B.2.3 CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) Domain 3: Hardware
Match each USB connector type on the left with the image label on the right. (Not all USB connector types will be used.)
1 > USB 3.0 Type-A 2 > USB 3.0 Micro-B 3 > USB 3.0 Type-B 4 > USB 2.0 Type-A Explanation: Connector 1 is a USB 3.0 Type-A connector. The blue tab indicates that the connector is a USB 3.0 Type-A connector and capable of USB 3.0 speeds. USB 3.0 Type-A connectors are backwards compatible with all previous USB versions. Connector 2 is a USB 3.0 Micro-B connector. The USB 3.0 Micro-B connector is used by portable devices, such as compact external storage devices, digital cameras, or smartphones. Connector 3 is a USB 3.0 Type-B connector. The USB 3.0 Type-B connector is larger in size and designed to carry both data and power. Due to their increased size, USB 3.0 Type-B connectors cannot be plugged into older USB Type-B ports. However, USB 3.0 peripherals that use this port are able to accept older USB Type-B connectors. Connector 4 is a USB 2.0 Type-A rectangular connector that generally plugs directly into the computer or a hub. Almost all USB cables have one Type-A connector on one of the ends.
How many pins does a line matrix printer use to print a line of text on a page of paper?
> 132 Explanation: Line matrix printers use a comb design with 132 pins to print a full line at a time. Dot matrix printers normally use 9 pins to print a character (or sometimes 48 pins for higher quality resolution). Line matrix printers do not use 162 pins to print a full line.
Which of the following processor sizes consumes the least amount of power, assuming that all other processor specifications are the same?
> 32 nm Explanation: A 32 nm (nanometer) processor consumes 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.
Dual-channel memory systems only theoretically double memory bandwidth. What is the bandwidth increase in actual terms?
> 5-15% Explanation: Dual-channel systems theoretically double the bandwidth. However, in practice, only a 5% to 15% increase is gained.
Review the virtual memory configuration for the Windows 11 system shown below. Which configuration change could you make to the paging file to BEST increase system performance given that this Windows 11 system has 16 GB of system RAM and three hard disks installed?
> Add paging files to the E: and F: volumes. Explanation: You can sometimes achieve a modest increase in system performance by adding paging files to other storage devices in your system. This offloads some of the paging file work to a disk other than to the system volume. With the amount of system RAM installed on this computer, creating a larger paging file or increasing its initial size probably won't increase system performance. Generally speaking, you should keep a paging file on the system volume. Without it, Windows can't create a dump file if the system crashes.
As a network engineer, you have been creating patch (straight-through) cables for a network switch. You have plugged in all the cables and are testing data transmission through the cables. You notice that the data transmission is not functioning properly in some of the cables, and you are sure that one of the cables is interfering with the transmission at the near end. What is this type of interference called?
> Cross-talk interference Explanation: Cross-talk is an interference between two pairs in a cable. The cable transmitting the interfering signal interferes the greatest at the end where the interfering signal is transmitted from (called the near end) with other cables next to it. In this scenario, you probably did not keep the wire pairs twisted as much as possible up to the end of the cable connector, and you will need to fix the issue. Cat 5 Ethernet is a type of network connector, not a type of network interference. You are using a network switch, not a router, so there should be no interference from any router. Wi-Fi interference can come from many sources, but you are using a wired (not a wireless) connection.
Which of the following describes how a printer communicates when it is connected by an Ethernet cable?
> It communicates through the network router or hub using a cable and interface card. Explanation: Ethernet printers communicate through the network router or hub using a cable and interface card. Wired printers communicate with one computer using a cable connected through the USB port. Legacy printers communicate with one computer using a cable through a dedicated serial or parallel printer port on older computers. Wireless printers communicate through radio frequency technologies.
You have been having trouble with your laptop crashing. You would like your computer to create a memory dump file when it crashes. Where should you place the paging file?
> On the system volume Explanation: You must place the paging file on the system volume if you want Windows to be able to create a memory dump file when it crashes.
Which of the following thermal solutions might you find on memory modules?
> Passive heat sink Explanation: Memory modules use passive heat sinks (also called heat spreaders). They do not have a fan because they rely on increased surface area and passive air movement to cool them. Active heat sinks are used by components that generate more heat, such as CPUs, high-end video cards, and some motherboard chipsets with integrated graphics. Surface area dissipation is a generic term for cooling used by both active and passive cooling systems. Liquid cooling systems are used when air cooling is not sufficient. Liquid-based cooling systems are composed of tubes, cooling plates, a reservoir, and a radiator; they are primarily used for high-end gaming computers and high-performance systems.
You are servicing a client's computer that has been randomly restarting. You decide to test the power supply voltage on the 12 V rail using a multimeter. Which of the following BEST describes the action you should take based on the multimeter reading shown below?
> Replace the power supply because it is failing. Explanation: The power supply in this scenario is failing. Any time the voltage on a 12 V rail drops below about 11 volts, you should replace the power supply. Low-voltage issues are not contained to a 12 V rail, so even if you stop using that 12 V rail, the system will still have the same problems. Switching the power supply to use 230 volts AC will not fix the issue.
You are building one of your customers a home theater PC (HTPC) to connect to an HDTV and high-definition audio system. The customer is going to be playing mostly Blu-ray movies on the system. Which of the following features should the sound card include? (Select two.)
> S/PDIF output > Dolby Digital, DTS support, or SDDS support Explanation: Because the customer is using the computer as an HTPC, the sound card should include support for high-quality sound output, such as Dolby Digital, DTS, or SDDS support. In addition, the sound card should support a digital output, such as S/PDIF. Line-level in (line in) ports are used to receive analog audio signals from musical instruments or CD players, which is not necessary for this computer. IEEE 1394 ports are used to connect FireWire devices. MIDI support, which allows digital synthesizer recording, is also unnecessary for this particular computer.
Which interface is primarily used for internal hard drives in modern desktop PC systems?
> SATA Explanation: SATA is primarily used for internal hard drives in modern desktop PC systems. PATA (also called EIDE, IDE, and ATAPI) is a parallel ATA interface and was the most common interface used for hard disks and CD/DVD drives in the past. It is not used in modern PC systems. USB and Firewire are interface standards for connecting various external devices, including external hard drives. SCSI is commonly used for server storage. However, SCSI is rarely used for hard disks in modern desktop systems.
What should you use to clean an inkjet printer's print heads?
> The printer's cleaning function Explanation: On inkjet printers, use the printer's cleaning function to clean the print heads. Do not use an anti-static vacuum, denatured alcohol, or a damp cloth to clean the print heads.
You have just purchased a new computer. This system uses UEFI firmware and comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. You recently accessed the manufacturer's support website and saw that a UEFI firmware update has been released. You download the update. However, when you try to install it, an error message is displayed that indicates the digital signature on the update file is invalid. Which of the following MOST likely caused this to happen?
> The update file has been tampered with. Explanation: UEFI requires firmware updates to be digitally signed by the hardware vendor. Using digital signatures, unauthorized changes to firmware updates (such as the insertion of malware) can be detected. The SecureBoot feature requires that operating systems be digitally signed before they can be booted. The latest UEFI update most likely includes all of the changes that were implemented in earlier updates. There is no indication that the system has been infected with rootkit malware in this scenario.
You have just installed a new CPU in your workstation along with a CPU heat sink and fan. Which of the following should you do next as a best practice?
> Update the BIOS after installing the processor. Explanation: As a best practice, you should update the BIOS shortly after installing a processor (you must have a processor and memory installed to update the BIOS). Ensuring that the CPU and motherboard socket type matches is a step that you should complete before you install the CPU. Verifying that the motherboard supports the processor speed is another step that you should complete before you install the CPU. Connecting the fan's power supply is a step that you should complete as part of the fan installation.
You have overclocked the processor on your workstation to run at a higher speed. Now the workstation is overheating, and you are concerned that the processor might become damaged. Which of the following is the BEST solution to this issue?
> Upgrade the workstation cooling devices. Explanation: The best solution in this scenario is to upgrade the workstation cooling devices to compensate for the additional heat that is generated by overclocking. While you should adjust the motherboard bus, processor, and memory settings to match the overclock speed, this step does not resolve the overheating issue. You can reset the clock time back to its original setting to reduce the amount of generated heat, but resetting the clock does not resolve the issue with the additional heat that is generated by overclocking. Running a benchmark test gives you information about the speeds of the processor, graphics card, storage drives, and memory. However, a benchmark test does not resolve the issue of the additional heat that is generated by overclocking.
When do you need to upgrade the system BIOS?
> Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported, but is required by the operating system or hardware. Explanation: In general, you need to upgrade 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. Installing a new hard drive, modifying the BIOS settings, or adding a new peripheral device do not normally require a BIOS update.
You have just installed a video card in a PCIe expansion slot in your Windows workstation. You have made sure that the card is connected to the power supply using an 8-pin connector. You also have your monitor connected to the video card. However, when you boot your workstation, it displays a blank screen instead of the Windows system. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of the problem?
> You have not configured the motherboard in BIOS/UEFI to utilize the new video card. Explanation: Before installing the video board in the slot, you need to go into the motherboard's BIOS or UEFI firmware utility to configure the motherboard to use the new video board of the integrated video adapter. As long as you are installing a single video card into a compatible PCIe slot, using a wrong PCIe slot should not be an issue. While disabling the integrated video adapter in BIOS/UEFI is not recommended (in case you have to remove the video card), it should not impact the display, as the monitor is connected to the video card. Bridge clips are used to link more than one video card together. They are not used (and it is not necessary) to link the integrated video adapter to a video card.
Joseph has started using virtual machines (VMs) to help his software development process. As the number of VMs has increased, Joseph has noticed that his hard drive is almost full. He would like you to buy and connect an external hard drive where additional VMs can be stored. When the drive arrives, you find it has the type of connector shown in the image below. Which type of connector is on the external hard drive? This question includes an image to help you answer the question.
> eSATA Explanation: eSATA, or external SATA, allows the use of shielded cables outside of an enclosure. Shielded eSATA cables are available up to two meters in length. eSATA cables are not the same as SATA I cables. They are shielded and have a different connector than the L-shaped design of internal SATA I connectors. This prevents the use of unshielded internal cables in external applications. eSATA uses a point-to-point connection. Therefore, each eSATA drive needs to be connected to its own eSATA port.
Consider the memory modules shown in the image below. Drag each label on the left and drop it on the letter on the right that best identifies the associated memory module form.
A > DDR DIMM B > DDR3 DIMM C > DDR4 DIMM D > DDR2 DIMM E > 200-pin SO-DIMM F > 144-pin SO-DIMM G > UniDIMM Explanation: The memory modules have the following characteristics: DDR (double data rate synchronous dynamic RAM) DIMM has a single notch, slightly off-center. DDR memory has 184 pins. DDR2 DIMM has a notch that is slightly closer to the middle and has more pins (240) than DDR memory. 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. DDR4 DIMM has a single notch, slightly right of center. DDR4 has 288 pins. 144-pin SO-DIMM is used in notebook computers. The notch is slightly off-center. 200-pin SO-DIMM has a notch that is farther off-center than 144-pin SO-DIMM. These modules are used by DDR2 and DDR3 memory. UniDIMM has a notch that is positioned similar to 200-pin SO-DIMM. UniDIMM supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory.
