Core hardware, OS, and troubleshooting vocabulary tested on the CompTIA A+ exam.
46 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What is RAM?
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Random Access Memory, fast volatile memory used by the CPU for temporary data storage and program execution
- What is the main difference between an SSD and an HDD?
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SSDs have no moving parts and are faster, HDDs use spinning magnetic platters and are slower
- What does the BIOS do?
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Initializes and tests hardware components before passing control to the operating system
- What is UEFI?
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Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, the modern replacement for BIOS with more features and security
- What is thermal paste used for?
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Fills microscopic imperfections between a CPU and heatsink to improve heat transfer
- What is a heatsink?
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A device made of metal with fins that absorbs and dissipates heat from computer components
- What does a graphics processing unit (GPU) do?
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Processes and renders graphics and video to display on a monitor
- What is a network interface card (NIC)?
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Hardware component that allows a computer to connect to a network using a wired or wireless connection
- What does a power supply unit (PSU) do?
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Converts AC electrical power to DC power and distributes it to computer components
- What is ROM?
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Read-Only Memory, non-volatile storage that cannot be written to under normal operation
- What is CPU cache?
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Small, extremely fast memory on the CPU used to temporarily hold frequently accessed data
- What is an M.2 slot?
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A slot on the motherboard for M.2 SSDs, supporting faster data transfer than SATA
- What is Device Manager?
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A Windows tool that displays installed hardware devices and their drivers, allowing updates and troubleshooting
- What is the Windows Registry?
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A centralized database that stores configuration settings and options for Windows and installed programs
- What is Safe Mode?
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A Windows startup option that loads only essential drivers and services for troubleshooting problems