Computer Basic Hardware

Microprocessor

3rd step leading to the miniaturization of the computer.

Windows 7

A computer operating system

Power Supply

A device that provides power to a computer.

RJ-45

Another name for a network cable connector

Wireless Network

Any type of computer network that is not connected by cables of any kind.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

Brain of the computer that performs instructions defined by software

Binary Code

Groupings of 1's and 0's that makes information that a computer can understand.

Opening the "Save As" dialog box

Method or way to find the document library.

Supercomputer

Most powerful computers of all, with extremely fast processing speeds. Can perform really complex scientific calculations. They span in size from a few times the size of a desktop computer to the size of an entire room.

Motherboard

Printed circuit board on which the CPU, RAM chips and other electronic circuit elements of a digital computer are frequently located.

Application Software

Programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do (ex: Word, Excel, Photoshop, WordPerfect...)

operating system software

Programs that make the computer work (ex: Windows 8, vista, GUI, Linux.)

Software

Set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. It is what guides the hardware and tells it how to accomplish each task.

Mainframe

a little less powerful than supercomputers; can execute multiple tasks at one time at a very high speed.

laptop

a portable computer

Mini Computer

also called "mid range computers." multi-user computers that have less storage capabilities; used in businesses for specific tasks.

Order of bytes from least to greatest

bits, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte, terabyte.

Output

device that projects images, gives sound, and basically gives out the info from the computer so the user can obtain it (ex: monitor, printer, projector, speakers)

Boot Process

starting up a computer from a halted or powered down condition (turning the computer on).

1024

Number of bytes that equals one (1) kilobyte

dialog box.

A small area or screen, in which the user is prompted to provide information or select commands.

Micro Computer

PC's, desktops, workstations, servers, tablets, handhelds, wearable.

saving them to a different location in case your computer crashes.

Phrase used when you backup your files

RAM

Random Access Memory - temporary place to store material that works quickly. erased when computer turns off. Volatile.

ROM

Read Only Memory- Permanent instructions that cannot be changed. It makes the BIOS function. Checks your OS.

Steps to add or check a hardware device that is not working.

Restart the computer, check the connections and clean the device first before restarting the computer

Operating System (OS)

Software used to control the computer and its peripheral equipment.

User Friendly

Something anyone can operate

Hard Drive

Storage device that stores digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating rigid disks with magnetic surfaces. The device is either permanently installed within the computer case or can be portable

port

The interface between the computer and peripheral device.

device driver

The name given to the program used for hardware so that it will run on your computer

hertz

The unit of measure to determine the computer processing speed

Input

device used to insert data into a computer or other device (ex: keyboard, mouse, microphone, scanner, voice recognition)

surge protector

hardware device that can save your computer from damage during a electrical storm.