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BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

Stands for "Basic Input/Output System." Most people don't need to ever mess with the BIOS on a computer, but it
can be helpful to know what it is. The BIOS is a program pre-installed on Windows-based computers (not on Macs)
that the computer uses to start up. The CPU accesses the BIOS even before the operating system is loaded. The
BIOS then checks all your hardware connections and locates all your devices. If everything is OK, the BIOS loads
the operating system into the computer's memory and finishes the boot-up process.

Since the BIOS manages the hard drives, it can't reside on one, and since it is available before the computer boots
up, it can't live in the RAM. So where can this amazing, yet elusive BIOS be found? It is actually located in the
ROM (Read-Only Memory) of the computer. More specifically, it resides in an eraseable programmable read-only
memory (EPROM) chip. So, as soon as you turn your computer on, the CPU accesses the EPROM and gives control
to the BIOS.

The BIOS also is used after the computer has booted up. It acts as an intermediary between the CPU and the I/O
(input/output) devices. Because of the BIOS, your programs and your operating system don't have to know exact
details (like hardware addresses) about the I/O devices attached to your PC. When device details change, only the
BIOS needs to be updated. You can make these changes by entering the BIOS when your system starts up. To
access the BIOS, hold down the key as soon as your computer begins to start up.

ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment)

Stands for "Advanced Technology Attachment." It is a type of disk drive that integrates the drive controller directly
on the drive itself. Computers can use ATA hard drives without a specific controller to support the drive. The
motherboard must still support an ATA connection, but a separate card (such as a SCSI card for a SCSI hard drive)
is not needed. Some different types of ATA standards include ATA-1, ATA-2 (a.k.a. Fast ATA), ATA-3, Ultra ATA
(33 MBps maximum transfer rate), ATA/66 (66 MBps), and ATA/100 (100 MBps).

The term IDE, or "Integrated Drive Electronics," is also used to refer to ATA drives. Sometimes (to add extra
confusion to people buying hard drives), ATA drives are labeled as "IDE/ATA." Technically, ATA uses IDE
technology, but the important thing to know is that they refer to the same thing.

CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor)

Stands for "Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor." This technology is typically used in making transistors.
The "complementary" part of the term unfortunately does not mean these semiconductors are free. Instead, it refers
to how they produce either a positive or negative charge. Because CMOS-based transistors only use one charge at a
time, they run efficiently, using up very little power. This is because the charges can stay in one state for a long
period of time, allowing the transistor to use little or no power except when needed. Because of their wonderful
efficiency, processors that use CMOS-based transistors can run at extremely high speeds without getting too hot and
going up in flames. You may also find CMOS memory in your computer, which holds the date and time and other
basic system settings. The low power consumption of CMOS allows the memory to be powered by a simple Lithium
battery for many years.

DDR2 (Double Data Rate 2)

Stands for "Double Data Rate 2." DDR2 RAM is an improved version of DDR memory that is faster and more
efficient. Like standard DDR memory, DDR2 memory can send data on both the rising and falling edges of the
processor's clock cycles. This nearly doubles the amount of work the RAM can do in a given amount of time. DDR
and DDR2 are also both types of SDRAM, which allows them to run faster than conventional memory.
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While DDR and DDR2 have many similarities, DDR2 RAM uses a different design than DDR memory. The
improved design allows DDR2 RAM to run faster than standard DDR memory. The modified design also gives the
RAM more bandwidth, which means more data can be passed through the RAM chip at one time. This increases the
efficiency of the memory. Since DDR2 runs more efficiently than standard DDR memory, it actually uses less
power than DDR memory, even though it runs faster. The only downside of DDR2 memory is that it is not
compatible with standard DDR slots. So make sure your computer supports DDR2 RAM before upgrading your
memory.

IDE (Integrated Device Electronics or Integrated Development Environment)

Stands for "Serial Advanced Technology Attachment," or "Serial ATA." It is an interface used to connect ATA hard
drives to a computer's motherboard. SATA transfer rates start at 150MBps, which is significantly faster than even
the fastest 100MBps ATA/100 drives. For this and other reasons, Serial ATA is likely to replace the previous
standard, Parallel ATA (PATA), which has been around since the 1980s.

Besides faster transfer rates, the SATA interface has several advantages over the PATA interface. For one, SATA
drives each have their own independent bus, so there is no competition for bandwidth like there is with Parallel
ATA. They also use smaller, thinner cables, which allows for better airflow inside the computer. SATA cables can
be as long as one meter, while PATA cables max out at 40cm. This gives manufacturers more liberty when
designing the internal layout of their computers. Finally, Serial ATA uses only 7 conductors, while Parallel ATA
uses 40. This means there is less likely to be electromagnetic interference with SATA devices.

In summary, Serial ATA is a better, more efficient interface than the dated PATA standard. If you are looking to buy
a computer that will support fast hard drives for years to come, make sure it comes with a SATA interface.

PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect)

Stands for "Peripheral Component Interconnect." It is a hardware bus designed by Intel and used in both PCs and
Macs. Most add-on cards such as SCSI, Firewire, and USB controllers, use a PCI connection. Some graphics cards
use PCI, but most new graphics cards connect to the AGP slot. PCI slots are found in the back of your computer and
are about 3.5" long and about 0.5" high. So before you go buy that Firewire expansion card, make sure you have at
least one PCI slot available.

Motherboard

The motherboard is the main circuit board of your computer and is also known as the mainboard or logic board. If
you ever open your computer, the biggest piece of silicon you see is the motherboard. Attached to the motherboard,
you'll find the CPU, ROM, memory RAM expansion slots, PCI slots, and USB ports. It also includes controllers for
devices like the hard drive, DVD drive, keyboard, and mouse. Basically, the motherboard is what makes everything
in your computer work together.

Each motherboard has a collection of chips and controllers known as the chipset. When new motherboards are
developed, they often use new chipsets. The good news is that these boards are typically more efficient and faster
than their predecessors. The bad news is that older components often do not work with new chipsets. Of course, if
you are planning on upgrading multiple components, it may be more cost-effective to just buy a new computer.
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Hard Drive

The hard drive is what stores all your data. It houses the hard disk, where all your files and folders are physically
located. A typical hard drive is only slightly larger than your hand, yet can hold over 100 GB of data. The data is
stored on a stack of disks that are mounted inside a solid encasement. These disks spin extremely fast (typically at
either 5400 or 7200 RPM) so that data can be accessed immediately from anywhere on the drive. The data is stored
on the hard drive magnetically, so it stays on the drive even after the power supply is turned off.

The term "hard drive" is actually short for "hard disk drive." The term "hard disk" refers to the actual disks inside
the drive. However, all three of these terms are usually seen as referring to the same thing -- the place where your
data is stored. Since I use the term "hard drive" most often, that is the correct one to use.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Stands for "Central Processing Unit." This is the pretty much the brain of your computer. It processes everything
from basic instructions to complex functions. Any time something needs to be computed, it gets sent to the CPU.
Every day, it's compute this, compute that -- you'd think the CPU would need a break after awhile. But no -- it just
keeps on processing. The CPU can also be referred to simply as the "processor."