Save
Busy. Please wait.
Log in with Clever
or
show password
Forgot Password?
Don't have an account?  Sign up 
Sign up using Clever
or
Username is available taken
show password


Make sure to remember your password. If you forget it there is no way for StudyStack to send you a reset link. You would need to create a new account. Your email address is only used to allow you to reset your password. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Already a StudyStack user? Log In

Reset Password
Enter the associated with your account, and we'll email you a link to reset your password.
focusNode
Didn't know it?
click below
 
Knew it?
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
0:00
edit
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

  Normal Size     Small Size show me how

CIT165 HW Ch 1

CIT165 HW Comp Chapter 1 Intro Hardware

QuestionAnswer
adapter card A card used by the CPU to communicate with devices inside and outside the case.
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 computer’s input/output functions, such as communication with the floppy drive and the monitor. Also called ROM BIOS.
BIOS setup bit Used to change some settings on the motherboard.
bit(binary digit) A 0 or 1 used by the binary number system.
bus The paths, or lines, on the motherboard on which data, instructions, and electrical power move from component to component.
byte A collection of eight 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 microprocessor or processor. The heart and brain of the computer, which receives data input, processes 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, are slower, and produce less heat than earlier technologies. The configuration, or setup, chip is a CMOS chip.
CMOS RAM region of memory that uses battery power to retain data after the PC is shut off.
CMOS setup A chip on the motherboard that contains a very small amount of memory, or RAM enough to hold configuration, or setup, information about the computer The chip is powered by a battery when the PC is turned off.
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 lines, which can accommodate 8, 16, 32, and 64 bits at a time.
DIMM (dual inline memory module) A miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard to hold memory. DIMMs can hold up to 2 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) See Floppy drive.
floppy drive An older secondary storage device sometimes found inside the case.
front side bus (FSB) Another term for the system bus.
gigahertz (GHz) One thousand MHz, or one billion cycles per second.
graphics card See video card.
hard copy Output from a printer to paper.
hard drive The main secondary storage device of a PC, a small case that contains magnetic coated platters that rotate at high speed.
hardware The physical components that constitute the computer system, such as the monitor, the keyboard, the motherboard, and the printer.
hertz (Hz) Unit of measurement for frequency, calculated in terms of vibrations, or cycles per second. For example, for 16-bit stereo sound, a frequency of 44,000 Hz is used.
host bus another term for the system bus.
keyboard A common input device through which data and instructions may be typed into computer memory.
main board another term for motherboard.
megahertz (MHz) One million Hz, or one million cycles per second.
memory Physical microchips that can hold data and programming, located on the motherboard or expansion cards.
microprocessor another term for the CPU.
monitor The most commonly used output device for displaying text and graphics on a computer.
motherboard The main board in the computer, also called the system board. The CPU, ROM chips, SIMMs, DIMMs, RIMMs, and interface cards are plugged into the motherboard.
mouse A pointing and input device that allows the user to move a cursor around a screen and select items with the click of a button.
non-volatile memory
Parallel ATA (PATA) The older and slower ATA standard.
parallel port female 25-pin port on a computer that can transmit data in parallel, 8 bits at a time, and is usually used with a printer. The names for parallel ports are LPT1 and LPT2.
peripheral device Devices that communicate with the CPU but are not located directly on the motherboard, such as the monitor, floppy drive, printer, and mouse.
port (1) As applied to services running on a computer, a number assigned to a process on a computer so that the process can be found by TCP/IP. (2) Another name for an I/O address.(3) A physical connector, usually at the back of a computer.
power supply A box inside the computer case that supplies power to the motherboard and other installed devices. Power supplies provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC.
primary storage Temporary storage on the motherboard used by the CPU to process data and instructions. Memory is considered primary storage.
printer A peripheral output device that produces printed output to paper. Different types include dot matrix, ink-jet, and laser printers.
processor another term for the CPU.
program A set of step-by-step instructions to a computer. Some are burned directly into chips, while others are stored as program files. Programs are written in languages such as BASIC and C++.
protocol A set of rules and standards that two entities use for communication.
RAM (random access memory) Memory modules on the motherboard containing microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. Information in RAM is lost when the PC is turned off.
ROM (read-only memory) Chips that contain programming code and cannot be erased.
S/PDIF (Sony-Philips Digital Interface) sound port connects S/PDIF sound card to the motherboard.
secondary storage Storage that is remote to the CPU and permanently holds data, even when the PC is turned off, such as a hard drive.
serial ATA (SATA) The newer and faster ATA technology.
serial port A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4.
software Computer programs, or instructions to perform a specific task. Software may be BIOS, OSs, or applications software such as a word-processing or spreadsheet program.
startup BIOS Part of system BIOS that is responsible for controlling the PC when it is first turned on. Startup BIOS gives control over to the OS once it is loaded.
system BIOS BIOS located on the motherboard.
system board Another term for the motherboard.
system bus 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.
system clock A line on a bus that is dedicated to timing the activities of components connected to it. The system clock provides a continuous pulse that other devices use to time themselves.
trace A wire on a circuit board that connects two components or devices.
USB (universal serial bus) port A type of port designed to make installation and configuration of I/O devices easy, providing room for as many as 127 devices daisy-chained together.
video card An interface card installed in the computer to control visual output on a monitor. Also called display adapter.
video memory Memory chips embedded on a video card.
volatile Refers to a kind of RAM that is temporary, cannot hold data very long, and must be frequently refreshed.
Created by: Leisac
Popular Computers sets

 

 



Voices

Use these flashcards to help memorize information. Look at the large card and try to recall what is on the other side. Then click the card to flip it. If you knew the answer, click the green Know box. Otherwise, click the red Don't know box.

When you've placed seven or more cards in the Don't know box, click "retry" to try those cards again.

If you've accidentally put the card in the wrong box, just click on the card to take it out of the box.

You can also use your keyboard to move the cards as follows:

If you are logged in to your account, this website will remember which cards you know and don't know so that they are in the same box the next time you log in.

When you need a break, try one of the other activities listed below the flashcards like Matching, Snowman, or Hungry Bug. Although it may feel like you're playing a game, your brain is still making more connections with the information to help you out.

To see how well you know the information, try the Quiz or Test activity.

Pass complete!
"Know" box contains:
Time elapsed:
Retries:
restart all cards