defined parts
motherboard
The main circuit board
inside a computer, which contains the central processing unit, the bus, memory
sockets, expansion slots, and other components. Additional boards, called
daughter boards, can be plugged into the motherboard.
CPU
Central Processing Unit.
The CPU controls the operation of a computer. Units within the CPU perform
arithmetic and logical operations and decode and execute instructions. In
microcomputers, the entire CPU is on a single chip.
RAM
Random Access Memory. The
working memory of the computer. RAM is the memory used for storing data
temporarily while working on it, running application programs, etc. "Random
access" refers to the fact that any area of RAM can be accessed directly
and immediately, in contrast to other media such as a magnetic tape where the
tape must be wound to the point where the data is. RAM is called volatile
memory; information in RAM will disappear if the power is switched off before it
is saved to disk. There is also a form of non-volatile RAM, which must be
continually energized by a battery to maintain its content. The most common form
of RAM is built from semiconductor integrated circuits.
video card
Also called graphics adapter, display
adapter, video adapter. A circuit board that enables a computer to display
information on its screen. The resolution, number of colors, and refresh rate of
a monitor is determined by the kind of video card used, plus the limitations of
the monitor itself.
hard drive
(HD). Hard disk drive. A disk drive that
reads from and writes to a hard disk.
tower
A tall case that contains the major
components of a computer system. It is usually stored on the floor underneath
the monitor.
Optical drive
A device that spins disks
or tapes in order to read and write data; for example, a hard drive, floppy
drive, CD-ROM drive, or tape drive
floppy drive
The disk drive where a
floppy disk is inserted.
101-key keyboard
A standard computer keyboard with 101 keys
including the alphanumeric keys, the number pad, F keys, and arrow keys.
mouse
A pointing device that is used to move a
cursor on the computer screen, and make various operations possible such as
typing, drawing, editing text and graphics, opening and closing files, and
giving other commands. The wire connecting it to the computer or keyboard looks
like a mouse's tail. A mouse is moved over a flat horizontal surface, usually a
rubber mouse pad, and its position is read by the computer. The original mouse
has a button which the user clicks or holds down to place the cursor; now many
models have more than one button.
Speakers
The devices either intergraded
and or speakers on the outside of the computer which sound is played through.
LAN
Local Area Network. A network that
connects computers that are close to each other, usually in the same building,
linked by a cable.
monitor
Also called a display. A
device that displays text and graphics generated by a computer. Desktop monitors
are usually cathode-ray tubes, and laptop monitors are usually liquid crystal
display. A monitor can be monochrome (black and white) or color. Color monitors
may show either digital or analog color.
modem
A peripheral device that
connects computers to each other for sending communications via the telephone
lines. The modem modulates the digital data of computers into analog signals to
send over the telephone lines, then demodulates back into digital signals to be
read by the computer on the other end; thus the name "modem" for
modulator/demodulator. Modems are used for sending and receiving electronic
mail, connecting to bulletin
board systems,
and surfing the Internet.
There are standards to ensure that modems mad
e sound
card
An add-on expansion board that improves a computer's sound quality, and adds
other sound capabilities. A sound card makes it possible to use speakers, a
stereo, and a microphone to record and play sound; some sound cards also include
MIDI. different
manufacturers can communicate with each other. Modems communicating with each
other must use the same speed.
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