CompTIA A+ Essentials Practice Test (100 Questions)

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  • 1/100 Questions

    On a computer that is running Windows XP, which is the local user which has the MOST authority?

    • BCM User
    • Network Configuration Operator
    • Power User
    • Administrator
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About This Quiz

CompTIA A+ is an extremely important qualifying credential for roles in technical support and Information Technology operation. Some look at it as the first step in a successful career in computing. Do you have what it takes to acquire this credential? Take this quiz to find out!

CompTIA A+ Essentials Practice Test (100 Questions) - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    If your power supply’s fan no longer works, what is the best course of action?

    • Replace the Fan

    • Oil the Fan

    • Replace the Entire Power Supply

    • Open Up the Power Supply

    Correct Answer
    A. Replace the Entire Power Supply
    Explanation
    If your power supply's fan is no longer working, replacing the entire power supply is the best course of action. The power supply should never be opened up for any reason.

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  • 3. 

    Which of the following is the best way to change which drive the computer first seeks when booting, so that the computer does not seek the A: drive as the first to boot from?

    • Disconnect the floppy drive’s cable

    • Change to SDRAM from RAM

    • Change the Boot Order in CMOS

    • Pull the Battery

    Correct Answer
    A. Change the Boot Order in CMOS
    Explanation
    You have the power to change the order of all bootable devises in the BIOS.

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  • 4. 

    How many pins does a SCSI-2 cable have?

    • 24

    • 40

    • 50

    • 72

    Correct Answer
    A. 50
    Explanation
    SCSI 2 interfaces use 50-pin cables.

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  • 5. 

    If when trying to burn to a CD-ROM, a user continues to get buffer underrun errors, which of the following suggestions may be helpful? (Check all that apply)

    • Try burning at a slower speed.

    • Replace a broken CD burner.

    • Shut down all open applications.

    • Make sure that there are no scratches or dirt on the CD-ROM surface.

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Try burning at a slower speed.
    A. Replace a broken CD burner.
    A. Shut down all open applications.
    Explanation
    There are actually a few different things that can cause buffer underrun errors. It is generally helpful to make sure that the computer has as many available resources as possible. Sometimes this type of error can be prevented all together, by burning the CD-ROM at a slower speed. If the CD burner is no longer functioning in the way that it should, replacing it may be the only way to prevent such an error from occurring.

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  • 6. 

    Which type of computer component is supposed to be inserted into an AGP slot?

    • RAID Card

    • NIC Card

    • Sound Card

    • Video Card

    Correct Answer
    A. Video Card
    Explanation
    An AGP slot, or Advanced Graphic Port Slot helps to attain high performance levels and is derived from PCI specification. The AGP slot is only used for video card adapters.

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  • 7. 

    Regarding USB devices, which of the following statements is true?

    • Adding a USB device requires you to turn your computer off.

    • Your computer does not need to be restarted in order to add a USB device.

    • USB is a disappearing technology.

    • USB devices can only be connected in large networks.

    Correct Answer
    A. Your computer does not need to be restarted in order to add a USB device.
    Explanation
    USB devices are completely capable of being hot swapped, which means that you can add them and remove them without shutting down or restarting your computer.

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  • 8. 

    Which of the following arrows is pointing at a PCI slot?

    • 1

    • 2

    • 3

    • 4

    Correct Answer
    A. 1
    Explanation
    The correct answer is 1 because it is the only arrow that is pointing directly at a PCI slot. The other arrows are not pointing at any specific slot.

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  • 9. 

    What term is used for running your processor at a speed that is higher than the rated clock speed for that processor?

    • Hyperdrive

    • Turbo

    • Overdrive

    • Overclocking

    Correct Answer
    A. Overclocking
    Explanation
    Manufacturers of processors will guarantee a specific rated clock speed for their processors. At your own risk, it is possible to run your processor at a faster rate, a process that is known as overclocking.

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  • 10. 

    Which of the following is NOT a common type of computer connector?

    • USB 

    • HDMI 

    • RJ45 

    • CVT

    Correct Answer
    A. CVT
    Explanation
    CVT stands for Continuously Variable Transmission, which is a type of automotive transmission, not a computer connector. USB (Universal Serial Bus), HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), and RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) are widely used for connecting various peripherals and devices to computers.

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  • 11. 

    The track location which cuts across all platters within a hard drive is known as a:

    • Cylinder

    • Sector

    • Track

    • Head

    Correct Answer
    A. Sector
    Explanation
    Each and every cylinder is divided into different sectors, which are 512K in size.

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  • 12. 

    If you have a system with 2 IDE controllers, how many hard drives can you have?

    • 4

    • 2

    Correct Answer
    A. 4
    Explanation
    IDE controllers are capable of supporting up to 2 hard drives. For two IDE controllers, four hard drives can be supported.

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  • 13. 

    If you receive a parity error every time that you turn your computer on, what is the most likely cause?

    • Your RAM is bad

    • Your motherboard needs replacing

    • Your hard drive needs reformatting

    • Your CMOS battery is low

    Correct Answer
    A. Your RAM is bad
    Explanation
    RAM does occasionally misfire, and is capable of making mistakes. This is not typically a big deal for a home user, but it can be for applications that are mission critical in nature. Parity checking is responsible for adding more to the data used for error detection by the MCC. Parity RAM cannot correct errors, and may not always catch them.

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  • 14. 

    Where do you connect the red edge of a 40-pin ribbon cable to an IDE hard drive?

    • IDE hard drive

    • RAM

    Correct Answer
    A. IDE hard drive
    Explanation
    The red edge of a 40-pin ribbon cable is connected to pin one on the IDE hard drive. If you fail to do so correctly, it may result in the hard drive being completely unable to communicate with your system.

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  • 15. 

    Which of the following problems may occur if your CPU's fan fails?

    • Overheat

    • Destroy

    Correct Answer
    A. Overheat
    Explanation
    If your CPU's fan should happen to fail, it may cause the CPU to overheat which can cause CPU damage or a system lock up.

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  • 16. 

    What two types of partitions can be found on basic disks?

    • Primary and Extended

    • Primary and Expanded

    • First and Second

    • Primary and Secondary

    Correct Answer
    A. Primary and Extended
    Explanation
    The two types of partitions on basic disks are primary and extended.

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  • 17. 

    If you install an ATA/66 hard drive on a computer that is ATA/100 capable, what will happen?

    • The computer will crash!

    • The hard drive will function at the ATA/100 speed

    • The hard drive will function at the ATA/66 speed

    • The hard drive will not be recognized by the computer system.

    Correct Answer
    A. The hard drive will function at the ATA/66 speed
    Explanation
    In order to get the maximum speed, the hard disk, the system chipset and the BIOS must all support the mode in question.

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  • 18. 

    Which of the following will allow you to access your CompactFlash card directly from your PC?

    • USB Port

    • Thumb Drive

    • Scanner

    • Card Reader

    Correct Answer
    A. Card Reader
    Explanation
    Card readers plug directly into your computer via a USB port, and will allow you to insert your flash card to access all of your data directly on your PC.

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  • 19. 

    When a computer with an Award BIOS is booting, it outputs a single long beep. Of the causes listed, which is the most likely to have resulted in this response?

    • Processor

    • Video Adapter

    • CMOS battery

    • Memory

    Correct Answer
    A. Memory
    Explanation
    When a computer with an Award BIOS is booting and it outputs a single long beep, the most likely cause for this response is a memory issue. This beep code is a common indication of a memory failure or a problem with the memory modules. It could be caused by faulty or improperly installed RAM, or issues with the memory slots on the motherboard.

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  • 20. 

    What do you have when two processors are combined into a single CPU together?

    • A Dual Core Processor

    • A 2-processor supporting motherboard

    • A processor which can use 2 L2 caches

    • A processor which can use 2 L1 caches

    Correct Answer
    A. A Dual Core Processor
    Explanation
    Both Intel and AMD have released "dual core" processors, which are essentially comprised of two combined processors. Core processors are available both as "solo" or as "duo" or dual core versions.

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  • 21. 

    When cooling a CPU, which is the most effective method?

    • Liquid Cooling System

    • CPU Fan

    • Case Fan

    • Leaving the Case Open

    Correct Answer
    A. Liquid Cooling System
    Explanation
    Although liquid-cooling systems may be overkill for most environments, they work by running cold water over a metal plate, which sits on the top of the CPU.

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  • 22. 

    What does PCMCIA stand for?

    • Personal Card Memory Computing Internet Association

    • Personal Computer Memory Card International Association

    • Private Computing Memory Card International America

    • People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms

    Correct Answer
    A. Personal Computer Memory Card International Association
    Explanation
    PCMCIA stands for the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, and is a type of expansion slot for lap tops.

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  • 23. 

    Which of the following is the range for blue tooth headsets?

    • 20 meters

    • 50 meters

    • 100 meters

    • 10 meters

    Correct Answer
    A. 10 meters
    Explanation
    The range for Bluetooth headsets is typically around 10 meters. Bluetooth technology uses radio waves to transmit data, and the range is limited by the power of the radio signal. In most cases, Bluetooth devices need to be within close proximity to maintain a strong and stable connection. Therefore, the range for Bluetooth headsets is usually around 10 meters, allowing for convenient wireless communication between the headset and the device it is paired with.

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  • 24. 

    Which of the following types of PCMCIA cards is used when working with expansion devices like network interface cards?

    • II PCMCIA

    • I PCMCIA

    Correct Answer
    A. II PCMCIA
    Explanation
    Type II PCMCIA cards are mostly used when it comes to network and modem interface cards. These are the most common PC card types and are 5mm thick.

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  • 25. 

    Which of these modes requires the least amount of time to boot up in order to retrieve a previous computing session?

    • Shutdown

    • Hibernate

    • Standby

    • Restart

    Correct Answer
    A. Standby
    Explanation
    The standby mode requires the least amount of time to boot up in order to retrieve a previous computing session. In standby mode, the computer is still powered on but most of its components are turned off or put into a low-power state. This allows the computer to quickly resume from where it left off, as it does not need to go through the entire boot-up process like in the other modes.

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  • 26. 

    Which is the correct display resolution for the WUXGA standard?

    • 1280 x 1024

    • 1024 x 768

    • 1600 x 1200

    • 1920 x 1200

    Correct Answer
    A. 1920 x 1200
    Explanation
    WUXGA stands for 'Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array', and is the display standard referring to video adapters.

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  • 27. 

    Which of the following devices would be used in a PCMCIA slot?

    • Modem

    • Sound Card

    • Hard Drive

    • All of the Above

    Correct Answer
    A. All of the Above
    Explanation
    PCMCIA was created as a universal I/O port, meaning that it can be used for virtually any add on device.

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  • 28. 

    What does the acronym TFT stand for?

    • Transcribing Foreign Text

    • Thin Film Transistor

    • True Focal Tone

    • Trans-axial Filament Technology

    Correct Answer
    A. Thin Film Transistor
    Explanation
    TFTs or thin film transistors are a special kind of field effect transistor which are made by depositing thin films for the metallic contacts, the semiconductor active layer and the dielectric layer.

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  • 29. 

    Which of the following of these expansion interfaces can be used in order for you to plug a wireless adapter in for providing wireless network access to a laptop computer?

    • Serial

    • PCMCIA

    • PCI

    • LAN

    Correct Answer
    A. PCMCIA
    Explanation
    PCMCIA is a universal input/output interface for external components.

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  • 30. 

    If you plug a third-party adapter outputting alternating (ac) current directly into a laptop computer, which of the following will likely happen?

    • The laptop will boot up in safe mode.

    • The laptop will start but the battery will not be charged.

    • Components of the laptop will be damaged.

    • The laptop's processor will overclock.

    Correct Answer
    A. Components of the laptop will be damaged.
    Explanation
    Plugging a third-party adapter outputting alternating current directly into a laptop computer can cause damage to the components of the laptop. This is because the laptop is designed to receive direct current (DC) from its original adapter, and an AC current can overload and damage the internal components.

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  • 31. 

    Which of the following components are major components for LCD?

    • Video Card

    • Screen

    • Brightness

    • Inverter

    Correct Answer(s)
    A. Screen
    A. Inverter
    Explanation
    The major components for an LCD are the screen and the inverter. The screen is the main display component that shows the images and videos. The inverter is responsible for providing power to the screen and controlling the brightness levels. The video card is not a major component for LCDs as it is primarily responsible for processing and outputting the video signals to the screen. Brightness, although important, is not considered a major component as it can be controlled through the inverter.

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  • 32. 

    While booting up, a laptop computer shows an error message with a code of 201. What is the most likely cause for this error?

    • The CPU is bad

    • The CMOS battery is bad

    • The Hard disk is Bad

    • The Memory test failed

    Correct Answer
    A. The Memory test failed
    Explanation
    The error code 201 is most likely indicating that the memory test during the booting process has failed. This suggests that there may be an issue with the computer's RAM or memory modules.

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  • 33. 

    How can a user determine which Windows OS or Operating System is currently installed on the computer?

    • Type 'version/info' under Start > Run

    • Type 'version info/detail' under Start > Run

    • Right Click 'Manage' under My Computer

    • Right click 'Properties' under My Computer.

    Correct Answer
    A. Right click 'Properties' under My Computer.
    Explanation
    By right-clicking on 'Properties' under My Computer, a user can determine which Windows OS or Operating System is currently installed on the computer. This action opens the System Properties window, which provides information about the operating system, including its version and other details.

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  • 34. 

    A hard disk drive's multiple disks are known as:

    • Sectors

    • Spindles

    • Platters

    • Cartridges

    Correct Answer
    A. Platters
    Explanation
    A hard disk drive's multiple disks are known as platters. Platters are circular, flat discs coated with a magnetic material that store data in the form of magnetized regions. These platters are stacked on a spindle and rotate at high speeds when the hard drive is in use. The data is read and written to the platters using read/write heads that move across the surface of the platters. Therefore, platters are the correct term for the multiple disks in a hard disk drive.

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  • 35. 

    When loading safe mode, which files are loaded?

    • The Keyboard, the SVGA Driver, The Mouse

    • The Keyboard, the VGA Driver, the Sound Card

    • The Keyboard, the Mouse, the VGA Driver

    • Everything BUT the Video Drivers

    Correct Answer
    A. The Keyboard, the Mouse, the VGA Driver
    Explanation
    When loading safe mode, the system only loads essential drivers and services to troubleshoot and diagnose any issues. The safe mode is designed to start the computer with a minimal set of drivers and services, which helps to identify and fix problems that may occur during the normal startup process. In this case, the keyboard, the mouse, and the VGA driver are loaded because they are necessary for basic functionality and display. The other options either include unnecessary drivers or exclude essential ones.

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  • 36. 

    Which of the following four Windows commands can be entered in order to display the active working directory?

    • TREE

    • CHKDSK

    • RMDIR

    • CD

    Correct Answer
    A. CD
    Explanation
    The correct answer is CD because the CD command in Windows is used to change the current directory or display the name of the current directory. By entering the CD command without any arguments, it will display the active working directory.

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  • 37. 

    Let us say that you have a computer which is running Windows XP with three primary partitions, and a single extended partition. When creating an additional partition, which of the following types of partitions may be added using Disk Management Tools?

    • Primary

    • Enhanced

    • Extended

    • Logical

    Correct Answer
    A. Logical
    Explanation
    When creating an additional partition using Disk Management Tools on a computer running Windows XP with three primary partitions and a single extended partition, the type of partition that may be added is a logical partition. Logical partitions are created within an extended partition and allow for further subdivision of storage space on the hard drive.

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  • 38. 

    When trying to write a new boot sector to your system partition while using Windows XP Recovery Console, which of the following commands would be used?

    • FIXMRB

    • BOOTCFG

    • FORMAT

    • FIXBOOT

    Correct Answer
    A. FIXBOOT
    Explanation
    When trying to write a new boot sector to the system partition using Windows XP Recovery Console, the command that would be used is FIXBOOT. This command is specifically designed to fix issues related to the boot sector of the system partition. It replaces the existing boot sector with a new one, ensuring that the system can properly boot up.

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  • 39. 

    Which of the following utilities is used when partitioning a disk in Windows XP?

    • System Configuration Utility

    • Device Manager

    • Disk Management

    • Registry Editor

    Correct Answer
    A. Disk Management
    Explanation
    Disk Management is the correct answer because it is the utility used in Windows XP for partitioning a disk. Disk Management allows users to create, delete, format, and resize partitions on a hard drive. It also provides options for assigning drive letters and setting up new volumes.

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  • 40. 

    Which are the minimum files required when putting together a boot disk?

    • IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS. COMMAND.COM

    • IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, COMMAND.COM, FDISK

    • IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, COMMAND.COM, CONFIG.SYS

    • IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, COMMAND.COM, SHARE.EXE

    Correct Answer
    A. IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS. COMMAND.COM
    Explanation
    The minimum files required when putting together a boot disk are IOS.SYS, MSDOS.SYS, and COMMAND.COM. These files are necessary for the operating system to start up and run properly. The IOS.SYS file contains the core functions of the operating system, MSDOS.SYS contains the configuration settings for the operating system, and COMMAND.COM is the command interpreter that allows users to interact with the system.

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  • 41. 

    Which of the following protocols is used for file downloading on the internet?

    • DNS

    • X400

    • HTTP

    • FTP

    Correct Answer
    A. FTP
    Explanation
    FTP or File Transfer Protocol is the protocol which is used for file downloading and uploading on the internet.

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  • 42. 

    Which key should be pressed in order to boot directly into Safe Mode while booting your computer?

    • F3

    • F4

    • F5

    • F8

    Correct Answer
    A. F5
    Explanation
    Pressing F5 while booting your computer will allow your computer to boot directly into Safe Mode.

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  • 43. 

    Which of the following files, if missing, would not allow you to boot into DOS?

    • Autoexec.bat

    • Config.sys

    • Command.com

    • Command.exe

    Correct Answer
    A. Command.com
    Explanation
    If the Command.com file is missing, it would not allow you to boot into DOS. Command.com is the primary executable file that is required for the operating system to load and function properly. It contains the command interpreter, which is responsible for executing commands and running programs in DOS. Without Command.com, the system would not be able to interpret and execute any commands, making it impossible to boot into DOS.

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  • 44. 

    Which of the following arrows is pointing at the CMOS battery?

    • 1

    • 2

    • 3

    • 4

    Correct Answer
    A. 4
    Explanation
    Your BIOS software resides on a ROM IC which is located on the motherboard and known as a CMOS, or Complementary Metal Oxide Semi-conductor. The CMOS ROM uses a battery in order to store information while the computer is off, and is non-volatile.

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  • 45. 

    Where does your computer get its first set of instructions while first booting up?

    • RAM BIOS

    • RAM

    • Microprocessor

    • BIOS

    Correct Answer
    A. BIOS
    Explanation
    When your computer is first booting up, the first set of instructions that it receives upon boot up come directly from the BIOS.

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  • 46. 

    If you are rebooting a computer which was recently upgraded, and each time you reboot you hear a single short beep, what is the computer trying to tell you?

    • BAD CPU

    • Bad Hard Drive

    • Bad RAM

    • Nothing is Wrong

    Correct Answer
    A. Nothing is Wrong
    Explanation
    A single short beep is actually the computer's way of telling you that everything is fine!

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  • 47. 

    The first physical sector for any bootable hard disk contains which of the following things?

    • The File Structure

    • The Data Structure

    • The MBR

    • The LBR

    Correct Answer
    A. The MBR
    Explanation
    The first physical sector for any bootable hard disk contains the MBR, or Master Boot Record.

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  • 48. 

    Which is the fastest of the following types of DRAM?

    • Conventional DRAM

    • EDO DRAM

    • BEDO DRAM

    • FPM DRAM

    Correct Answer
    A. BEDO DRAM
    Explanation
    The fastest of the aforementioned types of DRAM is BEDO DRAM, or Burst Extended Data Out DRAM.

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  • 49. 

    Two back up files are created in the Registry when Windows 95/98 is successfully booted. What are those two back up Registry files?

    • REG0.DAT and REG1.DAT

    • USER.DAT and SYSTEM.DAT

    • USER.DA0 and SYSTEM.DA0

    • REG_BACK.DAT and REG_SYS.DAT

    Correct Answer
    A. USER.DA0 and SYSTEM.DA0
    Explanation
    After every successful reboot, Windows 95 makes a backup of the Registry. The two back up files are named USER.DA0 and SYSTEM.DA0. The original Registry files, the ones that are replaced, are named USER.DAT and SYSTEM.DAT.

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Quiz Review Timeline (Updated): Jan 10, 2025 +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Jan 10, 2025
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Sep 13, 2007
    Quiz Created by
    Vaibhav Agarwal

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