A+ Chapter 1 (First Look at Computer Parts and Tools) – Flashcards
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Chassis
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A computer case for any type of computer.
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Tower Case
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Sits upright and can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
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Desktop Case
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Lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand.
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VGA Port
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(Video Graphics Array) or DB-15, DB15 port, HD15 port, or DE15 port, is a 15-pin D-shaped female port that transmits analog video.
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Analog Signal
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continuous signal with infinite variations.
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Digital Signal
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series of binary values in 1s and 0s
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S-Video Port
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a 4-pin or 7-pin round video port sometimes used to connect a television.
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DVI Port
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(Digital Video Interface) port transmits digital or analog video. There are 3 types of DVI ports.
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HDMI Port
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(Hight-Definition Multimedia Interface) port transmits digital video and audio and is often used to connect to home theater equipment.
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DisplayPort
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Transmits digital video and audio and is slowly replacing VGA and DVI ports on personal computers.
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Thunderbolt Port
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Transmits video, data, and power on the same port and cable and is popular with apple computers. Up to 6 peripherals can use this same port.
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Network Port
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Also called Ethernet Port or an RJ-45 port, is used by a network cable to connect to the wired network.
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Audio Ports
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A system usually contains three or more of these and are also called sound ports for a microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo out. They can transmit analog or digital data.
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S/PDIF Sound Port
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(Sony/Philips Digital Interface) connects to an external home theater audio system, providing digital audio output and the best signal quality. Always carry digital audio and can work with electrical or optical cable.
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USB Port
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(Universal Serial Bus) a multipurpose I/O port that comes in several sizes and is used by many different devices.
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FireWire Port
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(IEEE 1394 Port) Used for high-speed multimedia devices such as digital camcorders.
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External SATA Port
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(eSATA) is used by and external hard drive or other device using the eSATA interface. Faster then FireWire.
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PS/2 Port
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(mini-DIN port) a round 6-pin port used by keyboard or mouse. The color of the port determines the device intended for the port, purple for keyboards and green for a mouse.
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Serial Port
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(DB9 Port) a 9-pin male port used on older computers and replaced by USB. Sometimes used to hookup to monitor and manage a router.
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Parallel Port
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(LPT Port) is a 25-pin female port use by older printers and replaced by USB.
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Modem Port
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(RJ-11 Port) used to connect dial-up phone lines to computers.
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Motherboard
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The larges and most important circuit board in the computer
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CPU
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(Central Processing Unit) does most of the processing of data and instructions for the system.
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Heat Sink
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Consists of metal fins that draw heat away from a component.
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Expansion Card
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a circuit board that provides more ports than those provided by the motherboard.
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DIMM
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(Dual inline memory module) slots that hold memory modules.
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RAM
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(Random access Memory) temporary storage for data and instruction as they are being processed by the CPU.
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Video Memory
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embedded RAM chips contained in some video cards.
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HDD
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(Hard Disk Drive) is permanent storage used to hold data and programs.
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PSU
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(Power Supply Unit) is a box installed in a corner of the computer case that receives and converts the house current so that components inside the case can use it.
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Dual-Voltage Selector Switch
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contained on most PSU on the back of the case where you can switch the imput voltage to the power supply to 115V (US) or 220V (Other Countries).
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Form Factors
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The standards that describe the size, shape, screw hole positions, and major features of interconnected components
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ATX
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(Advanced Technology Extended) the most commonly used form factor today.
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20-Pin P1 Connector
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The main motherboard power connector used in early ATX systems.
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24-Pin P1 Connector
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Is the main motherboard power connector used today.
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20+4 Pin P1 Connector
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A motherboard connector that has 4 pins removed so the connector can function as a 20-Pin and a 24-Pin connector interchangeably.
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4-Pin 12-V connector
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an auxiliary motherboard connector, which us used for extra 12-V power to the processor.
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8-Pin 12-V connector
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and auxiliary motherboard connector witch is used for extra 12-V power to the processor, providing more power than older 4-Pin auxiliary connector.
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Molex connector
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a 4-pin connector used for older IDE (PATA or Parallel ATA) drives and some newer SATA drives, providing +5 v or +12 v to the drive.
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SATA Power Connector
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a 15-Pin connector used for SATA (Serial ATA) drives that can provide +3.3V (seldomly), +5V, and +12V
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4-Pin Berg Connector
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A connector used by older floppy disk drives (FDD)
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PCIe 6-Pin Connector
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A connector that provides and extra +12 V for high-end video cards using PCI Express, Version 1 standard.
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PCIe 8-Pin Connector
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A connector that provides and extra +12 V for high-end video cards using PCI Express, Version 2
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PCIe 6/8-Pin Connector
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A connector used by high-end video cards using PCIe x16 slots to provide extra voltage to the card and can accommodate a 6-hole or 8-hole port. The connector is split into a 6-Pin and 2-Pin to get a total of 8-Pins when both connected.
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PCI
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(Peripheral Component Interconnect) is a type of slot on the motherboard used to connect expansion cards.
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PCIe
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(PCI Express) faster versions of PCI slots on the motherboard requiring more power
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ATX 12V Power Supply
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A power supply that provides a 4-Pin 12-V power cord.
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Micro ATX
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A form factor reducing the total cost of a system by reducing the number of expansion slots on the motherboard, reducing the power supplied to the board, and allowing for smaller case size.
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SATA
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(Serial ATA) standard that is used by most hard drives, optical drives, and tape drives today.
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ANSI
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(American National Standards Institute) publishes standards for SATA and PATA
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Laptop
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Designed for portability and can be just as powerful as a desktop computer. Includes more than half of personal computers purchased today and 30% of personal computers currently in use.
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Netbook
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A smaller and less expensive personal computer than the laptop with fewer features. Normally do not have Optical Drives.
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All-in-one Computer
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A personal computer that combines the monitor and computer case into one with laptop and desktop components.
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USB Dongle
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A USB connector used to convert signals/as an adapter from other types of connectors. ie: USB to RJ-45 Dongle, USB to Wi-Fi Dongle, USB to Bluetooth adapter, and USB optical drives.
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Wi-Fi
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(Wireless Fidelity) common name for standards for a local wireless network.
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Cellular Network
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consists of geographic areas of coverage called cells.
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Base Station
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A tower that controls a cellular network.
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Bluetooth
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a short-range wireless technology to connect two devices in a small personal network.
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Airplane Mode
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When a device has all wireless technologies turned off.
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ExpressCard
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A type of card used before USB devices became popular and offered to connect additional peripheral devices and ports. Uses the PCIe bus or USB 2.0 standard.
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PCMCIA cards
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(Personal Computer Memory Card International Association). Slot and card standards designed and supported by the PCMCIA.
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ExpressCard/34
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a 34mm wide ExpressCard that is usable in ExpressCard/54 slots as well. Fully hot-pluggable, hot-swappable, and supports auto-configuration.
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ExpressCard/54
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A 54mm wide ExpressCard that is fully hot-pluggable, hot-swappable, and supports auto-configuration.
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Docking Port
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Provided on the bottom or side of some Notebooks and Laptops to connect a Docking Station.
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Docking Station
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Provides Ports to allow a device to easily connect to a full-sized monitor, keyboard, AC power adapter, and other peripheral devices.
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SO-DIMMs
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(Small Outline DIMMs) are used in Laptops and are smaller memory modules than DIMMs.
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Phablet
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A device that has the same capapilities of a smart phone or tablet but is smaller than a tablet and larger than a smart phone.
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SIM Card
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(Subscriber Identity Module) Card is inserted into a device and keeps information about your subscription to a GSM network
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GSM
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(Global System of Mobile Communication) a type of technology used to connect to a cellular network. Uses SIM cards.
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CDMA
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(Code Division Multiple Access) a type of technology used to connect to a cellular network.
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Infrared
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(IR) is a wireless connection that requires an unobstructed "line of sight" between transmitter and receiver. Commonly used for TV remote controls.
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NFC
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(Near Field Communication) is a wireless technology that establishes a communication link between two NFC devices that are within 4 inches of each other. Used for key-fobs some times.
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microUSB
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Smaller than a standard USB and used usually for mobile devices to charge and pass information.
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miniUSB
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Smaller than a standard USB and microUSB and used usually for mobile devices to charge and pass information.
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Lightning Port
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A connector for power and communication for newer mobile Apple products.
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Tethered
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Connection a device via cable to the internet by allowing another mobile device's cellular network to carry the original device.
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Hotspot
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Creating a Wi-Fi network with a mobile device's cellular network to allow other devices access the internet.
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Gyroscope
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A device that contains a disk that is free to move and can respond to gravity as the device is moved.
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Accelerometer
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A type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device.
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Geotracking
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When a device reports its position at least twice a day and usually more often making it possible for companies to track your device's whereabouts.
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ESD strap
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(also called a ground bracelet) protects against ESD when working inside the computer case.
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ESD
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(Electrostatic Discharge) is another name for static electricity which can damage chips and destroy motherboards even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye.
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POST Diagnostic Card
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A motherboard test card that can help discover and report computer errors and conflicts before the OS is launched.
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Firmware
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Programs and data stored on the motherboard
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BIOS
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(Basic Input/Output System) is firmware used by older motherboards embedded on firmware chips.
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System BIOS
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Firmware used to manage essentioal devices such as the keyboard, mouse, hard drive, and monitor before the OS is launched.
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Startup BIOS
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Firmware used to start the computer
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BIOS Setup
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Firmware used to change the motherboard configurations or settings.
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UEFI
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(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is used on newer motherboards as firmware that is more robust and secure than BIOS because it can assure that the boot has no rogue OS hijacks on the system.
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POST
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(Power-On Self Test) is a series of tests performed by the startup UEFI/BIOS when you first turn on a computer. It determines if startup UEFI/BIOS can communicate correctly with essential hardware components required for a successful boot.
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Power Supply Tester
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Used to measure the output of each connector coming from the power supply.
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Multimeter
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A general-purpose tool that can measure several characteristics of electricity in a variety of devices. Some can measure voltage, current, resistance, or continuity.
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Loopback Plug
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Is used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working and might also test the throughput or speed of the port. Commonly used with network and USB ports.
