8.2.7 Practice Questions Notebook Components

An internal laptop keyboard is generally connected to the laptop's system board using a:

Ribbon cable Explanation A laptop keyboard is generally connected to the system board using a flat, ribbon-like cable. PS/2 ports are used attach external devices, such as keyboards and mice, to older laptops. USB connectors are used to connect external keyboards to a laptop. The power cable for floppy drives uses a mini-molex connector.

You need to replace the hard disk in your lap computer. Which of the following hard drive sizes would you likely choose for the laptop?

2.5" Explanation Notebook hard drives and SSD drives are typically 2.5". 3.5" drives are normal sized drives for desktop computer. 5.25" are older hard drives and floppy drives.

Your laptop has an ExpressCard /54 slot. Which of the following is true?

Compatible ExpressCards for the laptop include cards which are rectangular-shaped. You can use an ExpressCard /34 card or an ExpressCArd /54 card in the laptop. Explanation The ExpressCard /54 slot accepts both ExpressCard /34 or ExpressCard /54 cards. ExpressCard /34 are rectangular=shaped cards, and ExpressCard /54 are :-shaped cards.

The power cord for the laptop has a block on it (sometimes called a brick). What does this block do?

Converts AC power to DC Explanation The block (also known as a brick) converts alternating current (AC from the wall outlet to direct current (DC) used by the computer's internal components. CCFL-backlit LCD monitors use AC power. An inverter must convert the DC power from the block to AC power. An LED-backlit LCD monitor uses the DC power from the block.

Which of the following input devices uses a stylus?

Digitizer Explanation A digitizer pad is used in Tablet PCs to receive input. Input is written onto the pad with a stylus pen, then those motions are transferred into data that is processed by the system. A touchpad and a touch screen uses your fingers to receive input to move or click the mouse. A trackpoint or pointing stick is a knob that moves the cursor.

You need to replace the video card in a laptop. What is the first step?

Find a service manual with correct disassembly procedures. Explanation Before replacing the video card, find the documentation to determine the location of screws and to identify installation sequences for accessing the system components. On most notebook, you access the video card by removing the keyboard. Some video cards are integrated on the motherboard and cannot be replaced. If the video card can be replaced, you will need to disconnect the display wires. You can typically view or add memory to a laptop by removing the access panel on the bottom of the notebook. The bezel is the case in which the LCD screen is set, and typically houses the antenna for wireless network cards.

You have a notebook computer with a built-in wireless network card. One day it stops working. Because the network card is integrated onto the motherboard, you do not want to replace the entire motherboard. What can you use to connect to the wireless network?

Insert an ExpressCard wireless network card. Insert a wireless USB network card. Explanation You can add devices to a notebook computer using USB or ExpressCard interface. You cannot add a PCI card to a notebook. The infrared port would not be able to connect to the wireless network as it uses a different signal type to communicate between devices. Bluetooth is used to connect to personal area networks (PANs), not LANs.

Which of the following are characteristics of the ExpressCard /54 form factor?

L shape 34mm wide at the connector Explanation ExpressCard /54 are : shaped cards that are 34mm wide at the connector end, but 54mm wide on the outside edge. ExpressCard /34 are rectangular cards that are 34mm wide. Older PC Cards used a 68-pin connector.

Which type of interface is typically used for internal wireless networking cards in the laptops?

Mini-PCI

Which type of interface is typically used for internal wireless networking cards in laptops?

Mini-PCi Explanation Most internal wireless network cards in laptops connect using a mini-PCi interface. USB, Firewire, ExpressCard, are external buses for external devices.

You want to upgrade the memory modules in a notebook computer. What are the most common ways to access the memory slots?

Open a panel on the bottom of the notebook. Remove the keyboard. Explanation You can typically view or add memory to a laptop by removing the access panel on the bottom of the notebook. Some models have one slot accessible from the bottom, and a second slot accessible under the keyboard. Hard drives and optical drives are replaced by removing the slide-out tray (on the front or the side) that holds the device. The bezel is the case in which the LCD screen is set, and typically houses the antenna for wireless network cards.

Which of the following is an extra button or knob on a laptop keyboard that moves the mouse cursor?

Point stick Explanation Pointing sticks (also called a trackpoint) are small knobs in the center of the keyboard. Pushing on this knob moves the cursor. The touchpad is located below the keyboard. Moving your finger across the pad moves the mouse. You can also tap the touchpad to click the mouse. A digitizer pad is used in Tablet PCs to receive input. Input is written onto the pad with a stylus pen, then those motions are transferred into data that is processed by the system. An ExpressCard us an expansion card for laptops.

You have been told to replace the hard drive on a laptop computer that has a drive bay accessible from the outside of the computer. Which of the following should you do after powering down the system?

Remove the battery. Unplug the AC power. Explanation Before servicing the laptop, all power should be removed from this unit, including AC and the battery. There is no need to disconnect the keyboard or mouse, or remove the memory.

Which type of interface is most commonly used for internal hard disks in notebook systems?

SATA Explanation Most laptop internal hard disks use SATA interfaces, however the connectors might be customized for the small form factor of the laptop. PCIe (PCI Express) is a new bus for desktop systems. At one time, most internal hard disks used the IDE interface, but is no longer true. The bus size is too large for laptop computers. Mini-PCI slots are normally used for wireless devices, not storage devices. USB and Firewire connections are typically external connections.

You have removed the bezel from a notebook display that has stopped functioning. You see a DC to AC power inverter at the base of the screen.

This is an LCD display that uses CCFL backlighting. Explanation The inverter looks like a long, rectangular circuit board and is used to convert DC power into the AC power used by the fluorescent tubes for the CCFL backlighting. The inverter is usually located at the base of the screen. LED backlighting does not use a power inverter.