Computer Science Test 4 Nddc Scholarship

The System BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is stored on a specialized memory chip on the motherboard. While it is hardware, it can be updated using a 'flash' utility program. This process, often called 'flashing the BIOS,' allows the motherboard to support newer hardware, fix stability bugs, or add new features without physically replacing any components.

SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) was developed as an extension to the VGA standard. While standard VGA is limited to a resolution of 640 x 480, SVGA supports 800 x 600 and higher. Older standards like CGA and EGA operated at much lower resolutions and with significantly fewer colors compared to the SVGA standard.

The Address Bus is a dedicated set of physical connections used by the CPU to specify exactly which memory location it wants to access. The width of the address bus determines the maximum amount of memory the processor can address. It is distinct from the Data Bus, which carries the actual information being transferred once the address is established.

The 100BaseTX specification, commonly known as Fast Ethernet, requires a minimum of Category 5 (Cat5) cabling to handle speeds of 100Mbps. Older standards like Cat3 or Cat4 were designed for lower frequencies and slower speeds (10-16Mbps) and do not have the necessary twists or shielding to support the higher bandwidth of Fast Ethernet.

When power returns after an outage, the electrical grid often experiences a 'surge'—a sudden, massive spike in voltage. Without a UPS or a high-quality surge protector, this spike can travel through the power lines and fry sensitive computer components, such as the power supply, motherboard, or processor, causing permanent hardware damage.

Binary-Coded Decimal (BCD) is a class of binary encodings where each digit of a decimal number is represented by a fixed number of bits, usually four. For example, the decimal number 10 would be represented in BCD as '0001 0000'. This system makes it easier for digital hardware to display numbers to humans on 7-segment displays and calculators.

The Power-On Self-Test (POST) is a diagnostic testing sequence run by the BIOS/UEFI immediately after a computer is powered on. It identifies and initializes system devices such as the CPU, RAM, and storage. If the POST routine detects that the keyboard is missing or malfunctioning, it will halt the boot process and display an error message on the monitor.

Electromagnetic Field Interference (EFI), often used interchangeably with EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), refers to the disruption of an electronic device's operation caused by electromagnetic radiation from an external source. In computing, this can lead to data corruption or hardware malfunctions, which is why cables and components are often shielded.

Bandwidth refers to the maximum capacity of a wired or wireless communications link to transmit data over a network connection in a given amount of time. Usually measured in bits per second (bps), it describes the 'width' of the data pipe; a higher bandwidth allows more data to be sent simultaneously, resulting in faster perceived speeds for the user.

In a control system, sensors provide input, and actuators provide output. Motors and alarms are classic output devices because they perform a physical action or provide a signal in response to a command from the controller. Devices like light sensors and pressure pads are input devices, as they feed environmental data into the system.