Hardware and Software

21/9/018

A computer consists basically ofhardware and software.

We can define hardware as the physical part of the computer: both the box and the internal components 
(motherboard, hard disk, etc.).

The software consists of programs, instructions, computer applications and the operating system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbqXqQ-2ixs (9 min)

Motherboard

The motherboard is the largest card with a printed circuit you see when you open a computer.

 
All the other components are inserted on it, as you will see. It includes connectors or communication ports 
with peripherals and can also incorporate video, audio and network devices, among others, depending on the 
characteristics of the computer.

Microprocessor

The microprocessor is the most important part of the computer. It is responsible for processing data, 
performing arithmetical-logical operations and controlling all the other devices. It is characterized by its 
working frequency, measured in hertz, which determines its operating speed.

A modern computer may have a 3.6 MHz processor, which means it can perform modem computer may have a 
3.6 MHz processor, wMi means it can perform 3.6 billion basic operations every second.

In physical terms, it is a chip that contains a set of integrated circuits with millions of transistors, plugged into a 
socket. It normally has a fan and heat sink above it to coo1 it down, along with thermal paste, because if its 
temperature rises too high it can block the computer.

The main microprocessor manufacturers are Intel and AMD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNk0urQsQM (7.30 min)

The main components of the motherboard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Va3Bfjn4inA (10.35 min)

Basic components in a computer.

https://es.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=basic+components+on+a+computer+
youtube#id=3&vid=2966fa0379c7cb8624b7719f1161b756&action=view (2 min)

https://es.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=basic+components+on+a+computer+
youtube#id=6&vid=434f5ac3573d0de369fe16562e7033bb&action=view (8 min)

https://es.video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcasa&p=basic+components+on+a+computer+
youtube#id=2&vid=b05cb881f1b78b7106339c237c777904&action=click (36 min)

Complete the table like the example.

Microprocessor socket	The microprocessor is plugged in here. When you open the computer, what  you normally see is a large fan with an aluminium heat sink bellow it. A thermal paste is added under the sink to improve heat dispersal and, finally,  the microprocessor is located above the socket.
Chipset RAM memory slots	This a set of chips on the motherboard that carries out communications between  the microprocessor and the different components connected to the motherboard.  It controls the operating mode of the board and determinies its performance and  characteristics. The most important chip normally has an aluminum heat of sink  above it, smaller than the microprocessor.
ATX connector	This connector joins the power supply to the motherboard through cables, as  shown in the picture. It requires sufficient power to work.
IDE and SATA connections	These are the connections for the storage units: the hard disk, the DVD ROM, the  DVD recorder, etc. The boards can have two types of connection, IDE or SATA, or  just one, depending on the age of the computer. SATA connections are the more  modern ones. The picture shows the SATA (red) and IDE (blue) cables that connect  the motherboard to the storage units.
Expansion slots	These are for inserting expansion cards, such as the graphics card, sound card,  network card, etc. These cards are sometimes integrated into the motherboard so  the slots might be empty. There are various types: PCI, AGP and PCI Express  (PCI-E).
External connections	These are ports for connecting to the network (RJ45) and external devices, such  as the keyboard (purple PS2), the mouse (green PS2), headphones (audio jacks),  USB memory cards, etc.
Chip and battery for BIOS	The BIOS is an integrated circuit that stores the computer booting program. It can  normally be distinguished from others as it generally has the word BIOS written  on it, as shown in the picture. To prevent specific setup parameters from being  detected, the BIOS requires a battery.

Internal connectors and ports

The internal connectors are the expansion slots connected to the motherboard, together with the internal ports 
or interfaces. There are two types of slots.

PCI (peripheral component interconnect):  these do not have a default use, they allow new components, 
such as video, sound and network cards, among others to be added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSSHuMHbCWo(3.22 min)

AGP (accelerated graphics port): this is used for graphics and connectivity. Its transfer rate can be as 
high as 2 GB/s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIazREMS560 (1 min)

IDE (integrated device electronics) or ATA (advanced technology attachment): these control mass 
storage devices, such as hard disks, CD-ROM, DVD and so on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ArUv3VqkZs (12 min)

SATA (serial advanced technology attachment): this is a transmission interface combination of 
commands, methods and hardware) between the motherboard and  certain devices, such as the hard 
disk.!t will replace the other interfaces.

An external SATA, eSATA, for external hard disks and other components is gaining popularity. It will 
become a competitor to USB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWkZ0sGRWYg (5 min)

Ports are used to connect input/output peripherals to the motherboard:

USB (universal serial bus): permits interconnection with practically any device. In addition, and 
recognition doesn’t require the device to be rebooted (plug and play). The :2.0 reaches speeds of up to
60 MB /s.

The connection carries data and also electrical current. They can basically be classified as type A and
type B (see table).

USB 3.0 reaches speeds of up to 600 MB/s.

There is also the mini USB (for MP3 players, cameras, etc.) and the micro USB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOW7KeoWLgY (3.47 min)

IEEE1394 also known as Firewire by Apple and i.Link by Sony): this is an interface that allows the 
interconnection of cameras, videos, phones, external hard disks, printers and scanners with the 
computer. It reaches speeds of (up to Mbps in the case of IEEE 1394b.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nhIi9EglYQ (7.53 min)

Other connectors are:

Memories

There are several types of memory in a computer,

• RAM is the random-access memory, which means that any part of it can be accessed. It permits
  reading and writing. !t is volatile: when the power supply is turned off, the information stored in it 
  is lost. It is the only one inserted into the motherboard.

A modem computer can have 8 GB (gigabytes) of RAM.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVad0c2cljo (15 min)

• ROM is read only memory. It is not volatile: information is not lost when the computer is turned 
  off. It is ideal for storing basic hardware routines, such as the computer booting program (BIOS) 
  or memory testing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1N3l1l43kE (8 min)

• Cache memory is faster and has a lower capacity than RAM. It serves as a bridge between the 
  microprocessor and RAM.

Complete the table like the example.

Byte	8 bits
Kilobyte	1024 bytes
Megabyte	1024 kbytes
Gigabyte	1024 MB
Terabyte	1024 GB
Petabyte	1024 TB

Computers include this memory in the microprocessor chip.

A modern computer can have 6 MB (megabytes) of cache memory.

Internal and external storage units

Storage units (or storage devices) are used to save information. They should not be confused with 
the types of memory described in the previous section, which are not used to store data.

The internal storage units are hard disks. They can be of two types:

• Hard disk drive (HDD). This uses a magnetic recording system to record digital data on a 
  series or platters or disks bv means of a moving head. External communication can use IDE or 
  SATA.

• ‘Solid-state disk or solid-state drive (SSD).This stores information on non-volatile NAND 
  memory microchips. Unlike HHDs, SSDs do not contain moving parts, so they are faster and 
  more energy efficient. However, their life is limited to a given number of read cycles.

External storage units include CDs, with a capacity of between 700 and 800 MB, DVDs (typical 
capacity of 4.7 GB) and Blu-ray disks (capacity of up to 400 GB). Other external storage devices are  
USB flash drivers (or pen drives), which are now the moist commonly used, and memory cards 
(SD, MMC, etc.).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4ykrNhI5xk(11 min)

We can define software as the computer’s logical components that make its operation possible. 
The operating system (Windows, Linux, MacOS) and the programs and applications we use are all 
software.

When a computer is turned on, the first software fo start working is the BIOS. Next the operating 
system is loaded and, finally the applications.

BIOS

The BIOS (basic input / output system) is the computer’s basic input and output system. lt is a 
special program stored on a small device on the motherboard, as we have seen. Once the hardware 
components start to boot up, the BIOS takes control of the computer When the BIOS has finished its 
task, it hands control of the computer over to the next level: the operating system.  

Operating system

This is a program, already installed in the software or in the static memory, which makes the hardware 
usable. Its purpose is to act as an interface between the user and the computer, interpreting the user’s 
instructions and transmitting them to the hardware. In addition it is responsible for controlling and 
operating all the computer hardware and programs. Other functions include:

• Enabling users to share the hardware
• Enabling users-toshare data
• Enabling users to plan resources
• Facilitating data input and output

The most commonly used operating systems are Windows 8. 10, Vista and XP). Linux (Debian, 
Ubuntu, Red Hat, MAX, Linex, Molinex, Guadaíinex distributions among others) and Mac OS, Symbian 
OS and WAP.

Programs and applications

A computer application is a program designed to facilitate a given type of work, while a program can be
defined as a sequence of instructions that a computer is capable of interpreting and executing. For 
example the BIOS (the software stored in the ROM that enables the computer to boot up and operate)
is a program, as if the chip firmware. However a word processor or a video player are technically 
speaking, computer applications.

Complete the table like the example.

Office automation systems	Word processors	Microsoft Word,  Libreoffice writer
	Spreadsheets	Microsoft Excel,  LibreOffice Calc
	Slide presentations	Microsoft PowerPoint,  LibreOfficeImpress
	Database managers	MicrosoftAccess,  LibreOffice Base
Browsers	Internet Explorer Mozilla Firefox,  Google Chrome, Opera Browser, Safari
Graphicdesign	Adobe Photoshop, LibreOffice Draw,  Inskape, GIMP
Technicaldrawing	Autodesk AUTOCAD, QCAD,  Sketchup
Utilities	Autodesk, compressors (WinZIP,  WinRAR, 7-zip), burning software   (Nero, ImgBurn)
Games	Minecraft, Clash of Clans,  World or Warcraft, Call of Duty, FIFA, etc.

http://elblogdetecnologia.blogspot.com/2010/10/hardware-and-software-vocabulary.html

Kinds of operating system:

We can classify the operative systems according to different criteria:

According to the number of tasks performed by the operating system simultaneously.

Monotask . You can only perform one task simultaneously. Example: MS-DOS.  

Multitask: it allows realize several processes at once by sharing the processor. It can manage 
simultaneous tasks giving greater or lesser priority to the execution of a task.  Examples: Windows 7, 
Linux Ubuntu.

According to the number of users who can work simultaneously

Monouser: It is only possible to have a user working on the same computer, although there is several 
configured users. Examples: Windows 7, Linux Ubuntu.

Multiuser. It allows a number of users to manage the simulated system simultaneously sharing the
same resources.

It can be done through a net of computers with several administrators connected in different points of 
the net. Examples: Unix and Windows Server 2008.

According to the number of equipment that governs the operating system.

Monoprocess. The operating system manages only one machine with a single process of access. 
This type of system is also known as a centralized system. Examples: Windows 7, Linux Ubuntu and 
MS-DOS.

Multiprocess or Multiaccess A centralized CPU makes the processes that are requested by different 
points of access or terminals that are located in the net. The terminals use the central hardware and 
the central software to work.

These operating systems are known as distributed systems. For example: Sprite and Solaris.  

When it is time to share several tasks or to use several devices in a system, you can find two 
situations:

A single processor. It is shared, because it can not be realized at the same time, it dedicates a short 
time to different tasks.

Several processors. It will be understood as a total area, or each microprocess dedicates to a different 
operation.

Make the classification of the operating systems according to the different criteria explained: 
tasks, users and number of teams governed in a simultaneous way.

There are different ways of classifying and subdividing operating systems. The criteria are listed below, 
and then the different groups that are formed based on them:

According to the mode of administration of tasks:

• Monotarea: You can only execute one at a given time. It cannot interrupt the processes in action.

• Multitask: It is able to execute several processes at the same time. It is able to assign resources 
• alternately to the processes that request them, so that the user perceives that all work at once.

According to the mode of administration of the users:

• Single-user: It only allows to execute the programs of one user at the same time.

• Multi-user: If you allow several users to run their programs simultaneously, accessing the 
• computer resources at the same time.

According to the way resources are managed:

• Centralized: If it allows to use the resources of a single computer.

• Distributed: If it allows to use the resources of more than one computer at the same time.

Main functions of the operating system

We can summarize the functions of the operating system in four:

Resources management: it controls the performance of the hard disk and units of CD-ROM or DVD, 
manages the amount of memory assigned of each work, sends the orders of working to periphericals, 
etc.

Presentation of the user interface. It provides us with a communication tool between the user and 
the machine. The Interface or environment work can be:

Graphic type, within it is presented icons that to be actuated perform a determined homework.   

Menu, which is displayed in a table with a list of options to choose.

Commands, in which we must write; in an understandable language by the system, the order that 
must be executed.

Administer the files. It is responsible for store the data of memory in storage units and, besides, it 
contains a record to know where is located each file. The tasks realized with the files (copy, carry or 
change the name) are also realized by the operating system.  

Administer the tasks. Nowadays, the operating systems are multitasks, i.e., they can make 
simultaneously different works (for instance, browser in the Internet, edit text or copy a CD). The 
operating system regulates the order of execution of the instructions in the microprocessor, in order 
that these programs can work in a simultaneous way.

Set out the main functions of the operating system.

An operating system has three main functions: (1) manage the computer's resources, such as the central processing unit, memory, disk drives, and printers, (2) establish a user interface, and (3) execute and provide services for applications software.

The logical structure of the hard disk

In terms of logic, hard disks consist of a boot sector and one or more partitions.

The boot sector stores the table of partitions and a small boot-up program called the master boot
record (MBR).

The partitions act as zones of divisions of the disk. There are various reasons for creating more than 
one partition.

For examples, separate partitions can be created to make data accessible to different users, or to 
have more than one operating system on the same disk. Nowadays, it is also common for the 
computer manufacturer to include a partition for recovering the computer factory settings.

Partitionscanbeprimary (containing the operating system) or extended.

Make a table which relates the systems of files with the operating systems.

What kind of partitions could contain other partitions? An extended partition. How many primary 
partitions can have as maximum a hard disk? The partition table portion of a master boot record allows for up to 4 primary partitions on a single hard drive.

The file system

The file system is a structure that allows both the storage of information in a partition and its 
modification or recovery. For the partition and its drives to be usable, it must first be assigned a file 
system. This operation is called formatting. Generally, each file system has been designed to obtain 
maximum performance with a specific operating system or medium.

Complete the table like the example.

Operating system	File system
Windows	FAT (File Allocation Table)
Linux	The ext* family (ext2, ext3 and ext4), XFS, JFS, and btrfs.
Mac OS	Apple File System (APFS)
UNIX systems	Unix File System

Files and folders

Files and folders are sets of information that are stored on the disk drive and identified by a 
representative name (file name). Files can be created by users to store their work orthey can be part 
of the operating system or user’s application for their operation.  

Each file is unique in its directory or folder and is identifiable by a name andextension which usually 
indicates its content type. File names are subject to specific rules, depending on the operating system 
As well as its name and extension, the system also saves the creation, last modified and last 
accessed dates for each file.

They can also have attributes such as hidden or read-only, among others. Files can be categorised 
into two large groupsexecutable and non-executable. An executable file is a fi!ethat contains a 
program or application.

Folders are file containers and are required to organize information in an orderly and efficient manner.

Given that a drive can hold thousands of files, it is necessary to group them to make| them easy to 
access. Folders are also identified by name and form a tree structure. Starting with the disk drive (root 
directory), we can create a series of folders at the first level (or parent folders) these can then contain 
other folders (subfolders or daughter folders of the parent folders) and so on creating a tree-like 
structure.

The path designates the exact position of a file or folder in the tree structure. Different operating 
systems use different rules to write the path of a given file or folder.

Mobile devices have a number of specific characteristics meaning that the hardware and 
software on these devices is not the same as on traditional computers:

• The processor in a mobile device has less capacity, due to its small size and the need to 
  reduce energy consumption.
• Mobile devices incorporate different sensors, such as GPS, camera, accelerometer, gyroscope,
  etc.

•  Mobile devices require connectivity, ie to Wi-Fi, GPRS, 3G, 4G or other connections.
• 
• The screens on mobile devices are smaller and essential for the interaction with the user (by 
  touchscreen). The most widely used types are capacitive touchscreens.

• Mobile devices should have a low energy consumption as they are batterypowered.

Mobile device operating systems

The operating system is the software that enables us- to use the phone or tablet hardware 
applications.

Three dominant operating systems in the mobile device are:

Android. Developed by Google; it is open source, based on Linux. It is the most widely used.

iOS. Apple’s operating system, for devices such as iPod, iPhone, iPad:, etc. It is notable for its 
simplicity and reliability.

Windows 10. This is an operating system owned by Microsoft designed so that the desktop versions 
are similar on all devices: computers, tablets, mobiles, etc.

Mobile device applications

Programs or applications (apps) installed on mobile devices must be specially designed for them 
because, as we have seen, these devices have numerous specific characteristics (lower consumption,
smaller screen, touchscreen user interaction, etc.).

Apps can be free or purchased; some require an Internet connection to work; they take up little space 
and are easy to download (they can be downloaded from on line stores, such asGooqle Play or the app
Store, or accessed by writing their URL address in the device browser).