ITSUP-102 Final Review Comprehensive

1. ITSUP-102 Final Review Comprehensive

2. CMOS memory stores important system information related to starting of a computer. Data held in CMOS includes the hard disk type and configuration, the order of boot devices to try, and other configuration settings related to the system hardware. BIOS is a software program that is stored on a non-volatile, removable or erasable semiconductor chip. It runs the computer startup program and uses data in the CMOS to configure and access devices. Cache is an area of memory that hold recently access data. RAM is temporary data storage location that can be read from and written to. POST is the routine that tests system hardware on startup.

3. Overclocking – allows you to increase performance by operating system components (such as processor or memory) at a speed higher than it is rated. Rounded cables maximize airflow within the system case, allowing air to circulate more freely Disadvantages of overclocking – increase heat output; voided warranty Hyperthreading – Intel processor feature than improves performance by running threads in parallel Throttling – modifies the operating system characteristics of a processor based on current conditions Caching – when applied to a CPU, is an area of storage that holds data while it is waiting for the processor

4. L1 cache – typically unique to a processor core L2 cache – might be shared between two or more cores in a multi-core system, but would not be shared in a multiple processor solution. L3 cache – shared between all cores A multiple-processor system has multiple CPUs, with each CPU requiring a different processor socket on the motherboard. A multi-core system is a processor with multiple CPUs on the same die. It uses a single processor socket for multiple CPUs. The biggest advantage of 64-bit processors is in the amount they can use. 32-bit processors have a limit of 4 GB. 64-bit processors have a theoretical limit of 16.8 TB. CPU, thermal paste, heat sink, fan

5. Power supplies are rated in watts. The watt describes how much work or how much power can be supplied to various devices. The more devices, the more wattage. W=VxA multiply volts by amps Power supplies convert AC to DC Main purpose of the fan in the power supply on an ATX system is to circulate air between the outside of the system case and the inside of the system case

6. RAM has faster access time than hard disk drives and CD-ROM drives. Dual-channel systems increase the memory bandwidth by only 5-15%, although it does have a 100% theoretical increase. Dual-channel support is mainly a function of the motherboard (i.e. the memory controller), not the memory itself. Dual-channel systems use two memory controllers. DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 can all work in dual-channel systems (depending on the memory supported by the motherboard), a triple channel system can only use DDR3. DDR memory rated at PC 4000, operates at 500MHz To convert from the PC-rating to MHz, divide the PC rating by 8 DDR3 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR2 and generally requires less voltage than DDR2 memory If a RIMM memory module is not installed in a slot, then a continuity module must be installed. A continuity module does not contain any memory but completes the electrical circuit. Heat spreaders make contact with the memory chips to dissipate heat. Faster, high-performance memory often requires heat speaders.

7. When you connect a hot swappable device, Windows automatically detects the device, configures a driver (if one is not already installed), and enables the device BIOS must be configured to enable the interface by non-hot-swappable storage devices. IDE drives are not hot swappable. To remove a hot swappable component, use the Safely Remove Hardware feature to shut down the device before unplugging it from the system

8. Hard drives – Solid State Drives/Hard disk drives SSD advantages when compared to hard disk drives Faster Smaller, lighter Lower power consumption No moving parts (not prone to fail) Less susceptible to physical damage (from dropping) SSD disadvantages Storage smaller More expensive Magnetic storage devices: hard disk, floppy disk, tape drive

9. BD Blu-ray disc – greatest storage capacity of optical media Single-sided holds up to 25 GB of data Double-sided (dual layer) – doubles storage capacity Experimental 20 layer Blu-ray discs hold up to 500 GB DVDs Single-sided holds about 4.7 GB Double-sided (dual layer) holds up to 8.5 GB Dual layer, double-sided holds up to 17 GB Most important consideration when choosing a recordable DVD drive is media compatibility. Recordable DVD media has serveral different variations. CD Optical discs such as CDs , DVDs, and BDs use lasers for both reading and writing information. Flash drives store information using programmable, non volatile flash memory

10. USB – most common interface for peripheral devices, such as printers, keyboard, and mice USB bus supports up to 127 devices USB 2.0 devices have a maximum data transfer speed of 480 Mbps with a maximum cable length of 5 meters USB 1.0 devices have a maximum data transfer of 1.5 Mbps or 12 Mbps Firewire – common interface for digital video camera and recorders, hard drives, and network adapters IEEE 1394 device uses 28-gauge wires and has a maximum cable length of 4.5 meters; can have up to 63 devices Serial interfaces – common for modems, older printers, and networking devices Parallel port – D shaped 25-pin port on back of computer PATA interfaces – most common for internal HDDs and CD/DVD drives SATA has a faster transfer speed over PATA.

11. RAID 0 – uses disk striping and offers no fault tolerance RAID 1 – Fault tolerant; disk mirroring; provides only fault tolerance with no performance benefit RAID 5 – fault tolerant; improves performance over RAID 1; uses disk striping with parity

12. The smaller a monitor’s dot pitch, the sharper the picture KVM switch – allows you to control multiple computers with one keyboard, one monitor, and one mouse Deguassing the monitor would remove built-up magnetic fields that can be distorting images and displaying strange colors SLI and CrossFire are two different methods for linking video cards. For increased performance, especially in games, you can install multiple video cards and link those cards together so that multiple GPUs draw a single screen. Touch screen – special monitor that allows input by tapping or writing with a stylus or fingers Analog CRT and digital LCD monitor (D-sub and DVI-D connector) HDMI – digital video and audio connector used for high-definition digital audio and video DVI-D – provides digital output SXGA – 1280 x 1024 resolution, 5:4 aspect ratio VGA – 1024 x 768 UXGA – 1600 x 1200

13. DB-15 VGA/SVGA monitor AGP and PCI Express expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems. PCI buses are most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems and network cards. While you can use PCI for video, better performance is obtained from AGP or PCI Express. CNR is an on-motherboard slot to support networking, wireless communication, sound or modem functions. AMR slots are provided on some motherboards for riser cards to support sound or modem functions.

14. Laser printer uses lasers and electrical charges to transfer images to paper. Uses a drum, plastic toner, and fuser to create a printed page. Classified as a page printer Thermal inkjet printer applies heat to the ink in print head nozzles causing the ink to boil and expel itself from the nozzle Piezoelectric printer uses pressure, not heat, to apply the ink Dot matrix printer uses pins striking the ink ribbon to transfer the link Connecting printer to an Ethernet network – Add NIC to printer; connect printer to external print server that connects to the network

15. Connection type on notebook computer – PCMCIA Type III

16. Biometric devices include a fingerprint scanner and voice authenticator. Fingerprint scanner uses the ridges of your fingers for authentication. Voice authenticator uses the sound, pattern, and rhythm of an individual’s voice for authentication. Biometric authentication requires pressing the physical body part or characteristic to a scanner (or reader) which then compares the recently scanned metric to the saved metric.