| Mother Board |
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. |
| 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 colours, 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. |
| CD-ROM |
Compact
Disc Read-Only Memory.An optical
disc that is physically the same as an audio CD, but contains computer
data.Storage capacity is about 680 megabytes.CD-ROMs are interchangeable
between different types of computers. |
| CD-RW |
CD-ReWritable.A
CD-ROM
that can be written, erased, and rewritten by the user.CD-RW discs usually
will only play on Multi-Read CD-ROM drives; some CD players with
exceptional speed may have the sensitivity to read CD-RW discs. |
| Floppy Drive |
The
disk drive where a floppy disk is inserted |
| Keyboard |
A set
of keys for computer input, which resembles a typewriter keyboard, but
with a few extra keys for computer commands and usually a numeric keypad
added.The original typewriter keys worked mechanically to make a metal
hammer with a raised, inked type character on it strike a page.On a
computer keyboard, hitting on a key sends an electrical signal to a
microprocessor, which sends a scan code to the computer's basic
input/output system. |
| 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. |
| Speakers |
Used to here sounds produced
from your computer. |
| Computer Case |
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. |
| 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. |
| NIC |
1.Network
Information Center.An organization that provides information services to
the users of a network. 2.Network Interface Card.A network adapter. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
