Windows 7

1. COMPUTER SYSTEM

1.1.2 MAIN ELEMENTS

▪ A.- Hardware: Includes all the components or physical devices that intervene in a computer system.

▪ B.- Software: It is the set of instructions or programs that are introduced in the computer in order to perform a process.




Computer system

▪ Computer is the basic element of a computer system.

▪ Computer isdefined as an electronic device able to interpret and to execute input and output orders, besides to process and to store information.

▪ Machine language: is the only language that a computer can understand.




Computers components

▪ Input devices: Components through wich data is introduced to the computer to be processed or transformed. Examples: keyborad, code bar reader,scanner, mouse, webcam, microphone, cell phone, touch screen, etc.

▪ Output devices: Devices that show to the user the transformed or processed data. Examples: printer, monitor, speakers etc.

▪ Storage devices: componentes where user saves information.

Memory is classified:

✓ Main memory:

← ROM (Read Only Memory)

← RAM (Random AccessMemory): a memory that stores information that is being executed at that time, so that can be processed more quickly. The information is constantly renewed and when the computer restarts or shuts down, all the information contained in it is lost, which is why it is called volatile memory

✓ Secondary memory:

← This memory permits to save the programs and data in a permanentform.

← Ejemplos: hard disk (internal and external, floppy disks, compact disks (CD), digital video device (DVD), USB memory, stick memories, etc.

• Memory concepts

❖ The smallest unit of information is a BIT.

❖ A BYTE is a character. It is composed by the combination of 8 bits.

❖ BYTE is the unit to measure the capacity of a storage deviceMEMORY:

▪ The memory amounts:
▪ KB.- Kilobytes (1,024 bytes)
▪ MB.- Megabytes (1,048,576 bytes)
▪ GB.- Gigabytes (1,073,741,824 bytes)
▪ TB.- Terabytes (aproximadamente 1012 bytes)
▪ PB.- Petabytes (aproximadamente 1015 bytes)


SECONDARY MEMORY:
▪ The storage units are identified with a letter and the colon symbol:
▪ A: or B: floppy disk▪ C: or D: hard disk
▪ D: or E: DVD/CD
▪ E:, F: etc. Network connections or USB memories.


▪ Processing devices

➢ The central process Unit, also called CPU is the component in charge of transform data into information. Among its most important functions are the arithmetic calculations and the logical decitions. The CPU is also known as the brain of thecomputer.

➢ It is contained in a small integrated circuit called Chip of the microprocessor: this microprocessor is connected to the other devices through a main board called Mother Board which is inside the cabinet.

➢ The velocity of the processing unit is measured in Hertz (Hz) and it is according to the kind of processor: Intel Pentium, Centrino, Atom, AMD Athlon, Intel CoreDuo, etc.




B.- HARDWARE

▪ It is the set of instructions that are introduced in the computer in order to perform a process.
▪ It is classified in:
▪ System software : Administrates and controls the operation of the hardware
▪ Application Software: Permits user to perform specific tasks.

2. OPERATIVE SYSTEM
← The operative system is the set ofprograms that take the absolute control of the hardware and software.
← The process of booting the computer is the process though which the operative system is charged into memory.

1.2.1 FUNCTIONS
1.- It interprets and execute the instructions though the interface.
2.- It optimizes the communication between the input and output devices (I/O)
3.- It coordinates the processing...