Unit CSIT F
Which of the following characteristics accurately describes passive heat sinks?
More reliable than active heat sinks
A computer's power supply converts main AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components. You are building a new computer, and you are deciding which type of power supply to install. Which of the following definitions BEST describes a valid type of power supply?
A dual-rail power supply provides separate rails (PCB traces) to balance the power load between multiple circuits (this prevents any one circuit from becoming overloaded).
You have just installed a new video card in your desktop computer for gaming purposes. Which of the following power supply connectors is designed to provide additional dedicated power to your new video card? (Select the correct connector.)
A two pointy
Which of the following connectors provides additional power to the CPU from an ATX power supply using the fewest pins? (Select the correct connector.)
A: two pointy thingy
Where should you apply the thermal paste when installing a processor?
Between the heat sink and CPU
You have a friend who is offering to sell the monitor and video card from his gaming system along with several PC games. The games have fast-moving graphics, and you want to be able to play them on your own home system. The monitor he is selling is an LCD TN with a 144-Hz refresh rate. The video card he is selling supports a max refresh rate of 144 Hz. You're sure you want to buy the games, but you have a couple of other choices when it comes to the monitor and the video card. The monitor in your current system has a 60-Hz refresh rate. The video card has a max refresh rate of 75 Hz. This configuration has always worked fine for watching videos. You're also looking at new 60-Hz LCD IPS monitors and several high-end video cards with max refresh rates of up to 240 Hz. Which of the following will MOST likely allow you to play the games on your home system with the best gaming experience possible?
Buy your friend's games, monitor, and video card. Swap out both your video card and monitor.
What is the correct order for installing a processor for proper cooling?
CPU, thermal paste, heat sink, fan
You have just purchased a new plug-and-play sound card on your Windows workstation that uses a PCI slot. You've updated the sound card driver and installed the apps that came with the card. You decide to play some songs located on your hard drive using a third-party app that you've installed. However, there is no sound coming out of your headphones or speakers. You've checked the Sound applet and the Sound Properties dialog from Control Panel and the volume settings to make sure the settings are correct. You've also tried playing a few system sound files on your workstation, as well as YouTube videos, and the sound is coming through the headphones and speakers. What should you do next to try and resolve the issue?
Check System Information to make sure the correct codec is installed for your song file format.
You have just finished upgrading the CPU in your desktop system. After running the system for about 10 minutes, the system locks up and automatically restarts. Which of the following is the BEST first steps in troubleshooting the problem? (Select two.)
Check the CPU fan power. Make sure the heat sink is properly mounted and has thermal paste.
Which of the following features are supported by digital audio in a sound card? (Select two.)
Compress audio data to support Dolby Digital or DTS surround sound. Play digital audio directly from an internal CD player.
You are in the process of building a new computer. You would like to configure your computer to use SLI to improve performance while playing your favorite game. Which of the following will MOST likely be part of the configuration process? (Select three.)
Connect at least one monitor to the graphics card. Purchase a motherboard with two (or more) PCIe x16 slots. Purchase two graphics cards with SLI and similar specifications.
You have just installed a new hard drive in your desktop computer. Which of the following power supply connectors is designed to provide power to your new hard drive? (Select the correct connector.)
D black rectangle
Which component is responsible for converting digital audio into sound that can be played on speakers?
DAC
You have just installed a new video card in a employee's Windows workstation. When you power the system on and load the OS, everything on the screen looks enlarged and pixelated. You try to change the resolution, but the only available option is 640x480. Which of the following BEST resolves this problem?
Download and install the latest driver from the video card manufacturer's website.
The PCI sound card in your computer has stopped working. You decide to use the motherboard's integrated sound until you can replace the PCI sound card. After removing the PCI sound card and powering on the computer, you have no sound, and the built-in sound card does not show up in Device Manager. Which of the following is the BEST action to try first to resolve this issue?
Edit the CMOS settings and enable the onboard sound.
A customer wants to add an additional video card to her computer so she can play the latest computer games. As a result, this system will now have a multi-GPU configuration. Which of the following statements are true when it comes to a multi-GPU configuration? (Select two.)
For the best performance, both video cards should be identical. The motherboard should support either SLI or CrossFire.
A technician wants to connect a computer to a high-definition television (HDTV). The technician has attached an HDMI cable from the video card to the television. However, the video card is only sending a video signal over the cable. The technician decides to use the audio pass-through technique to deliver audio to the television. An audio output cable is connected to the video card and television. Which of the following options was used for the audio pass-through?
HDMI output
Which of the following sound card port types can normally handle video content?
IEEE 1394 HDMI
Your company relocated you from the United States to their United Kingdom office in London. You brought your personal computer with you, and you are in the process of setting it up. Your computer was previously configured to receive 115 VAC, but the electricity in London uses 230 VAC. Which of the following would allow your computer to run on 230 VAC?
Inspect the power supply unit for a manual voltage switch and move it to 230 VAC. Otherwise, no action is necessary.
Which of the following will ensure optimal system cooling? (Select three.)
Keep the ambient temperature below 80 degrees F. Leave space between the case and any walls or obstructions. Bundle cables together and secure unused cables to the case.
You have just upgraded your computer's CPU. You consulted the motherboard documentation to make sure that the CPU was compatible with the motherboard. However, when you turn the system on, it locks up shortly after startup. Which of the following are the BEST steps to try first while troubleshooting this issue? (Select two.)
Make sure that the CPU is seated properly, oriented correctly, and locked in to the socket. Look for something that could be causing the new CPU to overheat
A computer was brought into your help desk center for repair. You have been told that it randomly locks up. Which of the following is MOST likely causing this issue?
Overheated processor
Which of the following thermal solutions might you find on memory modules?
Passive heat sink
You have installed two multi-GPU CrossFire video cards in your computer and linked them together using a bridge clip. You now need to connect your monitor to test the video card installation. Where should you connect your monitor on your computer?
Primary (first) video card
You have a system that has been overheating. Which of the following actions will NOT help to keep the system cool?
Removing the case side panel.
You are servicing a client's computer that has been randomly restarting. You decide to test the power supply voltage on the 12 V rail using a multimeter. Which of the following BEST describes the action you should take based on the multimeter reading shown below?
Replace the power supply because it is failing.
You are building a new computer and want to purchase a motherboard that has integrated sound with digital audio output. Which of the following ports would you MOST likely find on a motherboard faceplate that indicates digital audio support?
S/PDIF
Drag each bus type on the left to the appropriate characteristic on the right. (You can use a bus type more than once.)
The CPU and bus can process concurrently. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Replaced ISA and VESA bus standards. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) Each bus slot routes data through a point-to-point dedicated connection. PCI Express (PCIe) Typically used for network cards, USB cards, and sound cards. PCI Express (PCIe) A dedicated bus type used by dedicated video cards. AGP Attaches to the motherboard to allow additional cards to be installed. AMR Data rates depend on the protocol version and number of transmission lines. PCI Express (PCIe)
Which of the following processor features is MOST likely to significantly reduce power consumption based on current operating conditions?
Throttling
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? (Select three.)
Type and number of connectors Output wattage form factor
You have a desktop computer that provides a 250-watt power supply. You recently added a four-disk RAID 10 array to the system, and now it spontaneously shuts down. Which of the following would MOST likely solve this issue?
Upgrade to a power supply that provides more watts.
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 does not have an 8-pin PCIe power connector. Which of the following solutions 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 connector.
You need to connect a monitor that provides an HDMI port and a VGA port to a video adapter in a PC system that uses a DVI-D connector. Which of the following options provides the BEST display quality at the lowest cost?
Use an adapter to connect the monitor HDMI port to the DVI-D connector on the PC.
Match the cooling system types on the left with the appropriate characteristics and uses on the right. Each cooling system type can be used once, more than once, or not at all.
Used for cooling high-end video cards Active heat sink Used for cooling high-end gaming computers Liquid cooling Has a fan attached to the heat sink Active heat sink Used for cooling CPUs Active heat sink Exhausts hot air out of the back of the case Power supply Used for cooling memory modules Passive heat sink Used for cooling high-performance systems Liquid cooling Has no fan attached to the heat sink Passive heat sink
A few of your employees have complained that their computers sometimes shut down spontaneously. You have noticed that these employees all work in a part of the building where the air conditioning does not adequately cool the room. These employees also use CPU-intensive programs. You suspect that the spontaneous shutdowns are caused by overheating. Which of the following is the simplest way to monitor the temperature of these computers' CPUs?
View the temperature from within the BIOS.
Which of the following are common digital audio file types? (Select three.)
WAV AIFF WMA
You have just installed a video card in a PCIe expansion slot in your Windows workstation. You have made sure that the card is connected to the power supply using an 8-pin connector. You also have your monitor connected to the video card. However, when you boot your workstation, it displays a blank screen instead of the Windows system. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
You have not configured the motherboard in BIOS/UEFI to utilize the new video card.
You have installed a new sound card in your Windows 11 workstation that includes several Mini TRS ports. You have an external microphone you want to plug into the sound card. Select the port into which you should plug your microphone.
bottom circle
You recently purchased a USB audio headset and connected it to a USB port on your Windows system. However, when you launch your music player, the audio is played through your desktop speakers instead of the new USB headset. You need to reconfigure the system to use the headset instead of the desktop speakers. Click the tab you would use in the Sound Properties window to accomplish this task.
playback
Which of the following components converts AC power to DC power?
power supply
You recently purchased a USB audio headset and connected it to a USB port on your Windows system. The headset includes a microphone that can be used to record audio. However, when you launch your audio recording program, no audio is recorded. You need to reconfigure the system to use the headset mic instead of the built-in mic. Click the tab you would use in the Sound Properties window to accomplish this task.
recording
For a special project, you have been asked to recommend the lowest profile desktop computers available. You are attempting to put together the specifications for these machines. Which of the following types of cards are attached to the motherboard and allow additional cards to be installed?
riser
Which of the following are critical times when memory problems manifest themselves? (Select two.)
On the first boot of a new computer After you remove or install hardware
The image below illustrates the four common external cable types for hard drives. Each type is identified by a number. Drag each cable type number on the left to the appropriate cable type title on the right.
1 - eSATA 2 - SCSI 3 - SAS 4 - iSCSI
Match each USB connector type on the left with the image label on the right. (Not all USB connector types will be used.)
1 .USB 2.0 Type-B 2. microUSB 3. miniUSB 4.USB 3.0 Micro-B
You have an older computer that has four DDR2 memory slots. Currently, there are two 512-MB memory modules installed. You check the motherboard documentation and find that the system has a 4-GB memory limitation. You want to add more memory to this system. What is the maximum total amount of usable RAM you can have in this system by adding new memory modules (and without replacing the existing memory modules)?
3GB
You have just purchased a smartphone with a USB Type-C cable connector for charging your phone. Which of the following is a USB Type-C connector? (Select one.)
4
Dual-channel memory systems only theoretically double memory bandwidth. What is the bandwidth increase in actual terms?
5-15%
Which of the following BEST describes the theoretical capacity of a DDR4 standard system memory module?
512 GB
You want to build a new system that supports 16 GB of memory. Which of the following is the MOST important consideration when building the computer?
64-bit processor
You are installing a new SATA hard drive in your Windows workstation. Which of the following connectors should you use to connect your hard drive to the motherboard?
7-pin connector
Consider the memory modules shown in the image below. Drag each label on the left and drop it on the letter on the right that best identifies the associated memory module form.
A DDR DIMM B DDR3 DIMM C DDR4 DIMM D DDR2 DIMM E 200-pin SO-DIMM F 144-pin SO-DIMM G UniDIMM
A fiber optic cable consists of four basic components. Using the illustration below, match each illustration label on the left with the correct component name on the right.
A - Plastic sheath B - Protective layer C - Cladding D - Central core
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a CPU socket?
A CPU socket is a single connector between a microprocessor and the motherboard.
Use the diagram above to match each case type label on the left with its corresponding case, identified by letters on the right.
A Mini-ITX tower B Micro-ATX slim tower C Micro-ATX tower D ATX mid tower E ATX full tower
Consider the following diagram of a typical motherboard. Drag each label on the left to the letter on the right that best identifies the associated connector.
A PCI B PCIe x16 C PCIe x1 D Case fan power E CPU power F CPU G Memory H Power supply I SATA J Front/top panel K USB L IEEE 1394
Consider the external ports for a typical PC system (pictured below). Drag each port type on the left to the letter on the right that best identifies the port. (Each type can be used only once.)
A: HDMI - B: Thunderbolt C: IEEE 1394 D: USB E: VGA F: DVI G: RJ45 H: RJ11 I: Fiber S/PDIF J: Audio jack
After working without problems for a couple of years, your computer has begun to lock up. You suspect that it is a thermal issue, but you can't find any component that is not functioning correctly. You have not replaced the CPU or installed any new devices. The CPU cooling fan and the power supply fan are working properly. The lock-ups are happening with increasing frequency. Which of the following is the MOST common condition that explains these symptoms?
An accumulation of dust has gradually built up.
When you turn on your workstation, you immediately hear a grinding noise coming from inside the computer case. Which of the following are the MOST likely causes of this noise?
An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise. Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned.
As a cable company technician, you need to use a fiber optic SC connector to connect a device to the company's fiber optic network. The connector includes the following unique characteristics: It uses a ceramic ferrule to ensure proper core alignment and to prevent light ray deflection. It is half the size of other fiber optic connectors. Which of the following is the SC connector? (Select the correct connector type.)
B
While running a graphics editing program on your Windows workstation, a screen suddenly pops up with an error message warning. You note the error message, but the only way to continue working is to reboot your system. What is this type of error screen called?
BSoD
To improve system performance, you have configured a motherboard to run with a higher multiplier than what the CPU is specified to use. Since doing this, the system has become unstable and crashes frequently. Which of the following should you do to restore system stability?
Back off on the overclocking settings until the system runs in a stable manner.
You work as the IT administrator for a small corporate network. Sam, an employee in the support department, wants to run a virtual machine on his computer for troubleshooting customer issues, and he needs a very stable computer from which to work. You need to decide whether to install buffered or non-buffered RAM in his computer. Which of the following BEST describes the reason to choose buffered instead of unbuffered memory for this new computer?
Buffered memory reduces the load on the memory controller and allows the system to be more stable.
With a memory module read request, there is a delay between the time of the data request and the time the data is available for output from the memory module. What is this delay called?
CAS latency
You want to configure your computer so that a password is required before the operating system will load. What should you do?
Configure a user password in the BIOS/UEFI.
When booting your workstation, you hear a series of audible beeps, and the system locks up. What is the FIRST step you should take when troubleshooting this issue?
Check the motherboard documentation for POST errors.
Which of the following functions are performed by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM)?
Creates a hash based on installed system components.
While sorting through a box of cables in your storage room, you find one that matches the configuration shown in the image. Which of the following BEST describes the type of cable configuration and the purpose for which it would be used?
Crossover cable configuration used to connect computers directly to one another for networking.
Your motherboard has sockets for 184-pin DIMM RAM. Which type of RAM should you install?
DDR
Which of the following DDR memory types can be used by a triple-channel memory system? (Select two.)
DDR4 DDR3
What are the advantages of DDR4 over DDR3, assuming the same operating frequency? (Select two.)
DDR4 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR3. DDR4 uses less power than DDR3.
Which of the following memory ratings identifies the fastest memory?
DDR4-1600
The manager of the research and development team needs to make a PowerPoint presentation for her team members (with no audio). Her presentation requires her computer to be connected to a large high-definition television. You have been asked to ensure that the computer is connected and functioning properly prior to her presentation. In the process of setting up the computer, you find that the computer's video port (see image 1) is different from the port found on the TV (see image 2). Which of the following adapters MUST you use to connect the computer to the TV?
DVI-to-HDMI
You have purchased a new notebook. This notebook system uses UEFI firmware and comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. However, you want to use Linux on this system. You download your favorite distribution and install it on the system, removing all Windows partitions on the hard disk in the process. When the installation is complete, you find that the operating system won't load when the system is rebooted. Which of the following would allow your computer to boot to Linux?
Disable SecureBoot in the UEFI configuration.
You have purchased a new LED monitor for your computer. On the back of the monitor, you see the following port (pictured below). Which type of cable should you use to connect the monitor to your computer?
DisplayPort cable
To fix a problem you are having with your PC, you have determined that you must flash the computer's BIOS. Which of the following would MOST likely need to be completed prior to flashing the BIOS? (Select two.)
Download the flash utility or tool from the manufacturer's website. Properly identify the motherboard.
You are attempting to boot a new system. The boot fails, and the system sounds a beep code. Which of the following describes the MOST likely cause of this error?
Either no memory is installed or the memory was not detected.
Since it has no moving parts, a CPU will usually work properly for several years. Which of the following is a common factor that might cause a CPU to fail prematurely?
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
You are in a carpeted office lighted by fluorescent bulbs. You are preparing to add memory modules to a user's computer. The user has already unpacked the memory modules and stacked them on top of an old, unused CRT monitor. What is the greatest threat to these memory modules in this environment?
Electrostatic discharge (ESD).
You are in the process of installing a new motherboard in your workstation. You have already installed the CPU, heat sink, and memory. You have inserted the I/O shield into the case, fastened the standoffs to the case, and attached the motherboard to the standoffs. You are now ready to complete the installation. Drag each remaining step on the left to the right in the appropriate order that you need to complete them.
First Connect the power and accessory cables. Second Connect your drives to the SATA connectors. Third Install additional devices in the expansion slots. Fourth Connect the wires for the front/top panel ports. Last Document the settings of the new motherboard.
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 that is supported by the motherboard. However, when you try to start the computer, it beeps regularly, and nothing is displayed on the screen. Which of the following actions will MOST likely resolve this issue? (Select two.)
Flash the UEFI firmware. Reinstall the old processor in the motherboard.
Which type of software-generated problems can indicate that a software bug is causing a memory error? (Select three.)
General-protection fault Exception error Page fault
What is a major benefit STP provides that UTP does not?
Greater resistance to interference
The CEO of your small company has asked you to connect a laptop computer to the small conference room LED TV. The CEO will be showing a promotional video that demonstrates the new company strategy through images and sound. Which of the following cable types would work BEST for connecting the laptop to the display?
HDMI
Which of the following are advantages of using fiber optic cabling for a network, as opposed to other types of cabling? (Select two.)
Immunity to EMI Greater cable distances without a repeater
You have installed a new computer with a quad-core 64-bit processor, 6 GB of memory, and a PCIe video card with 512 MB of memory. After installing the operating system, you see less than 4 GB of memory showing as available in Windows. Which of the following actions would MOST likely correct this issue?
Install a 64-bit version of the operating system.
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. Which of the following BEST describes the action that you should perform?
Install the application normally.
Which statements are true of processor caches? (Select two.)
L1 is typically unique to a processor core. L3 is shared between all cores.
Which type of USB 3.0 connector is shown here?
MicroUSB
Match each of the motherboard components on the left with the appropriate description on the right. Each component is used once.
Maintains an accurate system time and date, even when the power is off. CMOS battery Allows additional features and capabilities to be added to the motherboard. Expansion slots Houses the PCI bus controllers and communicates with the super I/O controller. South bridge Contains firmware that is used to configure motherboard settings and initialize devices. Flash memory Controls communication between the CPU, memory, and high-speed graphics bus. North bridge Stores custom configuration settings made by the user. Non-volatile BIOS memory
After installing two memory modules, you power on the system to check for errors. You find that the BIOS program recognizes only one of the memory modules. Which of the following is BEST to try first when troubleshooting this issue?
Make sure that both modules are seated properly in their slots
A customer needs to use several applications. Currently, the computer cannot keep all the necessary applications open at the same time. Which of the following components should you consider upgrading?
Memory
You have just built a new system from scratch. You turn the computer on, but the system boot fails and sounds a beep code. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause?
Memory is not installed or is not detected.
Drag each internal hard drive connector type on the left to the appropriate description on the right.
Molex - a common type of connector used to power internal computer components. SCSI - usually found only in high-end servers, mainframe computers, and RAID storage devices. SATA - frequently used in modern computers to connect hard drives to the motherboard. IDE - an older technology where the cable connects to the motherboard and two devices. SAS - a point-to-point interface typically found in enterprise-level storage systems, like RAID and tape drives.
You are in the process of configuring a new computer. The motherboard has four memory slots and supports dual-channel memory. You install two memory modules. When you boot the computer, the BIOS recognizes both modules, but the memory is not configured to run in dual-channel mode. What should you do to resolve the issue?
Move the modules to the correct motherboard slots.
Which of the following is the most common method for removing RAM from a motherboard?
Move the tabs holding the RAM out of the way; then pull straight up to remove the RAM.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a multi-processor system?
Multiple processor sockets on the motherboard.
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 that you want to use. When the motherboard arrives, you discover that the motherboard uses the Micro-ATX form factor. Your current case is an ATX mid-tower with a standard ATX motherboard inside. Which steps must you take for the Micro-ATX motherboard to work in the ATX case?
No additional steps are necessary. You can install the Micro-ATX motherboard in the ATX case.
Steve, a computer technician, receives a help desk ticket for a computer that will not start. When Steve powered the computer on, there was one long and two short beeps. Which of the following programs is reporting this error condition?
POST
While sorting through a box of cables in your storage room, you find one that matches the configuration shown in the image. Which of the following BEST describes the type of cable configuration and the purpose for which it would be used?
Patch (or straight-though) cable configuration used to connect computers to network devices, such as switches and hubs.
The processor you have just purchased has a series of pins in an array on the underside of the processor package. You notice that the pins insert into corresponding receptacles within the processor socket on the motherboard. Which type of socket is this processor configured to use?
Pin grid array (PGA)
A technician is running a network above a dropped ceiling that is also used for ventilation. The cable must be twisted pair and must be capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds. Which of the following cables should the technician use?
Plenum-rated Cat 6a
While performing data entry on your Windows 11 laptop, your screen suddenly goes black. What can you do immediately to troubleshoot the issue without losing any data that you have entered?
Press the Windows key + P four times
You have an existing system that has a single DDR3 memory module installed. You would like to add more memory to the three remaining empty memory slots. Which of the following steps should you take to make sure that you get the right memory for the system? (Select two.)
Purchase additional modules that are the same as what is currently installed. Check the motherboard documentation to find which modules are supported.
A technician is installing a cable modem that supplies internet connectivity for a home office. Which of the following cabling types would they use to connect the cable modem to the wall outlet?
RG-6
You need to connect the satellite television signal to your HD 4K flat screen TV using a coaxial cable. Which of the following is the BEST type of coaxial cable to use?
RG-6
Your computer has a 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 is part of the configuration steps?
Replace the existing processor with one that has four cores.
An employee calls to complain that their computer is behaving erratically. Some days, it functions correctly, and 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 bulging and have a 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.
Your system crashes at various times. It happens sometimes on startup, sometimes when running a software application, and sometimes when a certain group of applications is running. You suspect a malfunctioning CPU, but none of the common issues seem to be present. You have not configured overclocking. There is no overheating. The CPU is seated correctly and locked into its socket. What is the BEST step you can take to determine if the CPU is causing the system crashes
Replace the suspect CPU with a known good CPU of the same make and model.
When playing videos games or watching movies on your workstation, the screen sometimes freezes and displays strange colors. You suspect that your video card is causing the issues. What is the BEST solution to resolve your display issues?
Replace the video card.
What is the role of the CMOS in a modern computer?
Saves information about system devices.
After arriving at work, you turn on your computer to begin your day. Instantly, you see smoke and smell a strange odor coming from the computer. Which of the following would be the MOST important action to take first?
Shut off the system immediately.
Which of the following statements is true regarding single- and double-sided memory?
Single-sided memory uses half the number of memory modules as double-sided memory of the same capacity
You are in the process of installing a motherboard in a system case. Which of the following objects should you place between the motherboard and the system case?
Standoffs
Susan works in the research and development department. She recently purchased a large high-speed external drive and has attached the drive to her computer using a USB cable. Her drive requires a minimum data transfer speed of 5 Gbps and needs to have access to 600 mA/15 volts of USB power to function properly. Although the correct drivers are installed, when she plugs her drive into her workstation, the drive is not working. To troubleshoot the problem, she has connected her drive to her coworker's computer, where the drive functions properly. No additional cables are required for this drive. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason that Susan's external hard drive is not working?
Susan has connected her drive to a USB 2.0 port, which does not have the required data transfer speed.
An employee complains that every time they turn their computer off, the computer's time is set to 12:00 p.m., and the date is set back to January 1, 1990. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this anomaly?
The CMOS battery has failed.
When you boot your computer, it hangs after asking you for the current time and date. What is the MOST likely problem?
The CMOS battery has failed.
You have just finished replacing the motherboard in your friend Ethan's computer with the same type of motherboard that the computer had originally. You tested the motherboard by powering it on and by verifying that the operating system started and that the applications work. Now Ethan is complaining that his computer no longer recognizes his external hard drive, which he had connected to the previous motherboard. Which of the following is MOST likely causing the external hard drive not to function?
The USB front panel connector was not properly connected.
Which of the following is the biggest advantage of 64-bit processors over 32-bit processors?
The ability to use over 4 GB of memory.
Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the north bridge chipset?
The chip that controls the PCI bus.
Lately, your computer has been spontaneously shutting down after only a few minutes of use. What is the likely cause? (Select two.)
The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard.
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 a.m. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this behavior?
The motherboard battery has failed.
You have just purchased a new computer. This system uses UEFI firmware and comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. You recently accessed the manufacturer's support website and saw that a UEFI firmware update has been released. You download the update. However, when you try to install it, an error message is displayed that indicates the digital signature on the update file is invalid. Which of the following MOST likely caused this to happen?
The update file has been tampered with.
Which of the following situations is MOST likely to justify an investment in a Cat 6a cable instead of a Cat 6 cable?
The work area has a lot of electromagnetic interference (EMI)
There are critical times when memory problems often manifest themselves. Match each critical time on the left with the corresponding cause of the memory problems on the right
This event can require more memory and can cause problems if there is not enough memory when it occurs. Software installation Memory is not properly seated, is missing, or the motherboard is defective. First boot of a new computer Incompletely or improperly doing this can cause errors that appear to be memory-related. Hardware installation or removal The memory is incompatible and was not installed and configured properly. Memory upgrade
You work as the IT administrator for a small corporate network. One of the company employees needs to add an additional PCI card to the motherboard. When you open the computer, you see that the card that you purchased does not fit due to the card's height. Which of the following is the BEST method for using the newly purchased card?
Use a riser card to allow the new card to be installed parallel to the motherboard.
A laptop that you previously purchased was shipped with SO-DIMM memory to accommodate the laptop's form factor. You would now like to upgrade the memory. Which of the following is an upgrade to the SO-DIMM standard?
UniDIMM
You have overclocked the processor on your workstation to run at a higher speed. Now the workstation is overheating, and you are concerned that the processor might become damaged. Which of the following is the BEST solution to this issue?
Upgrade the workstation cooling devices.
Which of the following should you always do to avoid damage when you prepare to install a CPU? (Select two.)
Use anti-static protection. Ensure that the CPU and motherboard socket type match.
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. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first?
Verify that no keys are being pressed down during POST.
When do you need to upgrade the system BIOS?
Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported, but is required by the operating system or hardware.
You have just upgraded the memory in one of your network servers by adding two 4-GB ECC memory cards. Before purchasing the new memory, you made sure that the modules fit in the memory slots (packaging) and the speed (memory frequency) was supported by the memory controller. What did you forget to check that would significantly impact the memory checking of your new ECC memory cards?
Whether or not the existing memory modules support ECC.
You are trying to push a memory module into a memory slot, but it is not seating properly. What is the MOST likely issue?
You are trying to install the memory module backwards in the memory slot.
After installing a new RAM module, you boot your 64-bit system, but the display remains blank. What is the MOST likely cause of this issue?
You have installed a non-parity RAM on an ECC system.
Where do you install the heat sink and fan once you insert the CPU into the motherboard socket?
You install both on top of the CPU.
Which of the following are the MOST likely signs that your computer might need more memory? (Select two.)
Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work. Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time.
A clicking noise in your computer has now evolved into a grinding noise. In addition, you are beginning to see frequent error messages while running software, and your computer occasionally freezes. What is the MOST likely cause of these issues?
a failing hard drive
Your server runs in quadruple-channel memory mode. How many memory controllers are being used?
four
Upon reviewing the specifications for a motherboard, you find that the motherboard uses a 1155 CPU socket. Which of the following manufacturers' CPUs can you use for this motherboard?
intel
Zoey has brought her computer in for servicing. When she dropped off her computer, she mentioned that it spontaneously reboots and freezes occasionally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of these problems?
overheated CPU
Which pin on the power supply connector connects to the power good wire on the motherboard in order to indicate an appropriate action for the motherboard if the power disappears, quickly reappears, or does not appear at all?
pin 8
You work at a computer repair store. You have just upgraded the processor (CPU) in a customer's Windows-based computer. The customer purchased the latest AMD Ryzen processor, and you installed it in the computer. But when you power the computer on, you only see a blank screen. Which of the following is MOST likely causing the computer to display the blank screen? (Select two.)
the CPU is bad The cpu is not supported by the BIOS
