3.12.6 Practice Questions Video, 3.11.5 Expansion Cards Practice Questions, BIOS/UEFI 3.10.9 Practice Questions, 3.9.6 Practice Questions Troubleshooting Memory, 3.8.8 Practice Questions Memory Installation, 3.8.8 Practice Questions Memory Installation
You have a computer that has four DDR2 memory slots. Currently there are two 512 MB memory modules installed. You check the motherboard documentation and find that the system has a 4 GB memory limitation. You want to add as much memory as possible without replacing the existing modules. What is the maximum total amount of RAM that can be installed in this system?
3 GB Explanation You can add more memory to the system bringing the total to 3 GB. The system currently has 1 GB of RAM. Because the motherboard has a 4 GB memory limit, there is also a 1 GB limit for each memory slot. Adding two 1 GB modules brings the total to 3 GB.
What is the BIOS version number?
1610
How many hard drives are installed?
3
How much memory is installed in the computer?
4096 MB
You want to build a new system that supports 6 GB of memory. Which of the following will be the most important 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 computer with a Pentium 4 CPU and two PC-2400 DDR modules. The motherboard has room for two additional memory modules, and you'd like to install two PC-4000 modules. Which of the following statements is true?
All memory will operate at 300 MHz. Explanation In this scenario, all memory will operate at 300 MHz. When you mix memory with different speed ratings, all memory will operate at the slowest frequency. Memory can operate at a frequency lower than its rating. The only way to get memory to operate at a higher frequency is to overclock the memory. However, memory is tested and rated at the highest frequency at which it is stable. While you can likely get some small performance gains through overclocking, it is unlikely that you will be able to push the PC-2400 memory up to PC-4000 and still have a stable system.
Explanation
At these critical times memory problems can manifest themselves: First boot of a new computer- memory is not properly seated, missing, or the motherboard is defective. After a memory upgrade-ensure that the memory is compatible and was installed and configured properly. After software installation-new software can require more memory and can cause problems if there is not enough memory for the software. After hardware installation or removal-incompletely or improperly installed hardware can cause errors that appear to be memory related.
Which of the following components is an example of firmware?
BIOS/UEFI Explanation The basic input/output system (BIOS) and unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI) are examples of firmware. BIOS/UEFI is a software program that is stored on a non-volatile, removable, or erasable semiconductor chip. Cache is an area of memory that holds recently-accessed data. Random Access Memory (RAM) is a temporary data storage location that can be read from and written to. Cache and RAM are all examples of volatile memory. Data is lost when power is no longer supplied to the component. EEPROM is a type of read-only, non-volatile memory used in computers and other electronic devices to store relatively small amounts of data.
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 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.
Which of the following is a general term for the program that holds system information related to the starting of a computer?
CMOS Explanation CMOS is a general term for the program that stores important system information related to the starting of a computer. Data held in CMOS includes the hard disk type of configuration, the order of boot devices to try, and other configurable settings related to the system hardware. UEFI is firmware that was designed to replace BIOS. The UEFI program controls the startup process of a computer and loads the operating system into memory. Cache is an area of memory that holds recently- accessed data. Random Access Memory (RAM) is a temporary data storage location that can be read from and written to.
Which of the following components is necessary to keep the real-time clock running?
CMOS battery Explanation The CMOS battery supplies power to the CMOS to keep the real-time clock running. Formerly, the CMOS battery was needed to save system settings when the computer was powered off. Now EEPROM chips (EEPROM are ROM chips) have replaced CMOS chips, the battery isn't needed to save system settings.
A user reports that they are unable to access their Firewire drive after moving the PC from beneath the desk to the top of the desk. What is the most likely cause of this problem?
Card is not properly seated. Explanation In moving the computer, it is likely that the card became jostled and is no longer properly seated in the expansion slots. None of the other options would have been affected in just moving the computer. FireWire does not use IRQs for configuration. Simply moving the computer such a short distance would not require adding an external power supply if it wasn't needed before. Moving the computer does not change drivers used for devices.
You have an existing system that has a single DDR3 memory module installed. You would like to add more memory to the three remaining empty memory slots. What should you do to make sure you get the right memory for the system?
Check the motherboard documentation to find which modules are supported. Purchase additional modules that are the same as what is currently installed. Explanation To purchase the correct memory for your system, you can: - Check the motherboard documentation or the motherboard manufacturer's website to identify supported memory modules. - Purchase modules that are the same as what is currently installed. Be aware, however, that some motherboards may have limitations on the capacity of modules supported. For example, if a motherboard has four slots, you might be able to fill all slots only when memory modules are 1 GB or smaller. If you use larger modules, you may not be allowed to fill all of the slots. - Use an online configuration tool from a leading memory manufacturer to identify supported modules. Updating the BIOS might enable the motherboard to support newer memory modules, but you will still need to verify which modules are supported.
You want to upgrade all memory in your system with the fastest memory available. Which of the following should you choose?
Choose the type of memory that is supported by your motherboard. Explanation Different memory module form are not interchangeable. A motherboard will only accommodate one type of memory. Subsequently, the fastest memory in this will be the memory that fits in the system.
You are installing a high-end PCIe x16 video card in a new computer. The video card has connectors for two displays. The card also has dual fans to cool the unit. Which of the following will be part of the installation?
Connect a 6- or 8-pin power connector to the video card. Explanation Most high-end PCIe x16 video cards require a special 6-pin or 8-pin power connector for additional power. Be sure to connect the power after inserting the card in the system and prior to turning the system on. If the motherboard has integrated graphics, it should be disabled in the BIOS when installing a dedicated video card. Cross Fire bridge cables are used when installing two video cards in a multi- GPU configuration. Multiple display connectors on a video card do not need to be configured or enabled.
You want to be able to watch and record live TV on your computer. Your computer already has a video card, so you want to purchase an additional card that provides TV tuner input capabilities. Which of the following should be part of the configuration process?
Connect the TV input to the tuner card using coaxial cable and F-type connectors. Purchase a card that supports ATSC. Explanation A TV tuner allows your video card to accept a cable TV input and change channels from within the computer. In North America, digital TV signals are sent using the ATC standard. When purchasing a new TV tuner, make sure it supports ATSC. NTSC is analogue standard that was used in North America but has been replaced by ATSC. Video cards and monitors with a built-in TV tuner have an F-type cable TV connector. The DMS-59 connector is used to allow multiple video ports from a single connection. The DMS-59 connector uses a special cable that splits the signal into separate video interfaces. You do not need to link the TV tuner card to the video card; the TV tuner is used for input, while the video card is used for output. Bridge clips are used for multi-GPU configurations.
You just replaced the motherboard in your computer. Now your computer will not start. You press the power button on the system case, but nothing happens; there are no sounds or lights. What should you do?
Connect the power button to the motherboard. Explanation The system case power button connects to jumper pins on the motherboard, When you press the power button, the cable sends the power on signal to the computer. If the power button was connected, you would typically hear fans start up and see lights come on as the system boots. Even without a processor fan, memory, or a keyboard or mouse you still see or hear something if the system had power.
Are more powerful and more expensive.
Dedicated video cards.
Have a GPU and a dedicated high-speed video memory bank.
Dedicated video cards.
Installed in an expansion slot on the motherboard.
Dedicated video cards.
You have a legacy non-Plug- and- Play device that must be installed under Windows. What interface do you use to manage the configuration of this device after it has been installed?
Device Manager Explanation After a device has been installed, use Device Manager to modify non-Plug and -Play parameters such as IRQ, memory address, and DMA channel.
Which drive is configured as first in the boot sequence?
Diskette Drive
You've just installed a new video card in an employee's Windows workstation. When you power the system on and load the OS, everything on the screen looks enlarged and pixelated. You try to change the resolution, but the only available option is 640x480. Which of the following will resolve this problem?
Download and install the latest driver from the video card manufacturer's website. Explanation You should download and install the latest video driver from the manufactuer's website. Because Windows didn't have the appropriate driver, it used a generic driver instead, which supports a very limited resolution. Windows Safe Mode is used to troubleshoot system issues and disables all unnecessary software and drivers. A monitor's refresh rate does not affect a systems max resolution. If BIOS compatibility was an issue, nothing would be displayed on the monitor.
Which of the following is an error detection technique that can also correct the error?
ECC Explanation Error Correcting Code (ECC) can detect and correct errors. Parity error detection techniques can detect errors but cannot correct them. The data must be resent. EDO is not a type of error detection., it is a type of memory that can start a new access cycle while keeping the data output of the previous cycle active.
Which of the following components is a non-volatile memory technology for saving system settings when the computer is powered off?
EEPROM chips Explanation EEPROM chips are a non-volatile memory technology for saving system settings when the computer is powered off. EEPROM are ROM chips that have replaced CMOS chips (which needed the CMOS battery power to save system settings). Now, the CMOS battery is only used to keep the real-time clock running.
You are attempting to boot a new system. The boot fails and the system sounds a beep code. Which of the following describes the most likely cause of this error?
Either no memory is installed or the memory was not detected. If the system boot fails and sounds a beep code, the most likely cause is that either no memory is installed or the memory was not detected. If a card or memory module is not seated, or the system includes unsupported memory, the system will boots, but the display will remain blank. If POST fails to recognize all of the memory, the system will boot, but the memory count will be incorrect.
You are in a carpeted office lighted by fluorescent bulbs. You are preparing to add memory modules to a user's computer. The user has already unpacked the memory modules and stacked them on top of an old, unused CRT monitor. What is the greatest threat in this environment that could damage these memory modules?
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) Explanation Memory modules are very sensitive to ESD. It's possible that the memory modules have already been damaged by the possible lack of proper ESD prevention if the user removed the modules from the packaging while standing on the carpeted floor. But you can still take proper steps to prevent ESD before you proceed to install the modules. The CRT monitor is not likely to emit a high voltage discharge unless you take it apart. An unused CRT monitor does not emit a strong magnetic field and memory modules are not susceptible to magnetic fields. Memory modules are also not susceptible to electromagnetic interference.
What is the status of the integrated NIC?
Enabled
Which type of software-generated problems can indicate that a software bug is causing a memory error?
General- protection fault. Exception error. Page fault. Explanation Software-generated memory problems include the following: Exception error General-protection fault. Page fault. Registry errors indicate that parts of the registry are written to faulty sections of RAM. Parity interrupt usually indication a falling module or discrepancies between new and old memory. An incorrect memory count can happen with incompatible memory installation; remember to avoid combining dual-bank with single-bank memory.
Memory is not properly seated, missing, or the motherboard is defective.
First boot of a new computer.
You are building an HTPC (home theatre PC) that will be connected to an HDTV. You want to be able to play Blu-ray movies on the HTPC. Which of the following features should you make sure your video card and HDTV support?
HDCP Explanation High-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) is a method for protecting digital media, such as Blu-ray movies, from being intercepted and copied. When playing protected content from a PC, the optical device, video card, and external display must all support HDCP. Both DirectX and OpenGL are API collections that are used to improve graphic, animation, and multimedia creations. ATSC is a signal standard used to broadcast digital TV signals.
Incompletely or improperly doing this can cause errors that appear to be memory related.
Hardware installation or removal.
Which of the following terms describes a PC card that you can insert and remove without rebooting the computer?
Hot-swappable Explanation Inserting and removing PC cards without rebooting the computer is called hot-swapping. This feature is also called dynamic reconfiguration. Plug-and- Play devices are automatically detected by the system and the driver is automatically loaded. Unless the bus and device is hot-swappable, Plug-and-Play devices should be added or removed with the system shut down. AT Attachment (ATA) is the standard interface for transferring data from storage devices such as hard disk drives and optical drives.
You are in the process of configuring a new computer. The motherboard has six memory slots and supports triple-channel memory. You install two memory modules. When you boot the computer, the BIOS recognizes both modules, but the memory only runs in dual-channel mode. What should you do?
Install a third, identical memory module. Move the modules to the correct motherboard slots. Explanation To use triple-channel memory, you will need to install 3 or 6 memory modules in the correct slots. Depending on the motherboard, the slots might be next to each other, or alternating. Consult the motherboard documentation for the correct configurarion. Triple-channel support is mainly a function of the motherboard (i.e. the memory controller), not the memory itself. Continuity modules are used with Rambus RAM; if continuity modules were required on this system, none of the memory would have been detected, The CAS latency is used for memory timing. You might modify the timing if the system is unstable at the current memory timing settings.
You have installed a new computer with a quad-core 64-processor 6 GB of memory, and a PCIe video card with 512 MB of memory. After installing the operating system, you see less than 4 GB of memory showing as available in Windows. What should you do?
Install a 64-bit version of the operating system. Explanation In this scenario, the most likely cause is the operating system being a 32-bit operating system. You must use a 64-bit operating system to use memory above 4 GB. The AGP aperture is a method for sharing system memory with an AGP (not PCIe) video card. With shared memory, some of the memory is used by the video card and is not available for the system.You do not update memory controller drivers.
The memory is not compatible and was not installed and configured properly.
Memory upgrade
Are much cheaper and less powerful
Integrated video cards.
GPU is integrated with another hardware component such as a motherboard or CPU.
Integrated video cards.
Shares system memory for graphic processing.
Integrated video cards.
What brand of processor is installed?
Intel
Which of the following could be detrimental while flashing the BIOS?
Loss of power Explanation Losing power while flashing the BIOS could cause permanent problems with the computer. Some computers switch into standby mode after a certain time period. Be sure to disable standby mode before attempting a BIOS upgrade.
After installing two memory modules, you power on the system to check for errors. You find that the BIOS program recognizes only one of the memory modules. What should you do first?
Make sure that both modules are seated properly in their slots. Explanation In this case, you should check to ensure that you installed the memory correctly. Most BIOS programs include a memory count that displays the total amount of system memory. If it does not count the proper amount of memory, begin by checking to make sure the memory is inserted correctly. After the memory is installed correctly, if it is still not recognized, try removing one module to identify which module has the problem. Move the modules to different motherboard slots to see if you can get the system to detect the memory. In most cases, you will 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 will not enable memory not recognized by the BIOS.
You have just a built a new system from scratch. You turn the computer on but the system boot fails and sounds a beep code. What might be the issue?
Memory not installed or not detected. Explanation If memory was not installed in the new computer or was not detected during boot up, system boot will fail and sound a beep code. If unsupported memory was installed, the system will boot but the display will be blank. If incompatible memory was installed, such as combining dual-bank with single-bank memory, the system will boot but the memory count will be incorrect. If a mix of new and old memory was used, the system will boot but will display a memory error message.
Which of the following expansion buses is most commonly used for devices such as sound card, modems, and network card?
PCI Explanation PCI buses are most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems, and network cards. The AGP and VESA expansion buses are most commonly used for video. ISA buses were used to connect peripheral cards to the motherboards, but are considered a legacy device and are no longer available in newer systems.
You are in the process of configuring a new computer. The motherboard has four memory slots and supports dual-channel memory. You install two memory modules. When you boot the computer, the BIOS recognizes both modules, but the memory is not configured to run in dual-channel mode. What should you do?
Move the modules to the correct motherboard slots. Explanation To use dual-channel memory, you will need to install memory in the correct slots. Depending on the motherboard, the two slots might be next to each other, or alternating. Consult the motherboard documentation for the correct configuration. Dual- channel support is mainly a function of the motherboard (e.g., the memory controller), not the memory itself. Continuity modules are used with Rambus RAM; if continuity modules were required on this system, non of the memory would have been detected. The CAS latency is used for memory timing. You might modify the timing if the system is unstable at the current memory timing settings.
Which of the following is the most common method for removing RAM from a motherboard?
Move the tabs holding the RAM out of the way; pull straight up to remove the RAM. Explanation Most RAM is held in place with small tabs on either end. Push the tabs down to rotate them back, then pull the RAM straight up.
Explanation
On the General > System Information page the following BIOS/UEFI information is shown: Processor Type: Intel Memory Installed: 4096 BIOS version: 1610 Installed drives: 3 drives are installed (SATA-0, SATA-1, SATA-2). On the System Configuration > Integrated NIC page the following BIOS/UEFI information is shown: The integrated NIC status: Enabled. On the General > Boot Sequence page the following BIOS/UEFI information is shown: The first drive listed in the boot sequence: Diskette Drive.
Which of the following expansion buses is most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems, and network cards?
PCI Explanation PCI buses are most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems, and network cards. The AGP and VESA expansion buses are most commonly used for video. ISA buses were used to connect peripheral cards to the motherboard, but are considered a legacy device and are no longer available in newer systems.
Which of the following expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems?
PCI Express Explanation The PCI Express expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems. PCI buses are most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems, network cards, and storage device controllers. While you can use PCI for video, better performance is obtained from PCI Express. CNR is a legacy on motherboard slot to support networking, wireless communication, sound, or modem functions. AMR slots also legacy buses provided on some motherboards for riser cards to support sound or modem.
Which of the following expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems?
PCI Express Explanation The PCI Express expansion buses are most commonly used for video cards in modern computer systems. PCI buses are most commonly used for devices such as sound cards, modems, network cards, and storage device controllers. While you can use PCI for video, better performance is obtained from PCI Express. CNR is a legacy on-motherboard slot to support networking, wireless communication, sound, or modem functions. AMR slots are also legacy buses provided on some motherboards for riser cards to support sound or modem functions.
Which expansion bus is best for high-speed, high-resolution, three-dimensional graphics?
PCIe Explanation A PCI Express (PCIe) expansion bus is best for high-speed, high-resolution, three-dimensional graphics. The PCIe standard supports a data rate that is dramatically faster than AGP. VESA is an older graphics interface that was replaced by AGP many years ago. PCI and ISA are typically used for non-video expansion cards. While PCI can be used for video, PCIe offers better performance.
What is the name for the routine that tests the motherboard, memory, disk controllers, video, keyboard and other system hardware?
POST Explanation POST stands for power on self-test, and is the routine that tests system hardware on startup. The BIOS chip is firmware (hardware hard-coded with software) attached to the motherboard and is essential in booting the computer. The CMOS battery supplies power to the real-time clock to maintain the date and time.
Which of the following is an error detection technique that can detect errors with only one bit?
Parity Explanation Parity error detection can only detect errors with only one bit. EDO is not a type of error correction, it is a type of memory that can start a new access cycle while keeping the data output of the previous cycle active.
You are in the process of building a new computer. You would like to configure your computer to use SLI to improve performance when playing your favourite game. Which of the following will be part of the configuration process?
Purchase two graphics cards with SLI and similar specifications. Connect at least one monitor to the graphics card. Purchase a motherboard with two (or more) PCIe x16 slots. Explanation For increased performance, especially in games, you can install multiple video cards and link those cards together so that multiple GPUs draw a single screen. Scalable Link Interface (SLI) from NVIDIA and CrossFireX from AMD are two different methods for linking video cards. In most cases you will need to install identical video cards, or at least video cards with very similar specifications. Cards are linked using a special bridge clip or through software (depending on the implementation). Both the motherboard and the video cards must support the selected method (either SLI or CrossFireX). The motherboard must have at least two 16x PCIe slots. Some motherboards are able to link an onboard graphic controller a video card installed in a single PCIe slot. Connect the monitor to an output port on the first video card ATSC signals are digital TV signals and are not used for SLI.
You are in the process of building a new computer. You would like to configure your computer to use Crossfire to improve performance when playing your favourite game. Which of the following will be part of the configuration process?
Purchase two identical video cards. Explanation For increased performance, especially in games, you can install multiple video cards and link those cards together so that multiple GPUs draw a single screen. Scalable Link Interface (SLI) from NVIDIA and CrossFire from AMD are two different methods for linking video cards. In most cases you will need to install identical video cards, or at least video cards with very similar specifications. Cards are linked using a special bridge clip or through software (depending on the implementation). The motherboard and the video cards must each support the selected method (either SLI or CrossFire). The motherboard must have multiple 16 x PCIe slots. Connect the monitor to an output port on the first video card. Select a video card that supports NTSC for analogue video capture or analogue TV tuner capabilities. Select a video card that supports ATSC for digital TV. HDCP is a copy-protection method that prevents playback of protected content (such as movies on Blu-ray discs) devices that do not support HDCP.
Your company has decided to hire a full-time video editor. You have been asked to find a system with the level of display quality needed by someone who will be working with video all day. Which of the following video card specifications will have the greatest impact on display quality?
Refresh rate Resolution Explanation The quality of video is determined by both the video card and the external display. When selecting a video card, the following specifications should be considered: - Resolution: The number of pixels displayed on the screen. A higher resolution means that more information can be shown on the screen (screen "real estate"). A video card is rated by its max resolution, which is the highest possible resolution it can display (e.g., 1920 x 1080 or 4096 x 2160). A video editor is going to need as much estate as you can afford. - Refresh rate: The number of times in one second that the GPU draws a frame. Refresh rates are measured in hertz. A refresh rate of 70 Hz or lower may cause eye fatigue. An optimal refresh rate is between 75Hz and 85Hz. The display specifications should match the video card specifications. Memory, GPU configuration, and display connection type are all factors that will contribute to video performance or compatibility with the display. But these factors do not directly determine the display quality.
For a special project, you have been asked to recommend the lowest profile desktop computers available. You are attempting to put together the specifications for these machines. Which of the following types of cards are attached to the motherboard to allow expansion cards to plug into them instead of the motherboard?
Riser Explanation Riser cards attach to the motherboard and have expansion cards plug into them instead of the motherboard. The primary benefit of a riser card is that by installing expansion cards parallel to the motherboard, it is possible to create a low-profile design. Communications and Networking Riser (CNR) is a type of expansion slot found on some motherboards that is used for network and sound expansion boards. Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMIA) cards were used several years ago to add devices to laptops. VESA Local Bus was also a type of expansion slot found on older motherboards that was primarily used for the video interface.
What is the role of the CMOS in a modern computer?
Saves information about system devices. Explanation The CMOS saves information about system devices. The BIOS tests hardware during system startup, coordinates the use of system hardware with the operating system, and loads the operating system into memory.
Which of the following statements is true regarding single-and double-sided memory?
Single-sided memory uses half the number of memory modules as double-sided memory of the same capacity. Explanation Single-sided memory uses half the number of memory modules as double-sided memory of the same capacity. Single-sided RAM has memory modules that are organized into a single logical bank; double-sided RAM has modules organized into two banks. Because the computer can only access data in one bank at a time, single-sided RAM allows access to all of the memory, while with double-sided RAM, the computer must switch between banks. Originally, double-sided RAM had modules on both sides of the circuit board, and single-sided RAM had modules on only one side. However, you can also have double-sided RAM with modules on only one side, where internally the memory is divided into separate banks.
This can require more memory and can cause problems if there is not enough memory at this time.
Software installation
Which of the following are improvements over BIOS that are provided by UEFI?
Supports 64-bit firmware device drivers. Supports drives larger than 2.2 TB. Faster startup times Explanation UEFI provides the following benefits over the functionality of BIOS: Faster startup times. Supports drives larger than 2.2 terabytes. Supports 64-bit firmware device drivers. Provides better security to protect against bootkit (malware attacks on the boot process ) attacks Similar to BIOS, UEFI does need to be flashed when updates are available to make new features available on the computer. EEPROM is the technology that provides non-volatile memory and allows individual bytes to be erased and reprogrammed.
When you boot the computer, it hangs after asking you for the current time and date. What is the most likely problem?
The CMOS battery has failed. Explanation The system TIme and date are managed by the Real Time Clock (RTC) in the BIOS. If the CMOS memory battery goes dead, the RTC reverts back to a default date and time.
You are installing an updated driver for a hardware device on your system. A dialog box displays indicating that Microsoft has digitally signed the driver you are installing. What benefits does driver signing provide?
The driver has been tested by Microsoft. The driver file has not been altered. Explanation A Microsoft digital signature is your assurance that a particular file has met a certain level of testing, and that the file has not been altered or overwritten by another program's installation process. Unfortunately, this testing cannot completely eliminate the possibility of drivers interfering with each other, nor can it ensure that the most recent driver has been installed. Later drivers can be installed, and both the earlier and more recent drivers may carry digital signatures from Microsoft. Typically, separate drivers are provided for 32- and 64- bit versions of Windows.
Which of the following are true regarding a dual-channel memory bandwidth configuration?
The memory controller must support dual-channels. Bandwidth is increased by 5-15% Explanation Dual-channel systems increase the memory bandwidth by only 5-15%, although it does have a 100% theoretical increase. Dual-channel support is mainly a function of the motherboard (e.g., the memory controller), not the memory itself. DDR, DDR2, and DDR3 can all work in dual-channel systems (depending on the memory supported by the motherboard); a triple channel system can only use DDR3.
A customer wants to add an additional video card to her computer so she can play the latest computer games. Which of the following statements are true of a multi-GPU configuration?
The motherboard should support either SLI or CrossFire. For the best performance, both video cards should be identical. Explanation For increased performance, especially in games, multiple video cards can be linked together using a special bridge clip. This allows multiple GPUs to draw a single screen. For the best performance, both video cards should be identical. In addition, the motherboard must be compatible with either SLI (used by NVIDA cards) or CrossFire (used by AMD cards). Because each card is sharing the processing load, the memory banks and GPU in both video cards are being used. In a multi-GPU configuration, the secondary (bottom) card's display connectors are typically disabled.
What technology was designed to replace the BIOS and is a firmware solution for controlling the startup process and loading the computer operating system into memory?
UEFI Explanation UEFI was designed to replace the BIOS and is a firmware solution for controlling the startup process and loading the computer operating system into memory. CMOS is a legacy computer chip technology that was used for storing system information prior to the introduction of EEPROM. EEPROM is a non-volatile memory chip that stores the system startup information configured through UEFI. BIOS 2 does not exist.
You need to connect a monitor that provides an HDMI port and a VGA port to a video adapter in a PC system that uses a DVI-D connector. Which option would provide the best display quality at the lowest cost?
Use an adapter to connect the monitor HDMI port to the DVI-D connector on the PC. Explanation Using an adapter to connect the DVI-D connector on the video adapter to the HDMI port would provide the best quality output at the lowest cost. Because DVI-D and HDMI both use digital signalling, the signal is not degraded during conversion. In fact, HDMI was specifically designed to support DVI-D signalling. DVI-D to HDMI converters can be purchased for less than $20.00 USD. Using a DVI-D to VGA adapter would allow you to connect the video board to the monitor, however, this type of adapter must convert digital signals to analogue signals, which would likely degrade the signal slightly. Purchasing a new monitor with a DVI-D port would provide a high-quality signal but would coat much more that the other alternatives.
Explanation
Video cards process graphical information for output to an external display. Video cards can be implemented as a dedicated expansion board or integrated with other components (e.g., the motherboard or CPU). Dedicated video cards: - Are installed in an expansion slot on the motherboard. -Have a GPU and a dedicated, high-speed video memory bank. - Are more powerful than integrated video cards, but are also more expensive. Integrated video cards: - Integrate the GPU with another hardware component (e.g., a motherboard or CPU) - Share system memory for graphic processing. - Are much cheaper than dedicated video cards, but are also less powerful.
When do you need to upgrade the system BIOS?
Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported but that is required by the operating system or hardware. Explanation In general, you need to upgrading the system BIOS whenever the current BIOS does not support a function required by the operating system or by the hardware. Use the CMOS program to change system configuration settings used by the BIOS.
Which of the following situations is most likely to require a system BIOS update?
You are upgrading a processor. Explanation A BIOS update might be required while upgrading a processor or other core hardware. Expansion devices such as modems, sound cards, and network cards should not require a system BIOS update because they interface with the computer through standard bus expansion slots. When installing these devices, you will need to install the correct driver for the device.
