A+ Core 1 (220-1001) Practice Exam Flashcards
1
Q
1. Which of the following components can be considered the “brains” of a computer? ❍ A. RAM ❍ B. Hard drive ❍ C. CPU ❍ D. Motherboard
A
- Answer: C. The central processing unit (CPU), otherwise known as the processor,
is often considered to be the “brains” of the computer because it performs the
bulk of the calculations for the system. See Chapter 12, “CPUs,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Random access memory (RAM) stores calculated data over
the short term—it is often called volatile memory because its contents are lost
when the computer is shut down. A hard drive stores data over the long term—it
is often called nonvolatile memory, or simply “storage,” because it retains data
when the computer is shut down. The motherboard is the central connecting
point for all components and connections within the computer, including the
CPU, RAM, and hard drive.
2
Q
- You are attempting to load an operating system from a USB flash drive at
computer startup. Which of the following settings should you modify in the BIOS?
❍ A. Enable a BIOS password
❍ B. Boot sequence
❍ C. Enable TPM
❍ D. Disable TPM
A
- Answer: B. Most of the time a computer’s BIOS (or UEFI) will be configured to
boot to the hard drive first. To boot from a USB flash drive, or optical disc, or
other removable media, you might need to change the boot sequence, otherwise
known as the boot order or boot priority, and place the removable media first.
However, if the drive is brand new and blank, you might be able to still boot from
the removable media, even if it is not first on the list. This will depend on the
system, but essentially, the BIOS will see that the drive is blank and move on
to the next boot media on the list. Keep in mind that you might boot to removable media with an operating system for other reasons than installing the OS (for
example, recovering an existing system). See Chapter 11, “Motherboards and
Add-on Cards,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Enabling a password is not necessary, but there should be a
password. If there is, you will need to know it in order to access the BIOS. If not,
you should create one while you are there. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) deals
with the encryption of data on the hard drive and should be enabled or disabled
before an operating system is installed; it won’t have any bearing on the boot
sequence.
3
Q
Which of the following is the most common type of networking connector? ❍ A. RJ11 ❍ B. F-connector ❍ C. BNC ❍ D. RJ45
A
- Answer: D. The RJ45 connector is the most common type of networking connector. It is used in twisted-pair networks. See Chapter 9, “Cables and Connectors,”
for more information.
Incorrect answers: RJ11 is the connector used by landline-based phones (POTS
connections) and DSL connections in households. The F-connector is a type
of coaxial connector used for cable TV and cable Internet connections. BNC is
another type of coaxial connector used in some video applications and in older
networks.
4
Q
4. Which of the following is the module format used by a laptop’s DDR4 SODIMMs? ❍ A. 200-pin ❍ B. 204-pin ❍ C. 240-pin ❍ D. 260-pin
A
- Answer: D. DDR4 SODIMMs use the 260-pin module format. See Chapter 1,
“Laptops, Part 1,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: As far as SODIMM technology goes, DDR1 and DDR2 use the
200-pin module format and DDR3 is 204-pin. 240-pin is used by full-size desktop
DDR3.
5
Q
Which of the following should be reset during normal printer maintenance? ❍ A. Page count ❍ B. Job queue ❍ C. Print job cache ❍ D. Tray settings
A
- Answer: A. The page count should be reset whenever you perform normal,
scheduled printer maintenance. For example, a laser printer can print about
200,000 pages before it needs a scheduled maintenance. By resetting the page
count after a successful maintenance, you will know when the next maintenance
should occur. This is reset on the printer itself. See Chapter 15, “Printers and
Multifunction Devices,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: The job queue and cache should reset automatically; this is
because you would normally turn the printer off before maintaining it. Any print
queue located on a computer is not reset automatically, but jobs in the queue will
probably have to be resent. The tray settings do not have to be reset.
6
Q
- You are a technician for an accounting company. You have submitted a request
for a new wireless access point. You receive and set up the new device and
power it on, but the company router doesn’t appear to recognize it. Which of
the following statements best describes how to fix the problem? (Select the best
answer.)
❍ A. You should perform an apt-get update.
❍ B. You should run Windows Update.
❍ C. You should perform an RPM update.
❍ D. You should install the firmware update.
A
- Answer: D. Always check if there is a new firmware update available for your
wireless access point or other networking device before configuring it and making it available for use. In the scenario, a protocol is probably not the correct version, so the router cannot see the wireless access point. In this case, updating
the firmware is the right move. But always check your company policies before
doing so. See Chapter 6, “SOHO Networks and Wireless Protocols,” for more
information.
Incorrect answers: The apt-get command is used to install and update applications in Linux operating systems. Windows Update is the program used to
update and patch Windows operating systems. A Red Hat Package Manager
(RPM) update, now simply known as RPM Package Manager, is used to install
software on Linux systems.
7
Q
7. A laptop’s battery fails to charge. Which of the following should be checked first? ❍ A. DC-in jack ❍ B. AC-in jack ❍ C. CMOS battery ❍ D. AC circuit breaker
A
- Answer: A. Of the listed answers, you should check the DC-in jack on the laptop.
The very first thing you should do is check the basics; see if the power brick is
connected to the AC outlet and to the DC-in jack and verify that the battery is
connected properly. See Chapter 2, “Laptops, Part 2,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Laptops don’t have an AC-in jack—the power adapter takes
care of converting AC power to DC power for the laptop to use. Of course, you
should always check the laptop battery first, in the event that it is missing or not
connected properly. Next, make sure the power adapter is plugged into the DC-in
jack and that the jack is not damaged. A damaged DC-in jack can also cause the
laptop to occasionally shut off. Users often damage the DC-in jack because they
leave the power adapter plugged in while they are in transit. On most laptops, a
new one has to be soldered on to the board. The CMOS battery is inside the laptop. It retains UEFI/BIOS settings and has nothing to do with charging the main
laptop battery. The AC circuit breaker might have tripped, but is less likely than
the previously listed reasons. Also, a good indication of a failed AC circuit is that
all of the devices on that circuit would stop working.
8
Q
- One of your co-workers has opened a trouble ticket concerning paper jams on a
laser printer. The paper jams have become more frequent of late. You decide
to attempt to re-create the problem and then check the printer log for more
information. Which of the following are the most likely solutions to the problem?
(Select the two best answers.)
◻ A. Clean and inspect the entire paper path.
◻ B. Clean the fuser roller and verify fuser operation.
◻ C. Clean and replace the paper out sensor.
◻ D. Use a printer maintenance kit to replace parts.
◻ E. Replace the paper exit assembly switch.
◻ F. Clean and inspect the print drum.
A
- Answers: A and D. You should clean and inspect the entire paper path first. This
costs nothing; plus, by clearing out any papers within the path, you will often
solve the problem, at least temporarily, if not permanently. Also, use the corresponding printer maintenance kit to replace worn parts. The parts from these kits
should be installed every 100,000 to 200,000 pages printed (depending on the
printer). Older worn parts can often lead to paper jamming, and is the most likely
answer, especially if the problem has been getting worse of late. See Chapter 21,
“Troubleshooting Printers,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Paper jams don’t usually occur in the fusing assembly, but it
is a possibility. Of course, you should wait 10 to 15 minutes for the fuser to cool
before cleaning or replacing it. (Don’t forget to make sure the printer is turned off
and unplugged.) Replacing other components such as sensors and switches (if
they exist) is less common. It is also uncommon to clean and inspect the print
drum; instead, you would simply replace the toner cartridge. However, this concerns problems such as streaking, marks, and ghosting more than it does paper
jams.
9
Q
- A user boots a computer and a message is displayed that reads “Alert! Cover
previously removed.” Which of the following was configured in the UEFI/BIOS to
cause this alert?
❍ A. Date and time settings
❍ B. Boot sequence
❍ C. Intrusion detection
❍ D. Virtualization support
A
- Answer: C. If the intrusion detection setting is enabled in the UEFI/BIOS, and
the computer was opened, the system will display a message and log what
happened. This is a security feature on most of today’s motherboards. See
Chapter 11, “Motherboards and Add-on Cards,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Configuring the date and time settings would not result in a
message. The boot sequence deals with the list of drives that the system will
attempt to boot from in order. Virtualization support allows the system to use
CPUs that take advantage of Intel and AMD virtualization extensions.
10
Q
The power supply fan and case fans spin, but there is no power to other devices.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of this?
❍ A. Failed hard drive
❍ B. Improper connectivity
❍ C. Drive not recognized
❍ D. Failed RAM
A
- Answer: B. If the power supply fan and the case fans are spinning but there is
no power to other devices, the chances are that the main 24-pin power connection was not made from the power supply to the motherboard. In this scenario,
the case fans would have been connected by way of Molex power connectors
directly to the power supply. Although it’s usually better to connect case fans
to the motherboard, if they were connected to the motherboard, they would not
spin, because the motherboard is not receiving power. If this scenario was to
occur, no other devices would get power, including the CPU, RAM, motherboard,
hard drives, optical drives, and so on. See Chapter 13, “Peripherals and Power,”
for more information.
Incorrect answers: If the hard drive fails, the operating system will fail to boot
up. If the hard drive cannot be repaired, it will have to be removed (often with
a Phillips-head screwdriver) and replaced. If the drive is not recognized, again,
the OS will not boot. It would have to be reconnected properly, configured in the
UEFI/BIOS, or partitioned and formatted properly in Windows, depending on the
specific situation. Failed RAM could cause a boot failure and will definitely be
registered by the POST, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the RAM (or any
other device) is not receiving power
11
Q
- One of the desktop computers at a customer site is randomly rebooting several
times per day. You have checked for overheating issues, but everything seems okay
with the case fans, CPU fan, and power supply. What should you check for next?
❍ A. The integrated network adapter has the latest drivers.
❍ B. The hard drive is defragmented.
❍ C. The motherboard for signs of swollen capacitors.
❍ D. The RAM to confirm it is of the right type.
A
- Answer: C. The best answer listed is to check the motherboard for swollen capacitors. A swollen (or distended) capacitor could cause the system to reboot intermittently. The capacitor (or entire motherboard) needs to be replaced. See Chapter 18,
“Troubleshooting Motherboards, CPUs, RAM, and Power,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: It is unlikely that the network adapter or fragmented hard drive
would cause the system to sporadically reboot, but you should check for the latest drivers and firmware for the network adapter anyway and analyze whether the
hard drive has been defragmented of late (especially for magnetic disks). RAM
could cause the system to periodically reboot, mainly if the RAM is overheating.
(RAM heat sinks could fix that.) But the wrong type of RAM will usually result in a
POST failure instead.
12
Q
- Which of the following should be used when building a high-end graphics
workstation for CAD applications? (Select the two best answers.)
◻ A. An IDE drive
◻ B. More than four accessible USB 3.0 ports
◻ C. Main memory of 16 GB or more
◻ D. A 32-bit OS for the large amount of expected drive I/O
◻ E. A PCIe video card with a large amount of memory
A
- Answers: C and E. The most important components in a CAD workstation are
maximized RAM, high-end video, and an SSD (as well as a good multicore CPU).
See Chapter 14, “Custom PCs and Common Devices,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: IDE drives are not seen much anymore, because they are an
older technology that is not nearly as fast as SATA. It is more likely that the system will use internal SATA 3.0 drives, or NVMe-based drives (or perhaps SATA
Express drives). The USB ports are not as important on a CAD workstation. More
likely, the system will run a 64-bit OS, not 32-bit.
13
Q
13. Which of the following is an example of a MAC address? ❍ A. 10.1.1.255 ❍ B. 4410:FF11:AAB3::0012 ❍ C. https://dprocomputer.com ❍ D. 00-1C-C0-A1-55-21
A
- Answer: D. The only answer listed that is an example of a MAC address is
00-1C-C0-A1-55-21. The MAC address is the address burned into the ROM chip
of a network adapter that uniquely identifies it. This address is composed of six
hexadecimal numbers, each between 00 and FF. The decimal equivalent of this is
0 through 255. The first three numbers are the OUI (organizationally unique identifier); 00-1C-C0 is an Intel OUI. The last three numbers are the individual address
of the particular network adapter. You might also encounter MAC addresses
separated by colons instead of hyphens. See Chapter 5, “Ports, Protocols, and
Network Devices,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: 10.1.1.255 is an IPv4 address. 4410:FF11:AAB3::0012 is a
truncated IPv6 address. https://dprocomputer.com is a web address. It includes
the protocol used (HTTPS) and the domain name (dprocomputer.com).
14
Q
- You are installing an IP-based camera system that connects directly to the
network. To access the system remotely, which capability most likely requires
configuration?
❍ A. QoS
❍ B. Port forwarding
❍ C. Static IPs
❍ D. VPN passthrough
A
- Answer: B. Port forwarding is the best answer. For a person to remotely access
the network and gain access to the system, you should forward a specific port
from the router over to the system. This happens after the remote user has made
a virtual private networking (VPN) connection to the network. See Chapter 6,
“SOHO Networks and Wireless Protocols,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: QoS stands for quality of service, which can be configured
to grant more connection performance to particular services, such as streaming
media and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Static IP addresses are used when
you need to have a permanent identification for a server (or the entire network)
that can be accessed by hosts on the Internet. Although this might be used in
the scenario, it isn’t necessary and doesn’t need to be configured to access the
camera system.
VPN passthrough means that VPN traffic is allowed on routers that utilize network
address translation (NAT). NAT is the technology that allows multiple clients on
the LAN to share the router to access the Internet.
15
Q
- Which of the following best describes the most likely reason for connecting a
tone generator to an RJ45 cable drop?
❍ A. To confirm continuity of the conductors
❍ B. To locate the position of the cable on a patch panel
❍ C. To test the transmission quality of the connection
❍ D. To validate proper wiring of the network jack
A
- Answer: B. A tone generator (part of a tone and probe kit) is often used to locate
cables, especially if there are a bunch of them in a small area. In the scenario,
the technician is connecting the tone generator to an RJ45 port, perhaps near
a person’s desk. Then the technician uses the probe (an inductive amplifier) to locate the other end of that cable at the patch panel either in a wiring closet or in
the server room. See Chapter 8, “Network Types and Networking Tools,” for more
information.
Incorrect answers: The other answers require a cable certifier. Although a cable
certifier can often act as a tone generator, a tone generator is not a cable certifier—it can only generate a tone across the cable. Cable certifiers are used to
confirm continuity, validate proper wiring, and test the transmission quality of a
given connection.
16
Q
- When placing a mobile device into airplane mode, which of the following features
are typically disabled? (Select the two best answers.)
◻ A. Wireless
◻ B. Cellular data
◻ C. Multitouch capability
◻ D. Data encryption
◻ E. Camera
A
- Answers: A and B. Cellular connections are disabled when a mobile device
enters airplane mode, and any other wireless connections as well, such as Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC. However, on some devices, some of these other wireless technologies can be turned on individually after the device has been placed
in airplane mode. See Chapter 4, “Smartphones, Tablets, and Other Mobile
Devices, Part 2,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: The display’s multitouch capabilities will work as normal, but
web browsers, e-mail programs, and other apps that require Internet access
will appear not to function properly when tapped on and navigated through—
because, indeed, they are not functioning at all due to airplane mode. Data
encryption will still function, though you won’t be able to send that encrypted
data anywhere. The camera will work, but posting images and video to a remote
source will not function.
17
Q
- One of your co-workers has asked for a cable for an Apple mobile device that
can charge it and transfer data to and from it. Which of the following connection
types would meet the customer’s requirements?
❍ A. Lightning
❍ B. Micro-USB
❍ C. Molex
❍ D. Mini-USB
A
- Answer: A. The Lightning connector is a proprietary connector used by Apple
mobile devices. It is the successor to the 30-pin connector. However, keep
in mind that some Apple devices use USB-C. See Chapter 3, “Smartphones,
Tablets, and Other Mobile Devices, Part 1,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Apple devices do not use Micro-USB or Mini-USB, although
adapters may be available depending on the device used. Micro-USB is common
on Android-based devices. Molex is a power connection found inside PCs.
18
Q
18. You have been tasked with resolving a shadowy image that is being printed from a network printer. What should you do? ❍ A. Replace the drum. ❍ B. Replace the fuser. ❍ C. Run a calibration. ❍ D. Replace the network cable.
A
- Answer: A. Try replacing the drum. If this is within the toner cartridge (which it
often is), then replace that as well. See Chapter 21, “Troubleshooting Printers,”
for more information.
Incorrect answers: If the fuser needs replacing, you will probably see smeared
text and images. If images or text are not straight or are colored incorrectly, you
might need to calibrate the printer. If the network cable fails, the printer should
not print at all from networked computers; however, a test page run locally at the
printer should print just fine
19
Q
- A desktop computer (named workstation22) can’t connect to the network. A
network card was purchased without documentation or driver discs. Which of the
following is the best way to install the network card driver?
❍ A. Purchase the disc online and install.
❍ B. Run Windows Update to install the drivers.
❍ C. From the desktop computer (workstation22), download and install the
drivers.
❍ D. Copy the driver to a flash drive and install.
A
- Answer: D. You will need to go to another computer, download the driver from
the manufacturer’s website, copy that to a flash drive, and bring it back to
the affected computer. See Chapter 22, “Troubleshooting Wired and Wireless
Network Problems,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: If you have access to another computer, it would be silly to wait
for a disc from the manufacturer. And any manufacturer that charges for drivers
(or a driver disc) should be ashamed, as should the user who actually purchases
the disc! You can’t run Windows Update or download drivers from the computer
in question because the computer has no network connection; and remember,
Windows Update is used to download Microsoft drivers, not other vendors’ drivers.
20
Q
- You are working in a command line and see the following results:
dprocomputer.com = 216.97.236.245
Which of the following server types has most likely helped supply this
information to you?
❍ A. DHCP server
❍ B. DNS server
❍ C. Authentication server
❍ D. Syslog server
❍ E. Print server
A
- Answer: B. The Domain Name System (DNS) server is the server that is in charge
of resolving domain names (such as davidlprowse.com) to their corresponding IP
addresses (such as 216.97.236.245). So, in other words, it provides mapping of
user-friendly names to network resources. The DNS server can supply this information to you when you make use of various commands in the command-line
such as ping, tracert, nslookup, and dig. See Chapter 7, “Networked Hosts and
Network Configuration,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: A DHCP server takes care of handing out IP addresses to
client computers automatically. An authentication server—such as a domain controller running LDAP—is in charge of verifying the identity of users who attempt
to log in. A Syslog server is used to gather the logs from network devices and
present the information in a manageable way to an admin’s workstation. Though
you could probably find out the name resolution within the log details, it wouldn’t
be done in the command line and it wouldn’t be presented in the manner that it
was in the question. A print server is a computer that is in charge of one or more
printers on the network.
21
Q
Which of the following computer components connect directly to the CPU or northbridge? ❍ A. Video card ❍ B. Hard drive ❍ C. Audio ❍ D. Fan ❍ E. RAM
A
- Answers: A and E. The video card and RAM are situated in such a way so that
they can connect quickly to the CPU or to the northbridge. On newer Intel systems, the northbridge is actually part of the CPU. The video card connects by
way of PCI Express ×16 or ×4 slots. The RAM connects via the address bus. See
Chapter 10, “RAM and Storage,” and Chapter 11, “Motherboards and Add-on
Cards,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: The hard drive and audio connect to the southbridge; in newer
Intel systems, they connect directly to the single chip within the chipset (which is
still referred to as a southbridge.) Fans are physically connected to the motherboard; any functionality is controlled by the UEFI/BIOS.
22
Q
22. A customer of yours is opening an Internet café and wants to offer computers for the patrons to access the Internet. Which type of computer system should you recommend? ❍ A. Thin client ❍ B. Standard thick client ❍ C. Audio/video workstation ❍ D. Gaming PC ❍ E. HTPC
A
- Answer: A. The best answer listed is thin client. A thin client is used for basic
applications, and it meets the minimum requirements for a selected OS. It is
usually a diskless workstation with limited CPU power. It gets its operating system from flash-based memory or from a server and doesn’t have a hard drive.
In addition, it resets itself every time it is restarted. This helps to protect against
malware and decreases the chances of hardware failure. See Chapter 14,
“Custom PCs and Common Devices,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: A standard thick client is generally a PC. Internet cafes do not
need the power of a thick client, an audio/video workstation, a gaming PC, or an
HTPC. By the way, HTPC stands for home theater PC—a kind of computer used
to connect to television stations, play DVDs and Blu-rays, connect to streaming services, as well as work like a regular computer. The acronym is not in the
CompTIA A+ bulleted objectives, but it is listed in the CompTIA A+ Acronyms list
at the end of the objectives.
23
Q
- You are part of a team that has decided to make use of a cloud provider for
some of your organization’s technology needs. Your top priority is to offload
some of your networking, storage, and VM hosting to the cloud. Which of the
following services best suits your needs?
❍ A. SaaS
❍ B. IaaS
❍ C. PaaS
❍ D. DBaaS
A
- Answer: B. The best answer listed is infrastructure as a service (IaaS). This allows
for networking services (also known as NaaS), storage, load balancing, routing, VM hosting, and more. See Chapter 16, “Cloud Computing and Client-side
Virtualization,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Software as a service (SaaS) provides common applications to
clients over the Internet. Platform as a service (PaaS) provides software solutions
such as the ability to develop and test applications within the cloud. Database as a service (DBaaS)—or cloud database—is where the creator of the database
does not have to install or support the database software or server; instead, it is
provided by a cloud service. The acronym DBaaS is not in the CompTIA A+ bulleted objectives, but it is listed in the CompTIA A+ Acronym list, where you will
also find data as a service (DaaS) and network as a service (NaaS).
24
Q
- Your guest virtual machines get direct access to the hosting computer’s network
connection. What is another name for this?
❍ A. NAT
❍ B. Private virtual network
❍ C. Host-only networking
❍ D. Bridged networking
A
- Answer: D. Bridged networking is when virtual machines can get direct access to
the hosting computer’s network connection and access other systems on the LAN
and the Internet. You might also see this referred to as “external” or “public.” See
Chapter 16, “Cloud Computing and Client-side Virtualization,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Network address translation (NAT) is when the guest can
access the external network, but not directly. Instead, the guests using NAT get
IP addresses on a separate private IP network. Host-only networking creates a
private virtual network for the guests, and they can communicate with each other,
but not out to the external network or Internet.
25
Q
- Your office printer was working earlier in the day but is no longer printing any
documents. Preexisting workstations are manually configured to print to the
printer directly over the network. You begin troubleshooting the problem and
determine that the printer is still visible when browsing the network directory.
You also verify, at the physical printer, that the printer can print test pages
successfully. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the problem?
❍ A. The print spooler was restarted.
❍ B. Two users sent print jobs at the same time, which caused a collision.
❍ C. The printer’s IP address has changed.
❍ D. The message “perform printer maintenance” is displayed on the
printer’s display panel.
A
25. Answer: C. In this scenario, it is possible that the printer’s IP address has been changed, and it is the best choice of the listed answers. The workstations were manually configured (most likely via IP address), which means that an IP address change on the printer would cause any print jobs from those workstations to fail. The IP address could have been configured manually by another tech, or if it was set to DHCP, the printer might have received a new address from the DHCP server. Because of this exact scenario, it is always a good idea to configure a static IP address at the printer itself (within the LCD display). Remember, in the scenario the printer can be seen in the network directory, which usually searches by printer name as opposed to printer IP address. Also, test pages are printing successfully. All these are clues that point to a potential IP problem. See Chapter 21, “Troubleshooting Printers,” for more information. Incorrect answers: Restarting the print spooler service is a troubleshooting technique used when the spooler service is hung up for some reason. It generally doesn’t cause problems but can fix a lot of spooling issues. Two print jobs can’t be sent at the same time—collisions are a concept related to networking. It is possible that packets or frames can collide, but not the print jobs. The print jobs are placed into a queue either at the printer or at the print server. The need to perform printer maintenance doesn’t usually cause print failures, but if you see that message, you should attend to it right away
26
Q
26. Which of the following is an advantage of UDP over TCP? ❍ A. It uses flow control. ❍ B. It transfers packets faster. ❍ C. It uses connection handshakes. ❍ D. It is connection based.
A
- Answer: B. The main advantage of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) over TCP
(Transmission Control Protocol) is that it can transfer data packets faster.
Because it is a connectionless protocol, it doesn’t require the synchronization or
sequencing that TCP does. This makes it a faster option for streaming services,
VoIP, and so on. See Chapter 5, “Ports, Protocols, and Network Devices,” for
more information.
Incorrect answers: UDP does not have an option for flow control. Also, it does
not use a handshaking process. (TCP uses the three-way handshake: SYN, SYNACK, ACK.) As mentioned, UDP is connectionless, whereas TCP is connection
based. However, even though UDP can transmit packets faster, you will find that
TCP is used for most services and applications you will deal with.
27
Q
- John is a PC technician for an organization that has a computer network with
12 computers. Each contains vital information, so each uses static IP addresses
(on the 192.168.50.0 network). John just finished troubleshooting a Windows
computer that could not access the network. He ascertained (correctly) that the
computer needed a new network card. He purchased a plug-and-play card and
physically installed the card. He then turned on the computer, noting that the
network card’s LED link was lit and that there was activity. He then rebooted the
computer to Windows and then documented the whole process. Later, his boss
tells him that the user is complaining that she cannot access the Internet. Which
step of the A+ troubleshooting methodology did John forget to perform?
❍ A. Identify the problem.
❍ B. Establish a theory of probable cause.
❍ C. Test the theory to determine cause.
❍ D. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem.
❍ E. Verify full system functionality.
❍ F. Document findings, actions and outcomes.
A
- Answer: E. John forgot to verify full system functionality. As I’ve said many
times during the course of the book, always test! And by “test” I mean verify
functionality—make sure it works—not “test the theory.” With a default installation of a plug-and-play network card, the card will, by default, be set to obtain
an IP address automatically. If the computers need to be configured for static
IP addresses, this will most likely cause a problem. There might not even be a
device or server that is handing out IP addresses on the network. If that is the
case, the Windows computer would attempt to self-assign an IP address (an
APIPA address starting with 169.254). If that happens, the computer will most
definitely not be able to communicate with the gateway—or the Internet, for that
matter. And even if there is a DHCP server on the network, the chances are very
slim that it is handing out addresses on the 192.168.50.0 network. Most SOHO
routers will hand out addresses on the 192.168.0.0 or 192.168.1.0 networks, and
that is only if DHCP is enabled.
John should have logged in to Windows, ran a ping test, tried to connect to
websites with one or more browsers, and so on. Verifying full functionality is very
important. Always remember to test every repair thoroughly. See Chapter 17,
“Computer Troubleshooting 101,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: All the steps of the A+ troubleshooting methodology are listed
in the answers. John performed each step except for verifying full system functionality.
28
Q
- On your server, two drives of a RAID 5 array have failed. What should you do?
❍ A. Replace one of the drives and run RAID repair.
❍ B. Replace the failed drives and format the RAID array using the quick
option.
❍ C. Replace one of the failed drives and repair the RAID array using system utilities.
❍ D. Replace the failed drives and restore the data from tape backup to the
repaired RAID array
A
- Answer: D. You will need to replace both failed drives (which causes a total RAID
5 array failure, by the way) and restore the entire set of data from tape backup.
See Chapter 19, “Troubleshooting Hard Drives and RAID Arrays,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: In a RAID 5 array, one drive can fail and you can still
recover from the issue without tape backup (using the RAID parity information), but no more than one can fail. If more than one fails—as in the question’s
scenario—then you need to restore all data from a previous backup. However, in
RAID 6, two drives can fail and it can still recover. Formatting the RAID array is
a good idea if you have to recover from backup but not a good idea otherwise
because it will make the current data inaccessible. However, the term “quick
option” is a Windows term, implying that the RAID array was created in Windows,
and is therefore a software-based array. It is recommended that you create
hardware-based arrays that connect to a RAID adapter card (or RAID-enabled
motherboard). In a hardware-based system such as this, you could repair the
array with the system utilities, but again, in this scenario (RAID 5) only if one drive
has failed.
29
Q
- A user working at a PC is experiencing screen flicker. Of the following, what
should you reconfigure? (Select the best answer.)
❍ A. CCFL
❍ B. Refresh rate
❍ C. Resolution
❍ D. Switch from HDMI to DVI
A
- Answer: B. If the PC’s display is experiencing screen flicker then it could be
due to an improperly configured refresh rate. Usually, monitors and operating systems will auto-configure a setting such as this, but not always—for example,
if you are using a less common operating system or a more advanced application. The refresh rate is the number of times the display is drawn on the screen
per second. A common amount is 60 Hz, but perhaps the user is working with
an editing program or game that requires a higher refresh rate, and the monitor
supports it, but it is not configured properly, either in the OS or in the application.
Or perhaps it is an older system that is more prone to refresh rate issues. As you
can see, there are a lot of possibilities when it comes to video. See Chapter 20,
“Troubleshooting Video Issues and Mobile Devices,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: The cold-cathode fluorescent bulb (CCFL) is the backlight for
LCD screens. You wouldn’t reconfigure it, but you might have to replace it if the
display starts blinking or shuts off completely. Keep in mind that many displays
are LED based today and do not use a CCFL. A different resolution shouldn’t
cause screen flicker on a flat-panel display—it would either show the different
resolution, no resolution, or possibly a distorted image. Resolution issues are
more common with CRT monitors. Screen flicker could be caused by a loose
connection, regardless of the connection used. But switching from one video port
type to another probably won’t help fix the actual problem.
30
Q
- Which of the following types of printers requires a maintenance kit that contains
a fuser, transfer roller, and pickup rollers?
❍ A. Thermal
❍ B. Laser
❍ C. Inkjet
❍ D. Impact
A
- Answer: B. The laser printer is the one that is most associated with maintenance
kits. Common components of a laser printer maintenance kit include a fuser,
transfer roller, and pickup rollers. See Chapter 21, “Troubleshooting Printers,” for
more information.
Incorrect answers: Common components of a thermal printer include the feed
assembly and heating element. The inkjet printer normally includes the ink cartridge, print head, roller, feeder, duplexing assembly, carriage, and belt. An impact
printer’s components include the print head, ribbon, and tractor feed.
31
Q
- You are tasked with fixing a laptop that is not booting. You have analyzed the
system and can’t see any system lights or display, and you can’t hear any
sounds when the Power button is pressed. Which of the following should be
attempted first when troubleshooting the problem?
❍ A. Boot the system from a boot CD.
❍ B. Disconnect the AC and the battery and press and hold the Power
button for several seconds.
❍ C. Remove hard drives and optical drives, RAM, and USB devices from
the laptop.
❍ D. Connect an external monitor to the laptop to determine if the LCD has
failed.
A
- Answer: B. Although you could try several things, the best of the listed answers
is to disconnect the AC connection and the battery and press and hold the
Power button for several seconds. This effectively discharges the laptop (capacitors and such) and may also clear the BIOS, either one of which can fix the problem. Exactly what happens will depend on the model of laptop, and the length of
time you will need to hold down the Power button will vary. Afterward, reconnect
the battery and AC connection and continue troubleshooting from there if necessary. The key in this question is that you cannot hear or see anything happening.
In most cases, something will happen, but in this case, the laptop may have had
a voltage overload or other similar problem. Discharging it in this fashion can
fix the problem, but you might have to reconfigure your BIOS. See Chapter 1,
“Laptops, Part 1,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: Booting the system to a disc will probably result in nothing.
If you can’t see or hear anything, you need to take stronger measures than that.
Sometimes, removing drives and USB devices can help when troubleshooting,
but again, in this scenario where you can see and hear nothing, it probably won’t
help. Connecting an external monitor is a good idea if you can see LED lights
blinking when you press the Power button but get no main display. In this case,
the result will probably be no image on both displays.
32
Q
- You are planning to build a computer that will be used at trade shows on
several different continents. Part of your planning includes specifications such
as maximum RAM and a typical video card, CPU, and storage drive. Which of
the following specifications is the most important for you to consider when you
select a power supply unit?
❍ A. Efficiency
❍ B. 12 V rail amperage
❍ C. Input voltage
❍ D. Number of SATA connectors
A
- Answer: C. One of your most important considerations should be the input
voltage. For example, in the United States (and some other countries) this is 120 volts. However, in many other countries it is 240 volts. (These are also represented as 115 V and 230 V.) It’s better to avoid voltage converters if at all possible, so you will need a power supply unit (PSU) that can handle both. That means
one of two things: 1. An auto-selecting PSU, or 2. A PSU with a voltage switch.
The former is preferable, so that the person setting up the computer at trade
shows does not need to remember to check the switch. However, keep in mind
that you might still need an adapter for the actual three-prong connection used in
other countries. See Chapter 13, “Peripherals and Power,” for more information.
Incorrect answers: The efficiency rating tells you how effectively the PSU uses
energy. For example, the 80 Plus program promotes energy efficiency of more
than 80 percent. While this is important for most computers—because we all
want to conserve energy, right?—it is not as important for this particular system,
because the PC will be relying on power that is provided by the trade show venues. Rail amperage is important for resource-intensive computers such as gaming PCs, design systems, and so on, where an individual rail (such as the 12 V)
can overheat if driven too hard. Of course, we don’t want our devices (such as
GPUs) to draw too much current from the PSU (which generally can max out at
about 30 amps or so); however, the system is using typical components, so current should not be a factor. As long as the PSU meets the wattage requirements,
it should be okay. Maximizing the RAM shouldn’t cause the computer to go
beyond the maximum current or wattage (as long as we don’t overclock it! And
even then it is unlikely.) Almost all PSUs come with several SATA power connectors, and we are only using one hard drive, so that should not be a factor either.
