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Computer Terms
Created for A+ Cert Test as I reveiw study books I post the terms.
50
Computer Science
Professional
02/19/2010

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Term
CMOS
Definition

Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor

The term complementary refers to the fact that these chips use negatively
and positively charged transistors (which complement each other) to store
information. Most RAM chips rely on CMOS technology to store information,
but when discussing CMOS, you will probably be referring to the hardware
configuration settings that are saved between reboots of your computer.

(which is a storage area for configuration settings.)

Term
CPU
Definition

Central Processing Unit

The processor performs a limited set of
calculations based on requests from the operating system and controls
access to system memory. Processor speed is measured in several different
ways, including clock cycles, megahertz (MHz), and Millions of Instructions
Per Second (MIPS) also

gigahertz (GHz).

which efficiently executes instructions for the OS.

Term
BIOS
Definition

Basic Input-Output System

is responsible for controlling or managing low-level but extremely
important processes like the POST (Power-On Self-Test), the boot process,
and the interaction of components on the motherboard.

which are low-level internal communication routines.

Term
ROM
Definition
Read-Only
Memory
Term
IDE/ATA
Definition
Integrated Device Electronics/AT Attachment
Term
SATA
Definition
Serial ATA
Term
SCSI
Definition
Small Computer System
Interface
Term
PCI
Definition
Peripheral Component Interconnect
Term
IEEE1394
Definition
FireWire
Term
PCMCIA
Definition
PC Card Bus
Term
I/O
Definition
Input/Output
Term
RAM
Definition
Random Access Memory
Term
EPROM
Definition
Erasable Programmable ROM
Term
nanoseconds
Definition
a billionth of a second
Term
AC
Definition
Alternating Current
Term
DC
Definition
Direct Current
Term
Software
Definition
programming
code that is stored on your disk or on some other form of media.
Term
Hardware
Definition
physical components — boards, peripherals, and
other equipment — that make up your computer.
Term
Firmware
Definition

Firmware is programming code (software)
that is contained in or stored on the IC (Integrated Circuit) chips (hardware)
on your computer

which is a cross-breed between hardware and software.

Term
PXE
Definition
Preexecution
Environment
Term
POST
Definition
Power-On Self-Test
Term
BIOS/CMOS
Definition
Remember that BIOS stores programming code, and CMOS stores settings
for the BIOS options.
Term
ISA
Definition

(Industry Standard Architecture), which runs at 8 MHz

(Monitor)

Term
PCI
Definition

(Peripheral Component Interconnect), which runs at 33 MHz
and 66 MHz

(Monitor)

Term
PCIe
Definition

(Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), which is a highspeed
serial bus, so its speed is measured differently than the others
which are parallel buses. PCIe has between 1 and 16 channels (1x – 16x)

(Monitor)

Term
PCI-X
Definition

(Peripheral Component Interconnect Extended), which runs at
133 MHz

(Monitor)

Term
AGP
Definition

(Accelerated Graphics Port), which runs at 66 MHz (but can be
increased to 8x the base speed or 528 MHz)

(Monitor)

Term
4-bit Color Depth
Definition
16 Colors
Term
8-bit Color Depth
Definition
256 Colors
Term
16-bit Color Depth
Definition
65,000 Colors
Term
24-bits Color Depth
Definition
16 Million Colors
Term
32-bit Color Depth
Definition
4 Billion Colors
Term
SVGA
Definition
Super Video Graphics Array
Term
VGA
Definition

Video Graphics Array

The VGA standard is output in 16 colors at
640x480.

Term
Modem
Definition
Modulator/Demodulator
Term
Modulation
Definition
Digital signals to an Analog signals
Term
Demodulation
Definition
Analog signals to Digital signals.
Term
ADSL
Definition
Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line
Term
ISDN
Definition
Integrated Services Digital Network
Term
TA
Definition
Terminal Adapter
Term
Serial (Port)
Definition
Connects serial devices such as modems to your computer.
Term
Parallel (Port)
Definition
Connects parallel devices such as printers to your computer.
Term
Video (Port)
Definition
Connects a monitor to your computer.
Term
USB (Port)
Definition
Connects various types of devices to your computer. Devices that used
other ports in the past are increasingly being converted to use USB ports.
Devices that use this port include printers, modems, mice, keyboards, and
scanners.
Term
Keyboard/Mouse
Definition
Connects a KeyBoard and mouse to your computer.
Term
System boards
Definition
which contain most of the computer circuitry.
Term
Power supply
Definition
which converts a building’s AC to usable DC for the computer
Term
Storage devices
Definition
which are long-term or short-term storage areas.
Term
Monitor
Definition
which displays data from the computer
Term
Ports
Definition
which are used as connection points for other devices
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