Introduction to Hardware and Operating System

Coursera - IBM

Link to Course

Module 2

Identifying Hardware Components and Peripherals

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the difference between internal and external components
  • Describe what a peripheral device is and what it does
  • Understand and contrast the concepts of interface, port, and connector

What is a Computer Component?

  • A component is a physical part of the computer, also known as hardware
  • Each component performs a specific function
  • Components are classified as either:
    • Internal (inside the computer)
    • External (connected via ports)

Examples of Internal Components

  • RAM (Random Access Memory):
    • Temporary memory, used while power is on
    • Data is lost when power is shut off
  • Hard Drive:
    • Permanent storage for files
    • Data is retained even when power is off
  • CPU (Central Processing Unit):
    • Performs mathematical calculations
    • Known as the "brain" of the computer
    • Faster CPU = more operations handled simultaneously

What is a Peripheral?

  • A peripheral is a device that connects to a computer to extend functionality
  • Used for data input, output, or storage
  • Can be easily connected and disconnected
  • Connected through a connector

Types of Peripherals

  1. Input Devices: send data to the computer
    • e.g., Mouse, Keyboard
  2. Output Devices: receive data from the computer
    • e.g., Monitor, Printer
  3. Storage Devices: store data permanently
    • e.g., External Hard Drive, USB Flash Drive

Connector vs. Port

  • Connector: the end of a plug, jack, or card that connects into a port
    • Internal Example: Expansion card’s edge connecting to motherboard slot
    • External Example: USB plug at the end of a cable
  • Port: the physical opening (jack/receptacle) on a computer where a connector is inserted
    • Ports are standardized
    • Common types include:
      • USB (Universal Serial Bus)
      • HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)

Summary of Key Points

  • A component is any physical hardware part necessary for computer operation
  • Internal components include RAM, CPU, and hard drive
  • External components include ports and connectors
  • A connector fits into a port, and both enable communication between the computer and peripherals
  • A peripheral device can connect either externally (e.g., USB printer) or internally (e.g., expansion card)

Input and Pointing Devices

Learning Objectives

  • Compare various input devices
  • Identify which devices use a touchpad
  • Define a pointing device

What is a Pointing Device?

  • A pointing device is used to move the cursor and interact with objects on the screen
  • All pointing devices send commands (as data) to the computer

Examples of Pointing Devices:

  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • Joystick
  • Touchpad
  • Trackball
  • Stylus / Pointing Stick

Input Devices Overview

Keyboard

  • Primarily used for typing and data input
  • Connects via USB or older PS/2 port
  • To add a new keyboard layout in Windows 10:
    1. Open Settings
    2. Go to Time & Language → Language
    3. Choose your preferred language → Options
    4. Under "Keyboards", click Add a keyboard

Mouse

  • Most common pointing device
  • Connects via USB or Bluetooth
  • Cursor and sensitivity settings adjustable in Windows Settings

Touchpad

  • Built-in pointing device on most laptops
  • Can also be used externally via USB or Wi-Fi

Camera

  • Captures digital images (also considered an input device)
  • Usually built-in on laptops
  • External cameras connect via USB or Bluetooth

Joystick

  • Used for gaming, moves cursor and sends commands
  • Connects via USB or Bluetooth

Trackball

  • Stationary input device (alternative to mouse)
  • Suitable for users with mobility limitations

Stylus / Pointing Stick

  • Often used on tablets for navigation
  • Works using capacitive sensing (detects heat and pressure)

Summary of Key Points

  • Input devices send data to the computer and move the cursor
  • Common input devices: keyboard, mouse, touchpad, joystick, trackball
  • Touchpad functions like a mouse and is typically built into laptops
  • Pointing devices include any tool (mouse, stylus, etc.) that allows user interaction through cursor movement and command input

Hard Drives

Learning Objectives

  • Identify an internal storage device
  • Describe the characteristics of a hard drive
  • Apply performance knowledge to choose the best hard drive

What is a Storage Device?

  • Storage devices store digital data (images, videos, audio, text)
  • Two types of internal storage:
    • ROM (Read-Only Memory):
      • Non-volatile (retains data without power)
      • Used for booting the computer and storing permanent data
    • RAM (Random Access Memory):
      • Volatile (temporary memory)
      • Data is lost when power is off

Hard Drive Overview

  • Hard drive = HDD (Hard Disk Drive): terms used interchangeably
  • Stores data on magnetic platters using a drive head
  • Form factors:
    • 2.5”: Used in laptops and mobile devices
    • 3.5”: Used in desktop computers (higher capacity)
  • Common storage sizes:
    • From 500GB to several TB (terabytes)

Types of Hard Drives

  • SATA (Serial ATA): Most common interface, faster
  • PATA (Parallel ATA): Older, slower interface

Performance Characteristics

Metric Description
Spin speed Measured in RPM, common values: 5400 / 7200
Access time Time to locate data (typically 5–10 ms)
Transfer rate Speed of data transfer (in MBps)

How to Check Disk Space (Windows 10)

  1. Type This PC in the taskbar → Press Enter
  2. Click Open
  3. Under Devices and drives, view disk space availability

How to Install an Internal Hard Drive

  1. Backup data before installation
  2. Transfer or remove drive enclosure if needed
  3. Insert new HDD into the slot, secure with screws (2 per side recommended)
  4. Connect HDD to motherboard via SATA or PATA cables
  5. Connect power supply to the hard drive

How to Configure Hard Drives (Windows)

  1. Log in as Administrator
  2. Right-click My Computer → Select Manage
  3. Go to Disk Management in the console tree
  4. Use View menu to customize layout (Top or Bottom panes)

Summary of Key Points

  • Hard drives store all types of digital media
  • HDDs are considered ROM (non-volatile, permanent storage)
  • Performance is determined by RPM, access time, transfer rate
  • Choose your HDD based on required capacity and speed
  • Follow correct installation steps and back up your data
  • Configure HDD settings via Disk Management in Windows

Optical Drives and External Storage

Learning Objectives

  • Understand how an optical drive records data
  • Describe an external storage device
  • Apply knowledge of expansion devices to choose the right option for your needs

Optical Drives

  • Use a laser to “burn” or press data onto a reflective disc surface
  • Create pits (recessed areas) and lands (raised areas)
  • Single-sided discs: one data layer
    • DVD: ~4.7 GB
    • CD: ~700 MB
  • Double-sided discs: two data layers → twice the capacity
  • Types of Optical Drives:
    • CD-ROM, CD-RW
    • DVD-ROM, DVD-RW
    • Blu-ray: up to 50 GB
  • Writers (CD-R/DVD-R) use lasers for reading/writing

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

  • Uses flash memory, with no moving parts
  • Faster and more durable than HDDs
  • Serves as permanent secondary storage

External Hard Drives

  • Ideal for backups and file transfers
  • Store documents, music, videos, presentations, etc.
  • Connect via USB or eSATA
    • eSATA: signal only (requires external power supply)
  • Plug-and-play with Windows
  • File Explorer usually opens automatically

Expansion Drives

  • Provide extra storage
  • Connect via USB
  • Automatically recognized by Windows OS
  • Examples:
    • USB flash drives:
      • Flash memory with USB interface
      • Removable, rewritable
      • Storage up to 2 TB
    • Memory cards:
      • Common formats: SD, MicroSD
      • Capacities: 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, up to 512 GB

Mobile Storage Devices

  • Portable media players and smartphones handle digital media
  • File types: music, audiobooks, videos
  • Internal memory:
    • Fixed storage (e.g., 16GB, 32GB, 64GB)
    • OS and pre-installed apps consume part of it
  • Expandable memory:
    • Via microSD cards (if supported)
    • Important for users who store lots of files

Summary of Key Points

  • Optical drives use a laser to write data to discs
  • External hard drives and USB drives are solid-state (no moving parts)
  • SSDs are faster but more expensive than HDDs
  • Expansion storage increases overall capacity via USB or memory cards
  • Consider your storage needs and budget when selecting a device
  • Mobile devices also serve as portable media storage solutions

Display Devices

Learning Objectives

  • Define what a display device is
  • Identify different types of display devices (e.g., CRT, LCD, touchscreen, projector)
  • Adjust screen resolution and manage devices in Windows Device Manager

What is a Display Device?

  • A hardware component for the visual output of information
  • Used in computers, televisions, mobile devices
  • Tactile monitors are available for visually impaired users (fingertip-readable output)

Types of Display Devices

CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)

  • Analog display using electron beams to light up phosphor dots
  • Common in older TVs and computer monitors (mid–late 1900s)
  • Resolution: up to 800×600 or 1024×768

LCD / TFT (Flat Screens)

  • Digital displays, replacing CRT
  • Use pixels controlled by electrical signals
  • Lighter, thinner, sharper than CRT

Touchscreen

  • Input + Output device
  • Detects heat and pressure (capacitive technology)
  • Used in smartphones, tablets, laptops

Projector

  • Projects still or moving images from a computer onto a surface (e.g., wall, whiteboard)

Resolution and Display Settings

  • Resolution = clarity/sharpness of text and images
    • Higher resolution (e.g., 1600×1200) = sharper display
  • Change in Windows 10:
    • Settings → System → Display → Adjust Resolution

Device Installation and Management

  • Windows supports Plug-and-Play
    • No restart needed for hot-swappable devices (e.g., monitors)
    • Windows auto-installs drivers when a display device is connected
  • To manually install drivers:
    • Download from vendor website → Run setup program
  • To uninstall a display device:
    1. Open Device Manager
    2. View → Show Hidden Devices
    3. Find device type → Right-click → Uninstall
    4. Optionally: Delete the driver software
    5. Click OK to complete

Multiple Monitors (Windows 10)

  • Connect monitors → Press Windows + P
  • Choose:
    • Duplicate: same screen on both
    • Extend: extend display across monitors

Summary of Key Points

  • Display devices include CRT, LCD/TFT, touchscreens, and projectors
  • CRTs are analog; LCDs and touchscreens are digital
  • Screen resolution can be adjusted in Display Settings
  • Plug-and-play makes device connection easy
  • Use Device Manager to uninstall or manage display hardware

Printers and Scanners

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the function of an output device
  • Learn how to install a printer in Windows
  • Identify different types of printers
  • Understand what a scanner and multifunction device (MFD) do

What is an Output Device?

  • Hardware that converts processed data into human-readable form
  • Output can be:
    • Text
    • Graphics
    • Tactile (e.g., braille)
    • Audio
    • Video

Examples of Output Devices:

  • Monitors, Printers, Speakers, Headphones, Projectors
  • Others: GPS devices, sound/video cards, optical mark readers, braille readers
  • Speech synthesizers: produce verbal output (e.g., text-to-speech)

A computer can run without an output device, but you won’t be able to see or hear what it’s doing.


Printer Types

Printer Type Description
Laser Uses heated unit to fuse toner on paper
LED Similar to laser; uses a photoreceptive drum
Inkjet Sprays microscopic ink droplets using thousands of tiny nozzles
Thermal Heats special coated paper to create black text/images (used in POS, fax machines)

Printer Connection Types

  • Local printer: directly cabled to the device
  • Network printer: accessed via Wi-Fi or Ethernet
  • IP-based printer: used in networks (e.g., UNIX)
  • Web-based printer: receives print jobs via Internet

How to Install a Printer in Windows 10

  1. Go to Start → Settings
  2. Click Devices → Printers & scanners
  3. Click Add a printer or scanner
  4. Wait for available printers to appear
  5. Select desired printer → Click Add device

What is a Scanner?

  • A scanner converts analog input (e.g., paper) into digital images
  • Output formats include PDF, JPEG, etc.
  • Flatbed scanners (place document on glass) were common
  • Now often replaced by Multifunction Devices (MFDs)

What is a Multifunction Device (MFD)?

  • Combines:
    • Printer
    • Scanner
    • Copier
    • Fax machine
  • Saves space and cost by integrating functions

Summary of Key Points

  • Output devices translate data into formats we can understand
  • Printer types: Inkjet, Laser, LED, Thermal
  • Windows 10 printer installation is simple via Settings
  • Scanners digitize documents for editing or archiving
  • MFDs offer an all-in-one solution for offices and homes

Audio and Visual Devices

Learning Objectives

  • Understand what audio and visual devices are
  • Configure and use speakers, microphones, headsets, and webcams in Windows
  • Learn connection methods and setup procedures for multimedia peripherals

Audio Devices

Audio devices reproduce, record, or process sound.
These include:

  • Speakers (output device)
  • Microphones (input device)
  • Headsets
  • Amplifiers, mixing consoles, CD players, effects units

Speaker Setup (Windows 10)

  1. Right-click the speaker icon in the taskbar
  2. Click Open Sound Settings
  3. Under Output, choose your desired output device from the dropdown

Microphone Setup (Windows 10)

  1. Connect your microphone
  2. Go to Start → Settings → System → Sound
  3. Scroll to Input and choose your microphone

Headphones / Headsets

  • Output device used for private listening
  • Connection methods:
    • 3.5mm analog jack (green for audio out, pink for mic)
    • USB (for advanced audio features)
    • Bluetooth (wireless, tangle-free)

Visual Devices

Devices that display images electronically.
Examples include:

  • Monitors
  • Laptops
  • Smartphones
  • Projectors
  • Webcams

Webcam Setup (Windows 10)

  1. Press Windows key or click Start
  2. Type camera in search bar and open Camera app
  3. Webcam activates and shows a live preview

Summary of Key Points

  • Audio/visual devices enhance a computer's multimedia functionality
  • Sound quality of speakers depends on the sound card
  • Headsets come in various types: wired (3.5mm, USB) and wireless (Bluetooth)
  • Modern webcams offer HD or 1080p resolution and are essential for video conferencing
  • Devices can be easily configured via Windows Sound or Camera settings

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