Computer Ports and Performance Factors

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Questions and Answers

What type of port is commonly used to connect a printer to a computer?

Serial Port

Network Port

FireWire Port

USB Port (correct)

Which of the following ports is labeled as COM1 or COM2?

USB Port

Network Port

Parallel Port

Serial Port (correct)

What does the clock speed of a CPU indicate?

The size of the RAM

The type of memory in the computer

The speed at which the CPU will process tasks (correct)

The number of applications running

Which factor is NOT mentioned as affecting computer performance?

Type of motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What type of cable connects a computer to a local network?

Network Cable Signup and view all the answers

What is considered an outdated connection method for printers?

Parallel Port Signup and view all the answers

Which component's performance is NOT solely determined by the CPU speed?

Firmware version Signup and view all the answers

Memory sticks can be used with which type of port?

USB Port Signup and view all the answers

Which input device is primarily used for typing information into a computer?

Keyboard Signup and view all the answers

What function does a mouse serve when interacting with a computer?

Selects and drags items Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary benefit of using a digital camera compared to a traditional camera?

Ability to store images digitally Signup and view all the answers

Which output device is primarily used to display visual output from a computer?

Monitor Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of a tracker ball compared to a traditional mouse?

It is operated by moving the ball with fingers Signup and view all the answers

How does a touch pad primarily respond to user input?

Through user pressure on the surface Signup and view all the answers

What advantage is noted for flat screen monitors compared to traditional monitors?

Lower energy consumption Signup and view all the answers

Which device is used to convert spoken words into text?

Microphone Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between RAM size and PC performance?

More RAM generally makes the PC appear to operate faster Signup and view all the answers

What does hard disk speed depend on?

The disk access time measured in milliseconds Signup and view all the answers

What happens if a Windows PC has very little free hard disk space?

Microsoft Windows might not be able to run programs at all Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of de-fragmentation in a hard disk?

To speed up the operation by joining broken files together Signup and view all the answers

How does multitasking in Windows affect program performance?

It can slow down each program depending on their CPU usage Signup and view all the answers

What unit measures the speed of a CPU?

Megahertz or gigahertz Signup and view all the answers

What can result from fragmented files on a hard disk?

Decreased data retrieval speed Signup and view all the answers

What does a smaller disk access time indicate?

Faster data storage and retrieval Signup and view all the answers

What is the unit used to describe very slow Internet connections?

Bits per second (bps) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of Internet connection uses the same infrastructure as TV channels?

Cable Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern with using passwords?

Lost passwords often result in unrecoverable data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of mobile phone Internet access?

It is often expensive and geared towards younger users. Signup and view all the answers

Where should you avoid storing your password for security reasons?

Underneath your keyboard. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant limitation of wireless hot spots regarding usage?

They typically charge a fee based on time of usage. Signup and view all the answers

What does a User ID do in computer networks?

It uniquely identifies a user on the network. Signup and view all the answers

What type of Internet connection may require large satellite dishes?

Satellite Internet Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of projection devices?

To display presentations to a group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an input and output device?

Modem Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of software in a computer?

It is a collection of instructions for the computer Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an operating system?

To manage computer resources and user interface Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system was originally supplied with the IBM PC introduced in 1981?

DOS Signup and view all the answers

Where is software stored before being used by the computer?

On hard disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs, or diskettes Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of software that is commonly used for presentations?

Microsoft PowerPoint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a touch screen's function?

Accepts input and displays a menu system Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Ports

Ports on a computer allow you to connect to other devices such as printers, scanners, and cameras.
Common ports include USB, serial, parallel, network, and FireWire.
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a newer technology that allows you to connect various devices, including printers, scanners, digital cameras, and memory sticks.
The serial port is located at the back of the computer and allows you to connect items like a modem.
The parallel port was commonly used to connect printers but has been largely replaced by USB.
The network port enables you to connect to a network using a network cable, allowing communication with other computers within the network or through the Internet.

Computer Performance Factors

CPU speed, RAM size, graphics card processor and memory, and the number of running applications all influence computer performance.
A fast CPU is beneficial, but it's crucial to have other components that can keep up with its speed.
CPU clock speed is measured in megahertz (MHz), with higher speeds indicating faster processing.
RAM size affects performance: more RAM generally translates to quicker operation.
Hard disk speed, measured by disk access time in milliseconds, also impacts speed.
Hard disk storage capacity, measured in gigabytes (GB), is constantly increasing with new releases.
Adequate free hard disk space is essential for efficient Windows operation, as temporary files are constantly created and moved between the hard disk and RAM.

De-fragmenting Files

Regularly de-fragmenting files can speed up a Windows PC.
When using a PC, files can become fragmented into separate pieces across the hard disk.
De-fragmentation reassembles these pieces, improving performance.

Multitasking Considerations

Windows is a multitasking operating system, allowing multiple programs to run simultaneously.
The more programs running, the slower each program may perform, especially if demanding tasks like video editing are involved.

Input Devices

Input devices allow you to enter information into the computer.
Examples include:
- Keyboard: allows typing information into the computer.
- Mouse: used for selecting menus, pointing, clicking, and dragging items.
- Scanners: convert printed material into digital files.
- Tracker balls: an alternative to a traditional mouse.
- Touch pads: respond to pressure and can be used with a special pen for creating digital artwork.
- Web cameras: allow live video communication with sound.
- Digital cameras: capture images digitally and store them in memory, allowing transfer to a computer for editing.
- Microphones: convert spoken words into text displayed on the screen.

Output Devices

Output devices display or present information from the computer.
Examples include:
- Computer monitors: display information from the computer, with traditional CRT monitors and newer flat-screen monitors.
- Projection devices: project presentations onto a screen.
- Speakers and headphones: output sound from the computer.
- Printers: print documents and other information.

Input/Output Devices

Some devices can act as both input and output devices.
A modem can download information from websites, receive emails, and upload information or send emails.
Touch screens display information (output) and accept input through touch.

Software

Software is the set of instructions that control a computer's operation.
Stored on the hard disk, CD-ROM, DVD, or floppy disk, software is loaded into RAM when needed.

Operating Systems

Operating systems are special programs that load automatically when you turn on your computer.
They provide a user-friendly interface for the hardware, allowing you to interact with the computer's advanced features without needing to know technical details.
Common operating systems include DOS, Windows (XP, Vista), UNIX, and Linux.

Internet Connection Options

Internet connections can be established through various methods:
- Phone line: commonly used, connecting to a modem that interfaces with the phone line.
- Cable: utilizes the same cable as television channels, often providing high-speed access.
- Mobile phone: typically expensive, appealing to younger users, and uses special compatible phones.
- Wireless Hot Spots: found in public places, provide wireless Internet access, sometimes free or charged through a credit card.
- Satellite: used in remote areas, requiring specialized equipment and dishes, leading to higher costs.

Security

Identity and authentication play a crucial role in computer security.
Passwords should be kept secret and not revealed to anyone. Avoid writing them down and ensure you remember them.
User IDs and passwords are used to logon to computers and networks, ensuring that only authorized users can access the system.

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Description

This quiz covers essential aspects of computer ports, including USB, serial, and parallel ports, along with their functions. Additionally, it delves into factors affecting computer performance like CPU speed and RAM size, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of how these components interact.