Computer Architecture-How a Computer Works

Here we go...(I'll give it my best try!!)

It all begins with the motherboard. This is where all of the critical components are. Then there is the central processing unit is the brain of the computer. All info that comes in and goes out will travel through the CPU. Most of the computer memory is stored in the hard drive (long term storage) and that information is there forever. Another way a computer gets it's information is through the random access memory (short term memory storage) or RAM. This gets to the CPU much faster than the hard drive. All of this is possible because of the processor, where most of the electrical circuits are to help the information travel through the computer. All of the information that is put into a computer is the input and the information that comes out is the output.

When you boot up a computer it starts with the BIOS read only memory (ROM). This tells the BIOS it is time to start looking for and begin running the operating system and the rest of the computer components. It is looking for things like the memory card and loading all of the information into the RAM. The BIOS also does a memory check and count at this time. Now the BIOS looks for the operating system (OS) located in the RAM. The OS is crucial because it interprets different application software programs to the computer, like software. All things that are used in the operating system are coded specifically for that OS. Computers do no run without an OS. The OS is where all of the software is located, but in some cases you need hardware to run software. For example, if you have software that plays or burns DVD's, you cannot do that unless you have a video card and DVD burner.