Computer Hardware Essay

Hardware is the computers componets, like the monitor and keyboard. The Software directs the hardware to complete tasks. The user and software of a computer interact a lot but both of them can only do what they understand. The computer uses the binary number system to read and store information. The two numbers that make up the binary number system are 0 and 1. Grouping is often done in groups of eight bits. Eight bits make up one byte. The CPU is the most important componet in the case. Ports are located at the back of the case, where you plug wires into. The keyboard is a primary input device, what you type goes to the computer and transfers it to the screen. A mouse is another primary input device, its used as a pointing device on the monitor. A circuit board holds microchips. The most important part of the motherboard. A parallel port is used by the printer. A chipset is a group of microchips on the motherboard to control the flow of data. RAM is a primary storage device. The width of a data bus is called data path size. The clock speed is measured in hertz, which is one cycle per second, megahertz, a million cycles per second, gigahertz, a billion cycles per second. The most important part of the electrical system of a computer is the power supply which is located on the back of the case. BIOS that is used to manage simple devices is called system BIOS, BIOS used to start the computer is called Startup BIOS, and BIOS used to change the settings on the motherboard are called CMOS setup. The software on flash ROM can be overwritten by new software. Advanced Configuration and Power Interface powers up a system by an external device, like a keyboard. Advanced Power Management is only used for laptops that don't support Advanced Configuration and Power Interface. Another feature BIOS and OS use is Plug and Play, it makes installation of new hardware devices