CIT 310 Unit 1 reading terms
VGA port (video graphics array)
- 15 pin, D-shaped, female port that transmits analog video - also called DB15, HD15, DE15 ports
what type of memory module is used in laptops?
SO-DIMM
PCMCIA cards
- a card used with older laptops that was one or more variations of a PC Card to add memory to a laptop or provide ports for peripheral devices (for ex: modem cards, network card for wired or wireless network, sound cards, SCSI host adapters, FireWire controller, USB controller, flash memory adapter, TV tuner, and hard disks)
POST (diagnostic) card
- a test card installed in a slot on the motherboard or plugged in to a USB port that is used to help discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur when a computer is first turned on and before the operating system is launched
ExpressCard/34/54
- an expresscard slit is fully hot-pluggable (you can add a card while the system is on), hot swappable (exchange or add a card while the system is on), and supports autoconfiguration
power supply unit (PSU)
- box installed in a corner of the computer case that receives and converts the house current so that components inside the case can use it - converts it to provide power to the motherboard and other installed devices - provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC
expansion card (adapter card)
- circuit board that provides more ports than those provided by the motherboard
heat sink
- consists of metal fins that draw heat away from a component
CPU (central processing unit, processor, microprocessor)
- does most of the processing of data and instructions for the entire system. - because it generates heat, a fan and heat sink might be installed on top to keep it cool.
UEFI (Unified Extensible firmware interface)
- firmware that is more robust and secure than BIOS - responsible for managing essential devices before the OS is launched, starting the computer, and managing motherboard settings - also assure that the boot is secure and no rogue operating system hijacks the system
expresscard
- have been replaced by USB ports on today's laptops - can not be hot-swapped (inserted or removed while the system is on), but you must stop one card before inserting another - caution: inserting one while the laptop is shutting down or booting up can cause damage to the card and/ or the laptop. also cause damage while in hibernation or sleep mode
motherboard (main board, system board, mobo)
- largest and most important circuit board in the computer - contains a socket to hold the processor or CPU
SSD (solid-state device)
- mobile devices store their apps and data - a type of flash memory
hard (disk) drive (HDD)
- permanent storage used to hold data and programs - the main secondary storage device of a computer. (two technologies are currently used by hard drives: magnetic (larger) and solid state(smaller))
tower case
- sits upright and can be as high as 2ft and has room for several drives - often used for servers; have more drive bays; largest type of personal computer case - good for desktop computer users who anticipate upgrading, because tower cases provide maximum space for working inside a computer and moving components around
RAM (random access memory)
- temporary storage for data and instruction as they are being processed by the CPU - memory modules on the motherboard containing microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. - information is lost when the computer is turned off
cable lock
- used to secure a notebook computer to a desk to help prevent it from being stolen
PCI (peripheral component interconnect)
- uses a 32-bit wide or 64-bit bit data path - several variations exist - on a desktop systems, one or more notches keep from the wrong card being inserted in the wrong slot (20 pin P1 connector)
ATX12V power supply
- version 2.1 power supply that provides an extra 12 V power cord with a 4-pin connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to provide extra power for processors (4 or 8 pin auxiliary connector)
serial ATA (SATA)
-an ATAPI interface standard for hard drives, optical drives, and other drives that uses a narrower and more reliable cable than the 80-conductor cable and is easier to configure than PATA systems - can only connect to a ______ connector on the motherboard in one direction which is how they get their power (use red connectors on the mobo first)
How many pins did the first ATX P1 connector use?
20
Which of the choices displayed is the pin count of the P1 connector for the early ATX motherboards?
20
What type of connector is used by a micro-ATX power supply?
24-pin P1
What connector is used to provide an extra 12-V power to the processor?
4-pin auxiliary
chassis
A computer case for any type of computer - houses the power supply, motherboard, processor, memory modules, expansion cards, hard drive, optical drive, and other drives
cellular network
A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. consists of geographic areas of coverage called cells, each controlled by a tower called a base station
What is the most commonly used form factor today?
ATX
what are the form factors used by most desktop and tower computer cases?
ATX and microATX
What system manages devices essential to boot before the OS loads?
BIOS
Compressed air is best used for which of the following?
Blowing dust out of PC and keyboard
which of the following ports always carries digital audio and can work with electrical or optical cable?
S/PDIF
Most Hard drives and optical drives in use today use this ATA standard.
SATA
What standard is most often used today by hard drives to communicate with a system motherboard?
SATA
Which of the storage devices listed is typically the largest?
DVD-DL
What is the first item you will need before opening a computer case
ESD strap
Which of the following can be used to connect or ground a technician's hand to a computer case in order to dissipate any static electricity?
ESD strap
Named after its inventor this device keeps voltage levels constant preventing unwanted discharges
Faraday cage
Most IDE or PATA systems can support a maximum of ____ devices.
Four
what are two types of technology used to connect to the cellular networks:
GSM (Global system for mobile communication) and CDMA (code division multiple access)
Tin addition to the power supply fan it is not unusual to find fans on the devices shown EXCEPT the ____________.
Hard drive
You decide to take a look inside your case. The PC has been running without problems for a year. You see that you have a motherboard that supports a 24 pin P-1 connector the power supply connector is 20 pins. What do you do?
Leave it alone
What technology is used by tablet devices to wirelessly connect to nearby devices
NFC
How many drives can a SATA cable support?
One
what is the maximum number of devices that can be connected to a standard SATA cable?
One
Your power supply has an eight pin power connector. What is the most likely use for this connector?
PCIe
A Multimeter can NOT measure which of the choices?
Port Speed
When a laptop is missing a port or slot, what type of device can be used to provide the port or slot that is needed?
USB dongle
FRU (field-replaceable units)
a component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer (ex: power supply, DIMM, motherboard, hard disk drive)
docking port
a connector on a laptop to connect to a port replicator or docking station
power supply tester
a device that can test the output of each power cord coming from a power supply
gyroscope
a device that contains a disc that is free to move and can respond to gravity as the device is moved
multimeter
a device used to measure the various attributes of an electrical circuit. the most common measurements are voltage, current, and resistance
loopback plug
a device used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working and might also test the throughput or speed of the port
base station
a fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network
DIMM slots (dual inline memory module)
a miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard to hold memory
geotracking
a mobile device routinely reports its position to Apple, Google, or Microsoft at least twice a day, which makes it possible for these companies to track your device's whereabouts
bluetooth
a short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal network
SIM (subscriber identity Module) card
a small flash memory card that contains all the info a device needs to connect to a GSM or LTE cellular network, including a password and other authentication information needed to access the network, encryption standards used, and the services that a subscription includes
microATX
a smaller version of the ATX form factor. - reduces the total cost of a system by reducing the number of expansion slots on the motherboard, reducing the power supplied to the board, and allowing for a smaller case size.
microUSB
a smaller version of the regular USB connector
miniUSB
a smaller version of the regular USB connector and is small than microUSB
SO-DIMM (small outline DIMMs)
a type of memory module used in laptop computer that uses DIMM technology
infrared (IR)
a wireless connection that requires an unobstructed "line of sight" between transmitter and receiver.
what device is used by the OS and apps in a mobile device to sense the physical position of the device?
accelerometer
When you place a portable PC in a state where most of its functions are available but no communication is possible the device is said to be in this mode. (Choose best answer)
airplane
USB to Wi-Fi dongle
allows you to connect a laptop that doesn't have wireless capability to a wireless network
USB to RJ-45 dongle
an adapter that plugs into a USB port and provides an RJ- 45 port fro a network cable to connect to a wired network - provides a network port to connect to a wired network
USB optical drive
an external optical drive that connect to a computer via a USB port
ESD (electrostatic discharge) (ESD strap = ground bracelet)
another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye
dual-voltage selector switch
back of computer where you can switch the input voltage to the power supply to 115 V used in the US or 220 V used in other countries
analog
continuous signal with infinite variations as compared with digital which is a series of binary values - 1s and 0s
if you put __________ and ___________ tools in the same box, be sure to keep the discs inside a hard plastic case to protect them from scratches and dents
discs and hardware
what device provides ports to allow a laptop to easily connect to a full-sized monitor, keyboard, AC power adapter, and other peripheral devices?
docking station
socket service
establishes communication between the card and the laptop when the card is first inserted
Which motherboard component is used by adapter cards to provide a port or other function not provided by the motherboard?
expansion slot
Before USB devices became so popular, what type of slot was offered on laptops in order to connect peripheral devices?
expresscard
PCI Express (PCIe)
faster slots were added to motherboards, more power was required and a new ATX specification allowed for a 24-pin P1 connector, also called the 20+4 power connector. (version 1 = 6-pin, version 2 = 8-pin connector) (can also be located on the motherboard to supply extra power for the video card)
BIOS (basic input/output system)
firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as communication with the keyboard and the monitor
What type of device would use a PCIe 6/8 pin connector?
high-end video card
What type of wireless connection requires an obstructed "line of sight" between transmitter and receiver?
infrared
desktop case
lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand
CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays all read data using this technology
optical
Which of the following components is NOT typically found on netbook computers?
optical drive
docking station
provides ports to allow a laptop to easily connect to a full-sized monitor, keyboard, AC power adapter, and other peripheral devices
card service
provides the device driver to interface with the card after the socket is created
POST (power-on self test)
self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices - performed by startup UEFI/BIOS when the computer is first turned on (looks like a scoreboard)
firmware
software that is permanently stored in a chip. example is BIOS
processor cooler
the fan and heat sink together is called the ____________.
internal components
the main components installed in a computer case
ATX (advanced technology extended)
the most commonly used form factor today. - originally introduced by Intel in 1995. - make better use of space and resources than did the earlier version
BIOS setup
the program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM
form factors
the set of specifications on the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard
which port can transmit video, data, and power on the same cable and is popular with apple computers?
thunderbolt
What is the most common pointing device on a laptop
touchpad
which type of computer case sits upright, has room for several drives, and is often used for servers?
tower case
What is the maximum number of devices that can be connected to a standard PATA cable?
two
accelerometer
type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device
24-pin P1 connector
used by ATX verion 2.2 power supply and motherboard and provides additional power for PCI
20-pin P1 connector
used by an older ATX power supply and motherboard and provided +3.3volts, +5 volts, +12 volts, -12 volts, and an optional and rarely used -5 volts
With the introduction of ATX version 2.2 which PC subsystem saw the greatest benefit?
video
A smart watch is an example of what type of mobile device?
wearable technology
NFC (Near field communication)
wireless technology that establishes a communication link between two NFC devices that are within 4 inches of each other
