4. Hardware

Question 1

System Unit

Answer 1

Motherboard
CPU
Memory
Expansion slots
Expansion cards
Removable memory devices
Ports
Connectors

Question 2

Control Unit

Machine process cycle/ instruction process cycle

Answer 2

Fetching - obtain program instruction or data from memory
Decoding - translate instruction or data into commands computer understands and sends to ALU
Executing - carry out commands
Storing - write result to memory

Question 3

Memory stores 3 basic items

Answer 3

1. OS & other system software that control computer equipment
2. Application software to carry out specific task such as word processing
3. Data being processed by application software

Question 4

RAM

Answer 4

Random Access Memory

Stores information and instructions temporarily.

Volatile - data lost when computer’s turned off

Question 5

ROM

Answer 5

Read Only Memory

Stores information or instructions that do not change

Non-volatile - data not lost when computer turned off or interrupted.

Question 6

Flash Memory Chips

Answer 6

Used to contain startup instructions
Also used for many mobile devices to stare data & programs
Can be erased & rewritten to

Non-volatile memory

Question 7

Input

Answer 7

Put into memory

CPU accesses memory & processes input into output

Question 8

Data

Answer 8

Collection of unprocessed items - CPU converts data into useful info.

Question 9

Program

Answer 9

series of instructions that instructs computer as to how to perform tasks needed to process data into information.

Stored on storage media such as hard disk.

Programs respond to commands given by users.

Question 10

Command

Answer 10

instruction given to program

Instructions in form of special keys, keywords and graphical user interface (buttons, icons & other graphical objects).

Question 11

Input Devices

Answer 11

Any hardware component that allows user to enter data, programs, commands & user responses into computer.

Includes: Keyboards, pointing devices, audio & video input devices, reading devices.

Question 12

Output

Answer 12

Input data that is processed into useful information that is output

Question 13

4 types of Output

Answer 13

Text
Graphics
Audio
Video

Question 14

Output Devices

Answer 14

Any computer component that can communicate information to user

Includes: display devices, data projectors, printers, interactive white-board, speakers, earphones,

Question 15

Nonimpact Printers

Answer 15

Creates marks on paper without striking it

Ink-Jet

Laser

Thermal

Question 16

Ink-jet VS Laser

Answer 16

Ink Jet

Cheaper
High-quality text & graphics in black & white & colour
Use liquid ink
Sprays tiny droplets to mark paper

Laser

More expensive
Faster
Higher quality black & white
Uses toner - powered ink
Uses pressure & heat to mark paper

Question 17

Storage Media

Answer 17

Physical material on which data, instructions and information are stored

Question 18

Storage Device

Answer 18

Used to record and retrieve items to and from storage medium.

Function as input and output devices
Reading - input
Writing - output

Question 19

Storage

Answer 19

Storage media & devices
Stores items when not being processed
Non-volatile