October, 1996
6880902Z36-B
2-7
GM300 Radio Service Software Manual
Getting Started
Understanding Computer Basics
2
2.4.2 Identifying Major Computer Parts
Computers range in complexity and size from small laptops to large mainframes. Falling between this
range is the microcomputer. Most microcomputers consist of a monitor, a system unit, and a keyboard.
These components are:
1.
Monitor
Monitors perform like a window into the computer,
allowing you to see the data inside the computer.
Monitors come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Some can be bigger than a 19-inch diagonal televi-
sion, though a common size is 12 inches diagonally.
Monochrome monitors have only one color behind the words and pictures on the display, which in
many cases is either green, amber, white or black. Color monitors can display two or more colors on
the display at a time, but with color monitors a slight decrease in picture sharpness or text legibility
may be experienced. Colors on the RSS screen can be selected or changed by the user by using the
RSS. To help users quickly find their place on the display before typing, a flashing underscore, called
a “cursor” serves as a visual place indicator.
Besides the display, a monitor has a power cord, an on/off switch, brightness and contrast dials, and
a cable connection to the system unit. The RSS can function with either monochrome, CGA, EGA or
VGA-based monitors.
2.
System Unit
The system unit contains a special chip that is the
“brain” of the computer, one or more diskette
drives, a hard-disk drive (if so equipped), a cable
connection to the keyboard, one or more communi-
cations ports and an on/off switch. System units
use an 8088, 8086, 80286, 80386 or 80486 chip with
speeds between 4.77 MHz and 50 MHz. The system
unit should be treated with care, as jarring and hot
temperatures could internally damage the unit.
Note: The RSS program may not function properly on computers with speeds greater than 20MHz.
3.
Keyboard
A user instructs the computer what to do by typing
commands on the keyboard. The monitor shows
the commands as they are typed. Most keyboards
have letter keys, numeric keys, and a number of
special keys that perform special functions.
Section 2.8.1 on page 2-26 -
Keyboards and Their
Functions
describes some of these special keys and
how they perform with RSS.
