Module 1.1 - Hardware

Question 1

BIOS

Answer 1

Basic Input Output System – the essential start up instructions of a computer, stored in ROM on the motherboard.

Question 2

Bus

Answer 2

A set of electrical paths etched on a motherboard to transport data, instructions or addresses between components on the motherboard.

Question 3

Caching

Answer 3

The principle of using a faster device to speed up access from a slower device.

For example disk caching is where RAM is used to store blocks of data to speed up access from the slower hard drive.

Question 4

CMOS

Answer 4

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor – A technology for producing the type of memory that stores the various user configurable computer start-up settings that can be updated or changed.

Question 5

CPU

Answer 5

Central Processing Unit - a chip that can contain more than one ‘core’ (complete processor) and which connects to the motherboard using ZIF socket. Responsible for all the processing.

Question 6

EEPROM

Answer 6

Electronically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory – a type of ROM that can be erased electronically, after which a new ‘image’ of the upgraded contents can be written back.

Question 7

Firewire

Answer 7

A high speed port developed by the Apple corporation to transfer high volume data such as video.

Question 8

Firmware

Answer 8

Software that is permanently installed on a ROM chip.

Question 9

GPU

Answer 9

Graphics Processing Unit – dedicated graphics processor on a graphics card, used to render images stored in the RAM of the graphics card.

Question 10

Hardware Interrupt

Answer 10

A signal to the CPU indicating a device needs attention. For example, a mouse click or a keystroke.

Question 11

CPU cache

Answer 11

Special type of high speed memory built into the CPU, used to maximise CPU productivity.

Question 12

Web caching

Answer 12

The process of storing recently accessed web pages locally on the relatively much faster hard drive so that they are quicker to retrieve the next time they are needed.

Retrievals from local storage are much faster than Internet downloads.

Question 13

Modular design

Answer 13

A computer design philosophy which incorporates a variety of re-usable stand-alone components, thereby facilitating upgrades and maintenance.

Question 14

POST

Answer 14

Power On Self Test – start-up test performed by the BIOS to ensure that all essential hardware (RAM, keyboard, etc.) is present and in working order.

Question 15

Thunderbolt

Answer 15

A fast connection technology which can support multiple simultaneous connections offering speeds of 10Gbs.

Question 16

System Clock

Answer 16

A small quartz crystal that pulses at a regular frequency measured in GHz; used to coordinate activities on a motherboard.

Question 17

Plug and Play

Answer 17

A technology that automates the installation and configuration process of a new device.

Question 18

Machine Cycle

Answer 18

Steps taken by the CPU in carrying out instructions:

Fetching instructions and data from the memory (RAM)
Decoding the instructions
Executing the instructions
Transferring data back to the memory

Question 19

ROM

Answer 19

Read-Only Memory is non-volatile memory chip where the contents are retained after power is switched off.

Question 20

USB

Answer 20

Universal Serial Bus - the most widely used connection option for attaching devices to a computer, via a USB port.

Question 21

Motherboard

Answer 21

A large electronic circuit board with slots and connectors for attaching different components and peripherals.

Question 22

ZIF Socket

Answer 22

Zero Insertion Force - a type of socket on the motherboard for the connecting a CPU.

Question 23

Flashing the ROM

Answer 23

The process whereby the existing contents of firmware is wiped and replaced with an updated version - always to be performed with great care.

Question 24

DIMM

Answer 24

Dual Inline Memory Module - thin rectangular electronic boards which contain banks of RAM chips; inserted into DIMM slots on the motherboard, and the means whereby the memory of a computer is upgraded.

Question 25

RAM

Answer 25

Random Access Memory - temporary, volatile storage area for all running programs and data being processed.

Question 26

Disk cache

Answer 26

A certain amount of high speed memory built into every hard drive. Used to cache data read from the (slower) disk, and thereby speed up subsequent calls for the same ‘chunk’ of code or data.

Question 27

Storage

Answer 27

Storage provides a place where a computer can keep data and instructions permanently.

Question 28

SATA connectors

Answer 28

Connectors on the motherboard for attaching cables for storage devices, such as hard drives and optical drives.

Question 29

Expansion slots

Answer 29

Slots on the motherboard for attaching additional circuit boards in order to ‘expand’ the capabilities of the computer - mostly dedicated video and sound cards for high-end gaming and design work.

Question 30

Point-to-point

Answer 30

Dedicated connection between two components (RAM and CPU) that is not shared with other components.

Question 31

Video card/Graphics card

Answer 31

Hardware component that generates the images - both graphic and text - displayed on the monitor. Either integrated on the motherboard or supplied as a separate card plugged into a PCle expansion slot.

Question 32

External Connectors

Answer 32

Situated both at the back and at the front of the casing e.g. USB ports, VGA port for monitor, RJ45 port for Ethernet network cabling, speaker and microphone jacks.