Our aim in this section is to describe each term in its very simplest form, without going into unnecessary technical detail.

Adapter Card

Installable card to upgrade the PC with new features

AGP

New high speed standard for Video cards

Applications

see Software

Anti-Static

Has the ability to disperse damaging Static electricity

AT

Early PC standard used to describe compatibility

ATX

Newer compatibility standard

Bay

An area inside the PC Case for installing a drive

BIOS

Motherboard software - see CMOS, Firmware

Boot up

To switch on the PC and allow it to load the Operating System

Data Bus

A common group of connections for passing data

Cable

Length of wire with connector(s) to allow connections between devices

CMOS

Motherboard chip which stores the BIOS software - see BIOS, Firmware

CPU

The 'brain' of the PC, makes very fast, simple calculations

CPU Cooler

Metal 'fins' with a fan attached to disperse heat generated by the CPU

Data

Information in a Binary form that is interpreted by the PC/Devices

DDR

New, high-speed type of memory

DIMM

The most common type of memory in use today

Ergonomic

Designed to reduce injury as a result of constant use

FDD

Stores information on a portable diskette

Firmware

Generic Term for BIOS and CMOS

FSB

Main data connection to the CPU. Quoted figures denote data speed.

Hardware

Physical devices such as motherboard, keyboard, mouse, FDD, HDD etc.

HDD

Device which stores information on a semi-permanent basis

IDE

A standard of data transfer - more info

Internet

Global computer network, commonly accessed via a Modem

ISA

An older style of adapter card connection

Jumper

Small plastic/wire 'cap' used to electrically connect pins for configuration

Keyboard

Device allowing the user to input text-based information

Keyed

Describes a connector formed to prevent incorrect connections

LED

Low power/long life alternative to a standard lamp

LCD

Fluid, trapped between two surfaces (usually glass) changes it's opacity when electrically stimulated

Master

Indicates that the device has 'priority' over the slave device

Memory

Temporary store of information

Monitor

Allows the PC to return information to the user

Motherboard

Forms the 'body' of the PC to which all parts connect

Mouse

Enhances the users control of the applications

On-Board

Refers to hardware that has extra built-in features

On-Site Maintenance

Faulty items are replaced/repaired at your home or workplace

Operating System

Fundamental software which controls the whole system

PATA

See IDE

PC

Personal Computer

PC Case

Secure plastic/metal case to mount PC components/devices

PCI

Connection standard for adapter cards

Peripherals

see Hardware

Primary

Indicates a priority over Secondary

PS2

Newer compatibility standard

PSU

Supplies power to devices as required and helps to keep PC cool

RAM

Type of memory used on modern PC systems

RIMM

New type of memory, not very common

SATA

New connection standard intended to replace IDE

SCSI

High speed data transfer system not covered on this site

SDRAM

Standard type of memory

Secondary

Indicates a lesser priority than Primary

Serial

Connection standard for mice and other devices

Slave

Indicates a lesser priority than Master

Sleep Mode

see Standby

Software

Programs that run on a computer such as games or office packages

Speakers

Allow PC to output sound and music etc.

Standby

To minimize PC power usage while not being used

Static Electricity

Naturally-occurring high voltages, very damaging to some kinds of electronics

System Builder

A company which builds and sells PC's which are ready for use

TIM

A thin layer of material, usually a wax pad or smooth paste, between the CPU core and heatsink surface to improve the transfer of heat

USB

Method of connecting many compatible devices to a PC

VGA

A standard by which all PC video cards are compatible

Video Card

Provides the output to display a picture on the Monitor

ViVo

A video card feature, allowing video capture (video in) or output to a TV or Video recorder etc.