test out study guide test 3
Intel Core i7
1366
Intel Xeon
1366
Which of the following statements are true?
32-bit processors use only the IA-32 instruction set (also referred to as x86). 64-bit processors use the x86-64 instruction set (also referred to as x64). Explanation The processor instruction set identifies all instructions (operations) that a processor can perform. 32-bit processors use the IA-32 instruction set (also referred to as x86). Itanium processors from Intel use the IA-64 instruction set. AMD64 and Intel 64 processors use the x86-64 instruction set (also referred to a x64). 32-bit applications can run on 64-bit processors. x64 processors execute both 32-bit and 64-bit instructions in the hardware.
Which of the following motherboard power connectors typically connect directly to the motherboard? (Select two.) Power on/off switch 4-pin CPU power 24-pin motherboard power 6-pin PCIe power SATA power
4-pin CPU power 24-pin motherboard power.
Which of the following voltages are provided by an ATX power supply.
5 12 3.3 Explanation An ATX power supply provides 3.3, 5, and 12 volts DC.
Intel Core 2 Duo
775
Intel Pentium D
775
You have a motherboard that uses a 24-pin ATX connector. Which types of power supply could you use with this motherboard?
A power supply with a 20-pin ATX and a +4-pin connector. A power supply with a 24-pin ATX connector only. Explanation In this case, the motherboard needs wither a 24-pin. When selecting a power supply, make sure it includes the necessary connectors for your motherboard. Specifically, some motherboards and processors require an extra 4-pin and/or 8-pin connector in addition to the main 20- or 24-pin power connector.
What is a ZIF socket?
A special socket for inserting and securing a processor. Explanation Newer motherboard use a ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) socket for inserting the processor. A ZIF socket has a lever or screw that opens to install the processor and closes to lock the processor into place. A Pin Grid Array (PGA) has a series of pins on the bottom in concentric squares.
AMD Athlon II
AM3+
AMD Phenom II
AM3+
E- ATX Full-Tower
ATX full-tower cases are the largest computer cases. Full-tower cases have a lot of space for external and internal components. ATX full-tower cases are compatible with the Standard ATX, microATX, and EATX form factors. The ATX (advanced technology extended) form factor is the most commonly used form factor. Because of its popularity, several variants of the ATX form factor exist. Each variant has different specifications for dimensions and number of expansion slots. However, all ATX variants share the following characteristics: - Back plate measurements (6.25" x 1.75"). - Power supply specifications, as follows; 24-pin ATX power connector, on/off switch runs from the case to the motherboard, and soft-power control (OS can turn the computer off). - Expansion slot locations and spacing (0.8" between slots). -Mounting hole locations. -CPU location (top of board near power supply).
You need to purchase a case that meets the following criteria: - Compatible with most form factors. - At least two external and internal bays. - Good balance of size and space. Which case type should you purchase?
ATX mid-tower Explanation You should purchase an ATX mid-tower case. ATX mid-tower cases are compatible with the most motherboard form factors and typically have at least two external bays. Most ATX full-tower cases are not compatible with Mini-ITX motherboards and are larger than necessary for most applications. Micro-ATX towers are only compatible with microATX and Mini-ITX form factors. Mini-ITX towers are only compatible with the Mini-ITX form factor.
D- ATX Mid-Tower
ATX mid-tower cases are slightly smaller than ATX full-tower cases. Mid-tower cases have fewer external and internal bays. ATX mid-tower cases are compatible with the Standard ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX, and some EATX form factors.
Which of the following functions does an ATX power supply perform?
Aids in thermal management. Converts AC to DC. Explanation Power supplies are responsible for powering every component in a computer system. Power supplies provide the following functions: Convert AV power to DC power. Provide internal components with 3.3 V, 5 V of DC power. Aid in thermal management. Surge protectors are used to protect power supplies and electronic components from power spikes. A UPS (uninterruptable power supplies) is used to provide backup power to a computer.
What is the purpose of cache memory?
Allows a processor to access data more quickly. Explanation The increased speed of cache memory allows a processor to access frequently used data more quickly than by getting the data from system memory. Data is stored in cache where it can be accessed quicker than retrieving the data from RAM. Like RAM cache memory is volatile meaning that the contents of the memory are lost when the power is turned off.
What should you do (if possible) before updating the UEFI firmware?
Backup existing UEFI settings. Connect the computer to a UPS. Explanation If possible, you should connect the computer to an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) before updating the UEFI firmware. Losing power during the update process can cause catastrophic problems. You should also backup your existing UEFI settings before updating. Most BIOS/UEFI setup programs provide an option to save existing settings to a file. Upgrading the process, changing the motherboard battery, or setting a system password are not required prior to updating the UEFI firmware.
Maintains an accurate system time and date, even when the power is off.
CMOS battery
Which of the following devices use the 4-pin peripheral (Molex) connector?
Case fan PATA CD-ROM Explanation The 4-pin peripheral power connector (colloquially called a 4-pin Molex connector) is used by the following components: PATA CD-ROM IDE hard drives Case fans Solid state drives and SATA hard disk drives use SATA power connectors. If a CPU needs auxiliary power, it uses either a 4-pin 12 V (P4) connector or an 8-pin EPS12V CPU connector.
Explanation
Commonly-implemented Intel processor sockets include the following: - 775: Used with the Intel Pentium 4, Celeron D, Intel Pentium 4 Extreme Edition, Pentium D, Pentium Dual-Core, Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme. - Core 2 Quad, Xeon, and Celeron processors. - 1155: Used with the Intel Pentium 4, Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i7 Extreme, and Xeon processors. - 1156: USed with the Intel Pentium 4, Celeron, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, and Xeon processors. - 1366: Used with the Intel Celeron, Core i7m and Xeon processors. - 1150: Used with the Intel Celeron Dual-core, Pentium Dual-Core, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Core i7 Extreme, and Xeon processors. - 2011: Used with the Intel Core i7 and Xeon processors. Commonly implemented AMD processor sockets include the following: - 940: Used with the AMD Opteron and Athlon 64 FX processors. - AM3: Used with the AMD Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron, and Opteron processors. - AM3+: USed with the AMD Phenom II, Athlon II, Sempron, and Opteron processors. - FM 1: Used with the AMD Athlon II processor along with the A-series APUs. - FM2: Used with the AMD A4 series, A6 series, A8 series, A10 series, Athlon X2, Athlon X4, FX, FirePro, and Sempron processors. - FM2+: Used with the AMD A4 series, A6 series, A8 series, A10, Athlon X2, Athlon X4, and FX processors.
You have just replaced the motherboard in your computer. Your computer starts, but the hard disk light does not come on while the system is booting. What should you do?
Connect the hard disk LED to the motherboard. Explanation The system case hard disk LED connects to jumper pins on the motherboard. When the hard disk controller reads or writes data to a hard disk, power is sent to the hard disk LED pins on the motherboard, causing the case hard disk LED to light up. The case power button and LED also connect to the motherboard in a similar manner. Because the system boots properly, the hard disk is being detected by the UEFI firmware and can be assumed to be functioning correctly.
Which power supply feature helps prevent circuit overloads by balancing the current flow?
Dual rail Explanation Each separate voltage output circuit is referred to as a rail and can power multiple devices. To avoid overloading one circuit, many newer power supplies have two or more +12 volt rails. These are known as dual rail power supplies. Separate rails balance the power load between multiple circuits, preventing any one circuit from becoming overloaded. Cooling fans keep the power supply from over heating, but play no role in preventing circuit overloads. Some power supplies can automatically detect the voltage (115 which is used in North America or 230 which is used in Europe) so the switch is eliminated. Converting AC power (from the wall socket) to DC power (which then flows to the computer components) is simply the primary function of the power supply.
Allows additional features and capabilities to be added to the motherboard.
Expansion slots
AMD A-series APU
FM1
Which of the following objects is installed between the system case and the motherboard's back I/O ports? Standoffs Faceplate Heat spreader Fan
Faceplate
Contains firmware that is used to configure motherboard settings and initialize devices.
Flash memory
You have been using the same computer for several years. To improve performance, you decide to upgrade the processor. You check the motherboard documentation and purchase the fastest processor supported by the motherboard. However, when you try to start the computer it beeps regularly and nothing is displayed on the screen. What should you do?
Flash the UEFI firmware. Reinstall the old processor in the motherboard. Explanation Flashing the BIOS or UEFI firmware is often required to upgrade system components, such as to upgrading to a faster processor. If the motherboard documentation lists the processor as supported but it is not correctly recognized, updating the BIOS or UEFI firmware to the latest version may fix the problem. Before you can do this, you must reinstall the old processor in the system to get it back up and running again. Pressing F8 while booting the system displays the advanced boot menu on older versions of Windows. Replacing the motherboard is probably not required because the motherboard was working correctly with the older CPU and the documentation indicates the new CPU is compatible. Only replace the CPU if you have determined that it is faulty.
You need to replace the power supply in your home desktop computer. Which of the following specifications are the most likely to affect your power supply choice?
Form factor Type and number of connectors Output wattage Explanation When choosing a power supply: Select the power supply form factor that matches the motherboard and case form factor (ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX, etc.). Male sure that the power supply has the correct type and number of power connectors for all of you devices. Select a power supply with sufficient watts to power all devices. The higher the watts, the more internal and external devices that can be supported. Nearly all power supplies can accept between 110 and 230 volts AC inout. Use the switch on the back to specify the input power. All power supplies output +/-5 and +/-12 volts DC power.
You have a computer with a dual core 64-bit processor that uses the x86-x64 instruction set. You want to install the 32-bit application on the computer. What should you do?
Install the application normally. Explanation You can install a 32-bit application on a system with a 64-bit processor. If the processor runs the x86-64 architecture the processor itself is capable of running the 32-bit application without modifications.
An employee submitted a support ticket stating that her computer will not turn on. Which of the following troubleshooting steps should you take first?
Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall. Make sure the surge protector is turned on. Explanation When troubleshooting the power supply, always check the following before opening up the computer: Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall. Verify any surge protectors are plugged in and in the on position. Make sure the power supply's switch is in the on position. Only after you identify the power supply is the problem should you replace it. The keyboard and mouse being unplugged in will not prevent the computer from powering on. Testing the power supply using a multimeter should be done only after the obvious has been ruled out.
You want to add a second processor to your dual-processor system. Which of the following should you do?
Match the speed of the new processor with the speed of the existing processor. Explanation When adding multiple processors in a multi-processor system the speed of the processors must be the same. The terminating resistor occupies the processor slot when a second processor is not installed; it must be removed before the second processor is added. Level II cache is on the processor and cannot be upgraded.
You want to build a computer that can stand upright on a desk and takes up the least amount of space possible. Which case type should you select?
Micro-ATX slim tower. Explanation Micro-ATX slim towers are designed to be able to stand upright on desks, reducing the amount of space they require. An ATX mid-tower case would take up a considerable amount of space on a desk and are not designed to be small. While Mini-ITX towers can sit on desks, they take up more space than a Micro-ATX slim tower that is designed to stand upright. HTPC cases are design to be used with TVs and home theatre systems.
B- Micro-ATX Slim Tower
Micro-ATX slim towers are typically half the width of a Micro-ATX tower and are designed to lay flat or upright.
C- Micro-ATX Tower
Micro-ATX towers are smaller cases designed to be placed on desktops. Micro-ATX towers typically only have one drive bay and are compatible with the micro-ATX and Mini-ITX form factors.
Which motherboard form factor allows for low-consumption power supplies?
Mini-ITX Explanation Mini-ITX motherboards are designed for lower-power, small form factor computer. Some Mini-ITX motherboards are designed to be used with 100 watt power supplies.
A- Mini-ITX Tower.
Mini-ITX towers are designed to house Mini-ITX motherboards. They are typically smaller than Micro-ATX towers. The ITX form factor was designed for low-power, small form factor (SFF) computers. The most common ITX form factor is the Mini-ITX form factor. One typical use is with a home theater PC (HTPC).
Which of the following form factors does not have expansion slots on the motherboard, but instead uses a riser card for expansion cards?
NLX Explanation The NLX form factor uses a riser card in the middle of the system board (expansion slots are located on the riser card rather than the system board). The BTX form factor was designed for better thermal management. microATX is a smaller version of the ATX form factor with fewer expansion slots. The ATX form factor is the most common form factor.
Stores custom configuration settings made by the user.
Non-volatile BIOS memory
Controllers communication between the CPU, memory and high-speed graphics bus.
Northbridge
You are testing the power in a PC system by measuring the voltage available on the 4-pin Molex connector. The voltage on the red wire in +5.1 volts. What should you do?
Nothing, the power supply is working normally. Explanation The red wire on a Molex connector should provide +5 volts DC, so this power supply is functioning normally.
You need to replace the power supply in your home desktop computer. As you choose the replacement power supply, which of the following specifications are the most likely to affect your choice?
Output wattage Form factor Processor connector Explanation When choosing a power supply: Select the power supply form factor that matches the motherboard and case form factor (AT,ATX, BTX, etc.). Make sure that the power supply has the correct power connector for your processor. Most newer processors require an additional 4-pin connector in addition to the 20-pin connector. Some motherboards combine these combine these connectors into a single 24-pin connector. Select a power supply with sufficient watts to power all devices. The higher the watts, the more internal external devices that can be supported. Nearly all power supplies can accept both 110 and 220 volts AC input. Use switch on the back to specify the input power. All power supplies output +/-5 and +/-12 volts DC power.
Which expansion slop is best for high-end dedicated video cards? AGP PCIe x1 PCIe x16 PCI-x
PCIe x16
You have an AMD processor and an Intel processor both of which have the same speed rating. Which of the following statements is true about the relative performance of both processors?
Performance will depend on other factors such as cache and other features. Explanation Processor performance is dependent on the specifications of the chip not on the manufacturer or even the speed rating. Other factors such as the amount of cache has a greater impact on performance than does the processor speed.
Which of the following components converts AC to DC?
Power supply Explanation A computer's power supply converts alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet to direct current (DC) used by the computer's internal components. A voltage regulator is an electronic device that supplies the appropriate voltage to a processor. It does not convert the power input from one form to another; it only ensures that the voltage remains at the appropriate level for the device. A surge protector protects a system from power spikes. A UPS (uninterruptable power supply) provides backup AC power using a reserve battery.
Which of the following connectors are part of the system case and connect to header pins on the motherboard? (Select two) SATA power 24-pin ATX power Power switch HDD LED activity 8-pin EPS12V
Power switch HDD LED activity
You have computer system with a dual-core processor. You would like to upgrade to a quad-core processor, but you don't want to replace the motherboard. Which of the following should you do first?
Read the motherboard documentation to identify which processors are supported
You have a computer system with an Intel Core i3 processor that operates at 3.7 GHz. You would like to upgrade to a faster processor, but you don't want to replace the motherboard. Which of the following should you do first?
Read the motherboard documentation to identify which processors are supported. Explanation The first thing you need to do before purchasing and installing a new processor is to verify with the motherboard documentation that the new processor is supported by your existing motherboard. After you have determined that the new processor is supported by the motherboard you can take additional steps such as installing the processor editing the CMOS configuring jumpers and replacing the VRM if necessary.
Your computer has one single core processor installed. The motherboard supports processors with up to four cores. You want to upgrade your computer to a quad-core system. Which of the following will be part of your configuration?
Replace the existing processor. Explanation A multi-core system supports processors that have multiple processors on a single processor die. Multi-core systems have a single processor slot. To upgrade this system you will need to remove the existing processor and replace it with one that has four cores. Multi-processor systems have speed. Unused slots are filled with a terminating resistor. Dual-channel memory does not affect using dual processors or dual core processors.
A user calls to complain that her computer is behaving erratically. Some days it functions correctly, other days it crashes frequently. Sometimes, the system won''t boot at all. You open the system case and notice the following: - Two of the mounting screws are missing from the system hard disk drive. - The system uses memory modules from several different manufacturers with mismatched capacities. - Several capacitors on the motherboard are bulged and have brown liquid oozing from them. - The chassis fan on the front of the case is oriented to blow air into the system. What should you do?
Replace the motherboard. Explanation The motherboard has distended capacitors in this scenario. this is evidenced by their bulged shaped and the brown fluid leaking from them. The best way to remediate this problem is to replace the entire motherboard. Replacing individual capacitors on the motherboard is extremely difficult and could further damage the motherboard. The fan is this scenario is pushing air in the correct direction. Using additional mounting screws on the hard disk will not improve system stability. Installing matching memory modules may improve system performance, but will not remediate the systems instability problem.
You test installing a second CPU. You remove the terminating resistor from the second CPU slot, insert the CPU and perform your testing . Upon conclusion of the test you remove the second CPU and find that your system no longer boots up properly. How can you correct this situation?
Replace the terminating resistor in the slot that was occupied by the second CPU. Explanation In this case, the motherboard originally required a terminator. Whenever a second CPU is removed, the terminator must be replaced. Some motherboards are self-terminating while resistor in the unused processor slot. When troubleshooting a problem focus first on the things you changed, (in this case removing the terminator). Most motherboards now detect new processors, so changing the BIOS is likely not necessary.
After arriving at work, you turn on your computer to begin your day. Instantly, you see smoke and smell a strange odour coming from the computer. What should you do?
Shut off the system immediately. Explanation If you see smoke or smell something burning, shut off the system immediately to prevent damage or hazards. While inspecting your computer, you should look for dust buildup on components and clean them as necessary. The Event Viewer shows past system events and error messages.
Houses the PCI bus controllers and communicates with the Super I/O controller.
Southbridge
You are in the process of installing a motherboard in a mystery case . Which of the following object should you place between the motherboard and the system case? Support Manual Passive heat sink Standoffs Heat spreaders Fans
Standoffs
What is the biggest advantage of 64-bit processors over 32-bit processors?
The ability to use over 4 GB of memory. Explanation The biggest advantage of 64-bit processors over 32-bit processors is in the amount of memory they can use. 32-bit processors have a limit of 4 GB. 64-bit processors have a theoretical limit of 16 EB. 32-bit processors use the IA-32 instruction set (also referred to as x86). Applications typically perform better on 64-bit systems but this is not the biggest advantage. Hyper-threading is a feature of same Intel processors that allows a single processor to run threads (instructions) in parallel as opposed to processing threads linearly, and is not dependent on whether the processor is 32-or 64-bit.
When you try to boot your computer, it hangs after POST. When you access the UEFI setup program, you see that the date is several years behind and the time is set to 12:01 am. What is the most likely problem?
The motherboard battery has failed. Explanation The system Time and date are managed by the Real Time Clock (RTC) in the BIOS/UEFI firmware. If the motherboard battery goes dead, the RTC reverts back to a default date and time. In addition, the BIOS/UEFI may lose all of its configuration settings.
You are servicing a client's computer that has been randomly restarting. You decide to test the power supply using a multimeter. You connect the positive lead to the yellow wire on one of the Molex connectors. Which action should you take based on the multimeter reading. (shown in the diagram)?
The power supply is failing and should be replaced. Explanation The power supply in this scenario is failing. Any time the voltage on the yellow wire of a Molex connector drops below about 11 volts, the power supply should be replaced. Switching the power supply to use 230 volts AC will not fix the issue. Low voltage issues aren't contained to a single connector, so even if you stop using that particular Molex connector, the system will still have problems.
Your company relocated you to their United Kingdom office in London. You brought your personal computer with you and are in the process of setting it up. Your computer was previously configured to receive 110 V AC, but the electricity in London uses 230 v AC.
Toggle the voltage switch on the power supply to the different voltage. Explanation Most power supplies have the capacity to receive between 110 and 230 volt power just by toggling a switch (typically red) on the power supply casing. You can use this switch when using the power supply in other countries. 110 volts is used in the United States. 230 volts is used in Europe and the United Kingdom.
You have been using the same computer for several years. To extend its service life, you decide to upgrade the processor. You check the motherboard documentation and purchase the fastest processor supported by the motherboard. However, when you start the computer, it beeps regularly and nothing is displayed on the screen and it doesn't start. What should you do first?
Update the UEFI firmware. Explanation Flashing the BIOS or UEFI firmware is often required to upgrade system components that are part of the motherboard, such as upgrading to a faster processor. If the motherboard documentation lists the processor as supported but it is not correctly recognized, updating the BIOS or UEFI firmware to the latest version may fix the problem. Pressing F8 while the system is booting displays the advanced boot menu on older versions of Windows. Replacing the motherboard is probably not required because the motherboard was working correctly previously and the documentation indicates that the new CPU is supported. You would only replace the CPU if you determined that it is faulty.
Your motherboard has two memory slots and supports a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. after installing two 4 GB modules and booting you system, you find that Windows only recognizes 3.5 GB or RAM. What should you do?
Upgrade to a 64-but version of Windows. Explanation In this situation, you are most likely using a 32-bit version of Windows, which can only address a maximum of 4 GB of RAM. Some of the 4 GB is used by drivers, hence it only reports 3.5 GB of system RAM. Upgrading to a 64-bit version of Windows should fix the problem. The BIOS should display the total amount of system memory during POST. If it does not count the proper amount of memory, verify that the memory is inserted correctly. In most cases, you will not need to change the memory timings. When you do, it is typically because the system is unstable or crashes. Testing memory helps you identify when specific memory storage locations are going bad. Device Manager will not enable memory not recognized by the BIOS.
You have a desktop computer that uses a 250 watt power supply. You recently added a 4-disk RAID 10 array to the system and now it spontaneously shuts down. What should you do?
Upgrade to a power supply that provides more watts. Explanation The number of devices that can be supported by a power supply is directly related to the number of watts the power supply provides. In this situation, the new RAID array, along with all of the other components in the system, is drawing more watts than the power supply can provide. A watt is a rating of the amount of work that power supply can do. Volts is a measure of electrical pressure, and is not directly related to the number of devices it will support. The voltage is dependent on the voltage of the wall socket. The voltage switch on the power supply should match the voltage at the wall outlet. 110 is used in the United States, while 200 is typically used in Europe.
You are building a new computer from both new and used parts. The video card is a PCIe video card that requires an 8-pin power connector. However, your power supply doesn't have an 8-pin. PCIe power connector. Which solution would be the least expensive option for your system?
Use an adapter cable to connect two 4-pin Molex connectors to the 8-pin PCIe. Explanation Use an adapter cable to convert 4-pin Molex connectors to the connectors you require. You can typically purchase adapters for PCIe video, SATA power, or processor power cables. Purchasing a new power supply or video card would workout would be more expensive than using an adapter.
You decided to upgrade your PC with a faster processor. To do this, you ordered a new motherboard over the Internet that supports the processor you want to use. When it arrives, you discover that the motherboard uses the Mini-ATX form factor. Your current case is an ATX mid-tower with a standard ATX motherboard inside. What should you do?
Use the Mini-ATX motherboard in the ATX case. Explanation ATX mid-tower cases support all ATX form factors, including Mini-ATX. The main difference between ATX and mini-ATX is the number of bus and possibly memory slots on the motherboard. the mounting holes for both are located in the same place, making them interchangeable in most cases.
A user has called to complain that her computer won't boot. It stops on the system startup screen right after the memory has been tested and displays a 301 keyboard error. What should you do first?
Verify that no keys are being pressed down during POST. Explanation You should have the user verify that no keyboard keys are being pressed during POST. With any error, you should always check the obvious first. This error is almost always caused by a stuck key on the keyboard or something resting on a keyboard key. On rate occasions, you may need to install a new keyboard; however, you should look for these obvious problems first.
You have a desktop computer that you want to upgrade. You add several internal components and external components. You realize that you need to ensure that your power supply can support all of the new devices.
Which power supply rating is used to determine this? Watt rating Explanation The number of devices that can be supported by a power supply is directly related to the number of watts the power supply is rated for. A power supply's watt rating determines its maximum power output. AC voltage and DC voltage is a measure of electrical pressure, and is not directly related to the number of devices it will support. The voltage is dependent on the voltage of the wall socket. The voltage switch on the power supply should match the voltage at the wall outlet. 110 is used in the United States, while 200 is typically used in Europe. Resistance is a measure of how much an electrical device reduces the electric current flow through it.