MindTap - Cengage Learning - Computer Hardware and Maintenance Vocabulary

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering computer hardware components, ports, protocols, and maintenance tools based on the provided lecture transcript.

ESD strap

A strap worn around the wrist and attached to a computer case, ground mat, or another ground so that ESD is discharged from the body before touching sensitive components inside a computer. Also called an antistatic wrist strap or a ground bracelet.

Electrostatic discharge (ESD)

Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye.

Ground mat (ESD mat)

A mat that dissipates ESD and is commonly used by technicians who repair and assemble computers at their workbenches or in an assembly line.

Antistatic bag

A static shielding bag that new computer components are shipped in.

Chassis

A case for any type of computer.

Tower case

The largest type of personal computer case; stands vertically and can be up to two feet tall. Tower cases have more drive bays and are a good choice for computer users who anticipate making significant upgrades.

Desktop case

A computer case that lies flat and sometimes serves double duty as a monitor stand. A tower case is sometimes called a desktop case.

VGA (Video Graphics Array) port

A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB-15, DB15 port, DE15 port, or HD15 port.

Analog

A continuous signal with infinite variations which is a series of binary values—1s and 0s. Compare with digital.

Digital

A signal consisting of a series of binary values— 1s and 0s. Compare with analog.

DVI (Digital Video Interface) port

A port that transmits digital or analog video.

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) port

A digital audio and video interface standard currently used on desktop and laptop computers, televisions, and other home theater equipment.

DisplayPort

A port that transmits digital video and audio (not analog transmissions) and can be used in the place of VGA and DVI ports on personal computers.

Thunderbolt 3 port

A multipurpose standard and connector used for communication and power. Early versions were limited to Apple products and used a modified DisplayPort; can use modified USB-C ports on Apple and non-Apple devices.

Audio ports (sound port)

A port that can be used by microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out connections.

SPDIF (Sony-Philips Digital Interface) sound port

A port that connects to an external home theater audio system, providing digital audio output and the best signal quality.

Optical connector

A connector used with a fiber-optic cable.

USB (Universal Serial Bus) port

Multipurpose bus and connector standards used for internal and external ports for a variety of devices. Current USB standards are USB4 and USB versions 3.2, 3.1, 3.0, and 2.0.

External SATA (eSATA) port

A port for external drives based on SATA that uses a special, external shielded SATA cable up to $2\,meters$ long.

PS/2 port

A round 6-pin port used by an older keyboard or mouse.

Serial port (DB9 port)

A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a mouse or modem where data travels serially, one bit at a time. Sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4.

Modem port (RJ-11 port)

A port used to connect dial-up phone lines to computers; a phone line connection found on modems, telephones, and house phone outlets.

Network port (Ethernet port)

A port used by a network cable to connect to the wired network.

RJ-45 port

A port that looks like a large phone jack and is used with twisted-pair cable to connect to a wired network adapter or other hardware device; RJ stands for registered jack.

Loopback plug

A device used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working; might also test the throughput or speed of the port.

Internal components

The main components installed in a computer case.

Motherboard

The main board in the computer where the CPU, ROM chips, DIMMs, and interface cards are plugged in. Also called the system board or main board.

Central processing unit (CPU)

The component where almost all processing of data and instructions takes place; receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions. Also called a microprocessor or processor.

Heat sink

A piece of metal with cooling fins that can be attached to or mounted on an integrated chip package (such as the CPU) to dissipate heat.

Expansion card

A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to enhance the capability of the computer. Also called an adapter card.

DIMM (dual inline memory module)

A miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard to hold memory.

RAM (random access memory)

Memory modules on the motherboard that contain microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both; information is lost when the computer is turned off.

Video memory

Memory used by the video controller; the memory might be contained on a video card or be part of system memory dedicated by Windows to video.

Hard drive (HDD)

The main secondary storage device of a computer. Two technologies are currently used: magnetic and solid state.

Power supply unit (PSU)

A box inside the computer case that receives power and converts it for use by the motherboard and other installed devices, providing $3.3$, $5$, and $12\,volts\,DC$.

Dual-voltage selector switch

A switch on the back of the computer case where you can change the input voltage to the power supply to $115\,V$ (in the United States) or $220\,V$ (in other countries).

Form factors

A set of specifications for the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard.

ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)

The most common form factor for desktop computer cases, motherboards, and power supplies; originally introduced by Intel in 1995.

20-pin P1 connector

A connector used by an older ATX power supply and motherboard; it provided $+3.3\,volts$, $+5\,volts$, $+12\,volts$, $-12\,volts$, and an optional and rarely used $-5\,volts$.

24-pin P1 connector

A connector used by an ATX Version 2.2 power supply and motherboard; it provides additional power for PCI Express slots.

4-pin 12 V connector

An auxiliary motherboard connector used for an extra $12\,volts$ of power to the processor.

8-pin 12 V connector

An auxiliary motherboard connector used for an extra $12\,volts$ of power to the processor; provides more power than the older 4-pin auxiliary connector.

Molex connector

A 4-pin power connector used to provide power to a PATA hard drive, optical drive, or other internal component.

SATA power connector

A 15-pin flat power connector that provides power to SATA drives.

PCIe 6/8-pin connector

A power cord connector used by high-end video cards with PCIe x16 slots to provide extra voltage to the card.

ATX12V power supply

An ATX Version 2.1 power supply that provides an extra $12\,V$ power cord with a 4-pin connector to provide additional power for processors.

PCI Express (PCIe)

An evolution of PCI that is not backward-compatible with earlier PCI slots and cards; comes in sizes including PCIe x1, PCIe x4, PCIe x8, and PCIe x16.

microATX (mATX)

A smaller version of the ATX form factor; addresses some technologies that were developed after the original introduction of ATX.

Front panel header

A group of pins on a motherboard that connect to wires at the front panel of the computer case.

Front panel connectors

A group of wires running from the front or top of the computer case to the motherboard.

Spacers (standoffs)

Round plastic or metal pegs that separate the motherboard from the case so that components on the back of the motherboard do not touch the case.

POST diagnostic card

A test card installed in a slot on the motherboard or plugged in to a USB port used to discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur before the operating system is launched.

Firmware

Software that is permanently stored in a chip; BIOS or UEFI on a motherboard are examples.

BIOS (basic input/output system)

Firmware that can control much of a computer’s input/output functions, such as communication with the keyboard and the monitor.

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

An interface between firmware on the motherboard and the OS; improves on legacy BIOS for managing settings, booting, loading drivers, and securing the boot.

POST (power-on self-test)

A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices by startup BIOS/UEFI when the computer is first turned on.

Power supply tester

A device that can test the output of each power cord coming from a power supply.

Multimeter

A device used to measure various attributes of an electrical circuit, most commonly voltage, current, and resistance.

Serial ATA (SATA)

An interface standard used mostly by hard drives and optical drives. Current standards include SATA3, SATA2, and eSATA.

Laptop (notebook)

A portable computer designed for travel and mobility, using modifications for conserving voltage and taking up less space.

Netbook

A low-end, inexpensive laptop with a 9- or 10-inch screen and no optical drive used for web browsing, email, and word processing.

All-in-one computer

A computer that has the monitor and computer case built together.

USB to RJ-45 dongle

An adapter that plugs into a USB port and provides an RJ-45 port for a network cable.

USB to Wi-Fi dongle

An adapter that plugs into a USB port and provides wireless connectivity to a Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

The common name for standards for a local wireless network, as defined by IEEE 802.11.

Cellular network (WWAN)

A network used when a wireless network must cover a wide area, made up of cells each controlled by a base station.

Base station

A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network.

USB to Bluetooth adapter

A device that plugs into a USB port on a computer to connect to Bluetooth devices.

Bluetooth

A short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal network.

Docking station

A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage and easy connection to peripheral devices.

Port replicator

A nonproprietary device that typically connects via USB to provide ports for peripheral devices such as monitors, networks, and printers.

Spudgers

A metal or plastic flat-head wedge used to pry open casings without damaging plastic connectors and cases.

ZIF connector

A connector that uses a lever or latch to prevent force from being used on a sensitive connection; stands for zero insertion force.

SO-DIMM (small outline DIMM)

A type of memory module for laptop computers; DDR4 SO-DIMM has $260$ pins and DDR3 SO-DIMM has $204$ pins.