Hardware vs Software Flashcards
What 3 things does hardware require to operate
Software, electricity, and a method of communicating with the CPU
What are Device Drivers
Low Level software allowing the device to communicate wit OS
what does Application software do?
they extend the capability of the device
how do we get electricity to the components
directly or through an alternate power supply
what are ways to communicate with the cpu
data pathway called a bus, IRQ, I/O addresses, DMA Channels
Binary Numbering system
On 1, Off 0
What is a Chipset
One or more chip(s) imbeded into the motherboard that provide a various function for the computer
a smaller set of chips that replaced a larger ammount of chips on the motherboard
what is a chipsets job
to control dataflow between CPU Prepherials Bus Slots and memory
what are the 2 most important parts of the chipset that define the function capabilities of the PC with the CPU
Northernbridge and Sothernbridge
What are FN the Chipset is responsible for
Memory control, audio FN, Video Display FN, System Control BUS, Other system Mngmt FN
NorthBridge
The chip directly connected to the CPU, Responsible for the tasks that require the highest levels of Performance
Southbridge
second of the two major chips implements slower capabilities of the motherboard.
what is a BUS
set of pathways that allow data and signals to travel between components on the motherboard
Front Side Bus
the connection between the CPU and the North Bridge Chipset
Form Factors
refers to the size and shape of a motherboard
Firmware
type of software imbedded in the motherboard it provides instructions for the motherboard to start up and communicate with other components
BIOS
Basic Input/ Output system - is a set of software instructions stored on a chip on the mother board that enables based computer functions
CMOS
Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor is an area that stores the BIOS configuration information
POST
(Power On Self Test) checks core hardware Fns
RAM
Random Access Memory system memory for running applications
ROM
Read Only Memory chips on the Motherboard and devices that store instructions permanently. reatains data when the system is powered off