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Computer Hardware Textbook Questions

Computer Anatomy
1. Input- information or data provided to computers by users, which
includes keying using a keyboard, pointing and clicking using a mouse,
pointing stylus and speaking into a microphone
2. Output- the results of processing in a computer, whether it is sent to
the screen or printer, stored on disk as a file or sent to another
computer in a network
3. Processes- in microprocessors, a function whereby users' inputs are
added, multiplied, divided, found, or manipulated to complete a task
4. Hardware- the physical components of a computer system, including
any peripheral equipment such as printers, modems, and mice
5.
Components inside a Definition
computer
Power supply Brings the electricity to the
computer through a power cord
Motherboard Main circuit board of the computer,
where everything is attached.
Includes; metal tracks, electronic
devices and transistors(control flow
of electricity)
CPU (central processing unit) Aka the microprocessor, CPU is the
main computer chip that processes
instructions, process data and
manages the flow of information
External cache External memory to the CPU and is
used for highspeed storage or
recent information. Second place the
CPU looks to find recently used data
or instructions ( level 2 cache)
Internal cache Memory that's inside the CPU looks
to find recently used data or
instructions (level 1 cache)
Expansion slots Sockets inside the motherboard into
which expansion cards can be added
for additional memory
Hard drive Disk drive that holds, reads from
and writes to the hard disk. Its used
to store software and data files
Storage devices Spaces in the computer case where
disk drives are housed.
Bus Set of conductor wires that
transports data among the
components of the computer
through an electronic pass. (path for
electrons to carry information to and
from components in the computer)
RAM (random access memory) Aka user memory. RAM is temporary
memory that stores information for
the length of timer the computer is
left on or is running.
ROM (read only memory) Aka factory memory. ROM is
computer memory on which
information has been stored at the
time of manufacture (instructions
needed on start-up). One or more
ROM chips are attached to the
motherboard

6. The CPU processes instructions using 4 tasks:


Fetch- CPU gathers the code for an instructions and places it in the
instruction cache (temporary memory where the instructions are
stored)
Decode- the CPU interprets the instruction in an area of the CPU chip
called the decode cache and determines which functions are to be
preformed
Execute- the CPU carries out the instructions and sends the results to
their proper destinations
Store- the CPU sends the results of the instructions to the proper
memory location to be stored for further instructions
7. Binary codes- are the language codes that the computer understands
Computers use binary codes because it is the language that the computer
understands

Peripherals
1. Peripherals devices- devices that are plugged into special sockets at
the back or side of a computer (ports) using appropriate cables
(modems, speakers, mouse, printers) Aka peripheral hardware. Ex.)
mouse, keyboards, monitor
2. The purpose of expansion slots is to hold expansion cards, which are
added for additional memory. Ex.)
3. Ponting devices- control the movement of a cursor or pointer on the
display screen ex.) a mouse

types of pointing
devices
Mice work by being rolled along a
mice hard, flat surface. The movement of
the mouse controls the movement of
the pointer on the screen
Looks like a ball that is stuck in the
Trackball computer. Works by rolling the
exposed part of the ball with fingers
to move the cursor. The buttons next
to the trackball are used to click and
drag
A small square near keyboard. You
Touchpad (acupoint) slide your fingers across the square to
move the cursor, the buttons near the
touchpad activate commands
Pen pad or digitizing tablet A special pen to move the cursor
4. There are two ways a mice can connect to a computer without a cord
Infrared mice- send infrared signals to a receiver attached to the
computer's mouse port. These mice don't require a cord, but the
mouse must stay near the receiver
Radio mice- use low power radio signals to send information to the
computer. Useful when working away from a computer, like a
presentation

Storage
Storage option Max. Capacity Cost in $ Cost per GB
(GB) (rounded)
Internal Hard 3000GB $156 $0.05/GB
Drive
Solid State Hard 1000GB $680 $0.68/GB
Drive
External Desktop 12,000GB $1260 $0.1/GB
Hard Drive
External Portable 5000GB $280 $0.06/GB
Hard Drive
DVD (digital 7GB $2 $.28/GB
video disk)
USB key drives 128GB $60 $0.5/GB
1. The best deal is the internal hard drive for $156 and 3000GB and the
worst deal would be the solid state hard drive for $680 and 1000GB.
You might choose the worse deal might be because some devices
might only support certain drives.
2. The best deal would be the external portable hard drive for $280 and
5000GB and the worst deal would be the USB key drive for $60 and
128GB. The external portable hard drive would be best used for storing
more things and files that take up more space. The DVD would be best
for video files or files with audio such as music or movies. The USB
keys would be best used for on the go because they're small, users can
easily bring the USB key with them wherever they go.

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