A+ Chapter 1

Front 1

binary number system

Back 1

the number system used by computers; it has only two numbers, 0 and 1, called binary digits, or bits.

Front 2

adapter card

Back 2

a small circuit board inserted in an expansion slot and used to communicate between the system bus and a peripheral device, also called a interface card

Front 3

BIOS (basic input/output system)

Back 3

firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as communication with the floppy drive and th emonitor

Front 4

BIOS setup bit

Back 4

The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM. also called CMOS setup

Front 5

bus

Back 5

the paths, or lines, on the motherboard on which data, instructions, and electrical power move from components to component.

Front 6

byte

Back 6

a collection of eight bits that can represent a single character.

Front 7

cards

Back 7

adapter boards or interface cards placed into expansion slots to expand the function of a computer, allowing it to communicate with external devices such as monitors or speakers.

Front 8

central processing unit (CPU)

Back 8

Also called a microprocessor or processor, the heart and brain of the computer, which receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions.

Front 9

chipset

Back 9

a group of chips on the motherboard that controls the timing and flow of data and instructions to anf from the CPU

Front 10

clock speed

Back 10

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.