Hardware Flashcards
What is hardware?
This refers to the physical components of a computer.
What are the types of hardware devices?
Input devices
Output devices.
processing devices
storage devices.
What are input devices?
They are devices that help a user to enter data and instructions into the computer.
What are output devices?
They turn machine language into human language and brings out processed data for a user.
Mention two examples each of input devices and output devices.
Input devices
keyboard, microphone, scanner.
Output devices
Projector, monitor, speaker, printer.
What is the CPU?
The CPU carries out instructions of a computer program by performing basic arithmetic, logical, control and input output operations specified by the instructions.
What are the divisions under the CPU?
Control unit and arithmetic logical unit.
What is the function of the ALU?
It performs arithmetic and logical operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
What is the function of the CU?
It controls the fetching and execution of instructions by directing the coordinated operations of ALU registers and other components.
What are registers
They are temporary storage areas for instructions or data.
Mention three types of registers
Memory address register
Memory data register.
Instruction register
Program counter register.
What is meant by the machine cycle
This is a series of stages that the CPU takes to execute an instruction.
Explain the steps of the machine cycle.
Fetch
retrieves an instruction from the memory
Decode
translates the retrieved instructions into a series of computer commands
Execute
this is where commands are executed
Store
processed data(results) are sent or written back into memory.
Define memory address
This is a unique identifier used by a device or CPU for data tracking
What’s the computer bus
This is about to be through which the processor communicate to the internal and external devices attached to the computer.
What is an address bus
This is a pathway that carries the address and information used to describe the memory location to which data is being sent.
What’s the difference between a data bus and an address bus?
Data bus carries data while address bus carries instruction.
What is processor speed
speed at which a microprocessor executes an instruction.
Differentiate between storage, media and storage device.
Storage media is where data or information is actually stored while storage device is what helps to read or write on a storage media.
What is the difference between reading and writing?
reading is transferring data information and instructions from a storage medium into the computers memory.
Writing is the process of transferring data ,and information and instructions from the computers memory to a storage media.
Define primary storage media.
This type of memory is directly accessible to the CPU.
Mention the two types of primary storage media
RAM and ROM.
What is RAM?
So a computer writes or reads information to and from the RAM for processing by the CPU.
What is ROM?
it is built in computer memory that contains data that can only be read.
Mentioned the four types of ROM
PROM.-Programmable ROM
EPROM.- Erasable PROM
EEPROM.-Electrically EPROM
EAPROM.-Electrically Alterable PROM
Mention the two types of RAM
Static rua and dynamic ram.
Mention three differences between ROM and RAM.
ROM
Non volatile
Only read
Non expandable
Assessed by the CPU through RAM.
Permanent.
Holds data with no electricity
Stars few megabytes of data.
RAM
Volatile
read and write.
Expandable
Temporary.
Cannot hold data without power.
Stores multiple gigabytes of data
What is cache memory?
This is a smaller, faster memory which stores copies of data from the most frequently used main memory locations.
What is a secondary storage media
This is a stage made there, which does not lose data when the device is powered down.
Mention the types of secondary storage media
Solid states
Magnetic
Optical
What is a magnetic storage media?
This is a storage media that uses magnetization process to write, rewrite and access data.
Managing two examples of magnetic storage media.
Hard disk drive
Floppy disk
Zip disk.
Flash drive.
Magnetic tape
Define optical storage media.
This is a type of barking storage that stores data, instruction and information on a rigid computer storage disk
Managing three differences between a primary storage and a secondary storage
Primary Storage
Relatively smaller storage capacity
Not easily removable.
The computer cannot be run without it
Main storage.
Faster access rate than the secondary storage.
Found on the motherboard.
Secondary Storage
Relatively larger storage capacity.
Easily removable.
The computer can be run without it.
Backup storage.
Slower access rate than primary storage.
Found outside the motherboard.
Define file system
This is the structure and logical rules used to manage groups of information and their names.
Mention the two categories of file systems.
disk file system.
Hierarchical file system.
What is the system unit?
This is a case for all internal components of the computer system.
What is the motherboard?
This is the main component of the computer that connects all other parts of the computer
What is a port?
it is a socket outside the system unit that is plugged onto the motherboard and connects external devices to the computer through the motherboard.
Mention three examples of ports.
PS/2 keyboard and mouse
HDP4,
USB
VGA
Ethernet/Network
What is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor battery?
This powers the memory for date and time on the BIOS chip.
What are dual devices
These are devices that can be used to perform both inputs and output functions.
Mention three examples of dual devices.
Modem.
NIC
Smartphones
Headsets
Whiteboards
Touchscreen
Sound card
Game consoles
ATM machines