Chapter 1 Terms Flashcards
(70 cards)
Adapter Card
A small circout board inserted in an expansion slot and used to communicate between the system bus and a peripheral device. Also called an interface card.
Binary Number System
The number system used by computers: it has only two numbers, 0 and 1, called binary digits or bits
BIOS (basic input/output system)
Firmware that can control much of a computers input/output functions, such as communication with the floppy drive and the monitor.
BIOS setup bit
The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM. Also Called CMOS setup
Bus
The paths, or lines, on the motherboard on which data, instructions, and electrical power move from component to component.
Byte
A collection of 8 bits that can represent a single character
cards
Adapter boards or interface cards placed into expansion slots to expand the functions of a computer, allowing it to communicate with external devices such as monitors or speakers.
central processing unit (CPU)
Also called a mocroprocessor or processor. The heart and brain of the computer, which receives data input, porcesses information, and executes instructions
Chipset
A group of chips on the motherboard that controls the timing and flow of data and instructions to and from the CPU
Clock speed
The speed, or frequency, expressed in MHz, that controls activity on the motherboard and is generated by a crystal or oscillator located somewhere on the motherboard.
CMOS (complementary metaloxide semiconductor)
The technology used to manufacture microchips. CMOS chips require less electricity, hold data longer after the electricity is turned off, and produce less heat than earlier technologies. The configuration or setup chip is a CMOS chip.
CMOS RAM
Memory contained on the CMOS configuration chip.
CMOS setup
The program in the system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM. Also called BIOS setup
Data bus
The lines on the system bus that the CPU uses to send and receive data.
Data path size
The number of lines on a bus that can hold data, for example, 8,16,32,and 64 bits at a time.
DIMM (dual inline memory module)
A miniature circuit board installed on the motherboard to hold memory. DIMMS can hold up to 4 GB of RAM on a single module.
Expansion cards
A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to enhance the capability of the computer.
Expansion slots
A narrow slot on the motherboard where an expansion card can be inserted. Expansion slots connect to a bus on the motherboard.
Firmware
Software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard is an example of firmware.
Flash ROM
ROM that can be reprogrammed or changed without replacing chips.
Floppy disk drive (FDD)
A drive that can hold either a 5 1/2 inch or 3 1/4 inch floppy disk. Called a floppy drive.
Floppy Drive
A drive that can hold either a 5 1/2 inch or 3 1/4 inch floppy disk. Called a floppy drive.
Front Side Bus (FSB)
The bus between the CPU and memory on the motherboard. The bus frequency in documentation is called the system speed, such as 400 MHz. Also called the memory bus, front-side bus, local bus, or host bus.
Gigahertz (GHz)
One thousand MHz, or one billion cycles per second
