QUESTIONS FOR CMP 103

CHAPTER.1
A printer is an example of computer: B
input device.
hardware.
software.
programs.

A modem is necessary if you want to: D
have voice mail added to your regular telephone service.
display digital camera photographs on your computer screen.
add a scanner to your computer system.
connect to the Internet over analog phone lines.

Input, processing, output, and storage are collectively referred to as: C
communications.
the system unit.
the information processing cycle.
the systems cycle.

Storage devices are included in: B
the central processing unit.
the system unit.
the microprocessor.
A!.

"f the following computer types, which one is the most powerful# A
$rofessional wor%station
Des%top computer
Internet appliance
&etwor% computer

Chec%ing the spelling in a word processed document is an example of which of the four computer operations#
A
$rocessing
"utput
Storage
Input

'hich of the following statements is considered a disadvantage of using a computer# C
Storage devices are inade(uate to hold data and programs.
Computers are unrelia)le.
$eople generate more information from computers than they can possi)ly use.
Computers wor% with text and graphics only.
'hich one of the following options is considered data# B
$rogram
Sounds
$eripheral
Information
'hich of the following is the most fre(uently used input device# D
*ouch screen
!icrophone
Scanner
+ey)oard

*o analy,e huge amounts of scientific data and display underlying patterns, you would use a: C
minicomputer
mainframe.
supercomputer.
server
*he Internet is needed in all of the following instances -.C-$*: B
using the ''' to research ways to treat poison ivy.
sending an original physical copy of a letter to a customer.
conducting )usiness with an e/tailer.
sending and receiving instant messages with your )est friend.

'hich of the following statements regarding computer ethics is &"* true# C
Computer ethics is associated with your moral )eliefs.
Computer ethics defines right and wrong principles for computer professionals.
Standards for computer ethics support copying programs and digital music.
Computer ethics is a new )ranch of philosophy.

CHAPTER 2
*he two ma0or components of system software are: A
the operating system and system utilities.
application software and system utilities.
primary memory and storage.
the operating system and applications software.

'hich of the following may )e necessary for you to do after you install new application software# D
$ress Shift 1 Alt 1 Del.
*urn the computer power switch off and then )ac% on.
Do a cold )oot.
Do a warm )oot.

*he power/on self/test: B
is a)le to provide detailed on/screen instructions that the user finds easy to follow to correct hardware
pro)lems.
verifies that the computer hardware is wor%ing properly.
is conducted )efore the BI"S instructions are placed in the memory.
chec%s for upgrades to the application software.

*he options in the setup program needed for the BI"S to find the operating system are stored in: B
a driver.
C!"S.
the %ernel.
the registry.

!icrosoft 'indows stores your computer configuration information regarding installed hardware and software
in a: D
catalog.
)oot.
device driver.
registry.

In order to see a custom system utility in !icrosoft 'indows after loading the operating system, you: A
can right/clic% the small icon at the right side of the tas%)ar.
have to load the utility from storage and then right/clic% on the icon at the )ottom left of the screen.
can clic% on the utility icon and then press 23.
can clic% on the utility name that displays at the top of the screen.

*he authentication process: A
involves typing your name and your password to log into the system.
is something that is re(uired on your home computer.
%eeps trac% of who logs into your computer.
has to )e completed )efore the operating system completes its loading.
'hich of the following is a memory management techni(ue that ma%es the random access memory appear larger
than it is# B
Caching
4irtual memory
$reemptive multitas%ing.
ead/only memory

'hich of the following displays additional options following a menu choice# A
Dialog )ox
!enu/driven user interface
5ser interface
Command/line interface

'hat ma%es 'indows &* different from other earlier 'indows operating systems# B
It wor%s on mo)ile computing devices.
It was specifically designed to wor% on networ%ed computers.
It cannot prevent users from accessing confidential data.
It re(uires the administrator to configure each wor%station individually rather than remotely.

'hich operating system shows the most rapid growth in the num)er of Intel/)ased computer users# C
5&I.
!icrosoft 'indows .$
6inux
!ac "S .
'hich of the following is a disadvantage of the 6inux operating system# D
It wor%s on only a few types of computers.
6inux is powerful )ut very costly to purchase.
It doesn7t have a graphical/user interface.
It isn7t a)le to run some software products such as !icrosoft "ffice.

CHAPTER.3
'hich of the following would &"* )e performed with application software# C
Charts for a sales meeting presentation
Customer list used for mailing invoices
8ard dis% cleanup
2inancial report sent to investors
'hat %ind of program would you choose to use to create computer files that you share with other people in your
company# D
4ertical
4ideoconferencing
5tility
$roductivity

'hich of the following is an advantage of a software suite# A
*he individual applications share the same resources
*he suite includes the operating system
*he suite is less expensive than any one application within the suite
-ach application within the suite has its own set of resources

Saving files in 8yper*ext !ar%up 6anguage: A
ma%es it possi)le for anyone to view the file in a 'e) )rowser.
increases file conversion costs.
re(uires the viewer of the file to use the same computer software as the creator used to save the file.
decreases software compati)ility.

'hich of the following would you use if you wanted to use a preliminary version of the software while it is still
in the testing stages of development# B
*ime/limited trial version
Beta version
Service release
!aintenance release


*he purpose of printed application software documentation is to: B
stipulate the agreement in a site license.
provide tutorials and manuals that explain how to use the software.
explain how the program interacts with the operating system.
show the program source code so the user can modify it to suit specific needs.

Software piracy is: B
a minor infraction of the software licensing agreement.
a federal offense.
impossi)le )ecause of the increased copy protection used in software products.
allowed in education environments.

A software upgrade could )e any of the following -.C-$*: A
customi,ing your software to allow the users the same default settings.
purchasing the next version of the software.
downloading a patch to correct a performance pro)lem.
downloading a service release to update your version.

Software that you can install and use )efore you need to pay for it to avoid copyright infringement is called: B
pu)lic domain software.
shareware.
freeware.
copy/protected software.

'hich of the following statements regarding software installation is 2A6S-# C
Installation and setup utilities ma%e the 0o) of installing programs easy to accomplish.
Installing software on your computer7s hard drive involves )oth transferring the files to the hard drive
and configuring the software to wor% with your computer.
*he initial configuration of the software should )e completed after you have used the software for a
while to see what changes you need to ma%e.
If you download compressed software from the Internet, you will need to decompress it )efore you can
install the program on your hard drive.

*o return a window to the si,e it was )efore you displayed it to fit the entire window, clic% the: C
!inimi,e window control.
!aximi,e window control.
estore window control.
$rogram icon on the Status )ar.

'hich application menu contains the option to save a document with a different name# B
4iew
2ile
-dit
*ools

*o provide a consistent loo% for a fax cover sheet, you can use a 999999999999 that comes with the application
program. C
pattern
sample
template
help file

If you activate the autosave option in your application program, A
your wor% will )e automatically saved at intervals that you specify, such as every :; minutes.
you cannot use the regular save method in the application program.
there is no danger in losing any of the file that you created if the program fails.
your file will automatically save when you close it.


A wi,ard is: C
a document you open that contains a set of predetermined formats and text that you complete with your
personal information.
another name for a template.
a series of dialog )oxes that guide you through the steps to complete a long or complex tas%.
a feature reserved for professionally trained people who create form designs.

Application software refers to the programs that people use to help the computer to function properly. B
*rue
2alse

A software suite contains individual full/powered software application programs that all share the same
resources. A
*rue
2alse

Copy/protected software is software that contains measures to prevent the user from installing the software on
more computers than the license grants. A
*rue
2alse

Defaults are settings that are active in all documents until you change the settings to different ones. A
*rue
2alse


-xtensions to filenames in 'indows identify the type of operating system used to create the file. B
*rue
2alse

CHAPTER. 4
In the )inary num)ering system, the num)er <=> associated with computer functions and applications wor%ing
)ehind the scenes represents the: C
processor speed.
data transfer rate measured in )its per second.
num)er of possi)le com)inations that can )e created with eight )its )eing in either the state of on or off.
maximum allowa)le com)inations represented )y eight )ytes )eing in either an on or off state.
"ne )yte represents: C
a word.
eight characters.
eight )its.
a single digit with two possi)le states.

*oday the main use for a parallel port is to: D
send and receive data in a serial fashion.
facilitate communication )etween peripherals that are more than a do,en feet or so away.
connect an infrared mouse to your computer.
connect a printer to your system unit.

*he pathway connecting internal components of the microprocessor is called the: A
data )us.
instruction set.
port.
system cloc%.


'hich %ind of memory contains instructions that have )een prerecorded and will not )e erased when you turn
off the computer power# C
DA!
$rimary cache
"!
A!

Cache memory: A
stores fre(uently accessed program instructions and data.
occupies several mega)ytes of storage.
is slower than "!.
is less expensive than A!.

During the 9999B99999999 )asic operation, the control unit determines what the program is telling the
computer to do.
arithmetic
decode
execute
fetch

*he pulses generated )y the system cloc%: A
synchroni,e the computer7s internal activities.
are measured in thousands of cycles per second ?+8,@.
are referred to as the word si,e.
transmit data to your printer.

*o free up space on your des%top, choose a computer that has a small: B
instruction set.
footprint.
word si,e.
chipset.


*he type of memory that is synchroni,ed to the pulses of the computer7s system cloc% is: D
DA!.
unicode.
"!.
SDA!.

CISC: D
includes special/purpose circuits that consume low levels of power.
stands for complex internal set computer.
is the technology used on reduced instruction set computers.
is )ecoming more li%e ISC processor architecture.


'hich of the following is a factor that pro)a)ly would &"* affect a microprocessor7s performance# D
Cloc% speed
Chip architecture
Data )us width
2ootprint
99999999A9999 occurs when the processor executes an instruction )ut then decides to store it )ecause it
expects the instruction to )e useful.
Speculative execution
$arallel processing
Branch prediction
Data dependency

A test that measures for comparison purposes the performance of hardware devices is called a?n@: B
execution test.
)enchmar%.
pipeline.
instruction cycle.

"f the following choices, the largest measurement of storage is a: D
giga)yte.
%ilo)yte.
mega)yte.
tera)yte.

DA++A***** A program written for one type of processor might not )e compati)le with another processor
type.A
*rue
2alse

Computer designers use the read/only memory to ena)le super/fast computers to function at maximum speed. B
*rue
2alse

SCSI is a type of processor. B
*rue
2alse

andom access memory is an example of volatile memory. A
*rue
2alse

ASCII character code uses :> )its to represent characters. B
*rue
2alse

!atch each computer term with the correct definition.
CHAPTER. 5
'hich standard %ey)oard shortcut is used to cut a )loc% of text from a document and place it in the clip)oard# B
Ctrl 1 C
Ctrl 1 .
Ctrl 1 4
Bac%space
'hich of the following pointing devices is &"* usually associated with the note)oo% computer# B
$ointing stic%
Boystic%
*ouC8A$*-ad
*rac%)all
'hich type of input device is used to copy contents of a piece of paper to a file, including )oth its text and
graphics# C
Bar code reader
'e) cam
Scanner
$lotter
'hich feature on a monitor display system determines the clarity or sharpness of the output# B
&um)er of cathode ray tu)es
esolution
Screen si,e
efresh rate
2or which of the following reasons might you purchase an in%0et printer for your home computer# C
It has low per/page costs since in% is relatively inexpensive.
It can print more volume in the same amount of time than a laser printer.
It is an afforda)le printer with the a)ility to print colored text or images.
It can produce the )est (uality color output of all printer types designed for personal computers.
'hich of the following is &"* a reason why storage is necessary on a computer system# D
Storage devices provide )ac%up services.
Storage devices are nonvolatile.
Storage devices are cheaper than A!.
Access time to the data is faster with storage devices than with memory.
'hich of the following storage devices use se(uential storage such that files must )e accessed in se(uence from
)eginning to end# C
2loppy dis%
8ard dis%
*ape cassette
Compact disc ?CD@

'hich of the following is an example of an optical storage device# C
*ape cassette
2loppy dis%
Compact disc ?CD@
8ard dis%
'hat is the )est definition of offline storage# A
It is storage not readily availa)le to the computer system, often located in a separate facility.
It consists of hard copy printouts of documents used as )ac%ups in case the files are destroyed.
It is storage immediately availa)le to the computer system, such as a hard dis%.
It is storage that is not directly availa)le to the computer system )ut can )e used (uic%ly through
intervention on part of the user, such as a floppy dis%.
Assume a dis% sector uses =:< )ytes and there are < sectors per cluster. 'hat is the minimal num)er of clusters
needed to store a file of <;;; )ytes# C
<;;;
C
<
:
'hich of the following )est matches the storage capacity of a typical floppy dis%# A
:.C !B
:; !B
>;; !B
: DB

'hich of the following correctly descri)es the CD/ disc# D
Eou may record data to the disc surface multiple times )ut have no direct reading capa)ility.
Eou may read data from the disc )ut may not alter its contents.
Eou may record data to the disc surface multiple times and can read the current contents at any time.
Eou may record data to the disc surface once and then may only read its contents.
$C cards, flash memory cards, and smart cards are all examples of: D
volatile memory chips.
remova)le hard dis%s.
digital video discs.
solid state storage devices.
*he concentric rings that are magnetically laid on a dis% surface are called: B
partitions.
trac%s.
sectors.
clusters.
*he ta)le of information created on each dis% to record the contents of its clusters is called the: A
2ile Allocation *a)le ?2A*@.
partition.
)oot sector.
folder.
*he Ctrl %ey is called a modifier %ey )ecause it is typically used in con0unction with another %ey, such as Ctrl 1
.. A
*rue
2alse
Input devices collectively referred to as pointing devices ena)le you to select menu items without ma%ing use of
the %ey)oard. B
*rue
2alse

A file with extension .'A4 is most li%ely a graphics file that will display an image when opened. B
*rue
2alse
An optical mar% reader ?"!@ is a scanning device used to read the mar%s left )y a F< pencil on speciali,ed
forms. A
*rue
2alse
A monitor with a larger screen si,e will always display clearer images than one with a smaller screen. B
*rue
2alse

A thermal transfer printer is characteri,ed )y its a)ility to produce high (uality color printouts A
*rue
2alse
A multifunction device is one that com)ines two devices, such as a fax machine with a printer. A
*rue
2alse
!emory chips have faster access times than storage devices. A
*rue
2alse

A random access storage device, such as a magnetic tape, can go directly to the re(uested file without
examining previous files on its surface. B
*rue
2alse
A CD/"! is an example of an optical storage device )ecause the user can read its contents )ut cannot write to
the disc surface. B
*rue
2alse
CHAPTER. 6
'hich of the following is not considered a networ% communications device#
Data )us
!odem
outer
&etwor% interface card ?&IC@
A?n@ 999999999999 signal is composed of onGoff pulses used to transmit data within a computer system.
twisted pair
synchronous
digital
analog
'hich type of physical media uses thin strands of glass that transmit signals as pulses of light#
*: line
*wisted pair wire
2i)er optic ca)le
Coaxial ca)le
A communication channel7s )andwidth is often measured in units of:
characters per minute.
)its per second.
feet per second.
%ilo)ytes.
'hich type of transmission sends data in a stream, one )it at a time, ma%ing use of control )its to signal the
arrival and completion of the data pac%et#
Se(uenced
Baud
Synchronous
Asynchronous
If a computer with a H>;; )ps modem communicates with a computer using a :C,C;; )ps modem, data will )e
transferred:
at the :C,C;; )ps rate.
at the :<,;;; )ps rate halfway )etween the two.
at the H>;; )ps rate.
sometimes at the H>;; )ps rate and other times at the :C,C;; )ps rate.
'hich of the following is not considered an advantage of networ%ing#
Centrali,ed data storage and management
educed hardware costs due to sharing of peripherals
Connecting people via e/mail and groupware applications
2aster wor%station )oot up and software application load times
'hich is the )est definition of networ% protocols#
*hey refer to online documentation and manuals distri)uted with a networ% operating system.
*hey are electrical specifications determining the )ehavior of networ% interface cards.
*hey refer to the pac%et forwarding strategies employed )y routers in the networ%.
*hey are formali,ed and standardi,ed rules on how various dissimilar networ% components
communicate and transfer information.
A 999999999999 uses long/distance transmission media to lin% computers separated )y distance.
circuit switching networ%
'i/2i
'A&
6A&

'hich type of networ% topology is characteri,ed )y a circular wiring of nodes through which a to%en is passed
to control transmission rights#
8u)
Star
ing
Bus
'hich of the following events is a source of collisions on a 6A&#
*he networ% operating system is old and needs to )e upgraded to the most recent release.
!ultiple wor%stations attempt to transmit a signal at the exact same time.
*wo users on the networ% )oth re(uest copies of an application software program, such as a word
processor, and there is only one copy availa)le on the file server.
"ne computer on a networ% using a )us topology fails, causing all others in series to the terminator to
fail also.
A high/speed transmission line that carries 'A& traffic is called a?n@:
)ac%)one.
point/of/sale ?$"S@ terminal.
..<= line.
$oint of $resence ?$"$@.
*wo popular 6A& technologies that specify functions at the lower layers of the protocol stac% are 6ocal*al%
and:
-thernet.
pac%et switching.
coaxial ca)le.
'indows &* Server.
*he control )it used to mar% the )eginning of a data pac%et in asynchronous transmission is called the:
parity )it.
start )it.
negotiation )it.
handsha%e )it.
*he modulation protocol, called 999999999999, governs modem transmission rates, data compression
techni(ues, and error handling.
4.H;
:;Base/*
DS6
S"&-*
*he Internet is an example of a circuit switching networ%.
*rue
2alse
"ne advantage of a )us networ% topology over a star topology is its ease in connecting new users amidst
existing wor%stations.
*rue
2alse
A ring topology ma%es use of a to%en in its contention management strategy.
*rue
2alse
It is possi)le in a given 6A& for some wor%stations to utili,e coaxial ca)le and others to use fi)er optic.
*rue
2alse
*wo modems can exchange data only if they first negotiate to use the same transmission protocols, including
transmission speed and error detection strategy.
*rue
2alse
!atch the following 6A& components to their definitions:
5sing the pull/down menus, match each item in the left column to the corresponding item in the right column.
A user7s computer attached to the networ%
Central computer that holds common application software and data
Interface )etween the wor%station and the networ%
An operating system that manages the networ%
A peripheral device, such as a printer, attached to the networ%

<:.: 2ile server A B C D -
<:.< &etwor% interface card ?&IC@ A B C D -
<:.I &ode A B C D -
<:.C &etwor% operating system ?&"S@ A B C D -
<:.= 'or%station A B C D -

CHAPTER 7.
'hich of the following is &"* true a)out A$A&-*, the forerunner of the Internet# D
A$A&-* was developed originally under the guidance of the 5.S. Department of Defense.
A$A&-* connected a num)er of )oth university and government computers.
A$A&-* was a pac%et switching networ%.
A$A&-* was the first national networ% that carried commercial traffic.
'hich of the following )est descri)es the difference )etween the Internet and the '''# A
*he Internet is the physical networ% of glo)al computers, and the ''' is many hypertext documents
distri)uted glo)ally over many computers.
*he Internet carries traffic for schools, government offices, and other pu)lic organi,ations, while the
''' carries commercial traffic.
*he Internet is the collection of computers, and the ''' is the wiring and transmission protocols that
connect them.
*he Internet consists of software programs such as e/mail and IC, while the ''' is a collection of
'e) pages.
'hat is the )est definition of hypertext# C
8ypertext is text formatted with 8*!6 tags to control the color or si,e.
8ypertext is a file stored in )inary format on an 2*$ server.
8ypertext is text and other multimedia data in which the user can control the viewing se(uence.
8ypertext is any document that includes nontextual elements, such as sound or image.
'hich client software runs on a user7s local computer and is used to re(uest and display 'e) pages# C
8*!6
2*$
'e) )rowser
'e) server
'hich portion of the 56 )elow records the directory or folder of the desired resource# B
http:GGwww.somestore.comGfirstfloorGshoes.htm
http
firstfloor
shoes.htm
www.somestore.com
"ne %ey to the success of the Internet is its interopera)ility. 'hat is meant )y this term# D
All 'e) servers use the same operating systems and application software.
All 'e) pages use the same set of 8*!6 tags.
*C$GI$ protocols can )e purchased in )oth 'indows and !ac versions.
Computers on the Internet can transmit messages even if they have different hardware and operating
systems.
'hat is the purpose of a top/level domain name# A
It descri)es a type of organi,ation or geographical location.
It is an -nglish name associated with the numeric I$ address.
It descri)es the protocol used to transmit pages from the 'e) site.
It denotes whether the server is a 'e) server, 2*$ server, or mail server.
Assume you have recently purchased an exotic )reed of cat. 'hich type of Internet service might you use if you
would li%e to get some advice in real/time from other pet owners across the world# B
Instant messaging
Internet elay Chat
-/mail
!ailing lists
'hat is the shape of the mouse as it moves over a hyperlin% on a 'e) page# D
I/Beam
Arrowhead
8ourglass
8and
'hat is the role of an Internet Service $rovider ?IS$@# B
It is software that allows your home computer to connect to the Internet.
It is a company which sells Internet connection time.
It is the standard protocol used on the Internet for the transmission of pac%ets.
It is a company which designs 'e) sites for individuals or )usinesses.
'hich of the following is &"* a networ% client program typically offered in a software suite such as !icrosoft
Internet -xplorer or &etscape Communicator. C C-4ABI B-6ASAJJKKK
-/mail
Internet telephony
$op/up control
'e) )rowser
'hich of the following statements )est descri)es the type of 'e) pages found with the following search
condition# A
1whale LMfin whaleN
$ages that discuss whales other than fin whales
All pages related to whales
All pages that discuss fins or discuss whales
$ages that discuss fin whales
'hich search condition would produce the most similar result to the one seen )elow#
1circus 1tiger A
circus A&D tiger
circus &"* tiger
Mcircus tigerN
circus " tiger
'hich of the following is &"* one of the (uestions you should as% yourself concerning the authenticity of
comments made on a 'e) page# B
Is the author affiliated with a recogni,ed organi,ation or company#
Is the author someone whose name you recogni,e#
Does the author include a )i)liography of citations#
Does the author use correct grammar and spelling#
Assume you have downloaded a file named catalog.,ip from an 2*$ site. 'hat should you do with the file to
view its contents# D
"pen the file in your 'e) )rowser
-xecute the file )y entering its name in the 'indows un )ox or at the operating system7s command
prompt
"pen the file in your word processor
Decompress the file using a product li%e 'inJip
If a 56 does &"* specify a resource name, the existing home page of the 'e) site is displayed. A
*rue
2alse
A 'e) page wriBtten in 8*!6 cannot )e viewed in a text editor since it contains formatting such as font style
or color. B
*rue
2alse
If you have a !ac computer at home, it will "&6E )e a)le to access 'e) pages from a !ac/)ased 'e) server.
B
*rue
2alse
:::.C=>.<I.O3H.C=.>O is an example of an I$ address. B
*rue
2alse
If you wish to give an -nglish/li%e name to your 'e) server, you must first register the name. A
*rue
2alse
BASIC COMPUTER EXAMINATION QUESTIONS FOR PSC
PSC BASIC COMPUTER EXAMINATION QUESTIONS
A computer is an electronic toolbox for working with information. We can use a computer for creating documents:
letters, drawings, etc.
Basic Terms related to Computer.
Term Defnition
Adapter - Most of the time it refers to a card that plugs into themotherboard adding special capabilities not
originally found on the computer. Other times it refers to tools to conert one connector type to another.
!ables - A thick wire that connects the computer to the external deice or power.
!ache - An interface between the !"# and the memory $%AM and %OM&. 't helps the !"# keep running een
though the %AM may be too slow. 't does this by keeping a copy of what the processor has read(written.
!ard )lot - *he slots found on the "! motherboard may be one of fie types: ')A, +')A, M!A, ,+)A - "!'..
)lower adapters $like '(O boards& can be ')A. .ut for the best performance, use ,+)A or "!' for harddries, !/-
%OMs or ,ideo adapters.
!ards - An option $adapter& which is a printed circuit board that plugs into the motherboard.
!/-%OM - A disk made of plastic and aluminum which can store up to 012M. of data. #sually these disks cannot
be written to, instead they often are used to distribute software from companies.
!"# !entral "rocessing #nit. - *he 3brain4 of the computer. 't executes commands which, eentually, we see as a
response to our input. Without the !"#, the computer is nothing.
/isk - A storage medium to keep data while the computer is turned off.
/%AM - %AM that uses a deice called a 3capacitor4 to store each bit. *he problem with this is the capacitor loses
the charge ery 5uickly. *herefore, the /%AM has to be 3refreshed4 to keep the data alid. *his is thus far the
cheapest %AM.
/,/ - *he next generation !/-%OM which will store 62-72x the current capacity.
8loppy - A disk that has flexible media $the actual material onto which the data is recorded&. *he material and
flexibility is a lot like that of a cassette tape.
9lide point - A mouse-replacement that has a little pad that you can use to moe the mouse pointer. )imply glide
your finger oer the surface and the pointer will moe. *o 3click4, tap the pad. *o 3double-click4 double-tap the
pad.
:ard disk - A medium to store data for the computer while the power is out. 't uses a hard material $typically
aluminum&.
;eyboard - A typewriter-like tool that has keys. )ends letters or commands to the computer.
Microprocessor - A !"# that composes only one chip. )ome !"#s may actually be seeral s5uare feet is si<e= but,
the microprocessor is designed to be 622> self-contained in a single chip.
Modem - A deice that will let your computer talk to other computers through the telephone line.
Monitor - *he !%* or display that shows the words, graphics, etc., to the user. 't is a critical part of a user?s
interface.
Motherboard - A printed circuit board that has $at least& slots to connect cards into. Often, they also include a !"#
and memory.
Mouse - An input deice which has one to three buttons and when you moe it, it causes the arrow in a Windows
display to moe.
Open Architecture - *he original computer companies hid their secrets from competitors by keeping their
architecture closed $proprietary&. '.M made the '.M "! an open architecture, allowing anyone to make options
for it.
"arallel @ A type of port which transmits and receies seeral bits of data at a time $typically A bits&. *ypically
used to connect to printers.
"orts - !onnectors $usually in the back of the computer& which connect to external deices $e.g. mouse, keyboard,
modem, printer, display, etc.&
"ower supply - A basic component in the computer that conerts the outlet power into power that the computer
can use.
"rinter - An external deice that takes commands and data from the computer to place on paper. *here are
seeral types of printers: daisy-wheel, matrix, laser, thermal, inkBet, and plotter.
%AM - 3%andom Access Memory3. A pool of storage for the !"#. 't can be written to(read from in any order
$unlike a ,!% tape which is serialC you hae to wind to the place you want&. *here are seeral types of %AM:
)%AM, /%AM, +/O-%AM.
%OM - 3%ead Only Memory3. Memory that has imprinted in it data and programs for the !"# which cannot be
erased or written to.
)canner - An external deice that is able to optically read in printed materialCkind of like a copier, but it stores
the image on the computer instead.
)erial - A type of port that transmits only one bit at a time. 'n order to send a byte of data, the data has to be
3turned on its side4 and send out bit by bit.
)%AM - %AM that does not 3lose its mind4 if not refreshed. *his is typically used in caches. 't tends to be much
more complicated than /%AM and thus much more costly.
)urge protector - A deice that will isolate your computer from outlet power problems $spikes and noise&.
*rackball - A mouse replacement that is a small box with a ball in the center. Dou roll the ball in the direction you
want the pointer to go.
*rackpoint - A mouse replacement with a little rubber post between the 3g4 and 3h4 keys on some laptop
computers. 9ently push the post in the direction you want the mouse pointer to go.
#") - 3#ninterruptable "ower )upply4. *his is a box that is like a surge protector but will keep you going een if
you lose power. Dou can plug your computer into. 'f you hae a brown- or black-out, this unit will keep you
running for E minutes to an hour $certainly enough time to sae your work and shutdown the computer&.
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