Brief Glossary of Terms
Computer - "a usu. electronic device for storing and processing data (usu. in binary form), according to instructions given to it in a variable program." (Oxford Dictionary) For our purposes, everything (hardware and software) needed to perform basic data processing tasks.
Motherboard - the principal printed circuit board assembly in a computer; includes core logic (chipset), interface sockets and/or slots, and input/output (I/O) ports
Printed circuit board (PCB) - a thin, laminated sheet composed of a series of epoxy resin and copper layers and etched electronic circuits (signal, ground and power)
Chipset (or core logic) - two or more integrated circuits which control the interfaces between the system processor, RAM, I/O devises, and adapter cards.
Processor slot/socket - the slot or socket used to mount the system processor on the motherboard
Slot (AGP, PCI, ISA, RAM) - the slots used to mount adapter cards and system RAM
AGP -Accelerated Graphics Port - a high speed interface for video cards; runs at 1X (66MHz), 2X (133MHz), or 4X (266MHz).
PCI - Peripheral Component Interconnect - a high speed interface for video cards, sound cards, network interface cards, and modems; runs at 33MHz.
ISA - Industry Standard Architecture - a relatively low speed interface primarily used for sound cards and modems; runs at approx. 8MHz.
RAM - Random Access Memory - see System RAM
Port (serial, parallel, PS/2, USB, sound, LAN, VGA, SCSI) - interface connectors for the associated types of devices
Serial - a low speed interface typically used for mice and external modems
Parallel - a low speed interface typically used for printers
PS/2 - a low speed interface used for mice and keyboards
USB (Universal Serial Bus) - a medium speed interface typically used for mice, keyboards, scanners, display panels (control features, not data), speakers (control features, not sound), scanners, and some digital cameras.
Sound (interface) - the interface between the sound card or integrated sound connectors and speakers, mic, game controllers, and MIDI sound devices
LAN (interface) - Local Area Network - the interface to your local area network
VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) - the interface from your video card or integrated video connector and the system display monitor
SCSI (interface) - Small Computer System Interface - the interface between a SCSI controller and an external or internal SCSI device
Jumper - a small block (approx .250" wide x .312" long x .125" thick with two holes running lengthwise which are connected with a metal structure), or the functionally equivalent electronic "interconnect"; used to enable, disable, or select operating parameter on a motherboard or other PCB by either electrically connecting two pins on the PCB (closed) or separating them (open - only one pin is covered or the jumper is removed).
Connector header - a series of two or more metal pins on the motherboard or other PCB; used to attach a cable to indicator lights, switches, and/or other devices in the computer
Jumper header - two pins or a series of two-pin groups where jumpers are used
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - the program logic used to boot up a computer and establish the relationship between the various components.
Driver - software which defines the characteristics of a device for use by another device or other software
User's manual -documentation provided by the product manufacturer to assist the user in understanding and using the associated product.
Cable set - one or more interface cables (typically, in relation to a motherboard,includes cables for a floppy drive, hard drive, and CD-ROM drive; may include cables between an internal connector header and a bracket or other opening at the front of rear of the system; may include cables for both IDE/ATAPI and SCSI devices).
Processor - the "central processing unit" (CPU); the principal integrated circuit used for doing the "computing" in "personal computing"
System RAM - the random access memory (RAM) used by the CPU for computational purposes
Floppy Drive - a readable/writeable, removable-media storage device; uses diskettes for the storage medium; for our purposes will include high-capacity devices such as ZIP drives, LS-120 ("SuperDisk") drives, and similar drives using floppy-sized media - may or may no functionally replace the classic "floppy drive".
Hard Drive - a readable/writeable, non-removable storage device; the device which stores most computer programs and data.
CD-ROM Drive - a read-only, removable-media storage device; uses CDs for the storage medium.
DVD-ROM Drive - a "Digital Video Disk" drive -- a read-only, removable-media storage device; uses DVD disks for the storage medium.
Video Card (Graphics Accelerator) - an interface card with dedicated video processor and RAM; used for processing data for display on a monitor or display panel
Monitor - the computer's display device; used to display text and graphics processed by the computer.
Video Cable - the cable between the system monitor and video card or integrated video connector on the motherboard.
Sound Card - an interface card used to process audio data and provide audio output to external speakers; also typically includes interfaces to a mic, game controller, and MIDI devices.
Modem - an interface card, or external device, used to process (modulate and demodulate) communication signals between the computer and an external device via a telephone line.
Chassis - the structure used to house the various "internal" components of the computer (i.e., the motherboard, adapter cards, various storage devices, power supply, etc.)
Power Supply - the device used to convert, regulate, and transmit external power for use by the components housed inside the computer chassis
Surge Suppressor/Protector - a device, placed between the computer and the user's local power source; used to suppress current surges and protect devices that receive power through the computer's power supply
Keyboard - an input device used to enter data into the computer for processing via keystrokes.
Mouse - an input device used to manipulate objects and position a cursor on a display screen
Printer - an output device used to produce computer-generated documents on paper or other printable media.
Some more terms:
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductors) - chips that hold the basic start-up information for the BIOS.
DIMM (Dual In-line Memory Modules) - a faster and more capacious form of RAM than SIMMs, and do not need to be installed in pairs.
VCM ( Virtual Channel Memory) - the new SDRAM architecture, which realizes flexible and high-efficiency data transfer by incorporating channel buffers configured by high-speed registers.
USB 2.0 (Universal Serial Bus High Speed) - the next generation of Universal Serial Bus is 40X faster than USB 1.1 with a transfer rate of 480 Mbps. USB 2.0 will allow all sorts of new and improved USB devices to be added to the USB product lineup such as fast disk drives, CDRW's, High Quality Video Cameras, and High High Speed Scanners.
PCI-to-PCI bridge - allows you to connect multiple PCI devices onto one PCI slot.
V-SYNC - controls the vertical properties of the monitor.