A+ Guide to IT Technical Support - Chapter 1

A+ Guide to IT Technical Support - Chapter 1 4-pin 12-V connector An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the processor 8 -pin 12-V connector An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the processor, providing more power than the older 4-pin auxiliary connector 20-pin p1 connector The main motherboard power connector used in the early atX systems 24-pin p1 connector The main motherboard power connector used today also called the 20+4 pin connector accelerometer A type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device. airplane mode A setting within a mobile device that disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas so the device cannot transmit signals all-in-one computer A computer that has the monitor and computer case built together and uses components that are common to both a laptop and a desktop computer analog A continuous signal with infinite variations. Compare with digital, which is a series of binary values—1s and 0s ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) The most common form factor for computer systems presently in use, originally introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and resources than did the earlier AT form factor. ATX12V power supply An ATX Version 2.1 power supply that provides an extra 12-V power cord with a 4-pin connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to provide extra power for processors. audio port A port that can be used by a microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out. Also called a sound port base station A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network. BIOS setup The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM also called CMOS setup. BIOS (basic input/output system) Firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as communication with the keyboard and the monitor. Compare with UEFI. Bluetooth A short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal network. cellular network A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. The network is made up of cells, each controlled by a base station. Also called a cellular WAN central processing unit (CPU) The component where almost all processing of data and instructions takes place. The CPU receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions also called a microprocessor or processor. chasis A computer case for any type of computer DE15 port A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port, HD15 port or VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port DB9 port A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4 - also called serial ports serial port A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. Also called DB9 port VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port or HD15 port desktop case A computer case that lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand. digital A signal consisting of a series of binary values—1s and 0s. DIMM (dual inline memory module) A miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard t hold memory DisplayPort A port that transmits digital video and audio ( not analog transmissions) and is slowly replacing VGA and DBI ports on personal computers docking port A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage and easy connection to peripheral devices docking station A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage and easy connection to peripheral devices dual-voltage selector switch A switch on the back of the computer case where you can switch the input voltage to the power supply to 115V used in the United States or 220V used in other countries. DVI (Digital Video Interface) port A port that transmits digital or analog video electrostatic discharge (ESD) Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards, even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye e-reader A mobile device that holds digital versions of books, newspapers, magazines, and other printed documents, which are usually downloaded to the device from the web Ethernet port A port used by a network cable to connect to the wired network also called a network port or RJ-45 port network port A port used by a network cable to connect to the wired network also called an ethernet port or RJ-45 port expansion card A circuit board inserted into a slot on the motherboard to enhance the capability of the computer Express card A PCMCIA standard for laptop I/O cards that uses the PCI Express and USB 2.0 data transfer standards. Twotypes of ExpressCards are ExpressCard/34 (34mm wide) and ExpressCard/54 (54mm wide). ExpressCards have been replaced by USB ports on today's laptops. Express Card/34 A type of ExpressCard that is 34mm wide. An ExpressCard/34 can fit into an ExpressCard/54 slot. Express Card/54 A type of ExpressCard that is 54mm wide external SATA (eSATA) port A standard for external drives based on SATA that uses a special external shielded SATA cable up to 2 meters long. field replaceable unit (FRU) A component in a computer or device that can be replaced with a new component without sending the computer or device back to the manufacturer. Examples: power supply, DIMM, motherboard, hard disk drive FireWire port A port used for high-speed multimedia devices such as camcorders. Also called an IEEE 1394 port. firmware Software that is permanently stored in a chip. The BIOS on a motherboard is an example of firmware. fitness monitor A wearable computer device that can measure heart rate, count pool laps or miles jogged or biked, and a host of other activities. form factor A set of specifications on the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard. geotracking A mobile device routinely reports its position to Apple, Google, or Microsoft at least twice a day, which makes it possible for these companies to track your device's whereabouts. GPS (Global Positioning System)