TestOut A+ Practice Exam 1.2.8

You need to replace a broken monitor on a desktop system. You decide to replace it with a spare monitor that wasn't being used. Even though the monitor is made by a different manufacturer than the desktop computer, it still works with the monitor. Which computer design concept makes this possible? ▫ Componentization ▫ Standardization ▫ Firmware ▫ Plug and Play

*Answer:* Standardization *Explanation* *Standardization* allows components from different manufacturers to be interchangeable. If a component meets the specified standards, it will work in the computer, regardless of manufacturer. *Componentization* means that a computer is a combination of several constituent parts that can be easily replaced by a field-replaceable unit (FRU). *Firmware* is a special type of software that has been embedded in the memory of a hardware component. *Plug and play* allows devices to work with computers without the need for additional configuration on the computer.

The manager of the research and development team needs to make a PowerPoint presentation for her team members (no audio). Her presentation requires her computer to be connected to a large high-definition television. You have been asked to ensure that the computer is connected and functioning properly prior to her presentation. In the process of setting up the computer, you find that the computer video port (see image 1) is different from the port found on the TV (see image 2). Which of the following adapters MUST you use to connect the computer to the TV? ▫ RCA to HDMI ▫ VGA to HDMI ▫ DVI to HDMI ▫ RCA to USB ▫ VGA to USB ▫ DVI to USB

*Answer:* DVI to HDMI *Explanation* The computer has a *DVI connector*, while the TV has an *HDMI connector*. Therefore, you will need to use a *DVI-to-HDMI adapter*. DVI is a digital signal in the same format as the video portion of HDMI. However, DVI doesn't carry the audio signal like HDMI does. This means that if you are only using the video signal (such as showing a PowerPoint slide show), you can use a simple DVI-to-HDMI plug adapter that changes the physical connections.

You have purchased a new LED monitor for your computer. On the back of the monitor, you see the following port (pictured below). Which type of cable should you use to connect the monitor to your computer? ▫ Display Port cable ▫ HDMI cable ▫ VGA cable ▫ DVI cable

*Answer:* Display Port Cable

The CEO of your small company has asked you to connect his laptop computer to the small conference room LED TV. The CEO will be showing a new promotional video that demonstrates the new company strategy through images and sound. Which of the following cable types would work BEST for connecting his laptop to the display? ▫ VGA ▫ Composite ▫ HDMI ▫ DVI

*Answer:* 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 supports video signals. *Composite* cables support video, but not audio.

The computer has a DVI connector, while the TV has an HDMI connector. Therefore, you will need to use a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. DVI is a digital signal in the same format as the video portion of HDMI. However, DVI doesn't carry the audio signal like HDMI does. This means that if you are only using the video signal (such as showing a PowerPoint slide show), you can use a simple DVI-to-HDMI plug adapter that changes the physical connections. An employee has sustained damage to the tendons and ligaments in his wrist and forearm due to the pronation caused by typing on his straight keyboard. His doctor has recommended that he use an ergonomic keyboard to allow his body to heal. After purchasing the new ergonomic keyboard, you find that this employee's computer only has a round, purple keyboard port (see image 1), which does not match the new keyboard's connector type (see image 2). Which of the following adapters MUST you use to connect the new keyboard to the old legacy computer port? ▫ AUX-to-USB ▫ PS/2-to-USB ▫ USB-A-to-USB-B ▫ RCA-to-USB

*Answer:* PS/2-to-USB *Explanation* Old legacy computers were connected to the keyboard by a purple colored PS/2 port. A PS/2-to-USB adapter will allow the new ergonomic keyboard, which uses a USB connector, to connect to a legacy computer. RCA and AUX connectors are used for audio and video. USB-A-to-USB-B adapters generally connect a master device to a slave device. Type B is usually for slave devices.

You are connecting an older dot matrix printer to a computer. The printer's cable is a D-shaped connector with 25 pins. Which port type does the printer connect to? ▫ VGA port ▫ Serial port ▫ USB port ▫ Parallel port

*Answer:* Parallel Port *Explanation* A D-shaped, 25-pin connector connects to a computer's parallel port (DB-25 port). *Parallel connectors* are used with older devices, such as dot matrix printers. *Serial ports* have nine pins and are used with serial devices (e.g., barcode scanners). *VGA ports* have 15 pins (three rows of five pins) and are used with VGA monitors. *USB ports* are rectangular in shape and typically aren't used with older devices.

Which connector on the back of a computer is used to attach a mouse to a modern PC system? ▫ High-density (three row) female DB-15 ▫ RJ45 ▫ USB B ▫ Low-density (two row) female DB-15 ▫ USB A

*Answer:* USB A *Explanation* A mouse is most commonly attached to a computer using a USB A connector. A DB-15 connector with two rows is commonly used for joysticks. The DB-15 connector with three rows is used for connecting CRT monitors to the video card. The RJ45 connector is used for Ethernet network connections. USB B connectors are commonly used to connect printers and scanners.

Consider the external ports for a typical PC system (pictured below). Drag the port type on the left to the letter on the right that best identifies it. (Each type can used once)

*Answers:* A = HDMI B = Thunderbolt C = IEEE 1394 D = USB E = VGA F = DVI G = RJ45 H = RJ11 I = Fiber S/PDIF J = Audio Jack *Explanation* *HDMI* - connects HDMI display devices. *Thunderbolt* - combines PCI Express (PCIe) and DisplayPort signals into a single interface. *IEEE 1394* - connects devices that require fast communication speeds. *USB* - connects external USB devices (such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or storage device). *VGA* - connects VGA display devices. *DVI* - connects DVI display devices. *RJ45* - connects the computer to an Ethernet network. *RJ11* - used by telephones and modems to send analog signals. *Fiber S/PDIF* - sends a digital audio signal to high-end audio devices, such as home theater systems. *Audio jacks* - connects analog audio devices (such as speakers, headphones, and microphones).

Consider the cable connectors used by various peripheral devices (pictured below). Drag the letter on the left to the peripheral device on the right that would most likely use the connector type.

*Answers:* External storage device = G Analog monitor = D Video camera = C HDTV = A Dial-up modem = H Digital monitor (without audio) = E Network adapter = F Headphones = B *Explanation* *HDMI* - used to send high-quality digital video and audio signals to LCD monitors and HDTVs. *Fiber S/PDIF* - used for home theatre systems or Dolby Digital surround sound systems. *IEEE 1394* - used to connect devices that require fast communication speeds, such as video cameras and external hard drives. *VGA (DB-15)* - used by analog monitors. *DVI* - used by digital monitors and does not carry audio. *RJ45* - used by Ethernet network adapters and other networking devices. *USB* - used by USB devices (such as external storage devices). *RJ11* - used by dial-up modems. TRS jack - used by analog audio devices (such as speakers and headphones).

Drag the computer function on the left with its associated hardware component on the right. (Each option may be used more than once.)

*Answers:* Hard disk = Long-term storage Printer = Output Keyboard = Input CPU = Processing Speakers = Output RAM =Processing DVD-RW = Input Long-term storage Microphone = Output Input *Explanation* *Input:* Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Microphone *Output:* Monitor, Speaker, Printer *Processing:* CPU, RAM *Long-term Storage:* Hard disk drives, Solid-state drives, Optical drives, Flash drives.

Which of the following BEST describes the DisplayPort interface used for connecting video monitors to computers? (Select TWO). ▫ DisplayPort carries both analog and digital signals. ▫ DisplayPort is electrically equivalent to DVI and HDMI. ▫ DisplayPort can send both video and audio signals over the same cable. ▫ DisplayPort uses a lower voltage than DVI or HDMI.

*Answers:* ▫ DisplayPort can send both video and audio signals over the same cable. ▫ DisplayPort uses a lower voltage than DVI or HDMI. *Explanation* DisplayPort is an alternative to an HDMI connector. DisplayPort uses a different signal format than DVI or HDMI. However, DisplayPort supports sending DVI or HDMI signals over the same port using a simple adapter. DisplayPort uses a digital-only signal. To connect a VGA monitor to a DisplayPort, you need a special active converter that re-formats the signal for analog devices. Like HDMI, DisplayPort can send audio signals over the same cable (if audio is supported by the video card and monitor). DisplayPort uses lower voltage than DVI and HDMI

You are providing telephone support for a user who is trying to connect a computer to a projector. You know that the projector only has a VGA port. How would you describe the connector that the user should look for? ▫ Round with 6 pins ▫ D-shaped with 25 pins ▫ Rectangular with one beveled corner ▫ D-shaped with 15 pins

*Answer:* D-Shaped with 15 pins *Explanation* *VGA ports*, also called DE-15 ports, are named for their characteristic D-shape and 15 pins. A D-shaped port with 25 pins is a parallel port. A round port with 6 pins is a PS/2 port. A rectangular port with one beveled corner is a Display Port.

You are helping a customer over the phone. The customer needs to connect a monitor that uses a digital interface. Which port should you instruct her to look for on the back of her PC? ▫ DVI ▫ USB ▫ SVGA DB-15 3-row ▫ Serial DB-15

*Answer:* DVI *Explanation* Modern digital monitors use a DVI connector (typically DVI-D or DVI-I). Serial DB-15 connectors are used for external serial devices such as modems. DB-15 3-row connectors are used to connect older analog SVGA monitors. USB ports are used to connect a variety of devices, but not a monitor.

You are looking at a female TRS connector on the computer. Which device uses this connector? ▫ Keyboard ▫ Speaker ▫ Joystick ▫ Monitor

*Answer:* Speaker *Explanation* A *TRS* connector is used with audio connectors such as speakers and microphones. *Keyboards* use either a PS/2 connector or a USB connector. *Joysticks* typically use a USB connector, though some connect through a DB-15 connector. *Monitors* use one of the many graphic ports, such as a VGA port, DVI port, or HDMI port.

How many pins are on a VGA connector? ▫ 9 ▫ 15 ▫ 36 ▫ 6

*Answer:* 15 *Explanation* A VGA/SVGA monitor uses a high-density (three-row) female DB-15 connector on a computer. Some printers use a Mini Centronics connector, which has 36 pins. A 6-pin mini-DIN (PS/2 connector) is for keyboard and mouse. A DB-9 (serial) connector is for specialized input devices.