Glossary of Basic Computer Terms

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) - the program logic used to boot up a computer and establish the relationship between the various components.

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).

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.)

Chipset (or core logic) - two or more integrated circuits which control the interfaces between the system processor, RAM, I/O devises, and adapter cards.

Driver - software which defines the characteristics of a device for use by another device or other software.

LAN - Local Area Network - the interface to your local area network.

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).

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.

Processor - the "central processing unit" (CPU); the principal integrated circuit used for doing the "computing" in "personal computing".

Power Supply - the device used to convert, regulate, and transmit external power for use by the components housed inside the computer chassis Additional Terms Applicable to Motherboard.

PS/2 - a low speed interface used for mice and keyboards.

RAM AGP - Accelerated Graphics Port - a high speed interface for video cards; runs at 1X (66MHz), 2X (133MHz), or 4X (266MHz).

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.

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.

System RAM - the random access memory (RAM) used by the CPU for computational purposes.

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.

VGA - Video Graphics Adapter - the interface from your video card or integrated video connector and the system display monitor.

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.

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