1

Bilk Computer Peripherals & Memory

•

• Without input devices, computers won't

know what you want!
Computer Peripherals
• A touch screen acts as both input and
Definition:
output device.
Peripherals are the external devices connected to a
computer to add functionality. • Joysticks are input devices used in gaming
.
Examples:

• Keyboard
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
• Mouse
Full Form: Radio Frequency Identification
• Printer
Definition:
• Scanner A technology that uses radio waves to identify and
Did You Know? track objects.

• Without peripherals, computers can’t Examples:

interact with users properly. • RFID tags in shopping malls
• Printers and scanners are called output and • Library books
input peripherals!
Did You Know?
• Some peripherals are wired and some are
wireless. • RFID can scan multiple items at once!

• It is faster than barcode scanning.

Input Devices • Your metro card uses RFID.

Definition:
Input devices are used to send data and instructions Graphics Tablet
into a computer.
Definition:
Examples:
A device that allows users to draw images and
• Keyboard graphics with a special pen (stylus).

• Mouse Examples:

• Artists use Wacom tablets.

• Microphone

• Scanner Did You Know?

• Graphics tablets are more accurate than a

Did You Know?
mouse.
•
 • Used in animation, fashion design too! Definition:
A system to detect marks made on specially
• Stylus pens can even detect pressure!
designed paper forms.

Examples:
Touch Screen
• Checking multiple-choice answer sheets.
Definition:
Did You Know?
A display that also works as an input device by
sensing touch. • OMR can check thousands of sheets in
minutes!
Examples:
• Used in exams like NEET, JEE.
• Smartphones
• Needs very clean and dark markings.
• ATMs

Did You Know?

MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition)
• First touch screen was invented in 1965!
Full Form: Magnetic Ink Character Recognition
• It can detect fingers, stylus, even gloves.
Definition:
• Some screens recognize multiple touches at
Technology to read text printed with special
once (multi-touch).
magnetic ink.

Examples:
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)
• Cheques in banks
Full Form: Optical Character Recognition
Did You Know?
Definition:
• MICR is super secure and reliable.
Technology to convert printed or handwritten text
into a digital form. • Only special machines can read MICR text.

Examples: • Magnetic ink can survive folding and

scribbling.
• Scanning printed books to editable text.

Did You Know?

BCR (Bar Code Reader)
• OCR saves hours of typing!
Full Form: Bar Code Reader
• Used by Google Books Project.
Definition:
• Can even recognize handwriting.
A device used to scan and read barcodes printed on
products.

OMR (Optical Mark Recognition) Examples:

Full Form: Optical Mark Recognition • Scanning items at supermarkets

Did You Know?

 • First product scanned was chewing gum! Definition:
Memory size tells how much data can be stored.
• Barcodes store product ID and price.
Examples:
• QR codes are advanced barcodes!
• 1 KB = 1024 Bytes

• 1 GB = 1024 MB
MSCR (Magnetic Stripe Card Reader)
Did You Know?
Full Form: Magnetic Stripe Card Reader
• 1 picture = about 2 MB!
Definition:
A device that reads information encoded in the • 1 TB can store thousands of videos!
magnetic stripe on a card.
• Earlier computers had only a few KB of
Examples: memory.

• Credit and Debit Cards

Did You Know? Byte and Bit

• Magnetic stripes can hold personal Definition:

information.
• Bit: Smallest data unit (0 or 1)
• First used in the 1960s.
• Byte: 8 bits together.
• Now replaced by chip cards and contactless
Examples:
payments!
• 'A' = 1 Byte

Did You Know?

Memory
• Computers understand only bits (0s and 1s)!
Definition:
Memory stores data, programs, and results for • 1 Byte can represent 256 characters.
future use. • Kilobyte = 1024 Bytes, not exactly 1000.
Examples:

• RAM, Hard Disk, Pen Drive.

Address System
Did You Know? Definition:
• Computer memory works like human Each memory location has a unique address for
memory. storing and retrieving data.

• Faster memory = faster computer. Examples:

• Internal memory is inside the computer • Like house numbers!

cabinet.
Did You Know?

• RAM uses addresses to find data super fast!

Memory Size
• Modern computers use 64-bit addressing.
 • Without addresses, a computer would be Types of Memory Chips
lost!
1️⃣ RAM (Random Access Memory)

• DRAM (Dynamic RAM): Refreshes itself.

Types of Memory Modules
o FPM DRAM
• SIMM: Single Inline Memory Module (Old
o EDO-DRAM
type)
o BEDO-DRAM
• DIMM: Dual Inline Memory Module
(Modern type) o SDRAM

Examples: o DDR SDRAM

• SIMM used in 1990s PCs. o RDRAM

• DIMM used in today’s computers. o Direct RDRAM

Did You Know?

• DIMMs have separate pins for each side. 1️⃣ RAM (Random Access Memory)

• SODIMM = smaller DIMM for laptops. • Full Form: Random Access Memory

• Memory modules affect speed! • Definition: Memory used to store data that
can be quickly accessed by the CPU.

• Fact: RAM is volatile, meaning it loses data

Types of Memory
when the power is off.
• Primary Memory: RAM, ROM
• Did You Know? RAM helps your computer
• Secondary Memory: Hard Disk, Pendrive run programs faster by allowing the CPU
• Cache Memory: Superfast memory near quick access to data.
CPU

• Virtual Memory: Uses hard disk as extra 2️⃣ DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
RAM.
• Full Form: Dynamic Random Access Memory
Examples:
• Definition: A type of RAM that stores data in
• RAM = fast but temporary. capacitors and needs to be refreshed
• Hard disk = permanent storage. constantly.

Did You Know? • Fact: DRAM is slower but cheaper compared

to SRAM.
• Virtual memory prevents "memory full"
errors! • Did You Know? DRAM is used in most
devices, like computers and smartphones,
• Cache boosts speed a lot.
because it's cost-effective.
• Secondary memory is cheaper.
 FPM DRAM (Fast Page Mode DRAM) • Full Form: Synchronous Dynamic Random
Access Memory
• Full Form: Fast Page Mode DRAM
• Definition: DRAM that syncs with the system
• Definition: An older type of DRAM that
clock, improving data transfer speeds.
speeds up memory access by accessing data
from the same row in memory. • Fact: SDRAM is commonly used in modern
computers and mobile devices.
• Fact: FPM DRAM is now outdated, replaced
by faster memory types like SDRAM. • Did You Know? SDRAM is much faster than
older DRAM types because it works with the
• Did You Know? FPM DRAM was used in
system clock.
older computers and is no longer common in
today's devices.

DDR SDRAM (Double Data Rate

SDRAM)
EDO DRAM (Extended Data Out
DRAM) • Full Form: Double Data Rate Synchronous
Dynamic RAM
• Full Form: Extended Data Out DRAM
• Definition: DRAM that can transfer data on
• Definition: A type of DRAM that allows
both rising and falling edges of the clock
faster memory access by reading data while
signal, effectively doubling the transfer rate.
preparing the next.
• Fact: DDR SDRAM is the standard memory
• Fact: Faster than FPM DRAM, but now
used in most modern systems, with
outdated.
generations like DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, and
• Did You Know? EDO DRAM helped boost DDR5.
performance in early 90s computers.
• Did You Know? DDR memory allows faster
data transfer, making your computer more
responsive.
BEDO DRAM (Burst Extended Data
Out DRAM)

• Full Form: Burst Extended Data Out DRAM RDRAM (Rambus DRAM)

• Definition: An improved version of EDO • Full Form: Rambus Dynamic Random Access
DRAM with faster data transfer rates. Memory

• Fact: BEDO DRAM is also outdated and has • Definition: A type of high-speed memory
been replaced by faster types. developed by Rambus, offering higher
bandwidth than typical DRAM.
• Did You Know? BEDO DRAM was designed
to transfer data in bursts, increasing overall • Fact: RDRAM was expensive and not widely
speed. adopted, eventually being replaced by DDR
memory.

• Did You Know? RDRAM was used in high-

SDRAM (Synchronous DRAM)
performance systems like the PlayStation 2.
 Direct RDRAM (Direct Rambus 2️⃣ ROM (Read Only Memory)
DRAM)
• PROM (Programmable ROM): Programmed
• Full Form: Direct Rambus Dynamic RAM once.
• Definition: A more advanced version of • EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM):
RDRAM offering even higher performance. Erased using UV light.
• Fact: Direct RDRAM was used in high- • EEPROM (Electrically Erasable
performance systems but didn't gain Programmable ROM): Erased electrically.
widespread adoption due to cost and
Did You Know?
compatibility issues.
• BIOS is stored in ROM!
• Did You Know? Direct RDRAM was
considered too costly for general use and • EEPROM can be updated many times.
was eventually phased out.
• PROM is used in embedded systems.

Key Facts:
Cache Memory
• DRAM is slower than SRAM, but it's much
• Level-1️ Cache: Inside CPU
cheaper.
• Level-2️ Cache: Outside CPU
• FPM, EDO, and BEDO DRAM are outdated
and have been replaced by SDRAM and DDR • ATC (Advanced Transfer Cache): Large size
SDRAM. cache.

• RDRAM and Direct RDRAM were faster but Did You Know?
expensive and are now obsolete. • L1 cache is fastest but smallest.

• L2 cache improves performance.

Let me know if you'd like any other • L3 cache is shared between cores!
additions or changes!

Firmware
• SRAM (Static RAM): No need to refresh.
Definition:
• MRAM (Magnetoresistive RAM): Uses Permanent software stored in ROM that controls
magnetic charge.
hardware.
Did You Know? Examples:
• DRAM needs constant refreshing! • Smartphone system updates.
• SRAM is faster but costlier. Did You Know?
• MRAM is future memory!
• Firmware tells devices how to work!

• Can be updated for better performance.

 • Without firmware, hardware is useless.

Biometrics

Volatile and Non-Volatile Memory Definition:

Technology that uses body features to identify
• Volatile Memory: Needs power (e.g., RAM)
people.
• Non-Volatile Memory: No power needed
Examples:
(e.g., Hard Disk, ROM)
• Fingerprint Unlock
Did You Know?
• Face Recognition
• RAM forgets everything without power.
Did You Know?
• ROM remembers forever!
• No two fingerprints are the same!
• USB drives are non-volatile.
• Aadhaar in India uses biometrics.

• Face ID uses 3D scanning!

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

Full Form: Basic Input Output System

Definition:
BIOS starts the computer and checks hardware
during booting.

Examples:

• Press F2 or DEL to enter BIOS settings.

Did You Know?

• BIOS is the first thing your computer runs!

• UEFI is the new type of BIOS.

• BIOS can be updated!