Term
|
Definition
| What are the two common sizes for hard drives? |
|
|
Term
| Because it has no moving parts |
|
Definition
| Why is a solid state drive referred to as solid state? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If a magnetic drive has four platters, how many heads does it have? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the name of the Vista technology that supports a hybrid drive? |
|
|
Term
| Logical block addressing (LBA) |
|
Definition
| When the OS addresses the sectors on a hard drive as one long list of sequential sectors, what is this technology called? |
|
|
Term
| The master boot program and the partition table |
|
Definition
| What are the main two components of the Master Boot Record on a hard drive? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the smallest unit of space on a hard drive that can be used to store a file? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What two file systems can Windows use to format a hard drive? Which system supports the most storage capacity? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which ATA standard for hard drives first introduced S.M.A.R.T.? |
|
|
Term
| ATA/ATAPI-7, also called Ultra ATA/133 |
|
Definition
| Which ATA standard is the latest standard that made improvements to PATA? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A CD drive that uses a PATA connection must follow what standard? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many pins does a PATA cable have? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the maximum recommended length of a PATA cable? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What transfer mode can transmit data from a device to memory without involving the CPU? |
|
|
Term
| Hot swapping or hot plugging |
|
Definition
| What term describes the technology that allows you to exchange a hard drive without powering down the system? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which RAID level mirrors one hard drive with a second drive so that the same data is written to both drives? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which RAID level stripes data across multiple drives to improve performance and also provides fault tolerance? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many pins does a floppy drive cable have? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which file system does a floppy disk use? |
|
|
Term
5400 RPM
7200 RPM
10000 RPM |
|
Definition
| What are three current ratings for spindle speed for a magnetic hard drive? |
|
|
Term
Primary IDE channel, master device
Primary IDE channel, slave device
Secondary IDE channel, master device
Secondary IDE channel, slave device |
|
Definition
| What are the four possible configurations for a PATA drive installed in a system? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If a motherboard has one blue IDE connector and one black IDE connection, which do you use to install a single drive? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| When implementing RAID on a motherboard, where do you enable the feature? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What type of disk configuration does Windows Vista use to implement RAID? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the name of the Seagate utility that can be used to test a hard drive and diagnose a hard drive problem? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| To write to a floppy disk, is it necessary for the write-protect notch to be open or closed? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An IDE cable that has 40 pins but uses 80 wires, 40 of which are ground wires designed to reduce crosstalk on the cable. The cable is used by ATA/66 and higher IDE drives. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
The primary partition on the hard drive that boots the OS.
Also called the system partition by Windows 2000/XP/Vista. |
|
|
Term
| ANSI (American National Standards Institute) |
|
Definition
| A nonprofit organization dedicated to creating trade and communications standards. |
|
|
Term
| ATAPI (Advanced Technology Attachment Packet Interface) |
|
Definition
| An interface standard, part of the IDE/ATA standards, that allows tape drives, optical drives, and other drives to be treated like an IDE hard drive by the system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A feature of system BIOS and hard drives that automatically identifies and configures a new drive in BIOS setup. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A way to partition a hard drive, used by all versions of Windows, that stores information about the drive in a partition table at the beginning of the drive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method of data transfer between hard drive and memory that allows multiple data transfers on a single software interrupt. |
|
|
Term
| boot record (boot sector) |
|
Definition
| The first sector of a floppy disk or hard drive volume; it contains information about the disk or volume. |
|
|
Term
| cluster (file allocation unit) |
|
Definition
| One or more sectors that constitute the smallest unit of space on a disk for storing data |
|
|
Term
| DMA (direct memory access) transfer mode |
|
Definition
| A transfer mode used by devices, including the hard drive, to transfer data to memory without involving the CPU. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An exact duplicate of a hard drive stored on another media such as a group of CDs or DVDs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A standard for managing the interface between secondary storage devices and a computer system. A system can support up to four parallel ATA IDE devices such as hard drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD drives. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The only partition on a hard drive that can contain more than one logical drive. In Windows, a hard drive can have only one. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A standard for external drives based on SATA that uses a special external shielded SATA cable up to 2 meters long. Is up to six times faster than USB or FireWire. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A table on a hard drive or floppy disk used by the FAT file system that tracks the clusters used to contain a file. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The degree to which a system can tolerate failures. |
|
|
Term
| file allocation table (FAT) |
|
Definition
| A table on a hard drive or floppy disk used by the FAT file system that tracks the clusters used to contain a file. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The overall structure that an OS uses to name, store, and organize files on a disk. Examples are NTFS and FAT32. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A drive that can hold either a 512 inch or 314 inch floppy disk. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Preparing a hard drive volume, logical drive, or floppy disk for use by placing tracks and sectors on its surface to store information. |
|
|
Term
| hard disk drive (HDD) (hard drive) |
|
Definition
| The main secondary storage device of a PC. Two technologies are currently used by hard drives: magnetic and solid state. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The top or bottom surface of one platter on a hard drive. Each platter has two. |
|
|
Term
| high-level formatting (operating system formatting) |
|
Definition
Formatting performed by the Windows Format program
(for example, FORMAT C:/S, the Windows installation program, or the Disk Management utility. The process creates the boot record, file system, and root directory on the volume or logical drive and makes the volume or drive bootable). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The circuit board that controls a SCSI bus supporting as many as seven or fifteen separate devices. Controls communication between the SCSI bus and the PC. |
|
|
Term
| hot-plugging (hot-swapping) |
|
Definition
| Plugging in a device while the computer is turned on. The computer will sense the device and configure it without rebooting. In addition, the device can be unplugged without an OS error. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A hard drive that uses both magnetic and SSD technologies. |
|
|
Term
| IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) |
|
Definition
| A hard drive whose disk controller is integrated into the drive, eliminating the need for a controller cable and thus increasing speed, as well as reducing price. |
|
|
Term
| Logical Unit Number (LUN) |
|
Definition
| A number assigned to a logical device (such as a tray in a CD changer) that is part of a physical SCSI device, which is assigned a SCSI ID. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A portion or all of a hard drive extended partition that is treated by the operating system as though it were a physical drive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A process (usually performed at the factory) that electronically creates the hard drive tracks and sectors and tests for bad spots on the disk surface. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| One of two technologies used by hard drives where data is stored as magnetic spots on disks that rotate at a high speed. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The term used by Windows for the RAID 1 level that duplicates data on one drive to another drive and is used for fault tolerance. |
|
|
Term
| New Technology file system (NTFS) |
|
Definition
| The file system for the Windows 2000/XP/Vista operating system. It cannot be accessed by other operating systems such as DOS or Windows Me. It provides increased reliability and security in comparison to other methods of organizing and accessing files. Vista requires that it be used for the volume on which Vista is installed. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An older IDE cabling method that uses a 40-pin flat or round data cable or an 80- conductor cable and a 40-pin IDE connector. |
|
|
Term
| PIO (Programmed Input/Output) transfer mode |
|
Definition
| A transfer mode that uses the CPU to transfer data from the hard drive to memory. Slower than DMA mode. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A hard disk partition that can contain only one volume. The primary partition or volume contains a file system. In Windows, a hard drive can have up to three. |
|
|
Term
| RAID (redundant array of inexpensive disks or redundant array of independent disks) |
|
Definition
| Several methods of configuring multiple hard drives to store data to increase logical volume size and improve performance, or to ensure that if one hard drive fails, the data is still available from another hard drive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Using space from two or more physical disks to increase the disk space available for a single volume. Performance improves because data is written evenly across all disks. Windows calls it a striped volume. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of drive imaging that duplicates data on one drive to another drive and is used for fault tolerance. Windows calls it a mirrored volume. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A technique that stripes data across three or more drives and uses parity checking, so that if one drive fails, the other drives can re-create the data stored on the failed drive. Increase performance and provide fault tolerance. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A sealed, magnetic coil device that moves across the surface of a disk either reading data from or writing data to the disk. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The Vista technology that supports a hybrid hard drive. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A number from 0 to 15 assigned to each SCSI device attached to the daisy chain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A card that manages the SCSI bus and serves as the gateway to the system bus. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An ATAPI cabling method that uses a narrower and more reliable cable than the 80-conductor cable. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An IDE cable that is narrower and has fewer pins than the parallel IDE 80-conductor cable. |
|
|
Term
| serial attached SCSI (SAS) |
|
Definition
| A SCSI standard that allows for more than 15 devices on a single SCSI chain, uses smaller, longer, round cables, and uses smaller hard drive form factors that can support larger capacities than earlier versions of SCSI. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of dynamic volume used on a single hard drive that corresponds to a primary partition on a basic disk. |
|
|
Term
| S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) |
|
Definition
| A monitoring system for computer hard disk drives to detect and report on various indicators of reliability, in the hope of anticipating failures. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An electronic device with no moving parts. A storage device that uses memory chips to store data instead of spinning disks (such as those used by magnetic hard drives and CD drives). |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Using a spanned volume to increase the size of a volume. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of dynamic volume used for two or more hard drives that writes to the disks evenly rather than filling up allotted space on one and then moving on to the next. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The resistor added at the end of a SCSI chain to dampen the voltage at the end of the chain. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many pins are on a DDR3 DIMM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many pins are on a DDR2 DIMM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many notches does a DDR 3 DIMM have? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which two metals might be used for the edge connectors of memory modules and memory in which slots they install? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What was the first type of DIMM that ran synchronized with the system clock? |
|
|
Term
| It reads 2 clock cycles, so it runs twice as fast as regular SDRAM. Instead of processing with every beat, it processes at the top and bottom of each beat, thus increasing the speed by 2 times. |
|
Definition
| What major improvement did DDR make over regular SDRAM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| When a DIMM has chips on both sides of the module, do the pins on one side of the mod- ule work independently or dependently to pins on the other side of the module? |
|
|
Term
| The notches do not line up therefor a DDR DIMM will not fit in a DDR2 DIMM slot |
|
Definition
| What prevents a DDR DIMM from being installed in a DDR2 DIMM slot on a motherboard? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which module, a DDR3 or DDR2 DIMM, uses lower voltage? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
In a memory ad for DIMMs, you notice 64Meg x72 for one DIMM and 64Meg x64 for
another DIMM. What does the 72 tell you about the first DIMM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A DIMM that contains memory chips in two memory banks on the module is said to be——. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Generally, which DIMM gives better performance, a single-ranked DIMM or a dual- ranked DIMM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What type of DIMM supports triple channeling? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What is the speed rating in MHz for a DIMM that has a PC rating of PC2-6400? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If two bits of a byte are in error when the byte is read from ECC memory, can ECC detect the error? |
|
|
Term
| The computer displays an error message and comes to a halt |
|
Definition
| When parity memory detects an error, what happens? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many notches are on an SDRAM DIMM? |
|
|
Term
| You look at the notch on the right side |
|
Definition
| Looking at an SDRAM DIMM, how can you know for certain the voltage needed by the module? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A DIMM memory ad displays 5-5-5-15. What is the CAS Latency value of this DIMM? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
What is the most amount of RAM that can be used by a 32-bit installation of Windows
XP Professional? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A motherboard uses dual channeling, but you have four DIMMs available that differ in size. The motherboard supports all four sizes. Can you install these DIMMs on the board? |
|
|
Term
| Modules communicate their size, speed, voltage, and data path width to BIOS at start up. |
|
Definition
| What is the purpose of the memory technology called SPD? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
You need to upgrade memory on a motherboard that uses RIMMs. You notice one RIMM and
one C-RIMM module are already installed on the board. Which module should you replace? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What types of memory can be used on a 100-MHz motherboard? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many 30-pin SIMMs are installed in one bank? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| How many 72-pin SIMMs are installed in one bank? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Which is faster, CL3 memory or CL5 memory? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| You are looking to purchase two DIMMs running at 400 MHz. You find DIMMs advertised at PC4000 and PC3200. Which do you purchase? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| You need to find out how much RAM is installed in a system. What command do you enter in the Vista Start Search box or the XP Run dialog box to launch the System Information utility? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Although ECC memory costs more than non-ECC memory, why would you choose to use it? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| What type of DIMM is assigned a PC2 rating? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If two bits of a byte are in error when the byte is read from ECC memory, can it fix the error? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A motherboard uses dual channeling, but you have four DIMMs available that differ in size. The motherboard supports all four sizes, Will dual channeling be enabled? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If your motherboard supports DIMM memory, will RIMM memory still work on the board? |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ____ memory temporarily holds data and instructions as the CPU processes them. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| RAM is divided into two categories, ____ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ____ is used for a memory cache and is contained within the processor housing. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ____ loses its data rapidly, and the memory controller must refresh it several thousand times a second. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| RAM on motherboards today is stored on ____ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Laptops use a smaller version of a DIMM called a(n) ____ |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A(n) ____ gets its name because it has independent pins on opposite sides of the module. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| DIMMs intended to be used in servers must be extremely reliable and use an error-checking technology called ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If the number of bits is not an odd number for odd parity or an even number for even parity, a ____ error occurs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A Rambus memory module is called a(n) ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| SIMMs are rated by speed, measured in ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
When Windows does not have adequate memory to perform an operation, it gives a(n)
“____” error or it slows down to a painful crawl. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| To upgrade memory means to add more ____ to a computer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| To use System Information, in the Vista Start Search box or the Windows XP Run box, type ____ and press Enter. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| In the table found in the motherboard manual, a chip on a RIMM module is called a ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Higher-quality memory modules have ____ installed to reduce heat and help the module last longer. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If the chip’s surface is dull or matted, or you can scratch off the markings with a fingernail or knife, suspect that the chip has been ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| For ____ modules, small clips latch into place on each side of the slot to hold the module in the slot. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| For RIMM modules, install the RIMMs beginning with bank ____. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| If the motherboard supports dual ____________________, install matching DIMMs in each channel. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The motherboard ____________________ is essential when selecting memory. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Stamped on each chip of a RAM module is a chip ____________________ that identifies the date the chip was manufactured. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| After installing each SIMM, turn on the PC and watch ____________________ count the amount of memory during the boot process. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Recurring errors during normal operations can mean ____________________ memory. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Holds its data as long as the RAM has power |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Used on subnotebook computers |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Currently the fastest memory and can support triple or dual channels or be installed as a single DIMM |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Must be installed two modules to a bank of memory |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Must be installed four modules to a bank of memory |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A refined version of EDO memory that significantly improved access time over EDO. Was not widely used because Intel chose not to support it. Stored on 168-pin DIMM modules. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method of measuring access timing to memory, which is the number of clock cycles required to write or read a column of data off a memory module. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A placeholder RIMM module that provides continuity so that every RIMM slot is filled. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A version of SDRAM that is faster than DDR and uses less power. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A version of SDRAM that is faster than DDR2 memory and that can use triple channels. |
|
|
Term
| Direct Rambus DRAM (Direct RDRAM) (Rambus) |
|
Definition
| A memory technology by Rambus and Intel that uses a narrow network-type system bus. Memory is stored on a RIMM module. |
|
|
Term
Double Data Rate SDRAM
(DDR SDRAM, SDRAM II, DDR) |
|
Definition
| A type of memory technology used on DIMMs that runs at twice the speed of the system clock. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A DIMM feature whereby memory chips are installed on both sides of a DIMM. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A motherboard feature that improves memory performance by providing two 64-bit channels between memory and the chipset. Can be used by DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 DIMMs |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Double-sided DIMMs that provide two 64-bit banks. The memory controller accesses first one bank and then the other. |
|
|
Term
| ECC (error-correcting code) |
|
Definition
| A chipset feature on a motherboard that checks the integrity of data stored on DIMMs or RIMMs and can correct single-bit errors in a byte. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of outdated RAM that was faster than conventional RAM because it eliminated the delay before it issued the next memory address. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An outdated memory mode used before the introduction of EDO memory. (Improved on earlier memory types by sending the row address just once for many accesses to memory near that row.) |
|
|
Term
| General Protection Fault (GPF) |
|
Definition
| A Windows error that occurs when a program attempts to access a memory address that is not available or is no longer assigned to it. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The memory a processor addresses at one time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An error-checking scheme in which a ninth bit is added. The value of the bit is set to either 0 or 1 to provide an even number of ones for even ______ and an odd number of ones for odd ______. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| An error that occurs when the number of 1s in the byte is not in agreement with the expected number. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A method of measuring access timing to memory, which is the number of clock cycles required to write or read a row of data off a memory module. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Chips that have been used and returned to the factory, marked again, and resold. The surface of the chips may be dull or scratched. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of memory module developed by Rambus, Inc. |
|
|
Term
| SIMM (single inline memory module) |
|
Definition
| A miniature circuit board used in older computers to hold RAM. They hold 8, 16, 32, or 64 MB on a single module. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The memory controller on a motherboard that can access only one DIMM at a time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| DIMMs that provide only one 64-bit bank. All memory chips on the DIMM are accessed at the same time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Memory chips embedded on only a single side of a DIMM. |
|
|
Term
| SO-DIMM (small outline DIMM) |
|
Definition
| A type of memory module used in notebook computers that uses DIMM technology. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A type of memory stored on DIMMs that runs in sync with the system clock, running at the same speed as the motherboard. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| When the memory controller accesses three DIMMs at the same time. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| Memory on the processor die is called ____________________. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ____________________ installed on a motherboard is the primary component that determines the computing power of the system. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| ____________________ is accomplished when a processor contains more than one ALU. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The ____________________ sits on top of the processor and consists of a fan and a heat sink, which are fins that draw heat away from the processor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A creamlike ____________________ eliminates air pockets, helping to draw heat off the processor. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| A(n) ____________________ is a heat sink carrying an electrical charge that causes it to act as an electrical thermal transfer device. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| After the system is up and running, a technician can check ____________________ setup to verify that the system recognized the processor correctly. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| The Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) mode where the hard drive, monitor, and processor are turned off is known as ____________________. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| True or False: The first troubleshooting principle is to check the simple things. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| True or False: Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) P states are used by the processor to stop its internal operations to conserve power. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| True or False: Most cases use a fan in the rear to help draw air into the case. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| True or False: To get its power, the processor fan power cord connects to a 4-pin fan header on the motherboard. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
| True or False: Processor frequency is the speed at which the processor operates externally. |
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Term
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Definition
| True or False: The control unit component of a processor manages all activities inside the processor itself. |
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Term
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Definition
| True or False: When selecting a processor, the first requirement is to select one that provides the best performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Who are the two major manufacturers of processors? |
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Term
| 1600, 1333, 1066, and 800 MHz |
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Definition
| What are the four system bus frequencies used by current Intel processors? |
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Term
| LGA1366, LGA771, LGA775, and 478 sockets |
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Definition
| What three sockets are currently used for Intel processors in motherboards for desktop systems? |
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Term
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Definition
| What is the name of the memory cache that is closest to the processor die but is not housed on the die? |
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Term
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Definition
| What is the name of the Intel technology that allows a processor to handle multiple threads at the same time? |
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Term
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Definition
| How many threads can a quad-core processor handle at once? |
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Term
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Definition
| What is the name of the memory cache that is shared by cores in a multi-core processor? |
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Term
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Definition
| Which is faster, SRAM or DRAM? |
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Term
| MMX (Multimedia Extensions) |
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Definition
| Which is the first computing technology used by a processor to support repetitive looping whereby a processor receives an instruction and then applies it to a stream of data that follows? |
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Term
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Definition
| Which computing technology (SSE1, SSE2, SSE3, or SSE4) better supports data mining applications? |
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Term
| The Core family of processors |
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Definition
| Which Intel processor family is better performing, the Pentium family or the Core family? |
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Term
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Definition
| Which AMD processor (Turion or Phenom) is designed for laptops |
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Term
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Definition
| What are the two major components of a processor cooler assembly? |
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Term
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Definition
| How many pins does the CPU fan header on a motherboard have? |
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Term
| Adjustable speed control of the fan to lessen the noise in the system |
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Definition
| If the power connector from the CPU fan has only three pins, it can still connect to the 4-pin header, but what functionality is lost? |
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Term
| The drastic difference in temperature between the peltier’s top surface and the bottom surface can cause condensation inside the case when the PC is turned off. |
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Definition
| What is the major disadvantage of using a peltier heat sink? |
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Term
| Can of compressed air, blower, antistatic vacuu |
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Definition
| Name three tools that can be used to rid the inside of the case from dust. |
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Term
| So the pins will not be bent. |
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Definition
| Why is it important to insert a processor straight down into a socket rather than sliding the processor in from the side or allowing it to tilt into the socket? |
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Term
• Overheating
• Processor is faulty
• Windows is corrupted
• Motherboard is faulty
• Power supply is failing
• Memory is failing
• Hard drive errors |
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Definition
| List three possible causes of a system that hangs or freezes at odd times. |
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Term
| An unstable system that causes intermittent errors |
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Definition
| When overclocking a system, what two problems are most likely to occur? |
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Term
| Because older operating systems, applications, and hardware devices are built or written to use the older technologies. |
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Definition
| When a new computing technology is invented by Intel or AMD, why must their processors still support the older and less efficient technologies? |
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Term
| The most likely source is (c ) The drivers for the card need updating. Since the card is recently released, it’s unlikely that Vista does not support the card. Therefore, the least likely source of the problem is (b) Windows does not support the new card. |
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Definition
| You upgrade a faulty PCIe video card to a recently-released higher-performing card. Now users complain to you that Windows Vista hangs a lot and gives errors. Which is the most likely source of the problem? Which is the least likely source? |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor instruction set by AMD designed to improve performance with 3D graphics and other multimedia data. |
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Term
| ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) |
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Definition
| Specification developed by Intel, Compaq, Phoenix, Microsoft, and Toshiba to control power on computers and other devices. |
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Term
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Definition
| The portion of a processor’s internal bus that connects the processor to the internal memory cache. The bus operates at a much higher frequency than the front side bus. |
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Term
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Definition
| A Windows error that displays against a blue screen and causes the system to halt. |
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Term
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Definition
| Defined by ACPI and used by a processor to stop its internal operations to conserve power. |
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Term
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Definition
| A fan inside a computer case used to draw air out of or into the case. |
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Term
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Definition
| A technology used by Intel whereby the processor, chipset, and wireless network adapter are all interconnected as a unit which improves laptop performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| A round air duct that helps to pull and direct fresh air from outside a computer case to the cooler and processor. |
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Term
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Definition
| A feature of AMD processors that lowers power requirements and helps keep a system quiet. |
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Term
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Definition
| A combination cooling fan and heat sink mounted on the top or side of a processor to keep it cool. |
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Term
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Definition
| The most common type of system memory, it requires refreshing every few milliseconds. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor package that contains two core processors, thus supporting four instructions at once. |
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Term
| Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) |
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Definition
| A processor feature used by Intel that steps down processor frequency when the processor is idle to conserve power and lower heat. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor security feature by Intel that prevents software from executing or reproducing itself if it appears to be malicious. |
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Term
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Definition
| The bus between the CPU and memory on the motherboard. |
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Term
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Definition
| A piece of metal, with cooling fins, that can be attached to or mounted on an integrated chip (such as the CPU) to dissipate heat. |
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Term
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Definition
| The Intel technology that allows each logical processor within the processor package to handle an individual thread in parallel with other threads being handled by other processors within the package. |
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Term
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Definition
| The AMD technology that allows each logical processor within the processor package to handle an individual thread in parallel with other threads being handled by other processors within the package. |
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Term
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Definition
| The bus inside the CPU that is used for communication between the CPU’s internal components. |
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Term
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Definition
| Memory on the processor die used as a cache to improve processor performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Memory in the processor package, but not on the processor die. The memory is used as a cache or buffer to improve processor performance. |
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Term
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Definition
| Cache memory further from the processor core than Level 2 cache, but still in the processor package. |
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Term
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Definition
| A method to cool overclocked processors that uses a small pump inside the computer case and tubes that move water or other liquid around components and then away from them to a place where fans can cool the liquid. |
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Term
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Definition
| A small amount of faster RAM that stores recently retrieved data, in anticipation of what the CPU will request next, thus speeding up access. |
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Term
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Definition
| A programming instruction that can be executed by a CPU without breaking the instruction down into simpler instructions. |
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Term
| MMX (Multimedia Extensions) |
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Definition
| Multimedia instructions built into Intel processors to add functionality such as better processing of multimedia, SIMD support, and increased cache. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor technology whereby the processor housing contains two or more processor cores that operate at the same frequency, but independently of each other. |
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Term
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Definition
| The factor by which the bus speed or frequency is multiplied to get the CPU clock speed. |
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Term
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Definition
| A system that contains more than one processor. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor package that contains eight cores and supports 16 instructions at once. |
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Term
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Definition
| Running a processor at a higher frequency than is recommended by the manufacturer, which can result in an unstable system, but is a popular thing to do when a computer is used for gaming. |
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Term
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Definition
| Standards for processors established by ACPI that define how processor frequency and voltage can be lowered to conserve power when the processor is not in use. |
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Term
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Definition
| An AMD technology that increases performance and lowers power requirements for processors. |
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Term
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Definition
| The frequency at which the CPU operates, usually expressed in GHz. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor package that contains four cores and supports eight instructions at once. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ACPI power saving mode where the hard drive and monitor are turned off and everything else runs normally. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ACPI power saving mode where the hard drive, monitor, and processor are turned off. |
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Term
| S3 state (sleep/standby mode) |
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Definition
| The ACPI power saving mode where everything is shut down except RAM and enough of the system to respond to a wake-up call such as pressing the keyboard. |
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Term
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Definition
| The ACPI power saving mode where everything in RAM is copied to a file on the hard drive and the system is shut down. When the system is turned on, the file is used to restore the system to its state before shut down. |
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Term
| SIMD (single instruction, multiple data) |
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Definition
| A process that allows the CPU to execute a single instruction simultaneously on multiple pieces of data, rather than by repetitive looping. |
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Term
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Definition
| RAM chips that retain information without the need for refreshing, as long as the computer’s power is on. They are more expensive than traditional DRAM. |
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Term
| SSE (Streaming SIMD Extension) |
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Definition
| A CPU technology that allows the CPU to receive a single instruction and then execute it on multiple pieces of data, and also improves on 3D graphics. |
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Term
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Definition
| An improved version of SSE that has a larger instruction set. |
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Term
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Definition
| A CPU instruction set that improved on the earlier SSE2 instruction set. |
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Term
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Definition
| A CPU instruction set that improved 3D imaging for gaming and improved performance with data mining applications over the earlier SSE3 instruction set. |
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Term
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Definition
| An error at the kernel level that is severe enough to cause the operating system to stop all processes. |
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Term
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Definition
| A creamlike substance that is placed between the bottom of the cooler heatsink and the top of the processor to eliminate air pockets and to help to draw heat off the processor. |
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Term
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Definition
| A processor package that contains three core processors, thus supporting six instructions at once. |
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