CGS1060C STUDY GUIDE 2026
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ ROM (read-only memory). Answer: most computers also contain
ROM (read-only memory)—a type of memory circuitry that holds
the computer's startup routine. Whereas RAM is temporary and
volatile, ROM is more permanent and non-volatile. ROM circuitry
holds instructions that remain in place even when the computer
power is turned off.
◉ ROM BIOS. Answer: This type of ROM contains instructions called
the ROM BIOS (basic input/output system) that tell the computer
how to access the hard disk, find the operating system, and load it
into RAM.
◉ firmware. Answer: firmware is a set of instructions held semi-
permanently in specialized ROM chips on the motherboard.
◉ A hard disk drive. Answer: A hard disk drive is the main storage
device in most desktop computers and many
laptops. A hard disk provides economical, high-capacity storage—up
to 2 terabytes.
It also provides fast access to files.
,◉ head crash. Answer: If a
read-write head runs into a
dust particle or some other
contaminant, it can cause a
head crash, which damages
some of the data on the disk.
◉ CD,DVD,BDS. Answer: A CD (compact disc) provides 650-700 MB
of storage space for computer data. A DVD (digital video disc or
digital versatile disc) is a variation of CD technology with a capacity
of 4.7 GB. Storage capacity can be doubled if the DVD drive and DVD
medium support dual-layer technology. A Blu-ray disc (BD) is a
storage medium with 25 GB capacity in a single layer or 50 GB in
dual layers. CDs, DVDs, and BDs are all a similar physical size, so you
have to examine the labels to identify themv
◉ Optical storage technology. Answer: CDs, DVDs, and BDs are
durable because their optical storage technology essentially etches
data onto the disc surface. The process of creating optical discs is
sometimes referred to as "burning" and drives are referred to as
"burners."
◉ USB flash drive. Answer: A USB flash drive ("flash drive" for short)
is a popular removable,
, portable storage device featuring a built-in connector that plugs
directly into a computer's
USB port
◉ Solid state technology. Answer: Solid state technology is also used
for solid state drives (SSDs), which are essentially
high-capacity flash drives installed inside a computer's system unit.
Solid state drives are
popular for thin laptops, tablets, and smartphones because they can
take rough handling
that would ruin a magnetic hard drive.
◉ peripheral device. Answer: peripheral device refers to any input,
output, or storage equipment that might
be added to a computer system to enhance its functionality. Because
these devices
handle input and output, they are sometimes called I/O devices or
Input/Output devices.
◉ Virtual keyboard. Answer: The keyboard is the most important
input device on desktop and laptop
computers. You can also find tiny keyboards on some handheld
devices, and many
devices with a touch-sensitive screen can display a virtual keyboard
COMPREHENSIVE EXAM SCRIPT FULL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
◉ ROM (read-only memory). Answer: most computers also contain
ROM (read-only memory)—a type of memory circuitry that holds
the computer's startup routine. Whereas RAM is temporary and
volatile, ROM is more permanent and non-volatile. ROM circuitry
holds instructions that remain in place even when the computer
power is turned off.
◉ ROM BIOS. Answer: This type of ROM contains instructions called
the ROM BIOS (basic input/output system) that tell the computer
how to access the hard disk, find the operating system, and load it
into RAM.
◉ firmware. Answer: firmware is a set of instructions held semi-
permanently in specialized ROM chips on the motherboard.
◉ A hard disk drive. Answer: A hard disk drive is the main storage
device in most desktop computers and many
laptops. A hard disk provides economical, high-capacity storage—up
to 2 terabytes.
It also provides fast access to files.
,◉ head crash. Answer: If a
read-write head runs into a
dust particle or some other
contaminant, it can cause a
head crash, which damages
some of the data on the disk.
◉ CD,DVD,BDS. Answer: A CD (compact disc) provides 650-700 MB
of storage space for computer data. A DVD (digital video disc or
digital versatile disc) is a variation of CD technology with a capacity
of 4.7 GB. Storage capacity can be doubled if the DVD drive and DVD
medium support dual-layer technology. A Blu-ray disc (BD) is a
storage medium with 25 GB capacity in a single layer or 50 GB in
dual layers. CDs, DVDs, and BDs are all a similar physical size, so you
have to examine the labels to identify themv
◉ Optical storage technology. Answer: CDs, DVDs, and BDs are
durable because their optical storage technology essentially etches
data onto the disc surface. The process of creating optical discs is
sometimes referred to as "burning" and drives are referred to as
"burners."
◉ USB flash drive. Answer: A USB flash drive ("flash drive" for short)
is a popular removable,
, portable storage device featuring a built-in connector that plugs
directly into a computer's
USB port
◉ Solid state technology. Answer: Solid state technology is also used
for solid state drives (SSDs), which are essentially
high-capacity flash drives installed inside a computer's system unit.
Solid state drives are
popular for thin laptops, tablets, and smartphones because they can
take rough handling
that would ruin a magnetic hard drive.
◉ peripheral device. Answer: peripheral device refers to any input,
output, or storage equipment that might
be added to a computer system to enhance its functionality. Because
these devices
handle input and output, they are sometimes called I/O devices or
Input/Output devices.
◉ Virtual keyboard. Answer: The keyboard is the most important
input device on desktop and laptop
computers. You can also find tiny keyboards on some handheld
devices, and many
devices with a touch-sensitive screen can display a virtual keyboard
