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My A+ part 1 > 3.5 install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards. > Flashcards

3.5 install and configure motherboards, CPUs, and add-on cards. Flashcards

1
Q

What are expansion cards?

A

cards in a computer that extend the range of functions it can perform. may sometimes be called a daughterboard if directly connected.

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2
Q

An ___ is a socket on the motherboard that can hold an adapter card.

A

Expansion slots/expansion bus

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3
Q

What is a riser card?

A

an expansion bus that allows adapter cards to be added in an orientation that is parallel to the motherboard to save space in slimline cases.

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4
Q

What is a motherboard

A

A printed circuit board that houses the CPU, chipset, memory, and expansion slots.

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5
Q

What is a CPU

A

central processing unit, performs basic arithmetic, logic, controlling, and input/output (I/O) operations specified by the instructions in the program.

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6
Q

An ___ can be installed on the motherboard to add functions or ports not provided as part of the chipset.

A

expansion card

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7
Q

PCs use a multi-bus design, to support older technologies and allow for upgrades. For example, a PC might support ___ and ___ for adding internal adapter cards plus ___ to allow the connection of peripherals, or ___ for hard drives.

A

PCI
PCIe
USB
SATA

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8
Q

An __ is a circuit board that enhances functions of a component of the motherboard and/or allows the system to communicate with a peripheral.

A

adapter card/expansion card

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9
Q

What is a chipset?

A

Several controllers that handle the transfer of data between the CPU and various devices.

Example controllers:
>System memory controller.
>Input/Output (I/O) controller to handle disk drives and expansion buses.
>Controllers for any integrated video, sound, and network (cabled and wireless) interfaces.

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10
Q

What are some things motherboards can influence?

A

System speed, compatibility, and upgrade capabilities.

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11
Q

Two motherboards may have exactly the same functionality but different form factors, what is a form factor?

A

The layout of the components on the motherboard.

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12
Q

Most PC CPUs are manufactured by ___ and ___, and these vendors use different socket designs.

A

Intel and AMD

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13
Q

The ___ on the motherboard can affect the choice of processor and multiprocessing support, type and amount of system memory supported, and type(s) of system bus supported.

A

chipset

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14
Q

The system memory controller and graphics controller are often located on what on some computers?

A

the CPU itself (also referred to as on-die)

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15
Q

___ of the motherboard describes its shape, layout, and the type of case and power supply that can be used with it.

A

form factor

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16
Q

ATX, Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ITX are examples of ___ for ___

A

form factors for motherboards

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17
Q

The ___ is a little bit smaller than the ATX and does not have as much expansion ability.

A

mATX (Micro-ATX)

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18
Q

The ___ is the largest of the ITX form factors.

A

Mini-ITX

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19
Q

No commercial motherboards were ever produced from the original ___ specification.

A

ITX

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20
Q

___ motherboards are 12 inches wide by 9.6 inches deep.

A

ATX

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21
Q

How many expansion slots does an ATX have?

A

max of 7

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22
Q

How many expansion slots does an mATX have?

A

max of 4

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23
Q

How many expansion slots does a mITX have?

A

max of 1

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24
Q

What are 5 example types of expansion cards?

A

sound card, video card, network interface card, storage card, or I/O adapter card

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25
What is a bus in computing?
Any kind of a connection between components or devices that transfers data between them.
26
What type of expansion card is an eSATA card/adapter, and what does it provide can provide what?
I/O adapter card. It provides ports for eSATA connectors
27
What are front panel connectors?
connectors on the motherboard for the hard disk drive activity lights, case speaker, reset button, power on/off button, computer power on light, and key lock to make them function smoothly
28
What are some connector types found on the motherboard?
Internal USB connector, SATA
29
A motherboard may provide a certain number of ___ slots or a certain number of ___ slots.
expansion | memory
30
The ___ on a motherboard will be the same on an ATX a microATX or a Mini-ITX motherboard.
power connector
31
How many pins do ATX/microATX motherboards have for the molex power connector on older versions? newer version?
20 pins 24 pins
32
You can extend the functionality of a motherboard by adding ___.
adapter cards
33
The two most common interfaces that you’ll see on an expansion bus are the conventional ___ and the ___.
PCI - parallel stream | PCIe - sends data in a serial stream at higher speeds than conventional PCI
34
When adding adapter cards to a server motherboard, what must you use to allow to to rest horizontally or add more cards?
riser card
35
If you wanted to add a 5th adapter card to a micro-ATX motherboard PC, what would you need to add?
riser card
36
CPUs plug into sockets. Two common socket types are ___ and ___.
zero insertion force (ZIF) - held in place with lever pin grid array - pins inserted into sockets
37
What is used to connect to a hard drive or optical drive to the motherboard?
SATA
38
___ connectors are another hard drive connection point. It has been largely replaced by SATA.
IDE
39
___ components may include LEDs, USB ports, the power switch, a reset button, and audio connections. There may be multiple connections between the ___ and motherboard.
front panel
40
An ___ allows you to add USB ports, mounted in an open expansion slot directly on the motherboard.
internal USB connector
41
This CPU has no pins on it and is completely flat, pins on motherboard.
LGA (land grid array)
42
This CPU has pins on its underside, socket in motherboard.
ZIF (Zero insertion force)
43
SATA connectors have a what shape in their opening?
L
44
What is the proper boot sequence?
POST (power on self test) - initializes CPU, memory, hardware. Boot Load order- checks for boot to start the OS
45
BIOS provides ___ that allow the operating system to interact and be compatible with various hardware components.
low-level drivers
46
Newer motherboards may use a different kind of firmware called Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) in place of traditional BIOS. UEFI provides what advantages over traditional BIOS?
full CPU operation at boot, full GUI and mouse operation at boot, driver/networking functionality at boot, secure boot Able to boot from *very* large drives (2.2+ TB) can boot from removable media talks to hardware directly
47
A computer with UEFI may also support booting in a legacy BIOS mode. True or False?
True
48
What is the BIOS, and what kind of memory is it stored in?
It's the firmware or software that you use to start your computer. Modern BIOS settings are stored in nonvolatile flash memory. Originally older BIOS was stored in CMOS memory and required constant power via a battery to be maintained. (Basic input/output system)
49
What is the pre-boot system sort of like?
a mini operating system; it can browse internet/backup storage/diagnose hardware without an OS/etc
50
The CMOS on modern PCs is only really used for what? A dead CMOS battery could require what?
Maintain date and time while shut off. Would need to reconfigure date/time every time you turn on, and reconfigure BIOS settings every time on older systems.
51
The boot sequence tells the BIOS what?
Where to look to load the operating system. It will proceed down the list in the order configured until it finds an operating system to load.
52
Always check the version of the BIOS you are using before doing a firmware update. This can be found in ___, or by typing ___ into the cmd prompt.
system information utility msinfo32
53
How do you "flash" the BIOS after finding out what BIOS version you have?
Most manufacturers offer BIOS upgrades directly from their website as a simple download. Just download the correct file for the type of system you have, and run the update to begin the installation. This entire procedure is known as flashing the BIOS.
54
If startup process is too fast for you to hit the BIOS keys, you could try doing what?
Disable fast startup in control panel/power options | or, use an alternative key combo for certain manufactures.
55
There are a number of configurations that you can view, and make changes to from inside of the BIOS configuration. Try and name a few potential uses of BIOS settings.
View/configure/troubleshoot RAM, CPU. Decide storage drive order or OS boot order. Enable, disable, view info for drives, adapters, or other hardware. finding performance info Boot security settings:
56
It is important to make a backup of ___ settings.
BIOS can use notes, video, or pictures to make backup
57
This is a password that keeps the system from starting unless you know the password, your operating system does not load until it is entered.
BIOS password/User password
58
This provides settings specific to interface categories or individual interfaces such as PCIe or SATA.
Interface Configurations
59
This password doesn’t stop the boot process. The computer works as it normally would. But if anybody ever goes into the BIOS to make a configuration change, they’ll be prompted for this kind of password if enabled.
supervisor password
60
What is Full Disk Encryption?
Enabled in the BIOS settings encrypts everything on the disk drive including the OS. Full Disk Encryption is called Bitlocker on Windows.
61
BitLocker integrates with a TPM on the motherboard, what is this?
Trusted Platform Module. It’s a piece of hardware that’s inside of your computer with advanced cryptographic functions. TPM integrates with the BIOS to provide the highest level of security for your data.
62
A security chip on motherboard that stores cryptographic keys.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module)
63
A feature that enables a stolen device to be tracked, locked, and/or wiped.
LoJack
64
___ ensures that the operating system and drivers are authorized versions without malicious code before loading them.
Secure boot
65
If someone was to steal your laptop, you may be able to recover it if your laptop has a function in the BIOS enabled called ___ for Laptops. Even works if OS is replaced.
Lojack
66
One way to protect against malicious OS files or hardware drivers is enabling what in BIOS?
secure boot
67
BIOS firmware updates typically are for what?
improved performance, bug fixes. Do not reboot or shutdown during the BIOS update. Should read all changes/documentation of the update. Ensure there is UPS for PC and direct AC power connection for laptop during update. Most BIOS updates are done via executable
68
msinfo32 does what?
This will provide you with version and date details about the BIOS that’s running on your computer.
69
A ___ is the part of the CPU that reads and executes instructions. The more the better.
core
70
Multicore CPUs have more than one core. This allows what?
Different threads of instructions to be run simultaneously, with each core running one thread, resulting in faster performance
71
Some CPUs have features to support virtual machines (VMs), running multiple operating systems on a single machine. They offload some of the work that VM software would have to do, improving VM performance. Intel™calls theirs ___. AMD™ calls theirs ___.
VT (Virtualization Technology) AMD-V
72
___ leverages virtual CPU cores to run applications 15 to 30 percent faster if the OS (Windows XP and later) supports this technology.
(HTT) Hyperthreading Technology | AKA multithreading
73
CPU speed, typically measured in ___, is a measure of how fast a processor can read and execute instructions.
gigahertz | old ones may use megahertz
74
What does overclocking do for a CPU?
It improves the performance of the CPU but generates more heat, so added cooling may be needed to prevent damage to the CPU.
75
___ is running the CPU at a speed higher than it was designed to operate.
Overclocking
76
What is an integrated GPU? Where is it typically seen?
Graphics processing unit embedded within the CPU. It is not as powerful as a stand-alone GPU. Commonly used in laptops to save space.
77
What is one issue with comparing and contrasting CPU capabilities?
There is no broadly accepted measure of performance. | speed in Ghz isn't necessarily reflective of performance
78
Changing the Base clock for overclocking has what 3 disadvantages? What must you do after enabling it?
Possible Overheating of CPU Requires more power for CPU Possible instability of CPU Must run a stress test.
79
Gamers, artists, video editors may want what?
Separate (not integrated with CPU) graphics card.
80
Name 4 possible cooling mechanisms in a PC
- Fans - Heat sink - Liquid - Thermal paste
81
___ are devices that conduct heat and have the effect of increasing the surface area of a component. This removes heat from the component more quickly than fans alone.
Heat sinks
82
Liquid cooling is more effective at transferring heat away from components. Distilled water is the most commonly used liquid. Liquid cooling systems include a (1)___, a (2)___, a (3)___, and a (4)___ that attaches to the component being cooled. These components may be in the computer or outside in a separate unit that connects to the computer.
tank for the liquid radiator water pump cooling block
83
___ conducts heat and is used between a component and the heat sink to make the best heat-conductive connection.
Thermal paste
84
What is one thing to consider when determining what fans are to be used for cooling for media/entertainment?
Fan loudness. Could possibly use only heat sinks for some devices as an alternative.
85
Larger components may be better placed ___ to allow better internal ___ when using fans.
lower airflow
86
On board fans are usually seen on what?
High end graphics cards.
87
How should you later cooling mechanisms on your processor?
^Fan ^Heat Sink ^Thermal Paste ^CPU
88
___ are expansion cards control the graphics that are displayed. They also may have additional display ports. This function may be provided by an add-on card or it may be on-board, meaning built into the motherboard.
Video/graphics cards
89
These expansion cards are used to improve the sound capabilities beyond the motherboard’s sound capabilities.
sound cards
90
A network interface card (NIC) is built into almost all motherboards today. An add-on card would typically only be necessary if you...
Wanted a different interface or to connect to a second network, or multi-port connector for a server.
91
If you wanted to add newer USB ports to an older what could you do?
Add a USB Expansion Card
92
What does an eSATA Card do?
An eSATA card is used to connect to external SATA storage devices.
93
After installing expansion cards you must then install...
its respective driver
94
Expansion cards have what connector?
PCIe
95
If there are existing/outdated device drivers on your PC, what Windows tool can you use to remove them?
Windows Device Manager. Can also be used to install drivers.

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