How do computers work?

Answer 1

How do computers work?

There are many components in a computer. In order to understand how a computer works, one must know the basic components. Open the case and look at all the gizmos. There are 4 basic parts to a computer (PC): CPU- Central Processing Unit GPU- Graphics Processing Unit PSU- Power Supply Unit Memory- Temporarily stores data from the hard disks Without these components, the computer will not function normally.

There are other devices that can be attached to the PC. CDROMs, Hard Disks, Floppy Disks, Sound Cards, TV tuner cards, mice, keyboards, NICs (network interface card), and USB cards. The devices are not needed to make the PC run.

Let's trace a packet of data from power on to it's final destination, the monitor. First, the packet is stored on the hard disk. It goes from the hard disk through the ribbon cable, which connects the hard disk to the motherboard, then to the memory. From the memory, it travels through the FSB (Front Side Bus) to the cache on the CPU. There, it waits until it is needed by the CPU. When it's needed, it goes to the GPU which in turn generates an image that goes to the monitor. Seem like a lot? Computers are not simple, ever.

This is an old video, but it is pretty good:

http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=DVgOMRUNXsg

Also, this article is very good:

http://computer.howstuffworks.com/how-computers-are-made2.htm

Answer 2

Computers are very complex, but deep down, they are just a bunch of on and off switches. Each of these switches stores one bit of data. I could go into more detail, but then this would be a very long answer. The necessary parts for a computer are the mother board (which includes the processor), RAM, Storage, a power supply, and a graphics card.

Answer 3

Three computer functions are:

• to do repetitive tasks or compute mathematical equations very fast (to compute a mandlebrot set by hand it would take 3yrs, with a computer it would take a fraction of a second).
• to convey store and manage information.
• to accomplish automated tasks; trivial (flipping traffic lights back and forth) or advanced (integrating a calculus function).

Answer 4

dream it up, a computer can probably be programmed to do it. MOST OF THE TIMES. Computers cannot do any of the following:

Become a girl/boy friend

Dance

etc.

However no computer can be programmed to solve the "halting problem".

Answer 5

A computer is a device that is capable of converting a series of binary codes into multiple different functions, from number calculations to photo edits to internet browsing to novel writing.

Answer 6

A digital computer process data in numerical form using digital circuts