CompTIA Basic Certification
CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide
- 1.
What do you call the commands that tell the computer what to do?
- A.
Data
- B.
Morse Code
- C.
Programming
- D.
Output
Correct Answer
C. Programming -
- 2.
Which of the following is a proper name for a stick of RAM?
- A.
CRIMM
- B.
DIMM
- C.
BGA
- D.
LGA
Correct Answer
B. DIMM -
- 3.
Where do you connect an atin-static wrist strap? (Select the best answer)
- A.
To an anti-static plate on the computer
- B.
To an electrical outlet
- C.
To a handy metal part of the case
- D.
To a non-static wrist strap
Correct Answer
C. To a handy metal part of the case -
- 4.
What sort of connector does a typical network card have?
- A.
DB-9
- B.
Mini-DIN
- C.
RJ-11
- D.
RJ-45
Correct Answer
D. RJ-45 -
- 5.
Modern keyboards connect to which of the following ports? (Select all that apply)
- A.
DIN
- B.
FireWire
- C.
Mini-DIN
- D.
USB
Correct Answer(s)
C. Mini-DIN
D. USB -
- 6.
Which end of the USB cable plugs into the PC?
- A.
A
- B.
B
- C.
Mini-A
- D.
Mini-B
Correct Answer
A. A -
- 7.
A printer usually plugs into which of the following ports? (Select all that apply)
- A.
DB-9
- B.
DB-25
- C.
Mini-DIN
- D.
USB
Correct Answer(s)
B. DB-25
D. USB -
- 8.
What do you plug into a three-row, 15-pin port?
- A.
Joystick
- B.
Keyboard
- C.
Monitor
- D.
Mouse
Correct Answer
C. Monitor -
- 9.
What connector was designed to connect your PC to a high-end television set?
- A.
DB-HD
- B.
HDMI
- C.
VESA
- D.
VGA
Correct Answer
B. HDMI -
- 10.
What connector was designed to connect your PC to a high-end audio system?
- A.
DB-HA
- B.
DVI
- C.
Mini-audio
- D.
S/PDIF
Correct Answer
D. S/PDIF -
- 11.
Which of the following is true of the USB interface?
- A.
It's an internal connection between the motherboad and RAM
- B.
It's a hot-swappable interface
- C.
It's only useful for connecting a printer to a computer
- D.
You'll find it only on very old computers
Correct Answer
B. It's a hot-swappable interface -
- 12.
How to you open a PC case?
- A.
Unlock a pair of small levrs and slide the case cover off in one piece
- B.
Unscrew one side panel or the other from the front panel, according to your user manual
- C.
Take the screws out of the bottom panel and then lift the case straight up
- D.
Because cases vary, there is no standard way to open one
Correct Answer
D. Because cases vary, there is no standard way to open one -
- 13.
Which RJ jack type accepts a standard network cable?
- A.
RJ-11
- B.
RJ-15
- C.
RJ-45
- D.
RJ-54
Correct Answer
C. RJ-45 -
- 14.
Which of these internal PC components uses a wide, flat ribbon cable to transmit data?
- A.
PATA hard drive
- B.
SATA hard drive
- C.
Power Supply
- D.
CPU
Correct Answer
A. PATA hard drive -
- 15.
Which of the following is a common tool that technicians use to avoid ESD damage when they work with PC components?
- A.
Static-proof gloves
- B.
Silicone tongs
- C.
Anti-static wrist strap
- D.
Tinfoil hat
Correct Answer
C. Anti-static wrist strap -
- 16.
Which of the following is an advantage of running Windows on NTFS as opposed to FAT?
- A.
Security
- B.
Multiple folders
- C.
Long filenames
- D.
Speed
Correct Answer
A. Security -
- 17.
Which version of Windows uses the Backup Status and Configuration Tool?
- A.
Windows 2000
- B.
Windows XP Media Center
- C.
Windows XP Professional
- D.
Windows Vista Ultimate
Correct Answer
D. Windows Vista Ultimate -
- 18.
What is the proper way to refer to the system root folder?
- A.
%system%
- B.
&system&
- C.
%systemroot%
- D.
&systemroot&
Correct Answer
C. %systemroot% -
- 19.
What folder is a central storage location for user files in XP?
- A.
Program Files
- B.
My Documents
- C.
My Files
- D.
%systemroot%Users
Correct Answer
B. My Documents -
- 20.
Which utility is helpful in troubleshooting hardware?
- A.
System Properties
- B.
Device Manager
- C.
Disk Management
- D.
Security Center
Correct Answer
B. Device Manager -
- 21.
Which Windows utility backs up critical files and settings and enables you to roll back to a previous state?
- A.
Registry
- B.
System Restore
- C.
System Information
- D.
Microsoft Management Console
Correct Answer
B. System Restore -
- 22.
Many tech tools are grouped together in which location?
- A.
Start > All Programs > Tools
- B.
Start > All Programs > Tools > System Tools
- C.
Start > All Programs > System Tools > Accessories
- D.
Start > All Programs > Accessories >System Tools
Correct Answer
D. Start > All Programs > Accessories >System Tools -
- 23.
Which utility is missing from the default Windows XP Home installation?
- A.
Backup
- B.
Character Map
- C.
Computer Management
- D.
User Accounts
Correct Answer
A. Backup -
- 24.
What is displayed in the My Computer window?
- A.
All the drives on your system
- B.
All the control Panel applets
- C.
Installed programs
- D.
Other computers on the network
Correct Answer
A. All the drives on your system -
- 25.
Which Registry root key contains information about file types?
- A.
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
- B.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- C.
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG
- D.
HKEY_USERS
Correct Answer
A. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT -
- 26.
What is the function of the system crystal?
- A.
It ensures that the CPU will be able to speak the same language as the RAM
- B.
It keeps the CPU and external data bus from sending conflicting signals
- C.
It stores the codebook information that the CPU uses to communicate with the rest of the PC
- D.
It determines the speed at which the CPU and the rest of the PC will operate
Correct Answer
D. It determines the speed at which the CPU and the rest of the PC will operate -
- 27.
If a CPU runs at 2GHz, how many clock cycles is that per second?
- A.
2
- B.
2000
- C.
2 million
- D.
2 billion
Correct Answer
D. 2 billion -
- 28.
How many bytes are in one kilobyte?
- A.
64
- B.
1000
- C.
1024
- D.
1,048,576
Correct Answer
C. 1024 -
- 29.
Which of the following performs the actual calculations within the CPU?
- A.
The system clock
- B.
The registers
- C.
The ALU
- D.
The MCC
Correct Answer
C. The ALU -
- 30.
What is the term for a CPU's complete set of commands?
- A.
Machine language
- B.
Instruction set
- C.
Motherboard manual
- D.
Master codes
Correct Answer
B. Instruction set -
- 31.
What do registers provide for the CPU?
- A.
Registers determine the clock speed
- B.
The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands and data
- C.
Registers enable the CPU to address RAM
- D.
Registers enable the CPU to control the address bus
Correct Answer
B. The CPU uses registers for temporary storage of internal commands and data -
- 32.
What function does the external data bus have in the PC?
- A.
The external data bus determines the clock speed for the CPU
- B.
The CPU uses the external data bus to address RAM
- C.
The external data bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM
- D.
The CPU uses the external data bus to access registers
Correct Answer
C. The external data bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM -
- 33.
What is the function of the address bus in the PC?
- A.
The address bus enables the CPU to communicate with the memory controller chip
- B.
The address bus enables the memory controller chip to communicate with RAM
- C.
The address bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM
- D.
The address bus provides a channel for the flow of data and commands between the CPU and RAM
Correct Answer
A. The address bus enables the CPU to communicate with the memory controller chip -
- 34.
What is the size of the data bus and the l1 cache on a Core 2 Duo CPU?
- A.
32-bit data bus, 32-KB L1 cache
- B.
64-bit data bus, two 32-KB L1 caches
- C.
64-bit data bus, two 64 --KB L1 caches
- D.
128-bit data bus, two 128-KB L1 caches
Correct Answer
C. 64-bit data bus, two 64 --KB L1 caches -
- 35.
When a tech adds a new Athlon 64 X2 processor to a motherboard, which of the following should the tech check? (Choose the best answer)
- A.
Clock speed of the CPU, clock multiplier for the CPU
- B.
Clock speed of the CPU, clock multiplier for the CPU, voltage settings on the motherboard
- C.
Clock speed of the CPU, clock multiplier for the CPU, voltage settings on the motherboard, system clock speed
- D.
Voltage settings on the motherboard, system clock speed
Correct Answer
C. Clock speed of the CPU, clock multiplier for the CPU, voltage settings on the motherboard, system clock speed -
- 36.
The Intel Core Duo has which of the following advantages over the Pentium M?
- A.
Level 1 cache
- B.
64-bit data bus
- C.
Quad pipelining
- D.
Dual processors
Correct Answer
D. Dual processors -
- 37.
The Intel Core Duo processor has two 32-KB Level 1 caches, whereas the Athlon 64 X2 has one 128-KB Level 1 cache. What do caches provide for the processors?
- A.
The enable the CPU to continue working during pipeline stalls
- B.
The enable the CPU to continue working during hard drive refreshes
- C.
They enable the CPU to access RAM
- D.
The enable the CPU to access the chipset memory controller
Correct Answer
A. The enable the CPU to continue working during pipeline stalls -
- 38.
What distinguishes the Athlon 64 from the original Athlon? (Select Two)
- A.
Athlon 64 uses an external memory controller
- B.
Athlon 64 uses an internal memory controller
- C.
Athlon 64 runs on a traditional fronside bus
- D.
Athlon 64 runs on a HyperTransport
Correct Answer(s)
B. Athlon 64 uses an internal memory controller
D. Athlon 64 runs on a HyperTransport -
- 39.
Jane, the hardware technician for a nonprofit corporation, has 10 systems that she needs to upgrade with new microprocessors. Each system currently has a Socket 939 mother board with an Athlon 64 3200+ CPU installed. To keep the upgrade costs low, her boss has told her to use the existing motherboards if possible.Primary Objective: Upgrade the systems with faster CPUsOptional Objective: Use existing motherboards and avoid adding any hardware aside from the CPU, fan, and heat-sink assembleProposed Resolution: Jane places an order for 10 PPGA Core 2 Duo processors and 10 PPGA to Socke 939 converters.The proposed solution:
- A.
Meets only the primary objective
- B.
Meets the primary objective and one of the optional objectives
- C.
Meets the primary objective and both of the optional objectives
- D.
Meets none of the objectives
Correct Answer
D. Meets none of the objectivesExplanation
You can't install Intel processors on AMD-based mother boards. Jane should go work for the school district.Rate this question:
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- 40.
A donor gives five Socket 939 Athlon X2 processors to the nonprofit corporation for which Jane works as a technician. Jane has several systems with Socket 939 motherboards and Athlon 64 CPUs installed. Her boss wants her to upgrade five systems with the new processors, but to keep the upgrade costs low, if possible, by using the existing motherboards.Primary Objective: Upgrade the systems with faster CPUsOptional Objective: Use existing motherboardsProposed Solution: Remove the Athlon 64 CPUs on five systems and replace them with the new Athlon 64 X2 CPUs. Update the motherboards, following the motherboard manufacturer's guidelines.The proposed solution:
- A.
Meets onl the primary objective
- B.
Meets only the optional objective
- C.
Meets the primary and optional objectives
- D.
Meets neither objective
Correct Answer
C. Meets the primary and optional objectivesExplanation
See Jane go!Rate this question:
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- 41.
If you see a small square of tape on the bottom of a CPU fan, what does this mean?
- A.
It's the kind of fan that uses glue and thus needs no thermal paste
- B.
Nothing - all CPU fans come this way
- C.
It's the kind of fan that has an exposed magnetic contact
- D.
It's the kind of fan that comes with thermal paste pre-applied
Correct Answer
D. It's the kind of fan that comes with thermal paste pre-applied -
- 42.
Which of the following describes the ability to run multiple threads simultaneously on a single core?
- A.
Super-threading
- B.
Hyper-threading
- C.
Multithreading
- D.
Core Duo
Correct Answer
B. Hyper-threading -
- 43.
Which of the following is a 64-bit processor?
- A.
Opteron
- B.
Athlon XP
- C.
Pentium II
- D.
Core Duo
Correct Answer
A. Opteron -
- 44.
Which of the following CPU installation tasks is most difficult to perform without tools?
- A.
Positioning the CPU properly in the socket
- B.
Locking the ZIF socket's lever arm in place
- C.
Providing power to the cooling fan
- D.
Snapping the fan mounting bracket in place
Correct Answer
D. Snapping the fan mounting bracket in place -
- 45.
What is the term for a CPU's capability to lower its clock speed when it reaches a certain temperature?
- A.
Voltage regulation
- B.
Overclocking
- C.
Throttling
- D.
Downshifting
Correct Answer
C. Throttling -
- 46.
Steve adds a second 1GB 240-pin DIMM to his PC, which shoudl bring the total RAM in the system up to 2GB. The PC has an Intel Core 2 Due, 3GHz processor and three 240-pin DIMM slots on the motherboard. When he turns on the PC, however, only 1GB of RAM shows up during the RAM count. Which of the following is most likely to be the problem?
- A.
Steve failed to seat the RAM properly
- B.
Steve put DDR SDRAM in DDR 2 slot
- C.
The CPU cannot handle 2GB of RAM
- D.
The motherboard can use only one RAM slot at a time
Correct Answer
A. Steve failed to seat the RAM properly -
- 47.
Scott wants to add 512MB of PC100 SDRAM to an aging, but still useful desktop system. The system has a 100 MHz motherboard and currently has 256MB of non-ECC SDRAM in the system. What else does he need to know before installing?
- A.
What speed of RAM does he need?
- B.
What type of RAM does he need?
- C.
How many pins does the RAM have?
- D.
Can the system handle that much RAM?
Correct Answer
D. Can the system handle that much RAM? -
- 48.
What is the primary reason that DDR2 RAM is faster thatn DDR RAM?
- A.
The core speed of the RAM chips is faster
- B.
The input/output speed of the RAM is faster
- C.
DDR RAM is single-channel and DDR2 RAM is dual-channel
- D.
DDR RAM uses 184-pin DIMMS and DDR2 uses 240-pin DIMMS
Correct Answer
B. The input/output speed of the RAM is faster -
- 49.
What is the term for the delay in the RAM's response to a request from the MCC?
- A.
Variance
- B.
MCC gap
- C.
Latency
- D.
Fetch interval
Correct Answer
C. Latency -
- 50.
Rico has a motherboard with four RAM slots that doesn't seem to work. He has two RDRAM RIMMs installed, for a total of 1GB of memory, but the system won't boot. What is likely to be the problem?
- A.
The motherboard requires SDRAM, not RDRAM
- B.
The motherboard requires DDR SDRAM, not RDRAM
- C.
The motherboard requires that all four slots be filled with RDRAM
- D.
The motherboard requires the two empty slots to be filled with CRIMMs for termination
Correct Answer
D. The motherboard requires the two empty slots to be filled with CRIMMs for termination -
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Jan 18, 2013Quiz Edited by
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