Ch5

Which of the following describes how data is written to a hard drive?

1.Data is written in binary code. 2.Read/write heads record bits of data on rotating platters. 3.Data is stored on magnetically-sensitive platters. 4.All of the above.

Which of the following is a function of the Task Manager?

1.End a nonresponsive program 2.Monitor CPU and RAM usage 3.Monitor individual program activity All of the above

Advantages of Using Databases

A database is a collection of related data that can be easily stored, organized, and queried. Databases provide many advantages over simple Excel lists.

Rotational Delay

Access time is the amount of time it takes a computer to request and retrieve data. The tiny delay experienced after the read/write head is positioned over the correct track, while the head waits for the right sector to pass underneath, is called rotational latency.

How do I create fields in a database?

Actually, you can create the fields manually by assigned field names.

What happens after the POST?

After POST, BIOS copies the operating system from the hard drive to RAM.

Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations

After the POST, BIOS loads the operating system from its permanent storage location on the hard drive to RAM. Once the OS files are loaded into RAM, the kernel (or supervisor program) is loaded. The kernel is the essential component of the OS. It manages the processor and all other components of the system. Because it stays in RAM the entire time your computer is on, the kernel is called memory resident.

How do I get started on creating a database?

Before creating a database, you need to know the three main components of a database. These include fields, records, and tables.

How do you open a new Finder window in the macOS Mojave operating system?

Click the File menu and click New Finder Window.

How do you change the desktop background in the macOS Mojave operating system?

Click the View menu, click Personal, then click Desktop & Screen Saver.

Nonvolatile storage

Data is remembered even when power is turned off Necessary if you want to save and access files and programs

Database Components

Databases have three main data storage components. 1. A category of information in a database is stored in a field. Fields are displayed in columns. Each field is identified by a field name. Here City, State, and Class Code are field names. 2.A group of related fields is called a record. Here, contact details and class registration information constitute one record. 3.A group of related records is called a table (or file). Tables usually are organized by a common subject. This group of related records containing student information constitutes a table.

Which term describes when hard drive storage becomes inefficient because files are stored in non-adjacent segments throughout a hard drive?

Disk fragmentation

How do you pin an application to the taskbar in Windows 10?

Drag the application's icon from the desktop to the taskbar.

Primary Key

Each record in a database table is assigned a primary key (or key field) to ensure that the record is unique and won't be confused with other records. For example, in your student record, a primary key might be your student ID or Social Security number because no other student at your school will have the same number as you do.

Which is NOT a feature of a hard drive?

Easily opened case

Writing to the Disk

Everything the computer stores is written in a binary code of 0s and 1s (bits) The read/write heads record each bit of information with lightning speed as the platter rotates underneath

Reading from the Disk

Everything the computer stores is written in a binary code of 0s and 1s (bits). The read/write heads record each bit of information with lightning speed as the platter rotates underneath.

Internal storage devices

Hard disk drives Solid state drives Solid state hybrid drives

Functions of the Task Manager

Helps you monitor components such as CPU and RAM to gauge how efficiently your computer is running Enables you to quit programs not responding to mouse clicks or keyboard commands

Errors in the Boot Process

If you are running Windows 10, you can also try resetting your computer. Reset your PC attempts to diagnose and fix errors in your Windows system files that are causing your computer to behave improperly.

Which of the following is a good suggestion for solving a boot problem?

If you've recently installed new software or hardware, try uninstalling it. If the problem no longer occurs when rebooting, you can reinstall the device or software.

Performing the Power-On Self Test

In the first step of the boot process, the CPU activates the basic input/output system, or BIOS, a program that manages the exchange of data between the OS and the input and output devices attached to the system. The first job BIOS performs is to ensure that the computer's peripheral devices are attached and working. This process is called the power-on self-test, or POST.

Hard Disk Drives

Mechanical parts are enclosed in a sealed case. The hard drive case should always remain sealed. As much as a speck of dust can cause a scratch, which will destroy data.

Where would you find information on the amount of RAM an individual app is using?

Memory column in the Processes tab

Which is NOT descriptive of a solid state drive?

Moving parts

Is one table in a database enough to enter all my information in it and store all the fields?

No, you need to create different tables and categorize data to be stored in them.

If I have many files related to one topic, can they all have the same name? 1.As long as you group all of the files into one folder, that can be done. Just remember to use a different file extension for each file so that you are not confused. 2.No. Every file in the same folder or storage device must be uniquely identified. 3.No. Every file in the same folder has to have the same file extension. 4.No. Every file in the same folder can have the same name and append a different numeral to the end of the file extension.

No. Every file in the same folder or storage device must be uniquely identified

Once the kernel is loaded, is my computer up and running?

Not yet. The OS checks the registry for further configurations and customizations.

In Windows 10, what do you find on the Start menu? 1.On the Windows 10 Start menu, you will find icons, widgets, and documents. 2.On the Windows 10 Start menu, you will find widgets, scrollbars, and ribbons. 3.On the Windows 10 Start menu, you will find Documents, Computer, and All Programs folders. 4.On the Windows 10 Start menu, you will find tiles representing your most used applications.

On the Windows 10 Start menu, you will find tiles representing your most used applications.

How do you change the desktop theme in Windows 10?

Open Settings and click Personalization.

Which best describes the programs featured on the Services tab? 1.Accessibility programs 2.Operating system support programs 3.Programs that are currently in service 4.All of the above

Operating system support programs

Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations

Other parts of the OS that are less critical stay on the hard drive and are copied over to RAM on an as-needed basis. These programs are called nonresident. Once the kernel is loaded, the OS takes over control of the computer's functions. In the last step of the boot process, the OS checks the configuration of other system components. The registry contains all the configurations used by the OS, including the customized settings you put into place, such as display settings for your monitor.

Solid State Drives

Pros Greater reliability due to no moving parts High data transfer rates Energy efficient Cons Less storage capacity than hard disk drives Expensive

Errors in the Boot Process

Sometimes problems occur during the boot process. Here are some suggestions for solving a boot problem: If you've recently installed new software or hardware, try uninstalling it. (Make sure you use the Uninstall a program feature in the Control Panel to remove the software.) If the problem no longer occurs when rebooting, you can try reinstalling the device or software.

Loading the OS and Checking Further Configurations and Customizations

Step 1: The CPU activates the basic input/output system (BIOS). The BIOS is located on a ROM chip. Data stored in ROM does not get erased when the computer is turned off. Step 2: BIOS checks that all attached devices are in place and working and that the video card and memory are responding correctly. This test is called a power-on self-test (POST). If the results of the POST are OK, the boot process continues. Step 3: BIOS goes through a preconfigured list of devices in its search for the drive that contains the system files. When located, the operating system loads into RAM from its permanent storage location on the hard drive. Step 4: The registry is checked for further configurations and customizations. If the entire system is checked out and loaded properly, the desktop appears on your screen. The computer system is now ready to accept your first command.

Which type of information would NOT be found in the Performance tab? 1.Summary of video usage 2.Summary of CPU usage 3.Summary of memory usage 4.Summary of disk usage

Summary of video usage

Which of the following is NOT something you'd find on the Processes tab? 1.Running and nonresponsive apps 2.The CPU and RAM usage of individual apps 3.System reboot button 4.End task button

System reboot button

Once the BIOS program is activated, what happens next?

The BIOS makes sure that all your computer's peripheral devices are attached and working.

What is the first step in the boot process?

The CPU accesses the BIOS.

Performing the Power-On Self Test

The POST does the following: Tests the video card and video memory Identifies the BIOS Tests that the memory chips are working The BIOS then compares the results of the POST with the hardware configurations stored in CMOS, a special kind of memory that uses almost no power and is never erased. If the results of the POST compare favorably to the configurations stored in CMOS, the boot process continues.

In Windows 10, what feature is used to locate and launch software or applications installed on your device? 1.The Start Menu 2.The Tiles screen 3.The File Explorer screen 4.The Smart Apps screen

The Start Menu

What is the boot process?

The boot process ensures that the operating system is loaded into RAM.

Rotational delay is best described as which of the following?

The delay experienced while the disk spins to the right sector

What is the kernel?

The kernel is the essential component of the OS. It manages the processor and all other components of the system.

Why are the letters at the end of file names (like .docx) needed? 1.The letters that follow the period at the end of a file name are the file's extension. This enables the computer to know what drive it should store the file in when it is saved. 2.The letters that follow the period at the end of a file name are the file's extension. This enables the windows drive organization to function. 3.The letters that follow the period at the end of a file name are the file's extension. This enables the computer to know what application it should use to read the file. 4.The letters that follow the period at the end of a file name are the file's extension. This provides the information on how long ago the file was saved.

The letters that follow the period at the end of a file name are the file's extension. This enables the computer to know what application it should use to read the file.

What are the different types of databases and which is the most common?

There are relational, object-oriented, and multidimensional databases. Of these, the relational database is most common.

Types of Databases

There are three main types of databases: 1.Relational databases include only data, which is organized into separate logical groupings (or tables) that contain related data. For example, at a college, a database could have a table with student contact information and another table with class registration information. 2.Object-oriented databases store data in objects, not tables. These objects contain not only data, but also methods for processing or manipulating that data. Object-oriented database are adept at handling unstructured data such as audio and video clips, pictures, and extremely large documents. 3.Multidimensional databases store data in multiple dimensions. This distinguishes them from a relational database, which stores data in two-dimensional tables. Multidimensional databases organize data in a cube format.

What do the different letters like A: and C: seen when File Explorer is opened refer to? 1.These are drives, the first component of the hierarchical structure of drives, folders, subfolders, and files organized by Windows. The C drive is the hard drive. 2.These are drives, the first component of the hierarchical structure of drives, folders, subfolders, and files organized by Windows. The A: drive is the hard drive and the C: drive is the flash drive. 3.These are drives, the first component of the hierarchical structure of drives, folders, subfolders, and files organized by Windows. The C drive is the DVD drive. 4.These are drives, the first component of the hierarchical structure of drives, folders, subfolders, and files organized by Windows. The F drive is the hard drive.

These are drives, the first component of the hierarchical structure of drives, folders, subfolders, and files organized by Windows. The C drive is the hard drive.

Can I get back an important file if I accidentally delete it? 1.Unfortunately, it's not possible to recover a file once you've deleted it without special Restore software. 2.This will depend on where the file was. If the deleted file was from a flash drive it would go to the Recycle Bin. Files that are located in the Recycle Bin can be restored. 3.This will depend on where the file was. If the deleted file was from a cloud storage location, it would go to the Recycle Bin. Files that are located in the Recycle Bin can be restored. 4.This will depend on where the file was. If the deleted file was from your hard drive, it would go to the Recycle Bin. Files that are located in the Recycle Bin can be restored.

This will depend on where the file was. If the deleted file was from your hard drive, it would go to the Recycle Bin. Files that are located in the Recycle Bin can be restored.

Defragging the Disk

When a drive becomes severely fragmented, it slows the computer down because it takes more time to search for and locate all of a file's parts. Running a disk defragmentation program takes all of the separated pieces and puts them back together.

How a Disk Gets Fragmented

When a drive is empty, data is recorded onto it in contiguous blocks as each new file is saved on the disk. Fragmentation means that pieces of each file are spread out all over the disk.

But, if I include the primary key of one table in the other table, won't I have two primary keys for a record?

When the primary key of one table is included in another table to establish a relationship between the two tables, it is called a foreign key in the related table.

Data Types

When you create a database, you assign each field in the database a field name. You also indicate what type of data can be stored in the field. This is called the data type (or field type). The following are common data types in Microsoft Access:

Creating Database Tables

When you create a database, you must organize data into various tables based on logical groupings. Each table in the database should contain a related group of data on a single topic.

File Naming Tips and Conventions

When you name your files, keep in mind the following tips and conventions: Each operating system has its own naming conventions, or rules. Pay attention to them to avoid getting error messages when you name files. Name your files so that you can easily identify them. A file name like "research.docx" may be descriptive to you if you're only working on one research paper, but not if you're working on many. No two files stored on the same device or folder can share both the same file name and the same extension.

What else can I store in a field besides text, numeric values, and contents of a calculation?​

You can store pictures and video clips using OLE Object fields

What data type can I use for a field if I have to store a page of text?

You can use memo fields. They are text fields that are used to hold long pieces of text.​

How do I create relationships between tables?

You use primary and foreign key fields to create relationships between tables.

Naming Files

he first part of a file, or the file name, is the name you give the file when you save it. For example, "bioreport" may be the name of a report for your biology class. In Windows, following the file name and after the dot (.) comes a three- or four-letter extension, or file type. Here you see some common file extensions and the types of documents they indicate. The extension identifies what kind of file it is and what application should be used to open the file. For example, if the "bioreport" file is a Word document, it will have a .docx extension and be named "bioreport.docx".