Ch. 3 The Visible PC

Question 1

What are the two categories of programs?

Answer 1

1. Applications

2. Operating Systems (OS)

Question 2

Applications

Answer 2

Programs that get work done on a computer

Question 3

Operating System (OS)

Answer 3

The support program that facilitates the installation and operation of applications on the computer

Question 4

4 Stages of computer function

Answer 4

1. Input
2. Processing
3. Output
4. Storage

Question 5

Input

Answer 5

The user inputs data to the computer

Question 6

Processing

Answer 6

The computer runs calculations to process the data the user input

Question 7

Output

Answer 7

Some form of response to the input of data by the user (e.g., the monitor displays something or a printer prints a document)

Question 8

Storage

Answer 8

The computer stored input data and the results of processing

Question 9

System Unit

Answer 9

The pc tower and everything contained within it

Question 10

Peripherals

Answer 10

Every piece of equipment that attaches to the system unit to perform input and output (e.g., keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer, speakers, etc.)

Question 11

Port

Answer 11

A hole on the system unit that accepts the plug of a peripheral (e.g., USB port, FireWire port, or ethernet port)

Question 12

Plug

Answer 12

A type of projection on a peripheral that plugs into a matching port on the system unit (e.g., an RJ-45 jack)

Question 13

Jack

Answer 13

Another name for Port

Question 14

Connector

Answer 14

Another name for port or jack

Question 15

mini-DIN connector

Answer 15

PS/2 connector, DIN-6;
6 pins;
Used for mice (light-green), keyboards (purple), subwoofers, and old video cards to connect to TVs

Question 16

USB

Answer 16

Universal Serial Bus;
A general purpose port that accepts any number of devices;
Comes in 3 (at least) sizes: A, B, and mini-B;
Hot-swappable;
USB devices can be powered through the port

Question 17

Hot-swappable

Answer 17

A term referring to the ability to insert and remove devices from a computer without having to restart

Question 18

FireWire

Answer 18

IEEE 1394;
Used for specialized applications, such as streaming video from a camera to the computer;
6-wire or 9-wire connector; 4-wire on the peripheral end

Question 19

DB connector

Answer 19

D-sub, D-subminiature, D-shell;

9-37 pins, though most have 25 pins

Question 20

RJ connector

Answer 20

RJ-11 - Modem connection

RJ-45 - Ethernet connection

Question 21

Audio connector

Answer 21

1/8 inch connection, mini-audio connector;

Typically a green port

Question 22

Expansion slots

Answer 22

Slots on the system board that allow you to add further capabilities

Question 23

4 types of video connectors

Answer 23

1. VGA
2. DVI
3. S-Video
4. HDMI

Question 24

VGA

Answer 24

Video Graphics Array;
15-pin DB plug;
Color: Blue

Question 25

DVI

Answer 25

``` Digital Visual Interface; Color: White DVI-D - All digital DVI-A - Analog DVI-I - Digital and analog ```

Question 26

HDMI

Answer 26

High-Definition Multimedia Interface

Question 27

MIDI

Answer 27

Musical Instrument Digital Interface; 15-pin DB; Allows you to attach a musical instrument or joystick to your computer

Question 28

S/PDIF

Answer 28

Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format; Analog or optical; Designed to consolidate the input of various sound devices

Question 29

Networks

Answer 29

Groups of PCs that share information

Question 30

NIC

Answer 30

Network Interface Card; Originally an add on card. The network port is now integrated into the system board, but the name NIC has stuck.

Question 31

Modem

Answer 31

Hardware that allows you to connect your PC to a network via a standard telephone line

Question 32

Parallel port

Answer 32

A 25-pin DB ports used to connect printers. This is largely legacy technology at this point. Replaced by USB and network printers

Question 33

eSATA

Answer 33

A high-speed port for use with some external HDDs and optical drives

Question 34

Case

Answer 34

The external shell and the internal framework that holds the computer components

Question 35

CPU

Answer 35

Central Processing Unit; microprocessor; The piece of hardware that performs all the calculations CPUs generate a lot of heat and require the installation of a heat ink and fan for correct operation. CPUs come in different packages that define the shape and size of the CPU as well as how it attaches to the system board.

Question 36

RAM

Answer 36

Random Access Memory; Volatile memory; stores files and applications that are currently in use by the CPU. The data stored in RAM is erased when the power is turned off.

Question 37

Motherboard

Answer 37

System Board; the circuit board that hosts the different parts of the computer, including RAM, the CPU, the HDD, etc.

Question 38

Power Supply

Answer 38

Provides power to your PC

Question 39

Floppy Drive

Answer 39

A 3.5" disk drive; legacy technology. Most computers will not contain these drives any longer.

Question 40

Hard Drive

Answer 40

Static Memory; HDD; Stores the data that is not currently being used by the CPU. This memory is static; it remains on the hard drive when the power is turned off.

Question 41

PATA

Answer 41

Parallel ATA; Transfers data in parallel along a ribbon cable

Question 42

SATA

Answer 42

Serial ATA; Transfers data in serial (one bite at a time) along a cable

Question 43

Optical Drives

Answer 43

CD, DVD, or BluRay drives