Chapter 1-6 Flashcards
Examples of desktop form factors
Horizontal
Full sized towers
Compact tower
All in one
Desktop power supply form factors
Advanced technology (AT) obsolete
ATX extended-obsolete
ATX12V- most common power supply
EPS12V- designed for server
For basic units of electricity
Volts
Current
Resistance
Power
Voltage
Measure of work required to move a charge
Measured in volts
Current
Measured in amps
Measure of electrons moving every second
Resistance
Measured in ohms
Power
Measured in watts
=vi
Ohms law
V=ir
Motherboard
Backbone of computer
Includes spots for cpu, ram, expansion slots, chip sets, and bios chips
2 main types of chipsets
North bridge-controls high speed access
South bridge-allows cpu to communicate with slower devices
Common motherboard form factors
ATX- Moody common form factors
Micro ATX-smaller form factor designed to be backwards compatible
ITX gaining popularity due to size
CPU Architectures
Pin grid array- pins on underside of board
LGA land grid array-pins are in socket instead of processor
2 distinct types of directions used by CPU
Reduced instruction set computer (RISC)-uses fewer instructions
Complex instruction at computer (CISC)-uses broad set of instructions
4 types of ROM
ROM
PROM
EPROM
EEPROM
Types of RAM
Dram Sram Sdram DDR DDR 2 DDR 3 DDR 4
Dram
Dynamic ram uses memory chip as main memory
Sram
Static ram-uses memory chip as cache memory fastest ram
Sdram
Synchronous dram- operates in sync with memory bus
DDR
Double data rate sdram-twice as fast as sdram
Memory modules
Dir-dual in-line package
SIMM-single in-line memory module
DIMM- dual inline memory module
SODIMM-small outline DIMM
Dir
Individual memory chips
Simm
Small circuit board
DIMM
Circuit board that holds ram
SODIMM
Small outline DIMM-smaller DIMM
Adapter Cards
Sound adapter NIC Wireless NIC Video adapter Capture card Tv tuner card USB Thunderbolt-connects to peripheries RAID-links together multiple HDDs or SSDs
SATA
Serial AT attachment with 15 pins used connect storage devices to motherboard
SATA 1 up to 1.5gbs
SATA 2 up to 3 gbs
SATA 3 up to 6 gbs
3 Main terms for raid
Parity-detects errors
Striping-writes across multiple devices
Mirroring-stores Data IN second drives
DVI
Digital video interface
2 types DVID &DVIA
DVID- digital
DVIA-analog
Display port connector
Designed to connect high end video to a monitor
PS/2 ports
Connects a keyboard or mouse to a computer
Dot Pitch
Distance between pixels on screen
Thick Clients
Standard computers
Thin clients
Low end computers that rely on remote servers
ESD
Electrostatic discharge occurs when a build up of static comes into contact with another surface
EMI
Electro magnetic interference-intrusion off outside EM signals in a transmission media
SDS
Gives info for hazardous material
Loopback adapter
Tests basic functionality of computer ports
Disk management tools
Disk management-initializes disks, create partitions and formats partitions
Format-prepares a hard drive to store information
Scandisk Or CHKDSK-check’s integrity of files and folders on a hard drive by scanning the file system
Optimize drive-defrag
Disk cleanup-searches for files that can be safely deleted
System file checker (SFC)-scans OS files and replaces files that are corrupt
Types of adapter cards
PCI-uses for older components
PCIe-for types of slots
System Speaker
Used to audibly indicate a computers status
USB front panel connector
Often consists of nine or ten pins arranged in a row
Power button
Turns computer on or off
Drive activity LEDs
Remains lit or blinks when a computer is writing data
Power led
Remains lit when computer is on and blinks if it’s asleep
Audio front panel connection
Connects ports for outside audio
BIOS
Basic input/output system
Performs hardware check on main components of the computer
Firmware used during boot up process
POST
Power on self test
Performed by BIOS
What does the bios identify
Available drives
Bootable drives
How memory is configured
Configuration of PCIe and PCI expansion slots
How SATA and USB ports are developed
Motherboard power managements features
The motherboard manufacturer saves the motherboard bios settings in the CMOS
CMOS
Complimentary metal oxide semiconductor
UEFI
Unified extensible firmware interface
It is a software layer that replaces bios and sits between the os and system firmware
Provides a mouse enabled software interface
Main BIOS configuration settings
Time and date Disable devices Boot order Clock speed Virtualization
Common BIOS security configuration
Bios passwords Drive encryption LoJack TPM Secure boot
LoJack
Turns on the persistence module in bios and prevents it from turning off to report device info and locations Used to help locate lost devices
TPM
Trusted platform module
Used to store cryptographic keys
Secure boot
UEFI security standards that ensures a computer only boots a trusted OS
What components should be regularly inspected
Cpu heat sink and fan RAM modules Storage devices Adapter cards Screws Cables Power devices Keyboard and mouse
Basic guidelines for troubleshooting computers with people
Ask direct questions Don’t use industry jargon Don’t talk down to customer Don’t insult customer Don’t accuse customers of solving a problem Use open ended questions
Common terms for operating systems
Multiuser-two Or more users have individual accounts
Multitasking-capable of operating multiple applications
Multiprocessing-can support multiple cpus
Multi threading-allows program to be broken into smaller parts that are loaded as needed
Characteristics of a desktop os
Supports single user
Runs single use applications
Shares files and folders in a small network with limited security
Network operating system (NOS)
Has three specific characteristics
- supports multiple users
- runs multi-user applications
- provides increased security compared to desktop is
What resources are provided by a NOS
Server applications Centralized data storage Centralized repository of user accounts Network print queue Redundant storage systems
Tools for data migration
User state migration tool
Windows easy transfer
Types of flash based memory
USB flash drives
Solid state drives
Solid state hybrid disks
Embedded multimedia ATX
eMMC
Embeds multimediacard
Slower and cheaper than SSD
Popular in PEDs
Master boot record
Contains info on how hard drive partitions are organized
GUID partition
A partition table standard for hard drives
Commonly used on computers with UEFI
Primary partition
Contains OS files and is usually the first partition
Cannot be subdivided into smaller sections
Active partition
Used to store and boot an operating system
Only one can be marked active on a drive at a time
Extended partition
Used if more than four partitions are required
Allows primary partitions to be designated as an extended partition
Allows up to 23 logical partitions to be created
Logical drive
Section of extended partition
Can be used to separate information for administrative purposes
Basic disk
Contains partitions such as primary and extended as well as logical drives formatted for data storage
Dynamic disks
Provide features not supported by basic disks
Allows creation of volumes the span across multiple disks
The size of partitions can be created after they are made
Formatting partition
Creates a file system in a partition for files to be stored
FAT32
File allocation table 32bit
Supports partition sizes of up to 2tb
NTFS
Supports portions sizes of up to 16 exabytes
Incorporates File system security features and extended attributes
Automatically creates a partition using the entire hard drive I’ll install windows if a new partition is not created
ExFAT
Addresses some limitations of FAT, FAT32, and NFTS when formatting usb drives
CDFS
Created specifically for optical disk media
NFS
Network file system
Network based file system that system that allows file access over networks
ROM
Memory location that stores basic operational instructions used by cpu for booting computer
Chipset
Integrated circuits on motherboard that control system hardware interaction with cpu
Power supply tester
Can be used to check wether the power supply of a device is working properly
System file checker
A utility in later windows operating systems
Scans all critical files of os and replaces corrupt files
Toner generator and probe
Two part tool typically used to identify an individual wire in a circuit
Toner is connected to cable at one end and generates a tone that travels through the cable
Disk management
Utility to manage installed or connected storage devices
Can perform disk initialization,create partitions and format partitions
History of repairs
Detailed list of problems and repairs maintained by a technician or support desk system
Should include date, problems identified, actions to correct problems, replacement parts and customer information
Cable tester
Can be used to check condition of a data cable including wiring shorts, faults or wrongly connected wires
Clock speed
Function configurable within some bios setup programs that allows for modification of cpu running speed
Virtualization
Allows multiple operating systems to run at the same time
Boot order
A bios setting for bootable partitions and devices
PCI
An older expansion slot used to attach hardware to a motherboard
Secure boot
Prevents an unauthorized os from loading during startup
FireWire/thunderbolt
External I/o ports that connect digital devices to a computer
Beep code
Post generated info generated used for troubleshooting
Conversations etiquette
Expected professionalism
Diagnostic tools
Software available to help locate and solve problems
Event viewer
A tool that is used to see date and time a problem occurred
ESD vacuum cleaner
A low airflow device the is used to remove collected dust and materials from inside the case
Routine maintenance
Regular maintenance routines that extend the life of a pc
Task manager
A tool that is used to easily monitor CPU, memory l, and network performance
Device manager
Tool that is used to determine if a hardware device is operational
Liability release
A waiver of responsibility if data is lost or corrupted during the repair process
Sysprep
Microsoft’s system preparation
Used to remove undesirable settings accidentally included in base installations for disk cloning
System restore
Restores a system to an earlier restore point
Refresh pc
Restores system back to factory state without deleting user files or removing modern apps
Recovery partition
User inaccessible partition that contains an image used to restore a computer to its original position
Windows 8 advanced start up options
System restore System image recovery Automatic repair Command prompt UEFI firmware setting Windows start up settings
system restore
Restores a computer to earlier point
Automatic repair
Scans system and tries to automatically repair issues
Command prompt
Open a recovery environment command prompt which grants access to a number of command line trouble shooting tools
UEFI firmware settings
Allows changing of UEFI settings
Windows start up settings
Allows you to enable safe mode
System recovery options for windows 7 and vista
Start up repair System restore System image recovery Windows memory diagnostic Command prompt
Startup repair
Scans hard drive for problems and automatically fixes missing or corrupt system files That prevent windows form starting
Windows memory diagnostics
Tool examines computer memory to detect malfunctions and diagnose problems
Describe advanced start up options
A set of tools that allows users to troubleshoot, recover or restore and operating system when it can’t boot
PXE
A special environment used to boot the computer, connect to the network l, and communicate with the server to begin OS installation
Recovery partition
Contains an image that can be used to restore the computer to the original configuration
Sysprep
A program used to prepare the os with different hardware configurations to install and configure the same os on multiple computers
RIS
A software package used to communicate with a client and provide the necessary instructions for client to download os setup files and begin installation
BIOS boot process order
- POST
- BIOS located and reads configuration settings the are stored in CMOS memory
- the BIOS boots crew computer using the first drove that contains a valid boot sector
- the code in the boot sector is executed, and control of the boot process is given to the windows boot manager
- WinLoad uses the path specified in BOOTMGR to find the boot partition
- WinLoad loads two files that make up the core of windows; NTOSKRNL.EXE and HAL.DLL
- WinLoad reads the registry files, chooses a hardware profile, and loads the device drivers
- The windows kernel takes over the boot process
- NTOSKRNL.EXE starts the login file WINLOGON.EXE
- WINLOG.EXE displays the windows welcome screen
Startup modes
Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompts
Last known good configurations
Safe mode
Diagnostic mode used to troubleshoot windows and windows start up issues
Safe mode with networking
Starts windows in safe mode with networking support
Safe mode with command prompt
Starts windows and loads the command prompts instead of the GUI
Last Known Good configuration
Loads the configuration settings that were used the last time windows started successfully
Snap
Windows desktop feature that allows resizing a window by dragging it to the edges of the screen
Differential backup
A backup technique that backs up all the files and folders that have been created or modified since the last backup and dos not mark files as archived
Sleep
When documents and applications are saved in RAM allowing the computer to be powered on quickly
Shortcut
A link to a program in a different folder or directory
Task scheduler
Software that monitors selected user defined criteria and the executes tasks when criteria have been met
Charm bar
A universal windows 8.x toolbar that can be accessed while working any applications
Device manager
Displays a list of all the devices installed on the computer allowing you to diagnose and resolve device problems
Service
A type of application that runs in the background to achieve a specific goal or to wait for a request
Peek
A windows desktop feature that allows viewing the icons behind open windows on the desktop by placing the cursor at the right edge of the taskbar
Windows library
A virtual folder the presents content from different locations within the same view
MSTSC
Opens a Remote Desktop connection
Start screen
A customizable array of tiles found in windows 8.x designed to acces app and other info such as updates and notifications
REGEDIT
Allows a user to make changes to a system registry
Love tiles
Tiles that display dynamic content found in windows 8.x
Remote assistance
Allows the customer to view in real time on the screen what is being repaired or upgraded on the computer
Home group
Allows two or more computers running Windows 7 on your network to share printers media files and library’s
Remote Desktop
Allows technicians to view and control a computer form a remote location
Gadgets
Small applications such as games, sticky notes calendars that can be added to the windows seven or vista screen
Task manager
Provides limited information on computer performance and ability to prioritize and terminate processes
Event viewer
Logs the history of events regarding applications, security and the system
Desktop
A graphical representation of the workspace containing icons, toolbars and menus to manipulate files
Windows hyper v
A type 2 hyper visor found in windows 8
Hyper visor
Computer software, firmware, or hardware the creates and runs virtual machines.
MSINFO32
Displays a complete system summary of the computer, including hardware components and software information
Jump list
A list of tasks that are unique to the application and which can be accessed by eight clicking that application icon in the taskbar
Action center
A centralized location to view alerts that help keep windows running smoothly
Hibernate
When documents and applications are saved to a temporary file on a hard drove
Aero
Th default desktop scheme found in windows 7 and windows vista
MMC
Allows you to organize management tools called snap-ins, in one location for easy administration
Readyboost
Enables the os to treat an external flash device as a hard drive cache
Control panel
A centralized location for the settings for many of the features that control the behavior and the appearance of the computer
Restore point
Information about the system and the registry settings from a point in time prior to an action taking place
Sidebar
A graphical pane on the windows vista desktop the keeps gadgets organized
Shake
Windows feature desktop that allows all unused windows to be minimized or maximized by clicking the title bar of one window and shaking the mouse
DXDIAG
Displays details for all directX components and drivers installed in a computer