Types and Components of a Computer System

Question 1

What is hardware?

Answer 1

Is the general term for the physical components that make up a typical computer system

Question 2

What is a motherboard?

Answer 2

Connects all the components required for a computer system. The motherboard allows other components of the computer to communicate. Every component has to be plugged into the motherboard to function

Question 3

What is a Solid State Drive?

Answer 3

An SSD is a new generation of storage devices used in computers. They store data using flash-based memory. Which is faster than traditional HDDs. This is non-volatile storage media.

Question 4

What is a soundcard?

Answer 4

This component Is used to produce digital sound
and output it through speakers. It also allows
users to record sound input from a microphone
connected to the computer and manipulate
sound stored on a disk. The sound card is important in the conversion of digital and analogue data.

Question 5

What is a video card or graphics card?

Answer 5

Used to generate images we see on the computer. They are also used to created video images and graphics in a videogame.

Question 6

What are storage devices?

Answer 6

a piece of computer equipment on which information can be stored.

Question 7

What is RAM?

Answer 7

Used to temporarily store data that is currently in use by the computer
· It will only store data as long as the system has power – once the system is turned off anything stored in the RAM is automatically deleted
· Ram is known as TEMPORARY STORAGE
· RAM- Random Access Memory
· RAM is measured GBs for the size (the speed is measured in Hz)
· The RAM inside a computer holds all the data and instructions that are currently being processed- the apps that are currently opened
· The more RAM a system has, the more data the system can have accessible
· RAM is volatile, meaning power is required for holding data and if the power is switched off then all the data stored in the RAM is lost
- The characteristics of a RAM are:
· It is volatile
· You can read and write to it
It is quicker to access than secondary storage

Question 8

What is ROM?

Answer 8

· ROM - Read Only Memory – Bios is an example of ROM
· It is a chip which contains instructions and commands that tell the computer how to start up.
· These instructions cannot be deleted or changed as ROM is read only. The BIOS is an example of permanent memory.
- The characteristics of ROM:
· Rom is non-volatile
· It is read only
· It is written by the computer manufacturer
· Usually stores the BIOS
· Smaller capacity than RAM
BIOS- Basic Input Output System

Question 9

What are peripherals?

Answer 9

· Peripherals are non-essential pieces of hardware that plug into the computer externally
· They are called non essential because a computer can operate without them e.g. Speakers, microphones, mouse, joy stick, printer, web-cam, etc
Almost all peripherals connect to the computer externally via USB

Question 10

What is a Network Interface Card (NIC)?

Answer 10

Allows a computer to connect to the internet
It is integrated in the motherboard. They turn binary data into an electrical signal that allows access to a network. Examples- wireless, wired or USB. Contains the MAC address.

Question 11

How do you convert from analogue to digital data?

Answer 11

An analogue to digital converter (ADC) operates by sampling the value of the analogue signal at discrete points in time and then quantizing these samples into a set of possible digital values

Question 12

What is software?

Answer 12

Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers and execute specific tasks.

Question 13

Name 2 different types of software.

Answer 13

system software and application software

Question 14

What are application software and examples?

Answer 14

When a user interacts directly with a piece of software, it is called application software. The sole purpose of application software is to assist the user in doing specified tasks, e.g. word processors, spreadsheets software, web browsers

Question 15

What is a system software and examples?

Answer 15

System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software, e.g. operating systems, device drivers and utility software.

Question 16

What is a utility program?

Answer 16

A program that performs a specific task related to the management of computer functions, resources, or files.

Question 17

What is a compiler?

Answer 17

A program that converts instructions into a machine-code or lower-level form so that they can be read and executed by a computer

Question 18

What is the purpose of a linker?

Answer 18

computer system program that takes one or more object files and combines them into a single executable file

Question 19

What is a device driver and why is it needed?

Answer 19

A device driver is a set of files that tells a piece of hardware how to function by communicating with a computer’s operating system.

Question 20

Describe what is meant by ‘volatile’

Answer 20

Memory content that is lost when the power is interrupted or turned off.

Question 21

Describe what is meant by
‘non-volatile’

Answer 21

A type of computer memory that can retain stored information even after power is turned off.

Question 22

What is an operating system?

Answer 22

Operating systems are pieces of software that manage everything that happens in your computer and they instruct the hardware on what to do

Question 23

List the functions of an operating system

Answer 23

• Control of the operation of the input, output and backing storage devices
  
  • Supervising the loading, running and storage of application programmes
  • Dealing with errors that occur in application programs
  • Maintaining security of the whole computer system
  • Maintaining a computer log
    Allowing communication between user and the computer system

Question 24

What is a user interface?

Answer 24

The way in which users communicate with the computer

Question 25

What is a Graphical User Interface?

Answer 25

GUI’s are visual (graphical) interface for example a user can erase a file by right clicking and then selecting delete

Question 26

Describe the key features of a Graphical User Interface (GUI )

Answer 26

Windows, icons, menus and pointers

Question 27

Advantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Answer 27

The user does not need to learn any commands

It is more user-friendly; icons are used to represent applications

A pointing device (such as a mouse) is used to click on an icon to launch the application- this is simpler than typing in commands

Question 28

Disadvantages of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Answer 28

This type of interface uses up considerably more computer memory than CLI memory

The user is limited to the icons provided on the screen

Needs a more complex operating system such as Windows to operate which can be slower to execute commands

Question 29

Describe the key features of a Command Line Interface (CLI)

Answer 29

The main features of a CLI are that keyboards are used to type in a variety of different commands into a command prompt

Question 30

Advantages of a Command Line Interface

Answer 30

The user is in direct communication with the computer

The user is not restricted to a number of pre-determined options

It is possible to alter computer configuration settings

Question 31

Disadvantages of a Command Line Interface

Answer 31

The user needs to learn a number of commands to carry out basic operations

All commands need to be typed in, which takes time and can be error-prone

Each command must be typed in using the correct format, spelling, and so on

Question 32

Characteristics of a Desktop PC

Answer 32

Made up of separate components- monitor, keyboard, mouse and processor unit. It has a bigger screen which is more powerful.

Question 33

Uses of a Desktop PC

Answer 33

Office and business work, for education or for games to play with others or a way of entertainment for some.

Question 34

Advantages of a Desktop PC

Answer 34

Cheaper - connections tend to be standardised
Good power Consumption
Less likely to be damaged or stolen (fixed in one location)

Question 35

Disadvantages of a Desktop PC

Answer 35

Not portable because they are made up of separate components
All components need to be hooked by wiring; tangle of cables
If wanting to do work somewhere else you need to copy files on a memory stick which may get lost

Question 36

Characteristics of a laptop

Answer 36

They are portable, small screen and no mouse(touchpad), lightweight.

Question 37

Uses of a laptop

Answer 37

Office and business work, educational use, puzzles and games, used in control and monitoring and a source of general

Question 38

Advantages of a laptop

Answer 38

They can be taken anywhere, everything in one single unit (portable)
Take up less room on a desk or table
take full advantage of Wi-Fi features

Question 39

Disadvantages of a laptop

Answer 39

They are easier to steal
They have a limited battery life so you may need to carry a power bank or charger
It is not always possible to upgrade them

Question 40

Characteristics of a tablet

Answer 40

Touch screen technology, virtual keyboard and include a series of sensors sometimes can be lightweight

Question 41

Uses of a tablet

Answer 41

Entertainment, gaming, camera for photos or videos, able to call people, calendar functions

Question 42

Advantages of a tablet

Answer 42

Very fast to switch on and fully portable
Touch screen meaning easy to use and can use several apps
Battery life of a tablet is much longer and remains connected to the internet even when power is off

Question 43

Disadvantages of a tablet

Answer 43

Rather expensive and have a limited memory storage
Expensive to run if internet is being used frequently
Typing on touch screen can be slow

Question 44

Characteristics of a smartphone

Answer 44

Have an operating system, small and touch screen, and can communicate with the internet

Question 45

Uses of a smartphone

Answer 45

Anti-glare displays, front and back facing cameras, lower weight and longer battery life, use Bluetooth for connection and use a number of sensors

Question 46

Advantages of a smartphone

Answer 46

Use them to make phone calls
Used almost anywhere they use Wi-Fi
Very light and potable

Question 47

Disadvantages of a smartphone

Answer 47

Small screens and keyboards make pages difficult to read
Slower and smaller when typing things in
Much easier to lose a smart phone and get stolen without noticing

Question 48

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Answer 48

Artificial Intelligence is a machine or application which carries out a task that requires some degree of intelligence

Question 49

What are the uses of AI?

Answer 49

• The use of language
• Recognising a persons face
• The ability to operate machinery such as a car, train or aeroplane
• Analysing data to predict the outcome of a future event

Question 50

What is the impact of AI in everyday life?

Answer 50

A negative impact on AI everyday life is that they can lose the jobs of many out there in a number of areas and they could increase in a lack of skills

Question 51

What is Biometrics?

Answer 51

Biometrics is where parts of a person’s body are used for identification purposes

Question 52

What are uses of biometrics?

Answer 52

Fingerprints- These are impressions embedded at the end oh human fingers and thumbs. They can be used as evidence at crime screens
Iris Recognition- Eye scansanalyse the iriswhich is the coloured ring that surrounds the pupil.
Face recognition- This is where theshapes of individual’s facesare analysed.
Voice Recognition- Pitch,toneandfrequencyof voices are unique and can be analysed to identify people

Question 53

What are the impacts of biometrics on everyday life?

Answer 53

Better Airports security- Iris recognition is used at airports
Increased Building Security- Using your fingerprint to access a building, only authorised people can enter the building
Reduced car theft- Some modern-day cars need fingerprints to unlock the car
More secure mobile phones- They contains our lives and private information, use a fingerprint for the real owner

Question 54

What is Virtual Reality (VR)?

Answer 54

Virtual reality is where computers are used tocreate an artificial environmentthat users caninteract withas if it were real.

Question 55

What are the uses of VR?

Answer 55

Improved medical surgeons- Surgeons can be trained usingvirtual patients. This allows them topractice over and overuntil they have perfected a particular surgerywithout riskto a real patient.
Larger and Stronger buildings- Virtual buildings allow architects towalk aroundto experience what the building would look like when completed and check forpotential errorsbefore the actual building is constructed.

Question 56

What is the impact of VR in everyday life?

Answer 56

Increased empathy- easy tool to get an idea across.

Question 57

What are robotics?

Answer 57

Robots are used to perform a wide range ofphysical tasks. They are eitherautomated(controlled by a computer chip) ormanually controlledby a human. There are 4 different types of robots:
Manufacturing robots(used to perform repetitive tasks such as welding)
Carrier robots(used by the military to carry heavy loads over dangerous terrain)
Domestic robots(used in homes to perform cleaning tasks such as vacuuming)
Exploration robots(used to visit and send images from places such as Mars

Question 58

What are the uses of robotics?

Answer 58

Dangerous Jobs, exploring extreme environments, Repetitive manufacturing jobs, moving heavy objects

Question 59

How will it AI impact the world?

Answer 59

They will have a range of capabilities and perform jobs humans cannot do which will raise the standard of living.