Computer Building for Dummies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Processor

The processor (also known as the Central Processing Unit, abbreviated to CPU) is what you need to compute.

A calculator comes in handy for arithmetic, but will not perform many of the applications which you can perform on any computer. A dynamo generates electricity but does not do anything else. A light bulb gives off light and a bit of warmth, but will be of no use to add some numbers.

Answer: Fan

Computer components often don't only do what they have to do, they also produce some heat. If the temperature reaches a too high point, your computer can be damaged. So you need to reduce the temperature while your computer is operating.

Most cooling systems for desktops are based upon fans. As your computer gets more sophisticated, a more powerful fan is needed. Servers might even need refrigerators, for fans are not powerful enough for such large systems.
Some fans are designed to suppress the noise they make. This comes in handy if you use your computer to process sound data.

An igloo would not be a practical idea to use in your computer. The working temperature should never go under the freezing point, for this can damage the system. Ice cubes have another inconvenience too: moisture can be very hazardous for the functioning of any electronic device.

Answer: Motherboard

The motherboard is the circuitry on which the processor, the memory and other components are assembled. Most motherboards come with sound channels, controllers, and other devices pre-installed.

A blackboard can be found at school, but not inside a computer. Snowboards and surfboards are only needed for specific outdoor sports, not for computers. (Even if you'd want to use your computer to surf the internet, you don't need a surfboard attached to your computer).

Answer: RAM

RAM is the abbreviation for Random Access Memory. It is used as a temporary data storage, but the contents will be lost as soon as you turn off your computer.

ROM is the abbreviation for Read Only Memory. This permanent data storage contains the data your computer needs to start up.

PROM is the abbreviation for Programmable Read Only Memory. Contents can be changed only once, typically with very high voltage.

EPROM is the abbreviation for Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory. One can program some alterations, at a later point erase them and program again.

Answer: Video card

Video cards send out the computed results to a display. The swifter your video card, the more apt it is to play games. In the beginning of the computer era, some video cards functioned only in two colours. Nowadays you can get the whole spectrum.

A trump card is only used in (some) card games.

An index card is something predating the computer era. Back in the sixties and before, index cards indicated if a book was available at your public library, and where you could find it.

A bank card is used to pick up some cash in automated teller machines. Some bank cards also facilitate payment in hotels, restaurants and shops.

Answer: Hard disk

Hard disks are quite popular. You can store on a hard disk anything you like. If you store a text file on a hard disk, you can access it, make some alterations and store the new version. All you don't need any longer can be easily made inaccessible.

Don't forget that "erasing" something from your hard disk does not physically remove it. Data are stored on segments of your hard disk, and "removing" any data by putting it into the trash can will only mark these segments as available for overwriting. If you are planning to dump your old computer and upgrading to a better one, you'll best find specific tools on the internet to effectively remove your private data on the hard disk.

A photo frame or a floppy disk have only very limited storage capacity. Typical floppy disks can contain about 1 megabyte of data, where a typical hard disk comes with 80 gigabytes (this is about 80,000 floppy disks) or more.

Answer: CD/DVD drive

Well, you don't have to own a computer to recognise those flat shiny pancakes as compact discs (CDs) or digital versatile disks (DVDs). You need of course a CD drive to access the contents of any CD, or a DVD drive to import the contents of a DVD.

These drives work with an optical laser. The disk is inserted into the drive, a tiny laser beam will scan the contents and process it into the computer.

There are also DVD drives used for displaying movies on to a television set.
Most mobile phones or GPS systems have no place to insert a CD or DVD disk.

Answer: To provide the computer with DC having appropriate voltage

Electricity comes into our houses and offices as Alternating Current. This type of electricity changes direction at regular intervals. Your computer needs Direct Current, where the direction of the electricity is a constant. The power supply also limits the voltage to what the computer uses, and that many power supplies also protect against receiving a peak voltage which would damage the circuitry.

The false answers are of course not related to computer technology.

Answer: Case

A case presents many advantages. It keeps all your components together. It also protects the different components from dust (which can do much damage to the components). Some cases also contribute to limit the noise from a working computer.

The other options are containers more appropriate for various liquids.

Answer: Operating system

Your computer won't function without an operating system. Internet browsers, antivirus programs, office applications, games... can only be used on a computer if the appropriate operating system is installed.

Several operating systems are available on the computer market, and some of them may be used free of charge.