CIS 107a: Introduction to Hardware Concepts

Review for First Test

 

1. What is difference between hardware and software? What about firmware?
   
   
2. What are the four basic tasks a computer performs?
   
   
3. What is a CPU?
   
   
4. What is the difference between an internal device and an external device?
   
   
5. What is the general name for the connector on the outside of a computer where you plug in a cable to another device?
   
   
6. Name two input devices and two output devices.
   
   
7. What are some common internal components of a computer? What are they for?
   
   
8. What is the purpose of a CMOS chip? How does it retain its settings?
   
   
9. What is the purpose of a BIOS chip?
   
   
10. What kind of BIOS can be reprogrammed?
    
    
11. What are two types of media referred to as permanent storage? Why are they usually not "permanent"? Why are they called permanent?
    
    
12. What is an operating system? How is it different from an application?
    
    
13. What are memory addresses?
    
    
14. What are some duties of an operating system?
    
    
15. What are the two basic types of system boards discussed in Chapter 4?
    
    
16. Which components of a system board can commonly be upgraded?
    
    
17. What are two other synonyms for "system board"?
    
    
18. Why is the choice of system board a choice that dictates several other choices?
    
    
19. What is a common unit of speed for CPUs?
    
    
20. What is the difference between the internal and external data paths of a CPU?
    
    
21. What voltages are common for Pentium II chips?
    
    
22. What is the basic difference between L1 cache and L2 cache? What is a backside bus?
    
    
23. What kind of Pentium is a Celeron? How does it compare with a Xeon?
    
    
24. What is the major difference in the way that a Pentium II attaches to system board, compared to a Classic Pentium?
    
    
25. What is overclocking, and why is it a bad idea?
    
    
26. What does it mean to "shadow" the ROM BIOS?
    
    
27. Name some common expansion buses.
    
    
28. Volts are a measure of what characteristic of electricity?
    
    
29. What is the normal voltage of house current in the U.S.?
    
    
30. Which of these can be measured with the power off: volts, amps, or ohms? Why?
    
    
31. Describe the relationship between volts, amps, and ohms in a circuit.
    
    
32. What are the voltages produced by an ATX power supply?
    
    
33. What is the wattage of a current of 1.5 amps and a voltage of 12 volts?
    
    
34. What is the difference between a transformer and a rectifier? Which is/are found in a PC power supply?
    
    
35. Describe the purpose of the ground line in a house circuit. Show the electrical symbol for ground.
    
    
36. Why is a power supply dangerous even after the power is disconnected?
    
    
37. What is a Faraday cage?
    
    
38. What is a simple way to detect EMI?
    
    
39. How many IRQs does a modern computer have?
    
    
40. What devices are assigned to the first five IRQs?
    
    
41. What IRQ is never used by a particular device?
    
    
42. What utility do you use in Windows 98 and later to check system resource assignments?
    
    
43. What are the three classic ways to restart a computer? Which avoids the most steps of a startup?
    
    
44. How are red and black wires typically used in a computer, as compared to house wiring?
    
    
45. What is the difference between a conductor, an insulator, and a semiconductor?
    
    
46. Name two common items that should not be used to move switches or perform other tasks inside a computer case?
    
    
47. How many volts must be in an electrostatic discharge to feel it?
    
    
48. What is the puprose of:
    • a diode?
    • a resistor?
    • a capacitor?
      
      
49. What are two classic computer repair situations in which you should avoid being grounded?
    
    
50. Which kind of system boards typically have riser cards?
    
    
51. What will happen to a UPS that runs constantly at its capacity?
    
    
52. What are the three basic computer case types?
    
    
53. What does a single beep during boot generally mean?
    
    
54. What might a user do that could impair the intended cooling inside a computer?
    
    
55. What advice is offered about AGP slots, regarding keeping the computer cool?
    
    
56. What typically must be set on a motherboard that runs slower than the processor you are using?
    
    
57. What are the two general methods of connecting a processor to a motherboard?
    
    
58. What is a chip set? How is a hub interface used on modern chip sets?
    
    
59. What are standard precautions to take when installing RAM, to protect yourself? What do you do to protect the computer and the RAM modules?
    
    
60. What might you do to make sure you are selecting the correct RAM to upgrade a computer?
    
    
61. What do you do if RAM you have just installed is not recognized by the computer?
    
    
62. Some memory modules are meant to come straight out of their sockets, but most are not. What is the correct way to remove one that is not?
    
    
63. How is the speed of a SIMM typically noted? What about DIMMs? What determines whether the oldest speed rating is used, or one of the two newer ones?
    
    
64. What metals are typically found on the connectors for RAM modules? What difference could this make when choosing new modules for a specific computer?
    
    
65. What are some differences between SIMMs, DIMMs, and RIMMs?
    
    
66. What kind of memory is COAST? Where in a computer might you find it used?
    
    
67. What can you do to check the amount of RAM a computer has, regardless of the operating system? What can you do if it is running a recent version of Windows?