Computer Hardware Laboratory Operations Review 42
TERM EXPLANATION
Hardware
CPU
RAM
ROM
Hard drive
Disk drive
Optical disks
Peripheral devices
Input devices
Output devices
Modem
Physical parts of computer
Central processing unit. Executes software instructions.
Random access memory. Working memory used for temporary storage of programs & data. Content is lost each
time computer is turned off.
Read-only memory. Part of memory that is permanently protected from being modified, erased, or written over.
Not affected by power loss. Used for boot-level & other system instructions.
Magnetic-coated metal plate inside CPU for storing data
Device that reads data stored on magnetic or optical disk & writes data onto disk for storage
CDs, DVDs. Store data.
Input/output & information storage components
Devices that deliver data to computer, e.g., keyboards, barcode readers, computer links (interfaces)
Devices by which computer delivers data, e.g., printers, monitors
Input/output device that allows computers to communicate over telephone lines
