Unit B

Computer Concepts Unit B: Computer Hardware
TRUE/FALSE
1. A data storage system contains a storage medium and storage device.
ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 32
2. A Zip drive is an example of a storage device.
3. Data representation makes it possible to convert letters, sounds and images into electrical signals.
4. Hard drives store data the same way as CDs.
ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34 | 35
5. Optical storage stores data by magnetizing microscopic particles.
ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34
6. The item labeled 2 in the above figure reads and writes the particles that represent data in magnetic
storage.
7. Floppy drives are the preferred type of main storage for most computer systems.
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. It is possible for CDs and DVDs to use rewritable technology to record data in multiple sessions.
15. The item shown in the figure above is an example of a SmartMedia card.
MODIFIED TRUE/FALSE
1. Item 2 in the above figure is a mouse port. _________________________
ANS: F, keyboard
PTS: 1 REF: 43
2. Item 8 in the figure above is the monitor port. _________________________
3. In the above figure, Item 6 is a serial port. _________________________
ANS: F, 5
PTS: 1 REF: 43
4. In the figure above, the system unit contains four USB ports. _________________________
ANS: F
two
2
PTS: 1 REF: 43
5. Item 1 in the above figure is the DB-9 serial port. _________________________
ANS: F, power plug socket
PTS: 1 REF: 43
6. Most notebook computers are equipped with an external slot called a PCMCIA.
_________________________
7. Many computers end up in landfills because their owners are unaware of potential environmental
hazards and simply toss them in the garbage. _________________________
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. CD and DVD drives are examples of ____.

a. storage devices c. storage media
b. Zip drives d. solid stage storage
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 32
2. Which of the following is NOT true about RAM?

a. RAM is a temporary storage area.
b. RAM is the same as hard disk storage.
c. RAM is volatile.
d. Information stored in RAM is gone when you turn the computer off.
ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 33
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
ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 34
6. In the above figure, the item numbered ____ represents magnetized particles.
a. 1 c. 3
b. 2 d. 4
7. Which of the following is true about the disk drive shown in the figure above?
a. It can be internal or external.
b. Its platters are made of Mylar.
c. Its speed is measured in milliseconds
d. It contains a circuit board, called a cylinder.
8. ____ storage stores data in nonvolatile, erasable, low-power chips.

a. Optical c. Solid-state
b. Magnetic d. Floppy disk
ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 35
9. Which of the following is NOT true about magnetic storage?

a. It is not very durable. c. It can be altered by magnetic fields.
b. It uses a read-write head. d. A laser is used to read data.
10. Optical storage, shown in the figure above, stores data as ____.
a. microscopic spots c. read-write heads
b. removable particles d. magnetized particles
11. Which of the following is NOT one of the four criteria for evaluating storage technology?
a. versatility c. capacity
b. durability d. resolution
12. Access time for a personal computer’s storage device is measured in ____.
a. gigabytes c. milliseconds
b. megabytes d. nanoseconds
13. ____ is the maximum amount of data that can be stored on a storage medium.
a. Magnetic storage c. Solid-state storage
b. Optical storage d. Storage capacity
14. Which of the following is NOT an example of a hard disk controller?

a. ASCII c. EIDE
b. SATA d. SCSI
15. In the term CD-R the suffix “R” indicates that the CD is ____.
a. read-only c. recordable
b. rewritable d. reusable
16. ____ storage is portable, durable, provides fast access to data, and uses very little power.
a. Optical c. ROM
b. Solid-state d. Magnetic
17. Which of the following is NOT true about computer keyboards?

a. They are found on handheld devices, like the one shown above.
b. They have similar keys and functions.
c. They are not a primary input device.
d. They contain special words to control computer-specific tasks.
18. A(n) ____ indicates where the characters you type will appear.
a. mouse c. insertion point
b. modifier d. pointer
19. A mouse uses either mechanical, laser, or ____ technology to track its position.
a. wireless c. optical
b. magnetic d. pointing
20. 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. touchpad d. TrackPoint
21. Which of the following is NOT one of the three technologies used by display devices?
a. HD c. LCD
b. CRT d. plasma
22. Resolution of 24-bit color depth is sometimes called ____.

a. maximum dot pitch c. 800 x 600
b. bit depth d. True Color
23. Printer resolution is measured by the number of dpi, which stands for ____.
a. display points per inch c. display prints per inch
b. dots per linear inch d. dots printed internally
24. Laser printers, like the one shown in the figure above, require ____ cartridge refills or replacements.
a. toner c. ribbon
b. ink d. print
25. A(n) ____ has a nozzlelike print head that sprays ink onto paper to form characters and graphics.
a. dot matrix c. ink jet
b. laser d. photo
26. Printer speed is measured by the number of ____ output.
a. ppm c. cps
b. dpi d. lcd
27. Which of the following is NOT true about USB ports?

a. Most computers only have one.
b. They are conveniently located for easy access.
c. They can support storage devices.
d. They are currently the most popular technology for connecting peripherals.
ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 42 | 43
28. 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
29. 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
30. A(n) ____ slot is an external slot found on most notebook computers.
a. PCMCIA c. USB
b. ISA d. PCI-X
31. A(n) ____ card carries data to speakers or headphones.

a. sound c. ISA
b. audio d. volume
32. A(n) ____ is software that sets up communication between your computer and a device or card.
a. application c. device driver
b. port d. operating system
33. Many computer owners prefer a(n) ____ mouse because it provides more precise tracking, greater
durability, less maintenance, and more flexibility to use the mouse on a wide variety of surfaces
without a mouse pad.
a. laser c. mechanical
b. optical d. both a and b
34. A(n) ____, or TrackPoint, looks like the tip of an eraser embedded in the keyboard of a notebook
computer.
a. touchpad c. pointing stick
b. trackpad d. trackball
35. The most commonly used ____ technology is a transparent panel coated with a thin layer of
electrically conductive material that senses a change in the electrical current when touched.
a. scanner c. storage
b. touch screen d. printing
36. ____ technology gets its name from the type of gas that fills fluorescent lights and gives them their
glow.
a. LCD c. GPU
b. CRT d. Plasma
37. ____ technology uses gunlike mechanisms to direct beams of electrons toward the screen and activate
individual dots of color that form an image--much like a color television.
a. CRT c. GPU
b. LCD d. Plasma
38. ____ is a measure of image clarity.

a. Color depth c. Bit depth
b. Dot pitch d. Angle width
39. The number of colors that a monitor and graphics card can display is referred to as ____.
a. dot pitch c. bit depth
b. angle width d. LCD depth
40. A(n) ____ printer uses a technology that produces dots of light on a light-sensitive drum.
a. laser c. thermal dye
b. ink-jet d. photo
41. ____ determines the quality or sharpness of printed images and text.
a. Toner c. Printer resolution
b. Thermal dye d. Picture element
42. ____ printers often use thermal dye technology to produce photographic-quality images.
a. Ink-jet c. Laser
b. Photo d. Dot-matrix
43. A(n) ____ can print on both sides of the paper.

a. dual printer c. duplex printer
b. all-in-one d. double-sided printer
44. A printer’s duty cycle is usually measured in pages per ____.

a. day c. month
b. week d. year
45. Data representation is based on the ____ number system, which uses two numbers to represent all data.
a. binary c. bicentennial
b. biometric d. byte
46. The term ____ refers to data storage systems that make it possible for a computer or electronic device
to store and retrieve data.
a. retrieval technology c. output technology
b. input technology d. storage technology
47. The system unit case for a desktop computer contains several storage device parking spaces called
____.
a. device drivers c. drive bays
b. drive cases d. disk drives
48. When you want to retrieve data, you say the storage device is ____ a file.
a. reading c. opening
b. loading d. all of the above
49. When a user saves a file to a storage medium, we say the storage device is ____ to the storage medium
a. writing c. reading
b. saving d. both a and b
50. ____ is the ability of a device to jump directly to the requested data.
a. Sequential access c. Access time
b. Random access d. Data transfer
COMPLETION
1. A(n) ____________________ allows you to manipulate an on-screen pointer and other screen-based
graphical controls.
ANS: pointing device
PTS: 1 REF: 26
2. ____________________ technology produces an image by manipulating light within a layer of liquid
crystal cells.
ANS:
LCD
Liquid crystal display
PTS: 1 REF: 28
3. A(n) ____________________ contains special video memory, which stores screen images as they are
processed but before they are displayed.
ANS: graphics card
PTS: 1 REF: 28
4. ____________________ is the maximum number of horizontal and vertical pixels that are displayed
on the screen.
ANS: Resolution
PTS: 1 REF: 28
5. A(n) ____________________ or picture element is a single point or the smallest unit in a graphic
image.
ANS: pixel
PTS: 1 REF: 28
6. ____________________ is the measurement in inches from one corner of the screen diagonally across
to the opposite corner.
ANS: Screen size
PTS: 1 REF: 29
7. Data ____________________ is the amount of data that a storage device can move from the storage
medium to the computer per second.
ANS: transfer rate
PTS: 1 REF: 34
8. DVD stands for ____________________.
ANS:
digital video disc
digital versatile disc
digital video disk
digital versatile disk
PTS: 1 REF: 38
9. A(n) ____________________, like the one shown in the above figure, is a portable storage device
featuring a built-in connector that plugs directly into a computer’s USB port.
ANS:
USB flash drive
flash drive
PTS: 1 REF: 41
10. Within a computer, data travels from one component to another over circuits called a(n)
____________________.
ANS: data bus
PTS: 1 REF: 42
MATCHING
Match each term with the most accurate description below.

a. controller f. recordable technology
b. drive bays g. rewritable technology
c. file h. solid-state storage
d. optical storage i. storage device
e. magnetic storage j. storage medium
1. CD
2. Named collection of data
3. Stores data in a nonvolatile, erasable, low-power chip
4. Technology where data can be recorded in multiple sessions
5. DVD drive
6. Storage device parking spaces
7. Commonly used removable storage medium
8. Uses fairly permanent but modifiable storage medium
9. Circuit board
10. Technology where data cannot be changed once it has been recorded
1. ANS: J PTS: 1 REF: 32

2. ANS: C PTS: 1 REF: 33
3. ANS: H PTS: 1 REF: 35
4. ANS: G PTS: 1 REF: 39
5. ANS: I PTS: 1 REF: 32
6. ANS: B PTS: 1 REF: 33
7. ANS: D PTS: 1 REF: 35
8. ANS: E PTS: 1 REF: 34
9. ANS: A PTS: 1 REF: 37
10. ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 39
ESSAY
1. Compare and give examples of the three types of storage technologies: magnetic, optical, and solid
state.
ANS:
Three types of storage technologies commonly used for personal computers are magnetic, optical, and
solid-state.
1. Magnetic storage uses fairly permanent but modifiable storage media. Magnetic storage stores
data by magnetizing microscopic particles on the disk or tape surface. The particles retain their
magnetic orientation until that orientation is changed. Data stored magnetically can be changed or
deleted simply by altering the magnetic orientation of the appropriate particles on the disk surface.
Magnetic storage provides flexibility for editing data and reusing areas of a storage medium containing
data that is no longer needed. However, magnetic media is not very durable and gradually loses the
magnetic charge, which results in lost data. Magnetic data can be altered by magnetic fields, dust,
mold, smoke particles, heat, and mechanical problems with a storage device. A hard disk drive is an
example of magnetic storage.
2. Optical storage is a commonly used removable storage media. Optical storage stores data as
microscopic light and dark spots on the disc surface. Low-power laser light is used to read the data
stored on an optical disc. When the beam strikes a pit, no light is reflected. When the laser strikes a
reflective surface, light bounces back to the read head. Optical storage is used because it is
transportable and data recorded on optical media is generally considered to be less susceptible to
environmental damage than data recorded on magnetic media. Optical storage is versatile and fairly
durable; however, it does require some special handling to be sure that your digital work is not lost due
to environmental conditions or poor handling. CDs and DVDs are examples of optical storage.
3. Solid-state storage includes a variety of compact storage cards, pens, and memory sticks. Solid-
state storage technology stores data in a nonvolatile, erasable, low-power chip. Solid-state storage
provides faster access to data than magnetic or optical storage technology because it includes no
moving parts. Very little power is required, which makes solid-state storage ideal for battery-operated
devices, such as a digital camera. You use solid-state storage because it is very durable, and it is also
very portable and versatile. However, the capacity of solid-state storage does not currently match that
of hard drives.
PTS: 1 REF: 34 | 35 TOP: Critical Thinking
2. Describe the uses and benefits of solid state storage and how you might use one.
ANS:
Solid-state storage systems are suitable for many storage needs. You might use a solid-state memory
card in your digital camera where it can hold data for hundreds of pictures. You can remove the card
from the camera and insert it into a card reader that is connected to a computer. Once the card is
connected to your computer, you can transfer the files to your hard drive so the photos can be edited
using the computer’s graphics software and transmitted via the computer’s Internet connection. You
might use a solid-state memory card in your MP3 player. You can download MP3 music files and
store them on a solid-state memory card. Then, you can insert the card into a portable MP3 player so
you can hear your favorite tunes while you are on the go. You might use solid-state storage for your
transporting data from one computer to another. Whether you are using the solid-state memory card
with a camera, an MP3 player, or for some other portable computing need, the data on the memory
card can be erased so the card can be reused.
PTS: 1 REF: 40 TOP: Critical Thinking
3. Describe the following solid-state memory cards: CompactFlash card, MultiMedia card,
SecureDigital card, and SmartMedia card.
ANS:
1. CompactFlash cards are about the size of a matchbook and provide high storage capacities and
access speeds. They use a card reader to transfer data from the card to your computer; the built-in
controller that reads data from and writes data to the card tells the card reader what to do. With their
high storage capacities and access speeds, CompactFlash cards are ideal for use on high-end digital
cameras that require megabytes of storage for each photo.
2. MultiMedia cards offer solid-state storage in a package about the size of a postage stamp.
Initially used in mobile phones and pagers, use of MultiMedia cards has spread to digital cameras and
MP3 players. MultiMedia cards include a built-in controller. They are simple and very inexpensive.
3. SecureDigital cards are based on MultiMedia card technology, but they feature significantly faster
data transfer rates and include cryptographic security protection for copyrighted data and music.
SecureDigital cards are popular for digital images and MP3 storage. They use a card reader to copy
data from the card to a computer.
4. SmartMedia cards, one of the original formats, do not include a build-in controller, which means
that the SmartMedia card reader manages the read-write process. These cards are the least durable of
the solid-state storage media.
CASE
One of your colleagues has purchased a new personal computer for her husband. She just read an
article online at the National Safety Council Web site, and learned that an estimated 500 million
computers were obsolete by the year 2007. She also learned that an estimated 1 billion floppy disks,
CDs, and DVDs end up in landfills every year with more than 2 million tons of computer parts which
contain toxic substances.
1. What options does your colleague have for disposing of her old personal computer?
ANS:
Instead of throwing away her old computer, she might be able to sell it; donate it to a local school,
church, or community program; have it hauled away by a professional recycling firm; or send it back
to the manufacturer. She also might be able to get some cash for her old computer by selling it.
2. Your colleague wonders if she should include software along with the old computer when she donates
or sells it. What would you tell her about the legal transfer of software?
ANS:
To provide a legal transfer, include the software distribution media, manuals, and license agreement.
Once you donate the software, you cannot legally use it on your new computer unless it is freeware or
shareware.

A personal computer system always includes a hard drive. Hard drives provide abundant economical
storage capacity for most users and provide faster access to files than other storage technologies. You
work as an insurance adjuster and often work out of offices in different cities. You decide to purchase
an external hard drive, so you can take your files with you wherever you go.
3. When you submit a purchase requisition for a new external hard drive, your employer asks you to
explain the parts of a hard drive and how they work.
ANS:
A hard drive is one or more platters and their associated read-write heads. A hard drive platter is a
flat, rigid disk made of aluminum or glass and coated with magnetic iron oxide particles. More
platters mean more data storage capacity. The platters rotate as a unit on a spindle, making thousands
of rotations per minute. Each platter has a read-write head that hovers over the surface to read data.
Hard drive platters and read-write heads are sealed inside the drive case or cartridge to screen out dust
and other contaminants.
4. Since this is your employer’s first exposure to an external hard drive, he begins to think about other
electronic devices he has used. He asks you if other common electronic devices use hard drives, and
your answer is yes. He asks you to give examples.
ANS:
Hard drives are found in a wide variety of digital devices, including personal computers, most digital
music players such as iPods, and digital video recorders (DVRs) such as TiVos. All of these
electronic devices need a hard drive to store data.
5. In your search for an external hard drive, you notice that most ads specify the access time and speed of
a hard drive. Since you believe the information is helpful, you decide to share this information with
your employer and coworkers. What do you tell them about these two factors (access time and
speed)?
ANS:
Hard drive access time and rotation speed of the platters are two factors that determine how fast data is
available for use. The way a hard drive accesses data and the speed with which it does so determines
how fast you see the data on your screen. The faster a drive spins, the more rapidly it can position the
read-write head over specific data. The faster it accesses the data, the faster you see your information
on the screen. Hard drive speed is measured in revolutions per minute (rpm), and access time is
measured in milliseconds.

Unit B

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Unit B

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Computer Concepts Unit B: Computer Hardware

1. A data storage system contains a storage medium and storage device.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 32

2. A Zip drive is an example of a storage device.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 32

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 32

4. Hard drives store data the same way as CDs.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34 | 35

5. Optical storage stores data by magnetizing microscopic particles.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 36

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 34

9. Random access devices have the slowest access times.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34

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.

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 34

12. Hard disk speed is sometimes measured in revolutions per minute.

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 37

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 38

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 39

ANS: F PTS: 1 REF: 40

2. Item 8 in the figure above is the monitor port. _________________________

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 43

3. In the above figure, Item 6 is a serial port. _________________________

5. Item 1 in the above figure is the DB-9 serial port. _________________________

ANS: F, power plug socket

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 43

ANS: T PTS: 1 REF: 44

1. CD and DVD drives are examples of ____.

2. Which of the following is NOT true about RAM?

4. In the above figure the item labeled 3 is called the ____.

8. ____ storage stores data in nonvolatile, erasable, low-power chips.

9. Which of the following is NOT true about magnetic storage?

14. Which of the following is NOT an example of a hard disk controller?

17. Which of the following is NOT true about computer keyboards?

22. Resolution of 24-bit color depth is sometimes called ____.

27. Which of the following is NOT true about USB ports?

29. An expansion slot is located ____.

31. A(n) ____ card carries data to speakers or headphones.

38. ____ is a measure of image clarity.

43. A(n) ____ can print on both sides of the paper.

44. A printer’s duty cycle is usually measured in pages per ____.

ANS: pointing device

ANS: graphics card

ANS: Screen size

ANS: transfer rate

8. DVD stands for ____________________.

ANS: data bus

Match each term with the most accurate description below.

1. ANS: J PTS: 1 REF: 32

PTS: 1 REF: 34 | 35 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 40 | 41 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 44 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 44 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 36 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 36 TOP: Critical Thinking

PTS: 1 REF: 36 | 37 TOP: Critical Thinking

You might also like