Chapter 1 – Review Questions


Why is all data stored in a computer in binary form?
Binary form is what the computer understands

What are the four primarily functions of hardware?
Input, processing, storage and output

What are the two ma input devices and two main output devices?
Keyboard, mouse / monitor, printer

What three things do electronic hardware devices need in order to function?
A method for the CPU to communicate, software to instruct and control and electricity to power

How many bits are in a byte?
8

What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?
Used for an expansion card; which enables a device that is not on the motherboard to communicate with the CPU.

Which component on the motherboard I used primarily for processing?
CPU

Name three CPU manufacturers.
Intel, VIA, Cyrix

What technology is most often used today to manufacture microchips?
CMOS

What are two other names for the system bus?
Front side bus, host bus

What are two other names for the motherboard?
Main board, system board

What are the tow basic types of cables found inside a computer case and what are their basic functions?
Data cable – connects devices to one another; passes data between devices
Power cable- supply power

List three types of ports that are often found coming directly off the motherboard to be used by external devices.
Serial, parallel and keyboard

What is the purpose of the S/PDIF port?
External home theater

List three kinds of memory modules.
SIMM, DIMM, RIMM

What is the difference between volatile and nonvolatile memory?
Volatile – Temporary / Nonvolatile - permanent

Of the two types of storage in a system, which type is generally faster and holds data and instructions while the data is being processed? Which type of storage is generally slower, but more permanent?
Primary storage – faster / secondary storage - slower

What technology standard provides for up to four devices on a system, including the hard drive as one of those devices? What are two most common industry names loosely used to describe this standard?
ATA (AT attachment) / EIDE or IDE

What is the size of the data path on most system buses today?
64 bit

What is the measurement of frequency of a system bus and CPU? Which is faster, the system bus or the CPU?
Hz, MHz, or GHz. The CPU is faster than the system bus

Name four types of buses that might be on a motherboard today.
PCI Express, PCI, AGP, and ISA

A power supply receives 120 volts ____ power from a wall outlet and converts it to 3.3, and 12 volts of ____ power.
AC / DC

ROM BIOS or firmware chips that can be upgraded without replacing the chips are called ____.
Flash ROM

CMOS setup allows a technician to change configuration settings on a motherboard stored in ____.
CMOS RAM

Name three examples of secondary storage devices.
Floppy, USB, CD Rom

A hertz is____ cycles per second; a megahertz is ____ cycles per second, and a gigahertz is ____ cycles per second.
1 / 1 million / 1 billion

An AGP slot is normally used for a(n) ____ expansion card.
Video

How many sizes of PCI Express slots are currently manufactured for personal computers?
4

Name the three purposes the motherboard ROM BIOS serves?
System BIOS – manage simple devices
Startup BIOS – start computer
CMOS setup – change some settings on the motherboard

From where does CMOS RAM receive its power?
From a small battery on the motherboard