Computer Structure Final 1 Flashcards
A special very high speed memory called __________ is used to increase the speed of processing by making current programs and data available to the CPU at a rapid rate.
Cache
Most of the main memory is made up of what two chips
RAM integrated Chips
ROM chips
What does RAM stand for
Random Access Memory
RAM is available in two possible operating modes What are they?
Static and Dynamic
ROM stands for what
Read only memory
ROM is used for……….?
storing programs that are permently resident in the computer and for tables of constants that do not change in value once the production of the computer is completed
What is Bootstrap Loader
It is a portion of ROM needed for storing an initial program, which is to start the computer software operating when the power is turned off
A Cluster is the….
smallest unit of disk space that MS-DOS could allocate to a file.
What does a cluster consist of
One or more Sectors
How is cluster sized determined
By the OS when the disk is formatted
(cluster) Generally, the larger the disk drive;…..
the more sectors per cluster
Each sector holds
512 bytes (FAT 32)
Cluster are too small……
to hold larger files
FAT sectors are gathered in clusters:…?
2,4,8,16,32,64 sectors
NFTS stands for what?
New Technology file System
What system does Windows 7, and 8 hold and with how many bytes per sector
NFTS
4096 bytes per sector
Partitioning makes hard disk compatible with the…….
Operating system
Partitioning prepares what….
the hard disk for high-level format
Partitioning divides the…..
hard disk into two or more partitions or makes it all one large partition
What command is partitioning performed with
FDISK or DISKPART
What does RAID stand for
redundant array of inexpensive disks
RAID does what?
combines multiple small, inexpensive disk drives into a group to yield performance exceeding that of one large, more expensive drive
What does RAID appear to the computer as?
As a single virtual drive
What does RAID support?
It supports fault-tolerance by redundantly storing information in various ways
what are the five types of array architectures and what the difference?
RAID 1-5
Different disk fault-tolerance
Different trade-offs in features and performance
A non-redundant array of disk drives is often referred to as
RAID 0
Which RAIDs are commonly used
Only RAID 0,1,3 and 5
Which raids do not offer any significant advantages over these other types
RAID 2,4
What is a parity check
An extra bit added to a byte to detect errors in storage or transmission
A single parity can only detect….
single bit errors since if an even number of bits are wrong then the parity bit will not change
1)What does RAID provide?
Fault tolerance, it does not prevent disk drive failures but enables real-time data recovery
High I/O performance
Mass data capacity
2) What does RAID provide?
Configuration flexibility
Lower protected storage costs
Easy Maintenance
what does USB stand for
Universal Serial Bus
It is a…. developed in…..
An industry wide cable bus standard developed in 1995
USB brings….
brings plug and play to peripheral devices
A single USB channel can handle up to ____ peripheral devices
127 peripheral devices
Does a USB require a separate adapter card?
No
USB allows for fast _______ communication between a _____and ______ peripherals
allows for fast bi-directional communication between a host computer and hot-pluggable peripherals
IEEE-1394 can accommodate a maximum of how many devices
63 devices per port
USB versus Firewire-name three things common to both
Both are cable expansion buses
Both use small cable with peripherals that are hot -pluggable
both use daisy-chaining to connect peripherals
What is USB’s and Firewire’s top speed?
USB’s top speed is 480 Megabits/second
Firewire runs at 100, 200, and 400 Megabits/second with much higher speeds in the works
How any conductors do USB’s and Firewire’s cable have?
Firewire cable has 6 conductors (4 data/clocks and 2 power)
USB has 4 conductors ( 2 power and 2 data)
USB is aimed primarily at the…
Fire wire is used for….
USB is aimed primarily at the PC peripheral market
while Firewire is used for computer interfaces to consumer electronic products like digital camcorders , VCR’s, digital televisions, and other audio visual products.
Data flows through the computer between the CPU and….
between the CPU and the RAM
between the CPU and video
between the CPU and other devices
the North bridge …..
is the bridge closest to the CPU that connects the CPU to video and/or memory
the South bridge…..
is the farther bridge that handles all of the inputs and outputs to the many devices in the PC
What does BIOS stand for
Basic Input Output System
BIOS is firmware that Identifies connected system devices ( name six)
CPU, RAM, Keyboard, Mouse, CD-ROM, Display
BIOS is firmware that does two other main operation what are they?
tests system devices (power-on self-test)
Initializes the system devices
What is BIOS Firmware?
Software that comes embedded in its own memory chip
What two types of memory are used for BIOS firmware?
EEPROM-Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only memory
EPROM- Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
Older PC’s used EPROM
Could be erased by exposure to ultraviolet light also know as Flashing BIOS
the motherboard is set up to initialize its operations using…
BIOS
What does CMOS stand for
Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors
What is important to know about the life of CMOS
it is volatile its kept alive by the battery
CMOS only stores….
Changeable data
not programs
and acts as clock to keep data current
CMOS is what via SETUP program
Customizable
Where is CMOS often times
on the Southbridge
Name five features of the BIOS
programs Non-Volatile Can be changed by flashing typically 64 K of programs Often separate chip
Name five features of the CMOS
data volatile changed via CMOS setup typically 128 K of day (though chip size is typically 64 K) Often on the Southbridge
What is a device driver
Is a file that contains the BIOS commands necessary to communicate with the devices they support
All devices come with….
their own device drivers
Device drivers don’t start until…
the OS starts them
What does POST stand for
Power on self test
Where is the post stored on
when is it initiated
Checks out….
ROM Chip
when the computer is turned on or is reset
the system every time the computer boots
The POST communicates….
Errors
beep codes and text errors
