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CompTIA A+ 220-1101 & 220-1102 > 1.0 Mobile Devices > Flashcards

1.0 Mobile Devices Flashcards

1
Q

Li-ion vs. LiPo batteries

A

Li-ion = Lithium Ion
LiPo = Lithium Ion Polymer
These are the most common batteries used in laptops

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2
Q

T or F
With Li-ion and LiPo you can partially discharge the battery and then can charge it again w/out creating a “shadow” or “memory effect”

A

True
You can partially discharge a Li-ion or LiPo batter and charge it again without negative consequences - however every time you charge the battery it diminishes the capacity just a bit - this is why batteries wear out after awhile.

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3
Q

T or F
Keyboards are usually a single device that uses a ribbon cable to connect to the rest of the laptop.

A

True - also, keyboards are usually our primary input device - we use it the most.

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4
Q

T or F
Keycaps and the mechanism underneath can be fragile and you should use great care when replacing keycaps

A

True- all fragile, be careful
Also check manufacturers instructions before doing anything with the keyboard.

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5
Q

What is SO-DIMM and what does SO-DIMM stand for?

A

SO-DIMM = Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module - this is usually the type of RAM memory used in laptops and compact devices.
Desktop computers use DIMM.

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6
Q

Can you upgrade or change the memory of your laptop if it has a SO-DIMM memory module?

A

Yes, a SO-DIMM module is by definition modular so it can be changed.
Some laptop manufacturers solder the memory to the motherboard rather than using a SO-DIMM module.
In that case you would have to change the entire motherboard to upgrade the memory of you laptop.

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7
Q

How do you install a SO-DIMM?

A
  1. Open the back of your laptop (it may have a special door that opens to the memory area, or you may have to take off the entire back)
  2. Push the SO-DIMM into the memory slot of the computer
  3. Push it down so it locks.
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8
Q

What do HDD and SSD stand for

A

HDD = Hard Disk Drive
SSD = Solid State Drive

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9
Q

Compare and contrast HDD and SSD’s

A

HDD -
1. Use magnetic disks to store data
2. have moving parts like a spinning platter and read/write head.
3. cheaper than SSDs
4. offer more storage capacity than SSDs
5. Easier to recover data from if they’re damaged. 6. Less durable than SSDs
7. Can be noisy and produce a lot of heat
SSD -
1. Use flash memory to store data, and don’t have moving parts.
2. faster, quieter, more durable, and use less energy than HDDs.
3. less affected by magnets.
4. generally more expensive per gigabyte
5. have lower capacities than HDDs

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10
Q

Can you swap out a HDD with a SSD in a laptop?

A

yes - SSD and HDDs for laptops are both 2.5” and have the same connectivity, so you can swap out an HDD with and SSD
Hard drives for desktop computers are 3.5”

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11
Q

What are the “form factor” differences between a laptop hard dive and a desktop hard drive?

A

Laptop hardrives (or SSD’s) are 2.5 inches
Desktop hardrives are 3.5 inches

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12
Q

Compare and contrast a M.2 SSD with a “normal” SSD

A

M.2
1. Smaller, more modular, connected to a circuit board with pins that you just plug in to the slot
2. no separate power connection
3. About 1 inch wide and 2.5 inches long
SSD
1. Has a separate SATA power connection (or some other power connection)
2. Larger 2.5” size

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13
Q

How do you change the hard drive of a laptop? And an M.2 SSD?

A
  1. Gain access to the hard drive - either by taking off a door on the bottom of the laptop or removing the whole bottom of the laptop
  2. undo any necessary screws & cables - hard drive should slide out
  3. Slide in new hard drive, connect necessary cables and screw it down
  4. installing M.2 SSD hard drive is more like installing RAM, you slide it in to the slot and there is just 1 screw and no power cable.
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14
Q

When upgrading a computer from a HDD to an SSD, how to you transfer the OS, applications and files?

A

Two ways
1. Make a clone/image of the existing hard drive and put that image on the new hard drive. This is probably the best option. You will need specialized software to do this. Some SSD’s come with an application to do this, there are other commercial and open source applications available as well.
2. Install the OS on the new SSD and then manually install all the applications and move over all the files manually. Simple but can be time consuming.

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15
Q

When it comes to system migration and backing up data, what is “drive-to-drive image” vs. “disk imaging”

A

With Drive to Drive image: There is no intermediary image file. It’s the process of creating a complete copy of one hard drive (the source drive) onto another hard drive (the target drive), essentially replicating all data, system settings, and partitions from the original drive to the new one. You have to have the two systems running simultaneously.
While similar, “disk imaging” usually refers to creating a compressed file containing the entire drive contents which can be stored separately and restored later

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16
Q

Compare and contrast 802.11(wifi) vs. bluetooth
(5 distinctions)

A

Wifi and Bluetooth are both wireless communication standards
1. 802.11 is for computer-to-computer connections, while Bluetooth is for connecting all sorts of devices that are close together.
2. 802.11 has more bandwidth and is generally faster than Bluetooth.
3. 802.11 has a longer range than Bluetooth.
4. 802.11 transmits at a static frequency, while Bluetooth uses frequency hopping.
6. Both 802.11 and Bluetooth can interfere with each other, but this can be reduced.

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17
Q

Compare and Contrast a PAN vs. a LAN

A

PAN (Personal Area Network)
A PAN connects devices within a short range of a person. PANs are often used for low-data-rate uses, and can include devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. PANs can be wired using USB or FireWire connections, or wireless using Bluetooth or infrared.
LAN (Local Area Network)
A LAN connects devices within a single site, such as a building, office, or school. LANs are typically used for applications that require rapid data transmission, such as file sharing, resource sharing, and communication. LANs can be wired or wireless, and are faster, more reliable, and easier to manage than larger networks.
PANs are usually centered around 1 person while a LAN serves multiple ppl.

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18
Q

What is FireWire?

A

FireWire, also known as IEEE 1394, is a (legacy) high-speed data transfer interface that connects devices to computers and other electronics.
Apple led the initiative to adopt FireWire in the late 1980s, and it became a standard on many Macintosh computers. However, Apple’s last products with FireWire were discontinued in 2016.

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19
Q

What is a WWAN

A

WWAN stands for Wireless Wide Area Network, and it’s a wireless network that uses cellular technology to connect devices to the internet over long distances. WWANs are often used to connect devices like laptops and smartphones to the internet.

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20
Q

PCIe vs. Mini PCIe
PCI vs. PCIe

A

Mini PCIe -
is a small, standardized slot on a laptop motherboard used to connect expansion cards like Wi-Fi cards - Most commonly used for installing wireless network cards (Wi-Fi) in laptops
PCIe -
Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, is a high-speed interface that connects electronic components in a computer - allows for high-speed data transfer between a computer’s motherboard and expansion cards, such as graphics cards, sound cards, and storage devices

PCI is the older standard. PCIe offers improved performance and bandwidth.

A laptop might have spots for several PCIe cards - one for wifi, one for bluetooth, one for cellular etc.

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21
Q

what do you need in order to implement Biometric Security on most machines?

A
  1. You need hardware to ready your face, like a camera, or a fingerprint scanner to read your fingerprint.
  2. You need to configure your OS to set up biometric authentication
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22
Q

List the 6 authentication methods available on Windows

A
  1. Password
  2. picture password
  3. PIN
  4. Facial Recognition
  5. Fingerprint scan
  6. Security Key (it’s a physical key that looks like a USB drive) Usually used for 2 factor auth.

Remember - these auth methods can be combined - so you might require a PIN and facial recognition or something like that.

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23
Q

What is NFC? and how is it used in authentication?

A

NFC = Near Field Communication
- 4 centimeters or less
We’ve been using it with mobile for awhile (like when ppl pay with their phone) and now we’re using it with laptops.
Example: Someone could use their phone or smart watch to authenticate to the laptop.

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24
Q

Name the 3 types of LCD displays and what they are best for

A

TN-LCD stands for Twisted Neumatic LCD - this is the OG LCD
- fast response time (gaming)
- con: colors shift/get weird when you view them from the side
IPS LCD - In Plan Switching
- best color display (graphics, art)
- more expensive to produce than TN-LCD
VA LCD - Vertical Alignment LCD - considered a compromise
- Good color resprsentation
- slower response time than TN

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25
Q

What does OLED stand for? How does it work?

A

OLED - Organic Light Emitting Diode
It doesn’t have a backlight. Organic material emits light when you provide it with an electric current.

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26
Q

What are the advantages of an OLED display?

A

Very light and very thin
flexible and mobile - no glass needed
Accurate color representation
a bit more expensive than LCD
Used in smart phone/watches, tablets - ideal for mobile devices

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27
Q

Why does a CCFL LCD display need an inverter?

A

the CCFL LCD displays use an AC current and your laptop uses a DC current. So you must have and inverter to convert DC to AC
Sometimes if a LCD display stops working, it just needs a new inverter.

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28
Q

What does LCD stand for and how does it work?

A

LCD = Liquid Crystal Display
Basically a light source, at the back of the display, shines thru liquid crystals which make up the image.
The display also has other layers like electrode layers, color filter layer, and polarizing layers.

Light source can be LED or fluorescent

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29
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of LCD display

A

Advantages: Lightweight, low power, inexpensive
Disadvantages: hard to get a true black, if the backlight source fails, it’s difficult to repair or replace. Usually have to get a whole new display.

30
Q

Where is the antenna located on a laptop?

A

Around the display(screen)! It’s the “highest” part of the machine, so that’s where they put it.
When replacing a display it can be challenging - make sure you don’t mess up the antenna when you do it.

31
Q

How many antennas do laptops normally have?

A

They usually have multiple - one for wifi (802.11), one for bluetooth or another type of wireless networking system

32
Q

what does CCFL stand for? And where is it used?

A

CCFL = Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp
This is an older type of lighting used as the backlight for LCD displays.
Requires more power than LED and adds thickness to the display. No longer very common.

33
Q

What is an LED display?

A

It’s a misnomer for and LCD display that uses LEDs for the backlight. It would more correctly be called an LED LCD.

34
Q

With reference to displays: what is a digitizer and where is it used.

A

A digitizer is used with a touch screen/stylus enabled screen. It takes the analog input from the stylus/fingers and converts it to digital signals the computer can use.

35
Q

What does USB stand for?

A

USB = Universal Serial Bus
USB is a host-scheduled, token-based serial bus protocol

36
Q

What is “serial” communication/connection

A

Serial communication is the process of sending data one bit at a time, sequentially, over a communication channel or computer bus.
In order for the receiving side to accurately receive the data, the sending side must know at what speed it is sending each bit. That’s why standards where created. RS-232 is a serial communication standard.
In contrast, parallel connections transmit multiple bits of data simultaneously over multiple wires.

37
Q

What are the different type of USB connections? And what do they look like?

A

USB A - the normal looking one
USB Mini B
USB Micro B - like motorola cell phone
USB C - like current cell phone

38
Q

What does USB stand for? What can you send over USB?

A

USB = Universal Serial Bus You can send power and data over a USB connection

39
Q

What is a USB C and where can you find one?

A

USBc’s can be found on phones, but also on laptops. They can act as USB 2/3/3.1/4 connection.

40
Q

What is Thunderbolt technology?

A

Thunderbolt is a technology that allows for fast data transfer, video output, and power delivery between a computer and an external device. It was developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple.
It uses a USB-C port to connect devices, but it offers faster speeds and support for more protocols than USB-C.
It usually has a thunderbolt image on the wire and/or the port

41
Q

What is a lightening connection?

A

Exclusively for Apple, transfers power and data, 8 pin port and wire,
Can be inserted either way, faster charging than Micro USB

42
Q

What is a DB-9?

A

DB-9 (aka DE-9) was the serial communication /connection cables commonly used before USB came around. It has 9 pins and the little screws at the side.
Older devices may still have DB-9 ports. You can use a USB to DB-9 converter to configure these devices.
Commonly used for RS-232 signals. (Serial communication standard since 1969)

43
Q

What is RS-232?

A

RS-232 = Recommended standard 232. It was a standard/protocol for sending serial data (over connections and wires). Remember serial data is sent sequentially so In order for the receiving side to accurately receive the data, the sending side must know at what speed it is sending each bit.

44
Q

What is NFC? And where is it used?

A

NFC = Near Field Communication
It’s used to send small amounts of data wirelessly over a limited area. (They need to be almost touching)
Paying with your phone uses NFC, key card access uses NFC, chip credit cards use NFC.

45
Q

How does a cellular hot spot work?

A

When you create a “hot spot” with your cell phone, it creates a 802.11 signal (wifi signal) that your computer, or other computers can use. Any device that’s configured to use 802.11 can use it.

46
Q

Compare and Contrast a capacitive stylus with an active stylus

A

touch pen / capacitive stylus - regular stylus that doesn’t need power - you basically use it just how you would use your finger.
- can be used on any device with a touchscreen.

Active stylus/ Digital Stylus
- has own source of power and connects wirelessly with the computer/tablet
-Must be compatible with the tablet - apple w/apple etc.
- more precise input
-pressure sensitivity

47
Q

What is a Drawing Pad and how is it used?

A

If your computer doesn’t have a touchscreen( aka capacitive display) you can get a drawing pad - this is like a wacom – doesn’t have a screen, just a black pad that you draw on. Also called an external digitizer
- requires active stylus
- good for very precise input

48
Q

Trackpad

A

You can get an external trackpad that u can use with a laptop or a desktop
- on some machines you can disable your trackpad using the function keys (f10)

49
Q

Headset

A

Can have audio and microphone
Connection options
- USB
-Bluetooth
-for apple, lightning connection
-TRRS 3.5mm, analog jack (tip, ring, ring, sleeve) can do input (microphone) and output (headphones)

50
Q

Docking station

A

makes plugging and unplugging laptop much easier
-computer connects directly into docking station
-everything else plugs into the doccking station (not the actual machine)
-some docking stations can also take adapter cards for added functionality of your computer.
-helps you avoid cable issues

51
Q

Port Replicator

A

like a docking station but connects to your machine via USB rather than a direct connection with the machine.
-Usually doesn’t have option for expansion cards like some docking stations
- usually smaller than a docking station
- seems like it would be more model agnostic since it connects via USB - would need to be compatible with your machine, but would probably work with several different models of machine.

52
Q

Why is it called a “cell” phone?

A

It’s called a cell phone because it uses a Cellular network - they cut up the land into different cells and put cell towers, aka antennas, at the edge of these cells.

53
Q

Why was 2G called 2G

A

2G networks consisted of two global communication standards: GSM and CDMA.
These standards were good at supporting voice communications, but crap for supporting data transfer.

54
Q

Describe GSM

A

GSM = Global System for Mobile Communications
- used in about 90% of the market
-Originally the EU standard
-Allowed you to use your phone globally
-T-Mobile & AT&T
- allowed the use of SIM cards
-used Multiplexing to have many ppl use the same frequency at the same time. Everybody got a little slice and you could send data

55
Q

What does SIM stand for? And what does it allow you to do?

A

Subscriber Identity Module

56
Q

Describe CDMA

A

CDMA = Code Division Multiple Access
- each call uses a different code
- the codes are used to filter each call on the receiving side
- Verizon and Sprint
- ^^ controlled what handsets you could buy - ibid no SIM cards
-Not popular in other parts of the world - no adoption elsewhere.

57
Q

Describe 3G technology

A

3G
-Introduced in 1998
-Better data - could get several megabits per second on the best possible connections
- better data connectivity allowed GPS data, streaming audio and video & mobile television

58
Q

describe 4G – also known as LTE

A

LTE stands for “Long Term Evolution”
It converged the CDMA
and GSM standards and created a new standard: EDGE - Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
could get up to 150 megabits per second
- in some places with LTE-Advanced ppl could get 300 Mbit/s

59
Q

When was 5G introduced?

A

2020

60
Q

Describe 5G

A
  • Introduced in 2020
  • right now speeds of 100-900 Mbit/s
    -Eventually should reach 10 GIGABITS per second
    -If they can increase speeds to this ^^ then capabilities of all devices could change/increase
61
Q

What does IoT stand for?

A

Internet of Things
IoT refers to the interconnection of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. Examples would include smart thermostats, kitchen appliances, fitness-tracking watches, self-driving cars, and home security systems

62
Q

What is a PRL update?

A

PRL stands for Preferred Roaming List and it allows your phone to connect to the right tower, and hence the right network. It usually happens automatically in the background, but you can also manually initiate a PRL update on your device if you are experiencing connection issues while roaming.

63
Q

how often do you have to “pair” two bluetooth enabled devices?

A
  1. Bluetooth pairing only has to happen once. After that, these devices will automatically connect when they are close to each other.
64
Q

Briefly describe the (generic) Bluetooth pairing process.

A

1.Enable both devices to use bluetooth
2. Set device to discoverable mode - may have to do something specific to put it into this mode
3. Device should appear on your phone - you may have a long list of devices that are available
4. You’ll be asked to confirm or put in a PIN -
5. Devices should now be connected

65
Q

What does GPS stand for?

A

Global Positioning System

66
Q

Who created GPS?

A

US Department of defense has 30 satellites that orbit the earth

67
Q

How does GPS work? How many satellites do you need to be connected to in order for it to work?`

A

You must be connected to 4 satellites.
Timing differences between the satellites and your device determine your location.
GPS can give you your longitude, latitude and altitude.

68
Q

In addition to GPS, what do cell phones use to determine location?

A

Cell phones also use wi-fi connectivity and cell towers in our area, in addition to GPS, to give a more precise location

69
Q

What is an MDM?

A

Mobile Device Management – This is a software that manages all the mobile devices in an organization.

70
Q

What are some of the features of an MDM (Mobile Device Management) Software?

A
  1. Centralized management of all mobile devices
  2. Set policies on apps, data, camera etc.
  3. Manage the security and updates - require certain types of auth
  4. Require, allow or restrict certain apps/tools
  5. You can create a “partition” and protect that partition differently than the rest of the phone.
  6. You can push out new configurations or changes
71
Q

What things might you need to configure when setting up a new phone?

A
  1. email - every org handles it a bit differently
  2. Data Synchronization - important for backup and recovery
    I. when to upload data - on cellular or just over wifi
    II. you can specify a DATA CAP - ie: to use cellular up to a certain data limit - like 200MB
    III. What types of data to upload - music, photos etc. all apps or just certain apps
72
Q
A

CompTIA A+ 220-1101 & 220-1102 (2 decks)

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