Processors and Troubleshooting

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.

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?

Check the CPU fan power. Check the thermal shutdown threshold in the BIOS.

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?

The CPU is bad. The CPU is not supported by the BIOS.

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.

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

The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard.

You are in the process of purchasing several new computers to replace broken or outdated computers.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?

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

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.

Your motherboard has two memory slots and supports a maximum of 8 GB of RAM. 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.

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

32 nm

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.

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

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

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?

Reinstall the old processor in the motherboard. Flash the UEFI firmware.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

Multi-core

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

Multiple processor sockets on the motherboard

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

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

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

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.