1.3 – Given a scenario, use appropriate laptop features

Question 1

Which of the following keys should you press to enable a secondary display on a
laptop? (Select the two best answers.)
 ❍ A. Fn key
 ❍ B. Caps Lock key
 ❍ C. Num Lock key
 ❍ D. Special function key
 ❍ E. Insert key

Answer 1

A and D. To enable a secondary, or external, display on a laptop you would use
the Fn key (called the Function key) and a special function key (for example, F3
or F4, whichever one corresponds to screen switching). It’s this combination of
keys that allows you to make use of displays plugged into HDMI or other ports on
the laptop. The Caps Lock key enables a user to type in all uppercase letters. The
Num Lock key (if available) turns on the numeric keypad (if the laptop has one).
The Insert key is often used by programs such as word processors in one of two
modes: overtype, where anything that is typed is written over any existing text,
and insert mode, where typed characters force the existing text over.

Question 2

When a user types, a laptop’s screen displays letters and numbers instead of only
letters. What should you check first?
 ❍ A. Fn key
 ❍ B. LCD cutoff switch
 ❍ C. Num Lock key
 ❍ D. Scroll Lock key

Answer 2

C. The Num Lock key can enable or disable the numeric keypad. This might
be necessary if the user inadvertently turned it on or disconnected an external
keyboard from the laptop. Some laptops require you to press Ctrl+Num Lock
to enable or disable the numeric keypad. Laptops are usually color-coded (for
example, white options might require the Ctrl key and blue options might require
the Fn key). In this scenario, pressing the Function (Fn) key is not necessary when
pressing the Num Lock key. The LCD cutoff switch is used to turn off the bulb
that lights the LCD. The Scroll Lock key is not often used but is meant to lock any
scrolling done with the arrow keys.

Question 3

You are required to install an anti-theft solution for a customer’s laptop. Which of
the following should you perform?
❍ A. Install a docking station.
❍ B. Install a cable lock.
❍ C. Install Windows.
❍ D. Configure a password in the BIOS/UEFI.
❍ E. Use a port replicator

Answer 3

B. Install a cable lock to increase the security of a laptop and decrease the
chances of theft. Docking stations and port replicators offer increased functionality for a laptop but do not increase security; the laptop can be easily disconnected from them. Installing Windows is not an anti-theft solution, nor any type of
security precaution. Configuring a password in the BIOS/UEFI is a good security
practice, but it will not help avoid theft. However, if the laptop is stolen, a user
password (and administrator password) that is configured in the BIOS can help
prevent a person from accessing what is on the laptop.

Question 4

You are helping a project manager with a presentation using a laptop which feeds
video to a projector. During your tests, the projector’s image begins to flicker.
The laptop’s display does not have any problems. You attempt to change the
resolution on the laptop, but the issue continues. Which of the following should
you do next?
❍ A. Change the projector settings.
❍ B. Check the connectivity of the video cable.
❍ C. Change the aspect ratio of the laptop.
❍ D. Check the connectivity of the power cable.

Answer 4

B. Check the connectivity of the video cable. If it is flickering, chances are that
the cable is loose, or the cable’s quality is lacking. Screen flicker is more common
with VGA cables, but it can happen with just about any connection. Remember,
always check the basic stuff first: connectivity, power, and so on. It is unlikely that
the projector settings will make a difference based on this particular problem.
You cannot change the aspect ratio by itself on most laptops; however, when
you change the resolution (which was already done in the question), you might
be changing the aspect ratio as well, depending on the resolution selected. If the
power cable was loose or damaged, it would probably result in more than just
screen flicker; the projector might power off and power back on, which would
prevent the image from being displayed for at least several seconds while the projector powers back up.