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Computer Hardware
2 Chapter Contents
Section A: Personal Computer Basics Section B: Microprocessors and Memory Section C: Storage Devices Section D: Input and Output Devices Section E: Hardware Security
SECTION
Personal Computer Systems Desktop and Portable Computers Home, Game, and Small Business Systems Buying Computer System Components
2 Question
022100 In the interest of being ecological, many consumers consider upgrading their computers instead of disposing of them and buying a new one. Which one of the following upgrades is best left to professional technicians? A. Replacing the microprocessor with a newer model B. Adding an external hard drive for backup C. Swapping out a graphics card for a more powerful one D. Adding RAM
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2 Home, Game,
A home computer system offers a computer configuration designed to accommodate consumers who use computers for personal tasks Some of the most cutting-edge computers are designed for gaming Computers marketed for small business applications tend to be middle-of-the-line models pared down to essentials
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2 Buying Computer
System Components
Browse through computer magazines and online computer stores to get a general idea of features and prices Decide on a budget and stick to it Make a list of the ways you plan to use your computer Select a platform Decide on a form factor Select peripherals, software, and accessories
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2 Buying Computer
System Components
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SECTION
Microprocessor Basics Todays Microprocessors Random Access Memory Read-only Memory EEPROM
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2 Question
022200 Some computers are suitable for e-mail, word processing, and similar low-key operations, whereas other computers have the power to keep up while you play complex action games, edit high-resolution videos, and prepare multi-track sound recordings. Which of the following computers is the most powerful? A. Intel Core 2 Quad processor; 4 GB RAM B. AMD Phenom Quad core processor; 3 GB RAM C. Intel Core 2 Quad processor; 2 GB RAM D. Intel Atom processor; 4 GB RAM
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2 Microprocessor Basics
A microprocessor is an integrated circuit designed to process instructions Usually the most expensive component of a computer
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2 Microprocessor Basics
Microprocessor clock Megahertz Gigahertz Multicore processor Front side bus Cache Level 1 cache (L1) Level 2 cache (L2) Level 3 cache (L3) Word size
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2 Microprocessor Basics
CISC vs. RISC technology Serial processing Pipelining Parallel processing Benchmarks
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2 Todays Microprocessors
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2 Read-Only Memory
ROM is a type of memory circuitry that holds the computers startup routine Permanent and non-volatile The ROM BIOS tells the computer how to access the hard disk, find the operating system, and load it into RAM
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2 EEPROM
Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory Replaces CMOS technology Requires no power to hold data
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SECTION
Storage Devices
Storage Basics Magnetic Disk and Tape Technology CD, DVD, and Blu-ray Technology Solid State Storage Storage Wrap-up
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2 Question
022300 Storage devices have varying levels of versatility, durability, speed, and capacity. For a student who owns a computer, but sometimes needs to use computers in the school lab, which storage device is most versatile? A. Hard disk drive B. CD-R C. Solid state drive D. USB flash drive
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2 Storage Basics
A storage medium contains data A storage device records and retrieves data from a storage medium Data gets copied from a storage device into RAM, where it waits to be processed Processed data is held temporarily in RAM before it is copied to a storage medium Vertical vs. horizontal storage
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2 Storage Wrap-up
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2 Storage Wrap-up
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SECTION
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2 Question
022400 Computer owners usually want to add various peripheral devices to their computers. Suppose you have a notebook computer and you want to add an external hard drive, but youve run out of USB ports. What can you do? A. Use the HDMI port instead. B. Plug directly into the expansion bus. C. Swap in a USB hub for one of the currently connected peripherals. D. Use an Ethernet-to-USB converter.
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2 Display Devices
An LCD display produces an image by filtering light through a layer of liquid crystal cells Gradually, CCFL backlighting technology is being replaced by lowpower light-emitting diodes (LEDs) LED display
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2 Display Devices
Screen size Dot pitch Viewing angle width Response rate Color depth Screen resolution VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, WUXGA, and WQXGA
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2 Display Devices
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2 Display Devices
Graphics circuitry generates the signals for displaying an image on the screen Integrated graphics Graphics card Graphics processing unit (GPU)
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2 Printers
An ink-jet printer has a nozzle-like print head that sprays ink onto paper A laser printer works like a photocopier
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2 Printers
Laser printers electrostatically collect toner on a drum, then the toner is transferred onto paper.
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2 Printers
Dot matrix printers produce characters and graphics by using a grid of fine wires The wires strike a ribbon and the paper
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2 Printers
Printer features Resolution Print speed Duty cycle Operating costs
Duplex capability Memory Networkability
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Plug and Play automatically configures your computer to accommodate new peripheral devices you add
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SECTION
Hardware Security
Anti-theft Devices Surge Protection and Battery Backup Basic Maintenance Troubleshooting and Repair
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2 Question
022500 When you treat your computer carefully and perform basic maintenance, you can avoid many hardware problems, However, if you encounter the blue screen of death, what has gone wrong? A. The operating system has encountered an error from which it cannot recover. B. Your computer has contracted a virus. C. Your hard disk is full. D. Your display device has malfunctioned.
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2 Anti-Theft Devices
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2 Surge Protection
A power surge is a sudden increase in electrical energy, affecting the current that flows to electrical outlets A surge strip is a device that contains electrical outlets protected by circuitry that blocks surges A UPS is a device that not only provides surge protection, but also furnishes your computer with battery backup power during a power outage
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2 Surge Protection
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2 Basic Maintenance
Computer component failures can be caused by manufacturing defects and other circumstances beyond your control Keep the keyboard clean Clean your computer screen on a regular basis Keep the area clean around your computer Make sure fans are free of dust
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2 Basic Maintenance
Carefully use a cotton swab and a can of compressed air or a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from your keyboard. Sticky liquids are difficult to remove. That can of pop? Better to keep it away from your keyboard.
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203200 Are you aware of any options for recycling electronic equipment in your local area?
A. Yes B. No C. Not sure
023300 Would it be fair for consumers to pay a recycling tax on any electronic equipment that they purchase?
A. Yes
Chapter 2: Computer Hardware
B. No
C. Not sure
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