Install and Configure Laptop Hardware

Question 1

Which WiFi standard supports 9.6Gbps speeds?

Answer 1

WiFi 6 or 802.11ax

Question 2

What is a motherboard?

Answer 2

The largest circuit board in a computer. Hardware such as CPU, Storage, Memory, VGU connect to the motherboard and interact with each other through it.

Question 3

What is a WLAN card? When might you need to change it?

Answer 3

This is the card used for accessing WiFi. Older cards might need to be changed if not compatible with current WiFi standards.

Question 4

What are the downsides to optical media?

Answer 4

Often single use.
Slow and limited capacity compared to digital storage options.
Replaced by USB and flash media

Question 5

What component can you try to replace if a computer is having issues maintaining system time or BIOS settings?

Answer 5

The CMOS battery

Question 6

What should be considered when replacing or upgrading a computer’s storage?

Answer 6

Determine whether to use HDD or SSD. Unless price is a factor, SSD is preferred.

Must consider size of SATA connection. Most laptops will use 2.5” or 1.8” inch for both HDD and SSD.

Question 7

What is an ASIC?

Answer 7

Application Specific Integrated Circuit
This is a chip used for specific applications, typically soldered to a motherboard.
ASICs have many potential applications.
Issues with an ASIC on a motherboard will require RMA or advanced repair

Question 8

What needs to be considered when adopting a new WiFi Standard?

Answer 8

The standard represents improvements in encoding, speed, security, reliability etc.
Devices attempting to access a WiFi network must use hardware (WLAN card) that supports the WiFi standard used by the Access Point.

Question 9

What governing body standardizes WiFi technology?

Answer 9

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

Question 10

Which WiFi standard supports 6.9Gbps speeds?

Answer 10

WiFi 5 or 802.11ac

Question 11

What is a CMOS and its purpose?

Answer 11

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) is a battery providing constant power to a motherboard to maintain important data such as BIOS configuration and information and system time and date.

Question 12

Which WiFi standard supports 300Mbps speeds?

Answer 12

WiFi 4 or 802.11n

Question 13

What are some simple troubleshooting steps you can take when a user is experiencing issues with accessing WiFi?

Answer 13

• Check signal strength. WiFi coverage can be limited and susceptible to environmental obstacles (walls, microwaves, etc). Moving an AP or boosting signal may be necessary.
• Check that WLAN card is compatible with AP WiFi Standard
• Check antenna connections to WLAN card

Question 14

What are the primary differences between an HDD and SSD?

Answer 14

A Hard Disk Drive (HDD) stores data magnetically on disks, while a Solid State Drive (SSD) stores data electronically in flash memory.

HDDs rely on a mechanical reader to locate and read information on the disks while this function in an SSD is purely digital.

SSDs are more resistant to shock, magnetism, and temperature extremes.

SSDs operate faster than HDDs

Question 15

Where is the WiFi antenna in a laptop?

Answer 15

Typically connects to the WLAN card in the base of the laptop and runs up and around the monitor. This increases the area in which the antenna can pick up wireless signal.

Question 16

What can you do if you’re having issues with a key on your keyboard?

Answer 16

Individual keys may have problems due to hair, dust or other debris interfering with the key mechanism. Typically keys are easy to remove and replace for cleaning.

Problems with more than one key may indicate an issue with the keyboard. If on a laptop, check the connection between the keyboard and motherboard or consider replacing the keyboard entirely.

Question 17

What physical dimensions do HDDs come in?

Answer 17

Dimension refers to width of the hardware.

3. 5” usually used for desktops
4. 5” and 1.8” smaller form factors for laptops. Smaller form factors typically correspond to smaller capacity.

Question 18

How are WiFi standards labeled?

Answer 18

They used to be designated using the 802.11 label but now use the WiFi x label.
802.11ax is now referred to as WiFi 6.

Question 19

What are the three optical drive types and their respective memory sizes?

Answer 19

CD - 700MB
DVD (Standard Definition) - 4-16 GB
Blue-Ray (High Definition) - 25-100GB

DVD and Blue-Ray are capable of stacking and dual side writing allowing a 4x capacity increase.

Question 20

What is the difference between WiFi and Cellular in terms of coverage?

Answer 20

Cellular covers a much larger area but can have difficulty penetrating walls.
WiFi coverage area is very small, but well suited for in home and office applications. Does not require subscription to a service to utilize.