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CSIM > Intro to pc hardware > Flashcards

Intro to pc hardware Flashcards

1
Q

Why is following electrical safety guidelines important?

A

To prevent electrical fires, injuries, and fatalities.

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2
Q

What printer components require special care due to high voltage?

A

Power supplies (check the manual for location).

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3
Q

Why can using the wrong AC adapter damage a laptop

A

AC adapters are designed for specific devices and mismatching can cause electrical issues.

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4
Q

What is the purpose of grounding electrical equipment?

A

To provide a safe path for current in case of a fault, protecting personnel and equipment.

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5
Q

How are computers typically grounded?

A

Through the three-pronged power plug.

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6
Q

What is ESD(Electrostatic Discharge) and how can it occur?

A

A sudden flow of static electricity between two objects at different charges. Buildup can happen through contact or environmental factors.

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7
Q

What is the minimum voltage for a person to feel an ESD?

A

Around 3,000 volts.

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8
Q

How much voltage can damage a computer component?

A

Even less than 30 volts.

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9
Q

How can ESD be prevented?

A

Self-grounding by touching a grounded object before handling equipment.

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10
Q

What should be done with components before installation?

A

Kept in antistatic bags until ready for use.

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11
Q

What is the purpose of a grounded mat on a workbench?

A

To dissipate static electricity and prevent damage to components.

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12
Q

What additional ESD protection can be used in work areas?

A

Grounded floor mats.

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13
Q

When is it crucial to wear an antistatic wrist strap?

A

While working inside computers to prevent discharge through your body.

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14
Q

What is the primary function of a computer case?

A

To house, protect, and cool internal components like the motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage devices.

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15
Q

What are common materials used for computer cases?

A

Plastic, steel, or aluminum.

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16
Q

What is a device form factor?

A

The physical design and size of a computer.

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17
Q

List some examples of desktop computer form factors.

A

Horizontal case, Full-size tower, Compact tower, All-in-one

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18
Q

How do cases prevent overheating?

A

By using fans to circulate air and remove heat from components.

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19
Q

How do cases protect against static electricity damage?

A

By grounding the internal components through the case.

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20
Q

What type of current does a computer require?

A

Direct current (DC)

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21
Q

What component converts AC power from the wall outlet to DC power?

A

The power supply unit (PSU)

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22
Q

What is the most common power supply form factor today?

A

ATX12V (provides dedicated power to the CPU)

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23
Q

What are the different voltage outputs of a power supply?

A

3.3V, 5V, and 12V (3.3V & 5V for digital circuits, 12V for motors)

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24
Q

What do the terms “single rail” and “multi rail” refer to in a power supply?

A

The design of the circuit board (single rail = all connectors on one board, multi rail = separate boards for different connectors).

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25
Q

How does a computer handle slight fluctuations in power supply?

A

It can tolerate minor variations, but significant deviations can cause the PSU to fail.

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26
Q

What is another name for the motherboard?

A

System board or main board

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27
Q

What is the brain of the computer?

A

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

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28
Q

Where is data and applications temporarily stored?

A

Random Access Memory (RAM)

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29
Q

What allows additional components to be connected to the motherboard?

A

Expansion slots

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30
Q

What controls how system hardware interacts with the CPU and motherboard?

A

Chipset

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31
Q

What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?

A

BIOS is used for basic bootup and data flow management, while UEFI is a more advanced firmware for boot and runtime services.

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32
Q

What are the two main components of a chipset?

A

Northbridge and Southbridge

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33
Q

What does the Northbridge control?

A

High-speed access to RAM, video card, and communication speed between CPU and other components. May also integrate video capability.

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34
Q

What does the Southbridge control?

A

Communication between CPU and slower devices like hard drives, USB ports, and expansion slots.

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35
Q

What is the most common motherboard form factor?

A

Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)

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36
Q

What are some features of ATX motherboards?

A

Integrated I/O ports, single 20-pin power supply connector.

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37
Q

What is a smaller form factor compatible with ATX?

A

Micro-ATX (uses same chipsets and power connectors as ATX, fits in ATX cases, fewer expansion slots).

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38
Q

What is a popular very small form factor motherboard?

A

Mini-ITX (low power consumption, uses one PCI slot, good for quiet and space-constrained environments).

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39
Q

What is the primary function of the CPU?

A

The CPU interprets and executes instructions from hardware and software.

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40
Q

What is the CPU package and how does it connect to the motherboard?

A

The CPU package houses the CPU and connects to the motherboard via a socket. Different CPU socket types like PGA and LGA require specific compatible sockets on the motherboard.

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41
Q

Differentiate between PGA and LGA socket architectures.

A

PGA (Pin Grid Array): Pins are located on the underside of the CPU package and fit into a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket on the motherboard.
LGA (Land Grid Array): Pins are located on the motherboard socket, while the CPU package has contact points.

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42
Q

Why is cooling crucial for computer components?

A

Electronic components generate heat, which can lead to performance degradation, crashes, or even damage if not managed.

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43
Q

How are computers typically cooled?

A

Computers use active (powered) and passive (non-powered) cooling solutions. Passive solutions include heat sinks and reducing component speed. Active cooling involves fans to circulate air.

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44
Q

What is the basic unit of data storage in memory chips?

A

Byte (a group of 8 bits representing letters, numbers, or symbols).

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45
Q

What is the function of ROM?

A

Stores essential instructions for booting the computer and loading the operating system.

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46
Q

What is a key characteristic of ROM?

A

Non-volatile memory (contents remain even after power off).

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47
Q

What is the primary function of RAM?

A

Temporary storage for data and programs being used by the CPU.

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48
Q

How does RAM differ from ROM in terms of data persistence?

A

Volatile memory (contents erased when powered off).

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49
Q

How does adding more RAM impact computer performance?

A

Increases memory capacity to hold and process programs and files more efficiently.

50
Q

Briefly describe PROM.

A

Programmable read-only memory where information can be written once after manufacturing (not commonly used anymore).

51
Q

What distinguishes EEPROM from EPROM?

A

EEPROM allows erasing and rewriting information electronically without removing the chip, unlike EPROM which requires UV light exposure.

52
Q

How did the evolution of memory modules address the limitations of individual DIP chips?

A

Memory chips were soldered onto circuit boards (modules) for easier installation and handling.

53
Q

Differentiate between SIMM and DIMM memory modules.

A

SIMM: Smaller module with 30 or 72 pins, commonly used in older computers.
DIMM: More widespread module with various pin configurations depending on memory type (SDRAM, DDR, etc.).

54
Q

What is the purpose of SODIMM modules?

A

Smaller form factor DIMMs (72-pin to 260-pin) designed for space-constrained devices like laptops.

55
Q

How do single-sided and double-sided memory modules differ?

A

Answer: Single-sided modules have RAM chips on one side, while double-sided modules have them on both sides.

56
Q

How does memory speed impact overall system performance?

A

Faster memory allows the processor to process more data efficiently.

57
Q

Explain the concept of multi-channel memory technology.

A

Increases memory throughput by providing additional channels to access multiple memory modules simultaneously. (e.g., dual-channel, triple-channel)

58
Q

What is the primary function of cache memory?

A

Provides fast access to frequently used data and instructions for the CPU, acting as a buffer between the slower main memory (RAM).

59
Q

How is cache memory classified based on location?

A

L1 (internal to CPU), L2 (closer to CPU but external), L3 (found in high-end CPUs).

60
Q

What are the different types of memory error checking?

A

Nonparity: No error checking (most common RAM).
Parity: Uses an extra bit to detect single-bit errors.
ECC (Error Correction Code): Can detect and correct multiple-bit errors (used in critical systems like servers).

61
Q

What is the purpose of adapter cards?

A

Expand the functionality of a computer by adding controllers for specific devices or replacing faulty ports.

62
Q

Give some examples of common adapter cards.

A

Sound adapters, network interface cards (NICs), video adapters, wireless NICs, capture cards, TV tuner cards, USB controller cards.

63
Q

How do expansion slots enable the use of adapter cards?

A

Provide a physical connection point on the motherboard for installing adapter cards.

64
Q

What factors determine the compatibility between an adapter card and an expansion slot?

A

The type of connector on the adapter card must match the slot type on the motherboard.

65
Q

Briefly describe PCI-X slots.

A

An obsolete version of PCI offering higher bandwidth than standard PCI.

66
Q

What is the key characteristic of PCI Express (PCIe) slots?

A

64-bit parallel interface with backward compatibility for 32-bit PCI devices.

67
Q

How do different sizes (x1, x4, x8, x16) of PCIe slots differ?

A

hey provide various numbers of data lanes (e.g., x4 has 4 lanes, x16 has 16 lanes) affecting data transfer speeds.

68
Q

What is the function of a riser card?

A

Adds more expansion slots to a computer for additional adapter cards.

69
Q

Briefly explain the role of AGP slots.

A

High-speed slots for connecting AGP video cards (mostly obsolete, replaced by PCI).

70
Q

What is the key distinction between non-volatile and volatile storage devices?

A

Non-volatile storage (HDD, SSD) retains data even after power loss, while volatile storage (RAM) loses data when powered off.

71
Q

Categorize storage devices based on media type.

A

Magnetic (HDD, tape), solid state (SSD), optical (CD, DVD, Blu-ray).

72
Q

What is the most common interface for connecting internal storage devices to the motherboard?

A

Serial ATA (SATA) with various versions offering different data transfer speeds (SATA 1, 2, 3).

73
Q

Briefly describe legacy storage interface standards.

A

Parallel ATA (IDE, EIDE) and SCSI (older interfaces).

74
Q

What is the function of a hard disk drive (HDD)?

A

Provides traditional magnetic disk storage with capacities ranging from gigabytes (GB) to terabytes (TB).

75
Q

How does the RPM (revolutions per minute) specification impact HDD performance?

A

Faster spindle speeds generally correspond to faster data access times and transfer speeds (common options: 5400, 7200, 10,000 RPM).

76
Q

What are the different form factors for HDDs?

A

3.5” (standard for desktops), 2.5” (laptops), 1.8” (rare, used in portable devices).

77
Q

What is the primary application of tape drives in modern computing?

A

Mainly used for data archiving in enterprise networks, though less common for backups due to the rise of affordable external HDDs.

78
Q

How do SSDs differ from HDDs in terms of data storage technology?

A

SSDs use flash memory to store data electronically, resulting in significantly faster performance compared to magnetic HDDs.

79
Q

List some advantages of SSDs over HDDs.

A

Faster access times, no moving parts (less noise, heat, and risk of failure), higher energy efficiency.

80
Q

Describe the different form factors available for SSDs.

A

Disc drive form factor (similar to HDDs in size).
Expansion cards.
mSATA or M.2 modules (utilizes a special socket, sometimes supports NVMe interface for faster communication).

81
Q

How do SSHDs combine the features of HDDs and SSDs?

A

SSHDs combine large HDD storage with a smaller, faster SSD cache for frequently accessed data, offering a balance between capacity and speed.

82
Q

What is the primary function of optical drives?

A

Read and write data on optical media using lasers (CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs).

83
Q

How did optical storage technology address limitations of magnetic media?

A

Offered significantly higher storage capacities than floppy disks and magnetic cartridges.

84
Q

riefly categorize the different types of CDs, DVDs, and BDs based on writability.

A

Read-only (pre-recorded): Data cannot be modified.
Recordable (write once): Data can be written once but not erased.
Re-recordable (read and write multiple times): Data can be written and erased multiple times.

85
Q

How does using dual-layer media impact storage capacity?

A

Doubles the storage capacity compared to single-layer media.

86
Q

List some common types of video ports and their characteristics.

A

DVI: Digital or analog signals (various subtypes for digital/analog and single/dual link).
DisplayPort: Designed for high-end graphics and displays.
HDMI: High-definition multimedia interface for TVs and digital devices.
Thunderbolt: High-speed connection for peripherals, displays, and video using DisplayPort.
VGA: Analog video connector (older technology).

87
Q

What is the key feature of USB that makes it user-friendly?

A

Hot-swappable, allowing connection/disconnection of devices while the computer is powered on.

88
Q

Differentiate between IDE and SATA interfaces for storage devices.

A

IDE: Older ribbon cable interface for connecting internal drives (mostly replaced by SATA).
SATA: Serial interface using a 7-pin data cable and separate power cable.

89
Q

What is the function of a network port (RJ-45)?

A

Connects devices to a network, with connection speeds depending on the port type.

90
Q

Describe the purpose of PS/2 ports.

A

Connect keyboards and mice (mostly replaced by USB).

91
Q

Distinguish between adapters and converters.

A

Adapter: Physically connects different technologies (e.g., DVI to HDMI).
Converter: Connects and translates signals between different technologies (e.g., USB to SATA converter allows using a hard drive as a flash drive).

92
Q

Provide examples of common adapters and converters.

A

Adapters: DVI to VGA, USB to PS/2, HDMI to DVI.
Converters: USB to Ethernet, HDMI to VGA (converts signal).

93
Q

List the two most common input devices and their typical uses.

A

Keyboard: Used for creating text documents, emails, etc.
Mouse: Used for navigating the graphical user interface (GUI).

94
Q

What is the function of an ADF scanner?

A

Scans documents with an automatic document feeder for multiple pages.

95
Q

Briefly describe joysticks and gamepads as input devices.

A

Joysticks: Primarily used for flight simulation games, provide movement and view control.
Gamepads: Have buttons and sticks for game controls in various genres.

96
Q

How does a KVM switch allow managing multiple computers?

A

Enables using a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse to control multiple computers.

97
Q

How does a touch screen function as an input device?

A

Registers user input based on touch or pressure on the screen.

98
Q

Describe the purpose of a stylus.

A

A pen-like tool used for drawing or creating artwork on a pressure-sensitive surface. Some can create 3D models.

99
Q

What information does a magnetic stripe reader retrieve from cards?

A

Reads data encoded on the magnetic strip of cards (e.g., ID badges, credit cards).

100
Q

How is a barcode scanner used?

A

Reads and translates the information encoded in barcodes on products or items (e.g., price scanners, inventory control).

101
Q

Briefly explain the functionalities of digital cameras and webcams.

A

Digital camera: Captures images and videos for storing, displaying, printing, or editing.
Webcam: Video camera used for video conferencing or live streaming.

102
Q

What is the purpose of a signature pad?

A

Captures a person’s electronic signature using a stylus on the screen.

103
Q

How does a smart card reader function?

A

Reads data from smart cards (embedded chip cards) used for authentication purposes.

104
Q

Describe how a microphone acts as an input device.

A

Enables voice input for capturing sound, music, or speech for storage, playback, or communication.

105
Q

Briefly explain how NFC technology facilitates data transfer.

A

Allows contactless data exchange between NFC-enabled devices (e.g., tap-to-pay transactions, sharing data like photos).

106
Q

What are some applications of facial recognition scanners?

A

User identification for secure logins to devices or access control to specific locations.

107
Q

How are fingerprint scanners used for user identification?

A

Biometric authentication based on unique fingerprint patterns for secure device access or location control.

108
Q

Describe two applications of voice recognition technology.

A

User identification: Voice-based secure access to devices or locations.
Personal assistants: Input method for virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa.

109
Q

What is the primary function of a virtual reality headset?

A

Provides an immersive experience in games, simulations, or training applications through head-mounted displays with motion tracking.

110
Q

What is the primary function of output devices?

A

Convert computer data (binary) into a human-understandable format (visual, audio, etc.).

111
Q

List various examples of output devices.

A

Monitors, projectors, printers, speakers, headphones, VR headsets.

112
Q

Briefly describe the three main LCD, LED, and OLED monitor technologies.

A

LCD: Uses liquid crystals and polarizing filters to control light passage and create an image.
LED: LCD with LED backlighting, offering lower power consumption, thinner design, and better contrast.
OLED: Organic LED display where each pixel emits light individually, resulting in superior black levels.

113
Q

What are the two common projector technologies, and how do they differ?

A

LCD: Uses liquid crystals similar to LCD monitors.
DLP (Digital Light Processing): Employs a spinning color wheel with mirrors to reflect light and create an image.

114
Q

What unit is used to measure projector brightness, and how does ANSI lumens help compare projectors?

A

Brightness is measured in lumens. ANSI lumens is a standardized testing procedure for projectors, allowing for accurate comparison based on brightness specifications.

115
Q

Distinguish between VR and AR based on how they create user experience.

A

VR: Creates a fully immersive, simulated 3D environment.
AR: Overlays digital information and graphics onto the real world in real-time.

116
Q

Describe some key features of VR headsets and AR headsets/smart glasses.

A

VR headsets: Fully enclose the user’s vision, often tethered to a controller, with motion tracking and various sensors.
AR headsets/smart glasses: Allow users to see the real world while superimposing digital elements, may be lightweight and have features like camera, GPS, speakers, etc.

117
Q

What is the primary function of a printer, and how can the output format vary?

A

Creates physical copies of digital files (paper documents, 3D printed objects).

118
Q

Briefly explain the importance of maintaining both hardware and software components of printers.

A

Regular maintenance ensures proper functioning, and keeping printer drivers updated is necessary for compatibility.

119
Q

How do speakers function as output devices for computers?

A

They convert electrical audio signals from the computer into audible sound.

120
Q

How do different headphone types (wired, wireless, etc.) connect to devices?

A

Headphones can be wired (using a cable jack) or wireless (using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi).

CSIM (11 decks)

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