IT for Foundation - Computer Fundamentals and Windows Basics

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering basic computer hardware, software, memory, storage, Windows basics, file management, and computer security concepts from the IT for Foundation course.

What is data?

Data is raw material and unorganized facts that need to be processed.

What is information?

Information is data that has been processed, organized, structured, or presented in context to be useful.

What does hardware refer to?

The physical components of a computer.

List some common components of a Personal Computer.

Monitor, Motherboard, CPU, RAM, Expansion card, Power supply, CD-ROM Drive, Hard Disk, Keyboard, Mouse.

What is software?

The instructions (programs) that make the computer work; loaded into RAM from storage.

What is a common input device to enter text?

Keyboard (QWERTY layout is the most common English keyboard layout).

What is the most common keyboard layout?

QWERTY.

What is a pointing device?

Mouse, a device that detects 2D motion on a surface.

What is an optical mouse?

A mouse that uses lasers or LEDs to track motion on the surface.

What is a trackball?

A pointing device with a protruding ball inside a socket that detects rotation about two axes.

Name three gaming input devices.

Joystick, Gamepad, Game controller.

What are image input devices?

Image scanner and Webcam.

What is a microphone?

An acoustic sensor that converts sound into electrical signals.

What is an output device?

A device used to communicate the results of data processing to the outside world.

What does VDU stand for?

Visual Display Unit; another term for the monitor.

Why are laser printers common in large organizations?

They print very fast and provide high-quality output.

What is a plotter?

An output device similar to a printer but for larger images.

What is the CPU often called?

The brain of the computer.

Name the three major CPU components and their roles.

Arithmetic Unit (computations) with Accumulator for results; Control Unit (Instruction Register, Program Counter); Instruction Decoding Unit.

Where is the CPU mounted?

On the motherboard.

What is RAM?

Random Access Memory; volatile primary memory used to load the OS and run applications; contents are temporary.

What is ROM?

Read Only Memory; non-volatile memory containing BIOS; stores essential firmware.

What are secondary memory storage devices?

Removable media like CD, CD-ROM Drive, CD Writer, DVD; Floppy disk; USB flash drive; Tape drive.

What is a hard disk used for?

Internal storage for the OS, programs, and data; persistent storage.

What are memory capacity units from smallest to largest?

Byte, Kilobyte (KB), Megabyte (MB), Gigabyte (GB), Terabyte (TB) (1024-based).

What is a peripheral device?

Any device that you can attach to your computer.

Name three classifications of computers.

Micro Computers (PCs); Mini/Mainframe; Supercomputers.

What are the two main types of software?

Operating Systems Software and Applications Software.

What is the role of an operating system?

Manages hardware resources and provides a GUI and essential services; loads at startup.

Give examples of GUI-based operating systems.

Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98/2000/XP/Vista/7, Windows NT, OS/2.

Give examples of applications software.

Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint, Sage, Adobe Photoshop.

What is Get Programs and Uninstall Programs used for?

To manage installed programs; add or remove programs; install Windows components or updates.

What is Shareware?

Proprietary software provided on a trial basis; may stop running after the trial period until a license is purchased.

What is Freeware?

Software that is fully functional for an unlimited time with no cost, but with restrictions on copying/distribution or use.

What is an End-User License Agreement (EULA)?

A legal agreement defining how the software may be used by the end user.

What is a Folder/Directory?

A container to save files, shortcuts, and subfolders.

What is a Sub Folder?

A folder inside a folder.

Where are Videos located by default in Windows 7?

In Libraries, Videos subfolder.

How do you create a new folder in Windows?

Right-click, New -> Folder, then rename.

What can you view in Folder Attributes?

Name, Size, Date Modified, and other properties.

How do you view File and Folder Properties?

Right-click a file or folder and select Properties.

What is a file extension?

Suffix indicating file type, e.g., .txt, .doc, .xls, .html, .jpg.

What is virus propagation?

Viruses replicate and spread when a file is copied to another computer.

Name the virus types mentioned.

File infector viruses, Boot sector viruses, Multipartite viruses, Macro viruses.

What is a virus, a worm, and a Trojan horse?

Virus replicates and infects; a worm self-replicates and spreads over networks; a Trojan horse masquerades as legitimate software but contains malicious code.

What is antivirus scanning?

Software that detects viruses using virus definitions and updates.

What are common antivirus scan types?

File System Real Time Scanning; Email Scanning; Scheduled Scan; On-demand Scanning.

What is not a virus?

Hardware problems (e.g., beep codes); multiple antivirus programs; non-virus warnings unrelated to malware.

Which extension is an image file?

Both .bmp and .jpg (option D: A and B).

Where would you see basic information about your computer in Control Panel?

Performance and maintenance.

What is the correct name for the screen image's top bar?

Title Bar.

What is the Windows Desktop supposed to contain?

The first screen after boot, with a Taskbar, Start button, and System/Application/Folder/File icons.

What are the three fields in the Save As dialog?

Where to save (location), File name, File type.