HP Pavilion d4000 PC Basics Guide - Page 7

Introducing the PC NOTE: This guide contains details on options that may not be included with your PC. Your PC may look different from the illustrations in this guide. The monitor and the speakers are sold separately. Speakers may be included with the monitor (select models only). This section describes the PC by listing its internal and external components. It also gives you useful information on using the mouse, the keyboard, the monitor, speakers, a microphone, the media drives, and a printer. WARNING: Please read "safety information" in your user documentation before installing and connecting your PC to the electrical power system. PC Base Components The PC consists of electronics and mechanical items housed in a chassis box called a tower or base. Inside the PC are these items: • The motherboard, which is an electronics board with the micro processing unit (MPU), slots for memory and add-in cards, and connectors for the other items in the base. • The power supply. • The hard disk drive, which is used to store the operating system, programs, and files. • The cabling between the motherboard, the base units, and the connectors on the back and the front of the PC. PC Operation The user operates the PC by using a keyboard to enter text and commands, a mouse to point and select items, and a display monitor. For example, the PC shows the Windows desktop on the display screen, and when you move the mouse, the PC causes the cursor to move across the Windows desktop on the screen. The minimum items required to operate your personal computer are the PC base box, the keyboard, the mouse, and the monitor. Introducing the PC 1