| Device Types |
 |
Computers use a variety of devices for numerous purposes. Below is a list of the common device types and their purposes:
BIOS / Motherboard – BIOS stands for “Basic Input Output System.” BIOS is software residing on a chip located on the motherboard that contains codes used for controlling devices such as the keyboard, mouse, disk drive, and other functions.
CD / DVD – Most computers now come with either CD or DVD drives. These drives allow users to install software, listen to Compact Discs, view movies, or burn data to rewritable CDs or DVDs (if the drive is a rewritable type).
Digital Camera – Digital cameras are used for taking photos which are stored on some form of digital media. Digital cameras can be connected to computers using USB or serial cables for downloading the pictures to the computer.
Displays – Computer screens are displays. These can be CRTs, flat panel screens, and even touch screens.
Game Controller – Game controllers are devices that connect to the computer or game console for use with video games. For example, joysticks and steering wheels are game controllers.
Graphics / Video Adapter – Graphics video adapter cards are responsible for the performance of and appearance of your display. They process information and data, make calculations about each color’s pixels, and outputs the data to the computer screen. Many graphics cards come with their own processors and memory for increased performance.
Hard Disk Controller – Hard disk controllers are circuits or interfaces that allow the operating system to control the hard disk. Modern hard disks have the hard disk controller built into them.
Input Devices – Input devices are devices used to enter information into a computer such as a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, or trackball.
Modem / ISDN – Modems are devices that allow a computer to connect to other computers using phone lines, cable connections, or wireless connections. ISDN is a type of digital phone data network service. You must have the right type of modem for the type of connection you will be using.
Network Adapter – Network adapters are devices that allow you to connect your computer to a network. Several different types exist including PCI Ethernet cards, PCMCIA cards, and wireless network adapters.
Notebook – Notebooks are small, portable computers. They come with a folding display, built-in keyboard, some sort of pointing device, hard drive, and rechargeable batteries. Today’s notebooks can be as powerful as desktop computers.
Printer / Plotter / Multi-Office – Printers, plotters, and multifunction office machines are devices that connect to your computer for printing documents and graphics. Multifunction office machines also act as scanners, copiers, and faxes.
Removable drive – A removable drive is a storage device that connects to your computer as needed. You can use these devices for storing data and making backups.
Scanner – scanners are devices that you can use to scan documents and images into your computer. Using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software, you can scan text, run it through the OCR software, and edit the text in a word processor.
Sound Card – Computers with sound cards and speakers can produce sounds. Most have external connectors that you can connect a microphone into.
Tape Backup – Tape backup drives are drives that take magnetic tape cassettes used for storing backups of data. These come with backup software that you can use to schedule which data to backup and when to do it.
USB – Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a standard used for interfacing devices to computers using USB ports and cables.
Other Devices – Many other devices exist for computers including IEEE1394 host controllers, memory technology FlashMedia controllers, PCMCIA adapters, and various system devices.
Top pick for the best Driver Update Software:
 |
 |
