How Does a Computer Work
You reading this article is just because of the best gift ever given by technology. The advent of Personal Computers (PC) has proven most beneficial to mankind, and has enabled people to do a large number of tasks effortlessly in no time.
We use computers a lot in our everyday lives. But have we ever thought how it works? The computer consists of several different intricate parts and components that collectively work together for a common purpose. To understand the working of a computer, we would first discuss in general the essential parts that make a computer run.
Important Hardware Parts of a Computer
CPU
A Central Processing Unit (CPU) is a chip that is responsible for managing the complete working of the computer system. It is generally given the tag as the 'brain' of the computer. The CPU consists of a setup that looks after every major function that is carried out in the computer.
Motherboard
The motherboard is also one of the important components that houses the memory of the computer and the CPU. It is a circuit on which many small chips are incorporated. A computer motherboard has many slots and ports to get connected to hardware devices like the mouse, headphones, computer keyboard, hard drives, optical and disk drives, and other computer peripherals.
RAM
A Random Access Memory (RAM) is a chip that is to be fixed in a slot on the motherboard. It is responsible for storing information that is currently being used or worked with, in the process. As it is just a temporary storage medium, the data on it is lost if you turn off the computer.
Hard disk
This is where all the computer data is stored magnetically. It consists of a spinning disk which stores information in tiny places on the platter known as sections. Hard drives come in a variety of storage capacities.
Power Supply
This is a unit installed in the CPU cabinet that gives power to all the electronic components in the computer. It starts and shuts down the motherboard and other components.
Important Software of a Computer
After all the essential hardware is set up in the system, there is a need for a certain application for enabling the user to give commands to the computer, so that the commands can be executed appropriately. This software application is known as the operation system, normally referred to as 'OS'. There are different types of operating systems such as Windows, Linux, Mac, and UNIX. A majority of computer users around the world use Windows as their OS. The Basic Input/ Output System (BIOS) is a software which is incorporated on every computer by default; be it a laptop computer or a desktop computer. It checks if all the integrated circuits, hard disks, ports, and the processor are in proper working condition.
Fundamental Working of a Computer System
When you hit the power switch on the CPU cabinet, the power supply unit gets into operation and provides power to the motherboard. Next, the BIOS application does a thorough check if all the hardware parts are working fine. After this check is complete; it starts to load the hardware such as sound card, video card, keyboard, and computer mouse. If you have installed a new hardware after the PC was last shut down, it will recognize the new hardware and install and load it automatically for operation. After this is done, it hands over the task to the operating system which controls the memory, storage, processor, and other essential applications. So, when we launch a program, the OS locates the program stored in the memory and loads it for operation. Because of proper functioning of the OS, you can give commands to the software which coordinates with the hardware for getting the required output.
This was just an overview of how a computer works and executes its complex functions. When you start your PC next time, remember that the above process is initiated and running in the CPU cabinet.
