A+ Guide to IT Technical Support - Chapter 1
4-pin 12-V connector
An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the
processor
8 -pin 12-V connector
An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the
processor, providing more power than the older 4-pin auxiliary connector
20-pin p1 connector
The main motherboard power connector used in the early atX systems
24-pin p1 connector
The main motherboard power connector used today also called the 20+4 pin connector
accelerometer
A type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device.
airplane mode
A setting within a mobile device that disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas
so the device cannot transmit signals
all-in-one computer
A computer that has the monitor and computer case built together and uses
components that are common to both a laptop and a desktop computer
analog
A continuous signal with infinite variations. Compare with digital, which is a series of
binary values—1s and 0s
ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)
The most common form factor for computer systems presently in use, originally
introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and
resources than did the earlier AT form factor.
ATX12V power supply
An ATX Version 2.1 power supply that provides an extra 12-V power cord with a 4-pin
connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to
provide extra power for processors.
audio port
A port that can be used by a microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out. Also
called a sound port
base station
A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network.
BIOS setup
The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM also called
CMOS setup.
BIOS (basic input/output system)
Firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as
communication with the keyboard and the monitor. Compare with UEFI.
Bluetooth
A short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal
network.
cellular network
, A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. The
network is made up of cells, each controlled by a base station. Also called a cellular
WAN
central processing unit (CPU)
The component where almost all processing of data and instructions takes place. The
CPU receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions also called a
microprocessor or processor.
chasis
A computer case for any type of computer
DE15 port
A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port,
HD15 port or VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port
DB9 port
A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a
mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports
are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4 - also called serial ports
serial port
A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a
mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports
are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. Also called DB9 port
VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port
A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port or
HD15 port
desktop case
A computer case that lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand.
digital
A signal consisting of a series of binary values—1s and 0s.
DIMM (dual inline memory module)
A miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard t hold memory
DisplayPort
A port that transmits digital video and audio ( not analog transmissions) and is slowly
replacing VGA and DBI ports on personal computers
docking port
A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage
and easy connection to peripheral devices
docking station
A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage
and easy connection to peripheral devices
dual-voltage selector switch
A switch on the back of the computer case where you can switch the input voltage to
the power supply to 115V used in the United States or 220V used in other countries.
DVI (Digital Video Interface) port
A port that transmits digital or analog video
electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards,
even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye
4-pin 12-V connector
An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the
processor
8 -pin 12-V connector
An auxiliary motherboard connector, which is used for extra 12-V power to the
processor, providing more power than the older 4-pin auxiliary connector
20-pin p1 connector
The main motherboard power connector used in the early atX systems
24-pin p1 connector
The main motherboard power connector used today also called the 20+4 pin connector
accelerometer
A type of gyroscope used in mobile devices to sense the physical position of the device.
airplane mode
A setting within a mobile device that disables the cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth antennas
so the device cannot transmit signals
all-in-one computer
A computer that has the monitor and computer case built together and uses
components that are common to both a laptop and a desktop computer
analog
A continuous signal with infinite variations. Compare with digital, which is a series of
binary values—1s and 0s
ATX (Advanced Technology Extended)
The most common form factor for computer systems presently in use, originally
introduced by Intel in 1995. ATX motherboards and cases make better use of space and
resources than did the earlier AT form factor.
ATX12V power supply
An ATX Version 2.1 power supply that provides an extra 12-V power cord with a 4-pin
connector to be used by the auxiliary 4-pin power connector on motherboards used to
provide extra power for processors.
audio port
A port that can be used by a microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out. Also
called a sound port
base station
A fixed transceiver and antenna used to create one cell within a cellular network.
BIOS setup
The program in system BIOS that can change the values in CMOS RAM also called
CMOS setup.
BIOS (basic input/output system)
Firmware that can control much of a computer's input/output functions, such as
communication with the keyboard and the monitor. Compare with UEFI.
Bluetooth
A short-range wireless technology used to connect two devices in a small personal
network.
cellular network
, A network that can be used when a wireless network must cover a wide area. The
network is made up of cells, each controlled by a base station. Also called a cellular
WAN
central processing unit (CPU)
The component where almost all processing of data and instructions takes place. The
CPU receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions also called a
microprocessor or processor.
chasis
A computer case for any type of computer
DE15 port
A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port,
HD15 port or VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port
DB9 port
A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a
mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports
are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4 - also called serial ports
serial port
A male 9-pin or 25-pin port on a computer system used by slower I/O devices such as a
mouse or modem. Data travels serially, one bit at a time, through the port. Serial ports
are sometimes configured as COM1, COM2, COM3, or COM4. Also called DB9 port
VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port
A 15-pin analog video port popular for many years. Also called DB15 port, DE15 port or
HD15 port
desktop case
A computer case that lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand.
digital
A signal consisting of a series of binary values—1s and 0s.
DIMM (dual inline memory module)
A miniature circuit board installed on a motherboard t hold memory
DisplayPort
A port that transmits digital video and audio ( not analog transmissions) and is slowly
replacing VGA and DBI ports on personal computers
docking port
A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage
and easy connection to peripheral devices
docking station
A device that receives a laptop computer and provides additional secondary storage
and easy connection to peripheral devices
dual-voltage selector switch
A switch on the back of the computer case where you can switch the input voltage to
the power supply to 115V used in the United States or 220V used in other countries.
DVI (Digital Video Interface) port
A port that transmits digital or analog video
electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy motherboards,
even though it might not be felt or seen with the naked eye
