T1 - Intro to IT - Computer Components Flashcards
Hard Disk
A disk on which information is saved and stored in the computer even when it is not connected to a power supply.
Monitor
An output device that displays information in pictorial form, allowing the user to interact with the computer interface and open programs typically using a keyboard and mouse.
Input Device
A piece of equipment used to translate data into a form that the computer can understand.
(keyboard, mouse, microphone, flash drive, CD…)
Output Device
Any piece of computer hardware equipment used to convert translate information into a form that humans can understand.
(text, graphics, tactile, audio, video…)
Motherboard
One of the most essential parts of a computer that hold s many of the crucial components of a computer, including connectors for input and output devices.
Network Cables
Hardware that connect and transfer data and information between computers.
Wi-Fi Routers
Hardware that Transmits, receives, and decodes information sent using radio waves.
Laser Printers
Hardware that uses a laser to form a pattern of electrostatically charged dots on a light-sensitive drum, which then attracts toner, and then transfers to paper via a heating process.
Expansion Card
A printed circuit board that can be inserted into an electrical connector or expansion slot on a computer motherboard, backplane, or riser card to add functionality to a computer system via the expansion bus.
Expansion Bus
A collection of wires and protocols that allows for the expansion of a computer.
Modem
A computer peripheral used to transmit information between computer systems (home to ISP) by converting data into analog across a phone line, and then back again.
Router
A peripheral that directs traffic across multiple devices like PC, laptop, and smart phone, as well as IoTs.
Twisted Pair Cables
The most widely used type of transmission media. Two common types of twisted pair cables are unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and shielded twisted pair (STP).
Coaxial Cables
An outer plastic covering containing two parallel conductors, each having a separate insulated cover.
Coaxial cable transmits information in two modes: baseband mode, with dedicated cable bandwidth, and broadband mode, in which cable bandwidth is split into separate ranges.
(about 80 times the bandwidth of twisted wires)
Optical Wire Cable
A core is surrounded by a less dense glass or plastic covering called the cladding. Optical wire cables are able to transmit large volumes of data.
(up to 26,000 times the bandwidth of the twisted pair wires)
Repeater
A Networking device that passes signals back and forth between two buses without considering the meaning of the signals.
Bridge
A slightly more sophisticated version of a repeater, only forwarding messages addressed to a computer on the other side.
Switch
Bridges that connect more than two lines.
Kernel
The internal part of an operating system that contains the operating system components that perform the basic functions required by the computer installation.
(File Manager)
Compiler
Translates source code into machine language; checks source code for errors before translating it into object code.
Interpreter
Translate and execute source code one line at a time. If the interpreter finds an error, the process is terminated at the statement containing the error and displays an error message.
Expansion Slots
Sockets on the motherboard (within the chassis) where expansion cards can be installed.
(graphics cards, sound cards, network cards…)
Ports
Sockets that allow cables to be plugged in without opening the system unit (outside the computer chassis).
(USB, HDMI, SD…).
3 Parts of a CPU
ALU
Control Unit
Resistor Unit
2 Types of Hard Drives
HDD / SSD
Control Unit
Contains the circuitry coordinating the machine’s activities.
Resistor Unit
Contains data storage cells called registers.
Registers
High-speed storage areas in the CPU that serve as temporary holding places for data being manipulated by the CPU.
5 Types of Registers
MAR / MDR / AC / PC / CIR
Bus or Bus Line
Wires that serve as electrical roadways, transmitting information between the CPU and other components.
Types of Busses
Address Busses
Data Busses
Control Busses
Address Bus
Carries the destination address of where the data is assigned to be processed.
Data Bus
Carries data between the processor, the memory unit, and the input/output devices.
Control Bus
Carries control signals (commands) from the CPU (and status signals from devices); controls and coordinates all activities within the computer system.
System Unit
(Tower / Chassis)
The “box” that encases various internally installed components such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and power supply. Used to differentiate between the computer and its peripheral devices.
