COMPONENTS

INPUT DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES

Devices that allow the user to enter Devices that allow the computer to
information into the PC (keyboard, communicate with the user (monitor, printer,
mouse, scanner, etc.) etc.)

3) KEYBOARD

The keyboard has four defined zones,

• Main Typing Area: Takes up the largest area of the keyboard, and includes the alphabet
letters. It resembles a traditional typewriter.
• Numeric Keypad: Placed on the right part of the keyboard. Similar to a calculator
keyboard.
• Edition keys: Located between the numeric keypad and the main typing area. It is very
useful to move within texts and edit documents.
• Function Keys: Situated horizontally at the top of the keyboard. These keys are 'shortcuts'
to perform specific tasks within different applications.

Main Keys
Keys Function (mainly for texts)
Enter ↵ It is used to execute a command, or to go to the following line
in a text application.
Backspace  Goes back and erases characters to the left of the cursor
Caps Lock Capital letters lock (it only affects the main typing area), light
turns on to indicate upper case and off for lower case.
Special Functions These have specific functions, each application assigns them a
 (F1..F12) different function.
Page Up Scrolls the window contents by 'jumping' a full screen
backwards.
Page Down Scrolls the window contents by 'jumping' a full screen
forward.
Delete Erases characters to the right of the cursor.
Num Lock Locks the numeric keypad: When light is on they act as
numbers and when light is off they move, etc.
Home and End Places the cursor at the beginning or end of a line.
Insert Allows inserting words or letters within others.
Esc Used by some applications to cancel processes.
Shift  Used to obtain upper cases and characters located in the upper
part of keys.
Alt Performs specific tasks when used in combination with other
keys.
Space bar Adds a space (moving the cursor to the right).
Ctrl Performs specific tasks when used in combination with other
keys.

4) MOUSE

The mouse can perform four actions:

1. Point: this means moving the mouse over a surface, like a table. This makes the pointer, a
small arrow, move across the screen. This indicates our location on the screen and it is as
if we had a hand inside the computer which allows us to do certain things through the
mouse.
2. Click: this means pressing one of the mouse buttons and releasing it immediately. (It is
important that the mouse doesn't move while you click) You can click either with the left
or right buttons. (Some mice also have a middle button.)
Note: When we say click, it means the left button, which is the main one, unless
otherwise specified. (This could be the other way round for left-handed people if the
mouse button commands are inverted)
3. Double click: this means pressing the left (main) mouse button twice at a certain speed.
4. Drag: this is clicking, holding the button down and moving or 'dragging' the mouse over
the table or pad on which it is resting.
Note: If you've played Solitaire (Start - Programs - Accessories - Games - Solitaire), you already
know the four possible mouse actions. If you haven't, try it and have fun!

5) STORAGE DRIVES

These are the main diskettes and disks used nowadays:

Shape Name Capacity Drive Letter Characteristics

(usually)

3½ 1.44 A: or B: Recordable, Very slow, Tend to

Diskette Megabytes lose information easily, Very
cheap, Exchangeable, Easy to
carry.

Hard Between 1 C: Recordable, Very fast, Boot

Disk and 16 disk, Safe, Very Expensive.
Drive Gigabytes

ZIP or Between D:, E:, F: etc... Recordable, Fast, Safe, Very

LS-120 100 (The PC assigns Expensive, Exchangeable, Easy
Megabytes them the next to carry.
available letter
and 1 while booting)
Gigabyte
(1000
Megabytes)

CD- 650 D:, E:, F: etc... Some Recordable (expensive),

ROM Megabytes (The PC assigns Capacity for Audio, Very Fast,
them the next Very Safe, Cheap , Easy to
available letter
(0.65 while booting,
carry.
Gigabytes) usually the last
one)

DVD- Up to 17 D:, E:, F: etc... New, Capacity for Audio and

ROM Gigabytes (It takes non-used Video, Very Fast, Very Safe,
letters by other Very Expensive, Easy to carry.
drives, usually the
(Up to last available one)
17000
Megabytes)