02 The Visible Computer

Question 1

What are the steps of the computing process?

Answer 1

1. STORAGE:Data, stored on hard drive, cd ROM, etc. is accessed and loaded into ram for processing 2. INPUT from the user is provided about how to process the data. 3. PROCESSING: the data in RAM is processed by the CPU 4. OUTPUT is provided back to the user through the monitor, printer, speakers, system beep, etc. This allows the user to see/ hear the results of what they ask the computer to do with the data. The user has the option to provide further input To further process the data as much as they would like while viewing output results from the computer. 5. STORAGE: When the user is satisfied with the result of processing the data, the resulting (or modified) data can be returned from ram to storage (hard drive, CD – R, USB drive, etc.)

Question 2

What is the name of the main part of a computer That houses the motherboard, cooling system, power supply and that has Places to plug in the monitor, mouse, keyboard, etc.?

Answer 2

System unit

Question 3

What is a “peripheral”?

Answer 3

Anything other than the system unit that is external to the system unit and plugs into it as an input or output device. Examples of peripherals are: monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, printer scanner, etc.

Question 4

What kinds of monitors are covered on the exam?

Answer 4

LCD (or LED) monitors (Flat panel modern monitors) CRT or cathode ray tube monitors (Big dinosaur monitors)

Question 5

What is the name for the connections on the back of the system unit that allow for connecting peripherals such as printers, monitors etc.?

Answer 5

Ports

Question 6

How many pins does a standard ethernet connector have?

Answer 6

Eight pins

Question 7

What is the official name Of an ethernet connector?

Answer 7

RJ 45

Question 8

What are eSATA connectors designed for?

Answer 8

They are almost exclusively designed for external hard drives. They are very powerful, superfast connections.

Question 9

what does eSATA stand for?

Answer 9

External SATA

Question 10

What does an eSATA Connector look like?

Answer 10

eSATA

Question 11

What does S/PDIF stand for?

Answer 11

Sony/Philips digital interface

Question 12

What does a S/PDIF connector look like?

Answer 12

S/PDIF

Question 13

Briefly explain what is unique about S/PDIF connectors.

Answer 13

S/PDIF cables are fiber optic connections used for high-end audio. If you have a S/PDIF connector on the back of your computer, chances are you have a good High quality home theater system.

Question 14

What do DVI connectors look like?

Answer 14

DVI

Question 15

What kind of information is transferred over an S/PDIF connection?

Answer 15

Audio only, (no video)

Question 16

What is the primary video output for most systems today?

Answer 16

DVI

Question 17

What does HDMI stand for?

Answer 17

High definition multimedia interface

Question 18

What kind of information is transferred over an HDMI connection?

Answer 18

Both audio and video

Question 19

What does an HDMI connector look like?

Answer 19

HDMI

Question 20

What does a 1/8 inch or mini RCA jack look like?

Answer 20

Mini RCA jack

Question 21

What is the cheapest, Most common way to connect a set of standard headphones or a simple stereo speaker set to a computer? I.e., what kind of connector is used?

Answer 21

A 1/8 inch Or mini RCA jack (Standard on headphones, iPods, portable CD players, etc.)

Question 22

How is a 1/8 inch or mini RCA connector used on a computer?

Answer 22

It is either used for a direct connection between the computer and a set of speakers, or between the computer and a microphone.

Question 23

What is the audio line in port on the back of a computer?

Answer 23

It is for taking audio from another input source. It accepts 1/8 inch or mini RCA jacks

Question 24

What do the ports on the back of a computer look like for a 5.1 speaker system?

Answer 24

There are three ports that accept standard 1/8 inch or mini RCA jacks. One port is for side speakers, another port is for rear speakers, and the third port is for the center speaker and the subwoofer. So, each port controls 2 speakers

Question 25

What does a FireWire 400 connector look like?

Answer 25

FireWire 400

Question 26

What do DIN connections look like?

Answer 26

DIN

Question 27

What do D sub connections look like?

Answer 27

They are the name for all the legacy connectors for serial ports, monitors, parallel ports, etc. that have two screws on either end and the connectors are in the shape of a D. The number of pens depends on the type of D sub connector.

Question 28

How would you describe a serial port?

Answer 28

A nine pin DB connector

Question 29

What have serial ports historically been used for?

Answer 29

Serial ports were used for mice and even printers back in the day.

Question 30

How would you describe a parallel port?

Answer 30

A 25 pin female D sub connector

Question 31

What is the history of parallel ports and what are they mostly used for?

Answer 31

Parallel ports were some of the original ports on computers back 30 years ago when IBM first came out with the first computers. Parallel ports are mostly used for printers.

Question 32

What is a unique characteristic of a VGA connector?

Answer 32

Unlike other D sub connectors which have two rows of pins, Such as serial ports and parallel ports, VGA connectors have three rows of pins

Question 33

How would you describe a VGA connector?

Answer 33

Usually color coded as blue, VGA connectors are 15 pin D sub connectors. Unlike parallel ports and serial port which have two rows of pins, D sub connectors have three rows of pins with five pins on each row.

Question 34

What is the history of the VGA connector?

Answer 34

It is the oldest type of video connector that there ever was

Question 35

Name three computer ports that are now considered legacy ports (that accept legacy connectors)

Answer 35

Serial ports, Parallel ports, VGA ports

Question 36

Name of old-fashioned keyboard and mouse ports

Answer 36

PS/2 or mini-DIN

Question 37

What’s an S/PDIF Connection on the back of a computer?

Answer 37

Higher-end audio output

Question 38

What are the three types of ports the can out put to a monitor?

Answer 38

DVI, VGA, HDMI

Question 39

What’s the name of a two speaker system that also has a subwoofer (3rd speaker)?

Answer 39

2.1 speaker system

Question 40

What’s the name of a two speaker sound system?

Answer 40

Stereo sound system

Question 41

The power supply on a system unit converts standard household current to what to voltages?

Answer 41

5 V and 12 V DC