Chapter 3 Flashcards
Control Unit
manages the flow of instructions within the processor
Arithmetic logic unit
performs arithmetic operations
Machine cycle
Fetching, Decoding, Executing, and Storing; the control unit do the fetching and decoding, the ALU does the executing and storing.
Random Access Memory
Temporarily stores data needed by the operating system and apps you use; located in a chip on the motherboard. When you start an app on your computer, the app’s instructions are transferred from the hard drive to the RAM.
BIOS
Basic Input and Output System, the program your computer uses to start the computer’s system when it is powered on.
Read only memory
contains the BIOS, provides a means of communication between the operating system and hardware devices.
Firware
instructions on the ROM chip
Virtual memory
when computer swaps RAM’s contents to and from the hard drive
Swap file
The area of a hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in the RAM.
Uninterruptable power supply
short term batter backup that comes on automatically in case of power loss
Surge suppressor
device that prevents power fluctuations from damaging electronic components.
Video card
an expansion card that allows the computer to send graphical information to a video display device.
Looking for a computer
Look at cpu processor and RAM, video card, GPU, storage
F5
Helps reload a page
Types of pointers
Mouse, touchpad, stylus, trackball
Hard disk
platters spin on a spindle covered with a thin layer of metal that can be magnetized or demagnetized
Solid State disk
stored on integrated circuits, no moving parts
Flash
is a form of non-volatile high speed read and write media that holds digital data.
Computer not starting
video card failure due to overheating
Bit
0 or 1
Byte
8 bits
A computer searches for memory:
first through cache then through RAM
DRAM
dynamic RAM, memory needs to be constantly recharged or contents will be erased
Static RAM
Memory can be recharged less frequently than DRAM, but can be more expensive than DRAM
MRAM
Memory uses magnetic charges to store contents and can retain its contents in the absence of power
Flash memory
can retain its contents in the absence of power, less expensive
