microsoft office 2007 – illustrated introductory, premium video edition

Microsoft Office 2007 – Illustrated Introductory, Premium Video Edition

Understanding Essential Computer Concepts

2Microsoft Office 2007-Illustrated Introductory, Premium Video Edition

Investigating Data ProcessingInvestigating Data Processing

• KilobyteKilobyte ( (KBKB) = one thousand ) = one thousand bytesbytes

• MegabyteMegabyte ( (MBMB) = one million bytes) = one million bytes

• GigabyteGigabyte ( (GBGB) = one billion bytes) = one billion bytes

• TerabyteTerabyte ( (TBTB) = one trillion bytes) = one trillion bytes


Understanding MemoryUnderstanding Memory

• Computer Computer memorymemory is a set of storage is a set of storage locations.locations.

• There are five types of memory:There are five types of memory:• Random access memory (RAM)Random access memory (RAM)• Cache memoryCache memory• Virtual memoryVirtual memory• Read-only memoryRead-only memory• Complementary metal oxide Complementary metal oxide

semiconductor memory (CMOS)semiconductor memory (CMOS)



• RAMRAM • Temporary memory that is constantly Temporary memory that is constantly

changing while the computer is on.changing while the computer is on.• Also called Also called volatile memory volatile memory and and temporary temporary

memorymemory..• Cache memoryCache memory

• Special high-speed memory chip on the Special high-speed memory chip on the motherboard or CPU motherboard or CPU

• Stores frequently and recently accessed Stores frequently and recently accessed data and commands.data and commands.



• Virtual memoryVirtual memory is extra memory that is extra memory that simulates RAM if more is needed.simulates RAM if more is needed.

• Read-only memory (ROM)Read-only memory (ROM) is the permanent is the permanent storage location for a set of instructions the storage location for a set of instructions the computer uses.computer uses.

• CMOSCMOS memory is semi-permanent memory is semi-permanent information about where essential software is information about where essential software is stored.stored.


Understanding Storage MediaUnderstanding Storage Media

• Common magnetic storage devices • hard disks—several magnetic oxide

covered metal platters usually sealed in a case inside the computer

• tape—inexpensive and slow storage when back up of large quantities of data is necessary

• floppy disks—flat circles of magnetic oxide-coated mylar enclosed in a hard plastic case; almost obsolete



• Types of optical storage devicesTypes of optical storage devices

• CD—can store 700 MB of dataCD—can store 700 MB of data

• DVD—can store between 4.7 and DVD—can store between 4.7 and 15.9 GB of data15.9 GB of data

• Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store Blu-ray discs and HD-DVD can store between 15 and 50 GB of databetween 15 and 50 GB of data



• Flash memory—similar to ROM except that it can be written to more than once.

• Flash memory cards• small, portable cards encased in hard

plastic• used in digital cameras, handheld

computers, video game controllers, and other devices



• USB flash storage device (USB drive, flash drive)

• popular type of flash memory

• available in a wide range of sizes from 32 MB to 16 GB

• plug directly into the USB port of a personal computer

• are about the size of a pack of gum and often have a ring that you can attach to your key chain.


Erasing and Rewriting on Erasing and Rewriting on CDs and DVDsCDs and DVDs

• CD-ROMCD-ROMs are for “read-only” access.s are for “read-only” access.

• CD-RCD-R drives allow you to record data on a drives allow you to record data on a CD-R disk.CD-R disk.

• CD-RWCD-RW drives allow you to write data on a drives allow you to write data on a CD-RW disk and access and modify data.CD-RW disk and access and modify data.

• DVD-RDVD-R and and DVD+RDVD+R are recordable. are recordable.


Exploring Data CommunicationsExploring Data Communications

Data communicationsData communications is the transmission of text, is the transmission of text, numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to numeric, voice, or video data from one computer to another.another.


Exploring Data CommunicationsExploring Data Communications• Parallel portParallel port

• transmits data eight bits at a timetransmits data eight bits at a time• Serial portSerial port

• transmits data one bit at a timetransmits data one bit at a time• SCSI SCSI (small computer system interface,

pronounced “scuzzy”) portport• provides an interface for one or more provides an interface for one or more

peripheral devices at the same portperipheral devices at the same port• USB USB (Universal Serial Bus) portport

• a high-speed serial port which allows a high-speed serial port which allows multiple connections at the same portmultiple connections at the same port


Exploring Data CommunicationsExploring Data Communications

• Sound card portSound card port• usually includes jacks for speakers and usually includes jacks for speakers and

a microphonea microphone

• Ethernet portEthernet port• used to connect to another computer, a used to connect to another computer, a

LAN, a modem, or sometimes directly LAN, a modem, or sometimes directly to the Internetto the Internet

• allows data to be transmitted at high allows data to be transmitted at high speeds.speeds.


Exploring Data Exploring Data CommunicationsCommunications

Computer ports and connectionsComputer ports and connections

Power connection

Mouse port

FireWire port

Network port

Phone line connection

Speaker and microphone connections

USB ports

Monitor port

Audio connection

Keyboard port

microsoft office 2007 – illustrated introductory, premium video edition

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