Module 1 Midterms Intro to Computing

What is a computer?

An electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions, displays the information, and stores the information for retrieval later.

What are the three main advantages of desktop computers?

Customizability (easy repairs and upgrades), Portability (cannot be carried, needs stable power), Power (scaled to parts, offers more computing power).

What is a key disadvantage of laptop computers?

Most parts are soldered into the board, limiting repair and upgrade options.

What is hardware?

The design and construction of the hardware of a particular computer, referred to as its architecture or configuration.

What is software?

Intangible components of a computer system, particularly the programs or instructions for the computer to do specific tasks.

What do input devices do?

Send raw data information to the computer.

What do processing devices do?

Process raw data instructions into information.

What do output devices do?

Disseminate data and display information.

What do storage devices do?

Retain or store data and information.

What is system software?

Software that oversees the core components of a computer system, allowing hardware and other software to work in harmony, handling file management, program execution, and system resource allocation.

What is application software?

Software designed to perform specific jobs like writing, painting, studying, or gaming.

What is programming software?

Software that allows coders to write and test programs and is used to create other software.

What is open source software?

Free software for anyone to use, change, and help improve (examples: Linux, Apache, Git).

What is proprietary software?

Software owned by companies where you need to buy a license to use them (examples: Windows OS, Adobe Creative Suite).

What are handheld computers?

Computers that can fit in your hand and pocket, much smaller than laptops; primarily rides on your hand, barely customizable, most mainstream computer used today.

What are standalone computers?

Computers used to do specific tasks to create ease of access for the user; can be seen everywhere but only able to do specific tasks.

What is wearable technology?

Computers you wear around your body able to perform a limited set of tasks; growing more prominent each year, accessed through gestures, key presses, and voice commands.

What is a supercomputer?

Computers that deal with a lot of complicated computing, data management, and research; take up large spaces, found in discrete places worldwide, need specific cooling due to immense heat.

What is a processor?

The chip that handles processing basic instructions and computations that drive a computer; the brain of your computer.

What are cores in a processor?

Physical cores that handle processing of data.

What are threads in a processor?

Logical cores that feed the physical cores data.

What is an NPU?

Neural Processing Unit - a specialized processor designed to optimize computations for neural networks, enabling efficient processing in real-time.

What is a TPU?

Tensor Processing Unit - a hardware AI accelerator application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) developed by Google to accelerate tensor-based computations foundational to deep learning.

What is a motherboard?

A component that handles sending messages through different components of your system to react to changes; the central nervous system of your computer.

What are the four main motherboard sizes?

E-ATX (larger workstations), ATX (most common), Micro-ATX (cheapest), Mini-ATX (smallest but expensive).

What is RAM?

Short-term memory the CPU needs to access files and move data around faster.

What is the difference between DIMM and SODIMM RAM?

DIMM RAM is used primarily on Desktop Computers; SODIMM RAM is used for laptops and smaller form-factor computers.

What is a graphics card?

Large components attached to the PCI-E slots of the motherboard that handle displaying rendered work, sound, and workload that requires repetitions.

What are three main uses of a graphics card?

Image rendering, real-time graphics for games, and machine learning & data science tasks.

What is a power supply?

A component that powers and regulates the whole system, ensuring each component gets their power.

What is power rating?

A specification found on every power supply that shows the efficiency of a power supply when used at certain loads.

What is an ATX 24-PIN cable used for?

Powers the RAM, Fans, USB, PCIe, and other general system components.

What is a CPU power cable used for?

Feeds power directly to the processor.

What is a PCI-E power cable used for?

Feeds power to the PCIe graphics card or other expansion cards if required.

What is a SATA cable used for?

Used for connecting directly to power HDD and SSD storage devices.

What does a chassis do?

Covers and cools your system and protects it from dust and outside variables.

What are the four main chassis types?

Full Tower (tall cases with large airflow), Mid Tower (consumer grade, fits under desk), Mini Tower (cheapest but mediocre cooling), Small Form Factor (optimized for smaller machines, expensive).

What is positive airflow?

Having more intake fans than exhaust fans, or intake fans more powerful than exhaust fans, creating positive pressure.

What is negative airflow?

Having more exhaust fans than intake fans, creating a vacuum of heat in your system.

What is air cooling?

Uses traditional fans that push heat away from the metal cooler.

What is water cooling?

Uses a water pump to pump water against the processor to cool it down.

What is passive cooling?

Uses large metal coolers that conduct heat away passively without fans.

What is an HDD?

Classic storage device that usually has longer shelf life and is easy to recover.

What is an SSD?

Storage device that works the same as typical hard drives but relies on chips to hold the data.

What is an NVME drive?

Storage device connected directly to your motherboard, offering greater speeds than its competitors.

What does a 1, 2, or 3 beep code indicate?

Reset/Replace memory or troubleshoot motherboard.

What does a 4 beep code indicate?

Timer failure - troubleshoot motherboard.

What does a 5 beep code indicate?

Processor failure - troubleshoot your CPU and motherboard.

What does an 8 beep code indicate?

Display memory failure - troubleshoot graphics card or motherboard.

What does a 10 beep code indicate?

CMOS shutdown - troubleshoot motherboard and replace CMOS battery.

What do continuous beeps indicate?

Memory/Video failure - troubleshoot memory, graphics, and motherboard.

What is the purpose of beep codes in computer maintenance?

They indicate errors regarding hardware during startup; if successful, the computer beeps only once.