Term
| A desktop computer that includes all components needed for it to run. |
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Definition
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Term
| The main connector for a power supply unit. It has either 20 or 24 pins. |
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Definition
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Term
| A method of transferring data from the RAM to another part of the computer without processing it using the CPU. |
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Definition
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Term
| What does the abbreviation ISA stand for? |
|
Definition
| Industry Standard Architecture |
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Term
| What do the abbreviations 1) PCI, 2) PCIe, and 3) PCI-X stand for? |
|
Definition
| Peripheral Component Interconnect, Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended |
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Term
| What do the abbreviations AC and DC stand for? |
|
Definition
| Alternating Current and Direct Current |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation ACPI stand for? |
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Definition
| Advanced Configuration and Power Interface |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation MSDS stand for? |
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Definition
| Material Safety Data Sheet |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation PNP stand for? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation MFT stand for? |
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Definition
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Term
| 1) What do the abbreviations NTFS and FAT stand for? 2) What are the types of FAT? |
|
Definition
1) New Technology Filesystem, File Allocation Table
2) FAT16 (FAT), FAT32, exFAT (FAT64, extended FAT) |
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Term
| What do the abbreviations SCSI and SAS stand for? |
|
Definition
| Small Computer System Interface, Serial Attached SCSI |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation RAID stand for? |
|
Definition
| Redundant Array of Independent Disks |
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation JBOD stand for? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation UPS stand for? |
|
Definition
| Uninterruptible Power Supply |
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|
Term
| What do the abbreviations BIOS and UEFI stand for? |
|
Definition
| Basic Input/Output System, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation USB stand for? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does bit stand for, as an abbreviation? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does modem stand for, as an abbreviation? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What do the abbreviations for these adapters stand for? 1) AMR 2) CNR 3) KVM |
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Definition
1) Audio/Modem Riser
2) Communications Network Riser
3) Keyboard/Video/Mouse (switch) |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation DVD stand for? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What is another name for FireWire? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What do the abbreviations for these video interfaces stand for? 1) VGA 2) DVI 3) HDMI |
|
Definition
1) Video Graphics Array
2) Digital Visual Interface
3) High Definition Multimedia Interface |
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Term
| What do the following input/output abbreviations stand for? 1) IRQ 2) MSI 3) DMA |
|
Definition
1) Interrupt Request
2) Message Signaled Interrupt
3) Direct Memory Access |
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation ZIF (in ZIF socket) stand for? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does RJ stand for (in certain connectors)? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What do these electronic noise abbreviations stand for? 1) EMI 2) ESD 3) RFI |
|
Definition
1) Electromagnetic Interference
2) Electrostatic Discharge
3) Radio Frequency Interference |
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation POST stand for? |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| What does the abbreviation CMOS stand for? |
|
Definition
| Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor |
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Term
| What do the following storage device abbreviations stand for? 1) AT/ATA/PATA/SATA 2) IDE/EIDE 3) SSD |
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Definition
1) Advanced Technology/AT Attachment/Parallel ATA/Serial ATA
2) Integrated Drive Electronics/Enhanced IDE
3) Solid State Drive |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation SRAM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Static RAM (Random Access Memory) |
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation DRAM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory) |
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Term
| What does the abbreviation SDRAM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Synchronous Dynamic RAM (Random Access Memory) |
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation DDR stand for? |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| What do the abbreviations RIMM and CRIMM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Rambus In-line Memory Module, Continuity RIMM |
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Term
| What do the abbreviations DIMM and SO-DIMM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Dual In-line Memory Module, Small Outline DIMM |
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|
Term
|
Definition
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation EEPROM stand for? |
|
Definition
| Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory |
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Term
| An expansion card that connects to a slot on the motherboard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Soft skills: Method of participating in a conversation where you focus on what the customer is saying. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| What does the abbreviation AGP stand for? |
|
Definition
| Accelerated Graphics Port |
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Term
| An expansion slot used for video adapters. Older standard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| An expansion slot used for a combination audio and modem adapter. |
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Definition
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Term
| Electrical power coming from a wall outlet. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A specification that allows the motherboard and operating systems to control power needs of various devices. |
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Definition
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Term
| Measures electric current; rating for fuses. |
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Definition
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Term
| Used to prevent ESD by connecting a person to a computer in order to equalize the voltage potential between the two. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Required for the computer to boot. Locates the operating system and POSTs on boot. Consists of hardware, software, and firmware. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The most recent wireless technology standard, used for securely communicating between wireless devices at short distances. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Connects between the CPU and L2 cache. Is it internal or external to the CPU? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Unit of information that is commonly represented by either a 1 or a 0. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Connections that carry data between different parts on the motherboard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The rate at which data is transmitted by lines connecting different parts of the motherboard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Unit of information equivalent to 8 bits. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Power connector that extends from a PSU to a floppy drive. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Location the CPU checks before checking other types of memory; designed to increase the speed of processor operations. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Chips that work with the processor to allow various features on the motherboard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Provides timing signals to all motherboard components. Is measured in hertz. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The rate at which timing signals are sent to motherboard components, measured in hertz. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Expansion slot that allows integration of network, sound, and modem functions. Older standard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Reducing clock frequency in order to reduce power consumption. |
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Definition
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Term
| Memory that contains information about hardware components and settings stored in BIOS. Is powered by a battery on the motherboard. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| An electronic component that can hold a charge, measured in farads. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Electrical resistance measurement that checks to see whether a wire is good. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Amount of electric flow, measured in amps. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Software that allows an operating system to access hardware. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A newer connector type used to carry audio and video signals. What can also connect to this without needing a converter? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Peripheral for a laptop that allows additional ports, device connections, and other features in order to expand its functionality. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Any connector with more pins on one row than the other row(s) so that it can only be inserted one way; has a “D” like shape. |
|
Definition
| D-Shell connector (or D-Sub connector) |
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Term
| A common video connector used for sending digital signals to monitors. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Older connector used to carry digital video signals to a CRT display. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Older connector used to carry digital video signals to an LCD display. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The most common type of digital video connector, which can be used with both digital and analog devices. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Processor that combines two CPU cores into the same unit. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Windows program that is used to configure hardware. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Electric current after it has been rectified. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A port used to connect external SATA devices. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A port used to connect a device to a network with wiring. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A socket on the motherboard used to connect adapters. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The lines on the motherboard that allow data to travel between the CPU and external devices. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Electronic noise generated by electrical devices. It may cause disturbances and performance issues if multiple electrical devices are nearby each other. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| When stored up static electricity is discharged in an instantly surge of voltage. May weaken or destroy electronic components. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A combination of hardware and software attributes. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| An older storage device that uses a removable magnetic storage medium. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The shape and size of cases, motherboards, PSUs, and other components. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Part of the bus that connects the CPU to motherboard components. Is it internal or external to the CPU? |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Allows the BIOS to be updated by using files. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Around 1 billion bytes of data. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| 1 billion cycles per second. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| An adapter processor that assists in communication between the video adapter and the CPU. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| When the motherboard or adapter is not properly installed and touches the case, causing the components to stop working. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A commonly used magnetic data storage medium. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A physical computer item. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A non-tangible computer component. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A digital interface that carries audio and video over the same cable. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Allows adapters to be inserted into a slot or devices to be attached/unattached while the computer is powered. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A port that is capable of high-speed audio and video device data transfers. Capable of speeds faster than USB 2.0. A single port supports the connectivity of up to 63 devices. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A motherboard that contains ports such as mouse, keyboard, video, NIC, and USB. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The lines (buses) on the motherboard that are inside a microprocessor. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A piece of metal that covers the area around all the external ports. Used to prevent EMI/RFI interference between the computer and other electronic devices. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A number assigned to an expansion adapter or port so orderly communication can occur between the device or port and the processor. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Allows a device or processor to exchange data. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A hole-like connection allows a compatible plug to be inserted into it. Refers specifically to connections for certain devices including audio and Ethernet. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A plastic cover for two metal pins. Used to shield electrical connections between the pins. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A type of connector design which allows the connector to only be inserted the correct way. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A component that allows multiple computers to be connected to a single keyboard, monitor, and mouse. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The fastest CPU cache, which is integrated into the microprocessor. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Fast CPU cache that resides on a chip inside the CPU. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| CPU cache which is located on the motherboard but external to the CPU. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A battery that is very light and can hold a charge for a long period of time; found in cell phones and other portable devices. This type of battery can be recharged. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The part of a computer that stores data such as documents, applications, and operating system information. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A motherboard connector, also known as a PS/ 2 connector, which is used to connect keyboards and mice. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A device that connects a computer or mobile device to a phone line, broadband, wireless, or satellite networks. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| The main circuit board of a computer. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A document that contains information about a product, its toxicity, storage, and disposal. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| Approximately one million bytes of data. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Unique identifiers for hardware and devices that both hardware and software use to access the hardware or devices and data related to them. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A type of interrupt method that delivers up to 32 interrupts to the CPU using software and memory space on behalf of a single device. A PCIe card is required to support this. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A type of power connector that extends from the computer’s power supply to hard drives, optical drives, and other devices. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Connects a computer to other computers via a network server. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An adapter used to connect a device to a network. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A high-speed microchip that is part of the motherboard chipset. It is connected directly to the CPU and is used to communicate from the CPU to RAM, video adapter, and the PCI/ PCIe bus. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A piece of software that is essential for a computer to be fully operational. It is one of the first things the computer checks for when booting, and is executed by the bootloader. It manages hardware and stored data, and is required for applications to run. |
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Definition
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|
Term
| A storage device that reads, and often writes to, optical discs such as CDs, DVDs, and BDs. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An input device that has a pointer which is controlled by optical sensors. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Manually changing the front side bus speed and/or multiplier in order to increase CPU, GPU, and/or system speed. Doing this increases the operating temperature, and typically the system will require additional cooling. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Measurement unit for electrical resistance. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A 25-pin female D-shell connector used to connect an older printer to a motherboard. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A connection that allows matching plugs or adapters to be inserted into it. Plugs and connectors for these connections are usually keyed. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| An essential hardware component that converts AC voltage into DC voltage. It is used to power all internal hardware and some external devices. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A common local bus standard found on motherboards. It has a 32 or 64 bit width and speeds of up to 533MB/s. It is used for attaching various adapters. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A common high-speed local bus standard found on motherboards. It is currently the fastest bus available and was designed to replace older standards. It has a range of possible bit widths from 1 to 32. It is used for attaching various adapters, most commonly graphics adapters. |
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Definition
|
|
Term
| An older local bus standard found on motherboards. It has a 64 bit width and speed of up to 1064MB/s. It is used for attaching various adapters. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An older peripheral interface for laptops that is based on flash memory. It is used for memory and storage expansion, and as an adapter interface. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Software contained in the BIOS chip that tests hardware components upon startup. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A chip connected to the motherboard that is an essential component for operation of a computer. It reads and carries out instructions from other hardware components and software and performs calculations. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A bus specification that allows automatic configuration and use of an adapter or device. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A designated pin on a cable that must be matched when plugging in the cable. Usually designated by a color or marking and often referred to when using non keyed connectors such as ribbon cables. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A measurement of electricity expressed in watts that represents how much work is being done. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Actions taken in order to prolong the life of a device. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| The use of four processors; either two dual core CPUs simultaneously installed into the same motherboard, or four cores installed on a single socket. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Volatile memory that loses its data when the computer is powered off. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Circuit board with adapter slots that connects to an adapter slot on the motherboard and allows additional adapter cards to be connected. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A type of connector used with analog modems and standard phone jacks. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A type of connector on network cards, modems, and other devices that is used to connect a computer to a network. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Nonvolatile memory, usually referring to a type of memory in chips on the motherboard. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A database file in Windows that holds hardware and software configuration information. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| How much opposition is applied to an electrical circuit, measured in ohms. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A type of electrical noise that occurs in the radio frequency range. Often results from operation of nearby electrical appliances or devices. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A nonvolatile flash memory storage device often used for portable devices. Has several variations and is commonly used today. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A 9-pin or 25-pin D-shell connector used to connect older input devices. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An adapter card that converts digital signals to audio. Has ports for devices such as microphones, headphones, and speakers. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A high definition digital audio interface that defines how audio signals are carried between audio devices and stereo components. It can be used to connect a PC to home theater equipment. |
|
Definition
| S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format) |
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|
Term
| A composite video port that provides standard definition video and uses a 7-pin mini-DIN connector. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A chip that is part of the motherboard chipset and communicates between different components on the motherboard and hardware devices. It is not directly connected to the CPU. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| The collective set of interrupt, I/ O address, and DMA configuration parameters. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An undervoltage condition that occurs when wall outlet AC voltage drops. Also known as a brownout. May damage some electronic components. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An overvoltage condition of short duration and intensity. Could cause damage to electronic components. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An overvoltage condition with a long duration. Has a great chance of causing damage to electronic components. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Pieces between the underside of the motherboard and the case that prevent the motherboard from touching the side of the case. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A high definition audio and video adapter based on PCI Express and DisplayPort. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A common standard for the external connection of various devices. Has three versions that are all inter-compatible. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| An alternative boot environment that serves as an interface between the operating system and firmware. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A device that provides power to a computer during a power outage. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A 15-pin D-shell connector for video devices. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| A process that allows a computer to run multiple operating systems that share hardware and don’t affect each other. Often used to run software incompatible with the main operating system, or to provide a test environment for software. |
|
Definition
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|
Term
| Unit of measurement for electric potential, or the pressure pushing electrons through a circuit. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A feature that allows a network administrator to remotely control power to a workstation, and allows a computer to come out of the sleep mode. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A measurement unit for electric power that measures the rate of transfer of energy. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A common CPU socket that has a lever for easy installation and removal of the CPU. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What 3 parts does a hard drive or floppy drive subsystem consist of? |
|
Definition
| The drive, cable, and electronic control circuits (controller). |
|
|
Term
| How does the hard drive write data to tracks and where are they on the platters? |
|
Definition
| Data from the same file is stored in different parts of the same track. They are concentric circles on the platters. |
|
|
Term
| How does the hard drive write data to cylinders and where are the cylinders on the platters? |
|
Definition
| The cylinders are groups made up of the same track location on different platters. The same data is stored in different pieces along the same cylinder. |
|
|
Term
| Where are the sectors on the platters? |
|
Definition
| Sectors are "pie-shaped" tiny pieces of the tracks on a hard drive. |
|
|
Term
| The smallest part of a hard drive that can be written to. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Name the internal (mechanical) parts of a hard drive. |
|
Definition
| Actuator/actuator arm/actuator motor, Read/Write head, platters, spindle/spindle motor. |
|
|
Term
| Explain the data storage method used by RAID0. How many drives are needed? |
|
Definition
| Disk striping - storing the same data across multiple drives. If one drive fails, all data is damaged. At least two drives are needed. |
|
|
Term
| Explain the data storage method used by RAID1. How many drives are needed? |
|
Definition
| Disk mirroring - the same data written to multiple drives. Disk space is halved but there are the benefits of speed and having a secure backup. At least two drives are needed. |
|
|
Term
| Explain the data storage method used by RAID5. How many drives are needed? |
|
Definition
| Data is written to many disks via networking, parity bit representations of the data are stored across the drives. This way if a drive fails, the data is recoverable. Less space is used for the parity than would be needed for a fully backup. At least three drives are needed. |
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|
Term
| A RAID setup in which if one drive fails, the other drives are usable and, usually, the data is recoverable. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What are the steps to setting up a SCSI system? |
|
Definition
1) Set the SCSI ID
2) Terminate the ends of the chain
3) Connect the cables |
|
|
Term
| Preparing a drive for use with a particular filesystem in order to allow the drive to accept and use data with an operating system. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Preparing a drive for use by permanently marking the surface of the platters. This is done at factory level. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| How many pins does DDR RAM have? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What is the "smartest" component of the motherboard? It handles the flow of data between the RAM and CPU. |
|
Definition
| MCC (Memory Controller Chip) |
|
|
Term
| Name the basic steps to troubleshooting a computer problem. |
|
Definition
1) Try to recreate the problem to see if it persists.
2) Find out if it is a hardware or software problem.
3) Test your theory starting with the steps that take the least effort.
4) Fix it.
5) Verify the fix through testing.
6) Document it. |
|
|
Term
| What memory features enables the BIOS to determine exact details about the memory module? |
|
Definition
| SPD (Serial Presence Detect) |
|
|
Term
| What does the abbreviation ODD stand for? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| How is an optical disc written to? |
|
Definition
| In a spiral shape starting at the center and going outward. |
|
|
Term
| Amount of time a drive takes to find a place on a disk and retrieve information. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A problem that occurs when a hard disk read/write head touches the platter. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| The first detected partition on a hard drive. Is assigned C: by default. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| One or more partitions on a hard drive that is not a primary partition. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| A hard drive partition that is treated like a physical drive with a primary partition but is actually a division of a single physical drive. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Contains a program that reads the partition table, looks for the primary partition marked as active, and boots the system with that partition. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| What does the abbreviation MBR stand for? |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Partition on the hard drive that holds files needed to load the operating system. |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Partition on the hard drive that holds operating system files. |
|
Definition
|
|
