IT Essential Ch. 1-4, 7 Flashcards
The size, shape and physical layout of computer components such as case, motherboard, and power supplies
Form Factor
The measure of the work that is required to move a charge from one location to another
Volts
The measure of resistance to the flow of current in a circuit
OHMS (Ω)
The measure of the number of electrons moving through a circuit per second
Apms
The measure of the work per second of electrical current
Watts
The brain of the computer
CPU
The main temporary working storage location for data and programs
RAM
Memory location that stores basic operational instructions used by the CPU for booting the computer
ROM
A redundant array of disk drives that provides redundancy and fault tolerance
RAID
Storage devices that are replacing magnetic disk drives for permanent data storage
Solid State Drives (SSD)
Magnetic disk drives that are used for permanent data storage
Hard disk drive (HDD)
Computers that rely on a central server for all, or most, data storage and processing resources
Thin Client
The main circuit board inside the computer to which all computer components connect
Motherboard
Integrated circuits on the motherboard that control system hardware interaction with the CPU and motherboard
Chipset
Stands for electrostatic discharge, a sudden discharge of built-up static electricity between two different surfaces with different charge levels
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)
Stands for electromagnetic interference, a disturbance affecting transmission media that use electrical signals. The disturbance is caused by electromagnetic field variations
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
A situation where voltage drops below 80 percent of the normal voltage over a period of time
Brownout
A significant increase in voltage above the normal voltage of a power line over a short period of time
Power Surge
Stands for uninterruptible power supply, a supplemental power resource that helps maintain the power requirements by providing a secondary, consistent level of electrical power to a device
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)
Stands for material safety and data sheet, a fact sheet to provide information about material identification, fire hazards, and first-aid requirements. It also provides protective measures for the safe handling and storage of materials and spill, leak, and disposal procedures.
MSDS
A two-part tool that is typically used to identify an individual wire in a circuit. The toner part is connected to a cable at one end and generates a tone that travels inside the cable. The probe part traces the cable. When the probe is in close to the cable to which the toner is attached, the tone can be heard in the probe.
Tone Generator and Probe
A detailed list of problems and repairs that is maintained by a technician or by a support desk system. The list should include the date, problems identified, actions to correct the problems, replacement parts, and customer information. The records would allow a technician to determine what work has been performed in the past on a specific computer.
History of Repairs
A conductor that connects the wrist of a technician to the device that the technician is working on. When static electricity (ESD) builds up in the body, the connection made by the wrist strap to the device balances the electrical charge by channeling the electricity through the wire that connects the strap.
Anti-static Wrist Strap
A mat that is slightly conductive so as to help eliminate static electricity (ESD). It does this by drawing static electricity away from a component and transferring it safely from equipment to a grounding point.
Anti-static Mat
A device that can be used to check whether the power supply of a device is working properly
Power Supply Tester
A device that can be used to check the condition of a data cable, including wiring shorts, faults, or wires that are connected to the wrong pins
Cable Tester
A measuring instrument that can be used to measure AC/DC voltage, electric current, and other electrical characteristics in an electrical circuit
Multimeter
A utility in later Windows operating systems to manage storage devices installed or connected to a computer. The tasks that the utility can perform include initializing disks, creating partitions, and formatting partitions.
Disk Management
A utility in later Windows operating systems. The utility scans the critical files of the OS and replaces files that are corrupt
System File Checker
Firmware that is used during the PC boot process
BIOS
A software layer that replaces the BIOS and sits between the OS and the system firmware
UEFI
Allows multiple operating systems to run on a computer at the same time
Virtualization
Stores security keys and passwords
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
A part that attaches to the top of a processor and that draws heat away
Heat Sink
The startup test of hardware
Power-On Self-Test (POST)
A BIOS setting for bootable partitions and devices
Boot Order
A BIOS setting to help locate lost devices
Lojack
Prevents an untrusted or unauthorized OS from loading during startup
Secure Boot
A type of memory where the BIOS settings are saved
CMOST
An adapter that enables a PC to connect to a local area network
Network Interface Controller (NIC)
An older expansion slot that is used to attach hardware to a motherboard
PCI
External I/O ports that connect digital devices to a computer
FireWire / Thunderbolt
15-pin power connector that attaches internal hard drives and optical drives to the motherboard
SATA
A function configurable within some BIOS setup programs and that allows for modification of the CPU running speed
Clock Speed
Question that allows a customer to explain a problem
Open-ended Question
A question that asks for a specific response
Closed-end Question
A tool that is used to see the date and time a problem occurred
Event Viewer
A tool that is used to determine if a hardware device is operational
Device Manager
A toolthat is used to easily monitor CPU, memory, and network performance
Task Manager
POST-generated information that is used in troubleshooting
Beep Code
Expected professionalism
Conversation etiquette
A copy of information such as that stored on the hard drive
Backup
Regular maintenance routines that extend the life of the PC
Preventive maintenance
The last step as part of a PC repair
Documentation
The systematic process used to locate the cause of a fault in a computer system and correct the relevant hardware and software issues
Troubleshooting
Software that is available to help locate and solve problems
Diagnostic tools
A waiver of responsibility if data is lost or corrupted during the repair process
Liability release
A low airflow device that is used to remove collected dust and materials from inside the case
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Vacuum Cleaner
The first step in the troubleshooting process
Identify the Problem
A partition that contains a boot loader to load an operating system from a disk
Active Partition
The ability to transfer user data and system settings from an old operating system to a new one
Data Migration
An operating system that is designed for a limited number of users for SOHO environments
Desktop Operating System
The process of assigning a letter to a physical or logical drive on a device
Drive Mapping
An extended partition can contain an unlimited amount of logical drives. There can only be one extended partition per disk
Extended Partition
A system that provides a method of organizing an operating system and user data files within a device. Different file systems have different characteristics to be aware of.
File System
Formatting will configure a disk with a file system and erase any data on the disk
Formatting
An independent section of an extended partition used to separate and organize data
Logical Drive
The capability for choosing between two or more operating systems to boot from when a computer is turned on. A separate partition is required for each operating system.
Multiboot
The ability of an operating system to support two ore more CPUs at the same time
Multiprocessing
The ability to run two or more programs at the same time
Multitasking
The ability of an operating system to run different parts of a program at the same time
Multithreading
The ability for two or more simultaneous users to work on the same device
Multiuser
An operating system designed to support multiple users with multiuser applications and network resources
Network Operating System
The very first partition where an operating system can be installed. There can be up to four primary partitions
Primary Partition
The area of a Windows computer that contains a large amount of configuration information and settings about installed programs and system hardware
Windows Registry
Types of coaxial cable used for networks
Thicknet / Thinnet
Types of coaxial cable used for television
RG59 / RG6
Wiring standards for twisted-pair cabling
T568A / T568B
Connector for twisted-pair cables
RJ45
Types of interference that affect the quality of data transmission
EMI / RFI
Types of twisted-pair cables that are commonly used for cabling local networks
UTP / STP
Category ratings for twisted-pair cables that specify number of wires and twists and affects distance limitations
CAT5e / CAT6 / CAT7
Cables with shielding made from a special plastic that retards fire
Plenum
Cables with shielding made from a special plastic that retards fire plenum classifications of fiber cables that signify light source, distance limitations, and speed
Single-mode / Multi-mode
Fiber connector that accepts both the sending and receiving fibers
Duplex multimode LC connector
Characteristic of media that allows data to flow in both directions at the same time or one direction at a time
Duplex
Network covering a small geographic area typically owned by an individual
LAN
Network covering a small geographic area typically owned by an individual LAN network that is owned by an ISP or corporations and covering a wide geographic area
WAN
A network connecting peripherals such as mice, printers, and smartphones to a single host, typically using Bluetooth technology
PAN
A network that spans a large campus or city and that interconnects buildings through wireless or fiber optic backbones
MAN
Architecture designed to handle collisions by controlling how devices communicate on an Ethernet network
CSMA/CD
Types of encryption used on wireless networks
WEP / WPA2
Predefined numbers that identify commonly used protocols such as FTP, SSH, HTTP, and DNS
TCP/UDP port numbers
Intermediary devices used in a LAN to connect hosts and forward data to other devices
Hub / bridge / switch
Layered reference models that prepare data for transmission
OSI / TCP/IP
A device that connects wireless hosts to the network via the use of radio waves
Wireless access point
A device that connects networks and forwards traffic from hosts to remote networks through the use of IP addresses
Router
Software or hardware that permits or denies traffic in order to protect data and equipment from unauthorized access
Firewall
Devices that regenerate a weak signal to extend the distance that data can travel
Repeaters
DC current is transferred over Ethernet cable, along with data, to power PoE devices
PoE
48-bit address hardcoded onto the NIC and usually represented in hexadecimal format
MAC
32-bit address assigned to a host and usually represented in dotted decimal format
IPv4
128-bit address assigned to hosts and represented in hexadecimal format
IPv6
32-bit value used with an IPv4 address to indicate network and host components
Subnet Mask
Protocol that dynamically assigns IP addresses to hosts
DHCP
A base station that provides laptops with attachments to power and ports such as networking, USB, gaming, and optical drives
Docking Station
Liquid crystal technology used in laptop displays
LCD
Low power technology that uses light-emitting diodes to provide the light for displays and indicators
LED
LED technology that works without a backlight and is often used in mobile device displays
OLED
Allows devices to use a smartphone’s cellular connection to access the Internet
Hotspot / Tethering
Allows creation of power management schemes for laptops
ACPI
Connects wireless devices such as smartphones, mice, and keyboards to a PAN (personal area network)
Bluetooth
Small, portable storage device that requires no power to maintain the data
Flash Card
Smaller profile memory chip that is used in laptops
SODIMM
Flash memory that is used as fixed primary storage on many mobile devices
eMMC
An easy to install expansion card for laptops that is often hot-swappable
ExpressCard
The ability to install or remove an expansion card while the computer is powered on
Hot-Swappable
A plastic card with a microprocessor that securely stores data and can be read via a physical reader or via radio frequencies
Smart Card
Laptop or mobile device component that cannot be replaced by the user, such as motherboards and displays
FRU
A small card used in mobile devices to authenticate the device to service providers and to store some user data
SIM card
A wireless technology that enables mobile devices to establish radio connections with other devices by placing them close to one another
NFC
Laptop parts that can be replaced by the customer, such as batteries and RAM
CRU
