What Is the Main Hardware Components of a Computer?
Hardware is very important to the operation of a personal computer. Without hardware devices computers would not be able to function. Computer hardware comprises the internal components of a personal computer, including the main computer case, main processor, hard drive, random access memory (RAM), hard diskette, media storage, optical disc, CD-ROM, DVD burner, motherboard and input and output devices. There are many hardware components that work together in order to provide a complete functionality to a personal computer. There are also external hardware components that are attached to the computer and are used only for specific purposes. A brief description of the major hardware components of a computer follows.
Computer Operating Systems There are many different types of operating systems that have been designed for use with personal computers. The most common type of operating system used in a desktop PC is the Windows OS. There are other operating systems available for laptops, netbooks and other types of small portable devices. All the different types of operating systems can be installed on a single PC using a DVD or a download from the internet.
Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU is the central processing unit or the brain of the computer system. It controls all the different types of computer hardware, ranging from input and output devices to the main processor and main memory. The CPU is based on a microprocessor chip that runs multiple programs in the computer. The various instructions the chip interprets are translated by the PC hardware into instructions that the CPU can understand. The CPU has different types of instruction sets that depend on the type of program that is running.
Computer Hardware Accessories When a PC is running slow, it usually has a problem with one of its component devices. A hardware failure in the central processing unit or one of the peripheral devices can make a computer system unstable. To diagnose a problem with PC hardware, you need to check the information about all the hardware and software installed on your computer system at the time of installation. To update the computer system, you need to replace the outdated hardware or software.
Computer Operating Systems There are various types of operating systems that can be used to run PC hardware. Windows operating system, as well as Mac OS and Linux OS are the most popular computer hardware operating systems. Each operating system has its own set of hardware components including computer monitors, keyboards, USB and video card for input, sound cards, hard disk drive and many more.
Disk Drive When a PC is working, it performs data processing by accessing files stored in the hard disk. The data is retrieved from the disk drive and converted into text or graphics according to the requirements of the user. Disk drives can be installed in a desktop computer system or in a laptop. Floppy disk drives are not used in modern computer systems. Hard disk drives can be either spinning disks or magnetic disks.