1.1 Given a scenario, install & configure laptop hardware & components Flashcards
What do universal AC adapters operate at?
(AC adapters with auto-switching)
110-240 VAC at frequencies of 50/60Hz
Not all AC adapters are universal
VAC: Voltage of Alternating Current.
Hz: Frequency of Alternating Current.
What happens if you plug a 220-240V adapter into a 110-120V supply?
adapter = the brick itself (charger)
supply = power source which the adapter draws power (i.e. wall outlet)
Laptop wont work
What happens if you plug a 110-120V adapter into a 220-240V supply?
adapter = the brick itself (charger)
supply = power source which the adapter draws power (i.e. wall outlet)
Laptop wont work and adapter may be damaged
What kind of batteries do laptops use?
Lithium ion batters
What cell versions are Li-ion batteries typically available in?
6-, 9-, or 12-cell versions
More cells provide for a longer charge
What do power management drivers in laptops do?
Optimize charging to prevent battery damage from excessive trickle charging
When is Li-ion battery life affected?
By being fully drained & being held continually at 100% charge
What are Li-ion batteries sensitive to?
Heat
What should you do when storing a Li-ion battery?
Reduce charge to 40% & store at below 20°C (68°F)
How long are Li-ion batteries usable for?
Before needing to be replaced
2-3 years
3 memory module form factors used by laptops?
- SODIMM
- Mini-DIMM
- Micro-DIMM
Mini-DIMM & Micro-DIMM are used on some ultraportable laptop models.
Do DIMM/SODIMM slots accept any type of DDR?
i.e. Can you install a DDR4 SODIMM in a DDR3 slot?
No
The slots are keyed to prevent incompatible modules from being installed
Meaning of SODIMM?
Small Outline DIMM
What memory module form factor is main used for laptops?
SODIMM
3 types of form factors adapter cards use?
i.e. adapters for modems, wireless cards, & SSD storage
- Mini-PCIe
- mSATA
- M.2
What do wireles adapter cards typically provide a combination of?
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, &/or cellular data connectivity
What may need to do when installing a wireless adapter card with GSM or LTE cellullar functionality?
Insert SIM card
Some cellular adapter cards may have eSIM instead
How are antenna wires usually routed in a laptop?
Around the screen in the laptop’s lid
The antenna conections can be fiddly to connect & are quite delicate, so take care
2 data-backup methods when upgrading hard drives?
- Migration
- Replacement
What does it mean to migrate a hard drive?
Imaging/cloning old drive into USB media
fter installing a new drive, the system image can be restored to it. System images are technology-neutral, allowing an HDD image to be applied to an SSD. The new drive must match or exceed the size of the old one, unless a cloning tool can shrink the source image.
What does it mean that system images are technology neutral?
Drive images can be applied across different drive types
i.e. an image of an HDD can be applied to an SSD
1 limitation when migrating data of a drive to a new drive?
New drive must be the same size or larger than the old drive
Unless using a cloning tool that can shrink the source image
Alternative to storing an image to a USB drive to migrate data?
Externally connect the old drive using a disk enclosure
You can then migrate the image directly to the new drive before removing the old drive & installing a new one.
What does “replacement” refer to in data migration?
Only backing up data from the old drive
The new drive is then fitted to the device & an OS plus apps installed. User data can then be restored from backup
2 form factors laptop HDDs use?
- 2.5”
- 1.8”
Which laptop HDD form factor is more commonly used?
2.5”
What interface do most HDDs use?
SATA
What interface do 1.8” HDDs use?
Micro SATA (μSATA or uSATA)
3 connectors SSDs may use?
- SATA
- mSATA
- M.2
What bus does mSATA use?
SATA bus
Max transfer speed of the SATA bus?
6 Gbps
What interfaces do M.2 SSDs use?
PCIe bus
This allows much higher bus speeds than SATA
What does “22” mean in “M.2 2280”?
The card’s width (mm)
Most popular M.2 SSD length?
2280
What does “80” mean in “M.2 2280”?
The card’s length (mm)
How are biometric sensors typically implemented in laptops?
As a fingerprint scanner
Though the camera can also be used to make facial scans or to scan an iris eye pattern
Meaning of NFC?
Near-Field Communication
What are NFC scanners on a laptop used for?
Pair peripheral devices or connect to a phone
This is configured via the vendor’s app
What is trickle charging?
Charging a battery at a low rate continuously
