Computer Hardware Flashcards

Question

What is the memory bus?

Answer 1

The memory bus connects the processor to the memory. Also known as the FSB (Front Side Bus).

Answer 2

A bus that operates only within the internal circuitry of the CPU, communicating among the internal caches of memory that are part of the CPU chip's design. An internal bus in a computer is a system of pathways that allows communication and data transfer between the computer's internal components, such as the CPU, memory, and internal storage.

Answer 3

A bus that connects the processor to expansion slots.

Answer 4

A bus system that connects the CPU with the main memory module. It identifies memory locations where data is to be stored or retrieved.

Answer 5

A bus system that sends electrical power to small consumption devices, such as speakers, lights, and switches.

Answer 6

Handles data manipulation that would otherwise need to be performed by the CPU. Chipsets also handle such things as connecting motherboard buses together that run at different speeds. Chipsets also connect ports of various speeds, such as USB and Firewire. A chipset is a collection of electronic components on a motherboard that manages the data flow between the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage, and peripherals. It acts as the traffic controller of the motherboard, facilitating communication between all connected components

Answer 7

north bridge and south bridge

Answer 8

A north bridge: The northbridge is directly connected to the CPU through the front side bus. This portion of the chipset controls higher data speed systems such as graphics, DVD hardware, and CPU overclocking functions.

Answer 9

A south bridge: The portion of the chipset that controls the slower devices associated with the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) and ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) buses. The southbridge chipset on a motherboard handles the computer's input/output (I/O) functions, acting as a bridge between the CPU and other peripheral devices

Answer 10

ROM (Read only memory) chip that contains a group of software programs (BIOS).

Answer 11

CMOS is a form of technology used in the design of a computer's memory chip that saves crucial configuration data Complementary metal– oxide–semiconductor (CMOS). The CMOS memory contains user information about how the computer should be turned on. Handlers and Drivers Power on Self Test (POST) Looks for Boot Devices

Answer 12

POwer on self test The POST is a simple diagnostic program that is initiated when the computer is turned on. It verifies that all the major computer components are properly installed and in working order. The POST is a series of individual functions or routines that perform various tests on the computer’s hardware. Video ROM is tested and initialized The BIOS will continue scanning for ROMs that may be installed on the computer Next… the BIOS checks if the system is booting from a cold boot or a warm boot. In the event of a warm boot, the BIOS will skip the POST routines remaining. If a cold boot is indicated, the remaining POST routines will be executed.

Answer 13

Used for attaching hardware devices to a computer. A bus system featuring a 32-bit data bus that provides a high speed bus structure. e.g. TV/Tuner Card, network cards, sound cards, modems, extra USB ports

Answer 14

Designed to replace PCI and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) and is available in several different formats: x1, x2, x4, x8, x12, x16 and x32. an expansion card that connects to a computer's motherboard using a PCIe slot.

Answer 15

Universal serial bus A bus system designed to replace the function of expansion slots. The USB is accessed by plugging a USB device into the bus at a port opening on the case. Up to 127 devices can be connected to the bus. Connect electronic equipment to devices. It allows data to transfer and delivers electric power between different devices. Its name basically shows how the sport simplifies connections between computers and peripherals. Computer keyboards, video cameras, printers, portable media players, telephones, disk drives, network adapters

Answer 16

SATA stands for Serial Advanced Technology Attachment and is a computer bus interface that connects host bus adapters to storage devices like hard drives and SSDs. A bus used to connect storage devices such as internal hard drives. offering several advantages over the older parallel interface: Reduced cable size and cost. Native hot swapping. Faster data transfer through higher signaling rates. More efficient transfer through a queuing protocol.

Answer 17

This component transfers multiple bits of data simultaneously and essentially connects various peripherals. It is normally found in older computers that allow it to connect different devices with one another for data transfer like when printing or just simple communications the PC and outwards. Printers, scanners, external drives like ZIP drives

Answer 18

Video Graphics Array Its main function is to connect video output devices to computers and projectors to display to monitors and TVs. It is mostly known as the standard component that displays graphics such as videos and photos on computer screens. Monitors, projectors, TVs, video generating devices that require the need to display graphics

Answer 19

Registered jack 45 Connects devices to a network and facilitates data transmission between devices over Ethernet cables to essentially enable communication and data sharing. Commonly used for networking and telecommunications Computers, network switches, routers, any devices that uses physical ethernet connections

Answer 20

Mainly responsible for transferring data one bit at a time over a single wire. Transmits data between devices but it's only difference in its function is that the transmission of data happens in serial form, using separate data paths Modems, printers, barcode scanners, GPS receivers, medical equipment for the main purpose of communication

Answer 21

Used for outputting audio through the transmission of audio signals from the computers to other audio devices like speakers or headphones. Known as headphones output port where the audio comes out of the way where external audio devices are connected

Answer 22

Pink atcs as the microphone input and record sounds with a microphone Blue is the line input that is used for connecting devices that output audio such as CD player or another computer. Also connects any additional audio equipment

Answer 23

Computers, sound cards, portable audio players, digital cameras, camcorder, headphones, speakers, amplifies, microphones use these pots as input devices to connect and transmit signals

Answer 24

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common services for computer programs. A collection of programs that manage and coordinate the activities taking place within the computer. The OS is the intermediary between the user and the hardware.

Answer 25

Manages and monitors resources and jobs Interfaces with Users… GUI (graphical user interface) Configures devices Manages all files Manages Security

Answer 26

The OS continuously manages your computer’s resources (such as software, disk space, and memory). The OS schedules jobs (such as documents to be printed or files to be retrieved from a hard drive). Scheduling Routines refers to the order in which jobs are carried out, as well as which commands get executed first

Answer 27

The OS translates user instructions into a form the computer can understand. The OS also translates any feedback from hardware— such as a signal that the printer has run out of paper.

Answer 28

User Interface: The means by which an operating system or any other program interacts with the user. Most operating systems use a graphical user interface (GUI).

Answer 29

The OS configures all devices connected to a computer. Device drivers (or simply drivers) are used to communicate with peripheral devices. Most modern OS look for and recognize new devices each time the computer boots.

Answer 30

Plug and Play: When an operating system installs a the appropriate driver automatically Plug and play (PnP) in computing means you can connect a new device to a computer and use it immediately without needing to install drivers or configure anything manually.

Answer 31

File Management: keeping track of the files stored on a computer so that they can be retrieved when needed. ONE can organize the files on a storage medium into folders to simplify file management. One may create additional folders, as desired, to keep their files organized. Folders can contain both files and other folders (called subfolders).

Answer 32

The operating system can use passwords, biometric characteristics (such as fingerprints) to limit access to the system. The OS can use an integrated firewall to protect against unauthorized access via the Internet or an option to download and install security patches. Passwords can also be used to ensure that administrative level operating system tasks (such as installing programs or changing system settings).

Answer 33

Holds 90% of the market. Windows 1.0 in 1985 Windows 3, 3.1, 3.11 (Operating environments for DOS) Windows 95 Windows NT Windows Me Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10 foundation of most personal PCs

Answer 34

Proprietary OS for Apple corporation. Based on the UNIX operating system that was developed in the 1970s. Uses the same structure as UNIX. Apple created first GUI (Graphical User Interface) Many OS followed Apples trend for creating a GUI. Apple created first user interface in 1984

Answer 35

Developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 when he was a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Resembles UNIX but developed completely independently from the ground up. Linux was released as Open Source to the public... anyone can see the code... some allow you to modify, customize and improve it. Linux began in the command line but now has GUI.

Answer 36

A boot sequence is the step- by-step process of bringing a computer to an operational state. When a boot sequence is initiated, it is called booting the computer. A boot sequence, also known as the boot process, is the order of steps a computer system follows when it's turned on or restarted

Answer 37

A cold boot , or hard boot, is when an electrical power switch is used to turn the computer on.

Answer 38

A warm boot, or soft boot, is used to restart a computer that is already running.

Answer 39

The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is a ROM chip on the motherboard that contains initial boot up instructions. The BIOS contains instructions needed to interact with the computer screen, keyboard, mouse, hard drive, and several other basic hardware components. The interrupt handlers tell the processor when the keyboard or other user input device gives a signal. Interrupts usually take priority above other processes, so it is “interrupting” the processes. The BIOS looks for bootable devices once it has ensured that all devices are functional. The most common bootable device is the hard drive because that is where the operating system is usually stored, however it is also possible to store a bootable system on removable media. The operating system loads and takes over the computer once the BIOS finds it on the hard drive or removable media.

Answer 40

Peripherals in computers are external devices that connect to the computer to expand its functionality or add new capabilities.

Answer 41

a driver is a software program that enables an operating system or other applications to communicate with and control a specific hardware device. It essentially acts as a translator, allowing the software to interact with the hardware without needing to know its specific technical details.

Computer Hardware Flashcards

(65 cards)