receive e-mail and instant messages with attachments.

Functions of PC hardware

There are two major components of the personal computer, the hardware and the software. The software is the part that cannot be touched. Software is a very integral component of the working of the personal computer. The hardware is the touchable component of the system. These are devices used to carry out the working of the computer processes.

There are mainly four kinds of devices in the personal computer, namely, the input devices, the processing devices, the output devices and storage devices. Input devices include keyboard, mouse, and scanner, etc. Output devices are monitor and printer, etc. The processing device is the CPU (Central, Processing Unit). The storage devices include hard disk, CD, DVD, floppy disk, flash drive, etc.

The output is of two types, the hard copy and the soft copy. Hard copy is the tangible output in printed version. Soft copy is the output displayed on the computer screen.

First of all, we will explain the functions of PC hardware including the keyboard, scanner, printer, ...