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72 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
what is a system unit and what are the common components?
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-case that contains electronic components of the computer used to process data
-adapter cards, processor, memory, ports, drive bays, power supply |
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what is the motherboard? chip?
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-main circuit board in system unit
-small piece of semi- conducting material on which integrated circuits are etched |
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what is a CPU and what are the 2 components that it is made up of?
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-central processing unit... interprets and carries out basic instructions that operate computer
-Control unit: directs and coordinates operations in computer ~Arithmatic Logic Unit(ALU): performs arithmatic, comparisons and logical operations |
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what is pipelining?
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CPU begins fetching second instruction before completing first...multi- tasking
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what is a register?
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temporary high speed storage area that holds data and instructions
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what is the system clock?
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controls timing of all computer operations
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what are heat sinks, heat pipes, and liquid cooling?
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heat sinks: component with fins that cools processor
heat pipes:smaller device for notebook computers liquid cooling:uses continous flow of fluid to transfer heat away |
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what is parallel processing?
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using multiple processors simultaneously to to execute a program faster
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how do computers represent data?
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most computers are digital
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what is a byte?
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-8 bits grouped together as a unit
-provides enough different combonations of 0s &1s to represent 256 individual characters |
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what is memory and how is it measured?
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-electronic components that store instructions, data, and results
-by number of bytes available for storage(K,MB,GB,TB) |
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what is RAM?
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Random Access Memory
-memory chips that can be read from and written to by processor -volatile (is lost when computer is turned off) |
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what are the 2 types of RAM?
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-SRAM(static ram):faster and more reliable than DRAM. doesn't have to be re-energized as often as dram
-DRAM(dynamic ram):most common type. must be re-enrgized constantly |
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where does memory reside?
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-on small circuit board called memory module
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what is cache memory? what are the 4 types?
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-helps speed computer processes by storing frequently used instructions and data
-L1 cache:built into processor L2 cache:slower, but has larger capacity L2 advanced transfer cache:faster and built directly on processor chip L3 cache:seperate from processor chip. is only on computers that use L2 advanced transfer cache |
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what is ROM?
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memory that stores permanent data and instructions and is non-volatile (not lost when computer's turned off)
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what is flash memory?
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-non volatile memory that can be erased electronically and re-written (PDAs,digital cameras, smart phones)
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what is CMOS?
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Complimentary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor memory
-uses battery power to retain information when other power is turned off -stores date, time,start-up instructions (used in some RAM & flash memory chips, etc) |
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what are the 4 types of memory?
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ROM, RAM, Flash memory, CMOS
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what is access time?
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-amount of time it takes processor to read data from memory
(measured in nano-seconds and is faster than a blink) |
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what is an adapter card? expansion slot?
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-enhances system unit or provides connections to external devices called peripherals
-an opening or socket on motherboard that can hold an adapter card |
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what are PC cards and Flash memory cards?
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-adds memory, storage, sounds to notebook computers
-allows users to transfer data from mobile to devices to desktop computers(USB) |
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what are ports and connectors?
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ports:connects external devices to system unit
connector:joins cable to peripherals(available in 2 genders...male and female) |
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what are different types of connectors/ports?
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-serial,USB, network,printer, keyboard
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what is a serial port and a parallel port?
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-transmit one bit of data at a time. connects slow speed devices (keyboard, mouse)
-connects devices that can transfer more than one bit at a time (printer) |
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what are USB ports? fire wire ports?
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-can connect up to 127 different peripherals together with a sigle connector type
-connects multiple types of devices that require faster data transmission(can connect up to 63 devices together) |
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what are special purpose ports?
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-allows users to attach specialized peripherals or transmit data to wireless devices
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what is a BUS and BAY?
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-channel that allows devices inside computer to communicate with each other
-open area inside system unit used to install additional equipment (drive bays typically hold disks) |
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what is storage? storage medium?
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-holds data, intructions, and results for future use
-physical material used for storage |
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what is capacity?
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-number of bytes storage can hold
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when it comes to storage, how does volatility compare?
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-storage medium is non-volatile(contents are retained when powers off), while memory is volatile
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what are the 2 funtions of storage device?
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-reading: process of transferring items from storage media to memory
-writing:process of transferring items from memory to storage media |
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what is access time?
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-time it takes storage device to locate item on storage medium
-time required to deliver item from memory to processor |
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what is a zip disk? miniture hard disk? (how much so they store)
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-magnetic medium that stores 100MB to 750MB.
-provide sers w/ greater capacities than flash memory...2GB-100GB |
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this considered a high capacity storage and is installed in system unit?
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-hard disk
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what is the difference between external hard disks and removable hard disks?
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-freestanding hard disk that connects to system unit
-hard disk u insert and remove from hard disk drive |
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this can be read only or read/write only?
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optical discs
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what is a CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM?
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-compact disc read only memory...650MB- 1GB
-compact disc recordable...disc u can write on once -compact disc rewritable...erasable disc u can write on multiple times -digital versatile disc rom ...4.7GB-17GB |
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how is data stored on a tape?
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-sequential access
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what is a PC card? smart card?
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-adds capabilities to computer
-stores data on microprocessor embedded in small card |
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what are common types of flash memory cards?
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-compact flash, smart media, secure digital, xD picture card, memory stick
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what is a USB flash drive?
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-plugs in a USB port on a computer or mobile decice...stores up to 4GB
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this stores microscopic images and has the longest life expectancy than any other storage media?
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microfilm and microfiche
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what is input? input device?
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-data or instructions entered into memory of computer
-any hardware component that allows users to enter data and instructions |
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what are the 2 types of input?
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data:unprocessed text,numbers, images, audio, and video
instructions:programs, commands , and user responses |
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when it comes to input, how is a keyboard divided?
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typing area, numeric keypad, funtion keys/special keys that issue commands
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this pointing device that fits under palm of hand is called what?
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mouse
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what is an optical mouse? trackball?
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-no moving mechanical parts inside
-stationary device w/ ball on its top or side |
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when it comes to input, what is a touch pad and a pointing stick?
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-small, flat, pointing device, sensitive to pressure and motion
-pointing device shaped like an eraser positioned between keys on keyboard |
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what is a light pen? touch screen?
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-input device that can detect light
-touch areas of screen with finger |
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what is a stylus and a digital pen?
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looks like a ball point pen, but uses pressure to write text and draw lines
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what is a portable keyboard and a docking station?
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-a portable full size keyboard u can attach or remove from PDA
-an external device that holds a mobile computer |
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what is a smart phone?tablet PC?
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-many hve built in cameras, text messaging, soun clips, etc
-mobile computer that includes handwriting recognition software |
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what is resolution?
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-sharpness and clarity of image
-the higher the resolution, the better the image quality, but the more expensive the camera |
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what is video input?
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process of entering full motion images into computer
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what is a PC video camera and Web Cam?
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-DV camera used to video and still images, and to make video telephone calls on internet
-video camera whose output displays on a web page |
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what is an optical reader?what are the 2 types?
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-device that uses light source to read characters, marks and codes and then converts tohem to digital data
-OCR(optical character recognition):reads in OCR font ~OMR(optical mark recognition)- reads handdrawn pencil marks |
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what is an RFID?MICR?
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-reads info on a tag by radio waves
-magnetic- ink chracter recognition reader...reads text with magnetized ink (banks use this) |
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what is a POS terminal?biometrics?
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-records purchases, processes credit or debit cards
-authenticates person's identity by verifying personal charactersitics (fingerprint scanner) |
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what is output and output device?
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-data that has been processed into useful form
-hardware that component that can convey info. to user |
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what is an LCD monitor?
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-uses liquid crystal display
ex)notebooks, PDAs, tablet PCs) |
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how do u use a LCD monitor with a video card?
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-plug monitor into Digital Video Interface (DVI) port on computer
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what is a plasma monitor?
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-displays image by applying voltage to layer of gas (has larger screen and higher display quality than LCD, but are more expensive)
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what is a CRT monitor?
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-contains Cathode Ray Tube
-screen coated with tiny dots of phosphor material |
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what determines the quality of a CRT monitor?
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-screen resolution
-refresh rate -text |
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how does video transfer from processor to CRT monitor?
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-video card (converts digital output from computer into analog video signal)
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what are the 4 most expensive monitors?
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-LCD
-CRT -Plasma -13" TV screen |
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what are the 2 orientations whenit comes to a printer and printing?
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landscape and portrait
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what is the resolution of a printer?
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-sharpness and clarity
-measured by number of dots per inch printer can output |
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what is voice output?
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computer talks to u thru speakers on computer
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what is a multi functional peripheral?
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provides functionality of printer, scanner, and copy machine and fax
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what other output components are available to those w/ disability
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-braille printer outputs info. in braille
-blind users can use voice output |