Computer Hardware

Front 1

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface
(ACPI)

Back 1

Specification developed by Intel, Compaq, Phoenix, Microsoft, and Toshiba to control power on notebooks and other devices. Windows 98 and Windows 2000/XP support ACPI.

Front 2

Advanced Power Management
(APM)

Back 2

Power management standard developed by Intel and Microsoft. APM has been superseded by ACPI.

Front 3

binary number system

Back 3

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

Front 4

BIOS
(basic input/output system)

Back 4

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

Front 5

bit
(binary digit)

Back 5

A 0 or 1 used by the binary number system

Front 6

bus

Back 6

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

Front 7

byte

Back 7

A collection of eight bits that can represent a single character

Front 8

cards

Back 8

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

Front 9

central processing unit
(CPU)

Back 9

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

Front 10

chipset

Back 10

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