Chapter 3 Notes

Two different coding scheme's your computer uses for the binary system:

-ASCII (8 bit) -Unicode (16 bit extension of ASCII)

Multifunction device (MFD):

-All-in-one printer -Can serve as an input device by copying and scanning -Can serve as an output device by faxing and printing

Optical Media:

-CDs, DVDs, Blue Ray discs -Use is dealing -Easy to transport, but if the disc get damaged you can't access the files

External Hard Drive:

-Can add storage capacity to your computer, are housed in a separate case, and typically connect to your computer using a USB -Either magnetic or solid state technology -Can be transported from one computer to another

Components of Computer Hardware:

-Central processing unit -Multi-core processors -Processor cache -Control unit -Arithmetic logic unit -Computer memory -Input and output devices

What should you look at to measure performance of computer hardware:

-Clock speed -Cycle -Bus width -Benchmark

Keyboard:

-Contains keys you can press to enter digits -Desktop computers have them wirelessly or wired -Laptops built in -Mobile devices on screen

Voice Synthesizer:

-Converts text to speech -Helpful for visual impairments

Bus Width:

-Determines the speed at which data travels -Also called word size

Touchscreen:

-Display that lets you touch -Multitouch respond to multiple fingets

Common types of RAM:

-Dynamic RAM (DRAM) -Static RAM (SRAM) -Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) -Flash memory

4 Steps in the Machine Cycle:

-Fetching -Decoding -Executing -Storing

Solid State Drive (SSD):

-Hard drive without moving parts, and is faster and more durable than magnetic drives -Often used on mobile devices such as laptops and tablets

Pros of desktop computers:

-Hardware components can be more easily upgraded -Often more powerful and contain more storage than mobile

Different types of printers:

-Ink jet -Laser -Multifunction device (MFD) -Mobile printer -Plotter -3-D printer

Different kinds of storage devices:

-Internal hard drive -External hard drive -Solid state drives -Optical media -Tape drive

Gamecontroller examples:

-Joystick: handheld vertical level -Gamepad: held in both hand, user presses buttons with their thumbs or move sticks -Dance pad: flat, electronic device you press your feet into -Wheel: mirror functionality of steering wheel -Motion-sensing controller: allows users to guide on-screen elements with air gestures

Example of input devices:

-Keyboard -Pointing device -Touchscreen -Microphone -Camera -Scanner -Game controller

Plotter:

-Large format printer that uses charged wires to produce high-quality drawings for professional applications such as architectural blueprints -Plotters draw continuous lines on large rolls of paper

Cons of tablet:

-Less powerful -Cant update device so if it starts deteriorating you may need to replace it

What should you do if you have display problems?

-Make sure monitor is properly connected to the system unit and power source -Try connecting a different monitor to determine it tis the monitor or system unit -Use different power and video cables -Still an issue, could be video card. Take to professor

Cons of all-in-one computers:

-More difficult to service or upgrade because components housed in a limited space -Sometimes more expensive

Internal Hard Drive:

-Most common storage medium -Store data magnetically or can use solid state storage -Contains a disk and other moving parts -Installed in the computer you're using

Example of pointing devices:

-Mouse: most common pointing device -Touchpad: flat surface that is touch-sensitive -Trackball: stationary pointing device with a ball anchored inside a casing with buttons around

Binary System:

-Number system that has two digits, 0 and 1 (called bits) -When grouped together they represent data

ROM:

-Permanently installed on your computer and is attached to the motherboard -Means of communication between the operating system and hardware devices

What should you consider when determining what hardware is personally necessary to consider when purchasing a computer?

-Platform -Hardware -Hardware specifications -Form factor -Add-on devices

How to install computer hardware on peripheral devices:

-Plug and play: function properly as soon as you connect them -Device driver: program that controls a device attached to your computer, such as a printer, monitor, or video card -Some devices require you to manually download software

Multi-Core Processors:

-Processors with multiple cores -Usually perform better and are more expensive

How can you protect your computer from power fluctuations?

-Purchase a surge protector (uninterruptible power supple)

Two types of memory on a computer:

-RAM (random access memory) -ROM (read-only memory)

Restore:

-Reverting all settings back to their default, or migrating back to the operating systems previous version

How to update the device driver if there are issues with your peripheral device?

-Run the update with your operating system, then restart -Navigate to manufactores website, get latest software, start software and follow instruction to complete update

Convertible tablet:

-Screen in its lid, keyboard in its base -Connected by a swivel-type hinge

Surge Protector:

-Short term battery backup that comes on automatically in case of power loss

Cycle:

-Smallest unit of time a process can measure

Example of output devices:

-Speakers -Headphones -Earbuds -Headset -Printer -Projectors -Voice synthesizer

RAM :

-Stored on one or more chips connected to the main circuit board of the computer (motherboard) -Temporarily stores data needs by the operating system and apps you use

Processor Cache:

-Stores the data next to the processor so that it can be easily and quickly retrieved

Cloud Storage:

-Storing electronic files on the internet, not on a local computer -Enables you to store your files remotely on servers that could be in a different place -Storing and retrieving files from cloud storage typically requires only a computer or mobile device with internet -Might not require as much storage on your computer

Camera:

-Support you adding pictures or videos into a computer -Webcams: built in

Pros of all-in-one computers:

-Take up less space than a desktop and are easier to transport

Benchmark:

-Test run by a lab to determine processor speed and other performance factors -Compare similar systems performing identical tasks

Clock Speed:

-The speech at which the computer can execute instructions -Measured in either MHz or GHz

Ultra thin Laptops:

-Weigh less, but less powerful -May have longer battery life

Virtual Memory occurs when:

-When you run operating systems or apps it requires a certain amount of RAM to function properly -If your computer runs low of RAM it may need to be swapped from the RAM to the hard drive

Byte:

8 bits together

What can a byte represent?

A single character in the computer or mobile device

0 =

Absence of an electronic charge

What is a bus?

An electronic channel that allows the CPU and various devices inside or attached to a computer to communicate

Swap file/ paging file:

Area of the hard drive temporarily used to store data that cannot fit in RAM

What unit performs the executing and storing steps of the machine cycle?

Arithmetic logic unit

How does the binary system work?

As you type on your keyboard, the computer translates them into corresponding bits and bytes. This translation spares you from having to manually type the bits for each number

How do computers represent data?

Binary system

Smalles unit of data a computer can process:

Bit

How is the efficiency of a CPU measured?

By instructions per cycle (IPC)

Optical media:

CD, DVD

How to install computer hardware on a desktop or all-in-one computer:

Carefully unpack all components from the box and place them in desired locations. Connect all components and accessories.

How to install computer hardware on a laptop:

Carefully unpack the laptop and place it in a location next to a power source, FULLY CHARGE before using the device for the first time

Video Card:

Circuit board that processes image signals

Input Device:

Communicates instructions and commands to a computer

Central Processing Unit:

Complex integrated circuit consisting of millions of electronic parts and is primarily responsible for converting input (data) into meaningful output (information)

What unit performs the fetching and decoding steps of the machine cycle?

Control unit

Pros of tablet:

Convenient and easy to transport

Scanner:

Converts an existing paper image into an electronic file that you can open and work with on your computer

Output Devices:

Conveys information from the computer to its user, or performs an actions based on a command

Output Device:

Conveys information from the computer to the user

Before attempting to restore operating systems, what should you do?

Copy all personal files to a separate storage device

Printer:

Creates a hard copt output on paper, film, or other media -Can be connected via cable, network, or wirelessly

3-D Printer:

Creates objects based on computer models using special plastics and other materials

Ex of form factors:

Desktop, laptop, and tablets

Surge Suppressor:

Device that prevents power fluctuations from damaging electronic components

Projectors:

Display output from a computer on a large surface such as a wall or screen

Ex of output device:

Display, speakers, headphone, projectors, and printers

What does data travel in and out of the CPU through?

Embedded wires called Bus

Bottlenecking:

Fast CPU, but slow bus speed

Flash Memory:

Fast type of memory that typically is less expensive than some there types of RAM, and can retain its contents in the absence of power

What are instructions on ROM called?

Firmware; get updated often

Ex of cloud storage:

Google drive, Microsoft one drive, drop box

Computer memory is responsible for:

Holding data and programs as they are being processed by the CPU

Headset:

Include one more headphones for output and a microphone for input

An add-on device can be used for both:

Input and output

Add-on device example:

Keyboard, mouse, printer, or speakers that connect to and extend the capability of a computer

Ex of input devices:

Keyboard, touchscreen, mouse, stylus, scanner, webcam, microphone, and game controller

A CPU is a chip. Some example of items that have it:

Laptop, tablets, other mobile devices, smartphones, specialized ones are in electronic control systems for cars, TV's, appliance, and other systems

Slate tablet:

Letter-sized pad that doesn't contain physical keyboard

You should make sure of what before using an add-on device?

Make sure its device compatible

Control Unit:

Manages the flow of instructors within the processor

SRAM:

Memory can be recharged less frequently than DRAM, but can be more expensive than DRAM

DRAM:

Memory needs to be constantly recharged or contents will be erased

Volatile Memory:

Memory that loses its contents when power is removed

MRAM:

Memory uses magnetic charges to store continents, and can retain its contents in the absence of power

MRAM and flash memory have what kind of memory?

Nonvolatile

Cons of desktop computer:

Not portable

Can you access files saved on the internal hard drive on other computers?

Not unless you copy the file to the other computer by external hard drive, USB flash drives, or sending it electronically

Hardware maintenance involves:

Performing tasks to keep the computers physical components in good working order

How do the BIOS tell your computer to start?

Performs a power-on self test to test computer components for proper operations

Add-on device is also called:

Peripheral device

Laptop:

Portable computer that is smaller than the average briefcase and light enough to carry comfortably

Mobile devices:

Portable or handheld with a size of 10.1 inches or smaller

1=

Presence of an electronic charge

Ink Jet Printer:

Prints by spraying small dots of colored ink onto paper

If a processor uses specific data frequently it can store data where?

Processor cache

Form factor:

Refers to the shop and size of the computer

Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU):

Responsible for performing arithmetic operations

All-in-one computer:

Similar to a desktop, but monitor and system unit are housed together

Digital Pen:

Similar to a style, but its more capable because it has programmable buttons

Ports:

Slot on the computer where you can attach a peripheral device

Stylus:

Small device, shaped like a pen

Headphones:

Small listening devices that fit into a band placed over your ears

Tablet:

Small, flat computer with a touch-sensitive screen

Mobile Printer:

Small, lightweight printer that is build into or attached to a mobile device for mobile printing

Platform:

Software or operating system a computer uses

Earbuds:

Speakers small enough to place in your ears

Tape Drive:

Storage device that stores data on magnetic tapes

What are storages devices designed to do?

Store data and information for extended periods of time

Internal hard drive:

Story your operating system and apps you're currently using

What does the ROM contain?

The BIOS which tell your computer how to start

When a CPU executes instructions as it converts input into output, it does so with what?

The control unit and arithmetic logic unit

Wider the bus=

The more data that can travel on it

Machine Cycle:

The steps the CPU completes to run programmed instructions, make calculations, and make decisions

When is RAM used?

To temporarily story instructions used by apps

Before doing maintenance, what should you do?

Turn off computer and remove from power source

Desktop Computer:

Typically consist of the system unit, monitor, keyboard, and mouse

Processor Core:

Unit on the processor with the circuity necessary to execute instructions

Input deices:

Used to communicate instructions or commands to a computer

Microphone:

Used to enter voice or sound data into a computer

Pointing Device:

Used to point to and select specific objects on the computer screen

Laster Printer:

Uses a laser beam and toner to print on paper

DRAM and SRAM have what kind of memory?

Volatile

External hard drive:

Want to completely back up the contents of your computer