Chapter 2 - Storage Devices and Power Supplies Flashcards
What is the physical component where data is stored in a HDD? A. Read/write head B. Platter C. Sector D. Cluster
B. A conventional HDD contains discs called platters, on which data is stored magnetically
through read/write heads by way of a magnetic coating.
Which of the following is not one of the three major components of a hard disk drive system? A. Drive interface B. Controller C. Hard disk D. Host adapter
A. A conventional hard disk drive system consists of the hard disk and its often-integrated
controller as well as a host adapter to gain access to the rest of the computer system. The
drive interface is a common component of the controller and host adapter.
What is the largest NTFS volume size supported by Windows XP? A. 256GB B. 2TB C. 128TB D. 256TB
D. A fixed number of clusters is supported by each operating system, leading to a corresponding
maximum volume size. If the maximum NTFS cluster size of 64KB is used, Windows
XP can support a single-volume size of 256TB. When a cluster size of one sector, or
512 bytes (1⁄2KB), is used, the maximum volume size reduces to 2TB.
Which technology is based on flash memory and is intended to eventually replace conventional
hard disk drives that have moving discs and other mechanisms?
A. USB flash drives
B. Memory cards
C. Solid-state drives
D. Optical drives
C. Solid-state disks (SSDs) are capable of replacing conventional HDDs, contingent upon
cheaper components and higher capacities.
What is the formatted capacity of high-density 31⁄2 g floppy diskettes? A. 360KB B. 720KB C. 1.44MB D. 2.88MB
C. High-density 31⁄2 g floppy diskettes have a formatted capacity of 1.44MB. Double-density
51⁄4 g floppies can be formatted to a capacity of 360KB, while double-density floppies support
720KB. The extended-density 31⁄2 g floppy diskettes can be formatted to 2.88MB.
Which optical disc format supports a data capacity of 25GB?
A. Double-sided, double-layer DVD+R
B. Single-sided, single-layer Blu-ray disc
C. Double-sided, single-layer DVD-R
D. Double-sided, single-layer DVD+R
B. Blu-ray discs have a single-sided, single-layer capacity of 25GB. The best the other
options achieve is no more than roughly 17GB.
Which of the following best describes the concept of hot-swappable devices?
A. Power does not need to be turned off before the device is inserted or removed.
B. The device can be removed with power applied after it is properly stopped in the operating
system.
C. Care must be taken when swapping the device because it can be hot to the touch.
D. The device can be swapped while still hot, immediately after powering down the system.
A. Hot-swappable devices can be removed while the power to the system is still on. Warmswappable
devices need to be stopped in the operating system before being removed. The
term has nothing to do with the heat level of the device.
Of the following voltage pairings, which one accurately represents the input and output,
respectively, of power supplies and AC adapters?
A. AC in, AC out
B. DC in, DC out
C. AC in, DC out
D. DC in, AC out
C. Power supplies and AC adapters use standard wall outlets for an input of AC voltage,
which they convert to the DC voltages required by the components they supply power to.
What are the five output voltages that have been commonly produced by PC power supplies over the years? (Choose five.) A. +3.3VDC B. –3.3VDC C. +5VDC D. –5VDC E. +12VDC F. –12VDC G. +110VAC H. –110VAC
A, C, D, E, F. A PC’s power supply produces +3.3VDC, +5VDC, –5VDC, +12VDC, and
–12VDC from a 110VAC input.
Which of the following statements about power supplies is true?
A. You must make sure the voltage selector switch on the back of the power supply is
switched to the lower setting if the computer is going to be used in Europe.
B. SATA hard drives most often use the same type of power connector PATA hard drives use.
C. Power supplies supply power to ATX-based motherboards with connectors known
commonly as P8 and P9.
D. Molex connectors are used with PATA hard drives, while Berg connectors are used
with floppy drives.
D. Molex power connectors have been used with larger internal devices since the original
PCs hit the market. When the 31⁄2g floppy diskette drives were launched, they used the newer
Berg connectors. Europe requires the voltage selector switch be set at the higher setting. SATA
drives most often use a specific power connector that is not compatible with the Molex connector
used by PATA drives. AT-based motherboards call for P8 and P9 connectors; ATX
motherboards have a newer 20- or 24-pin single power connector.
Which of the following is not a consideration when installing an internal storage device?
A. You should match the form factor of the drive or adapt it to an available drive bay or slot.
B. You should secure the drive with at least two screws on one side and preferably two on
each side.
C. Due to the high revolutions at which modern hard drives spin, you must secure an
external power source because the internal power supplies do not have the capacity.
D. You need to be sure that the routing of the drive’s ribbon cable, if applicable, does not
obstruct the engineered flow of air across internal components.
C. Today’s hard drives, regardless of their rpm, have standard internal power connections.
Each of the other options are valid concerns when installing an internal drive.
What kind of media is most commonly used when large amounts of data need to be archived on a regular basis? A. Tape B. Optical disc C. External hard drive D. Floppy diskette
A. Although inefficient as an interactive medium, sequential tape-based storage continues
to be developed in increasing capacities. Tape remains the best choice for frequently backing
up large amounts of data for redundancy and archival purposes.
Which of the following statements regarding floppy drive installation is true?
A. Like a hard drive, the floppy drive requires no external access.
B. Like DVD-ROM drives, floppy drives have a 51⁄4 g form factor and must be installed in
the larger drive bays.
C. Because it is antiquated technology, floppy disk drives can no longer be purchased new.
D. Although some drives might not clearly key the receptacle for the Berg power connector,
you must insert the connector correctly or the drive can be damaged.
D. Inserting the Berg connector upside down will damage the drive the first time the motor
is activated. Floppy drives require front access for floppy disk insertion. Their form factor is
only 3.5g, and you can still buy them new. (See the sidebar “Do You Smell Something?” in
this chapter.)
Which of the following platter spin rates is not commonly associated with conventional magnetic hard disk drives? A. 5400 rpm B. 7200 rpm C. 10,200 rpm D. 15,000 rpm
C. The other common spin rates are 10,000 rpm and 12,000 rpm.
Which of the following is not a consideration when upgrading power supplies?
A. You might find that you do not have a matching motherboard connector on your new
power supply.
B. You might find that your case has a nonremovable power supply.
C. You might find that your power rating is not adequate on the new power supply.
D. You might find that you do not have enough of the appropriate connectors coming
from the power supply for the devices you have installed.
B. Personal computers do not have permanently installed power supplies. Like other electrical
and electronic components, power supplies can and do fail on a regular basis. Permanently
mounting a power supply to a chassis would be a disservice to the consumer. You
should consider the cumulative power needs of your installed components, and you might
have to obtain adapters and splitters if you do not have enough or you have the wrong types
of connectors coming from the power supply.
