Hardware : Inside a Computer

There are separate articles on the many different items that could be included in a computer system. As a starting point, here is a brief list of the components that you would expect to find inside a typical computer :

• A microprocessor that can carry out arithmetic and logical operations on data.
• Some RAM that will store temporarily the programs and data that the user is currently working with.
• Some ROM to store the BIOS program that is run when the computer is first turned on.
• A hard disk drive that will store the programs that the user has installed and any files that he has created.
• A floppy disk drive and CD-RW or DVD drive that can be used to install software and to transfer files from one computer to another.
• A modem that can be used to send data over a telephone line to access the Internet.

Computer systems are designed to be flexible. It is usually possible to expand the capabilites of a computer by replacing or upgrading internal components or connecting extra devices externally. External devices are connected to a computer using sockets known as ports.

GCSE ICT Companion 04 - (C) P Meakin 2004