1.1 Hardware

Question 1

IT

Answer 1

Refers to all technology involved with the collecting, processing and storing of data/information.

Question 2

ICT

Answer 2

Expands IT to include the transmission of data using communications technology.

Question 3

System software

Answer 3

Software that is intended to control, support or operate the computer.

Question 4

CPU

Answer 4

[Central Processing Unit]
Chip that can contain more than one ‘core’ and which connects to the motherboard using the ZIF socket. Responsible for all the processing.

Question 5

FireWire

Answer 5

Type of port that can transfer data faster than USB.

Question 6

USB

Answer 6

[Universal Serial Bus]

Most widely used connection option for attaching devices to a computer via a USB port.

Question 7

Motherboard

Answer 7

Large, electronic circuit board with slots and connectors for attaching different components and peripherals.

Question 8

Peripherals

Answer 8

Devices connected to the computer.

Question 9

RAM

Answer 9

[Random Access Memory]

Temporary, volatile storage area for all running programs and data being processed.

Question 10

SSD

Answer 10

[Solid State Drive]

Type of disk that stores data electronically.

Question 11

Bus

Answer 11

Set of electrical paths etched on a motherboard, used to transfer data between different parts.

Question 12

BIOS

Answer 12

[Basic Input Output System]
Essential startup instructions of a computer, in ROM chips on the motherboard, representing the lowest level of programming in firmware.

Question 13

CMOS

Answer 13

[Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor]
Type of memory that stores the BIOS settings that can be updated or changed. This memory is kept ‘alive’ by a small battery on the motherboard.

Question 14

Optical storage

Answer 14

Stores data by means of laser

Question 15

Caching

Answer 15

Method used to compensate for the loss of efficiency/bottleneck that becomes inevitable when a faster medium tries to communicate with a slower medium

Question 16

CPU cache

Answer 16

Special type of high speed memory built into the CPU to maximise CPU productivity

Question 17

Disk cache

Answer 17

Certain amount of high speed memory built into every hard drive. Used to cache data read from (slower) disk, to speed up the subsequent calls for the same data.

Question 18

Firmware

Answer 18

Software that is permanently installed or ‘hard-coded’ on a ROM chip and used to control the basic operation of a device.

Question 19

Flashing the ROM

Answer 19

Process whereby the existing contents of the firmware is wiped and replaced with an updated version.

Question 20

GPU

Answer 20

[Graphics Processing Unit]

Dedicated graphics processor/card used to provide extra processing power.

Question 21

Synchronise

Answer 21

Process of getting two sets of the same data files on two different devices updated with the latest copy of the file.

Question 22

Hardware interrupt

Answer 22

Dedicated communication channel whereby a device can request the immediate attention of the CPU in order to process a given function.

Question 23

Machine cycle

Answer 23

Steps taken by the CPU in carrying out instructions:

1. Fetch instructions from RAM
2. Decode
3. Execute
4. Transfer data back to RAM

Question 24

POST

Answer 24

[Power On Self Test]

Startup test performed by BIOS to ensure that all essential hardware is present and in working order.

Question 25

ROM

Answer 25

[Read Only Memory]

Permanent, non-volatile memory, associated with Firmware, which holds the startup instructions (BIOS) of the computer.

Question 26

System clock

Answer 26

Small quartz crystal that pulses at a regular frequency measured in GHz, used to coordinate the activities on a motherboard.