a. BIOS (Basic Input/Output System
The BIOS setup program above is used to setup a computer's hardware. Without any disks, or even a hard drive, the BIOS program is always available, written permanently on the BIOS chip.
b. Microprocessor
Is the brain of the computer. The central processing unit, (or CPU), with its level 1 cache memory, contains the control unit and the arithmetic/logic unit, both working together as a team to process the computer's commands.
d. Memory
A memory module has several memory chips. The computer uses this memory constantly to temporarily store information, (or data), while it is working with it. If a computer has a lot of memory, it can store more temporary information and operate faster. People with good memories also "store" more information and do things faster, because they don't waste a lot of time trying to remember things.
e. Case Fan
Computer's can build up quite a bit of heat. Heat is bad for computers. They need to be kept as cool as possible. The case fan is in charge of keeping the computer cool. Many people do not think the fan is that important, but it is the key to the life of a computer. Most computer cases have places to install extra fans.
f. Chipset
The chipset is the chip that direct the motherboard's flow of information from one point to another. Just like a traffic cop, they make sure that the information, (also called data), arrives at the proper place.
c. Drive Bays
Drive bays are where the computer's drives are installed. CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives can only play disks. CD R/RW and DVD R/RW drives can both play and record to disks. These drives are normally called "burners." You can erase and record again with RW disks, but R disks will only allow you to record one time.
g. Sound Card
The sound card is what handles the computer's sound. It has its own processor. When you hear music coming from your computer's speakers, the sound card's processor is at work along with its digital-to-analog converter, processing and changing digital information into analog information that can be played through the speakers.
h. Power Supply
The power supply supplies the electrical power for a computer. It supplies power to the motherboard, drives, and some expansion cards. It normally has at least one fan that helps to cool the power supply and also helps to cool the computer.
i. Motherboard
he motherboard is like a big city with many streets and highways that connect all of the buildings together. Instead of streets and highways, the motherboard uses tiny electrical paths to connect everything together. These paths are called "buses." The more buses that connect to something, the faster it can operate.
j. Video Card
Video cards, like the one shown above, plug into a slot on the motherboard and connect a monitor or other video display device to a computer. The video card and the monitor are what determine the quality of a computer's video display. The video card has its own processor, responsible for making the computer's video decisions.
k. Modem
A modem normally has its own speaker. When you connect to the Internet and hear the modem dialing, it is this speaker that you hear the sound coming from. Computers only understand digital information.
l. Memory
A memory module has several memory chips. The computer uses this memory constantly to temporarily store information, (or data), while it is working with it. If a computer has a lot of memory, it can store more temporary information and operate faster. People with good memories also "store" more information and do things faster, because they don't waste a lot of time trying to remember things.
