| Terms |
Definitions |
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CMOS
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Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
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Software
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A set of instructions that directs the hardware to accomplish a certain task
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Monitor
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Output device - A visual display for output from the computer. It has its own power supply.
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Primary Storage (Memory)
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The CPU uses temporary storage (RAM) to hold data and instructions while processing
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Serial Port
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External port for devices that transfers data serially (mouse-modem)
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Monitor Resolution
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Measured in dots per inch - the more dpi the sharper the image, but smaller the icons/images
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TTL
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Transistor-Transistor Logic
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1394 Port
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FireWire Port - high speed data transfer, mostly used for multimedia devices - DVD camcorders
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Hardware
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A computer's physical components
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Circuit Board
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A board that holds microchips and/or integrated circuits and traces that connect them - Some circuit boards are also called expansion cards
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Expansion Card
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A circuit board that is installed in an expansion slot on the motherboard
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Parallel Port
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External port for devices that transmits data in parallel (printers)
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Power Cables
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Supplies power to devices and the motherboard
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Printer
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Output device used to create a "Hard Copy" on paper - Types include: inkjet, laser, thermal, solid ink, and dot-matrix - Printers have their own power supply.
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Keyboard
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Primary input device - Enhanced keyboards have 104 keys - generally connected to the keyboard port (but can be wireless)
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RAM
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Random Access Memory (temporary - data is gone when the power is turned off)
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Nibble
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4 bits
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Monitor Size
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Mearured diagonally across the screen in inches
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Motherboard
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Largest and most important circuit board in the computer - Also called the main board or the system board
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I/O Devices
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Input- Keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, CD-ROM, DVD-ROMOutput - monitor, printer, speakersBoth - modem, NIC, USB port, HD, CDRW, DVDRW
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Peripheral Device
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A device that is not installed directly to the motherboard
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IC
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Integrated Circuits - Also referred to as IC chips
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Port
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A wireless or wired connection to the computer
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USB
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Universal Serial Port - I/O devices like keyboards, mice, cameras, phones, printers, scanners, phonographs, HDs, pendrives, CDRW...etc.
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Bit
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One digit of the binary number system; either a 0 or a 1
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CPU
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Central Processing Unit - also called the microprocessor or processor - central to all processing done on the computer
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John Atanasoff
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1940, came up with the idea to store and read two values: on and off
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I/O
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Input/Output
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Chip set
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A group of microchips on the motherboard that control the flow of data to and from the CPU
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Data Cables
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Connect devices to one another and to the mother board
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Binary Number System
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The number system that uses two digits; 0 and 1
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Mouse
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A pointing device used to move the pointer around the monitor screen and make selections using buttons (1, 2, or 3 buttons)on the mouse - Generally connected to the mouse port (but can be wireless)
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Byte
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8 bits
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