Question | Answer |
RAM | Memory modules RAM 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 | Chips that ROM contain programming code and cannot be erased |
S/PDIF | A sound S/PDIF port that connects to an external home theater audio system, providing digital output and the best signal quality. |
secondary storage | Storage that secondary storage is remote to the CPU and permanently holds data, even when the PC is turned off, such as a hard drive. |
serial ATA | An ATAPI serial ATA cabling method that uses a narrower and more reliable cable than the 80–conductor cable. See also parallel ATA |
serial port | A male serial port 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,software or instructions to perform a specific task. Software may be BIOS, OSs, or applications software such as a wordprocessing or spreadsheet program. |
solid state drive | A hard solid state drive drive that has no moving parts. Also see solid state device (SSD). |
startup BIOS | Part of startup BIOS 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 system BIOS on the motherboard |
system board | The main system board board in the computer, Also called the system board. The CPU, ROM chips, DIMMs, RIMMs, and interface cards are plugged into the motherboard. |
system bus | The bus system 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. |
traces | A wire traces on a circuit board that connects two components or devices. |
universal serial bus | A type universal serial bus 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 video card card installed in the computer to control visual output on a monitor. Also called display adapter or graphics card. |
video memory | Memory used video memory by the video controller. The memory might be contained on a video card or be part of system memory. When part of system memory, the memory is dedicated by Windows to video. |
volatile | Refers to volatile a kind of RAM that is temporary, cannot hold data very long, and must be frequently refreshed |