Computer Hardware and Software Terminology

These flashcards cover key terminology related to computer hardware and software, providing definitions for essential concepts.

FAT

A file system that is limited to a maximum file size of 2GB.

Encryption

The data that is scrambled but still readable and usable by the user who created it.

ATX

A motherboard form factor that was standardized by Intel in 1995.

CMOS Battery

A battery used to maintain older BIOS configuration and to keep date and time.

ITX

A series of low-power motherboards developed by VIA technologies.

Pico-ITX

An ITX with physical dimensions of 72mm x 100mm.

Northbridge

A motherboard chipset that connects CPU to memory and high-speed graphics card.

12 VDC

The voltage of the YELLOW wire color based on the power supply pinout.

Southbridge

A motherboard chipset that manages connections like PCI interface slots and other peripherals.

LGA

A CPU socket where pins are on the motherboard.

Compression

The process of decreasing the size of files or folders without affecting the files’ content.

Msconfig

The shortcut command to access the System Configuration Utility.

16 GB

The maximum capacity of a Double Data Rate 3 SDRAM.

Line-Out

Devices you can connect to the Lime-Green based on the sound card color code.

-5 VDC

The voltage of the WHITE wire color based on the power supply pinout.

Integrated Device Electronics

The computer acronym for IDE.

User Profiles

In Windows, it contains all of the user’s personal preferences from theme choice to screen save to shortcuts.

PATA

A Western Digital invention in 1999, originally called Integrated Drive Electronics.

Appearance and Personalization

A control panel category that provides applets for changing the Windows theme, desktop background, and display settings.

Devmgmt.msc

The command shortcut to access the Device Manager.

HDMI

A video cable that uses a 19-pin (Type A) proprietary connector.

Ease of Access center

Contains primary tools for accessibility in Windows.

SMADAV

Used for creating a bootable USB drive that is NOT a software.

Dynamic

The type of disk divided into volumes instead of partitions.

Network and Internet

A control panel category that provides applets for connecting to the Internet and other networks.

UEFI

Designed to replace legacy BIOS, based on Intel.

System Configuration

An administrative tool that allows management of programs that run when Windows starts.

Device Manager

Displays a list of all devices currently installed on the computer and their status.

PCI Express

Replaced the AGP expansion slot, communicating via unidirectional serial lanes.

BIOS

The software used to start your computer.

Library

In Windows, it is a virtual folder that displays content from different locations.

Nano-ITX

An ITX with physical dimensions of 120mm x 120mm.

256 TB

The maximum disk size NTFS can handle.

Master Boot Record (MBR)

Limited to four basic partitions, each partition is limited to 2TB in size.

240

The number of pins for a DDR3 SDRAM.

SODIMM

A memory module that is 68mm by 32mm long with 200 pins for DDR and DDR2 variants.

Punch Card

NOT an example of an expansion card.

64 GB

The maximum GB per DIMM for a DDR 4 SDRAM.

+5 VDC (Red wire)

The voltage of the RED wire color based on the power supply pinout.

+5 VDC (Purple wire)

The voltage of the PURPLE wire color based on the power supply pinout.

LCD

The type of display that requires molecules between two polarizing filters and some type of backlight.

Dskmgmt.msc

The command shortcut to access Disk Management.

FAT32

A file system limited to a maximum size of 32GB per partition.

Application

A program that runs on top of the operating system.

VGA

A video cable that uses a DB-15 connector.

User Account Control

A feature in Windows that requires administrative permission for changes affecting security.

User Accounts

A collection of information that defines actions on a computer.