Term
| Why is all data stored in a computer in binary form? |
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Definition
| Binary is the format that the computer "understands," not a programming language or a human |
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Term
| What are the four primary functions of hardware? |
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Definition
| Input, processing, output, and storage. |
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Term
| What are the two main input devices and two main output devices? |
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Definition
| The two main input devices are the keyboard and the mouse. The two main output devices are the monitor and the printer. |
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Term
| What three things do electronic hardware devices need in order to function? |
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Definition
| A method for the CPU to communicate with the device, software to instruct and control the device, and electricity to power the device. |
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Term
| How many bits are in a byte? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard? |
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Definition
| An expansion slot on a motherboard is used for an expansion card, which enables a |
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Term
| Which component on the motherboard is used primarily for processing? |
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Definition
| The CPU (central processing unit), also called the processor. |
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Term
| Name the two main CPU manufacturers. |
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Definition
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Term
| Order the following ports according to speed, placing the fastest port first: FireWire, eSATA, USB. |
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Definition
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Term
| What are two other names for the system bus? |
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Definition
| Possible answers: Memory bus, host bus, front side bus, external bus. |
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Term
| What type of output does a S/PDIF port provide? |
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Definition
| High quality sound to an audio system. |
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Term
| Why is an SSD hard drive more reliable under rugged conditions than an IDE hard drive? |
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Definition
| Because the SSD drive has no moving parts. |
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Term
| How is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data cable or a power cable? |
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Definition
| Follow the cable from its source to its destination. |
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Term
| List three types of ports that are often found coming directly off the motherboard to be used by external devices. |
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Definition
| Possible answers: Serial port, parallel port, USB port, network port, FireWire or 1394 |
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Term
| What is the purpose of the S/PDIF port? |
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Definition
| The S/PDIF port connects to an external home theater audio system, providing digital output and the best signal quality. |
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Term
| What is the most common type of memory module? |
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Definition
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Term
| What is the difference between volatile and nonvolatile memory? |
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Definition
| Volatile memory is temporary and needs a constant electrical charge to hold data. Nonvolatile memory is permanent and holds memory even when electricity is turned off. |
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Term
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Definition
| Primary storage, secondary storage. |
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Term
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Definition
| PATA (parallel ATA), also called EIDE (enhanced integrated drive electronics) or IDE. |
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Term
| What is the measurement of frequency of a system bus and CPU? Which is faster, the system bus or the CPU? |
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Definition
| Frequency is generally measured in Hz, MHz, or GHz. The CPU is faster than the system bus. |
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Term
| Name three types of buses that are likely to be on a motherboard today. |
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Definition
| Possible answers: PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), AGP (Accelerated Graphics |
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Term
| 5, and 12 volts of ____ power. |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
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Term
| CMOS setup allows a technician to change configuration settings on a motherboard stored in ______. |
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Definition
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Term
| Name three examples of secondary storage devices. |
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Definition
| Some possible answers: CD drive, hard drive, floppy drive, DVD drive, Zip drive, Blu-ray drive. |
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Term
| and a gigahertz is ________ cycles per second. |
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Definition
| A hertz is one cycle per second. A megahertz is one million cycles per second. A gigahertz is one billion cycles per second. |
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Term
| An AGP slot is normally used for a(n) _______ expansion card. |
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Definition
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Term
| How many sizes of PCI Express slots are currently manufactured for personal computers? |
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Definition
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Term
| Name the three purposes the motherboard ROM BIOS serves? |
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Definition
| The BIOS is used to manage simple devices (system BIOS), the BIOS is used to start the computer (startup BIOS), and the BIOS is used to change settings on the motherboard (CMOS setup). |
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Term
| From where does CMOS RAM receive its power when the computer is not turned on? |
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Definition
| CMOS RAM is powered by a trickle of electricity from a small battery located on the motherboard or computer case. |
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