Chapter 5 – Hardware Support A+

If you need to recover data off a system that won’t boot, install the drive in a working system.

True or False

True

If you see smoke or smell burning, you should immediately open the case to try to identify the component that is causing it.

True or False

False

To move a hard drive to another computer for the purposes of accessing the data, you always need to first physically install it in a drive bay.

True or False

False

A clicking noise coming from a system could indicate that a hard drive is failing.

True or False

True

A Molex connector supplies +3.3V, +5V, and -12V voltages.

True or False

False

What is a typical symptom of a CMOS battery failure?

POST code beeps
time and date settings lost
continuous reboots
blue screen of death

time and date settings lost

If you are trying move a hard drive from a non-working computer to a working computer for the purposes of accessing the data on the drive, what must you have?

-you must install the drive in a drive bay
-you must manually assign a drive letter
-you must have an Administrator password before you can access the data on the drive
-the drive must be initialized before you can access it

you must have an Administrator password before you can access the data on the drive

What is an indication that an inadequate power supply is the source of an intermittent problem?

-the power supply whines when you first turn on the system
-you don’t see any indicator lights or fans spinning
-BIOS loses its date and time settings
-the system tries to boot from the wrong device

the power supply whines when you first turn on the system

A missing standoff could create what potential problem?

-a short on the motherboard
-the computer boots, but can’t connect to the network
-data is deleted from the hard drive
-you see lines on the video monitor

a short on the motherboard

If you suspect your system is overheating, how can you determine the CPU temperature?

-in Windows, go to System Information
-the CPU has a temperature display screen
-press a room thermometer on the top of the CPU
-go into UEFI/BIOS setup and find the temperature monitors for the system

go into UEFI/BIOS setup and find the temperature monitors for the system

Which of the following is NOT a solution to an overheating problem?

-verify that cables are not obstructing airflow
-remove the covers from empty expansion slots
-be sure the case is not sitting on a carpet
-remove dust from the power supply, vents, and cooler fans

remove the covers from empty expansion slots

What does a single beep or no beep imply during the startup of a computer?

a video problem
a memory error
all POST tests passed
a keyboard controller problem

all POST tests passed

If you see an error message that reads "Processor thermal trip error", what is the likely problem?

-the power supply is inadequate
-the processor has overheated
-the processor has failed
-a memory module might be bad

the processor has overheated

What should you do if the system continually reboots and you can’t read the error message produced on a blue screen?

-press F8 as Windows starts up
-press Pause so you can see the screen output
-press Ctrl+Print Screen to print the screen output
-press Esc as soon as you see the blue screen

press F8 as Windows starts up

What component of a motherboard is not considered to be a field replaceable unit?

processor
RAM
CMOS battery
chipset

chipset

Why might you disable quick booting features in BIOS when you are troubleshooting a problem?

-to enable access the advanced boot menu
-quick booting prevents Windows from logging errors
-to see a full POST report
-quick booting bypasses the POST

to see a full POST report

Which of the following protects your computer from brownouts or sags?

degaussing
GPU
surge protector
UPS

UPS

When testing a laptop power connector, how close should the voltage measured be to the accepted voltage of the laptop?

+/- 10%
+/- 5%
+/- 1%
the voltage should be exactly the same

+/- 5%

What is an auto-switching AC adapter?

-an adapter that can switch between line power and battery power
-an adapter that switches between two PCs
-an adapter that can use 110V or 220V AC power
-an adapter that can switch between AC or DC

an adapter that can use 110V or 220V AC power

One long and two short beeps when using an Award BIOS is an indication of what issue?

memory error
hard drive not found
a video problem
a CPU problem

a video problem

Three long beeps during the POST sequence on an Intel BIOS are an indication of what type of issue?

motherboard problem
memory error
system overheat
keyboard controller problem

keyboard controller problem

A PCIe 6/8 pin connector for providing auxiliary power to PCIe cards utilizes what voltage?

+5V
-12V
+12V
+15V

+12V

What Intel socket recommends the use of a liquid cooling system?

LGA1150
LGA1151
LGA1750
LGA2011

LGA2011

What is the most used rail on a power supply?

+3.3V
-5V
-12V
+12V

+12V

​If the startup BIOS can’t find a device to use to load the operating system, what error message is likely to appear?

fixed disk error
blue screen of death
error in ntoskernel
error loading Windows

fixed disk error

What are the two highest heat producing components in a system?

hard drive
processor
CDROM drive
video card

processor video card

What is a typical sign that a capacitor is bad or has failed?

-the capacitors are discolored
-the capacitors are at a slight angle to the motherboard
-the capacitors have a crusty corrosion at the base of the capacitor
-the capacitors are warm to the touch

the capacitors are discolored the capacitors have a crusty corrosion at the base of the capacitor

Depending on the manufacturer of the BIOS, what two different POST beep code sequences indicate a memory error?

-continuous short beeps
-continuous three short beeps and then a pause
-continuous two short beeps and then a pause
-eight short beeps

continuous short beeps continuous three short beeps and then a pause

A cooler with heat pipes, which contain a small amount of liquid that becomes a vapor when heated, allowing heat to be drawn away from the CPU without the use of a fan is known by what two terms?

vapor cooler
passive CPU cooler
fanless CPU cooler
inactive CPU cooler

passive CPU cooler fanless CPU cooler

CPU coolers are typically made using what two different types of materials?

carbon
aluminum
silver
copper

aluminum copper

a power supply with a second +12v rail

dual rail

indicates that the system is waiting for a response from a program or device

Windows pinwheel

a device that provides battery power when the main power source goes out

UPS

a tool in Windows 8/7/Vista that tests memory

Memory Diagnostics

a component made of metal that is designed to draw heat away from a processor into the fins

heat sink

Windows errors that are caused by problems with devices, device drivers, or a corrupted Windows installation

BSOD

a component that fits on the bottom of a laptop that can improve charge times and increase time between charges

sheet battery

a round air duct that helps direct air to the processor

CAG

the technology most commonly used by battery packs

lithium ion

a location where Windows keeps a copy of driver software

driver store