Chapter 3 Hardware Flashcards
What are the main uses of a computer?
- Run a program
2. Store data
Which are the categories in a memory system hierarchy?
- Processor components - Register
- Primary Storage
- Secondary storage
What components does the Primary Storage contain?
The Primary Storage contains Cache memory and Main memory.
What does Cache memory do and what is it constructed of?
The Cache memory Stores data that is the most likely to be used by the processor and it is constructed of SRAM technology.
What does Main Memory do and what is it constructed of?
The Main Memory stores the data that the Cache memory needs to provide to the processor and it is constructed of DRAM technology.
What components does the Secondary Storage contain?
The Secondary Storage contains the Hard disk and the Auxiliary storage.
What does the Auxiliary storage do?
The Auxiliary storage contains a copy of the data in the Hard disk in case the data from the Hard disk gets accidentally deleted.
What does the Hard disk do?
The Hard disk stores the data of all the applications and software on the computer.
To which components does the processor have direct access to?
Register
Cache memory
Main memory
What does volatile mean?
Volatile means that information is lost when the computer is shut down.
What is Random Access Memory or RAM?
RAM is a volatile memory that can be read from and written to any number of times.
What is DRAM or Dynamic RAM?
DRAM are capacitors which leak electricity therefore need recharging every few milliseconds or the data on it will be deleted.
What is SRAM or Static RAM constructed of and what does it do?
SRAM is constructed of flip-flops which continue to store data even if the computer is switched off and compared to DRAM it takes shorter time to access.
What is a Read Only Memory or ROM?
A ROM is a non-volatile memory that can not be written to but, can be read from
What is PROM?
PROM is a programmable ROM.
What is EPROM?
EPROM is an Erasable PROM.
What is EEPROM?
EEPROM is an Electrically Erasable PROM.
What is a device driver?
A device driver is a software installed that controls a device.
Which parts of a computer are Magnetic Media?
Magnetic tape and Hard Disk are Magnetic Media.