Week 1
A strap worn around the wrist and attached to a computer case, ground mat, or another ground so that ESD is discharged from the body before touching sensitive components inside a computer. Also called an antistatic wrist strap or a ground bracelet.
ESD strap
A larger version of the ATX form factor.
Extended ATX (E-ATX)
A creamlike substance that is placed between the bottom of the cooler heat sink and the top of the processor to eliminate air pockets and help draw heat off the processor.
thermal compound/thermal paste
A thick pad that is used as an alternative to thermal paste; more easily applied but still allows for unwanted air gaps between the bottom of the cooler heat sink and the top of the processor.
thermal pad
The common name for standards for a local wireless network, as defined by IEEE 802.11. Also see 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax.
Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)
A set of specifications for the size, shape, and configuration of a computer hardware component such as a case, power supply, or motherboard.
form factors
A plate installed on the rear of a computer case that provides holes for I/O ports coming off the motherboard.
I/O shield
A Windows utility that gathers and displays information about the system.
msinfo32.exe
A Windows error that occurs in kernel mode, is displayed against a blue screen, and causes the system to halt. The error might be caused by problems with devices, device drivers, or a corrupted Windows installation. Also called a stop error.
blue screen of death (BSOD)
The paths, or lines, on the motherboard on which data, instructions, and electrical power move from component to component.
bus
A port that looks like a large phone jack and is used with twisted-pair cable to connect to a wired network adapter or other hardware device.
RJ-45 port
A group of chips on the motherboard that controls the timing and flow of data and instructions to and from the CPU.
chipset
A method of measuring access timing to memory, which is the number of clock cycles required to write or read a column of data off a memory module.
CAS latency
Currently the most popular type of battery for notebook computers; it is more efficient than earlier types. Sometimes abbreviated as “Li-Ion” battery.
Lithium-ion
A method whereby the OS uses the hard drive as though it were RAM. Also see pagefile.sys
Virtual RAM
A device used to test a port in a computer or other device to make sure the port is working; might also test the throughput or speed of the port.
loopback plug
The process of upgrading or refreshing the programming stored on a firmware chip of a motherboard.
flashing BIOS/UEFI
A chipset feature on a motherboard that checks the integrity of data stored on DIMMs or RIMMs and can correct single-bit errors in a byte.
ECC (error-correcting code)
Two power supplies fully capable of supplying the full power requirements of a system. Only one of the power supplies is used at a time; in case of failure, a seamless transition happens to the other power supply to prevent any disruption of power.
redundant power supply (RPS)
A Windows 10/11 utility that restores many of the Windows files needed for a successful boot.
Startup Repair
A self-diagnostic program used to perform a simple test of the CPU, RAM, and various I/O devices; performed by startup BIOS/UEFI when the computer is first turned on.
POST (power-on self test)
(1) In computer hardware, a rectangular connector with pins or pads and a mechanism to hold the CPU in place; it is used to connect a CPU to the motherboard. (2) In networking, an established connection between a client and a server, such as the connection between a browser and web server.
socket
The Intel technology that allows each logical processor within the processor package to handle an individual thread in parallel; other threads are handled by other processors within the package.
Hyper-threading
A Windows tool useful for troubleshooting problems with Windows, applications, and hardware. It displays logs of significant events, such as a hardware or network failure, OS failure, OS error messages, a device or service that has failed to start, and General Protection Faults.
Event Viewer
The most common type of system memory; it requires refreshing every few milliseconds.
Dynamic RAM (DRAM)