Shin Liu 3/3/2015
Chapter 5 PowerPoint Questions and Answers
1.
Describe the four most common types of personal computers.
The four most common types of personal computers are: desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile devices.
Desktops has a tower unit and is used for home only. Laptop, also known as Ultrabook, compact and
easy to storage in a briefcase and taken with a person traveling. Tablets are even more compact than a
laptop but the processor is less powerful. Finally mobile devices are most used smartphones.
2.
Describe system boards including sockets, chips, chip carriers, slots, and bus lines.
The system board is the heart of the computer also called the “Motherboard.” All of the sockets, chips,
chip carriers, slots, and bus lines are connected to the motherboard. It also used to control
communications through all of the system, while it provide data path while and traffic monitor. In
specific; the sockets are the connection point for chips, and chips generally are small circuit boards etch
onto small squares of silicon and then mounted on chip carriers. Slots are ports that provides
connections to specialized cards or circuit bored. Last, the bus lines provide pathways that enables
communication throughout the whole computer.
3.
Discuss microprocessor components, chips, and specialty processors.
A microprocessor is retained on a single chip and is part of the central processing unit (CPU) which is the
brains of the computer .There are two microprocessor components; one is the control unit, and the
second is Arithmetic-logic unit (ALU). The control unit program direction on which way the data flows.
The (ALU) has two types of operations; Arithmetic operation, which maintains addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division; and Logical operation, that maintains comparisons such as equal to, less
than and greater than. The chips capacities express the word size, 16 bits, 32 bits, and 64 bits. The
number of bits determined the amount of data it can process at one time. The specialty processors are
specifically designed to handle special coprocessor and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), like displaying
3D images or encrypting data.
4.
Define computer memory including RAM, ROM, and flash memory.
The computer memory includes three separate parts, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only
Memory), and flash memory. The RAM is used to run programs that is currently access. When the power
is turned off the data is reset and erased, this is known as “Volatile.” However flash RAM can retained
the programs even if the power is disrupted. A ROM is a secondary storage that can retained whether
the unit’s power is on or off. The CPU can only read, or received data on the ROM but it can’t be altered.
Now the flash memory can do a partial combination both RAM and ROM storages. Like the RAM, the
data can be updated: and the like the ROM, its non-volatile. Most often use to store applications and
start-up instructions; BIOS (basic input/output system).
5.
Define expansion slots, cards, Plug and Play, PC cards, PCMCIA slots, and Express-Card slots.
The expansion slot is use to insert cards like, graphic cards, sound cards, network interface cards (NIC),
or even wireless network cards. Plug and Play are PC slots, and PCMCIA slots, also called express-cards
slot that a user plugs in to their device and it works instantly. PC cards plug into either PCMCIA slot or PC
cards slot.
6.
Describe bus lines including bus width, system bus, and expansion bus
In comparison like a multilane highway, the bus line is similar creating data pathways so they can
communicate with each other. The bus width determines how many numbers of bits that can travel
simultaneously. All computer has two basic categories of buses, System bus and Expansion bus. The
system bus connects the CPU to memory on the system board, while the expansion bus connects the
CPU to other components and slots on the system board.
7.
Define ports including standard and specialized ports. Give examples of each.
Ports are used to connect external devices directly to the system board or cards that are inserted into
slots which then connects to the system board. More directly there are two type of ports, standard and
specialized. The standard ports usually consist of USB’s, VGA and DVI, FireWire, and Ethernet ports. The
USB (universal serial bus) can connect to a mouse or keyboard. FireWire is a high-speed connection port
used to connect let’s say, a camcorder. VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) and DVI (Digital Video Interface)
gives connection to analog and digital monitors. The Ethernet port is used to connect the computer to
network. The specialized ports have five ports; External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
(eSATA), High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), Mini
DisplayPort (MiniDP or mDP), and Thunderbolt (Apple computers). The (eSATA) provides very highspeed hard drive connection. The (HDMI) port is to connect high definition video and audio. The (MIDI)
connects musical instruments. The (MiniDP or mDP) Connection to large monitors. Lastly the
Thunderbolt provides high-speed connections for Apple MacBook pro.
8.
Describe power supply including power supply units and AC adapters.
Computer require power through direct current (DC). Desktop computers have power supply unit
(located in the unit) that powers the whole system. AC adapters converts the electricity current from
wall outlets or batteries.
9.
Discuss electronic data and instructions.
Electronic data and instructions, are analog and digital electronic signals. In order for a computer to
understand analog signals, it needs to convert it to digital signals so it can process it. Specifically analog
signal is created by voice, while digital signals are electronic signals that a computer can recognize.