Mobile Devices and Networks Flashcards
A user contacts you stating that she received an error stating that the MBR is corrupt. You need to ensure that this issue is resolved. Where is the MBR stored?
A) BIOS
B) CMOS
C) Hard disk
D) Paging file
Hardware
C) Hard disk
The Master Boot Record (MBR) is contained in a partition’s master boot sector, which is the first sector of a computer’s hard disk or a system floppy disk. MBRs contain two primary components: executable code and a partition table. Executable code in the MBR is responsible for locating the appropriate operating system from the partition table and loading it into RAM to make the operating system active. Partition tables identify each partition that resides on a specific disk.
The MBR is usually only 512 bytes, so it only takes up a very small percentage of the hard drive, even on small drives. A computer’s MBR is not stored in the basic input/output system (BIOS), the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS), or the paging file.
Cathy’s mother is getting ready to buy her a new laptop for college. She knows that the laptop may not always be handled with care. She wants to ensure that the device can withstand dropping. What kind of hard drive is her best option?
A) SATA
B) PATA
C) SSD
D) Flash drive
Mobile Devices
C) SSD
Explanation
A solid-state drive (SSD) is the best option because it has no moving parts, meaning it does not use a read/write assembly. It is not as fragile as magnetic hard drives. When in operation, SSDs are silent. SSDs are faster, more reliable, and require less power than magnetic drives. Contrarily, SSDs are more limited on storage space than traditional hard drives.
PATA and SATA are traditional magnetic hard drives. Traditional hard drives are affordable, but crash more easily. They are so fragile because they have read/write heads that move across magnetic platters. Because magnetic hard drives are easy to scratch and break, the industry has embraced the SSDs.
Flash drives are portable versions of SSDs but hold much less data than an internal SSD. While SSDs that hold up to terabytes (TB) of data are available, most flash drives can hold 16 to 64 GB of data and are not used as the primary boot drive for any devices.
Laptops use either 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives. The 2.5-inch drives are more popular and less costly. The 1.8-inch drives weigh less and are more power efficient. In most cases, the 2.5-inch drives offer better performance because they have larger caches and higher rotation speeds. The 1.8-inch drives are most often use in ultra-portable laptops, iPads, and other mobile devices, while the 2.5-inch drives are used in traditional laptops. To replace a hard drive in a laptop or mobile device, consult the vendor documentation regarding the location of the drive. In most cases, you either need to remove the bottom or the back of the case or keyboard. You also may need to install optical drives in a mobile device. In most cases, this will involve removing the old one and replacing it with the new one. To remove the old optical drive, you usually have to remove it via the bottom of the case.
Some mobile devices may have a smart card reader. In most cases, these are simply attached to an external port on the mobile device. However, if the smart card reader is integrated into the device, you will need to consult the laptop or mobile device’s manufacturer documentation to determine how best to remove the smart card reader.
You need to synchronize your iPhone with your computer. What is the default app to use to perform this function?
A) iTunes
B) OneDrive
C) ActiveSync
D) Google Drive
E) Dropbox
Mobile Devices
A) iTunes
You are in the process of replacing the toner cartridge for a laser printer. However, you notice that toner particles have been spilt inside the printer. What should you use to effectively remove these particles?
A) ESD-safe vacuum cleaner
B) Household vacuum cleaner
C) Compressed air
D) Damp cloth
Hardware
A) ESD-safe vacuum cleaner
Your organization has decided to use SSL over port 465 on the SMTP server, smtp.dreamsuites.com. You need to change the settings on your iPhone. What should you do?
A) Edit the Outgoing Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL, and change the port to port 465.
B) Edit the Incoming Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL, and change the port to port 465.
C) Edit the Incoming Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL.
D) Edit the Outgoing Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL.
Mobile Devices
A) Edit the Outgoing Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL, and change the port to port 465.
You should edit the Outgoing Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL and change the port to 465.
You should not edit ONLY the Outgoing Mail Server settings so that the server uses SSL. By default, the Outgoing Mail Server uses port 587. You need to change the port to 465.
You should not edit the Incoming Mail Server settings because the SMTP server is the outgoing mail server, not the incoming mail server.
You bought a laptop at an estate sale and plugged it in overnight to charge. However, the laptop will not boot when you press the power key. You try to boot the laptop with it plugged in to the wall outlet, but it still will not boot. What is the most likely cause of the problem?
A) Smart card reader
B) DC jack
C) Bluetooth module
D) Battery
Mobile Devices
B) DC jack
You are helping students install Windows and Linux servers in various configurations on their laptops. What would be the most important CPU or motherboard feature to configure?
A) Virtual technology
B) Hyperthreading
C) Speed
D) Integrated GPU
Hardware
A) Virtual technology
Virtual technology allows you to install another operating system on top of the existing operating system without overwriting the original OS.
You have a motherboard that includes an LGA 1155 CPU socket. Which CPU would NOT be supported with this motherboard?
A) Core 2 Duo
B) Core i7
C) Xeon
D) Celeron
Hardware
A) Core 2 Duo
Which CPU cooling method should you implement when other convective methods will not work?
A) Heat sinks
B) Heat pipes
C) Water cooling
D) Peltier cooling
Hardware
D) Peltier cooling
Peltier cooling should be implemented when convective methods will not work. A Peltier device gets colder when voltage is applied.
Identify the SATA connectors on the motherboard by clicking the appropriate area.
Hareware
Your company wants to upgrade its twisted pair (TP) cable network to handle up to 10 GB data rates from switches to network nodes over lengths of up to 90 meters. Which TP category type must the company deploy to meet its requirements?
A) Cat6a
B) Cat4
C) Cat6
D) Cat5e
E) Cat3
Hardware
A) Cat6a
The company must deploy Cat6a to meet its requirements. Cat6a, which stands for Category 6 Augmented twisted-pair cable, makes use of better conductors and shielding to support the nominal 100-meter (90-meter cable run) distances for data rates up to 10 Gbps.
You must purchase new RAM to install in a computer. The company policy states that RAM must be able to detect both single-bit and multi-bit errors. Which component should the RAM you order have?
A) L1 cache
B) ECC
C) L2 cache
D) Parity bit
Hardware
B) ECC
Error correction code (ECC) detects both single-bit and multi-bit errors in RAM. ECC memory should be required for mission-critical applications. The motherboard in the computer must support ECC memory. Without memory controller support built into the motherboard, the ECC memory module is effectively the same as non-ECC memory.
A parity bit can only detect single-bit errors. Parity memory is better than nonparity memory, but ECC memory is the best.
L1 cache is cache memory built into the processor. L2 cache is cache memory located on a separate chip. L1 cache is much faster than L2 cache. Neither type of cache detects errors.
What are the two most important factors to consider when selecting a replacement power supply for a desktop computer? (Choose two.)
A) Output capacity in watts
B) Form factor
C)Voltage levels
D)Fan type
Hardware
A) Output capacity in watts
B) Form factor
When replacing a power supply, you should first look for a replacement that fits the form factor of the computer. Power supplies are designed to operate with specific form factors, such as ATX and ATX12V v1.x that connect to the motherboard with a 20-pin version connector. The ATX12V v2.x and micro ATX all use the standard 24-pin connector. Once you have found the proper form factor, the next characteristic that you should look for is the rated output capacity in watts. You must make sure that the replacement can supply sufficient power for the components inside the computer. You should estimate the wattage consumed by the computer’s components and then install a power supply that is rated higher than your estimate. This allows components to be added to the computer and gives a buffer for estimating errors.
You do not need to consider voltage levels or fan type, because the voltage and fan type sizes are standard within the form factors. If a replacement ATX power supply unit has a connector that is too large for the motherboard’s socket, you need a 24-to-20 pin ATX adapter. In addition, you may need to upgrade from a 200-watt power supply to a 400-watt ATX power supply. This would result in the addition of 3.3 volts of power to the computer. The needs of the computer should be determined before purchasing the power supply, as the needs can often determine the size the power supply should be. Mini-ATX and micro-ATX power supplies are smaller than standard ATX power supplies. They are designed for smaller computer cases.
If you must replace a proprietary power supply unit, you will be limited to purchasing the same power supply made specifically for the computer.
When selecting a power supply, you must decide your input needs: input 115V vs. 220V. You must determine the wattage rating needed based on the number of devices/types of devices to be powered. A wattage rating is an expression of the maximum power that a device can safely continuously handle. The three types of output for a power supply are 3.3V, 5.5V, and 12V. Motherboards include a 20-pin to 24-pin motherboard adapter to which the power supply connects.
Power supplies also come in a modular and redundant form. A modular power supply is an electronic power system that can have all its power cables and connectors be detached and removed, whereas other powers supply systems are permanently hard-wired. A redundant power supply is a power supply unit that has two or more power supply units inside it. These are often found in servers or other high-end computers.
A user contacts you regarding his front panel connectors on his PC. He wants to plug a device into one of those ports. Which of the following are you LEAST likely to see as a front-panel connector on a motherboard?
A) Reset button
B) USB port
C) SCSI port
D) Drive activity lights
Hardware
C) SCSI port
The front-panel connectors on a motherboard include USB port connectors, audio port connectors, power button connectors, power light connectors, drive activity light connectors, and reset button connectors.
You need to configure an iPhone to connect to your company’s 802.11g network. You navigate to the Settings. What should you do NEXT?
A) Enable Airplane Mode.
B) Enable Wi-Fi.
C) Enable Personal Hotspot.
D) Enable Bluetooth.
Mobile Devices
B) Enable Wi-Fi.
You should enable Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi networks include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax.
A customer needs the wireless card replaced in his laptop. What must you be sure to disconnect or remove when replacing this card?
A) Keyboard
B) Antenna contacts
C) Memory
D) Optical drive
Mobile Devices
B) Antenna contacts
When replacing a wireless card from a laptop, you must be sure to disconnect the antenna contacts. You should reconnect them to the new wireless card once it is installed.
Depending on the laptop vendor, you may or may not have to remove the memory, optical drive, and keyboard. However, you will always have to disconnect the wireless antenna.
Antenna placement is also crucial when you are installing a new Wi-Fi router. Antenna placement will ensure that the wireless signal can reach all devices within the network and prevent dead zones within the premises. Additionally, when setting up antennas, you should take note of the type of connector that you are using to ensure proper and consistent wireless speeds and transmissions.
You are explaining to several new IT technicians the printing process for different types of printers. What does a dot matrix printer use to ensure that ink is transferred onto a piece of paper?
A) Print head pins
B) Electrostatic charges
C) Ink nozzles
D) Heat fuser
Hardware
A) Print head pins
What is the purpose of configuring printer availability on the Advanced tab of a printer’s Properties dialog box?
A) It configures the paper and print quality that is available.
B) It configures the users to whom the printer is available.
C) It configures the orientation that is available.
D) It configures the days and times that a printer is available.
Hardware
D) It configures the days and times that a printer is available.
When Kevin was hired, he inherited a box of different types of RAM. Which RAM would you ask him to set aside if you needed to increase the number of data wires available from 64 to 128?
A) Single-channel
B) Double-sided
C) Single-sided
D) Dual-channel
Hardware
D) Dual-channel
The dual-channel memory architecture increases the number of data wires available from 64 to 128. The triple-channel memory architecture increases the number of data wires to 192. The quad-channel memory architecture increases the number of data wires to 256. Single-channel architecture has 64 wires and has each RAM module run separately from the other installed RAM modules. Single-sided RAM has chips on one side of the RAM. Double-sided RAM has chips on both sides of the RAM.
Last year, your department replaced all of the desktop computers with laptops. Recently, your company adopted a new minimum standards policy that requires a memory upgrade for the majority of the new laptops. Which type(s) of memory could be installed in the new laptops? (Choose all that apply.)
A) SIMMS
B) So-DIMM
C) DIMMS
D) Micro-DIMM
E) RIMMS
F) CRIMMS
Mobile Devices
B) So-DIMM
D) Micro-DIMM
You need to remove several devices from a computer. For which type of device should you use the Safely Remove Hardware icon to stop the device’s operation before removing it from the computer?
A) Hard drive
B) CD-ROM drive
C) USB flash drive
D) DVD drive
Hardware
C) USB flash drive
Heidi’s laptop keyboard has gone bad and needs replacing. Which of the following tools will you most likely use to replace the keyboard?
A) Screwdriver
B) Three-claw part holder
C) Nut driver
D) Tweezers
Mobile Devices
A) Screwdriver
George is only familiar with VGA connectors for monitors. What should you tell him are the main differences between VGA and DVI connectors? (Choose all that apply.)
A) VGA connectors and cables carry analog signals, while DVI can carry both analog and digital signals.
B) DVI connectors are always white.
C) VGA and DVI video signals travel at different speeds.
D) VGA connectors are always blue.
E) VGA connectors provide a maximum output resolution of 1024 × 768.
Hardware
A) VGA connectors and cables carry analog signals, while DVI can carry both analog and digital signals.
C) VGA and DVI video signals travel at different speeds.
The main differences between VGA and DVI connectors are the speed in which video signal travels and the types of signal they carry. A standard VGA cable only carries analog signal, and its resolution is 2053 × 1536. Its signal conversions influence electrical noises, so the output is not comparable. Since DVI cables carry both analog and digital signals, they offer a cleaner, faster, and more precise display, with resolutions of 1920 × 1200. For cables that are 50 feet or longer, the resolution is limited to only 1280 × 1024.
You are providing consulting services for a client who plans to purchase a large number of printers that can print multipart forms. Which printer type should you advise him to consider?
A) Dot matrix
B) Thermal
C) Inkjet
D) Laser
Hardware
A) Dot matrix
Dot matrix printers can print multipart forms, often referred to as carbon copies, because the act of printing is accomplished by physically striking paper with a print head. Another impact printer, the daisy-wheel printer, can also be used for multipart forms. Inkjet, thermal, and laser printers cannot print on all layers of a multi-part form. A multi-part form has two or more sheets of paper per page, and only an impact printer can create an impression on the pages under the top page.
A new computer has been purchased that includes an integrated GPU. What is the primary purpose of this component?
A) Providing additional memory
B) Providing video capture capability
C) Processing video and graphics
D) Processing gaming applications
Hardware
C) Processing video and graphics
The primary purpose of an integrated Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is processing video and graphics.
You are teaching a class for new IT technicians. As part of the unit on central processing units (CPUs), you discuss the architecture used to build CPU sockets. Which architecture should you cover?
A) ATA
B) EIDE
C) PGA
D) CHS
Hardware
C) PGA
Today, CPU sockets are built on the Pin Grid Array (PGA) and Land Grid Array (LGA) architecture. Such CPU sockets can easily be identified by their square shape and white color. A CPU PGA socket is displayed in the image:
Christine has a motherboard with a Socket 1156 and has called you to see if a Socket 1150 CPU could be used in its place. What would you recommend that she do?
A) Upgrade the socket on the existing motherboard so it compatible with an LGA 1156.
B) Purchase a new motherboard that has an 1150 socket.
C) Replace the heat sink.
D) Replace the thermal paste and pins.
Hardware
B) Purchase a new motherboard that has an 1150 socket.
Intel motherboards with a Socket 1156, also known as Socket H, hold LGA Socket 1156 CPUs and have 1,156 pins. An 1156 socket is not compatible with LGA Socket 1150 (Socket H3), which has 1,150 pins and was compatible with 4th- and 5th-generation Core desktops and Xeon E3, v3, and v4 for servers. Therefore, you should recommend that she purchase a new motherboard that has an 1150 socket. Alternatively, you could recommend that she purchase a new CPU. If both choices are an option, determining which has the best value for the price would help you to determine what to do.
You are clearing the IT technician workspace for your company of any old or obsolete hardware. You have found several different types of RAM, including modules that use 168 pins. Which type of computer memory module uses 168 pins?
A) RDRAM
B) SIMM
C) SIPP
D) DIMM
E) DIPP
Hardware
D) DIMM
Dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) have 168 pins. Some DIMM designs have 72 or 144 pins. These are known as Small Outline DIMMs. Normally used in portable computers, they are often referred to as SODIMMs. DIMM modules are 8 bytes wide and transfer 8 bytes (64 bits) of data at a time. With DIMMs made of older SDRAM (synchronous DRAM) memory chips, the data is transferred once per clock cycle. However, with DDR SDRAM and DDR2 SDRAM, the data is transferred two times per clock cycle: once on the leading edge of the clock signal and again on the falling edge. This allows large amounts of data to be transferred per clock cycle. For example, in a Pentium 4 system with a front-side bus operating at 400 MHz, up to 6,400 MB of data is transferred to and from the DDR2-DIMMs per second. DDR SDRAM comes in 184-pin DIMMs.
You are replacing the toner cartridge for an old laser printer. You are concerned that several internal components are reaching their maximum age based on the printer’s page count, and you need to replace the parts. However, you also know that certain components are included with the toner cartridge. You do not want to replace any components that are included in the toner cartridge. Which components are normally included in the cartridge? (Choose all that apply.)
A) A transfer corona
B) Electrostatically charged toner
C) A photosensitive drum
D) A fuser
Hardware
B) Electrostatically charged toner
C) A photosensitive drum
Laser printer toner cartridges ordinarily contain a photosensitive drum and electrostatically charged toner, which is fused to paper during the printing process. To reduce maintenance costs, printer manufacturers typically incorporate laser printer components into replaceable toner cartridges.
A laser printer’s photosensitive drum has a cylindrical surface that laser light strikes. The light writes a path on the drum and leaves an electrical charge wherever it strikes the drum, eventually placing the image of an entire page on the drum. After a page of the document is completely replicated by the electric charge on the drum, the drum is rolled in toner, which is powdery ink consisting of plastic particles bonded to iron particles. The iron particles in the toner are sensitive to the electric charge, and therefore, adhere to the charged image of the document on the drum.
The printer’s fuser contains two rollers, which use heat and pressure at this point in the process to fuse the image onto the paper. After the document is printed, the electrical charge is removed from the drum and the excess toner is collected for reuse. A fuser can also be referred to as a fuser assembly.
The transfer corona applies an electric charge to printer paper with a polarity opposite to that of the toner particles to generate electrostatic attraction between the paper and the ink. Attractive electrostatic force then causes the toner to move from the drum to the paper. At this point, the toner is resting on the paper but still needs to be attached to the paper to create a permanent image.
Laser printer toner cartridges should only be purchased from the laser printer manufacturer to ensure highest quality printing and protect against printer malfunction. Recycled cartridges should be avoided. In addition, you should never attempt to refill a laser printer toner cartridge.
You are responsible for managing your research department’s network. This network uses RG6 coaxial cabling. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding this network?
A) Its signal quality is not as good as that of RG59 coaxial cable.
B) It should be used in situations that require lower frequencies than 50 MHz.
C) It does not have a foil shield.
D) It is thicker than RG59 coaxial cable.
Hardware
D) It is thicker than RG59 coaxial cable.
RG6 coaxial cable is thicker than RG59 coaxial cable.
None of the other statements is true regarding RG6 coaxial cable. RG6 cable should be used in situations that require the 50 MHz frequencies or higher. RG6 signal quality is better than the signal quality of RG59 cable. RG6 cable has a foil shield. RG59 cable should be used in situations that require lower frequencies than 50 MHz. RG59 is thinner than RG6 cable. RG59 does not have a foil shield. For both of these cable types, the maximum cable length is 185 meters, and the maximum transmission speed is 10 Megabits per second (Mbps).
Your repair center has received several laptops. Each has a different component that is not working properly. Which of the following components will most likely be replaced by a similar device on an external USB adapter, instead of an internal replacement?
A) Video card
B) Bluetooth module
C) Cellular card
D) DC jack
Mobile Devices
A) Video card
The video card is most likely to be replaced by a similar device that is not an internal component but rather attached with an external USB adapter. Video card replacement on a laptop is often not possible because the card is usually built into the motherboard. The best bet is to install an external graphics card though the USB port.
As compared to video card replacement in a laptop, Bluetooth module replacement is a relatively easy and inexpensive process, though there are several steps to get to where you can pull out the old one and install the new one.
As compared to video card replacement in a laptop, cellular card replacement is a relatively easy process. Some cellular cards can simply be plugged into a USB port. When purchasing a replacement, look for a wireless wide area networking (WWAN) card that has at minimum 4G and LTE capability. Follow the manufacturer’s disassembly steps to remove the old unit and replace it with the new one.
A DC jack cannot be plugged into an external USB adapter. The DC jack can be replaced on a laptop, but it is not easy. More often than not, the process involves de-soldering the broken jack from the motherboard, removing the broken jack, placing the new jack, and soldering it in place. Unless you have experience soldering, you would be better off to take it to a repair shop.
Your company has recently purchased computer hardware inventory so that its IT technicians can make custom computers for certain users. The processors that were purchased include the Hyper-Threading (HT) technology. Which benefit does this technology provide?
A) Uses two or more physical processors to function
B) Uses virtual processors to perform multitasking
C) Allows the resources to sit idle
D) Reduces workload capacity
Hardware
B) Uses virtual processors to perform multitasking
The Hyper-Threading (HT) technology in a processor provides the benefit of using a virtual processor to perform multitasking. A processor with HT enabled uses a single processor to create another virtual processor to simultaneously perform multiple tasks. A computer with HT enabled will virtually have two processors running. One processor is physically present in the computer, and another processor is a virtual processor. The HT capability of a processor allows the processor to perform multiple tasks without causing any delay by keeping multiple processes waiting in queue.
The HT technology in a processor does not reduce the workload capacity. HT technology increases the workload capacity of a processor by allowing the processor to multitask between processes.
The HT technology in a processor does not allow resources to sit idle. A processor with HT enabled can simultaneously handle multiple processes and execute them simultaneously. Therefore, the computer resources are used more efficiently, and the performance of the computer is improved.
The HT technology in a processor does not require two or more physical processors to function. The technology allows a single processor to act as two processors. One processor is the actual physical processor, and the other is a virtual processor that has been created for multitasking.
Abigail works in Europe. She has a laptop with a standard VGA port that she uses for presentations at client sites. When she gets to the United States, she realizes that the companies she’s presenting for all have HDMI displays and interfaces. What would you recommend she purchase for her travel bag as the most cost-effective solution?
A) Purchase a VGA-to-HDMI adapter.
B) Purchase a new laptop with both VGA and HDMI connectors.
C) Purchase a portable projector for VGA.
D) Purchase an HDMI-to-DVI cable.
Hardware
A) Purchase a VGA-to-HDMI adapter.
The best solution for Abigail is to purchase a VGA-to-HDMI adapter for her existing HDMI cable. While purchasing a new laptop with both VGA and HDMI connectors would be the ultimate solution, it is not the most cost effective.
You have to interconnect a notebook computer and a cell phone. The notebook computer supports Bluetooth, USB, FireWire, and IEEE 1284 connections. However, you do not have any cables to connect the two devices and do not want to purchase any. What should you do?
A) Enable FireWire technology on both the computer and the cell phone, and then connect the two.
B) Enable IEEE 1284 technology on both the computer and the cell phone, and then connect the two.
C) Enable Bluetooth technology on both the computer and the cell phone, and then connect the two.
D) Enable USB technology on both the computer and the cell phone, and then connect the two.
Mobile Devices
C) Enable Bluetooth technology on both the computer and the cell phone, and then connect the two.
The Bluetooth protocol operates at 2.4GHz in the same unlicensed ISM frequency band where RF protocols like ZigBee and WiFi also exist. There is a standardized set of rules and specifications that differentiates it from other protocols. If you have a few hours to kill and want to learn every nook and cranny of Bluetooth, check out the published specifications, otherwise here’s a quick overview of what makes Bluetooth special.
Masters, Slaves, and Piconets
Bluetooth networks (commonly referred to as piconets) use a master/slave model to control when and where devices can send data. In this model, a single master device can be connected to up to seven different slave devices. Any slave device in the piconet can only be connected to a single master.
Master/slave topology
Examples of Bluetooth master/slave piconet topologies.
The master coordinates communication throughout the piconet. It can send data to any of its slaves and request data from them as well. Slaves are only allowed to transmit to and receive from their master. They can’t talk to other slaves in the piconet.
You need to install a network that uses cable that can operate at up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). Which cabling should you use?
A) Cat6
B) Cat3
C) Cat5e
D) Cat5
Hardware
A) Cat6
Cat6 cable can operate at up to 10 Gbps in 55-meter segments. It is often referred to as Gigabit Ethernet. Cat6 UTP standards support up to 1,000 Mbps at 100-meter segments. Cat6a supports up to 10 Gbps and 250 MHz at 100-meter segments. Cat7, known as F type cabling, supports the same speed and length but up to 600 MHz.
Cat3 cable can operate at up to 10 Mbps.Cat5 cable can operate at up to 100 Mbps. Cat5e cable can operate at up to 1 Gbps. Cat5e networks can also be referred to as Gigabit Ethernet, but Gigabit Ethernet is more often used to refer to Cat6 networks.
Identify the memory slot(s) on the motherboard.
Hardware
Your company recently had to call in a service representative to repair a laser printer. During the service call, the representative explains that the laser printer’s charge or primary corona was having problems. What is the main purpose of this laser printer component?
A) To charge the paper
B) To coordinate the components to print a page
C) To write the image on the drum
D) To neutralize the charge on the paper
E) To apply a uniform negative charge to the photosensitive drum
F) To melt the toner into the paper
Hardware
E) To apply a uniform negative charge to the photosensitive drum
The purpose of the charge corona (called conditioning rollers in some laser printers) is to apply a uniform negative charge to the photosensitive particles on the surface of the imaging drum. It operates in tandem with the discharge lamp to essentially create a blank slate on which the laser can write. After the drum passes through the charge corona, an electrostatic image can be created on the imaging drum with the laser. Any areas on the imaging drum that the laser beam touches loses its electrostatic charge. These areas attract the charged toner as the drum rotates through the toner container, creating an electrostatic image on the drum.
As the drum continues to rotate, the toner particles on the drum come into very close proximity to the paper and are pulled onto it, because the paper is charged by the transfer corona wire. The paper then passes through a device (detac corona wire) that discharges the electrostatic charge on the paper, which keeps the paper from sticking to the drum. Finally, the paper passes through a fuser that heats the paper and bonds the plastic toner particles to it as the toner melts, creating the printed image.
As the paper exits the detac corona wire and fuser, the drum continues to rotate where it passes the discharge lamp, discharging the electrostatic charge on the drum. It then rotates to the primary corona, where the process begins again.
Your company has decided to make several computers that will be used for specialized functions. You have been tasked with assembling these computers. Management wants you to ensure that the computers will not experience any overheating issues. Which components are used to help with this? (Choose all that apply.)
A) Thermal compound
B) A fan
C) A heat sink
D) A ZIF socket
Hardware
A) Thermal compound
B) A fan
C) A heat sink
When installing processors, thermal compound, a heat sink, and a fan are used to help with overheating issues. If the processor is overheating, the computer will shut down after being on for a while. It can be powered back up after the processor has cooled. If shutdowns continue, you may need to consider replacing the heat sink or fan. Thermal compound used with a heat sink is a passive cooling system. Fans are active cooling systems because they require electricity to cool. Fans must operate at a certain RPM level or be replaced. Processor fans should never be removed permanently. While heat sinks are more common for CPUs, you can also purchase heat sinks for memory modules. You should avoid touching the copper piping on heat sinks because oil from the skin can decrease copper’s ability to conduct heat.
Your organizational policy requires that users sync their mobile devices with the cloud at least once a week. Which of the following types of data can be synchronized to the cloud?
A) calendar
B) documents
C) pictures
D) all of these
Mobile Devices
D) all of these
You were recently hired as an IT technician. The IT supervisor informs you that many of the desktop computers have Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) motherboards. Which of the following statements is TRUE for these computers?
A) The processor, memory, and expansion slots on an ATX motherboard are all in line with each other.
B) An ATX motherboard can support a maximum of seven expansion slots.
C) An ATX motherboard has a 12-pin power connector.
D) An ATX motherboard can support Extended Data Output (EDO) Random Access Memory (RAM).
Hardware
B) An ATX motherboard can support a maximum of seven expansion slots.
An Advanced Technology Extended (ATX) motherboard can support a maximum of seven expansion slots. ATX motherboards are generally an improvement over AT and baby AT motherboards and provide more space for expansion slots, such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), and Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) card slots.
An ATX motherboard supports a 20-pin power connector, which consists of a single connector that can only be connected in one way to the motherboard. A 12-pin power connector is supported on AT and baby AT motherboards, and is a combination of two 6-pin power connectors where the P8 and P9 pins are together. Therefore, you must ensure that the black wires are adjacent to each other while connecting a 12-pin power connector to the motherboard. The ATX power supply standard was developed to provide a better way to plug the power supply into the motherboard.
The processor, memory, and expansion slots are NOT in line with each other on an ATX motherboard. The memory slot on an ATX motherboard, also referred to as a RAM slot, is placed at a 90-degree angle to all expansion slots. The processor, memory, and expansion slots are oriented parallel to each other on AT and baby AT motherboards.
An ATX motherboard cannot support EDO RAM, which is considered obsolete. Micro-ATX, ITX, and Mini-ITX use the 20- or 24-pin power connectors. A 24-pin power connector is similar to the 20-pin power connector, except that it has four more pins. Whenever connecting different components to a motherboard, it is important to match connectors appropriately to ensure that everything is functioning properly. Depending on the device, different pin header connectors will be required.
A connector that you will need to be familiar with on a motherboard are Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) connectors. The SAS connector was developed for transferring data between storage. The goal of the SAS port was to have similar functions of a SATA port, but with the ability to support several hard drives simultaneously.
Which serial communication standards provide hot-swap capability? (Choose two.)
A) IEEE 1394
B) RS-232C
C) USB
D) PS/2
Hardware
A) IEEE 1394
C) USB
Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 are serial bus standards that allow hot swapping of devices. The term hot swapping, which is also known as hot plugging, refers to the ability to add or remove a device from the bus while the computer is turned on and operational. Older bus standards do not support this feature. Indeed, removing or adding a device while the computer is running can damage the device or the computer. For example, the ATX motherboard has two adjacent PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse connectors. If these connectors are reversed, the computer will usually beep and show an error message during the POST routine. If you unplug and reinsert the connectors while the computer is still turned on, you can cause a power surge through a connector and damage the motherboard. A typical response to an error message associated with such a connector reversal would be to press F1, but because the keyboard is connected to the mouse port, pressing this function key will have no effect.
Jack has several areas in the office where he needs to install cabling. He has coaxial cable on hand, and he would like to use splitters to connect the different computers and areas. If he runs multiple splitters, which effects should he anticipate? (Choose all that apply.)
A) More collisions
B) Service quality issues
C) Signal loss
D) Connection speed issues
E) Fewer collisions
Hardware
B) Service quality issues
C) Signal loss
D) Connection speed issues
If he runs multiple splitters, he should anticipate signal loss, connection speed issues, and service quality issues. You should advise him to have a certified cable installer install the splitters. No matter who installs the splitters, they should test signal strength and boost incoming signals from the outside or provide the correct type of amplified splitter.
Adding a splitter should not affect the number of collisions on the network. There should not be more or fewer collisions as a result of this change.
Splitters are devices that take two or more signals of the same frequency range and reassembles the signals from multiple signal sources. Splitters are meant to extend cables on networks.
Latency is a term that means “delay.” Latency is rated on how long it takes for a packet to get from one location to the other. You often hear more about latency with RAM, but in this case, running multiple splitters would affect each splitter’s ability to spread the signal.
Splitters can be an inexpensive way to extend your network. There are passive and active splitters, as well as amplified splitters. Some devices like TVs have different ports, so a splitter would have to be purchased according to the type of TV port. If you are trying to install splitters yourself, make sure you have enough knowledge to test the speed of your unsplit connection using a free online tester before you start, and then test it again after you split the signal.
Another option besides installing splitters would be to run longer coaxial cables to prevent signal loss.
If you try to use a splitter on Ethernet networks, it would dramatically reduce the signal, and therefore, is not recommended. This splitter effect applies to coaxial cable types as well.
You have noticed dust, debris, and toner particles inside a laser printer. You need to vacuum the inside of the laser printer. What should you do first?
A) Remove excess toner with a damp cloth.
B) Remove the toner cartridge.
C) Remove the roller blade.
D) Remove the photosensitive drum.
Hardware
B) Remove the toner cartridge.
You should remove the toner cartridge first. If you do not, you may have a larger mess than when you started. Using a damp cloth would be a mistake since the water can mix with the toner, again causing a larger mess than the one you started with.
You are setting up a network for a new company. Management is primarily concerned with EMI or signal capture. Which network medium is the least susceptible to these issues?
A) Fiber optic
B) Unshielded twisted-pair
C) Coaxial
D) Shielded twisted-pair
Hardware
A) Fiber optic
Fiber optic cable carries its signals in the form of modulated pulses of light. Because fiber optic cables use light pulses rather than electric signals, it is virtually impossible to intercept the signal on a fiber optic cable without interrupting it, and therefore, being detected. In addition, fiber optic cable is not susceptible to electromagnetic interference (EMI). It can span distances of up to two kilometers, or 2,000 meters (6,562 feet) and transmit data at a rate in excess of 100 Mbps. However, fiber optic cable is the most expensive type of networking cable.
The following table presents a comparison of network media:
You are showing a new IT technician how to install portable computer components. You want to demonstrate which devices can be removed and reinstalled without using screws or disassembling the computer. Which device satisfies this requirement?
A) Hard drive
B) Processor
C) Memory
D) Battery
Mobile Devices
D) Battery
The battery can be removed and re-installed without using screws or disassembling the portable computer in any way. You can “pop out” the old battery and “pop in” the new one by using a slider button on the bottom (or underside) of the computer.
The memory, hard drive, and processor are usually located inside the notebook, and accessing them will require some disassembly or the removal of screws. Memory for portable computers is usually located under the keyboard. Therefore, the keyboard must be removed to replace the memory. The processor is accessed in a similar manner. The hard drive is usually attached with screws to the bottom of the computer’s case.
Objective:
A user is considering purchasing a printer capable of 1,200 dpi. What does this indicate?
A) Print speed
B) Power capability
C) Print resolution
D) Communication speed
Hardware
C) Print resolution
You are repairing a computer that contains two processor cores in a single processor package. Which processor technology provides this?
A) i5 technology
B) Hyper-Threading technology
C) Dual-core technology
D) CPU throttle technology
E) MMX technology
Hardware
C) Dual-core technology
Dual-core technology contains two processor cores in a single processor package and provides almost of all the advantages of a multi-processor computer. Dual-core technology was introduced by both AMD and Intel in 2005. Dual-core processors are 32-bit processors that can run in 64-bit mode. A single-core processor contains a single processor core. A CPU chip that has an x86 architecture refers to a 32-bit CPU, whereas an x64 architecture refers to a 64-bit CPU. The biggest difference in these two types of CPUs is the amount of RAM they can access. The 32-bit CPU has a limited amount of maximum physical memory capped at 4 GBs where the 64-bit CPU can handle 8-32 GBs of memory.
Another element of CPU architecture that you will need to be familiar with for the A+ exam is Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) architecture. ARM is a family of Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architectures for computer processors. ARM processors are designed to be low cost, use minimal power, and generate less heat, making them highly desirable for mobile devices, such as smartphones and laptops, and for other embedded systems.
The dual-core technology is different from Hyper-Threading (HT) technology because HT technology does not contain two processor cores in a single processor package. The HT technology allows a single processor to handle two independent sets of instructions at the same time. HT technology converts a single physical processor into two virtual processors. CPU throttling is a feature that protects a CPU from heat damage. When a CPU is not cooled properly and the temperature of the CPU becomes very high, the CPU throttle technology slows down the clock rate on the CPU to prevent further overheating and damage. The CPU throttling technology also causes the system to operate at a lower speed. For example, if the actual speed of the CPU is 1 GHz, after throttling down the clock rate, the CPU might show only 500 MHz. CPU throttling does not contain two processor cores in a single processor package.
MMX technology was introduced in the fifth-generation Pentium processors to improve video compression/decompression, image manipulation, encryption, and I/O processing. MMX technology does not contain two processor cores in a single processor package.
Quad-core technology resembles dual-core technology, except quad-core technology has four integrated processing units instead of two. Multi-core technology is similar to quad-core and dual-core, but offers a varying number of cores. All of these technologies are designed for multithreaded applications. The newer quad core CPUs, i7 and i9, greatly surpass the on-screen delivery methods of the previous dual-core technology and are preferred for gaming computers. The reason a quad core and above is faster than a dual core is due to its ability to use a single CPU out of the four cores available. The registers inside the CPU are quickly and constantly exchanging data with the address bus and L2 cache. Business users and high-end power users performing multiple tasks like video editing will want to purchase a multi-core processor with a fast clock speed that supports multi- or hyper-threading. The bottom line is you should always encourage users to put more money in their CPU, which is harder to replace down the road.
You have been hired as an IT technician. You have been given a laptop computer that has the following video ports:
You need to identify the ports shown. Match each video port on the left with the appropriate exhibit name on the right.
Hardware
The exhibits should be matched up as follows:
Exhibit A – VGA port
Exhibit B – HDMI port
Exhibit C – S-Video port
Exhibit D – DVI port
Match the connectors on the left to the cable types on the right.
SC
BNC
RJ-45
Hardware
BNC – coaxial cable
SC – fiber optic cable
RJ-45 – twisted-pair cable
Coaxial cable can also use an F connector. Fiber-optic cable can also use an ST or LC connector. Twisted-pair cable can also use an RJ-11 connector. For twisted-pair cable, an RJ-11 connector is used in telephone deployments, and an RJ-45 connector is used in network deployments.
You have several different RAM modules that you can use in a new computer. You need to ensure that the fastest memory is used. Which speed denotes the fastest memory?
A) 8 ns
B) 10 ns
C) 60 ns
D) 7 ns
Hardware
D) 7 ns
Memory access speed is sometimes expressed in terms of access time. Access time measures, in nanoseconds (ns), the amount of time from when the memory module receives a data request to the time when that data becomes available. The smaller the number, the less time it takes to access data in the memory.
You are using a color inkjet printer. You print an image containing multiple colors. However, colors in the printed document are not the same as those displayed on the monitor. You want to ensure that printed documents contain the same colors as displayed on your monitor. What should you do?
A) Install a new color cartridge in the printer.
B) Calibrate the printer.
C) Remove the color cartridge of the printer, shake it, and replace in the printer.
D) Change the screen resolution of your computer to 800 × 600 pixels.
Hardware
B) Calibrate the printer.
You should calibrate the printer to ensure that printed documents contain the same color as those displayed on your monitor. When colors of an image are different on your monitor than the printed output of the image, the first step is to calibrate your monitor. The next step is to calibrate your printer, which can be done by using the printer software. For an inkjet printer, you should also perform the following routine maintenance: clean the print heads, replace the cartridges, and clear paper jams.
Your company is implementing a new application that will be deployed on mobile devices. Authentication within the application includes the client authenticating with the server and the server authenticating with the client. What type of authentication is this?
A) single sign-on
B) multifactor authentication
C) mutual authentication
D) biometric authentication
Mobile Devices
C) mutual authentication
Authentication where the client authenticates the server and server authenticates the client is known as mutual authentication. Most authentication relies on the client authentication but does not include server authentication.
Multifactor authentication requires the user to provide two pieces of information from what they know (username/password), what a user has (a security token or badge), who the user is (biometrics), or where the user is (location). It takes at least one factor from two of those categories to be multifactor authentication. Two factors from within the same category, such as username and password, are considered single factor authentication.
Single sign-on allows a user to use a single login and authentication to access multiple systems and applications.
Biometric authentication requires some type of biological identification, such as fingerprints, retinal scans, iris scan, or voiceprints.
Both Android and iOS devices support mutual authentication for multiple services, typically using SSL. One of the challenges of using this authentication for mobile devices is their relative lack of processing power when compared with desktop and laptop systems.
You are connecting a video display wall that will use two 4K monitors. Which would be the best type of cable to transfer the video signal from the Windows 10 desktop source to the monitors?
A) Thunderbolt
B) Serial
C) Lightning
D) USB
Hardware
A) Thunderbolt
Thunderbolt-3 cables can provide the bandwidth to support 4K monitors, up to 40 Gbps. Thunderbolt-3 includes a USB-C connection. Including this connection allows the cable to be used with other USB-C compatible devices. Thunderbolt also allows “daisy-chaining” devices, making it an ideal choice for video display walls that use multiple monitors. Although Thunderbolt cables were developed by Apple, many Windows computers have Thunderbolt-compatible ports.
The Lightning cable replaced Apple’s 30-pin charging cable in 2012. It is used to recharge iPhones beginning with the iPhone 5, and is still used with the latest generation of iPhone devices. The cable has the charging connector on one end, and a standard USB-A connector on the opposite end. The USB connector provides the associated device the flexibility to connect with anything that has a USB port. Lighting cables transfer at USB 3.0 speeds of 5 Gbps and feature an 8-pin connector that can be inserted in either direction (meaning there is no top or bottom to this connector). Lightning cables are proprietary to Apple devices.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) cables were introduced in the late 1990s as replacements for parallel and serial connections. USB has gone through several evolutions, the most recent version being USB 3.1/USB-C. Each new version has provided improvements in data transfer speeds.
The USB types and their associated transfer rates are as follows:
USB 1.0 – 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps)
USB 1.1 – 12 Mbps
USB 2.0 – 480 Mbps
USB 3.0 – 5 gigabits per second (Gbps)
USB 3.1 – 10 Gbps
Susan has just been hired as your new tech support. You are explaining different RAM types to her. Which random access memory (RAM) technology would you tell him fetches 4 bits of data per clock cycle and uses 1.8 V to operate?
A) DDR2 SDRAM
B) SGRAM
C) DDR3 SDRAM
D) SDRAM
Hardware
A) DDR2 SDRAM
DDR2 SDRAM uses differential pairs of signal wires to allow faster signaling without noise and interference problems to achieve higher throughput. DDR2 SDRAM uses 1.8 V to operate and fetches 4 bits of data per clock cycle instead of 2 bits as with DDR SDRAM. DDR2 chips typically use Fine Pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) packaging rather than the Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP) chip packaging used by most DDR and conventional SDRAM chips.
The Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) is a type of DRAM that is designed to run in synchronization with the memory bus. A high-speed clocked interface is used by SDRAM to deliver information in very high-speed bursts. SDRAM is used primarily in older AGP 2x/4x low-end video cards and chipsets. SDRAM does not transfer 4 bits of data per clock cycle and uses 1.8 V to operate.
The Synchronous Graphics RAM (SGRAM) is similar to SDRAM in its capability to be synchronized with high-speed buses up to 200 MHz. Unlike SDRAM, SGRAM includes circuitry to perform block writes to increase the speed of graphics fill or 3D Z-buffer operations. SGRAM does not transfer 4 bits of data per clock cycle and uses 1.8 V to operate.
The Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM) is a RAM standard created by JEDEC. DDR SDRAM is the most common video RAM technology found on recent video cards. DDR SDRAM is designed to transfer data at speeds twice that of conventional SDRAM by transferring 2 bits of data per clock cycle, once at the falling edge and once at the rising edge of the cycle. DDR uses 2.5 V to operate.
DDR3 SDRAM is faster than DDR2. It has the ability to transfer data at eight times the speed of its memory cells, which in essence allows for faster bus speeds and peak throughput. It comes in 512-MB to 8-GB sticks and enables a maximum memory module of 16 GB using 1.5 volts. DIMMs are 240-pin size, which is the same as DDR2, but they are electronically incompatible with DDR2 because of the key notch location.
DDR4 SDRAM increases latency and speed for quicker transfers, but it only provides a 2% performance increase over DDR3. The most recent edition to release is DDR5. DDR5 addressed many of the issues found with DDR4 by reducing power consumption while still managing to increase bandwidth with up to a possible 4.8 gigabits per second.
When installing all types of DDR SDRAM, you need to ensure that the memory is installed in matching pairs in marked matching slots.
After performing several upgrades on a computer, the user reports that he is having trouble with an overheating problem. You want to make recommendations to help prevent the computer from overheating during use. What should you recommend?
A) Apply a higher voltage to the cooling fans.
B) Use an installed video card rather than a built-in video chip on the system board.
C) Use a blank-screen screen saver.
D) Keep the computer cover closed and secured.
Hardware
D) Keep the computer cover closed and secured.
Keeping the computer cover closed and secured helps prevent a computer from overheating because the closed case maintains the desired airflow cooling circulation pattern through the computer. The computer case, or enclosure, is the box that contains the components of a computer. The case provides a chassis to which components are attached, an electrical ground through the power supply’s power cable, and a cover that isolates the inside components from the outside world.
Heat is produced by all devices and components that use electricity, and nondissipated heat often leads to either temporary or permanent component failure. To dissipate the heat, computers are equipped with one or more cooling fans. The fans provide a convection current of air through vents in the case. Typically, cool air enters the front of the case, flows across the system board and expansion cards and through the power supply, and then is discharged out the rear of the case. The power supply fan provides the motive force for this process, and sometimes an additional intake fan is provided at the inlet vent.
In a well-designed system, the air stream establishes a circulation pattern that provides optimal cooling. A computer should also have slot covers in place for unused expansion slots. Heat production can be decreased by enabling reduced power modes when the computer is idle for extended periods, and heat dissipation can be increased by adding additional fans within the case.
The use of a screen saver will affect only the monitor and not the computer itself. The voltage applied to cooling fans is not a user-adjustable variable. Every added device will increase the amount of heat generated within the case, so installing and using a video card will not help prevent overheating.
You have a network that uses single-mode fiber optic cable. What is the transmission distance supported by this network?
A) Approximately 20 miles
B) Approximately 3,000 feet
C) Approximately 50 feet
D) Approximately 74 miles
Hardware
A) Approximately 20 miles
You work in a customer call center. Martin is on the phone asking about the difference between solid-state drives (SSDs), hybrids, and magnetic hard drives for his laptop. He is only going to be web surfing, emailing, and creating documents. Which hard drive would provide the best performance and reliability?
A) Hybrid
B) Magnetic hard drive
C) eSata external drive
D) Solid-state drive (SSD)
Mobile Devices
D) Solid-state drive (SSD)
A solid-state drive (SSD) is the best option for this scenario. These drives are not as fragile as magnetic hard drives because they do not use a read/write assembly, they do not have any moving parts, and they are resistant to shock. When in operation, SSDs are silent. Solid-state drives are faster, more reliable, and require less power than magnetic drives. However, SSDs have limited storage space compared with traditional hard drives.
There are hybrid and eMMC versions of SSDs that work mainly in portables. They are used for testing purposes when troubleshooting hard drive failures due to their SATA port compatibility. Hybrid drives are a combination of a hard drive with some moving parts and a true SSD, which is basically flash memory. The data is stored differently but serves the same purpose by giving users a performance like an SSD would provide. A hybrid would not be the solution here because an SSD would provide better performance and reliability.
Magnetic hard drives are very affordable but crash more easily than solid-state drives due to the way they are manufactured. For years, they were extremely popular and reliable, unless they were damaged. Then, the only way they could be repaired was to format (completely erase the data) and repartition them. The reason they are so fragile is because they have read/write heads that move across magnetic platters. They are easy to scratch and break.
eSata drives are SSDs that have to be connected externally. They are great for backing up and storing data off site, but they are not used for internal storage. They also do not perform as efficiently as internal SSDs.
Data migration is a critical step in the process of replacing any hard drive. Data migration is the process of selecting, preparing, extracting, and transferring data from one storage device to another. The two goals of data migration are to ensure that no data is lost or left behind, and that no unauthorized parties can access the data during the transfer. Third-party software programs are available to ensure safe and secure migration.
Laptops use either 1.8-inch or 2.5-inch hard drives. The 2.5-inch drives are more popular and less costly. The 1.8-inch drives weigh less and are more power efficient. In most cases, the 2.5-inch drives offer better performance because they have larger caches and higher rotation speeds. The 1.8-inch drives are most often use in ultra-portable laptops, iPads, and other mobile devices, while the 2.5-inch drives are used in traditional laptops. To replace a hard drive in a laptop or mobile device, consult the vendor documentation regarding the location of the drive. In most cases, you either need to remove the bottom or the back of the case or keyboard. You also may need to install optical drives in a mobile device. In most cases, this will involve removing the old one and replacing it with the new one. To remove the old optical drive, you usually have to remove it via the bottom of the case. Some mobile devices may have a smart card reader. In most cases, these are simply attached to an external port on the mobile device. However, if the smart card reader is integrated into the device, you will need to consult the laptop or mobile device’s manufacturer documentation to determine how best to remove the smart card reader.
An instructor is describing a component that is always located on the CPU and accelerates the processing of instructions. Which component is being discussed?
A) The address bus
B) The heat sink
C) The L2 cache
D) The L1 cache
Hardware
D) The L1 cache
The central processing unit (CPU) uses cache memory to accelerate the processing of instructions and data. CPUs have contained cache memory as part of the chip architecture since the introduction of the 486; this cache memory is known as Level 1 (L1) cache, or internal cache. The amount of L1 cache is fixed because it is located on the processor itself. The L1 cache operates at the same speed as the processor. Some processors have two L1 caches; one cache stores instructions, and the other cache stores data.
A secondary cache, or Level 2 (L2) cache, is also included on most computers. The L2 cache is frequently located on the motherboard, although it can be adjacent to or included on the CPU as part of the chip package. When the L2 cache is on the motherboard, its size can often be increased. The L2 cache can be enabled or disabled from within the complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) setup program. Both the L1 cache and the L2 cache use static random access memory (SRAM), which can operate at faster clock speeds than other types of RAM. The term cache refers to the use of memory as a temporary storage site for instructions or data that the CPU can access immediately. The term buffer is also used to describe temporary data storage. Without a cache to store information, the CPU might have to wait through one or more clock cycles for the information to be provided by the computer’s dynamic random-access memory (DRAM).
A heat sink is mounted on a CPU to help cool the chip. Without a heat sink, the CPU is subject to overheating and failure. However, the heat sink does not take part in the processing of data. Thermal grease, or thermal compound, should be applied to the heat sink before mounting it on the CPU. The thermal grease acts as a conductor between the CPU and heat sink to ensure that temperature passes from the CPU to the heat sink. If a CPU malfunctions due to overheating, you should ensure that the thermal compound and heat sink have been applied to the CPU. A CPU is possibly overheating if the computer shuts down a few minutes after starting.
The address bus provides a conduit through which the CPU communicates with the DRAM. The address bus provides a parallel connection to the memory locations, and a wide bus allows faster communication than a narrow bus. However, the bus does not accelerate calculations made by the CPU.
You work for your company’s IT help desk. A customer named Sam asks you how to get his iPhone to wirelessly play louder. He also indicates that sometimes, he wants to play his iPhone through his laptop’s speakers. Which two options should you recommend? (Choose two.)
A) A USB-to-Bluetooth dongle
B) A USB-to-Wi-Fi dongle
C) A USB C cable
D) Bluetooth speakers
E) A wired speaker with a USB cable
Mobile Devices
A) A USB-to-Bluetooth dongle
D) Bluetooth speakers
You should recommend that he purchase a USB-to-Bluetooth dongle or Bluetooth speakers. The USB-to-Bluetooth dongle would insert into a USB port in the laptop and give it a Bluetooth connection through which the iPhone can connect. The Bluetooth speakers could pair directly to his iPhone to provide enhanced sound. Bluetooth speakers can currently be paired to only one device, and they must stay within range of the paired iPhone or iPad to operate.
Wired speakers will work, but do not provide a wireless connection. USB-to-Wi-Fi dongles allow devices to connect to wireless networks. A USB C cable would not provide a wireless connection.
If you have a Bluetooth-enabled wireless adapter in your computer, you can pair it with an iPhone without a USB dongle. To connect (pair) a Bluetooth device with a mobile device (such as an Android or iPhone) or a Bluetooth-enabled computer, follow these steps:
Enable (turn on) Bluetooth services in the mobile device settings or the computer’s system settings.
Power on the Bluetooth device and hold down the connection button until it blinks.
Follow the dialog on the mobile device or computer to pair (link) with the Bluetooth device. If necessary, enter a pairing PIN to verify you are linking a known device.
To unpair, have the mobile device or computer “forget” the connection in the Bluetooth settings.
After successful pairing, the Bluetooth connection should be remembered in the device settings and can be toggled on or off. To pair a mobile phone with a car via Bluetooth, follow the instructions on the car’s info panel and enter a PIN on the mobile phone to verify the connection.
You are teaching a class on computer hardware to new IT technicians. You are discussing the component on an Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX) motherboard that supports communication between the central processing unit (CPU) and random access memory (RAM). Which component provides this functionality?
A) Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) interface
B) Northbridge chip
C) Firmware
D) Southbridge chip
Hardware
B) Northbridge chip
The Northbridge chip (also referred to as the north bridge) supports communication between the RAM and the CPU. It also supports the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, the Level2 cache, and the Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) port. It provides communication to higher speed devices than the south bridge chip.
The Southbridge chip (also referred to as the south bridge) supports slower devices, such as expansion slots, Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) drives, Parallel ATA drives, and USB ports. It handles all input/output (I/O) functions.
The ATA interface is used to connect storage devices to the motherboard, such as CD-ROM drives and hard disks.
Firmware is a software program that stores a set of programming instructions in read-only memory to control the desired device functionality.
You are trying to help your customer connect a Universal Serial Bus (USB) 3.0 printer to her laptop and desktop computer. The laptop computer has only USB 1.1 ports and PCIe slots available. What would be the most logical and affordable option to recommend to her?
A) Purchase a newer laptop with USB 2.0 ports.
B) Replace all USB 1.1 ports with USB 3.0 hubs.
C) Purchase another printer that supports USB 2.0.
D) Purchase another printer that supports USB 1.1.
E) Install a USB 3.0 card in the PCIe slot
Hardware
E) Install a USB 3.0 card in the PCIe slot
You can purchase an inexpensive USB 3.0 PCIe card and install it into the PCI Express slot. Newer-model laptops will usually have two to four port USB 3.0 Express Card Adapter cards that can easily plug into the PCIe slot located on the side of the laptop. To connect a USB printer to a computer or laptop, you will need to install the USB A (female) type connector into the computer port and the USB B (male) type connector or side into the printer or peripheral itself.
A USB C (male) type connector has a reversible/symmetrical design and can be plugged into any USB C device using either end. USB C is compatible with 1.1 to 3.1 and can be used with the micro B USB cables as well.
Both Type A and Type B USB ports have a micro and mini version. Micro A USB is smaller than mini A USB, and micro B USB is smaller than mini B USB.
The USB 1.1 standard allows a maximum transfer rate of 12 Mbps. The USB 2.0 standard supports data transfers of up to 480 Mbps. All USB cables have two wires that carry data and two wires that supply low-voltage power. USB 3.0, the newest USB standard, supports data transfers of up to 5 Gbps. The maximum cable length for USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 is 5 meters. While the USB 3.0 standard does not define a cable maximum, you should limit your cable length because the signal degrades over the cable media due to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
You should not purchase a newer laptop with USB 2.0 ports, purchase another printer, or replace all USB 1.1 ports with USB 3.0 hubs. The most affordable option is to purchase an adapter card. Also, depending on the manufacturer, you may not be able to replace the ports on the laptop without replacing other hardware, such as the motherboard.
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394a, which is also known as FireWire400, supports 400 Mbps transfer rates in the IEEE 1394 standard and up to 800 Mbps in the IEEE 1394b standard. IEEE 1394b is often referred to as FireWire800. A FireWire device can either use a hub or be daisy-chained to the connector. FireWire supports a maximum of 63 devices. Each cable in a FireWire400 daisy chain has a maximum length of 4.5 meters.
An instructor is explaining a technology that allows a central processing unit (CPU) to execute two separate instructions concurrently. Which technology provides this functionality?
A) Hyper-threading
B) Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA)
C) Hyper-V
D) Network Access Protection (NAP)
Hardware
A) Hyper-threading
Hyper-Threading (HT) technology allows a CPU to execute multiple instructions at the same time. This option is enabled by default. You can disable or enable Hyper-threading from the system basic input/output system (BIOS) setup program.
Network Access Protection (NAP) ensures that computers on a network comply with system health requirements for access and communication, such as being updated with the latest antivirus definitions. NAP is based on policies configured on a Windows Server computer.
Hyper-V is a hardware virtualization feature of Windows operating systems. It provides server virtualization, allowing you to configure virtual machines (VMs). It also allows you to run non-Windows and legacy Windows software and applications.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) is a computer bus primarily designed for the transfer of data between a computer and mass storage devices.
You have a desktop computer that supports both IEEE 1394 and USB 2.0. You are purchasing some devices that will connect to these ports. Which characteristic distinguishes the two ports?
A) USB supports more devices on a single bus.
B) Only USB supports hot swapping.
C) IEEE 1394 supports more devices on a single bus.
D) Only IEEE 1394 supports hot swapping.
Hardware
A) USB supports more devices on a single bus.
The Universal Serial Bus (USB) 2.0 standard supports up to 127 devices on a single bus, whereas the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 standard supports up to 63 devices on a single bus. The USB 2.0 standard allows data transfer rates of up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps) and the IEEE 1394 standard allows data transfer rates of 400 Mbps. A newer version of this standard, known as IEEE 1394b, allows data transfer rates of 800 Mbps. For comparison, a standard RS-232C serial interface, such as would be used by a dial-up modem, supports a maximum data transfer rates of only 115 kilobits per second (Kbps).
The IEEE 1394 and USB standards provide support for hot swapping, which allows users to add and remove devices, and use newly attached devices immediately without needing to restart their computers. Plug and Play (PnP) operating systems can interact with both buses. When a device is attached to a USB or IEEE 1394 bus, a PnP operating system should recognize the hot-swappable device and make it available immediately. If the device is new, the operating system will automatically attempt to install a driver without user intervention; if no driver is found, the user will be prompted for a driver file location.
Apple refers to IEEE 1394 as FireWire.
If you were explaining to your company’s IT personnel the difference between their old hard drive technology and newer solid state drives, which statement would be FALSE?
A) They are not as fragile as magnetic hard drives.
B) They do not require an external power source.
C) They use a read/write assembly.
D) They are silent when in operation.
Hardware
C) They use a read/write assembly.
Solid state drives or SSD do NOT use a read/write assembly. A solid state drive does not have any moving parts. They are not as fragile as magnetic hard drives because they do not have any moving parts and are resistant to shock. When in operation, solid state drives are silent. Solid state drives are faster, more reliable, and require less power than magnetic drives.
Solid state drives do NOT require an external power source. They pull electrical current for operation from the USB drive. Serial ATA (SATA) solid state drives do require electricity by plugging into the power supply.
Flash drives are solid state drives. IDE hard drives, CD-ROM drives, DVD drives, and tape drives are all considered magnetic media. For some time now, tape drives have been the primary means of offsite storage of data backups. More companies are moving toward optical media and drives for backup storage. There are hybrid and embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) versions of solid state drives (SSDs) that work mainly in portable devices, but are also used to troubleshoot hard drive failures due to their SATA port compatibility. Hybrid drives are a combination of a hard drive with some moving parts and a true SSD, which is basically flash memory. The data is stored differently, but serves the same purpose by giving users a performance like an SSD. SSD cards are preferred over eMMC cards.
Which type of communication is an HDMI port and cable designed to transmit?
A) Data only
B) Audio only
C) Both video and audio
D) Video only
Hardware
C) Both video and audio
Identify the Northbridge chip on the motherboard by clicking the appropriate area.
Hardware
In the exhibit given, the Northbridge chip is located between the PCI and PCI-E expansion slots and the CPU socket.
You are creating a crossover cable. You know that each end of the crossover cable must be configured differently. Which pins contain the Blue wire?
A) Pin 6/Pin 2
B) Pin 4/Pin 4
C) Pin 3/Pin 1
D) Pin 5/Pin 5
Hardware
B) Pin 4/Pin 4
In a crossover cable, the Blue wire should be in Pin 4 at both ends of the cable. Basically, a crossover cable is wired for the 568A specification at one end and the 568B specification at the other end.
The wiring scheme for a crossover cable is shown here:
Pin 1 (End 1) – Orange/White Pin 1 (End 2) – Green/White
Pin 2 (End 1) – Orange Pin 2 (End 2) – Green
Pin 3 (End 1) – Green/White Pin 3 (End 2) – Orange/White
Pin 4 (End 1) – Blue Pin 4 (End 2) – Blue
Pin 5 (End 1) – Blue/White Pin 5 (End 2) – Blue/White
Pin 6 (End 1) – Green Pin 6 (End 2) – Orange
Pin 7 (End 1) – Brown/White Pin 7 (End 2) – Brown/White
Pin 8 (End 1) – Brown Pin 8 (End 2) – Brown
Communication over a crossover cable only occurs over Pin 1, 2, 3, and 6. A crossover cable is an OSI Physical layer (Layer 1) device.
A T1 crossover cable is a special crossover cable that is used to connect a PBX to another PBX. To create a T1 crossover cable, the ends should be configured in the following manner:
Pin 1 (End 1) – Orange/White Pin 1 (End 2) – Blue
Pin 2 (End 1) – Orange Pin 2 (End 2) – Blue/White
Pin 3 (End 1) – Green/White Pin 3 (End 2) – Green/White
Pin 4 (End 1) – Blue Pin 4 (End 2) – Orange/White
Pin 5 (End 1) – Blue/White Pin 5 (End 2) – Orange
Pin 6 (End 1) – Green Pin 6 (End 2) – Green
Pin 7 (End 1) – Brown/White Pin 7 (End 2) – Brown/White
Pin 8 (End 1) – Brown Pin 8 (End 2) – Brown
A customer brings you a computer that he wants to upgrade to SATA drives. Currently, all the drives in the system are EIDE drives. What should you do first?
A) Install the new SATA drive, and use jumpers on the system board to configure the new disk as a master.
B) Make sure that the motherboard will support SATA drives.
C) Disable the floppy drive, remove it, and install a second SATA drive in that bay.
D) Install an SSD drive and configure it manually.
Hardware
B) Make sure that the motherboard will support SATA drives.
Most motherboards come with two to six internal SATA ports, and occasionally, an external SATA (eSATA) port. However, older motherboards may not have a SATA port, so your first step would be to check whether SATA ports are available on the motherboard. If a SATA port is available, the next step would be to make sure the data on the EIDE drives is backed up and that empty bays are available. Finally, you would remove the old drive, install the new drives, and restore the backups on the new SATA drives. SATA drives are much faster than EIDE drives and have no moving parts, so that makes it a logical choice for installing locally. You should not first install the new SATA drive and use jumpers on the system board to configure the new disk as a master. You should first check that the motherboard has SATA ports available. You can install an eSATA card in your computer to expand the functionality to support eSATA.
While installing an SSD drive and configuring it manually sounds like the logical choice, it’s not the first step. You should always check the motherboard manual and the physical ports available to see if this would even work. Disabling the floppy drive and installing a second SATA drive in that bay is okay for experts but not beginners. It’s not highly recommended because you need to have a lot of experience in BIOS and make sure that your power supply has SATA plugs available. In addition, you would still need to make sure that the motherboard supports SATA.
You are responsible for performing all routine maintenance on your company’s laser printers. Which of the following maintenance tasks would result in the need to reset the page count?
A) Calibrating the printer
B) Cleaning the printer
C) Installing the maintenance kit
D) Replacing the toner
Hardware
A) Calibrating the printer
You should only reset the page count when you install the maintenance kit. The maintenance kit may include a new fuser as well as new rollers and pads. Maintenance kits need to be installed when a printer reaches a certain print threshold number. Resetting the count will ensure that you will be reminded after a certain number of pages have been printed.
None of the other routine maintenance tasks will require that you reset the page count. Printer toner is a hazardous product. When you replace the toner, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for disposal. Disposal may often involve shipping the used toner cartridge back to the manufacturer.
Calibrating a printer ensures that text is aligned properly and colors are accurate. Cleaning the printer involves removing all dust and debris from the printer. Any routine maintenance should be performed only when the printer has had time to cool because some parts can become extremely hot. In addition, make sure the printer is totally disconnected from power.
Examine the graphic:
Which device uses the connector shown in this exhibit?
A) Printer
B) Hard drive
C) Mouse
D) Monitor
Hardware
D) Monitor
The connector shown in the exhibit is used by a monitor or video device. The pictured connector is called a Digital Visual Interface (DVI)-D dual-link connector and is used by many LCD flat-panel monitors.
None of the other listed devices uses this connector.
After contacting a mobile device provider with an issue, the provider asks you to provide them with the IMEI and IMSI. What is the difference between IMEI and IMSI?
A) IMEI is the serial number for the mobile device, and IMSI is the number assigned to the SIM card.
B) IMEI is an iPhone serial number, and IMSI is an Android serial number.
C) IMEI is the serial number for the SIM card, and IMSI is the number assigned to the phone.
D) The phone number is a component of IMEI, but not a component of IMSI.
Mobile Devices
A) IMEI is the serial number for the mobile device, and IMSI is the number assigned to the SIM card.
International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is the serial number for the mobile device, and International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is the number assigned to the SIM card. IMEI stands for and is a unique serial number assigned to the phone at the time of manufacture. The IMSI contains a mobile country code, a mobile network code, and a Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (commonly referred to as a phone number). If you change the SIM card, you can get a new phone number, but the IMEI will remain the same.
IMEI is a 19-digit code assigned to the mobile device. It has the following components:
Type Approval Code (TAC) – a centrally assigned six-digit number.
Final Assembly Code (FAC) – a six-digit number assigned by the manufacturer.
Serial Number (SNR) – a six-digit sequential number assigned by the manufacturer as it comes off the assembly line.
Spare (SP) – a one-digit number for future use.
IMSI is a 15-digit number (maximum) comprised of the following:
Mobile Country Code (MCC) – a three-digit standardized number that indicates the country.
Mobile Network Code (MNC) – a two-digit number that identifies the mobile network (carrier) within the MCC.
Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (MSIN) – This is a maximum ten-digit number that identifies the subscriber’s telephone number in the home mobile network. As an example, if we commonly refer to a cell phone number as 2051234567, we are actually referring to the MSIN.
Androids and iPhones do not use different terms to describe their device serial numbers.
You have been asked to upgrade the hard drives in several legacy computers. Management wants you to upgrade them to the hard drive specification that has the fastest theoretical bus speed. Of the options given, which hard drive specification should you implement?
A) SATA 3
B) SATA 2
C) IEEE 1394 FireWire
D) SATA 1
Hardware
A) SATA 3
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) 3 is capable of approximately 6.0 gigabits per second. SATA 2 is capable of approximately 300 megabytes per second (MBps).
SATA 1 is capable of approximately 150 MBps. The eSATA specification is for external SATA hard drives and provides higher data transfer rates than FireWire or USB. SATA devices will not connect to IDE/ATA ports. Most SATA devices require the installation of third-party drivers. During operating system installation, you need to press the F6 key to install the third-party drivers. Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (PATA) 133 is capable of approximately 133 MBps. PATA 100 is capable of approximately 100 MBps. PATA drives are able to connect to IDE/ATA ports. SATA drives cannot share the same physical interface cable, while PATA can.
Another drive specification, Fibre Channel-Arbitrated Loop (FC-AL), is a hard drive specification that attaches via a dedicated fibre channel network. The different FC-AL specifications are as follows:
FC-AL 1 GB – 100 MBps
FC-AL 2 GB – 200 MBps
FC-AL 4 GB – 400 MBps
FC-AL 8 GB – 800 MBps
Which cellular technology has data transmission rates of up to 20 Gbps?
A) 4G
B) 3G
C) LTE
D) 5G
Mobile Devices
D) 5G
5G is the latest technology used in cellular networks. 5G offers faster data transfer speeds, decreased latency, and more device connections, such as Internet of Things devices. IoT devices include smart home devices, sensors, and wearable technology, among others. In theory, 5G can transmit at speeds up to 20 Gbps.
3G uses technologies such as EVDO, HSPA and UMTS. 3G was an improvement over 2G, which was the first digital cellular medium. Transmission speeds were typically under 3 Mbps for 3G. Most wireless networks plan to discontinue 3G support in 2022.
4G is often used synonymously with LTE, but they are different technologies. 4G is the communication standard that specifies a minimum transmission speed of 100 Mbps, whereas LTE is the technology used to achieve 4G speeds.
As an IT technician, you are responsible for maintaining your company’s laser printers. Recently, you read that laser printers have a cleaning phase. Another IT technician explains that you do not need to clean a laser printer because of this phase. However, you do not agree. What actually occurs during this phase?
A) The discharge lamp neutralizes the imaging drum.
B) The laser writes an image on the imaging drum.
C) The transfer corona applies a positive charge to the paper.
D) The primary corona wire applies a uniform charge on the imaging drum.
Hardware
A) The discharge lamp neutralizes the imaging drum.
The discharge lamp neutralizes the photoreceptor in the cleaning stage of the laser printing process. The following are the seven stages of the laser printing process:
Processing – The computer sends the printed document to the printer spooler. The printer spooler contacts the printer. The printer processes the image.
Charging – The charge corona (also referred to as the primary corona) applies a uniform charge (typically negative) to the imaging drum. This creates a “blank slate” to which the laser will write.
Exposing – The modulated laser beam writes an electrostatic image on the rotating drum. Any areas on the imaging drum that the laser beam touches lose most of their electrostatic charge. This differential in electrostatic charge between the areas of the drum that have been written to and the remainder of the drum allows the image to attract toner in the next phase.
Developing – Toner is transferred from the toner cartridge to the imaging drum. The toner cartridge has a metallic roller called a developing cylinder that takes on a charge equal to the imaging drum. The toner sticks to the developing cylinder, and as it rotates toward the paper, a “toner fog” is created as the toner is both attracted to and repelled from the imaging drum. The toner is repelled from areas that were not touched by the laser because they have the same electrostatic charge as the toner, and it is attracted to the areas on the drum that were touched by the laser because of the difference in the electrostatic charges. This creates an image that is ready to be transferred to a piece of paper.
Transferring – The transfer corona charges the paper so that the toner on the imaging drum is attracted to the paper as the drum rotates and the paper and drum come into very close proximity. A corona discharges the electrostatic charge on the paper immediately after the toner transfers from the imaging drum to the paper, preventing the paper from sticking to the drum. Transfer rollers move the paper through the transferring process.
Fusing – The final step permanently bonds the toner to the paper. A fusing roller, heated by a quartz lamp, melts the toner to the paper, and the paper exits the printer.
Cleaning – A rubber cleaning blade removes any toner left on the imaging drum and deposits it into a waste bin, and a discharge lamp neutralizes the charge on the drum.
A user has requested that you order a transfer belt for this department’s printer. Which printer uses this component during the image transfer process?
A) Monochrome dot matrix printer
B) Color inkjet printer
C) Monochrome laser printer
D) Color laser printer
Hardware
D) Color laser printer
A color laser printer uses a transfer belt during the image transfer process. In monochrome printers, the image is transferred directly from the imaging drum to the paper. In color laser printers, the image is transferred to an intermediate component, the transfer belt. The toner cartridges are mounted on a carousel, which rotates and prints a single color image onto the transfer belt. This process is repeated for each of the four colors, building the complete image on the transfer belt. The complete image is then transferred from the belt to the paper in a single pass.
None of the other printers uses a transfer belt during the image transfer process.
You need to replace a computer’s power supply. When you purchase the new power supply, you notice an 8-pin power connection. For which device type is this connection intended?
A) ATA hard drives
B) CPU connector
C) PCI Express devices
D) SATA hard drives
Hardware
C) PCI Express devices
The 8-pin power connector is used for PCI Express (PCIe) devices. This is an 8-pin 12V power connection. It provides 12 volts. PCIe can also use 6-pin connectors.
CPU connectors do not require a separate power connection. They run off the power supplied to the motherboard.
ATA hard drives use a 4-pin connector that provides 5 or 12 volts. SATA hard drives use a 15-pin connector that provides 3.3, 5, or 12 volts.
Keep in mind that the system fan is incorporated into the power supply in most computers. If the system fan fails, the entire power supply would need to be replaced. If your computer displays a system fan not detected error message, the system fan has been removed from the system or disconnected. In most cases, this error message is related to separate system fans that are not integrated into the power supply. If the fan is failing, the system will overheat, resulting in unexplained computer shutdowns. Proper system airflow is very important when replacing a system fan. Make sure to orient the replacement fan in the same manner as the original fan.
Power supplies have a limited amount of power they can supply to a computer. If you add more devices than the power supply can handle, you will also need to upgrade the power supply. You should try to purchase a power supply that provides for your current and future needs.
You have just purchased a new color laser printer to be used on your 10 Mbps Ethernet network. When the printer arrives, you discover that it does not have an Ethernet connection. The printer has the following built-in connections: Bluetooth 2.1, Infrared, and 802.11g. You need to connect this printer to the network via the print server. Your solution should expend the least amount of additional money while providing the fastest connection as possible. Assuming that all of these connections are available in your office or on the print server, what should you do?
A) Connect the printer to the print server using 802.11g.
B) Purchase a NIC for the printer, and connect the printer to the print server over the network.
C) Connect the printer to the print server using Bluetooth 2.1.
D) Connect the printer to the print server using Infrared.
Hardware
A) Connect the printer to the print server using 802.11g.
You should connect the printer to the print server using 802.11g. This will provide a connection that operates at 54 megabits per second (Mbps). Other wireless network options include 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax.
802.11a operates in the 5 GHz radio spectrum and supports up to 54 Mbps (actual throughput is closer to 22 Mbps).
802.11b operates in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum and supports up to 11 Mbps.
802.11g operates in the 2.4 GHz radio spectrum and supports up to 54 Mbps.
802.11n operates in the 2.4 or 5 GHz radio spectrum and supports up to 600 Mbps.
802.11ac (WiFi 5) operates in the 5.0 GHz range and supports up to 1.3 Gbps.
802.11ax (WiFi 6) operates in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz radio spectrums, and supports up to 9.6 Gbps (actual throughput is closer to 600 Mbps).
You should not connect the printer to the print server using Bluetooth 2.1. This connection would only operate at 3 Mbps.
You should not connect the printer to the print server using Infrared. Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is a wireless protocol that operates up to 4 Mbps. It requires line-of-sight communications and will only operate if the two devices are within 1 meter of each other.
You should not purchase a NIC for the printer and connect the printer to the print server over the network. This would require an additional amount of money to be spent. Also, the Ethernet network only operates at 10 Mbps, which is much slower than the 802.11g network.
Whenever unboxing and setting up a new printer, you should take proper consideration to ensure the set-up process is both safe and secure. New printers should be placed in secure locations that are accessible but out of the flow of traffic to prevent any damage or misprints. Cables should be placed so they are not a tripping hazard and cannot be accidentally pulled out of ports. Lastly, upon startup, you should check to ensure that the printer has the latest drivers installed to prevent any errors and minimize security risks.
It is important to understand and minimize the security risks that printers can create within a network. Implementing user authentication ensures that only authorized users are able to connect and print to a device. Badging is another authorization method that requires users to scan or swipe a card to gain access to a secure printer room. Administrators can also utilize audit logs to track who was engaging with a printer, what jobs they were printing, and similar details. These logs can help maintain accountability and make it easier to uncover the cause of an error or incident. Secured printers and printer rooms enable users to print confidential documents, such as employee records, giving users assurance that their sensitive data and documents are not exposed during transmission or after printing.
A company representative has just landed a significant order at a trade show. He has all the necessary information on his laptop and needs to transmit it to the home office for processing. However, he calls you on his company-issued Android phone and notifies you that Internet access is down at the trade show. He is on an LTE connection. What should you recommend?
A) Set the phone to Airplane Mode.
B) Pair the phone and laptop via Bluetooth.
C) Connect the laptop to the company network over a VPN.
D) Enable tethering on the phone.
Mobile Devices
B) Pair the phone and laptop via Bluetooth.
You should recommend that he enable tethering on the Android phone. Tethering will allow the laptop to use the Android phone as a mobile hot spot to transmit the order to the home office via the phone’s data connection.
Tethering refers to using the Internet connection on a cell phone on another device, like a laptop or a tablet. This can be accomplished using Bluetooth, USB, or wireless. The phone becomes a “hot spot.” In essence, tethering allows a device to reach the Internet without otherwise having a connection.
Pairing the phone and laptop via Bluetooth will allow the two devices to communicate, but will not allow the laptop to transmit the order to the home office because the laptop has no Internet access.
Setting the phone to Airplane mode will disable the cellular and data connectivity on the phone.
A VPN connection can only be established through an active Internet connection, as provided by a satellite, fiber, cable, DSL, wireless, or cellular connection.
To enable tethering on an Android phone, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering. (In later Android versions you can swipe down from the top of the screen and choose Mobile Hotspot from the quick panel.) Select the Mobile Hotspot option and create a network name and password. This creates the hotspot and will allow you to tether (attach) another device to that network. This menu also allows you to configure USB tethering and Ethernet tethering, both of which require that adapters be plugged into the phone.
On the device to be tethered, go to the wireless settings, select the network you just created and enter the proper credentials. When connected, you are tethered to the Android device and using its data connection.
To connect your mobile device with a Bluetooth headset or other device, you should first enable Bluetooth on the mobile device on the other device. Both devices must have Bluetooth pairing enabled. This will allow the second device to find the mobile device for pairing, often by bringing up a list of available devices with which to pair. The second device might display a PIN code that you must enter into the mobile device. When you enter the appropriate PIN code, the two devices will pair. At this point, you can test connectivity.
Match the printer maintenance task on the left with the printer where it should be implemented. Each maintenance task will only match to a single printer type, and each printer type will only have a single maintenance task.
Printer Maintenance
Clean heads
Replace toner
Replace ribbon
Clean heating element
Printers
Laser
Inkjet
Thermal
Impact
Hardware
You should match the printer maintenance techniques as follows:
Laser – Replace toner
Inkjet – Clean heads
Thermal – Clean heating element
Impact – Replace ribbon
A laser printer has the following maintenance tasks: replace toner, apply maintenance kit, calibrate, and clean.
An inkjet printer has the following maintenance tasks: clean heads, replace cartridges, calibrate, and clear jams.
A thermal printer has the following maintenance tasks: replace paper, clean heating element, and remove debris.
An impact printer has the following maintenance tasks: replace ribbon, replace print head, and replace paper.
You want to upgrade the memory on a laptop. You first unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery. What should you do next?
A) Remove the memory.
B) Remove the CMOS battery.
C) Disconnect the power supply from the motherboard.
D) Put on an antistatic wrist strap.
Mobile Devices
D) Put on an antistatic wrist strap.
You should put on an antistatic wrist strap after unplugging the AC adapter and removing the battery from the laptop. You should take this precaution while servicing or upgrading a computer system to prevent damage of sensitive computer components. Computer memory is extremely sensitive to static electricity. Therefore, you should always ground yourself before handling and installing the memory, and you can wear an antistatic wrist strap to do so. If you do not have an antistatic wrist strap, you can ground yourself by installing memory on an uncarpeted surface and by touching an unpainted metal part of your laptop.
You should always unplug the AC adapter and remove the battery from the laptop before you begin servicing or upgrading the laptop. This will ensure that the laptop does not receive power during servicing or upgrade and will prevent the laptop components from being damaged.
You should not remove the memory at this point in the process. Computer memory is extremely sensitive to static electricity. Therefore, you should always ground yourself before handling and installing the memory.
You should not remove the CMOS battery. The CMOS battery provides power to the CMOS chip to ensure that the CMOS settings are not lost when the computer is switched off. In this scenario, you want to upgrade memory on a laptop. Therefore, removing the CMOS battery is not required.
You should not disconnect the power supply from the motherboard. Laptops use an AC adapter or a battery as a source of power. Separate power supplies are found in desktop computers. In this scenario, you have already unplugged the AC adapter and removed the battery from the laptop. This will ensure that the laptop does not receive power during the upgrade. When upgrading memory in a laptop, you are usually limited to two memory slots. If you discover that both slots are filled, the only way to upgrade the memory is to completely replace the existing memory.
You are responsible for performing routine maintenance on your company’s laser printers. Which of the following routine maintenance does NOT require that you disconnect the laser printer from its power source?
A) Installing the maintenance kit
B) Calibrating the printer
C) Replacing the toner
D) Cleaning the printer
Hardware
B) Calibrating the printer
You are hired to train a group of new users to become technicians. One of your lessons is on how to construct Cat5 and Cat6 Ethernet cables. To make sure they know the difference between 568A and 568B cables, what are the two most important areas you would focus on during the training?
A) Purchase 568B wiring cables only.
B) A cable with one end wired as 568A and the other end wired as 568B is called a crossover cable, and a cable with both ends wired with the same standard is called a straight-through cable.
C) T568B is called a crossover cable, and T568A is called a straight-through cable.
D) Use the correct color scheme pattern for a T568A and T568B cable.
Hardware
B) A cable with one end wired as 568A and the other end wired as 568B is called a crossover cable, and a cable with both ends wired with the same standard is called a straight-through cable.
D) Use the correct colour scheme pattern for T568A and T568B cable
You should instruct them on the proper color scheme or order. For T568B, the correct order is: Orange/white orange, Green/white blue, Blue/white green, and Brown/white brown. For T568A, it switches the green, orange, and blue wires with the correct order as follows: Green/white green, Orange/white blue, Blue/white orange, and Brown/white brown.
You should also teach them that a crossover cable has two different ends: one wired as 568A and the other as 568B. A straight-through cable is used for directly connecting cables to a wall jack, which enables that node to communicate with several devices, and both ends would be either 568A or 568B.
Purchasing cable is not an option, as you are hired to teach them to make their own. While it is important that they know how to go about purchasing cable, it is most important that they be able to make it from raw materials. Most Ethernet cables are T568B, but at the time T568A components need to be connected to a T568B component, the crossover cable is recommended. The following exhibit shows the order of the cables for both specifications:
You are installing the network cabling for your company. A diagram of the cabling is shown in the following image:
Which type of cable are you installing?
A)Coaxial cable
B)Unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable
C)Fiber optic cable
D)Shielded twisted pair (STP) cable
Hardware
C)Fiber optic cable
Based on the image displayed, you are installing fiber optic cable. Fiber optic cabling has a center glass core that is surrounded by protective materials. Fiber optic cabling transmits light. It provides a higher transmission speed and better security than the other options listed. However, it is the most expensive to implement.
UTP cable consists of four pairs of wires, each pair with a specific number of twists to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). The wires are contained within a rubber casing. STP cable looks the same as UTP cable, except STP cable will also have an outer shielding material (usually foil) located between the wires and the outer casing.
Coaxial cable consists of a single copper core surrounded by plastic insulation. Outside the plastic insulation is a metal shield, which is surrounded by the rubber casing.
You need to install a new video card in a Windows XP Professional computer. You need to ensure that the installed technology supports both analog and digital transmissions. Which technology should you install?
A)DVI-D
B)DVI-I
C)DVI-A
D)HDMI
Hardware
B)DVI-I
Digital Video Interface-I (DVI-I) technology supports both analog and digital transmissions. DVI technology is newer than Video Graphic Array (VGA) technology.
None of the other options supports both transmission types. DVI-D and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) supports only digital transmissions. HDMI comes in three standard sizes: Standard HDMI, Mini-HDMI, and Micro-HDMI. DVI-A allows a VGA connector to connect to a DVI-I interface. With DVI-A technology, only analog transmissions are supported.
Susan needs to replace the CPU in her laptop computer. She has asked you for recommendations. What would you recommend she do before she begins the process?
A)Purchase thermal grease.
B)Determine which processors the BIOS will support using the documentation.
C)Purchase extra memory with the CPU.
D)Purchase the same CPU as the one being removed.
Mobile Devices
B)Determine which processors the BIOS will support using the documentation.
A technician needs to replace a hard drive that failed in their new laptop. What type of drive will they likely need? (Choose two.)
A.M.2
B.mSATA
C.2.52
D.3.52
A, B. Modern laptops most likely use either mSATA or M.2 drives, which are thinner than a RAM module and much smaller. Legacy laptops used 1.8” or 2.5” drives, and desktop computers have historically used 3.5² hard drives.
Mini-SATA, also known as mSATA, is a smaller version of the serial ATA connection. It is used to connect solid-state drives in portable computing devices, such as laptops and netbooks. Mini-SATA devices are usually a bit smaller that the standard size of business card (shown right), and permit data transfer speeds of either 1.5 GB/s or 3.0 GB/s.
