SECTOR

l REVISION: RNH 2013

Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 1 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

DEFINITION OF COMPUTER TERMS

 Address – a number that represent a unique location in memory
 ALU – Arithmetic Logic Unit, part of a microprocessor. It does all arithmetic
functions and calculation in the CPU.
 ASCII – American Standard Code for Information Interchange, code
representing the character symbols possible for specific hexadecimal
codes.
 BIOS – Basic Input/Output System, the part of the operating system that
controls the input and output functions.
 Bit – the single smallest unit of data in a computer.
 Board – a shortened reference to a printed circuit board or the insulated surface
on which circuit components are mounted and soldered in place.
 Boot – a term meaning to load DOS or an operating system.
 Byte – comprised of 8 bits to form a word
 Character – the equivalent meaning of byte formed.
 Chip – a complete electronic circuit which may contain miniature resisters,
transistors, diodes, and related circuitry all integrated into a miniature
silicon base and mounted in a common housing.
 Computer – an electronic device designed to make rapid, accurate computations
from data programmed into it.
 Control Unit – decodes each instruction that enters the computer. It then generates
the necessary pulses to carry out the functions specified.
 CP/M – Control Program for Microprocessors, the first operating system
developed for microcomputers.
 CPU – Central Processing Unit, the heart of a system. It controls all data
transfer and devices in a microcomputer system.
 DMA – Direct Memory Access, data transfer involving large blocks of
information directly between the memory and disk drives. DMA is
controlled by another processors which speeds up data transfer and
unloads the central processors of this function.
 DOS – Disk Operating System, a software program used to set certain
parameters involving the operation of the computer system. To start it
up especially data transfer and the disk drives.
 Hardcopy – a print out or a visual copy on paper.
 I/O – short for Input/Output, any operation or device that sends or receives
data from or to the CPU.
 IC – short for Integrated Circuit, building blocks of a computer system or
other electronics devices comprising many electronics parts such as
transistors, resistors, etc. in a single package.
 Interrupt – an input signal to the processors that sets the order to initialize all
system devices for operation.
 Kilo – prefix which means 1,000 units
 LSI – Large Scale Integration, describes the intensity of integration
commonly used in microprocessors, comprising many ICs.
 Mainframe computers – the largest and most expensive computers designed
specifically to serve business, industry, and government in
applications that require mass storage and fast retrieval.
Example: Banks, airlines, and the Internal Revenue Service use mainframe
Computers
 Mega – prefix which means 1,000,000 units
 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 2 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

 Memory – the part of a computer that stores vital information for the computer’s
operation.

 Microcomputers – the smallest and least expensive computers, designed for desktop or portable
use by an individual at home, yet versatile enough for applications in business,
industry, and government.

Example: Microcomputers enjoyed early popularity in the home for both educations and playing electronic
games, but as microcomputers expand in powers such as multi-tasking and multi-user applications,
their use in business and industry increases.

 Microprocessor – the arithmetic logic unit, registers, and timing and decoding
circuitry usually contained in a single integrated circuit that
controls computer activities.
 Minicomputers – medium-sized and medium-priced computers that rival the
storage capacity and operating speed of smaller main-frames, and are used in
business, industry, and government where they perform mostly dedicated or
single-task activities.
Example: Food processors, laboratories, and hospitals use minicomputers

 Peripheral – any device or accessory such as a disk drive, printer, modem, or video
display added to a microcomputer to provide increased capacity for
handling, storing, or presenting data.

 POR – Power On Reset, or power on routing, term to describe the sequence

of operations of a machine during power up.
 Programs – contain the instructions that tell the computer what to do. It is a
sequential set of instructions to solve a particular problem.
 Prototype – the first of its kind, the original from which later models are patterned.
 RAM – Random Access Memory, data can either be read from or written to
(read/write).
 Read – to get data from a device.
 Reset – a short pulse during power up of perform control function in computer,
used to initialize all system devices for operation.
 ROM – Read Only Memory, data can only be read from this type of memory. It
cannot be altered and contains the basic operating instruction of the
computer.
 Unix – the operating system used by the IBM PC, having a more powerful
command structure and greater expandability than CP/M
 Write – to put data into a device.

COMPUTER ACRONYMS

 ACE - Asynchronous Communication Element

 ACPI - Advance Configuration and Power Interface
 ADC - Analog-to-Digital Converter
 ADO - Active Data Object
 ADSL - Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (variant of DSL)
 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 3 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

 AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port

 ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit
 AMR - Audio Modem Riser
 API - Application Programming Interface
 ASCII - American Standard Code for Information Interchange
 ATA - Advanced Technology Attachment
 BCD - Binary Coded Decimal
 BEDO RAM - Burst EDO RAM
 BIOS - Basic Input Output System
 BIU - Bus Interface Unit
 CGI - Common Gateway Interface
 CAD - Computer – Aided Design
 CMOS - Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor

 CPU - Central Processing Unit

 CRT - Cathode Ray Tube
 DMA - Direct Memory Access
 DTE - Data Terminal Equipment
 DDR - Double Data Rate
 DIMM - Dual Inline Memory Module
 DLL - Dynamic Link Library
 DNS - Domain Name System
 DOS - Disk Operating System
 DRAM - Dynamic Random Access
Memory
 DSL - Digital Subscriber Line
 DVD - Digital Versatile Disc
 EDO - Enhanced Data Output
 EPROM - Erasable Programmable Read
Only Memory
 FAT - File Allocation Table
 FRAM - Ferro-Magnetic RAM
 FDD - Floppy Disk Drive
 FSB - Front Side Bus
 FTP - File Transfer Protocol
 GIF - Graphics Interchange Format
 GPRS - General Packet Radio Service
 GSM - Global System for Mobile
Communication
 GUI - Graphical User Interface
 HDD - Hard Disk Drive
 HTML - Hypertext Markup Language
 HTTP - Hypertext Transport Protocol
 IC - Integrated Circuit
 IBM - International Business Machines
 ICT - Information and Communication
Technology
 IDE - Integrated Drive Electronics
 I/O - Input/Output
 IP - Internet Protocol
 IRQ - Interrupt Request
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l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 4 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

 IT - Information Technology
 ISA - Industry Standard Architecture
 JFET - Junction Field Effect Transistor
 JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts
Group
 LAN - Local Area Networking
 LED - Light Emitting Diode
 LBA - Logical Block Addressing
 LSB - Least Significant Bit
 MAN - Metropolitan Area Network
 MB - Megabyte
 MHz - Megahertz
 MIDI - Musical Instrument Digital
Interface
 MPEG - Motion Pictures Experts Group
 MODEM - Modulator Demodulator
 MPU - Microprocessor Unit
 NTFS - New Technology File System
 OCR - Optical Character Recognition
 OS - Operating System
 PATA - Parallel ATA
 PC - Personal Computer
 PCB - Printed Circuit Board
 PCI - Peripheral Component
Interconnect
 PIC - Programmable Interval
Controller
 PPI - Programmable Peripheral
Interface
 PDF - Portable Document Format
 PNG - Portable Network Graphics
 PnP - Plug-and-Play
 PS/2 - Personal System/2
 RAID - Redundant Array of
Independent Disks
 RAM - Random Access Memory
 RMW - Read/Modify/Write
 R/W - Read/Write
 ROM - Read Only Memory
 RGB - Red Greed Blue
 SATA - Serial ATA
 SCSI - Small Computer System
Interface
 SDRAM - Synchronous Dynamic RAM
 SRAM - Static RAM
 SVGA - Super Video Graphics Array
 SMART - Self-Monitoring, Analysis,
and Reporting Technology
 SSRAM - Synchronous Static RAM
 TCP/IP - Transmission Control Protocol/
Internet Protocol
 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 5 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

 URL - Uniform Resource Locator

 USB - Universal Serial Bus
 VGA - Video Graphics Array/Adapter
 VIRUS - Vital Information Resource
Under Seize
 WAN - Wide Area Network
 WAP - Wireless Application Protocol
 Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity
 WLAN - Wireless Local Area Network
 www - World Wide Web

HISTORY OF COMPUTERS
It could rightly be called the first mechanical computing device. It was used
ABACUS
as far back as 2,600 B.C and is still used today.
The first mechanical calculating machine that was developed by Blaise
Pascal in the early 1600s. This device could add and subtract. Later
PASCALINE Gottfried von Leibnitz developed a calculator that could also multiply and
divide.
This was invented by weaver Joseph Jacquered in LOOM the early 1800s
AUTOMATED LOOM
that uses punched cards to record data.
This is where modern computer history began. This machine was
DIFFERENCE proposed by Charles Babbage in ENGINE the 1800s which bears the
ENGINE resemble of today’s computers which is capable of computing and at the
same time print results.
The American chapter of computer history began when Herman Hollerith
ELECTROMECANICHAL
successfully completed his tabulating machine for the Census Bureau in
ENGINE
1890.
ELECTRONIC John Anatasoff is generally credited with building the first electronic
COMPUTER computer as lowa State University.
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l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 6 of 10
PALAPAG
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Was developed by Howard Aiken with the help of IBM, is the first large-

MARK I scale, general-purpose, electromechanical computer. It was completed in

1994.
This was the world’s first large-scale electronic digital computer
which was developed by J. Presper Eckert and John Mauchly in
ENIAC
1946. This computer is designed to calculate missile trajectories.

Was later developed by mathematician John von Neuman in the 1940s

EDSAC and which runs in the concept of stored programs.

EDVAC
This is the first commercial computer which was completed and delivered
UNIVAC to the U.S. Census Bureau in 1951.

MICROCOMPUTER BASICS

The greatest application of digital circuits is in digital computers. A digital computer is a device that
automatically processes data using digital techniques. Data are pieces of information. Processing refers to the
variety of ways that data can be manipulated.

Digital computers are classified by size and computing power. The largest computers are called
Mainframes. These computers are expensive, having extensive memory and high-speed calculating
capabilities. Smaller scale computers – the minicomputer and microcomputer – are more widely used. Even
though they represent a small percentage of the total computer dollars invested, small-scale computers
represent the largest number of computers in use. The Microcomputer is the smallest and least expensive of
the digital computers that still retains all the features and characteristics of a computer.

Mainframe

Microcomputer

Minicomputer
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l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 7 of 10
PALAPAG
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Computers are also classified by function. The most common function is data processing. Industry,
business, and government use computers to maintain records, perform accounting tasks, keep inventory, and
provide a wide variety of other data processing functions.
Computers can be general purpose or special purpose. General-purpose computers are flexible and can be
programmed for any task. Special-purpose, or dedicated, computers are designed to perform a single task.

All digital computers consist of five basics blocks or sectors: control, arithmetic logic unit (ALU),
memory, input, and output. In some cases the input and output blocks are a single block identified as
input / output (I/O). Because the control unit and the arithmetic logic unit are closely related and difficult to
separate, they may be collectively referred to as the central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessing unit
(MPU).

INPUT

ARITHMETIC
CONTROL LOGIC UNIT MEMOR
(ALU) Y

OUTPUT
 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 8 of 10
PALAPAG
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What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic machine used to process information. However, we can do a whole lot
more with computers than just calculate numbers or print out data. We can draw pictures, write
memos and reports, and even communicate with other computer users. Educators can use the
computer to write lesson plans, notices, and letters, make visual aids, create presentations and
share and collaborate with other teachers from around Uganda and the world.

There are two basic parts of a computer: hardware and software.

Hardware is a generic term for all the physical components of the computer.
Software is a generic term for the programs that run on a computer.

Hardware
Hardware is another term for the physical components of a computer. This is the most basic level on
which the computer operates. The key point to remember is that all information is processed
electronically. PC stands for Personal Computer, although that abbreviation is most often associated
with computer running the Windows operating system. Below is a picture of a standard PC with each
hardware part labeled. The photo on the right shows how the monitor, keyboard and mouse are
connected to the System Unit.

Computer Hardware Parts Back View of a System Unit

How the hardware parts are connected
 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 9 of 10
PALAPAG
Information Sheet

How a Computer Works

Input devices:
Input devices give/enter information into the PC's System Unit.
Common types of input devices are the following:

Keyboard
Mouse

Trackball

Joystick

Scanners

Digital Cameras

Web cam

Pen or Stylus

Touch Screen

Touch Pad

Barcode Reader

Card Reader

System Unit:
Is the box which contains the CPU and RAM. It is where the information from the input
devices gets processed.

CPU (Central Processing Unit):

 SECTOR
l REVISION: RNH 2013
Information and Communication Technology
QUALIFICATION TITLE:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II CODE ELC724318
MODULE:
INSTALLING COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND NETWORKS
SUMOROY AGRO-IND SCHOOL Page 10 of 10
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Electronically processes the incoming information. The CPU is a complex microelectronic

switch which evaluates the incoming signal and instructs other PC components to take certain
actions.

RAM (Random Access Memory):

RAM is temporary electronic memory located inside the CPU that stores information.

Output devices:
The CPU sends signals to the output devices. The output devices then display the
information. Common output devices are the following

Monitor - the computers basic output device and produces the softcopy
Printer - prints the softcopy and produces hardcopy
Plotter - remarkably large printers for printing posters, blue prints, etc.
Speakers - an audio output device
Headphones
LCD projector

Storage: A storage device is used to save a permanent copy of documents. Common types of
storage devices include floppy disks and hard disks. You may also store data on zip disks and CD-
ROMS.