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CompTIA A+ 1101 (Core 1) (Retired) > 3.4 - Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards > Flashcards

3.4 - Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards Flashcards

1
Q

Meaning of ATX?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor - ATX

A

Advanced Technology eXtended

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2
Q

2 most popular motherboard form factors?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor

A
  • ATX
  • ITX
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3
Q

Meaning of ITX?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor - ITX

A

Information Technology eXtended

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4
Q

What motherboards do desktops mainly use?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor

A

ATX

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5
Q

How are most motherboards attached to the system unit (case)?

MOBO’s like ATX & ITX

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards

A

via screws

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6
Q

What devices mainly use ITX MOBOs?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor - ITX

A

Small devices

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7
Q

3 types of ITX MOBO form factors?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard form factor - ITX

A
  • Mini-ITX
  • Nano-ITX
  • Pico-ITX
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8
Q

Meaning of PCI?

``

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCI

A

Peripheral Componenet Interconnect

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9
Q

What are PCI & PCIe slots used for?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCI

A

Connecting expansion cards

i.e. sound, network, & video cards

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10
Q

Meaning of PCIe?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

PCI Express

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11
Q

What PCIe slots connect to the processor?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

PCIe x16 slots

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12
Q

What do PCIe x16 slots connect to?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

The processor

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13
Q

What PCIe slots connect to the chipset?

Chipset = MOBO circuits that coordinates communication between hardware

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

PCI x1 slots

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14
Q

What do PCIe x1 slots connect to?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

The chipset

Chipset = MOBO circuit that coordinates communication between hardware components (i.e. CPU, memory, storage, expansion slots, etc.)

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15
Q

How does PCIe differ from PCI?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - PCIe

A

By employing a serial connectoin instead of a parallel connection

Which eliminates the need to wait for other devicees

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16
Q

Identify expansion bus:

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards

A

PCI

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17
Q

Identify expansion bus:

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards

A

PCIe x16

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18
Q

Identify expansion bus:

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards

A

PCIe x1

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19
Q

Identify connector:

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - Power connectors

A

24-pin ATX connector

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20
Q

Identify connector:

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - Power connectors

A

4-pin ATX connector

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21
Q

What mainly uses SATA connectors?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - SATA

A

Storage drives

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22
Q

What is eSATA?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - eSATA

A

External interface for connecting SATA drives

Allows to connect storage drives outside a com;uter.

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23
Q

What are MOBO headers?

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - Headers

A

Pins used to expand a computer’s connection options

Type of headers include, audio, game port, network adapter, serial & parallel ports, etc.

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24
Q

Where do buttons on a system unit connect to?

i.e. power & reset buttons

3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: Motherboard connector types - Headers

A

MOBO headers

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25
What standards does M.2 support? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Motherboard connector types - *M.2***
- SATA - PCIe - NVMe
26
Meaning of AMD? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Motherboard compatibility - *CPU sockets***
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
27
2 primary CPU manufacturers? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Motherboard compatibility - *CPU sockets***
- Intel - AMD
28
what are CPU sockets designed fo? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Motherboard compatibility - *CPU sockets***
Specific CPU or series of CPUs | CPU sockets must be campatible with the CPU to be mounted on a MOBO ## Footnote Once you choose an AMD or Intel motherboard, you can't swap the CPU type later.
29
How do MOBOs designed for server/high-end systems differ from those designed for desktops? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Motherboard compatibility - *Server***
Having multiple CPU sockets & more memory & expansion slots
30
Meaning of BIOS? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings**
Basic Input/Output System
31
Meaning of UEFI? | (proncounced as 'you-fee') ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings**
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
32
What does boot options/order do in BIOS/UEFI? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Boot options***
Determines boot device & order | *determines what device the system will boot from and the order* ## Footnote i.e. hard drive, USB, optical drive, or network
33
What may be the issue if a system boots like this: ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards
Boot order
34
Meaning of TPM? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
Trusted Platform Module
35
What is a TPM? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
hardware that provides cryptographic functions | Not all MOBOs support TPM. TPM enables secure boot, key storage, etc ## Footnote TPM's inherent security safeguards data from hacks, including brute force attacks.
36
2 primary forms of a TPM? | 2 ways TPMs exist? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
- Microchip - Module ## Footnote - Microchip = Integrated into the MOBO - Module = Seperate component added to the MOBO
37
Where can changes to TPM be done from? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
BIOS/UEFI | It can also be enabled/disabled from there
38
Meaning of CMOS? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
39
How can BIOS/UEFI config. settings be wiped/resetted? | (including passwords) ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Encryption - *TPM***
Via CMOS clear jumper/button or re-installing the CMOS battery
40
Where can computer fans be controled from? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings | Cooling - *Fans***
BIOS/UEFI
41
Which firmware interface supports secure boot? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Secure Boot***
UEFI | (pronounced as you-fee) (also needs a TPM)
42
What does an OS need to bypass secure boot? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Secure Boot***
Valid digital signature | Invalid or no signature = no boot | Signature is checked during startup ## Footnote This means that the public key for the manufacturer of that OS already has to be available in the BIOS itself
43
What is secure boot? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Secure Boot***
Security standard that prevents malicious boot loader tampering | Ensures only trusted firmware, OS, and drivers run during device startup
44
How to configure Secure Boot on a UEFI device without OS support? | Meaning you cant configure it through the OS ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Secure Boot***
Via UEFI
45
How should UEFI systems be secured? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Secure Boot***
With Secure Boot & a TPM
46
Purpose of a Boot password? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Boot Password***
Verify user before allowing the OS to start ## Footnote To reset a boot password, you may need a backdoor BIOS password from the provider, firmware flashing, or CMOS battery removal or specialized software.
47
How to reset BIOS on systems without flash memory? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **BIOS/UEFI settings - *Boot Password***
By reinserting the CMOS battery
48
Meaning of HSM? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Encryption - *HSM***
Hardware Security Module
48
What is an HSM? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Encryption - *HSM***
Device with a specialized cryptoprocessor for cryptography | Can be a device, adapter card, or small device like a smart card & USB
49
2 common CPU architectures? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *x64/x86***
- x64/x86 - ARM
50
What is 32-bit software aka? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *x64/x86***
x86 | 64-bit is aka x64 ## Footnote it's known as x86 in honor of Intel's 8086 processors
51
What apps can a x86 OS run? | (32-bit) ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *x64/x86***
Only x86 apps
52
What apps can a 64-bit OS run? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *x64/x86***
64-bit & x86 apps
53
What are the terms x86 & x64? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *x64/x86***
Identifiers for Instruction Set Architectures (ISAs) | The x in either term represents an ISA version
54
Meaning of ARM? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *ARM***
Advanced RISC Machine
55
How do single-core CPUs differ from multicore CPUs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Singlecore/Multicore***
By only having 1 processing unit (core) on a single chip
56
How do multicore CPUs differ from single-core CPUs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Singlecore/Multicore***
By having multiple processing units (cores) on a single chip
57
How are multicore CPUs better than single-core CPUs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Singlecore/Multicore***
They can handle multiple tasks simultaneously | offering better performance & multitasking capabilities
58
What does multithreading mean? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Multithreading***
Running multiple threads simultaneously
59
What is a thread? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Multithreading***
The smallest unit of execution within a process | Its the smallest execution entity in a process
60
How to check if virtualization is supported on Intel CPUs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Virtualiazation support***
Look for Intel VT on BIOS/UEFI
61
How to check if virtualization is supported on AMD CPUs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **CPU architecture - *Virtualiazation support***
Look for AMD-V on BIOS/UEFI
62
Where are expansion cards commonly installed on a MOBO? | i.e. sound card, video card, capture card, NIC, etc. ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Expansion cards**
PCIe slot
63
4 types of expansion cards? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards
- Sound card - Video card - Capture card - NIC
64
purpose of capture cards?
Capture & stream display content
65
Meaning of NIC? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Expansion cards - *NIC***
Network Interface Card
66
Purpose of NICs? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Expansion cards - *NIC***
To add network interfaces | i.e. RJ45 & Fiber
67
4 cooling methods? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling**
- Fans - Heat sink - Thermal paste/pads - Liquid
68
How does a heat sink work? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling - *Heat sink***
Draws heat from a component & disperses it into the surrounding air | Component like the CPU. Heat sinks can become HOT
69
Purpose of thermal paste/pad? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling - *Thermal paste/pads***
To establish efficient heat transfer between component & heat sink
70
Where is thermal paste/pad placed? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling - *Thermal paste/pads***
Between the heat sink & the hot component
71
How do thermal paste & pads differ from each other? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling - *Thermal paste/pads***
Thermal paste is liquid while thermal pads are solid. | Thermal pads are also a one-time use
72
How does liquid cooling cool the CPU? ## Footnote 3.4 Given a scenario, install & configure motherboards, CPUs, & add-on cards: **Cooling - *Liquid***
By moving liquid through a heatsink & releasing the heat outside the case | (releases heat via a radiator)

CompTIA A+ 1101 (Core 1) (Retired) (23 decks)

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