Deck 10: Hardware and Software Basics

Question 1

Memory cards contain high-capacity storage that holds data such as captured images, music, or text files.

Answer 1

True
Explanation: Memory cards contain high-capacity storage that holds data such as captured images, music, or text files.

Question 2

Flash memory is a special type of rewritable read-only memory (ROM) that is compact and portable.

Answer 2

True
Explanation: Flash memory is a special type of rewritable read-only memory (ROM) that is compact and portable.

Question 3

Random access memory (RAM) is the computer's primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed external data bus.

Answer 3

True
Explanation: Random access memory (RAM) is the computer's primary working memory, in which program instructions and data are stored so that they can be accessed directly by the CPU via the processor's high-speed external data bus.

Question 4

Volatility refers to a device's ability to function with or without power.RAM is volatile, meaning it must have constant power to function; its contents are lost when the computer's electric supply fails.

Question 5

A computer is an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept, manipulate, and store data.

Question 6

Complex instruction set computer chips limit the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed.

Question 7

ROM is nonvolatile, meaning it does not require constant power to function.ROM contains essential system programs that neither the user nor the computer can erase.Since the computer's internal memory is blank during start-up, the computer cannot perform any functions unless given start-up instructions.

Question 8

The control unit performs all arithmetic operations (for example, addition and subtraction) and all logic operations.

Question 9

Random access memory is the portion of a computer's primary storage that does not lose its contents when one switches off the power.

Question 10

The arithmetic-logic unit includes instructions and literally tells the other hardware devices what to do, based on the software instructions.

Question 11

Memory sticks provide nonvolatile memory for a range of portable devices including computers, digital cameras, MP3 players, and PDAs.

Question 12

Primary storage is the computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM), cache memory, and read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the CPU.

Question 13

Megahertz is the number of billions of CPU cycles per second.

Question 14

Complex instruction set computer chips limit the number of instructions the CPU can execute to increase processing speed.

Question 15

Secondary storage consists of equipment designed to store large volumes of data for long-term storage.

Question 16

Gigahertz is the number of millions of CPU cycles per second.

Question 17

A megabyte (MB or M or Meg) is roughly 1 million bytes.

Question 18

The central processing unit (CPU) (or microprocessor) is the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together.

Question 19

Complex instruction set computer (CISC) chips is a type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly.

Question 20

Cache memory is a small unit of ultra-fast memory that is used to store recently accessed or frequently accessed data so that the CPU does not have to retrieve this data from slower memory circuits such as RAM.

Question 21

A desktop computer sits on, next to, or under a user's desk and is too large to carry around.The computer box is where the CPU, RAM, and storage devices are held with a monitor on top, or a vertical system box (called a tower) usually placed on the floor within a work area.

Question 22

A minicomputer is designed to meet the computing needs of several people simultaneously in a small to medium-size business environment.

Question 23

A personal computer is a computer that is operated by a single user who can customize the functions to match personal preferences.

Question 24

A hard drive is a secondary storage medium that uses several rigid disks coated with a magnetically sensitive material and housed together with the recording heads in a hermetically sealed mechanism.

Question 25

Magnetic medium is a secondary storage medium that uses magnetic techniques to store and retrieve data on disks or tapes coated with magnetically sensitive materials.

Question 26

A workstation computer is similar to a desktop but has more powerful mathematical and graphics processing capabilities and can perform more complicated tasks in less time.

Question 27

A handheld computer portable enough to fit in a purse or pocket and has its own power source or battery.

Question 28

A common type of minicomputer is a server and is used for managing internal company applications, networks, and websites.

Question 29

A mainframe computer is designed to meet the computing needs of hundreds of people in a large business environment.Mainframe computers are a step up in size, power, capability, and cost from minicomputers.

Question 30

An input device is equipment used to see, hear, or otherwise accept the results of information processing requests.

Question 31

An input device is equipment used to capture information and commands.

Question 32

An appliance is a computer dedicated to a single function, such as a calculator or computer game.

Question 33

Adaptive computer devices are input devices designed for special applications for use by people with different types of special needs.

Question 34

A tablet is a pen-based computer that provides the screen capabilities of a PDA with the functional capabilities of a laptop or desktop computer.

Question 35

A tablet computer has a flat screen that uses a mouse or fingertip for input instead of a keyboard.Similar to PDAs, tablet PCs use a writing pen or stylus to write notes on the screen and touch the screen to perform functions such as clicking on a link while visiting a website.

Question 36

A desktop computer is an electronic book that can be read on a computer or special reading device.Some are small enough to carry around, while others are the size of a telephone booth.

Question 37

Personal digital assistant (PDA) is a small handheld computer that performs simple tasks such as taking notes, scheduling appointments, and maintaining an address book and a calendar.The PDA screen is touch-sensitive, allowing a user to write directly on the screen, capturing what is written.

Question 38

Memory stick is an older secondary storage medium that uses a strip of thin plastic coated with a magnetically sensitive recording medium.

Question 39

A workstation is a cellular telephone with a keypad that runs programs, music, photos, email, and includes many features of a PDA.

Question 40

A computer portable enough to fit on a lap or in a bag and has its own power source or battery.

Question 41

Preventive security software, through programs such as Window Washer, erases file histories, browser cookies, cache contents, and other crumbs that applications and Windows leave on a hard drive.

Question 42

Safe mode occurs if the system is failing and will load only the most essential parts of the operating system and will not run many of the background operating utilities.

Question 43

Disk image is software for data recovery and relieves the burden of reinstalling applications if a hard drive crashes or becomes irretrievably corrupted.

Question 44

System software controls how the various technology tools work together along with the application software.System software includes both operating system software and utility software.

Question 45

Utility software provides additional functionality to the operating system.

Question 46

Spyware removes any software that employs a user's Internet connection in the background without the user's knowledge or explicit permission.

Question 47

Utility systems are customized by using the control panel, which is a Windows feature that provides options that set default values for the Windows operating system.

Question 48

A disk image organizes information on a hard disk in the most efficient way.

Question 49

Utility software provides additional functionality to the operating system.Utility software includes antivirus software, screen savers, and anti-spam software.

Question 50

Crash-proof software helps save information if a computer crashes.

Question 51

An iPod has a single-purpose embedded operating system.

Question 52

Application software also supports a variety of useful features, one of which is multitasking.

Question 53

A supercomputer is the fastest, most powerful, and most expensive type of computer.Organizations such as NASA that are heavily involved in research and number crunching employ supercomputers because of the speed with which they can process information.Other large, customer-oriented businesses such as General Motors and AT&T employ supercomputers just to handle customer information and transaction processing.

Question 54

Operating system software controls the application software and manages how the hardware devices work together.When using Excel to create and print a graph, the operating system software controls the process, ensures that a printer is attached and has paper, and sends the graph to the printer along with instructions on how to print it.Some computers are configured with two operating systems so they can dual boot-provide the user with the option of choosing the operating system when the computer is turned on.

Question 55

System restore enables a user to return to the previous operating system.

Question 56

Disk optimization software helps save information if a computer crashes.

Question 57

Encrypt data protects confidential information from unauthorized eyes.

Question 58

Multitasking allows more than one piece of software to be used at a time.Multitasking is used when creating a graph in Excel and simultaneously printing a word processing document.

Question 59

File and data recovery software retrieves accidental deletion of photos or documents.

Question 60

Application software is used in computer appliances and special-purpose applications, such as an automobile, ATM, or media player and is used for a single purpose.

Question 61

Personal information management software contains course information such as a syllabus and assignments and offers drop boxes for quizzes and homework along with a grade book.

Question 62

Communication turns a computer into a terminal for transmitting data to and receiving data from distant computers through the telephone system.

Question 63

A network user license enables anyone on the network to install and use the software.

Question 64

Email provides email services for computer users, including receiving mail, sending mail, and storing messages.Leading email software includes Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, and Eudora.

Question 65

Desktop publishing transforms a computer into a desktop publishing workstation.Leading packages include Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe PageMaker, and QuarkXpress.

Question 66

Desktop publishing increases the cooperation and joint productivity of small groups of  co-workers.

Question 67

A site license enables any qualified users within the organization to install the software, regardless if the computer is on a network.Some employees might install the software on a home computer for working remotely.

Question 68

Graphics or Microsoft PowerPoint includes facilities for making a wide variety of charts and graphs and for adding titles, legends, and explanatory text anywhere in the chart or graph.

Question 69

What is the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together?

A)CPU
B)control unit
C)ALU
D)primary storage

Question 70

Personal information management (PIM) software handles contact information, appointments, task lists, and email.

Question 71

Course management software occurs when the software vendor releases updates to software to fix problems or enhance features.

Question 72

What is hardware?

A)any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization
B)the set of instructions that the hardware executes to carry out specific tasks
C)consists of the physical devices associated with a computer system
D)an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept, manipulate, and store data

Question 73

A single user license restricts the use of the software to one user at a time.

Question 74

Presentation graphics create and enhance charts and graphs so that they are visually appealing and easily understood by an audience, e.g., a full-features presentation graphics package such as Lotus Freelance.

Question 75

Application service provider licenses specialty software paid for on a license basis or per-use basis or usage-based licensing.

Question 76

Software upgrade occurs when the software vendor releases a new version of the software making significant changes to the program.

Question 77

What is a CPU?

A)the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together
B)the computer's main memory, which consists of the random access memory (RAM), cache memory, and the read-only memory (ROM) that is directly accessible to the central processing unit (CPU)
C)equipment designed to store large volumes of data for long-term storage
D)equipment used to capture information and commands

Question 78

What is software?

A)any computer-based tool that people use to work with information and support the information and information-processing needs of an organization
B)the set of instructions that the hardware executes to carry out specific tasks
C)consists of the physical devices associated with a computer system
D)an electronic device operating under the control of instructions stored in its own memory that can accept, manipulate, and store data

Question 79

Spyware can remove software that is no longer needed.

Question 80

What is the arithmetic-logic unit?

A)the actual hardware that interprets and executes the program (software) instructions and coordinates how all the other hardware devices work together
B)interprets software instructions and literally tells the other hardware devices what to do, based on the software instructions
C)a type of CPU that can recognize as many as 100 or more instructions, enough to carry out most computations directly
D)performs all arithmetic operations (for example, addition and subtraction) and all logic operations (such as sorting and comparing numbers)