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.
dialog box.
A small area or screen, in which the user is prompted to provide information or select commands.
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.
1024
Number of bytes that equals one (1) kilobyte
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
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.)
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
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.
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
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)
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.
Boot Process
starting up a computer from a halted or powered down condition (turning the computer on).
