Unit B: Computer Hardware
TRUE/FALSE
1. Each data storage system contains a storage medium and storage device.
2. A Zip disk is an example of a storage device.
3. Data representation is the conversion of letters, sounds and images to electronic signals.
4. Floppy disks store data the same way as CD-ROMs.
5. Optical storage uses magnetized particles and lasers to store data.
6. The item labeled 3 in the above figure reads and writes the particles that represent data in magnetic
storage.
7. Floppy disks are the most widely used storage devices today because of their high storage capacity.
8. Access time is the average time for a computer to locate and read data on a storage medium.
9. Random access devices have the slowest access times.
10. A vertical stack of tracks on a hard disk platter is called a cylinder.
11. Tape drive is an example of random access storage.
12. Hard disk speed is sometimes measured in revolutions per minute.
13. A CD-RW drive can be used to record CDs, but not play audio CDs.
14. Rewritable CDs and DVDs use “phase change” technology to create pits and lands.
15. The devices shown in the above figure are all examples of solid state storage.
16. The item numbered 2 in the figure above is an example of a SmartMedia card.
17. [Ctrl] is an example of a function key.
18. Having a mouse is one difference between PCs and laptop computers.
19. A pointing stick is usually used with a notebook instead of a PC.
20. A video or graphics card generates the signals for displaying an image on the screen.
21. Color depth is the number of colors a monitor and graphics card can display.
22. Dot pitch is the measurement of the screen from one corner to the diagonally opposite corner.
23. Color and black & white printouts typically take the same amount of time to output.
24. A printer’s duty cycle is the number of pages per minute it can output.
25. A network card is a type of expansion card.
26. An expansion slot can accommodate multiple expansion cards simultaneously.
27. Most PCs include built-in ports for mice, keyboards, and monitors.
28. A digital cameral is considered a type of peripheral device.
29. Peripheral devices are often connected to the motherboard through cables.
30. It is not necessary to unplug the computer before opening the system unit.
31. Plasma screens are expensive and lightweight.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. CD and DVD drives are examples of: ____.
a.
storage devices
c.
storage media
b.
Zip drives
d.
solid stage storage
2. Which of the following is NOT true about RAM?
a.
RAM connects the storage devices and storage media.
b.
RAM is the same as hard disk storage.
c.
RAM is volatile.
d.
Data is usually copied from RAM to a permanent storage location.
3. The conversion of letters, sounds, and images into electrical signals is called ____.
a.
digital imaging
c.
binary code
b.
data representation
d.
storage
4. In the above figure the item labeled 3 is called the ____.
a.
read-write head
c.
laser
b.
magnetizer
d.
solid state storage
5. In the above figure, the item numbered ____ represents the disk surface.
a.
1
c.
3
b.
2
d.
4
6. In the above figure, the item numbered ____ represents magnetized particles.
a.
1
c.
3
b.
2
d.
4
7. ____ storage stores data in nonvolatile, erasable, low-power chips.
a.
Optical
c.
Solid state
b.
Magnetic
d.
Floppy disk
8. Which of the following is NOT true about magnetic storage?
a.
It is not very durable.
c.
Hard disks are an example.
b.
It uses a read-write head.
d.
A laser is used to read data.
9. Optical storage stores data in ____.
a.
solid state
c.
read-write heads
b.
pits and lands
d.
magnetized particles
10. Which of the following is NOT one of the four criteria for evaluating storage technology?
a.
versatility
c.
capacity
b.
durability
d.
resolution
11. Access time for a personal computer’s storage device is measured in ____.
a.
gigabytes
c.
milliseconds
b.
megabytes
d.
nanoseconds
12. Which of the following storage technologies has the highest average capacity?
a.
Jaz disk
c.
SuperDisk
b.
Blu-ray DVD
d.
Fixed hard disk
13. Which of the following is true about hard disk drives?
a.
They can be internal or external.
b.
Hard disk platters are made of Mylar.
c.
Hard disk speed is measured in milliseconds
d.
They contain a circuit board, called a cylinder.
14. Which of the following is NOT an example of a hard disk controller?
a.
ASCII
c.
EIDE
b.
Ultra ATA
d.
SCSI
15. Direct memory access (DMA) technology does which of the following?
a.
Allows for sequential access of data.
b.
Uses wireless technology to transfer data.
c.
Allows a computer to transfer data directly from a drive to RAM
d.
Positions the read-write heads to locate data.
16. In the term CD-R the suffix “R” indicates that the CD is ____.
a.
read-only
c.
recordable
b.
rewritable
d.
reusable
17. Which of the following is the format for commercial music CDs?
a.
CD
c.
CD–RW
b.
CD-R
d.
CD–DA
18. Which new format was developed to enable recording, rewriting, and playback of HD video?
a.
Blu-ray
c.
DVD–ROM
b.
DVD+R
d.
DVD–RW
19. ____ storage is portable, provides fast access to data, and uses very little power.
a.
optical
c.
ROM
b.
solid state
d.
magnetic
20. Which of the following is NOT true about computer keyboards?
a.
They are not found on handheld devices.
b.
They can be used to perform computer-specific tasks.
c.
They are a primary input device.
d.
The function keys are at the top of the keyboard.
21. The part of the keyboard that resembles a calculator is called the ____ keypad.
a.
function
c.
calculation
b.
modifier
d.
numeric
22. A mouse uses either mechanical or ____ technology or track its position.
a.
wireless
c.
optical
b.
magnetic
d.
pointing
23. A ____ is a touch-sensitive surface on which you can slide your fingers in order to move the on-screen
pointer.
a.
joystick
c.
trackball
b.
trackpad
d.
TrackPoint
24. Which of the following is NOT one of the three technologies used by display devices?
a.
HD
c.
LCD
b.
CRT
d.
plasma
25. Resolution of 24-bit color depth is called ____.
a.
maximum dot pitch
c.
800 x 600
b.
bit depth
d.
True Color
26. The printer language preferred by publishing professionals is ____.
a.
PCL
c.
Publisher
b.
PostScript
d.
Cobol
27. ____ color uses 4 inks to created thousands of color.
a.
CMYK
c.
DPI
b.
GUI
d.
PCL
28. A ____ printer uses a grid of fine wires and can print multipart carbon forms.
a.
dot matrix
c.
ink jet
b.
laser
d.
photo
29. This type of printer technology is used primarily in business settings.
a.
solid ink
c.
laser
b.
dot matrix
d.
ink jet
30. Which of the following is NOT true about USB ports?
a.
Most computers only have one.
b.
Mice, scanners, and joysticks can be used in USB ports.
c.
USB ports can support storage devices.
d.
Windows recognizes most USB devices when they are plugged into the port.
31. An expansion ____ is a connector that passes data in and out of a computer or peripheral device.
a.
unit
c.
card
b.
port
d.
slot
32. An expansion slot is located ____.
a.
on the front of the computer
c.
on the motherboard
b.
behind the monitor
d.
in the USB port
33. A(n) ____ slot is used mostly for graphics cards.
a.
PCMCIA
c.
USB
b.
ISA
d.
PCI-X
34. A(n) ____card carries data to speakers or headphones.
a.
sound
c.
ISA
b.
audio
d.
volume
35. Which of the following would most people consider to be the best example of a peripheral device?
a.
keyboard
c.
printer
b.
scanner
d.
mouse
36. An expansion card may need to be added when the right ____ is not available to install a peripheral
device.
a.
driver
c.
reader
b.
port
d.
cable
37. The PC feature that recognizes new devices automatically when they are connected to the motherboard
is called ____.
a.
direct access
c.
USB
b.
device driver
d.
Plug and Play
38. A(n) ____ is software that establishes communication between a peripheral device and a computer.
a.
application
c.
driver
b.
port
d.
operating system
39. A(n) ____ captures and transmits live video over the Web.
a.
Web cam
c.
DigVid
b.
digital camera
d.
scanner
40. In the above figure, which numbered item is a USB flash drive?
a.
1
c.
3
b.
2
d.
5
41. In the above figure, which numbered item is a CompactFlash card?
a.
1
c.
3
b.
2
d.
4
COMPLETION
1. RAM is ____________________, which means that data in RAM can be easily lost.
2. A storage ____________________ is the disk, hard drive, tape, memory card, CD, DVD, that holds
data.
3. CD and DVD drives, tape drives, card readers, and hard disk drives are all examples of storage
____________________.
4. Hard disks, floppy disks, and tape are all examples of ____________________ storage.
5. ____________________ storage stores data as microscopic light and dark spots on the disc surface.
6. The device shown in the above figure is an example of ____________________ storage.
7. In optical storage, the dark spots are called ____________________.
8. In optical storage, the light spots are called ____________________.
9. A standard ____________________ disk has a capacity of 1.44MB.
10. A tape drive has a slow access time because it uses ____________________ access.
11. A drive ____________________ is a “parking space” for a storage device.
12. A ____________________ crash can occur when the hard disk is jarred while in use.
13. A hard disk ____________________ is a flat disk made of aluminum or glass and coated with
magnetic iron oxide particles.
14. A hard drive storage device includes a circuit board, called a ____________________.
15. ____________________ DVD technology can record over 2 hours of HDTV.
16. In the above figure, the numbered item ____________________ is a SmartMedia card.
17. ____________________ keys are designed for computer-specific tasks, such as opening the Help
window.
18. [Ctrl], [Alt], and [Shift] are examples of ____________________ keys.
19. A keyboard ____________________ is a combination of a modifier key and another key to perform
a task.
20. A ____________________ is a pointing device that resembles a car’s stick shift.
21. A(n) ____________________ mouse uses an onboard chip to track a light beam as it bounces off a
surface.
22. The maximum number of pixels displayed on the screen is the ____________________.
23. The ____________________ cycle of a printer is the number of pages a printer can produce in a
month.
24. Printer ____________________ is the density of the grid of dots that create an image.
25. A(n) ____________________ slot is a socket on the motherboard into which you can plug a small
circuit board.
26. A(n) ____________________ card is an expansion card that allows data to transmit over phone lines.
27. ISA, PCI, and AGP are all examples of expansion ____________________.
28. A(n) ____________________ card is used to connect a PC to a LAN.
29. An expansion ____________________ is also called “jack” or “connector.”
30. A(n) ____________________ device is used to modify or expand a computer system.
31. Peripheral devices require software called a device ____________________.
MATCHING
Match the storage technology with its description.
a.
CD
e.
External hard drive
b.
CD–RW
f.
Miniature hard disk
c.
Blu-ray DVD
g.
Zip disk
d.
Memory card
h.
USB flash drive
1. Limited capacity, can be reused
2. Use to transfer digital camera images
3. Used for portable music and video players
4. Limited capacity, cannot be reused, long shelf life
5. Portable, durable, 32 MB – 8 GB capacity.
6. 160 GB average capacity, can be removed and locked in a secure location
7. Requires its own proprietary drive, slower access time than a hard disk
8. Used to record, rewrite, and play back HD video
Match the solid state storage device to its description.
a.
card reader
d.
MultiMedia card
b.
USB flash drive
e.
SecureDigital card
c.
CompactFlash card
f.
SmartMedia card
9. Nicknamed “pen drive” or “key–chain drive”
10. Includes cryptographic security protection for copyrighted data and music
11. Includes a built-in controller, used for high-end digital cameras, size of a matchbook
12. Includes a built-in controller, used for mobile phones, size of a postage stamp
13. Resemble floppy disks, not very durable
14. Used to transfer data to or from a computer
Match the display device term with its definition.
a.
graphics card
e.
refresh rate
b.
plasma
f.
resolution
c.
CRT
g.
Dot pitch
d.
LCD
h.
color depth
15. For many years, this was the only display device available for desktop computers
16. Also called “bit depth.”
17. Contains circuitry for displaying images on the screen
18. The speed at which the screen is repainted
19. Illuminates miniature colored fluorescent lights to create an on-screen image
20. The maximum number of horizontal and vertical pixels displayed on the screen
21. Measure of image clarity
22. Advantages of these monitors include clarity, low radiation, portability, and compactness
ESSAY
1. Compare and give examples of the three types of storage technologies: magnetic, optical, and solid
state.
2. Describe the uses and benefits of solid state storage.
3. What is the primary function of a peripheral device? Why are printers not considered peripheral
devices? What things do you need to consider when installing a peripheral device?