Chapter 3 Hardware

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 Cable modems are connected to a wall outlet using coaxial cabling. RG-6 is the most common coaxial cable used for this connection. Cat 5e, Cat 6a, and multi-mode fiber cables cannot be used to connect cable modems to a wall outlet.

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 Explanation You use a 7-pin connector to connect a SATA hard drive to the motherboard. IDE hard drives use a 40-pin connector. SCSI and SPI-SCSI parallel interfaces use 50-, 68-, or 80-pin connectors.

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 Explanation A failing hard drive can cause a clicking noise, which eventually evolves into a grinding noise. Other indicators are frequent error messages while running software and your computer freezing (locking up). While a failing fan can also cause a grinding noise, it does not start out as a clicking noise. In addition, it probably won't cause application error message. A failing video card can freeze your screen, but will not normally cause application error s or produce a grinding noise. While a failing RAM card may cause issues with applications, it will not produce any noises.

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 Explanation You are experiencing a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD). This is a proprietary crash screen officially known as a stop error or blue screen error. A BSoD happens when the Windows OS encounters a fatal system error. An SPoD (Spinning Pinwheel of Death) is the macOS equivalent of a BSoD. In this case, you are running a Windows system, so an SPoD does not apply. POST errors are encountered when booting your system (before running Windows) and do not apply in this scenario. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. This is the system that moves air between indoor and outdoor areas in a room. HVAC does not directly apply to computer systems.

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. Explanation Every time a workstation boots, it runs a Power-On Self Test (POST) to make sure that all of the basic hardware in the system is present and functioning correctly. If a problem is identified during POST, an error is generated, which can be a series of beeps. You need to check the motherboard documentation to interpret what the series of beeps represents. If the motherboard battery fails, the system clock can lose time, or the BIOS/UEFI settings may reset to their defaults. However, this would not cause the series of beeps you are hearing when the system boots. Dust buildup can cause overheating and other symptoms. However, this is not related to the POST error beeps you are hearing when the system boots. Disconnecting non-essential peripherals and then rebooting is a troubleshooting step for resolving a Blue Screen of Death issue and is not related to POST error beeps.

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

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?

Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned AND An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise. Explanation When you hear a buzzing or grinding noise, the most likely cause is your PC's fan. There are many things that can cause your fan to make a grinding noise, including dust buildup that needs to be cleaned and an uneven case surface. A failing video card may result in a noise from the video card fan, but it will not be a grinding noise. A POST test error message can result in a series of beeps or a text message on the screen, but this error does not cause an audible grinding noise. A connector that is not seated properly can cause an electrical arch, resulting in smoke or a burning smell. However, the connector will not produce a grinding noise.

What is a major benefit STP provides that UTP does not?

Greater resistance to interference Explanation Shielded twisted pair (STP) has a grounded outer copper shield around the bundle of twisted pairs or around each pair. This provides added protection against EMI. Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) does not have a grounded outer copper shield. STP costs considerably more than UTP. Neither is safer for installations in overhead ceiling spaces unless they are made with plenum plastic shielding. STP and UTP are equally effective at transmitting a signal over the same distance.

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 Explanation HDMI is the default cable standard for newer electronic devices, such as Blu-ray players and LED TVs. HDMI can carry both digital video and audio signals. Most modern computers include an HDMI port. DVI and VGA only support video signals. Composite cables support video, but not audio.

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. Explanation ATX mid-tower cases support all ATX form factors, including Micro-ATX. The main difference between ATX and Micro-ATX is the number of bus and memory slots on the motherboard. You do not need to return the motherboard, and drilling holes in the motherboard or case can compromise or damage the integrity of both. ReferencesTestOut PC Pro 7.0 - 3.3 Cases and Motherboards

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 Explanation Pin 8 on the power supply connector connects to the power good wire on the motherboard. If power disappears from this wire, the motherboard shuts down. If power quickly reappears on this wire, the system may attempt to come back on by itself, resulting in continual reboots. If power does not reappear on this wire, the system shuts off.

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 Explanation Plenum-rated Cat 6a cables can transfer data at 10 Gbps and can be placed in plenum spaces used for ventilation. Riser-rated RG-58 cables are coaxial and can transfer data at 10 Mbps. Plenum-rated cables can be used in riser applications, but riser-rated cables cannot be used in plenum applications. Riser-rated Cat 5e cables can transfer data at 1 Gbps, but they cannot be used in plenum applications. Plenum-rated multimode fiber can transfer data at 10 Gbps, but it is not twisted pair.

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 Explanation If your screen suddenly goes black, try using the Windows key + P four times to switch between the four different display modes to see if the black screen disappears. Pressing Ctrl + Shift + B resets the video driver in Windows 10 and can be useful when encountering a black screen. However, this is a Windows 11 laptop. Pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del lets you terminate an application task or reboot the operating system. However, in this scenario, you probably want to check the display first before terminating applications or rebooting the system. Pressing F5 refreshes the screen, which will probably not resolve your black screen issues. In addition, pressing F5 may cause the data entry software to close, causing you to lose your data.

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 Cable modems are connected to a wall outlet using coaxial cabling. RG-6 is the most common coaxial cable used for this connection. Cat 5e, Cat 6a, and multi-mode fiber cables cannot be used to connect cable modems to a wall outlet.

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. Explanation The motherboard in this scenario has distended capacitors. This is evidenced by their bulging shape and the brown fluid leaking from them. The best way to solve this issue is to replace the entire motherboard. The fan in this scenario is pushing air in the correct direction. Installing matching memory modules may improve system performance, but this will not remediate the system's instability problem. Using additional mounting screws on the hard disk drive will not improve system stability. Replacing individual leaking capacitors on the motherboard is extremely difficult and could further damage the motherboard.

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. Explanation The best remedy is to replace the video card because it will fail completely at some point. While updating the video card driver may resolve the display issues for now, it is more likely that your video card is failing. The best solution is to simply replace the video card. If the video card has been working properly until now, it is highly unlikely that you have a loose video card connector. If you are not hearing any noise from the fan while it is spinning, it is highly unlikely that the fan is the cause of the display issues.

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. Explanation If you see smoke or smell something burning, shut off the system immediately to prevent further damage and the chance of a fire hazard. Event Viewer shows past system events and error messages, but this function would not help in this scenario. While calling the IT director might be your next step, your first step should be to shut off the system. While inspecting your computer, you should look for dust buildup on components and clean them as necessary. However, inspecting for dust buildup is not the first step you should take in this scenario.

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 Explanation Standoffs go between the motherboard and the case. Standoffs prevent the motherboard circuits from touching the system case and grounding or shorting. Heat spreaders go on memory modules to help cool them. Fans are installed in the system case, but not between the motherboard and the case. Passive heat sinks are installed with chipsets and low-performance processors. The support manual is a booklet that contains information about the motherboard.

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. Explanation Susan has connected her drive to a USB 2.0 port on her computer, which only supports up to 480 Mbps data transfer speeds. However, her external hard drive requires a minimum of 5 Gbps, which is provided by a 3.2 USB port. Because the external hard drive requires 5 Gbps and 600 mA of USB power, the drive is most likely designed to be used with a 3.2 USB port. A USB Type-C cable provides up to 20 volts of power, which meets the external hard drive requirements.

According to the image the cable wire up is T568A or T568B?

T568B

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. Explanation The most likely cause is that the USB cable is not connected or is not connected properly. If the motherboard is a replacement, and Ethan had the external hard drive connected previously, the new motherboard should also support the external hard drive. It is unlikely that the hard drive suddenly failed in such a short time. Since the operating system and applications are functioning properly, the power supply is functioning correctly as well.

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the north bridge chipset?

The chip that controls the PCI bus. Explanation The north bridge is the chip that connects a CPU to memory, the PCI bus, Level 2 cache, and AGP activities. The north bridge chip sits near the CPU and communicates with the CPU through the front-side bus (FSB). The other options are functions of the south bridge chipset.

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 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. While outdated IEFI firmware might cause certain issues, in this scenario, the date and time issues are most likely caused by a failed motherboard battery. RAM modules have no direct impact on UEFI settings.

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). Explanation A Cat 6a (advanced) cable is designed to be less susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI) than Cat 6. Network performance can be greatly diminished by higher-than-average EMI. When cabling is run under the floor, the cabling must be plenum-insulated so as to be fire resistant and non-toxic, but it does not need to be Cat 6. Streaming video or doing high-resolution printing does not justify the extra cost of a Cat 6a cable when Cat 6 can handle the same bandwidth.

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. Explanation Riser cards attach to the motherboard and have expansion cards on the side. Using these expansion slots allow you to install additional cards parallel to the motherboard. This is especially useful in low-profile computers. Using a different case impacts the type of motherboard form factor that you can use. Using a different case does not resolve the issue. A parallel card adds additional parallel ports (for things like printers). A FireWire card gives the computer the ability to connect to a device using FireWire.