Unit 3 Computer Hardware and History

Question 1

What are the four components of a computer?

Answer 1

CPU (processor), Memory, Input/Output subsystem, and the Bus.

Question 2

What is the CPU?

Answer 2

Central Processing Unit - Executes program instructions, commands various components in the computer.

Question 3

What is the I/O subsystem?

Answer 3

Includes ALL peripheral devices (input, output, storage, network)

Question 4

What is Storage?

Answer 4

Long term storage devices (disk drives, tape, etc.)

Question 5

What is bus?

Answer 5

Device that permits information to move between each component.

Question 6

What are the two states of digital data states?

Answer 6

High and Low

Question 7

What is the state High in a bus?

Answer 7

noticeable current flowing through the component represented as 0

Question 8

What is the state Low in a bus?

Answer 8

little to no current flowing through the component represented as 1

Question 9

What is a bit?

Answer 9

single 1 or 0

Question 10

What is a byte?

Answer 10

8 bits, using 8 wires on a bus

Question 11

What is a word?

Answer 11

32 or 64 bit words - word size is the typical size of a datum

Question 12

What is the purpose of a computer case?

Answer 12

To enclose and protect system unit.

Question 13

What is the system unit?

Answer 13

The critical component of all computer-based systems.

Question 14

Describe some internal components in the system unit?

Answer 14

The case
Internal bays/slots
Buses
Bays
Lights and power indicators
Hard Drive
Motherboard

Question 15

What is the purpose of a CPU?

Answer 15

Central Processing Unit processes instructions of a computer program.

Question 16

What are the 2 main parts of a CPU?

Answer 16

ALU - Arithmetic Logic Unit

CU - Control Unit

Question 17

What is a heat sink and what is it for?

Answer 17

CPU can get hot and slow down processing speed. Heat sink designed to cool down CPU and is positioned on top of the CPU in the motherboard.

Question 18

What does a motherboard house?

Answer 18

CPU, memory module (where RAM - Random Access Memory is installed)

Question 19

What is RAM used for?

Answer 19

To store data and the instructions that are used at the time. RAM is fast, but whatever is in there is lost when power is cut to the computer.

Question 20

What are data storage devices and give some examples?

Answer 20

Used to store data. Examples are hard disk drives, SSD, thumb drives, disk drives, etc.

Question 21

What is a PSU?

Answer 21

Power Supply Unit - used to power the computer.

Question 22

What are expansion slots used for?

Answer 22

Used to plug in various expansion cards like graphic cards, video cards, and sound cards.

Question 23

What does the CU (Control Unit) in a CPU do?

Answer 23

Retrieves instructions and raw input data and sends that data for processing.

Question 24

What does the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) in a CPU do?

Answer 24

The actual processing of the data to output display on your screen.

Question 25

What is memory used for?

Answer 25

Short term and long term storage.

Question 26

What is used for short term storage?

Answer 26

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Question 27

What are the two main forms of RAM?

Answer 27

Dynamic RAM (DRAM) which is called main memory and static RAM (SRAM) which is cache memory and registers.

Question 28

What is ROM memory?

Answer 28

Read Only Memory which retains its contents indefinitely.

Question 29

What is BIOS ROM?

Answer 29

Stored in ROM chip on the motherboard, it stands for Basic input Output System. It is SOFTWARE and is the basic operating system that runs when a computer is first turned on. It runs tests of memory and initializes hardware components so the actual Operating System can be loaded from the hard disk.

Question 30

How does RAM memory work?

Answer 30

RAM temporarily stores data before it is processed. It disappears when the computer is powered down. RAM may be increased. It works by sending memory an address and a read command, OR by sending memory an address, a datum and a write command. Memory then stores the item at that location.

Question 31

How small is 1 bit?

Answer 31

1 black or white pixel, 1 true/false value, etc.

Question 32

How small is 1 byte?

Answer 32

8 bits. A number from 0 to 255 or -128-127, or a single character

Question 33

How small is 1 word?

Answer 33

32-64 bits (One piece of data such as a # or program instruction)

Question 34

How small is 1KB?

Answer 34

1024 bytes

Question 35

How small is 1MB?

Answer 35

~1 million bytes

Question 36

How small is 1 GB?

Answer 36

~1 billion bytes

Question 37

How small is 1 TB?

Answer 37

~1 trillion bytes

Question 38

What are computer BAYS?

Answer 38

House CDs and DVDs. Typically on the front of the system.

Question 39

What are computer SLOTS?

Answer 39

Slots are where you can insert modem cards, wireless access cards and other PC cards such as camera cards.

Question 40

What are computer PORTS?

Answer 40

Allow you to connect additional input, output, storage and communications devices (think the back of the computer where you plug in speakers, monitors, USB inputs, etc.)

Question 41

What are the standard typical home computer types?

Answer 41

Desktop, laptop, handheld.