Intro to PC Flashcards
describe the A+ certification
CompTIA A+ 201-801 (hardware & procedures)
CompTIA A+ 202-802 (software & troubleshooting)
describe the EUCIP Cert
4 modules -
1) PC Hardware
2) Operating Systems
3) Networks
4) IT Security
decribe a computer system
hardware (physical components) & software (operating systems & programs)
describe computer cases (purpose & characteristics)
- provide protection & support for components
- should be durable & has room to expand
- size/shape (port layout) depends on the motherboard/power supply
describe power supply
- converts AC to DC
- must provide enough power for components
- everything is designed to fit together, so no forcing things in
Ohm’s Law
V = IR or P = IV
internal components of a pc
1) motherboard
2) CPU
3) Cooling systems
4) ROM and RAM
5) Adapter cards
6) Storage drives
7) Internal Cables
Motherboard
- the main circuit board
- contains buses (electrical pathways) that allow data to travel from different components
- accommodates all the different components in a pc
what is a motherboard’s form factor
the size, shape and layout of a motherboard
what is the chipset?
a variety of integrated circuits attached to the motherboard that controls how the CPU interacts with the system hardware
the two components of a chipset
Northbridge
(controls access to the RAM, video card, and the speeds at which the CPU can communicate with them. The video card is sometimes integrated into the Northbridge)
Southbridge
(allows the CPU to communicate with the hard drive, sound card, USB ports, and other I/O ports)
what does the CPU
execute a program, which is a sequence of stored instructions
while the CPU executes one step of the program,
the remaining instructions and data are stored in a special memory called cache
the two major CPU architecture related to instruction sets
- reduced instruction set computer (RISC) - small set of instructions designed to be executed rapidly
- complex instruction set computer (CISC) - broad set of instructions meant to reduce number of steps
what is hyperthreading or hypertransport
executing multiple pieces of code at one time, enhancing the performance of the CPU
the speed of the CPU is measured in -
cycles per second - MHz and GHz
what is overclocking
a technique used to make a processor work at a faster speed than its original specification. this is not a reliable way to improve computer performance, and can lead to damages to the CPU
the components of a cooling system
- case fan
- heat sink (draws heat away from the core of the CPU)
what is ROM
- Read only memory
- stores basic instructions for booting the computer and loading the operating systems
- ROM chips retain their content even after the computer is shut down
- located on the motherboard & contains instructions that can be directly access by the CPU
what is RAM
- Random access memory
- temporary storage for data and programs accessed by the CPU
- more RAM means more capacity to hold and execute programs, as well as enhance computer performance
what are memory modules
memory chips that are soldered onto a special circuit board for easy access and removal
Cache
- SRAM (static RAM) is used as cache memory to store the most frequently used data, provides faster access to the data compared to DRAM
3 types of cache memory
L1 cache - internal cache & is integrated in the CPU
L2 cache - external cache and used to be put near the CPU. It is now integrated into the CPU
L3 cache - is used on some high-end workstations and server CPU
what is error checking
when data is not stored correctly in the RAM chips, memory error occurs.
The computer uses different methods to detect and correct data errors in memory
3 methods of error checking
Non-parity - does not check for errors in memory
Parity memory contains 8 bits for data and 1 for error checking. the 1 bit is called the parity bit
ECC (error checking code) - can detect multiple bit errors and correct single bit errors in memory
Adapter cards
- increase functionality of a computer by adding controllers for specific devices or replacing malfunctioning ports
examples of adapter cards
- sound/video adapter (provides audio/graphic capability)
- USB, parallel and serial ports (connects computer to peripheral devices)
- network interface cards (NIC), wireless NIC, modern adapter (connects computer to networks)
where are adapter cards installed on the motherboard?
expansion slots
the different types of expansion slots
- Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) - the standard slot currently
- Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) - designed for video adapters
- PCI-express - serial bus expansion slot
3 types of storage drives
HDD (hard disk) - the C: drive and contains the operating system and applications. multiple hard drives can be added to increase storage
SDD (solid state) - use memory chips to manage all data in storage. doesn’t have moving parts so it’s faster and uses less power
FDD (floppy disk)
what is an optical drive
storage device that uses lasers to read data on the optical media (CD, DVD, Blu-ray)
what is drive interface
the different interfaces each drive has that is used to connect the drive to the computer
what are some common drive interfaces?
IDE – Integrated Drive Electronics, also called
EIDE – Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics, also called ATA-2, is an updated version of the IDE drive controller interface.
Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) is an early drive controller interface that connects computers and hard disk drives.
PATA – Parallel ATA refers to the parallel version of the ATA drive controller interface.
SATA – Serial ATA refers to the serial version of the ATA drive controller interface.
eSATA – External Serial ATA provides a hot-swappable, external interface for SATA drives.
SCSI – Small Computer System Interface is a drive controller interface that can connect up to 15 drives. SCSI can connect both internal and external drives.
what is RAID
virtual disk technology that combines multiple physical drives into one unit
what are the raid terms
Parity – A method used to detect data errors.
Striping – A method used to write data across multiple drives.
Mirroring – A method of storing duplicate data to a second drive.
types of internal cables
Power supply connectors (SATA, Molex, Berg) Front panel cables (connects case buttons and lights to motherboard) Data cables (connect drives to the drive controllers)
what does the video port do
connect the monitor cable to the computer
examples of video port and connector types
DVI, Displayport, RCA, DB-15, BNC, RJ-45, MiniHDMI, Din-6
what does the display cable do
transfer video signal from the computer to display devices
display cables types
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), DVI, Video Graphics Array (VGA), Component/RGB, Composite, S-Video, Coaxial, Ethernet
what are the other ports and cables
serial ports - modems and printers telephone cables USB ports FireWire Parallel cable - printers SCSI port network PS/2 - keyboard/mouse audio - audio devices video - monitor
when selecting a case and power supply
- ensure the case is able to fit all components
- the power supply is powerful enough to operate all the components
- A power supply should support 25% more wattage than all the attached components require.
when selecting a replacement motherboard, make sure
- it is able to support the other components
- the chip set is compatible with the CPU
- have connections to the existing power supply
- the number and type of expansion slots must match the existing adapter cards
- must physically fit in the pc case
when selecting CPU
The CPU is compatible with the motherboard -
- The new CPU must use the same socket type or slot type and chip set.
- The BIOS must support the new CPU.
- The new CPU may require a different heat sink/fan assembly.
- Make sure the correct voltage is maintained.
- Use manufacturers’ websites to investigate the compatibility between CPUs and other devices.
CPU features and classification
Multi-core processors - RAM is shared between the processors
Cache memory - L1, L2, and L3
Speed of a processor - maximum speed without errors
Front Side Bus (FSB) - path between the CPU and chip set, expansion cards, and RAM
32-bit and 64-bit - number of instructions handled by the processor at one time
factors to consider when choosing heat sink
case size
socket type
physical environment
motherboard physical specification
factors to consider when choosing case fan
case size fan size number of components physical environment electrical connection number/location of mounting places available
selecting new RAM
new RAM may be needed if computer frequently shows up error messages
- new RAM must be compatible with motherboard
- new RAM must have the same speed or faster than old one
before purchasing new adapter cards, check
- is there an open slot on the motherboard
- is the adapter card compatible with the slot
- what are the customer’s current and future needs
- what are the configuration options
factors to consider when purchasing new graphic card
- slot type
- port type
- amount and speed of VRAM (video RAM)
- Graphics Processor Unit (GPU)
- Max resolution
