Contents
1. PROM, EPROM and EEPROM?..................................................................................................2
2. What is a CMOS Battery?..........................................................................................................2
3. What is SCSI?..............................................................................................................................2
4. What is a Trojan Horse?...........................................................................................................3
5. Difference Between Software and Firmware........................................................................3
6. Difference Between System Software and Firmware..........................................................4
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1. PROM, EPROM and EEPROM?
Memory Type Erasable? How to Erase Programmable? Key Feature
PROM No Not erasable Once only Permanent once
programmed
EPROM Yes UV light Multiple times Erase whole chip
EEPROM Yes Electrically Multiple times Erase byte by byte
2. What is a CMOS Battery?
The CMOS battery is a small battery inside a computer's motherboard.
It powers a small memory chip called CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor).
CMOS stores BIOS settings — like:
o System date and time
o Hardware settings (boot order, CPU settings, etc.)
Key Functions of CMOS Battery:
Function Description
Keeps Clock Running Maintains the system time and date even when the PC is turned off
Saves BIOS Settings Remembers important settings (boot device order, CPU speed, etc.)
Maintains Power to CMOS Chip Supplies tiny amount of power to retain memory contents
3. What is SCSI?
SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface.
It's a set of standards for connecting and transferring data between computers and
peripheral devices like:
o Hard drives
o Scanners
o Printers
o CD-ROM drives
Feature Description
Type of Connection Parallel interface (originally), multiple devices connected to one bus
Number of Devices Can connect up to 7 or 15 devices on a single SCSI bus (depending on the version)
Speed Fast for its time (later versions were much faster: Ultra SCSI, Ultra320, etc.)
Flexibility Supports many types of devices (hard drives, scanners, etc.) on the same cable
Device Independence Devices talk to each other without needing much CPU involvement
How SCSI Works:
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Devices are daisy-chained (one device connected to another).
Each device has a unique ID number (like addresses) to communicate properly.
The SCSI controller manages data flow between the computer and devices.
4. What is a Trojan Horse?
A Trojan Horse, or just Trojan, is a type of malware.
It pretends to be a normal, safe program (like a game, app, or file) — but once you install or
open it, it secretly performs harmful actions.
📜 Name Origin:
The name comes from the ancient Greek story of the Trojan Horse, where Greek soldiers hid inside a
wooden horse to sneak into the city of Troy.
⚙️How a Trojan Works:
Step Action
1 User downloads or installs what looks like a legitimate program
2 When opened, the program may work normally or show fake screens
3 Meanwhile, it secretly installs malware or opens backdoors for hackers
4 It can steal data, damage files, spy on you, or take control of your device
5. Difference Between Software and Firmware
Aspect Software Firmware
Set of programs and instructions that tell a Special type of software permanently stored in a
Definition
computer or device what to do. device's hardware.
Stored on ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM, or
Storage Stored on hard drive, SSD, or external media.
flash memory inside the device.
Performs general tasks (like running apps, games, Controls low-level operations of hardware (like
Purpose
browsing). booting up, basic functions).
Windows, Microsoft Word, Chrome browser, BIOS, printer firmware, router firmware, washing
Examples
Photoshop, etc. machine control software.
Can be updated, but updates are less frequent and
Updatability Easy to update or reinstall.
more sensitive.
Directly tied to specific hardware — it cannot run
Dependency Depends on both hardware and firmware to run.
separately.
In Simple Words:
Software = General programs you install and use (apps, operating systems).
Firmware = Built-in tiny programs inside a device to make hardware work properly.
6. Difference Between System Software and Firmware
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Aspect System Software Firmware
Software that manages and controls the computer Special kind of software embedded into
Definition hardware and provides a platform for other hardware to control specific hardware
software. functions.
Acts as a bridge between hardware and user Acts as a bridge between hardware and
Main Role
applications. system software.
Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS), BIOS/UEFI, Router software, Embedded
Examples
Device Drivers, Utility Programs. software in TVs, Washing Machines, Printers.
Storage Stored on hard drives or SSD and loaded into RAM Stored on ROM, Flash Memory, or EEPROM
Location when the computer runs. inside the hardware device.
Can be updated, reinstalled, upgraded easily (like Updates are specialized, riskier, and happen
Update
installing a new OS). less often (called firmware updates).
Needs firmware to initialize the hardware before it Works directly with the hardware without
Dependency
can run. needing an operating system.
Visible to the user (you interact with it daily — Usually invisible to the user (works in the
User Access
logging in, opening apps). background, you rarely notice it).
🎯 In Simple Words:
Firmware is the first basic program that talks to the hardware and starts everything.
System Software (like Windows or Linux) comes after firmware to provide a complete
environment for applications and users.
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