Term
|
Definition
Magnetic storage device that uses a read/write head to read, record and erase data onto a floppy disk.
Data is stored in binary fashion (0s and 1s).
Considered obsolete since PC99 standards |
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Term
|
Definition
1.44 MB
Have a range of 360KB - 2.88 MB |
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Term
|
Definition
Basic unit of permanent storage for computers.
Majority of hard drives use magnetic storage and mechanical spindles and armatures, which make hard drives a vulnerable point for failure. |
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Term
| HDD: Common interface types for Internal drives |
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Definition
- SCSI
- EIDE
- SATA (current standard) |
|
|
Term
| HDD: Common interface types for External drives |
|
Definition
- USB
- IEEE 1394 (FireWire) |
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|
Term
| HDD: Solid State Drives (SDD) |
|
Definition
use non-volatile flash memory to store data, similar to USB flash drives.
Much faster, have no mechanical parts (less prone to failure), last longer.
Far more expensive and not in same sizes as traditional HDDs |
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Term
|
Definition
| Storage device that uses a laser to read data encoded on discs in pits and lands that mimic, 0's and 1's. |
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Term
| Optical Drives: Progression |
|
Definition
1. CD-ROM drives
2. CD-RW drives
3. DVD-ROM
4. DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW
5. Blu-ray |
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Term
| Optical Drives: Common interface types |
|
Definition
Internal:
- SCSI
- EIDE
- SATA
External:
- USB
- IEEE 1394 (FireWire) |
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|
Term
Removable Storage:
Tape Drive |
|
Definition
Magnetic media devices using rolling magnetized read/write head to read/write data onto cassettes using magnetic ribbon, or "tapes," as storage.
Data can only be accessed sequentially and are slow compared to other media
Storage Capacity:
20GBs to greater than 1TB |
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|
Term
Removable Storage:
Tape Drive; Common Formats |
|
Definition
- DDs-1
- DAT72
- DLT-4
- TR-7 |
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Term
Removable Storage:
Solid State Devices |
|
Definition
Storage units that have no mechanical parts, use non-volatile flash memory to store data.
Do not generate excessive heat and also use less power.
utilized mainly in smaller devices like USB flash drives and SD cards, cell phones and cameras.
Some manufacturers are using 2.5" SSD drives in their laptops |
|
|
Term
Removable Storage:
External CD-RW |
|
Definition
Optical drives that can "erase" certain types of discs by altering the physical state of the reflective layer of these discs, from an amorphous solid to a crystalline state.
More sensitive than CD-ROM and CD-R discs.
virtually identical to internal CD-RW drives except have an integrated circuit board and connector
Connects via USB or IEEE 1394 (FireWire) |
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|
Term
Removable Storage:
Hot-Swappable |
|
Definition
Can be plugged into a computer without shutting the machine down and used with little to no effort from the user.
Virtually all USB devices are hot-swappable.
Some early SCSI drives were hot-swappable |
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Term
|
Definition
Physical dimensions of a product.
Each form factor commonly used has a specific format and set of specifications |
|
|
Term
Motherboard:
Form Factor:
ATX |
|
Definition
ATX
- Standardized many aspects of motherboards
- 12" x 9.6"
- use of PS/2 ports for mouse/keyboard
- |
|
|
Term
Motherboard:
Form Factor:
ATX:
Power supply |
|
Definition
- 20-pin P1 power connector to provide 3.3 volts, +5 volts and +12 volts.
- Later revisions provided auxiliary 4-pin and 8-pin connectors for processors, as well as the newer 24-pin P1 power connectors
- use of "soft power" switches to control power supply instead of direct hardware switch |
|
|
Term
Motherboard:
Form Factor:
BTX |
|
Definition
- 12.8" x 10.5"
- Intended to replace ATX
- emphasize low thermal footprints
- airflow parallel to major components
- placement of components to minimize latency
- not compatible with ATX cases
- use ATX power supply |
|
|
Term
Motherboard:
Form Factor:
microATX |
|
Definition
- 6.75" x 6.75" to 9.6" x 9.6"
- uses less power that full ATX board by integrating many functions (video, sound, NIC)
- reduced number of expansion slots to max of 4 |
|
|
Term
Motherboard:
Form Factor:
NLX |
|
Definition
- 10" x 9"
- intended for low-end PCs and to replace LPX specifications
- used riser card for expansion slots
- Motherboard had only 1 slot (used for riser card)
- been supplanted by the microATX and similar form factors |
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|
Term
|
Definition
| Various ports and expansion slots used to connect the computer to various hardware devices |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Often integrated into motherboard, allows capture and playback of digital and analog sound files |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Sound:
Cards |
|
Definition
- Use PCI or PCI-Express slots
- have traditional TRS jacks (mini-jacks), and S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interconnect Format) as output connectors.
- 2 to 8-channel stereo
- have internal connectors allowing CD/DVD drives to connect directly |
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Term
|
Definition
| Designed to output data to a monitor or display mechanism that will display the signal as visual data. Common interfaces include VGA, DVI and HDMI, which is used for high definition TVs and monitors. |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Video:
Cards |
|
Definition
- AGP or PCI-Express slots
- sometimes contain separate memory, processors, and cooling systems |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- 1.5 to 12Mb/s transfer rate
- Daisy chained up to 127 devices
- 4 wires: 2 power, 2 signal transmission
- max length of wire: 3 meters |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- 480Mb/s transfer rate
- backward compatible with USB 1.1
- Daisy chained up to 127 devices
- 4 wires: 2 power, 2 signal transmission
- max length of wire: 5 meters |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- 5 Gb/s transfer rate
- Daisy chained up to 127 devices
- 4 wires: 2 power, 2 signal transmission |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- First connectivity standards on PCs
- aka DB9 and DB25 ports (depending on # of pins)
- utilized for mice, external modems
- Defined by RS-232 and RS-232c standard
- Referred to as COM 1/2/3/4 ports
- Send data one bit at a time
- Generally male connectors
- Can be disables in the BIOS |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Serial:
IRQs |
|
Definition
Interrupt Request
COM1
- 3F8 and IRQ4
COM2
- 2F8 and IRQ3 |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
IEEE 1394/FireWire |
|
Definition
- Data is sent without interruption (isochronously)
- Hot-pluggable
- Daisy-chained up to 63 devices |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
IEEE 1394a |
|
Definition
FireWire 400
- transfer rate of 400 Mb/s
- max length of cable 4.5 meters
- use 4 and 6-pin connectors |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
IEEE 1394b |
|
Definition
FireWire 800
- transfer rate of 3.2 Gb/s
- practical maximum of 800 Mb/s
- Max cable length 100 meters
- use 9-pin connectors |
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|
Term
|
Definition
-Transmit data over several lines at once (8 bits at a time)
- Originally unidirectional (Standard Parallel Port, SPP)
- Became bidirectional and faster (Enhanced Parallel Port, EPP, and Extended Capabilities Port, ECP)
- Current standard is IEEE 1284
- Suggested max length 4.5 meters |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Parallel:
Extended Capabilities Port (ECP) |
|
Definition
| - Use Direct Memory Access (DMA) to increase transmission rates |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Parallel:
Connections |
|
Definition
- DB-25 (25 pin)
- 36-pin micro ribbon
- 50-pin
- are generally female connectors |
|
|
Term
I/O interfaces:
Network Interface Card (NIC) |
|
Definition
- Virtually all use Ethernet standard (RJ-45 jack)
- Generally connects to Cat5, 5e or 6 cabling
- every card has unique 48-bit Media Access Control (MAC) address utilizing hexadecimal numbers (0-9, A-F)
- Support 1 Gb/s ethernet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- stands for "modulator/demodulator"
- current are Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL)
- use phone lines, coaxial cable tv networks, or fiber optics
- transfer rates from 640Kb/s - 12Mb/s and faster
- Connect to computer via USB or ethernet |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Standard port for mice and keyboards until USB
- 6-pin mini-DIN connectors and were color coded
- Green = mouse
- Purple = keyboard |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Created by Rambus
- use 16 or 32-bit bus
- came in Error-Correcting Code (ECC) and non-ECC versions
- speed range: 800-1066 MHz
- sized: 64MB - 512MB
- Often used as video memory due to high bus speed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
RIMM:
Disadvantages |
|
Definition
- architecture required all memory slots to be filled
- users needed continuity RIMM (C-RIMM) if not enough memory sticks were available
- Very expensive
- Generate significant amount of heat
- substantially higher latency than most available memory |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) |
|
Definition
- Standard form of system memory, RAM, today
- several configurations: 100-pin (printers) to 240-pin (Double Data Rate, DDR3)
- use 64-bit path
- run in sync with system clock for increased performance (unless DDR)
- can be double (dual-ranked) or single-sided (single-ranked) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| - runs at twice the speed of system clock and uses less power |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
DIMM:
Access and speeds |
|
Definition
- can have up to 3 DIMMS, channels, with special hardware and configuration
- when utilizing more than 1 channel, must be matched in size, speed, and latency |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Speeds in either MHz or PC ratings (transfer rate multiplied by the MHz rating)
- Range from PC2-6400 to PC3-10600
- PC2: DDR2 memory
- PC3: DDR3 memory |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
Small Outline DIMMs (SODIMMs) |
|
Definition
- smaller versions of DIMMs
- 72, 100, 144, and 200-pin configurations
- have differently placed notches on bottom edges (like DIMMs) to signify the DDR rating of the module
- 72 and 100-pin have 32-bit data path
- 144 and 200-pin have 64-bit path |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM) |
|
Definition
- prior standard of memory; completely supplanted by DIMMs
- 30 and 72-pin modules
- most had just a 32-bit data path, some 30-pin only had 16-bit
- Access times much slower for SIMMs
- some SIMMs used parity as an error-checking technology |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
SIMM:
3-types |
|
Definition
Fast Page Memory (FPM)
- used with 30- and 72-pin SIMMs
extended data out (EDO)
- faster than FPM
- used with 72-pin SIMMs and 168-pin DIMMs
burst EDO (BEDO)
- rarely used technology |
|
|
Term
Memory Slots:
SIMM:
Parity Error |
|
Definition
- a ninth bit was included with every byte (8 bits) of data.
- supplanted by ECC technology |
|
|
Term
Processor Sockets:
General Info |
|
Definition
Socket for processor and chipset determines what type of processor and feature set a system can use.
Intel processors use different sockets than Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processors
- Both use zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- presently use lang grid array (LGA) architecture; utilizes lands (pads) instead of pins to connect to the CPU
- early versions used PGA |
|
|
Term
Processor Sockets:
Intel:
LGA |
|
Definition
- introduced with LGA 775 (775 lands)
- current is LGA 1366 |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| - use Pin-grid Array (PGA) architecture, with rows of pins placed around the socket, to make contact with the CPU |
|
|
Term
Processor Sockets:
AMD:
PGA |
|
Definition
Pin Grid Array
- current AMD socket style is the AM3 |
|
|
Term
Processor Sockets:
DDR2 sockets |
|
Definition
- AM2 and AM2+
- LGA771 (Socket J)
- LGA775 (Socket T) |
|
|
Term
Processor Sockets:
DDR3 sockets |
|
Definition
Requires a motherboard with
- AM3
or
- LGA1366 socket |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Subsystem that carries data, electrical power, control signals, and memory addresses between components |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Does not run in sync with the system clock
- connects to the chipset's South Bridge ( the slowest end) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Synchronized with the system clock
- Connected with North Bridge
- Faster end of the chipset |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCI (Peripheral Control Interconnect):
Version 1 |
|
Definition
- Connects various expansion cards to motherboard: NIC, or video cards
- 32-bit data path
- supplied 5V at 33 MHz
- First bus to allow expansion cards to run in sync with CPU |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCI:
Version 2.x |
|
Definition
- 64-bit data path
- 3.3V
- notches in the slot distinguish between 5V and 3.3V (universal PCI can use either) |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCI:
PCI-X |
|
Definition
- developed for server hardware
- fully-backward compatible, except for 5V cards
- can use either 32- or 64-bit data paths |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
AGP (accelerated graphics port) |
|
Definition
Standard graphics card. Recently replaced by PCI-E
- 3 standards
- Pro version with greater slot length
- 4 speeds: 1x-8x
- 3 voltages: 0.9-3.3V
- 6 different slot specifications (placement and number of notches indicated slot voltage, version, and type)
- Max throughput ranged from AGP 1.0's 266MB/s to AGP 3.0's 2.12 GB/s |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCI-Express (PCI-E or PCIe) |
|
Definition
- Not backward compatible to PCI
- Will eventually replace PCI altogether
- allows transmit of data faster by using packets
- Connect to both South and North Bridges
- 4 sizes: x1, x4, x8, x16 (# of physical wires/lanes, available for data) |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCI-E 1.1 |
|
Definition
| - boosted available attage to expansion cares from 150W to 225W via two 6-pin connectors |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Doubled the signal frequency (and thus the data capacity)
- raised the number of possible lanes to 32
- total wattage to 300 via new 8-pin connector
- Fully backward compatible, but issues may occur |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
AMR (audio/modem riser)/CNR (communications/networking riser) |
|
Definition
- Found in lower-end motherboards
- used in order to save space and reduce number of circuits
- Slots share circuitry with a controller on the motherboard
- similar in size to a PCI slot
- Very rare |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international association) |
|
Definition
- Primarily in laptops and mobile computers
- used for modems, NICs, and hard drives |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCMCIA:
PC Card |
|
Definition
- used 16-bit ISA bus
- Hot swappable
3 types:
1 - 3.3 mm thick used for RAM
2 - 5.5 mm thick used for modems
3 - 10.5mm thick for hard drives or two Type 1 or 2 cards |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCMCIA:
CardBus |
|
Definition
- used 32-bit PCI bus
- backward-compatible with PC Card devices
- Can't be used in 16-bit PC Card slots (raised strip across the connector end)
- Slots are: Type 2 or Type 3 slots.
- Hot-swappable |
|
|
Term
Bus Architecture:
PCMCIA:
ExpressCard |
|
Definition
- uses PCI-E or USB 2.0
- come in 34mm and 54mm widths
- are 75mm in length and 5mm thick
- not backward-compatible with PC Card or CardBus
- Hot-pluggable, hot-swappable, and can be autoconfigured |
|
|
Term
| PATA (Parallel Advanced Technology) |
|
Definition
- Interface Standard for storage devices
- IDE, EIDE, and PATA are used interchangeably |
|
|
Term
PATA:
IDE (integrated Drive Electronics) |
|
Definition
- Has controller integrated into the drive unit instead of motherboard
- came to refer to the 40-pin ribbon cable standard.
- IDE motherboards have a primary and secondary controller that can support 2 devices: master and slave |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- same basic tech as IDE
- Can incorporate the use of an 80-pin ribbon cable to increase data transmission and clarity
- All recent IDE devices are EIDE |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Newer standard for storage devices
- uses round 7-pin cable that has greater maximum length (1 meter)
- sends data serially via packets
- transfer rates range from 1.5Gb/s-6Gb/s
- Most motherboards support 6 or more SATA connections
- Hot-pluggable and hot-swappable |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- allows external devices to use SATA connections via expansion card or motherboard
- offers up to 6 times transfer rate of USB
- offers length up to 2 meters long |
|
|
Term
| RAID (redundant array of inexpensive/independent disks) |
|
Definition
- Used primarily for servers
- uses multiple drives to work together to provide increased performance and the ability to survive a malfunction or loss of data (fault tolerance) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- 2 or more drives are grouped into one logical drive
- Data is striped across the hard disks (written evenly across the drives)
- improves performance, but no fault tolerance.
AKA: Striped volumes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Data written is mirrored on all drives
- no performance benefits
- Disk duplexing: separate controllers used for the drive
AKA: Mirrored Drives |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Data is striped across multiple drives + parity data
- arrangement requires 3 volumes
- offers both fault tolerance and performance benefits
- most expensive
AKA: RAID 5 Volumes |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- collection of controllers and microchips that function together to support the processor socket and type, as well as control the system memory, various buses, and peripheral devices
- Consists of a Northbridge and Southbridge
aka: Accelerated Hub Architecture |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Intel
- AMD
- NVIDIA
- SiS |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Fast end
- graphics and memory controller are found here
- location where system bus and hub are joined |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Slow end
- I/O controller is located here
- where every I/O device joins the hub |
|
|
Term
| BIOS (Basic Input/output system) |
|
Definition
- used interchangeably with CMOS and Firmware
Collection of settings responsible for:
- starting a computer
- making sure hardware is ready and able to operate once power is applied
- finding and loading the OS |
|
|
Term
| CMOS (complimentary Metal-oxide semiconductor) |
|
Definition
- used interchangeably with BIOS and Firmware
- stores all the BIOS information on volatile memory
- must have power to keep settings and system clock accurate |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- used interchangeably with BIOS and CMOS
- General term for programming that is stored in a nonvolatile fashion on a chip, and can be used to refer to BIOS |
|
|
Term
| POST (Power on self test) |
|
Definition
- Initial diagnostic program stored as part of the BIOS that runs when computer is turned on
It checks:
- Memory
- CPU function
- storage devices
- various I/O devices |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
an expansion card that plugs into a slot on the motherboard to provice additional capabilities:
- more expansion slots and storage connectors
this is uncommon technology and is mainly seen on NLX and LPX motherboards |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- power supply that is external
- takes regular house current (AC) and converts it to direct current (DC) |
|
|
Term
Identifying CPU Types:
factors |
|
Definition
- system bus supported
- core frequency in gigahertz (GHz)
- socket and supported chipset
- multitasking ability
- included memory cache
- type of system memory supported
- specific technologies the CPU can use and the voltage and power consumption
- Manufacturer |
|
|
Term
Identifying CPU Types:
Intel |
|
Definition
4 Major families of processors:
- Core (mid to high-end systems)
- Pentium (older systems)
- Celeron (low-end systems)
- Atom (low-end mobile systems)
All Core 2 Quad processors have a 5-character identifier beginning with 'Q'.
Every Intel processor also has a sSPec number |
|
|
Term
Identifying CPU Types:
AMD |
|
Definition
Generally less expensive than Intel processors
6 families of processor:
- Phenom
- Athlon
- Sempron
- Turion Mobile
- Athlon for notebook
- Semprom for notebook
easier to identify a speciic AMD processor due to fewer processors on the market |
|
|
Term
| Hyperthreading/HyperTransport |
|
Definition
| technology for processors that allows each logical processor in a system to handle an individual thread in parallel with other threads instead of having to wait and handle them in a series. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- Each processor has 2 or more cores that are independent of each other but run at the same frequency.
- Each core functions as a logical processor, with two arithmetic logic units (ALUs) per core, allowing each core to process two sepearte instructions simultaneously.
- Each core has it's own L1 cache, L2 cache, but shares it's L3 cache with processor system |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
small section of RAM that is used by processors to contain data and instruction sets that the memory controller expects to processor to need next.
- Made of static RAM that doesn't need to be refreshed |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Cycles per second the processor runs internally
Determined by multiplying the system bus by the multiplier. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
- 64-bit processing is faster, but uses more resources.
- 64-bit operating systems require 64-bit kernel mode device drivers, which should come from the hardware manufacturer.
- 64-bit OS's can run either 32-bit or 64-bit applications, but 64-bit apps will be faster. The inverse is not true: 32-bit OSs can only run 32-bit applications.
- Because of the limited number of memory addresses available to a 32-bit OS, only 4 GB of RAM can be addressed by the OS; more can be installed, but the OS has no way to see the memory. On the other hand, 64-bit OSs can in theory address up to 1 TB of RAM, though current hardware can only hold 12-16 GB of RAM.
- If the memory, processor, motherboard, OS, drivers and applications are all 64-bit, users will see a significant performance difference, particularly with multiple windows open and applications using resources. |
|
|
Term
Cooling the Machine:
Heat Sinks |
|
Definition
- set of fins that draw heat away from the processor and conduct it outward
- generally made of copper and/or aluminun |
|
|
Term
Cooling the machine:
CPU and Case Fans |
|
Definition
- a fan that cooler the entire computer case
- |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Due to the damage potential of heat, keeping the processor cool – meaning below the maximum temperature of 185 degrees Fahrenheit (85 degrees Celsius) and preferably in the 90-110 degrees Fahrenheit (32-43 degrees Celsius) range – is one of the more important tasks in a computer. |
|
|
Term
Cooling the machine:
Liquid cooling system |
|
Definition
| - use a pump to circulate water or other liquids through tubes that draw heat from the components out to an area where fans can cool the liquid. |
|
|
Term
Cooling the machine:
Thermal compound |
|
Definition
Thermal Grease
- paste-like material applied to the top of a processor or bottom of heat sink. Conducts heat better than air and eliminates air pockets |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
DRAM |
|
Definition
- does not hold data
- must be constantly refreshed by memory controller
- volatile |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
SRAM |
|
Definition
- volatile
- cache memory
- very fast, very expensive |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
SDRAM |
|
Definition
Synchronous DRAM
- foundation of most RAM in use today
- runs in time with comp processor and system clock
- rated by its frequency in MHz/GHz
- DIMMs using SDRAM generally have 168 pins |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
DDR/DDR2/DDR3 |
|
Definition
Double Data Rate
- next step after SDRAM
- instead of 1 cycle per clock cycle, it does 2
- generally 184-pins
DDR2/DDR3
- use less power
- run at quicker frequencies
- uses 2 channels to memory controller simultaneously
- generally 240-pins
DDR3
- uses three channels to the memory controller simultaneously |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
Rambus |
|
Definition
Rambus Memory Module (RIMMs)
- made in 1990's
- 184-232-pins
- 16- or 32-bit bus
- error-correcting code (ECC) and non-ECC
- speed 800-1066 MHz
- video memory
- requires all memory slots to be filled for use
- expensive
- ran very hot and high latency |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
Parity V. Non-parity |
|
Definition
Parity
- error-checking tech used with SIMMs
- used a 9th bit of info with every byte
- made a requirement of a 36-bit path instead of 32
- parity memory never took off due to 36-bit path and now non-parity is the standard |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
ECC V. Non-ECC |
|
Definition
- similar to parity
- used an extra 8-bits to work with
- ECC memory modules have an odd number of chips, last being ECC submodule
- ECC DIMMs require a 72-bit data path
- ECC more expensive than non-ECC
- normally reserved for servers |
|
|
Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
Single-sided V. Double-sided |
|
Definition
- All SIMMs are single sided
- some DIMMs can be single or double sided
- DIMMs that are quad sided are for servers |
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Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
Single-channel v. Dual-channel |
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Definition
- motherboard and all systems must support dual-channel access for it to work
- |
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Term
Compare memory type, chars, purpose:
Speed |
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Definition
- given in frequency (MHz/GHz)
or
- PC rating (data path width in bytes times 2 (DDR) times the frequency/max data transfer rate per second)
Examples:
PC133: 133 MHz
PC2700: 166 MHz * 8 * 2 = 2700 MB/s (approximately)
PC3200: 200 MHz * 8 * 2 = 3200 MB/s
DDR3-1600: The 1600 refers to the megatransfers (MT), or operations, per second. Multiplying the MT/s by the data path width gives the maximum transfer rate; in this case, 1600 MT/s * 8 bytes (64-bit) = 12800 MB/s.
DDR2-667: With DDR2, the transfer rate is determined by multiplying the memory clock rate by 2 (for the bus clock multiplier) times 2 (for DDR) times the data path width in bytes. In this case, the memory clock rate is 166 MHz, so 166 * 2 * 2 * 8 = 5300 MB/s (approximately). |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) |
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Definition
- use electron guns to construct and image on screen line-by-line.
- obsolete
- better at showing motion than LCD
- higher refresh rates than LCD |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) |
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Definition
- creates images by using layers of electrodes to manipulate a sandwiched layer of easily polarized material and a color layer
- use less energy
- responds more quickly |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
LCD technologies:
Resolution |
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Definition
VGA (Video Graphics Array): 640 x 480 (4:3 ratio between horizontal and vertical pixels)
SVGA (Super VGA): 800 x 600
XGA (eXtended Graphics Array): 1024 x 768
SXGA (Super XGA): 1280 x 1024 (first standard to support 5:4 ratio between horizontal and vertical pixels)
SXGA+: 1400 x 1050
WSXGA+ (Wide SXGA+): 1680 x 1050
UXGA (Ultra XGA): 1600 x 1200
WUXGA (Wide UXGA): 1920 x 1200
QWXGA (Quad Wide XGA): 2048 x 1152, used on 23‖ monitors
WQXGA (Wide Quad XGA): 2560 x 1600, used on 30‖ monitors |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
LCD technologies:
Contrast Ratio |
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Definition
| - difference, or contrast, between true black and true white |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
LCD technologies:
Native resolution |
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Definition
| LCD have a native resolution limit due to the size of the screen/pixels |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Connector types:
VGA |
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Definition
- standard method of passing analog signals to video card
- VGA ports send 3 separate signals: red, green blue (RGB)
- 15-pin connectors |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Connector types:
DVI |
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Definition
- First standard used by digital LCD
- two varieties:
DVI-I
- supports analog and digital signals
DVI-D
- only supports digital signals |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Connector types:
Composite/component |
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Definition
- mix RGB signals into one, send together
- commonly used with TV
- not as shard as RGB |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Connector types:
S-video |
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Definition
Super-Video
- send one signal for color and one for brightness
- sharper video than composite
- not as good for monitors as RGB |
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Term
Display devices and their chars:
Connector types:
HDMI |
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Definition
| - send high-def audio and video |
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Term
Video Settings:
Refresh rate |
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Definition
- number of times the display is built in one second
CRT = 70 Hz or 70 refresh rate
LCD = 16ms ~ 60Hz |
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Term
Video Settings:
Multi-monitor |
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Definition
| - capacity for multi-monitor use is based on the operating system and graphics card |
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Term
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Definition
| - CRT monitors experience a buildup of magnetic field. cleared by using the degauss button to clear |
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Term
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Definition
Ports
- PS/2 green
- USB
- wireless
- serial ports (obsolete)
- DIN connectors (obsolete) |
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Term
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Definition
Ports
- PS/2 purple
- USB
- wireless
- serial ports (obsolete)
- DIN connectors (obsolete) |
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Term
Peripherals:
Bar code reader |
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Definition
Ports
- serial or keyboard (splitter required)
- wireless
- USB
- Bluetooth
Installation
- requires drivers |
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Term
Peripherals:
multimedia devices |
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Definition
Ports
- USB
- IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
- MIDI port |
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Term
Peripherals:
Biometric devices |
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Definition
Ex: fingerprint reader
Ports
- wireless
- USB
- PC Card device |
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Term
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Definition
- use touch-sensitive grid inlay
Ports
- USB
- Serial |
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Term
Peripherals:
KVM (keyboard, video, mouse) switch |
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Definition
| used to allow one set of devices to be used on multiple computers |
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Term
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Definition
Connects various expansion cards to motherboard, usually NIC or video card
First version
- had a 32-bit data path
- 5V at 33MHz
- ran in sync with CPU
Version 2.X
- expanded data path to 64-bit
- allowed 3.3V |
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Term
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Definition
- Not backward compatible with PCI
- serial bus tech
- connects to North and South bridges
- four sizes: x1, x4, x8, x16
PCI-E 1.1
- boosted wattage from 150W to 225W
- used two 6-pin connectors
PCI-E 2
- doubled signal frequency
- raised number of lanes to 32
- raised wattage to 300
- used 8-pin connector |
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Term
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Definition
Pro
- greater slot length
- four speeds: 1x-8x
- three voltages: 0.8-3.3V
- six slot specifications
- max throughput range: 266MB/s-2.12GB/s |
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Term
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Definition
| use of visual, audio, and animation data to present information in as lifelike fashion as possible |
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Term
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Definition
- related to TV tuner cards, records and saves display files
- integrated into a TV Tuner card or video card
- only refers to video capture cards |
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Term
I/O ports:
SCSI (small computer system interface) |
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Definition
- primarily used for storage devices in servers, but also for printers, scanners, optical drives
- supports up to 15 devices
- faster than PATA but more expensive and complicated
- every device on chain needs an ID
Standards:
- SCSI-1 (regular)
- SCSI-2 (fast)
- SCSI-3 (ultra)
- SAS (serial attached SCSI) |
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Term
|
Definition
aka DB9 or DB25
- used for mice, external modems, specialist input devices (bar code reader)
RS-232 and RS-232c standard define specifications
- generally male connectors
- can be disables in BIOS |
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Term
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Definition
- daisy chain up to 127 devices
- max cable length: 3 meters 1.0, 5m
USB 1.0
- 12Mb/s
USB 2.0
- 480Mb/s
USB 3.0
- 5Gb/s |
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Term
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Definition
- standard connection for printers
- current standard is IEEE 1284
- transmit 8 bits (1 byte) at a time
- max length: 4.5m
EPP (enhanced parallel port)
- bidirectional
Extended Capabilties Port (ECP)
- bidirectional |
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Term
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Definition
- Primary method for computer interfacing with network
- virtually all network cards (NICs) use RJ-45 jack to connect to Ethernet cables, Cat5, 5e, or 6
- most cards today support 1Gb/s ethernet
- backward compatible with 10Mb/s and 100Mb/s systems |
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Term
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Definition
Modulator/demodulator
- transmit data at speeds of 640Kb/s to 12Mb/s and faster |
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Term
Laptops:
Expansion cards:
PCMCIA (personal computer memory card international) |
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Definition
covers 3 different card specifications:
Type I
- RAM
Type II
- Modems
Type III
- Portable hard drive or 2 typeI/II ports |
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Term
Laptops:
Expansion cards:
mini PCI-Express |
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Definition
- 52-pin
- come in type I/II (100-pin)/III (124-pin)
- look similar to mini PCI slots but are smaller with no clips on the side
- often used for wireless adapters, cellular WAN, bluetooth |
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Term
Laptops:
Expansion cards:
Docking station |
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Definition
- external device that a notebook can plug into that provides ports for external monitor, keyboard, mouse, power adapter, storage devices, and expansion cards.
- similar to port replicators, offer more features and auxiliary slots
- easy way to expand laptop/notebooks capabilities |
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Term
Communication Connections:
Bluetooth |
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Definition
- short-range (10 meters)
- transfer up to 3Mb/s
- operates at 2.4GHz frequency
- |
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Term
Communication Connections:
Infrared |
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Definition
|
|
Term
Communication Connections:
Cellular WAN |
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Definition
3 standards:
- Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM): used internationally
- Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA): most domestic US carriers
- Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA): older tech in US
Cellular WAN
- must be able to connect to Third Generation (3G)
- Are full duplex: data can be passed by both endpoints of a network segment at same time |
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Term
Communication Connections:
Ethernet |
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Definition
- Network standard for all wired networking
- RJ-45 jack
- cable generally: Cat5, 5e, 6
- every device connected has unique MAC address assigned by manufacturer
- support 1Gb/s speed
- all NICs have light indicators that show state of network traffic |
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Term
Communication Connections:
Modem |
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Definition
- Plain old telephone service (POTS)
- Point-to-point protocol (PPP) to transfer data packets
- max speed: 53.3 Kb/s
- used RJ-11 phone jacks
- used V .92 standard |
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Term
Power/electrical input devices:
Auto-switching |
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Definition
- allows power adapters to automatically change from providing 110V to 220V of AC
- prevents burnout of comp components
- |
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Term
Power/electrical input devices:
Fixed-input power supplies |
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Definition
- seen in desktops and laptops
- only provides one level of power |
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Term
Power/electrical input devices:
Batteries |
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Definition
Types:
- nickel-cadium (Ni-Cad): outdated
- nickel-metal-hiydride: outdated
- lithium-ion (Li-Ion)
- direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC): future of batteries |
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Term
Laptops Input Devices:
stylus/digitizer |
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Definition
digitizer aka graphics tablet
- generally connect via USB |
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Term
Laptops Input Devices:
Function keys |
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Definition
extra row of keys that have specific tasks tied to them when pressed in conjunction with the Fn key
- some can be used outside operating system like to interrupt the boot sequence to enter BIOS |
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Term
Laptops Input Devices:
point devices |
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Definition
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Term
Printer configuration:
Laser |
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Definition
- popular among businesses and large corps
- includes speed, quantity, quality
- print one page at a time
- require memory
- use black, cyan, magenta, yellow
- replace toner cartridges more often, then drum, fuser assemblies, and transfer assemblies |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Laser:
process |
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Definition
Clean or prepare
- print drum cleaned by sweeping strip and blade and residual charge by erase lamps
Conditioning
- primary corona charges roller to -600V
Writing
- laser discharges high current (-600V) or low charge (-100V) where toner is applied to drum
Developing
- Toner placed on drum where charge is reduced to -100V
Transferring
- transfer corona produces positive charge on paper, pulling toner from drum onto paper
- must use correct laser paper
Fusing
- heat from fuser assembly (410 F) melts plastic particles that make up toner |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Inkjet |
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Definition
- more common
- use liquid filled cartridges spraying ink droplets onto page
- electrical charge imparted on ink and magnetically charged plates shape the path of the ink to create image |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Thermal |
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Definition
| use heat to print characters on paper |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Thermal:
Thermal wax transfer |
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Definition
- print head melts wax-based ink from transfer ribbon to page
- uses an equivalent panel of ink for every page, regardless of how much print is transferred
- common for barcodes |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Thermal:
Direct thermal |
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Definition
- used in many early fax machines
- printer burns dots onto coated paper when paper passes heating elements |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Impact |
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Definition
- print by striking paper, driving ink into page
- dot-matrix printer
- |
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Term
Printer configuration:
Local Connections |
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Definition
common
- USB
- parallel
uncommon
- SCSI
- IEEE 1394
- serial port |
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Term
Printer configuration:
network connections |
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Definition
| - ethernet port and network driver |
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Term
Printer configuration:
consumables |
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Definition
- paper
- toner cartridges
- fuser
- image drum
- transfer belts
- ink ribbons
- color sticks |
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