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.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Software that is permanently stored in a chip; BIOS or UEFI on a motherboard are examples.
firmware
The main board in the computer. The CPU, ROM chips, DIMMs, and interface cards are plugged into the motherboard. Also called the system board.
motherboard
A port that can be used by microphone, audio in, audio out, and stereo audio out connections. Also called a sound port.
audio ports
A box inside the computer case that receives power and converts it for use by the motherboard and other installed devices. Power supplies provide 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC. Also called a power supply unit (PSU).
PSU
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
An interface between firmware on the motherboard and the operating system; improves on legacy BIOS processes for managing motherboard settings, booting, handing over the boot to the OS, loading device drivers and applications before the OS loads, and securing the boot to ensure that no rogue operating system hijacks the system.
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
The component where almost all processing of data and instructions takes place; receives data input, processes information, and executes instructions. Also called a microprocessor or processor.
CPU - Central Processing Unit
A digital audio and video interface standard currently used on desktop and laptop computers, televisions, and other home theater equipment. HDMI is often used to connect a computer to home theater equipment.
HDMI port
A switch on the back of the computer case where you can change the input voltage to the power supply to 115 V (in the United States) or 220 V (in other countries).
dual-voltage selector switch
A mat that dissipates ESD and is commonly used by technicians who repair and assemble computers at their workbenches or in an assembly line. Also called a ground mat.
ESD mat
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
Memory modules on the motherboard that contain microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. Information in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.
RAM
A port that transmits digital video and audio (not analog transmissions) and can be used in the place of VGA and DVI ports on personal computers.
Displayport
A connector used by an ATX Version 2.2 power supply and motherboard; it provides additional power for PCI Express slots.
24-pin P1 connector