CPT 209 Chapter 4 Review

Lisa is building a new computer and wants to make sure she has an adequate power supply for all the new equipment she is purchasing. She will be installing three HDDs, with each using 25 watts. The processor she is using will need 125 watts. The motherboard will use 80 watts. RAM will require 3 watts for each of the four DDR3 DIMM modules. Her video card will need 400 watts to run at the maximum level. She wants to keep the cost as low as possible for the power supply. ​ Which power supply would you recommend?

900W power supply

You notice that your computer is running slow and decide to reboot the computer to see if that will fix the problem. During the reboot, you notice that the amount of RAM shown during the RAM count is not the same as it was the day before. What might cause this problem?

A RAM module has become unseated.

Which component may be considered a field replaceable unit or FRU on a desktop?

All of these

A round air duct that helps direct air to the processor

CAG

Rebecca completed work on a computer and is verifying the functionality of the system when she finds a new problem. This problem is not urgent and can be easily fixed. The policy at Rebecca's company is that all problems need to be reported and given a priority code before they can be assigned to someone. What should Rebecca do (first) about this new problem?

Determine whether fixing the first problem caused the second problem.

Debbie is troubleshooting a computer at her worksite. She has interviewed the computer's user and is currently trying to reproduce the problem the user described. Heather is in which step of the troubleshooting process?

Establish a theory of probable cause.

A Molex connector supplies +3.3V, +5V, and -12V voltages.

False

Generally, small case fans tend to perform better and run quieter than large fans.

False

If you see smoke you should immediately open the case to try to identify the component that is causing it.

False

​If the startup BIOS/UEFI can't find a device to use to load the operating system, what error message is likely to appear?

Fixed disk error

Lin is booting up his computer, and during the boot process, the computer powers down. After several unsuccessful attempts to boot his computer, he decides that he needs to start the troubleshooting process. Lin thinks that the problem could be in the power supply, so he uses a power supply tester. The test shows that the power supply is functioning properly. What should Lin check next in the troubleshooting process?

RAM

You decide to add three new hard drives to your computer so that you can increase the amount of storage on it. When you install the hard drives, you find enough SATA connections on the motherboard, but it is short one SATA power connector. What is the easiest way to add a SATA power connector to the system?

Use a Molex to SATA power adapter.

Bob wants to add a new video card, and he is sure the power supply is sufficient to run the new video card. But when he tries to locate the power connector for the new video card, he does not find a 6-pin PCI-E power connector. He has several extra cables for hard drive power cables from his power supply that he is not using. What is the least expensive way for Bob to power his video card?

Use a SATA to 6 pin PCI-E adapter.

William added a new video card and needs to get a power supply that will have enough power to run the new card. When researching the new power supply, what feature does James need to look for to make sure he has enough power to run his computer with the new video card?

Wattage

When testing your theory, you discover that you are wrong. What is your next step in the troubleshooting process?

You should establish a new theory of probable cause. You may want to gather more information and do research on the Internet.

A missing standoff could create what potential problem?

a short on the motherboard

One long and two short beeps when using an Award BIOS is an indication of what issue?

a video problem

To improve _____________, replace missing faceplates over empty drive bays and replace missing slot covers over empty expansion slots.

airflow

What does a single beep or no beep imply during the startup of a computer?

all POST tests passed

CPU coolers are typically made using copper and _________________________ materials.

aluminum

What is an auto-switching AC adapter?

an adapter that can use 110V or 220V AC power

A typical _________-style GPU expels hot air completely out of the case via a back expansion slot. (one-word answer)

blower

The smell of _________ parts or odors may indicate a problem with the computer's electrical system.

burnt

Use ________________ air, a blower, or an antistatic vacuum to remove dust from the power supply, the vents over the entire computer, and the processor cooler fan.

compressed

When fixing computer problems use the least invasive solution first.

star 4-3d Step 4: Planning Your Solution and Then Fixing the Problem

What is a typical sign that a capacitor is bad or has failed?

star 4-4b Power Problems with the Motherboard

If you suspect overheating, go into BIOS/UEFI setup and view the _______________________ monitors for the system.

temperature

What is an indication that an inadequate power supply is the source of an intermittent problem?

the power supply whines when you first turn on the system

If you see an error message that reads "Processor thermal trip error", what is the likely problem?

the processor has overheated

A power supply rated at 1000 watts and running at a 500 watts draw will last longer and give off less heat than a power supply rated at 750 watts and running at a 500 watts draw.

True

An open-air GPU cooler has its heatsink exposed to the outside of the card and expels hot air completely out of the case.

True

In a corporate setting, hardware and software products generally have technical documentation available.

True

Which of the following protects your computer from brownouts or sags?

UPS

The field replaceable units (FRUs) on a motherboard are the _____[a]_____, the processor _____[b]_____ assembly, RAM, and the CMOS _____[c]_____.

processor, cooler, battery

a 4-pin header on a motherboard supports ______________________________ that controls fan speed in order to reduce overall noise in a system.

pulse with modulation

With liquid cooling systems, a small __________ sits inside the case and tubes move the liquid around components and then away from them to a place where fans cool the liquid.

pump

Gwen recently purchased a new video card, and after she installed it, she realized she did not have the correct connections and was not able to power the video card. ​ What connector(s) should Gwen look for when purchasing a new power supply? (Select all that apply.)

8-pin PCI-E connector 6-pin PCI-E connector

If you need to recover data off a system that won't boot, install the drive in a working system.

star 4-3c Step 3: Testing Your theory

What is the most used rail on a power supply?

+12V

Intel recommends the clearance of a chassis air guide be no greater than _________ mm and no less than 12 mm.

20

A cooler fan power cord with ________ pins will always operate at the same speed.

3

When advising a customer on the purchase of a new power supply, you should explain that if the power supply runs at peak performance all the time, it will overheat. Additionally, power supplies can lose some capacity over time. Considering these conditions, you recommend that the customer purchase a power supply with a power rating higher than what the system currently uses. How much more wattage over peak do you recommend the customer purchase?

30% more

When testing a laptop power connector, the voltage range should be plus or minus _____ percent of the accepted voltage.

5

Landon starts his computer and receives the error message, "Hard drive is not found." In a panic, he calls you because he did not back up his data and has numerous important files on his hard drive. During your investigation, Landon tells you he was watching a movie on his computer the previous night. What might be the problem with Landon's computer?

Boot priority is set to the DVD drive.

Three long beeps during the POST sequence on an Intel BIOS are an indication of what type of issue?

star 4-3c Step 3: Testing Your theory

When you verify a system is functioning properly, you determine that the problem could have been prevented. What should you do to help the computer's user avoid having the same problem again?

Instruct the user on how to prevent the problem.

An _____________ system is software that is designed and written to help solve problems.

It uses databases of known facts and rules to simulate human experts' reasoning and decision making.

Your computer system loses power while you are working on a project for a very important client. When the computer restarts, you hear continuous beeps coming from your computer, and the monitor is showing no signal. What do the beeps mean?

POST has failed, and you should research the BIOS beep codes.

Sara is having a tough time finding the cause of a problem on a computer she is troubleshooting. She found a possible problem but is not sure if she is correct. In case she is wrong, Sara does not want to test her theory, because doing so might worsen the problem. What would you advise Sara to do?

Research the problem on the Internet.

Patricia works in the IT department for a large retail store. She has been testing a theory about why an error message keeps popping up on a coworker's computer when he tries to start Windows. She has hit a wall and doesn't know where to look next. Sara feels very frustrated with the problem. What should Sara do to help work out the solution?

Take a break and come back later.

William has been working on a problem with a computer at his company for several hours and still can't ascertain the problem. The computer will not turn on, and William has tried everything he can think of to fix the computer. He has replaced the power cord, the power supply, and even the power strip the computer is plugged into. William decides that it must be the motherboard and takes the computer to his shop to replace the motherboard on the computer. When he plugs the computer in, it turns on. The problem was not the computer—someone had turned off the switch for the wall outlet that the power strip was plugged into. Where in the troubleshooting process could William have discovered this problem? (Select all that apply ~ Hint: there are three)

Test the theory to determine cause. Establish a theory of probable cause. Identify the problem.

Over the past week, every time Larry has started his computer, he has noticed that the time is not correct. Larry didn't consider this a problem because his computer was working properly. However, now Larry has decided that he should investigate why the time is not accurate. What can you tell Larry to check to find out why the clock does not keep the right time?

The CMOS battery is bad and needs to be replaced.

Paul is playing a game when his computer shuts down unexpectedly. Paul has noticed recently that his case and CPU fans are running very loud. When Paul turns his computer back on, it starts to boot and then shuts off again. What is a possible problem with Paul's computer?

The computer is overheating.

While you are working on your computer, it shuts down unexpectedly, and you detect a burning smell. When you remove the case cover, you notice a distended capacitor. What can you do to fix this problem?

The only way to fix this problem is to replace the motherboard.

You go to work after a long weekend and try to turn on your computer. When you push the button on the desktop, the system does not start to boot. The monitor turns on and displays a message saying that there's no signal. When you push the desktop button again, the system still does not start to boot. What is a possible problem with your computer?

The power cord is unplugged.

You are troubleshooting a computer that your client said turns off during normal operation. While you are trying to identify the problem, the client also informs you that if he waits a while, the computer will turn back on and run normally for a bit. You open the system and immediately notice a large dust buildup around the processor fan and heat sink. What problem can you detect on the computer and confidently report to your client?

The system is overheating.

A case is generally designed for optimal airflow when slot openings on the front and rear of the case are covered and when the case cover is securely in place.

True

A clicking noise coming from a system could indicate that a magnetic hard drive is failing.

True

A power supply with a second +12v rail

dual rail

Excessive _____________ insulates components and causes them to overheat.

dust

Begin troubleshooting a BSOD by searching the Microsoft web site for the ________________ and a description of the problem.

error message

A component made of metal that is designed to draw heat away from a processor into the fins

heat sink

The technology most commonly used by battery packs

lithium ion

Why might you disable quick booting features in BIOS/UEFI when you are troubleshooting a problem?

to see a full POST report

What are the two highest heat producing components in a system?

video card, processor