Chapter 1 - Computer Hardware Flashcards
What is the definition of a CPU?
Central Processing Unit. Part of the computer whose function is to perform data processing.
What is the BIOS?
Basic Input Output System. A combination of low-level software and drivers that function as the interface, intermediary, or layer between a computer’s hardware and its operating system.
What is the definition of POST?
Power On Self-Test. A diagnostic test of the computer’s hardware for presence and operability during the boot sequence prior to running the operating system.
Is the information stored on a computer’s ROM chip lost during a proper shutdown?
No.
Is the information contained on a computer’s RAM chip accessible after a proper shutdown?
No.
Can information stored in the BIOS ever change?
Yes.
What is the purpose of a computer’s ROM chip?
Long-term or permanent storage of information and instructions.
Is the information contained in RAM considered volatile or nonvolatile?
Volatile.
What is the maximum number of drive letters that can be used for partitions on a Windows system?
- Windows uses the letter C-Z for drive letters but reserves the drive letters A and B for floppy disks.
What is the smallest area on a drive that can be written to?
A sector.
What is the smallest area on a drive that a file can be written to?
A cluster.
How can one calculate the size of a hard drive using the CHS (Cylinder Head Sector) system?
Cylinder x Header x Sector x 512 bytes
How can one calculate the size of a hard drive using the LBA (Logical Block Addressing) system?
LBA Sectors x 512 bytes
Which is not considered exclusively an output device: monitor, printer, CD-RW drive, or speaker?
CD-RW drive because it can be both read from and written to.
What is the electrical pathway used to transport data from one computer component to another?
Bus
What is the main component of a computer to which essential internal devices such as CPU, RAM, and other chipsets are attached?
Motherboard
IDE, SCSI, and SATA are different types of interfaces describing what device?
Hard Drives
What do the terms Master, Slave, and Cable Select refer to?
Jumper settings for internal hardware such as IDE hard drives and CD drives.
What can you assume about a hard drive that is pinned as CS?
It’s an IDE drive. (CS is for Cable Select)
What is found at Cylinder 0, Head 0, Sector 1 on a hard drive?
Master Boot Record
What is the first sector on a volume called?
Volume Boot Record
How large is the MBR?
64 bytes
How many entries does the MBR contain and how large are those entries?
4 entries, 16 bytes each
