COMPUTER ORGANIZATION Flashcards
Hardware can be categorized as:
input and output devices external and internal memory and the CPU
MOTHERBOARD
Def
A circuit board inside the microcomputers plastic case which serves as single platform to connect all parts of the computer together
MOTHERBOARD
Components
CPU chip, Memory chip(ROM and RAM), I/O interface, Expansion slots, Other logic circuits
MOTHERBOARD
what is an expansion slot?
Connectors on the motherboard where expansion cards like display card can be connected
MOTHERBOARD
2 types of cooling systems
- Active- require power eg case fan
2. Passive- no power eg reducing operating speed of a certain component
MOTHERBOARD
What is CMOS?
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor battery
Stores setting configurations( eg for date and time in BIOS setting)
POWER SUPPLY
Function?
Converts AC from outlet into DC
POWER SUPPLY
UPS Function?
Uninterrupted Power Supply keeps Computer running for a few minutes after power goes out
POWER SUPPLY
Cooling System?
Has a fan that pulls out hot air and also circulates air throughout the entire system
CARDS
def?
Expansion device that provides certain added capabilities
CARDS
Eg?
- Video/Display-text and graphic images. Provides an interface between the system unit and the display monitor
- Sound Card- determines sound. Computer should have quality speakers and a subwoofer to support a sound card
- I/O Card-mouse and printer
- Controller card-connects cables of hard disks and floppy disks
- Network Interface Card(NIC)-enables computer to be connected to a network; get wireless conductivity or increase bandwidth
- Graphic card- to support intensive graphics
PORTS
Def?
Components used as pathways for flow of data
PORTS
eg?
- Serial-mouse modem scanner
- Parallel-printer
- Video-Monitor
- Game-joystick
- Video Graphics Adapter(VGA)-older type used for display
- Audio-pink;Mic-green;speakers-blue;line input
CPU
function?
Accepts instructions and data and executes them storing the result in the memory
CPU
Metric?
Gigahertz(GHz)-Billion instructions/sec
Megahertz(MHz)-Million instructions/sec
CPU
Components?
- ALU
- Control Unit
- Registers
CPU
What is the function of ALU?
- (*,-,/,+)
2. Logical comparisons eg of conditions:=>,== etc
CPU
Function of Control Unit?
- Directing and coordinating all operation called for by a program
- Activates the appropriate circuits necessary for inputs and outputs
- Causes the entire system to be automatic
- Controls transfer of data and instructions among other units of the computer
CPU
Outline the Machine Cycle for the Control Unit
- Fetch the instruction
- Decode the instruction
- Execute the instruction
- Store the results
CPU
Def and types of registers?
special, high purpose holding areas for both data and instructions
types- instructions registers
data registers-both data and results
Why do new computers produce more heat?
faster
Why do newer computers require more ventilation?
They compute more and produce more heat
Dangers of overheating in computers?
Reduces Battery life
Damages internal components especially the CPU
Can cause circuits and components to
become unstable
Explain the use of
aluminum and the thermal paste in the cooling structure
Thermal compound is used to maximize the contact surface area by filling in the microscopic gaps. Thermal compound acts as a cooling agent
Discuss any three
ways in which you would protect the computers from data loss.
- Backup your files
- Store in the cloud
- Use an external hard drive
- Address data security
