OS Device and Foundation Chapter 3-4 Exam

PCIe x16 Slot

(right of the PCI slot, colored blue): used to connect PCIe x16 expansion boards.

PCIe x1 Slot

(right of the PCIe x16 slots, colored white): used to connect PCIe x1 expansion boards.

PCI Slot

(top-left, colored white): used to connect PCI expansion boards.

You are trying to troubleshoot a desktop power supply issue using a voltmeter. Which of the following options are the MOST common voltages produced by the power supply? (Select TWO). +/- 10 v +/- 12 v +/- 110 v +/- 120 v +/- 5 v

+/- 12 v +/- 5 v EXPLANATION The computer power supply provides +/- 5 v and +/-12 v. Many power supplies also provide +/- 3.3 volts, although 3.3 volts is not used in many newer components and is optional in recent specifications. Most power supplies accept AC 110/115 or 220/230 volts as input.

Assuming all other processor specifications are the same, which of the following processor sizes will consume the least amount of power?

32 nm EXPLANATION A 32 nm (nanometer) processor will consume the least amount of power (all other things being equal). A smaller process size means smaller transistors, which translates into a smaller CPU die with more transistors and less power consumption.

What is the approximate bus speed of DDR2 memory rated at PC2-5300?

333 MHz EXPLANATION DDR2 memory rated at PC2-5300 has a bus speed of 333 MHz and an internal frequency of 667 MHz (or DDR2-667). The bandwidth is around 16 times the bus speed and eight times the DDR- designation. For DDR2, the PC2- designation identifies the bandwidth instead of a number derived from the bus speed. For DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4 the number following the DDR- designation is always twice that of the bus speed, specifying that the double data rate memory transfers double the data in a single clock cycle. This means that DDR2-667 has a bus frequency (speed) of 333 MHz.

Which of the following BEST describes the theoretical capacity of a DDR4 standard system memory module?

512 GB EXPLANATION DDR4 theoretically allows for DIMMs of up to 512 GB in capacity. DDR3 has a theoretical capacity of 128 GB per DIMM.

You want to build a new system that supports 6 GB of memory. Which of the following will be the MOST important consideration when building the computer?

64-bit processor EXPLANATION To use over 4 GB of memory, you will need a 64-bit processor and a 64-bit operating system. 32-bit processors support up to (or slightly below) 4 GB of memory. While 6 GB of memory will likely use DDR2, DDR3, or DDR4, this is not a requirement. Triple channel memory uses three memory controllers to improve memory performance. ECC memory includes error correction on the memory.

You have a laptop with a dual-core processor that has the following characteristics: 1024 KB L2 cache 125 Watts 45nm process size You want to upgrade the processor to one that uses less power. Which of the following characteristics would MOST likely identify a processor that uses less power?

90 Watts EXPLANATION Power consumption for a processor is measured in Watts. A 90-Watt processor consumes less power than a 125-Watt processor. It is possible that a single-core processor, one with less cache, or one with a smaller process size will consume less power. However, only the Watt rating will tell you for sure how much power the processor requires.

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. EXPLANATION The processor socket (also called a CPU socket) is the connector on the motherboard that houses a CPU and forms the electrical interface and contact with the CPU. Common sockets include pin grid array (PGA) and land grid array (LGA).

A computer's power supply converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. You are building a new computer. 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) used to balance the power load between multiple circuits, which prevents any one circuit from becoming overloaded. EXPLANATION A voltage rail refers to a single voltage provided by the power supply unit (PSU). A dual-rail power supply provides separate rails used to balance the power load between multiple circuits, which prevents any one circuit from becoming overloaded. A high-capacity power supply designed to deliver all of its power over a single rail can melt the insulation from the wires and may cause a fire.

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.

You are a high school student learning about computers and how to build them. As a class project, you have built a new computer. You power on your computer and begin to configure the system. After a short while, you notice smoke coming from the PC, and shortly after that, the computer stops working. After removing the computer case, you see that the CPU and surrounding areas are burnt and very hot. You realize that the costly mistake you made was not using a heat sink. When rebuilding your computer, which of the following cooling systems would MOST efficiently remove heat from the CPU?

Active heat sink, thermal paste, liquid pipes, and fan EXPLANATION At a minimum, a heat sink should always be used in conjunction with a fan. The fan's job is to blow air over the heat sink to increase the air flow which, in turn, removes heat from the heat sink faster. Although this is a good solution for many systems, a better cooling system is one that incorporates a heat sink, fan, and pipes filled with water. The heat pipes that are filled with a liquid absorbs heat from the CPU. Doing this actually causes the liquid within the pipe to evaporate. Since vapor is less dense than the liquid around it, the vapor rises towards the heat sink on the other end of the heat pipe. This type of heat sink also includes a fan that cools the vapor, causing it to re-condense back into a liquid, which then drops back down to the CPU on the other end of the heat pipe. This cycle repeats indefinitely to remove heat from the CPU. In all cases, heat sinks should be attached using a thermal paste. Active heat sinks use an electric power to run the fan or any other devices to actively divert heat away from the components. Passive heat sinks have no mechanical parts, making them dependable and easy to install.

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 might explain these symptoms?

An accumulation of dust has gradually built up. EXPLANATION Over time, an accumulation of dust can gradually build up and cause significant overheating by constricting airflow through the system case. Vent holes and heatsink fins can become clogged with dust, which prevents heat dissipation. Remove the dust with compressed air or an anti-static vacuum. The BIOS should be flashed when firmware updates are available, but failing to do this will not lead to system overheating. Switching the power supply to the wrong voltage can damage system components, but this would not lead to the system locking up more frequently over time--the damage would happen immediately. A malfunctioning heat monitor could cause the system to lock up, but the frequency is likely to be intermittent, not consistently increasing in frequency.

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. To restore system stability, which of the following should be completed?

Back off on the overclocking settings until the system runs in a stable manner. EXPLANATION Configuring a motherboard to run with a higher multiplier than what the CPU specifies is called overclocking. If the system becomes unstable and crashes frequently, the multiplier may be set higher than the CPU can handle. To resolve this issue, lower the multiplier until the system becomes stable again. The real-time clock on the motherboard is not a factor in this scenario and has no role in overclocking. If the power supply is set to the wrong voltage, system components can be damaged, but not cause the behavior described in the scenario. BIOS firmware is not a factor in overclocking issues.

Brian is a new employee on the development team. As part of his job, he runs three virtual machines (VMs) on his computer. Each VM runs a different Windows license. After a while, Brian notices that his VMs are not running as fast as he thought. He has asked you to explore the issue. Which of the following BEST describes why Brian's VMs are running slowly?

Brian's computer has a single-core CPU configured to use hyper-threading. EXPLANATION A single physical CPU core with hyper-threading appears as two logical CPUs to an operating system. While the operating system sees two CPUs for each core, the actual CPU hardware only has a single set of execution resources for each core. The CPU acts as if it has more cores than it does, but uses its own logic to speed up program execution. Two physical CPUs (even without hyper-threading) would be faster than a single-core CPU using hyper-threading. Likewise, a dual-core CPU is faster than a single core with hyper-threading. The Quad-core processor even without hyper-threading would be faster than a single-core CPU with hyper-threading.

What type of RAM might slow system performance because it holds memory addresses or data to improve stability on systems with more than 1 GB of RAM before it is transferred to the memory controller?

Buffered EXPLANATION Buffered (or registered) RAM has a buffer that holds memory addresses or data before it is transferred to the memory controller. Buffered RAM improves stability on systems with a lot of RAM (over 1 GB), but it might slow system performance. Unbuffered memory does not have a buffer to hold memory addresses or data before it is transferred to the memory controller. Unbuffered memory can be found in servers and high-end workstation. Parity memory is a type of memory that checks for common kinds of internal data corruption. It does not correct internal data corruption. Non-parity memory does not perform error checking. EEPROM is a RAM chip that holds non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store relatively small amounts of data.

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 EXPLANATION A factor that affects the performance of memory is the latency associated with accessing data in RAM. With a memory module read request, there is a delay between the time the data is requested and the time that the data is available on the module's output pins. This delay is called the CAS latency (CL). CL is expressed in the number of clock cycles that pass between the time of the request and the moment the data is available. Given memory modules of the same type and frequency, a lower CL indicates which memory module is faster. Frequency, also referred to as speed, is a major factor in measuring how fast or slow a memory module is. Capacity, also referred to as size, indicates how much data a memory module can store. Clock cycle parity is a fictional concept.

Maintains an accurate system time and date, even when the power is off.

CMOS Battery The CMOS battery is used to maintain an accurate time and date, even when the motherboard has no power. Older systems used the CMOS battery to power the CMOS chip, which contained custom BIOS settings.

You have just finished upgrading the CPU in your desktop system. After running for about 15 minutes, the system spontaneously shuts down. Which steps should you take to begin troubleshooting the issue? (Select TWO).

Check the CPU fan power. Check the thermal shutdown threshold in the BIOS. EXPLANATION Because you have just replaced the processor, the most likely cause of the problem is related to the CPU. System lockups and restarts can be caused by an overheated processor. Make sure that the CPU fan is running and that you have used thermal paste between the CPU and the heat sink. Also, check to see what the thermal shutdown rating is for the new CPU and verify that the thermal shutdown threshold is set in the BIOS accordingly.

Your motherboard has sockets for 184-pin DIMM RAM. Which type of RAM should you install?

DDR EXPLANATION Double Data Rate-Synchronous Dynamic RAM (DDR) has 184 pins in a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) form factor. Extended Data Out (EDO) Fast Page Mode (FPM), and SDRAM are available in a 168-pin DIMM form factor and are interchangeable with each other.

Assuming the same operating frequency, what are the advantages of DDR3 over DDR2? (Select TWO.)

DDR3 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR2. DDR3 uses less power than DDR2. EXPLANATION DDR3 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR2 and generally requires less voltage than DDR2 memory. DDR3 accepts eight consecutive 64-bit words per bus clock cycle, not four, as found in DDR2. Both DDR2 and DDR3 memory include a buffer between the data bus and the memory.

Which of the following memory ratings identifies the fastest memory?

DDR3-1600 EXPLANATION DDR3-1600 has the fastest memory rating. It has a bus frequency of 800 MHz and bandwidth of 12800 MB/s. For DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4, the number following the DDR- designation is always twice that of the bus speed, specifying that the double data rate memory transfers double the data in a single clock cycle. This means that DDR2-667 has a bus frequency of 333 MHz. The older PC designation identified the bus frequency, so PC-133 has a frequency of 133 MHz. The newer PC- designation identifies the bandwidth, so PC-2700 has a bandwidth of 2700 MB/s. To get the frequency from the bandwidth, divide the bandwidth by 16, giving you 166 MHz for PC-2700 and 200 MHz for PC-3200.

Which memory rating identifies the fastest memory?

DDR3-2000 EXPLANATION DDR3-2000 has the fastest memory rating. It has a bus frequency of 1000 MHz and a bandwidth of 16000 MB/s. For DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4, the number following the DDR- designation is always twice that of the bus speed, specifying that the double data rate memory transfers double the data in a single clock cycle. This means that DDR-400 has a bus frequency of 200 MHz. The newer PC- designation (used with all DDR2 and DDR3 memory) identifies the bandwidth, so PC3-8500 has a bandwidth of 8500 MB/s. To get the frequency from the bandwidth, divide the bandwidth by 16, giving you 533 MHz for PC3-8500 and 667 MHz for PC3-10600.

Assuming the same operating frequency, what advantages does DDR4 have over DDR3? (Select TWO.)

DDR4 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR3. DDR4 uses less power than DDR3. EXPLANATION DDR4 doubles the data transfer rate of DDR3 and generally requires less voltage than DDR3 memory. DDR4 accepts eight consecutive 64-bit words per bus clock cycle, the same as found in DDR3. Both DDR3 and DDR4 memory includes a buffer between the data bus and the memory.

Which of the following are terms used to identify memory modules?

DIMM EXPLANATION A DIMM (dual in-line memory module) has pins on both sides of the module, with each pin being unique. A SODIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) is a smaller DIMM used in laptops. PATA (Parallel ATA) and SATA (Serial ATA) are storage device interfaces. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) is a video card expansion bus.

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 EXPLANATION Electrostatic discharge is the only listed factor that can cause a CPU to fail prematurely. Be careful while working on your CPU to avoid ESD by working on a static mat grounded with a wrist strap.

Allows additional features and capabilities to be added to the motherboard.

Expansion Slots Expansion slots allow you to expand the capabilities and features of a computer by installing expansion cards.

Which of the following BEST describes the chipset?

Facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices. EXPLANATION The chipset is a group of chips that facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices .With chipsets: The memory controller and graphics controller are on the CPU. The remaining functionality is combined into a single controller chip. Intel processors use the Platform Controller Hub (PCH). AMD processors use the Fusion Controller Hub (FCH). The front-side bus is replaced by the Direct Media Interface (DMI). Expansion slots (also called expansion buses) allow you to expand the capabilities of your computer by installing expansion cards. Memory slots are designed to be compatible with a specific type of memory module. Internal connectors are ports that are connected to the motherboard's front panel connectors, which are also called headers.

Which function does a motherboard's chipset perform?

Facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices. EXPLANATION The chipset is a group of chips that facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices. The BIOS is responsible for initializing devices during the boot process. Devices and functions on the motherboard are controlled by the CMOS configuration settings. The CMOS battery is responsible for maintaining an accurate system time and date.

Contains firmware that is used to configure motherboard settings and initialize devices.

Flash Memory Firmware is integrated software that is embedded in flash memory on the motherboard. Motherboards use either BIOS or UEFI firmware implementations. Because firmware is read-only, custom configuration settings are stored in non-volatile BIOS 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. Which of the following actions would MOST likely rectify this issue? (Select TWO).

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 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 probably isn't required because the motherboard was working correctly with the older CPU and the documentation indicates that the new CPU is compatible. Only replace the CPU if you have determined that it is faulty.

DDR2 DIMM

Has a notch slightly closer to the middle and has more pins (240) than DDR memory.

DDR4 DIMM

Has a single notch slightly right of center. DDR4 has 288 pins.

DDR3 DIMM

Has a single notch that is more off-center than the notch for DDR or DDR-2. Like DDR2, DDR3 has 240 pins.

When using Intel chips, which of the following features BEST allows a single processor to run two threads in parallel instead of processing single threads linearly?

Hyper-threading EXPLANATION Hyper-threading allows a single processor to run threads in parallel, as opposed to processing threads linearly. Multi-processing is an operating system's ability to use multiple CPUs. Overclocking causes the processor to operate at a higher speed. Dual Core is a type of processor that offers better performance by combining two or more independent processors into a single integrated chip.

Which of the following objects is installed between the back side of the system case and the motherboard's ports?

I/O Shield EXPLANATION The I/O shield (also called a faceplate) is placed between the motherboard and the system case. The shield protects the case from dust and debris. Standoffs are placed between the motherboard and the case and prevent the motherboard circuits from touching the system. Heat spreaders are placed on memory modules to help cool them. Fans are installed in the system case, but not between the system case and the back I/O panel. The support manual is a booklet that contains information about the motherboard.

Your company relocated you from the United States 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 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. EXPLANATION Most power supplies have the capacity to receive either 115 and 230 volts of power just by toggling a switch on the power supply case. Modern power supplies support automatic voltage switching and no action is necessary. You can use this switch when using the power supply in other countries. 115 volts setting is used in the United States. 230 volts is used in Europe and the United Kingdom.

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 you should perform?

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.

You have just received an order of various system components from an order you placed several weeks ago. One of the components is labeled as SODIMM memory. For which of the following was this memory MOST likely purchased?

Laptop Computers EXPLANATION Small outline dual in-line memory modules (SODIMM) is a compact form factor of DIMM. It is typically used in smaller computers, such as laptops.

You have just upgraded the CPU on your computer. You consulted the motherboard documentation to make sure the CPU is compatible with the motherboard. However, when you turned the system on, it locks up shortly after startup. While troubleshooting this issue, which of the following are the BEST steps to try first? (Select TWO).

Look for something that could be causing the new CPU to overheat. Make sure the CPU is seated properly, oriented properly, and locked into the socket. EXPLANATION The most common issues that occur when a new CPU has been installed are: 1. The system locks up because it gets too hot. You should check for the following: The heatsink and fan are not placed correctly or are in poor condition Thermal paste or the thermal pad have not been used between the processor and the heatsink The heatsink is not firmly attached to the processor 2. The system locks up because the CPU is not properly seated or is oriented incorrectly.

Which of the following is an advantage of purchasing a motherboard with integrated graphics and audio?

Lower overall system cost EXPLANATION Purchasing a motherboard with integrated components typically results in a lower overall cost. Even though the motherboard might cost a little bit more, you will save on the cost of purchasing additional devices. Integrated components are typically not as powerful and do not have as many features as their dedicated counterparts. Some integrated components, such as integrated graphics, share system resources. Device drivers are still required for integrated components.

An employee submitted a support ticket stating that her computer will not turn on. Which of the following troubleshooting steps should you take first? (Select TWO). Make sure the keyboard and mouse are plugged in. Open the computer and replace the power supply. Make sure the surge protector is turned on. Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall. Use a multimeter to test the power supply.

Make sure the surge protector is turned on. Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall. 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 that 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 that the power supply is the problem should you replace it. The keyboard and mouse being unplugged will not prevent the computer from powering on. Test the power supply using a multimeter only after the obvious potential issues are ruled out.

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 EXPLANATION When an application is started, it is loaded into memory. If the computer does not have sufficient memory, the application cannot start. To remedy the problem, add more memory to the computer. Upgrade the hard disk to provide additional storage space for files. Upgrade the CPU to execute programs faster or to provide advanced processing features. Upgrade the system board to support new components, such as newer memory modules, CPUs, or bus types.

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.

Which of the following motherboard form factors BEST allows for low-consumption power supplies?

Mini-ITX EXPLANATION Mini-ITX motherboards are designed for low-power, small, form factor computers. Some Mini-ITX motherboards are designed to be used with 100 watt power supplies.

Types of Towers

Mini-ITX Tower Micro-ATX Slim Tower Micro-ATX Tower ATX Mid-Tower ATX Full-Tower EXPLANATION 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. Mini-ITX towers are often used with home theaters PC (HTPCs). Micro-ATX slim towers are typically half the width of a Micro-ATX tower and are designed to lay flat or upright. 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. 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. 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)

Which of the following refers to placing two processors on a single processor chip or die?

Multi-core EXPLANATION A multi-core processor has multiple processor cores integrated into a single processor package. A multi-processor motherboard allows you to install two (or more) processors on the same motherboard. Hyper-threading is a feature of some Intel processors that allows a single processor to run threads in parallel, as opposed to the older and slower technology of processing threads linearly. Multi-threading is an operating system feature that allows more than one process to work at the same time.

Which of the following is a characteristic of a multi-processor system?

Multiple processor sockets on the motherboard EXPLANATION A multiple-processor system has multiple CPUs, with each CPU requiring a different processor socket on the motherboard. A multi-core system is a processor with multiple CPUs on the same die. A multi-core system uses a single processor socket for multiple CPUs. L2 cache might be shared between two or more cores in a multi-core system, but would not be shared in a multiple-processor solution. 64-bit processors are required to be able to use more than 4 GB of memory.

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.

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 Micro-ATX form factor. Your current case is an ATX mid-tower with a standard ATX motherboard inside. What steps must be taken for the Micro-ATX motherboard to work in the ATX case?

No additional steps are necessary, the Micro-ATX motherboard can be installed 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.

Stores custom configuration settings made by the user.

Non-volatile BIOS memory Firmware is integrated software that is embedded in flash memory on the motherboard. Motherboards use either BIOS or UEFI firmware implementations. Because firmware is read-only, custom configuration settings are stored in non-volatile BIOS memory.

Controls communication between the CPU, memory, and high-speed graphics bus.

Northbridge The chipset is a group of chips that facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices. Older chipsets consist of two integrated circuits: The northbridge controls communication between the CPU, memory, and high-speed graphics bus.

You are testing the power supply in a PC system by measuring the voltage available on the 4-pin Molex connector. The voltage on the red wire is +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 would like to upgrade the processor in your system to a 64-bit processor. Which of the components will you most likely need to upgrade as well to take full advantage of the new processor?

Operating system EXPLANATION The motherboard and the operating system must be able to support the processor in use. Many 64-bit CPUs can run a 32-bit version of the operating system. However, the operating system will run only in 32-bit mode and will not take full advantage of the 64-bit processor. Even if you stick with the 32-bit operating system, chances are you will need to upgrade the hardware abstraction layer (HAL) to one that is compatible with the 64-bit processor. The BIOS must support the 64-bit processor. However, when you upgrade the motherboard, you will get a new BIOS chip, so upgrading the BIOS will not be an issue.

Zoey has brought her computer in for servicing. When she dropped off her computer, she mentioned that her computer will sometimes spontaneously reboot and freezes occasionally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this problem?

Overheated CPU EXPLANATION An overheated CPU will cause a spontaneous reboot or intermittent system crashes. A spontaneous reboot can also be caused by a bad power supply or device driver. A clicking noise when reading or writing data from the hard disk is an early sign of a failing drive. A failed UPS (or failed battery in the UPS) would result in a complete loss of power to the computer if the outlet (or wall) power was lost. A system notification would indicate whether there is a failed drive, as it would not allow reading or writing.

Which expansion slot is best for high-end dedicated video cards?

PCIe x16 EXPLANATION The PCIe x16 expansion bus is the preferred bus for high-speed video cards. A PCIe x1 slot is not as fast as a PCIe x16 slot, and most video cards are designed for the x16 slot. APG is an older interface that is not used anymore. The PCIe bus was created to replace the PCI-X bus and, as such, has faster data transmissions.

Steve, a computer technician, received a helpdesk 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 EXPLANATION The Power on Self Test (POST) is a software process initiated by the BIOS during the boot process that verifies that computer hardware works properly. When a device has failed, a series of beeps indicate the type of problem. In this case, one long and two short beeps typically indicates a failed video card. initramfs is used as the first root filesystem that your machine has access to. It is used for mounting the real rootfs, which has all of your data. Complementary Metal-oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) is a technology for constructing integrated circuits that refers to the system configuration stored in a battery-powered memory chip used on computers. Extensible Firmware Interface Partition (ESP) is a partitioning scheme used by UEFI. ESP is the format used for the boot sector where the operating system and utilities for starting a computer are stored.

Which of the following connectors are part of the system case and connect to header pins on the motherboard? (Select two.) 24-pin ATX power SATA power Power switch HDD LED activity 8-pin EPS12V

Power switch HDD LED activity EXPLANATION The system case typically includes wires that connect to the motherboard and provide the following functions: Power switch Reset switch HDD LED activity Case speaker The 24-pin ATX, SATA power, and 8-pin EPS12V connectors are provided by the power supply, not the system case.

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? (Select THREE). Output voltage Output frequency Processor connector Input frequency Form factor Input voltage Output wattage

Processor Connector Form Factor Output Wattage 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 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 and external devices can be supported. Nearly all power supplies can accept between 100 and 240 volts 50-60 Hz AC input. Use the switch on the back to specify the input power. All power supplies output +/-5 and +/-12 volts DC power, which have no frequency.

You have a 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 steps SHOULD you perform 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 use the motherboard documentation to verify 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 need to remove the existing processor and replace it with one that has four cores. Multi-processor systems have multiple processor slots on the motherboard. All processors in the system should be of the same 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, 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 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 in 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 system's instability problem.

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 of the following BEST describes the action you should take based on the multimeter reading shown below? UBT-1 UT52 Multimeter 10.24 Volts

Replace the power supply because it is failing. 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.

You are testing the power supply in a PC system by measuring the voltage available on the 4-pin Molex connector. The voltage on the yellow wire is +10.1 volts. What should you do?

Replace the power supply. EXPLANATION The yellow wire on a Molex connector should provide +12 volts DC. The fact that this power supply is only supplying 10.1 volts DC indicates that it is failing and should be replaced.

Your system crashes at various times: sometimes on startup, sometimes when running a software application, sometime 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 can you do to definitively determine if the CPU is causing the system crashes?

Replace the suspect CPU with a known good CPU of the same make and model. EXPLANATION Replacing the suspect CPU with a known good CPU of the same make and model is the best way to determine if the CPU is the problem. There is only one variable in this test. If the system stops crashing after the CPU was replaced, it is safe to assume that the suspect CPU was not functioning properly. Any other course of action introduces more variables to the environment. If intermittent problems continue to occur, you are no closer to finding the cause.

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?

Shut off the system immediately. EXPLANATION If you see smoke or smell something burning, shut off the system immediately to prevent further damage and increase fire hazard. 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 The chipset is a group of chips that facilitates communication between the processor, memory, and peripheral devices. Older chipsets consist of two integrated circuits: The southbridge houses the PCI bus controllers and communicates with the super I/O controller.

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

You work at a computer repair store. You just upgraded the processor (CPU) in a customer's Windows-based computer. The customer purchased the latest AMD Phenom II processor, and you installed it in the computer. When you power the computer on, you only see a blank screen. Which of the following is MOST likely causing the computer displaying a blank screen? (Select TWO).

The CPU is bad. The CPU is not supported by the BIOS. EXPLANATION A bad CPU or a CPU not supported by the BIOS can cause the computer to display a blank screen when trying to power on. If the processor is not supported by the BIOS, you might be able to perform a BIOS update to make it recognize the new processor. However, you would need to install a supported processor first, flash the BIOS, and then re-install the new processor. An improperly installed fan or heat sink may cause issues shortly after power-on, but will not initially cause the computer to boot to a blank screen. Although you should always shutdown your computer using the proper steps, it is unlikely that this would cause the computer to boot to a blank screen.

You have just finished replacing the motherboard in your friend Ethan's computer with the same type of motherboard it originally had. You tested the motherboard by powering it on and verifying that the operating system started, and his applications were working. Now Ethan is complaining that his computer no longer recognizes his external hard drive. 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. It is unlikely that the hard drive suddenly failed. Since the operating system and applications are functioning properly, the power supply is functioning correctly as well.

You work at a computer repair store. You just upgraded the processor (CPU) in a customer's computer. The computer starts, but it shuts down shortly after starting Windows. Which of the following is MOST likely causing the computer to automatically shut down?

The fan has no power. EXPLANATION Today, most computers are designed to turn off automatically if inner components overheat. In this case, the power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. Either this cable was intentionally unplugged while the upgrade was performed or the cable was accidently disconnected. If the CPU was bad or not supported, the computer would most likely not boot to the operating system. Although a virus could cause this symptom, the computer was not shutting down before you ever worked on it. And since you did not need to connect to the internet to upgrade the CPU, a virus is an unlikely cause.

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.

200-pin SODIMM

The notch is farther off center than 144-pin SODIMM. These modules are used by DDR2 and DDR3 memory.

UniDIMM

The notch is positioned similar to 200-pin SODIMM. UniDIMM supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory.

Lately, your computer is spontaneously shutting down after only a few minutes of use. What is the likely cause? (Select TWO).

The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. EXPLANATION An improperly installed fan or heat sink may cause overheating of the CPU, which would likely cause the computer to shut down shortly after power-on. Dust buildup and improper ventilation in the computer can also cause CPU overheating. A bad CPU or a CPU not supported by the BIOS can cause the computer to display a blank screen when trying to power on, which would prevent even a few minutes of use. Although you should always shutdown your computer using the proper steps, it is unlikely that this would cause the computer to shut down after a few minutes of use.

Which of the following statements are true regarding power supply wattage? (Select TWO). A system's wattage requirement equals the highest wattage requirement for a single individual circuit. The watt rating indicates how much power can be supplied to various devices. The wattage requirement for each individual circuit uses formula W = V x A. A system's wattage requirement does not depend on the amount of devices in the system. The lower the wattage rating, the more amps a power supply can deliver.

The watt rating indicates how much power can be supplied to various devices. The wattage requirement for each individual circuit uses formula W = V x A. EXPLANATION Power supplies are rated in watts. The watt rating indicates how much power can be supplied to various devices. The more devices you have in your computer, the more wattage you will require. You can calculate the system's wattage requirements using the following method: Find the watt requirement for each component by multiplying volts by amps (W = V x A). Add each value together to find the total watt requirements.

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 Input voltage Output voltage Form factor Output wattage

Type and number of connectors Form Factor 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.). Make sure that the power supply has the correct type and number of power connectors for all of your 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 100 and 240 volts AC input. Use the switch on the back to specify the input power appropriate for the voltage used in that country. All power supplies output +/-5 and +/-12 volts DC power.

You are in the process of purchasing several new computers to replace broken or outdated computers. After much research, you have determined to purchase computers that use AMD sockets. Which of the following BEST describes an AMD and why you would select this option? (Select TWO).

Typically, AMD chips are less expensive. Typically, an AMD uses a Pin Grid Array (PGA) socket type.

A laptop that you previously purchased was shipped with SODIMM 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 SODIMM standard?

UniDIMM EXPLANATION UniDIMM (Universal DIMM) is a specification for DIMMs and is designed to carry DRAM chips. UniDIMMs can be populated with either DDR3 or DDR4 chips, but do not support any additional memory control logic. Because of this, the computer's memory controller must support both DDR3 and DDR4 memory standards. UniDIMM: Is an upgrade to the current SODIMM standard. Allows mobile platform users to use both DDR3 and DDR4. Despite the availability of UniDIMM specification and announced manufacturer support, as of April 2018, there are no commercial UniDIMM products available, and no release dates have been set by the manufacturers. As DDR3 has become more irrelevant after years of DDR4 availability, it is looking increasingly unlikely that manufacturers will ever implement UniDIMM.

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, nothing is displayed on the screen, and it doesn't start. While troubleshooting this computer, which of the following would be BEST to try 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. You are using a 32-bit version of Windows. After installing two 4 GB modules and booting your system, you find that Windows only recognizes 3.5 GB of RAM. Which of the following would MOST likely fix this issue?

Upgrade to a 64-bit version of Windows. EXPLANATION In this situation you are 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, so 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 do 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 does not enable memory the BIOS doesn't recognize.

You have a desktop computer that uses 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 rectify this issue?

Upgrade to a power supply that provides more watts. EXPLANATION The number of devices a powers supply can support 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 the power supply can do. Volts are a measure of electrical pressure and are not directly related to the number of devices it will support. The voltage is dependent on the wall socket's voltage. The voltage switch on the power supply should match the voltage at the wall outlet. 115 is used in the United States, while 230 is typically used in Europe.

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 in a small form factor case. When you open the computer, you see that the card purchased will 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. A parallel card adds additional parallel ports used for such things as a printer. A firewire card gives the computer the ability to connect to a device using firewire.

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 connector. 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 work, but would be more expensive than using an adapter.

144-pin SODIMM

Used in notebook computers. The notch is slightly off center.

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 condition 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 the computer's CPU?

Viewing the temperature from within the BIOS. EXPLANATION An easy way to check the temperature of your computer's CPU is to boot to the BIOS and locate the hardware monitor section. Different BIOS programs have different section labels. Some of the more common labels are H/W Monitor, Status, and PC Health. From within this section, you can view the temperature of your CPU. The other methods listed will not give you an accurate CPU temperature.

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 of the following power supply ratings BEST describes the rating 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. 115 is used in the United States, while 230 is typically used in Europe. Resistance is a measure of how much an electrical device reduces the electric current flow through it.

DDR (Double-Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic RAM) DIMM

has a single notch, slightly off center. DDR memory has 184 pins.

CPU Power

provides additional DC power to the processor itself.

Memory Slots

provides an interface for connecting memory modules to the motherboard.

CPU Socket

provides an interface for connecting the CPU to the motherboard.

Power Supply Connector

provides an interface for connecting the power supply (PSU) to the motherboard.

PCI Slots

used to connect PCI expansion boards.

PCIe Slots

used to connect PCIe expansion boards.

SATA Connectors

used to connect SATA storage devices.

IEEE 1394

used to connect external FireWire devices.

USB

used to connect external USB devices.

Front Panel Connectors

used to connect front panel buttons and lights to the motherboard.

CPU Fan Power

used to provide DC power to the CPU fan.