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Computer Information Systems > Chapter 2 > Flashcards

Chapter 2 Flashcards

1
Q

What are the components of a typical computer system?

A

System unit and peripheral devices (keyboard, nouse, hard disc drive, optical drive, removable storage, sound system, display system, network and internet access, printer)

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2
Q

Desktop Computer

A

Fits on a desk and runs on power from an electrical wall outlet

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3
Q

Peripheral device

A

Input, output, and storage equipment that might be added to a computer system to enhance its functionality

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4
Q

System unit

A

The case that holds the computer’s main circuit boards, microprocessor, memory, power supply, and storage devices

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5
Q

What is the significance of different computer designs?

A

The form, such as size and dimensions, of a computer must suit the function that it will be used for

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6
Q

What are the options for desktop computer form factors?

A

Horizontal, vertical, all-in-one

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7
Q

Tower case

A

Provides space for those who want to enhance or upgrade their machines

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8
Q

All-in-one computer

A

The computer circuitry is incorporated in the back of a flat-panel screen

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9
Q

How do portable computers differ from desktops?

A

Desktop computers run on power from an electrical wall outlet, while portable computers can run on an outlet or battery and are easy to carry around

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10
Q

Portable computer

A

A small, light-weight personal computer with input, output, storage, and processing components integrated into a single unit that runs on power supplied by an electrical outlet or battery (clamshell or slate)

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11
Q

What is a laptop computer?

A

A small, light-weight portable computer that opens like a clamshell to reveal a screen and keyboard

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12
Q

What types of computers are available in the slate form factor?

A

Enhanced media players, smartphones, tablets

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13
Q

What is an enhanced media player?

A

A handheld device designed for playing music and videos

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14
Q

What is a smartphone?

A

An enhanced mobile phone that also functions as a portable media player and has the capability to access the Internet

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15
Q

What is a tablet computer?

A

A handheld computer that is essentially a large version of an enhanced media player

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16
Q

What is compatibility?

A

Computers that operate in essentially the same way and use the same software

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17
Q

What are the three popular platforms?

A

PC, Mac, Linux

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18
Q

What’s the significance of designations, such as home, small business, or game systems?

A

Created by computer vendors to help consumers sort through the variety of configuration options

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19
Q

What differentiates a home computer from other types?

A

Encompasses a vast array of desktop and laptop computer configurations designed to accommodate computers who use computers for personal tasks

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20
Q

What’s so great about a gaming computer?

A

Feature the fastest processors, stuffed with memory, state-of-the-art sound capabilities, and multiple graphics processors

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21
Q

What are the characteristics of small business computers?

A

A medium-speed processor, moderate amount of RAM, sensible disk capacity.

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22
Q

What is a microprocessor and what does it look like?

A

An integrated circuit designed to process instructions; largest chip on the system board, could be hidden under a cooling fan

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23
Q

What makes one microprocessor perform better than another?

A

Clock speed, bus speed, word size, cache size, instruction set, number of cores, and processing techniques

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24
Q

What do MHz and GHz have to do with computer performance?

A

Indicates the speed of the microprocessor clock, a timing device that sets the pace for executing instructions. GHz means a billion cycles/second.

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25
Q

What’s a multi-core processor?

A

A microprocessor that contain circuitry for more than one processing unit

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26
Q

What is FSB?

A

FSB stands for front side bus, a term that refers to the circuity that transports data to and from the microprocessor. Measured in MHz (million cycles/s)

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27
Q

How does the cache size affect performance?

A

Three levels: 1 is fastest, 2 and 3 are slightly slower

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28
Q

CPU cache

A

Special high-speed memory that allows a microprocessor to access data more rapidly than from memory located elsewhere on the system board

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29
Q

What impact does word size have on performance?

A

Based on the size of the registers in the ALU and the capacity of circuits that lead to those registers
Example: A 64-bit processor has 64-bit registers and processes 64 bits at a time

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30
Q

Word size

A

The number of bits that a microprocessor can manipulate at one time

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31
Q

How does an instruction set affect performance?

A

A RISC processor performs most instructions faster than a CISC processor, but may require more of these simple instructions to complete a task than a CISC processor

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32
Q

CISC

A

Complex instruction set computer; used by microprocessor with increasingly complex instructions

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33
Q

RISC

A

Reduced instruction set computer; used by microprocessor with a limited set of simple instructions

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34
Q

Can a microprocessor execute more than one instruction at a time?

A

Yes, in pipelining and parallel processing, but not serial processing.

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35
Q

Serial processing

A

The processor must complete all steps in the instruction cycle before it begins to execute the next instruction

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36
Q

Pipelining

A

A processor can begin executing an instruction before it completes the previous instruction

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37
Q

Parallel processing

A

Multiple instructions are executed at the same time

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38
Q

How can I compare microprocessor performance?

A

Benchmarks are the results of a series of tests to gauge the overall speed of a microprocessor, which can be compared to the benchmarks of other microprocessors

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39
Q

What do the Windows Experience Index scores mean?

A

The performance subscores for five computer components. Base score determined by lowest subscore.

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40
Q

What is overclocking?

A

A risky technique for increasing the speed of a computer component

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41
Q

What is RAM?

A

Random access memory; a temporary holding area for data, application program instructions, and the operating system

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42
Q

Why is RAM so important?

A

Holds raw data waiting to be processed, results of processing, and operating system instructions

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43
Q

How does RAM work?

A

Most ram is volatile, it needs electrical power to hold data. In RAM, microscopic electronic parts called capacitors hold the bits that represent data.

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44
Q

Virtual memory

A

If a program exceeds its allocated space, the operating system uses this area of the hard disc to store parts of programs of data files until they are needed

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45
Q

How do I add RAM?

A

SDRAM is the most popular type of RAM in today’s computers and is sold as a small circuit board

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46
Q

What is ROM?

A

Read only memory; a type of memory circuitry that is housed in a single integrated unit. ROM is permanent and nonvolatile.

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47
Q

What is EEPROM?

A

Electrically erasable programmable read only memory

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48
Q

What does a computer store in ROM?

A

Contains a small amount of instructions called the bootstrap loader; Sometimes referred to as BIOS (basic input/output system) in a PC

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49
Q

What are the basic components of a data storage system?

A

A storage medium and a storage device

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50
Q

Storage medium

A

The disk, tape, CD, DVD, paper, or other substance that contains data

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51
Q

Storage device

A

The mechanical apparatus that records and retrieves data from a storage medium

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52
Q

How does a storage device interact with other computer components?

A

Data gets copied from a storage device into RAM, where it waits to be processed. It it then held temporarily in RAM and usually copied to a storage medium for more permanent safekeeping

53
Q

What are the three types of storage technologies?

A

Magnetic, optical, and solid state

54
Q

How can storage technology be compared?

A

Based on versatility, durability, speed, and capacity

55
Q

What factors affect storage speed?

A

Access time and data transfer rate

56
Q

Access time

A

The average time it takes a computer to locate data on the storage medium and read it (milliseconds)

57
Q

Random access

A

The ability of a device to “jump” directly to the requested data (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)

58
Q

Sequential access

A

Reads though data from the beginning of the tape (cassette tape)

59
Q

Data transfer rate

A

The amount of data a storage device can move per second from the storage medium to the computer

60
Q

What’s so important about storage capacity?

A

Today, higher capacity is almost always preferred, so it is important to consider storage capacity and density

61
Q

Storage capacity

A

Maximum amount of data that can be stored on a storage medium, measured in bytes

62
Q

Storage density

A

The amount of data that can be stored in a given area of a storage medium, such as the surface of a disk

63
Q

What is magnetic storage technology?

A

Stores data by magnetizing microscopic particles on a disk or tape surface

64
Q

How does a hard disk drive work?

A

A hard disk drive contains one or more platters and their associated read-write heads.

65
Q

Hard disc platter

A

A flat, rigid disk made of aluminum or glass and coated with magnetic iron oxide particles

66
Q

Read-write head

A

A mechanism in the disk drive that magnetizes particles to write data, and senses the particles’ polarities to read data

67
Q

Why are hard disk drives so popular?

A

Provides lots of storage capacity , fast access to files, and is economical

68
Q

What’s the downside of hard disk storage?

A

Not as durable, data stored on magnetic media can be unintentionally altered

69
Q

Head crash

A

When a read-write head runs into a contaminant on the disk that damages the data on the disk

70
Q

CD

A

(compact disc) Capacity of 80 minutes of music or 700 MB of data

71
Q

DVD

A

(digital video disc) Contains two recordable layers on the same side and can store 8.5 GB of data

72
Q

Blu-ray

A

A high-capacity storage technology with a 25 GB capacity per layer

73
Q

How do CD, DVD, and Blu-ray drives work?

A

These three are classified as optical storage, which stores data as microscopic light (lands) and dark (pits) spots on the disc surface and contains a spindle that rotates the disc over a laser lends, translating the differences in light to data

74
Q

What’s the significance of ROM, R, and RW?

A

Read-only technology: stores data permanently on a disc that cannot be added to or changed
Recordable technology: uses a layer to change the color in a dye which cannot be changed once data has been recorded
Rewritable technology: the crystal structure allows data to be recorded and modified over and over again

75
Q

What is solid state storage capacity?

A

A technology that stores data in erasable, rewritable circuitry, rarther than on spinning disks or streaming tape

76
Q

How does solid state storage work?

A

Contains a gridwork of circuitry, each cell containing two transistors that act as gates to hold the 1s and 0s that represent data. This data is non-volatile, very durable, but is more expensive than magnetic and optical

77
Q

What are my options for solid state storage?

A

Memory cards, solid state drives, USB flash drives

78
Q

When should I use memory cards?

A

A memory care is a flat, solid state storage medium commonly used to transfer files from digital cameras and media players to computers

79
Q

Card reader

A

A device that reads and writes data on solid state storage

80
Q

Solid state drive

A

A package of flash memory that can be used as a substitute for a hard disk drive and is usually used for customers who use computers in rugged conditions

81
Q

USB flash drive

A

A potable storage device that plugs directly into a computer’s system unit using a built-in connector

82
Q

Can I add storage to my computer?

A

You can increase storage capacity by adding hard drives and can add storage flexibility by installing additional types of storage devices, such as an external drive or drive bays

83
Q

Drive bays

A

Drive bays, external or internal, are parking spaces for storage devices inside a desktop or laptop system unit case

84
Q

What devices can I use to get data into a computer?

A

Keyboard, mouse, touch-sensitive screens, scanners, digital cameras, graphic tablets, microphones, and electronic instruments

85
Q

What does a pointing device do?

A

A pointing device allows you to manipulate an on-screen pointer and other screen-based graphical controls

86
Q

Which pointing device should I choose?

A

Desktop computer systems usually use a mouse, while game controllers come in styles such as joysticks, steering wheels, and wands

87
Q

When do I need a trackpad?

A

A trackpad is a touch-sensitive service on which you can slide your fingers to move the on-screen pointer

88
Q

How does a touchscreen work?

A

A touchscreen is a transparent panel coated with a thin layer of electrically conductive material that senses a change in the electrical current when touched

89
Q

What are my options for display devices?

A

LCD: (liquid crystal display) produces an image by filtering light though a layer of liquid crystal cells; advantages include display clarity, low radiation emission, portability, and compactness
LED: (light-emitting diode technology) A gradual replacement for the harmful CCFL backlighting of LCD technology

90
Q

What factors affect image quality?

A

Screen size, dot pitch, width of viewing angle, response rate, resolution, and color depth

91
Q

Screen size

A

Measurement in inches from one corner of the screen diagonally across to the opposite corner

92
Q

Dot pitch

A

Distance in millimeters between like-colored pixels; Measure of image clarity

93
Q

Pixels

A

The small dots of light that form an image

94
Q

Viewing angle width

A

Indicates how far to the side you can still see clearly see the screen image

95
Q

Response rate

A

The time it takes for one pixel to change from black to white then back to black

96
Q

Color depth

A

The number of colors a monitor can display

97
Q

Screen resolution

A

The number of horizontal and vertical pixels that a device displays on the screen (standard 4:3, widescreen 16:9)

98
Q

Should I set my computer on its highest resolution?

A

At higher resolutions, text and other objects appear smaller, but the computer can display a larger work area

99
Q

What are the components of a typical computer display system?

A

Display device and graphics circuitry, such as integrated graphics or dedicated graphics

100
Q

Integrated graphics vs. dedicated graphics

A

Integrated in built into a computer’s system board, which dedicated is graphics circuitry mounted on a small circuit board called a graphics card

101
Q

Graphics card

A

A small circuit board that plugs into the system board

102
Q

Graphics processing unit (GPU)

A

Contained in a graphics card along with special video memory, which stores screen images as they are processed but before they are displayed

103
Q

How does an ink jet printer work?

A

Has a nozzle-like print head that sprays ink onto paper to form characters and graphics

104
Q

How do laser printers compare to ink jet printers?

A

Uses the same technology as a photocopier to paint dots of light on a light-sensitive drum

105
Q

What is a dot matrix printer?

A

Produces character and graphics by using a grid of fine wires

106
Q

What features should I look for in a printer?

A

Resolution, print speed, duty cycle, operating costs, dulex capability, memory, networkability

107
Q

Resolution

A

The quality of sharpness of printed images and text

108
Q

Print speed

A

Measured by pages per minute or characters per second

109
Q

Duty cycle

A

Determines how many pages a printer is able to churn out

110
Q

Operating costs

A

Include ink cartridges, toner cartridges, or replacement ribbons

111
Q

Dulex capability

A

Can print on both sides of the paper

112
Q

Memory

A

Data that arrives at a printer along with its printer language requires memory

113
Q

Networkability

A

Can connect directly to a computer network, rather than to a single computer

114
Q

Printer Command Language vs. Postscript

A

PCL is the most widely used language for communication between computers and printers, but Postscript is an alternative printer language that many publishing professionals prefer

115
Q

How does a computer move data to and from peripheral devices?

A

Data travels from one component to another over circuits called a data bus. Local or internal bus runs between RAM and microprocessor, which expansion or external bus connects to peripheral devices

116
Q

Expansion slot and card

A

A long, narrow socket on the system board into which you can plug an expansion card, which is a small circuit board that gives a computer the capability to control a storage, input, or output device

117
Q

What is an expansion port?

A

Any connector that passes data into and out of a computer or peripheral device

118
Q

Is it difficult to install a new peripheral device?

A

No, most peripheral devices connect to a USB port located on the computer system unit

119
Q

What if I run out of USB ports?

A

You can easily add USB ports to your computer by using a USB hub

120
Q

When do I use other kinds of ports?

A
  • FireWire ports are used for external storage devices and for transferring data from digital video cameras to a computer
  • eSATA is a high-speed port used for connecting external storage devices
  • Thunderbolt is a very high-speed port for connecting display or storage devices
  • VGA, DVI, and HDMI are designed for audiovisual devices
121
Q

What is hot-plugging?

A

When you connect or disconnect a peripheral device while the computer is operating; This is allowed with USB and FireWire devices

122
Q

How do computer anti-theft devices work?

A

Kensington Security Slot is a small, reinforced oblong hole into which you can insert a special lock that can be attached to a cable

123
Q

If my computer is stolen, can authorities recover it?

A

Yes, if you have taken measures such as recording the computer’s serial number, affixing a tracking label, or installing tracking software

124
Q

What is a power surge?

A

A sudden increase in electrical energy affecting the current that flows to electrical outlets

125
Q

How can I protect my computer from power surges?

A

By plugging computer equipment into a surge strip instead of a wall outlet

126
Q

What is a surge strip?

A

A device that contains electrical outlets protected by circuitry that blocks surges

127
Q

What is a UPS?

A

Uninterruptible power supply; provides surge protection and furnishes desktop computers and network devices with battery backup power during a power outage

128
Q

What is the blue screen of death?

A

An indication that the operating system has encountered an error from which it cannot recover, and the computer no longer accepts any commands

129
Q

What is safe mode/Safe Boot?

A

Designed for professional troubleshooting; Can be used to track down and uninstall programs or hardware that might be causing operational problems

Computer Information Systems (8 decks)

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