LO1 - Computer Hardware

Question 1

What is an input device?

Answer 1

A device that allows data such as text, images, sound or video to be entered into a computer system.

Question 2

Examples of input devices

Answer 2

Mouse
Keyboard
Microphone 
Webcam
Scanner

Question 3

What is an output device?

Answer 3

A device that receives data and displays it on the computer system.

Question 4

Examples of output devices

Answer 4

Printer
Projected
Headphones
Alarms
Speakers

Question 5

What is a biometric device?

Answer 5

A device that uses human characteristics as a security mechanism.

Question 6

What is a processor?

Answer 6

It is a computer component that manages the functions of a computer system.

Question 7

What is a motherboard?

Answer 7

It is a circuit board that manages all of the computer components.

Question 8

What is a power supply unit?

Answer 8

It converts electricity from AC (alternating current) from the mains supply to DC (direct current) so that the computer system can use it.

Question 9

What is volatile storage?

Answer 9

This is a temporary storage. If the computer system is switched off then the data will be lost.

Question 10

What is non-volatile storage?

Answer 10

This is a long term storage. If the computer system is switched off then the data will be saved.

Question 11

What is RAM?

Answer 11

Random Access Memory
This is where all of the programs that are running are stored.
It is volatile.

Question 12

What is ROM?

Answer 12

Read Only Memory
This is where the boot program is stored when the computer system is switched on.
This is non-volatile

Question 13

What is cache memory?

Answer 13

This is where the most frequently used programs are stored.

This is volatile.

Question 14

Examples of secondary storage

Answer 14

Magnetic disk
Cloud
Solid state
Optical storage

Question 15

Examples of expansion cards

Answer 15

Graphics card
Sound card
Storage controller card
Fibre channel card
Network interface card

Question 16

What is an expansion card?

Answer 16

A circuit with a specific purpose

Question 17

What is a port?

Answer 17

The interface between external devices and the computer system

Question 18

Examples of ports

Answer 18

USB
FireWire
SD
Ethernet
Micro SD
SATA

Question 19

Wires connection examples

Answer 19

Copper cables

Fibre optic cables

Question 20

Wireless connection method examples

Answer 20

Laser
Bluetooth
Microwave
5G
Infrared
Satellite

Question 21

What is the function of a hub?

Answer 21

A hub receives data packets from a connected device

Question 22

What is the function of a switch?

Answer 22

It receives data packets, processes them and transfers them.

Question 23

What is the function of a modem?

Answer 23

Modems are used to send data across the telephone network.

Question 24

What is the function of a router?

Answer 24

Routers are used to transfer data packets between networks.

Question 25

What does a wireless access point do?

Answer 25

It provides a link between wireless and wired networks.

Question 26

What is a network interface card?

Answer 26

It is an external piece of hardware that is required for the computer to connect to a network.

Question 27

What is troubleshooting?

Answer 27

It is when you analyse and solve a problem with a computer system.

Question 28

What is an event viewer?

Answer 28

It is a type of utility software that has detailed information about an error when one occurs.

Question 29

What is a power on self test?

Answer 29

On start up, it checks memory, power, hardware and cooling systems are working properly.

Question 30

What is a ping test?

Answer 30

It is a connectivity test between two computers.

Question 31

What are the sixteen values of hexadecimal?

Answer 31

0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, A, B, D, E, F