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PUSAT PERKEMBANGAN KURIKULUM

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN MALAYSIA

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 MODULE 2

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

Curriculum Development Centre

Ministry of Education Malaysia

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1. Name of Module : Computer Parts and Components
– Overview of the Computer System

2. Learning Outcomes: The students should be able to:

a. identify the main components in the computer system

b. state the functions of the main components in the computer system
c. explain briefly the data processing cycle of a computer system

3. Knowledge and Skills:

a. identify the main components of the computer system

b. state the different functions of the main computer components

4. Module Summary: At the end of the module, students should be able to identify
and state the functions of the main computer components and explain the data
processing cycle of a computer system.

This module contains 3 activities:

Activity 1: Identify the main components in the computer system

and their functions.
Activity 2: Explain the data processing cycle of the computer
system.
Activity 3: Name and state the computer components and their
functions.

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Activity 1

MAIN COMPUTER SYSTEM

monitor

system unit
speaker

keyboard
mouse

Monitor

A computer monitor is like a television monitor that displays images. The different types of
display screens are:

• Standard television set

An ordinary home television that can be used for computer output.

• Standard computer monitors

These monitors have better resolution than TV monitors.

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 • Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD)

These screens are made up of two glass plates with liquid

crystals in between .

Keyboard

Multimedia keyboard Wireless keyboard

The keyboard is the main input device for text and commands. The computer keyboard uses
the same key arrangement as typewriters, containing standard function keys such as
“ Cursor movement and Control keys”.

Keyboards come with three (3) different types of ports such as

a. Serial port:

b. PS/2 port:

c. USB port.

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Speakers

Computer speakers give out information in the form of sound. These speakers range in
quality and price. Computer speakers are typically packaged with computer systems in small
plastic boxes with average sound quality.

Mouse

PS/2 port mouse

The mouse is an input device that sits on the work surface beside the computer. It is a small
object that has right click, left click and double click for functions. The user uses it to control
the movement of the cursor or pointer on a display screen.

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 USB port optical mouse Cordless optical mouse

An optical mouse uses camera technology and digital processing to compare and track the
position of the mouse, rather than a ball and rollers in the older mouse A small LED (light-
emitting diode) provides light underneath the mouse, helping to highlight slight differences in
the surface. It does not require regular cleaning.
Another benefit is that digital processing is it does not require a mouse pad and can be used
on many surfaces.
(source : http://images.search.yahoo.com)

System Unit

A system unit, also known as a base unit. It is the main body of a desktop computer. It
consists of a metal or fibre enclosure containing the motherboard, power supply, cooling
fans, internal disk drives, memory modules and expansion cards that are plugged into the
motherboard, such as video and network cards.

(source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_unit)

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Printer

A computer printer is a device that prints a hard copy of documents and graphics stored in
electronic form onto paper.
Printers are computer peripherals that are attached by a printer cable to a computer which
serves as a document source.

Below are three examples of printers :

Dot-Matrix printer

The dot matrix printer is an impact printer. It works like an automatic typewriter. It is a low-
cost printer with low quality output.

Ink-Jet printer

The ink jet printer is a low-cost printer that produces mid-quality output.

Laser printer

The laser printer uses a laser beam to produce high quality prints.

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Activity 2

Data Processing Cycle

The computer system processes data into information through four operations; input,
process, storage and output.

Input Output

Storage

The user enters the data by using an input device electronically and is processed by the
processor. In the processing operation, data is manipulated to process into information.

Storage (such as hard disk, compact disc, diskettes) holds data, information and programs.
The output devices (such as monitor, printer) presents the processed data as useful
information products to the user.

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Activity 3

Exercise 1

Label the pictures below. Write your answers in the boxes given.

1.

2. 5.

3.
4.

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Exercise 2

Look at the pictures given in Column A. Then, name the components of the computer and
state their functions.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
(Component name and function)

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Exercise 3

Complete the data processing cycle of a computer system below.

Input

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Reference

Cashman, S. (2006) Discovering Computers 2006. USA : Thomson Course Technology.

Ibrahim Ahmad, Mohd Hafiz et al (2007) Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
Based on SPM Syllabus. Selangor: Venton Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd.

NCC Education (2002) Computer Studies, Computer Ace. Sri Lanka : Computer Pioneers.

Basic Computing (2003) by TMEdu Tech (M) Sdn Bhd

http://www.wikipedia.org

http://images.search.yahoo.com

http://www.google.com.my

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