A+ Essentials Chapter 5

1. Davos finds that a disgruntled former employee decided to sabotage her
computer when she left by putting a password in CMOS that stops the
computer from booting. What can Davos do to solve this problem?

Davos should boot the computer holding the left SHIFT key. This will clearthe CMOS information.

Davos should find a replacement motherboard. Unless he knows theCMOS password, there’s nothing he can do.

Davos should find the CMOS clear jumper on the motherboard. Boot the computer with a shunt on the jumper to clear the CMOS information.

Explanation

Davos should find the CMOS clear jumper on the motherboard. Boot the computer with a shunt on the jumper to clear the CMOS information.

About This Quiz

BIOS and CMOS

In this chapter, you will learn how to

• Explain the function of BIOS
• Distinguish among various CMOS setup utility options
• Describe BIOS and device drivers
• Troubleshoot the power-on self test (POST)

2. What's your name?

We’ll put your name on your report, certificate, and leaderboard.

2. Jill decided to go retro and added a second floppy disk drive to her computer.
She thinks she got it physically installed correctly, but it doesn’t show up in
Windows. Which of the following options will most likely lead Jill where she
needs to go to resolve the issue?

In Windows, press the DELETE key twice to enter the CMOS setup utility.

In Windows, go to Start | Run and type “floppy.” Click OK to open theFloppy Disk Drive Setup Wizard.

Jill should reboot the computer and watch for instructions to enter the
CMOS setup utility (for example, a message may say to press the DELETE key).
She should do what it says to go into CMOS setup.

Explanation

Jill should reboot the computer and watch for instructions to enter the
CMOS setup utility (for example, a message may say to press the DELETE key).
She should do what it says to go into CMOS setup.

3. Richard over in the sales department went wild in CMOS and made a bunch of
changes that he thought would optimize his PC. Now most of his PC doesn’t
work. He can boot, but only to CMOS, not into Windows. Which of the
following tech call answers would most likely get him up and running again?

Reboot the computer about three times. That’ll clear the CMOS and getyou up and running.

Please don’t hand Richard a screwdriver! Having him load Optimized
Default settings will most likely do the trick.

Explanation

Please don’t hand Richard a screwdriver! Having him load Optimized
Default settings will most likely do the trick.

4. Which of the following most accurately describes the relationship between
BIOS and hardware?

All hardware needs BIOS.

All hardware that attaches to the motherboard via ribbon cables needs BIOS.

All hardware built into the motherboard needs BIOS.

Some hardware devices need BIOS.

All hardware needs BIOS!

Explanation

All hardware needs BIOS!

5. Jill boots up an older Pentium III system that has been the cause of several
user complaints at the office. The system powers up and starts to run through
POST, but then stops. The screen displays a “CMOS configuration mismatch”
error. Of the following list, what is the most likely cause of this error?

Dying CMOS battery

Bad CPU

Bad RAM

Corrupt system BIOS

The CMOS battery is likely dying.

Explanation

The CMOS battery is likely dying.

6. Where does Windows store device drivers?

My Computer

My Hardware

Registry

Drivers and Settings

Windows stores device drivers in the Registry.

Explanation

Windows stores device drivers in the Registry.

7. Henry bought a new card for capturing television on his computer. When he
finished going through the packaging, however, he found no driver disc, only
an application disc for setting up the TV capture software. After installing the
card and software, it all works flawlessly. What’s the most likely explanation?

The device doesn’t need BIOS, so there’s no need for a driver disc.

The device has an option ROM that loads BIOS, so there’s no need for adriver disc.

Windows supports TV capture cards out of the box, so there’s no need for adriver disc.

The manufacturer made a mistake and didn’t include everything needed toset up the device.

Most likely the device has an option ROM because it works.

Explanation

Most likely the device has an option ROM because it works.

8. After a sudden power outage, Samson’s PC rebooted, but nothing appeared
on the screen. The PC just beeped at him, over and over and over. What’s most
likely the problem?

The power outage toasted his RAM.

The power outage toasted his video card.

The power outage toasted his hard drive.

The power outage toasted his CPU.

The long repeating beep and a dead PC most likely indicates a problem
with RAM.

Explanation

The long repeating beep and a dead PC most likely indicates a problem
with RAM.