A+ - Part 1

If your power supply is not functioning, the best thing to do is to replace the power supply. This is because a faulty power supply can cause various issues with your computer's performance and may even lead to damage. Sending it to an electrical technician may be an option, but it can be time-consuming and costly. Trying to fix it yourself can be risky if you are not experienced in handling electrical components. And replacing the entire computer is unnecessary and expensive if only the power supply is the issue.

An overheating CPU can cause a computer to automatically reboot because when the CPU gets too hot, it can trigger the computer's built-in safety mechanism to shut down and restart in order to prevent damage to the hardware. This is a common issue that can occur if the computer's cooling system is not functioning properly or if the CPU is being put under heavy load for extended periods of time.

When replacing a PCI card, the first thing you should do is shut down the system and unplug the power. This is important to ensure the safety of both the user and the computer. By shutting down the system, you prevent any potential damage or data loss that could occur during the replacement process. Unplugging the power eliminates the risk of electric shock and protects the computer from any power surges. Once the system is shut down and the power is unplugged, you can safely proceed with replacing the PCI card.

The 4 types of DC voltage usually produced by a power supply are +5, -5, +12, -12.

If the processor has a removable heat sink, fan, or thermal duct that is attached to the motherboard, you must remove these components before you can remove the processor.

When it is time for a BIOS update, go to the manufacturer’s website to see if a new update has been released. Flashing the BIOS is the act of erasing all of the BIOS’s current contents and writing a new BIOS to the BIOS chip. You can do this by booting off of a special floppy disk, from CD-ROM, and from within Windows.

The jumper settings on the IDE devices determine whether they function as the master or slave in a system. By configuring the jumpers on the devices, the user can assign them specific roles, allowing them to communicate and function properly within the system. The jumper settings override any other factors in determining the master or slave status of the IDE devices.

When installing a new CPU, thermal compound is applied directly to the CPU. Thermal compound is a substance that helps to improve the transfer of heat between the CPU and the heat sink. It fills in any gaps or imperfections on the surface of the CPU and helps to ensure that heat is efficiently conducted away from the CPU. This helps to prevent overheating and ensures optimal performance of the CPU.

The first question to ask a customer when they report a blank monitor is whether the monitor is switched on. This is because if the monitor is not turned on, it would explain why it is blank. It is a basic troubleshooting step to ensure that the monitor is receiving power and is functioning properly. By asking this question first, it helps to identify the most common and simple issue that could be causing the problem.

Small Outline DIMMs (SODIMMs) are commonly used for laptops. SODIMMs are smaller and more compact compared to other memory module form factors, making them suitable for the limited space available in laptops. They are designed specifically for mobile devices and laptops, providing a higher memory density in a smaller physical size. SODIMMs are compatible with the majority of laptop models and are widely used in the industry.

After talking to the user experiencing the problem, the next step in the troubleshooting process is usually gathering information on the issue. This step involves collecting more details about the problem, such as error messages, specific symptoms, and any recent changes or events that may have triggered the issue. By gathering this information, it helps in understanding the problem better and narrowing down the possible causes, which can then be addressed in the subsequent steps of isolating possible causes and eliminating possibilities. Documenting the findings is usually the final step in the troubleshooting process.

Each and every time you start your computer it goes through a test known as POST or power-on self test. If the BIOS finds any errors with the system, it notifies you by error messages known as beep codes.

A single beep at startup indicates that the PC has successfully completed its Power on Self Test (POST). During the POST, the computer's hardware components are checked to ensure they are functioning properly. The beep is a signal from the motherboard indicating that all the essential hardware components have passed the test and the system is ready to boot up. Therefore, the single beep confirms the successful completion of the POST.

All of these options are correct because they can help improve the air flow around the processor. Blowing out the computer with compressed air can remove any dust or debris that may be blocking the air flow. Removing the heat sink from the CPU allows for better access to clean it and ensure that it is properly attached. Placing the computer on a surface covered with old newspapers or waste paper can prevent any additional dust from being sucked into the computer. Lastly, cleaning off the old thermal paste and reapplying a small amount helps ensure proper heat transfer between the processor and the heat sink. Overall, these steps can help prevent overheating and improve the performance of the computer.

Power supplies are rated in watts, and the more watts a power supply provides, the more devices it can safely power.

Most newer computers have 500 watt or larger power supplies in them because of the greater number of drives and expansion cards that are available now.

Motherboards use expansion slots to provide support for additional I/O devices and high-speed video/graphics cards. The most common expansion slots on recent systems include PCI, AGP, and PCI-Express (also known as PCIe). Some systems also feature AMR or CNR slots for specific purposes.

The essential components for a computer include the motherboard, CPU, computer case, video card, and memory. The motherboard is the main circuit board that connects all the other components together. The CPU is the central processing unit, responsible for executing instructions and performing calculations. The computer case provides physical protection and houses all the components. The video card handles graphics processing. Memory is used for temporary storage of data and instructions. A scanner, although useful, is not considered an essential component for a computer.

Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMMs) are commonly used in computers and other electronic devices to provide random access memory (RAM). The number of pins associated with DIMMs determines the physical connection between the module and the motherboard. In this case, the correct answer is 168, which means that DIMMs typically have 168 pins.

CMOS memory, also referred to as non-volatile memory, is used to store BIOS settings and should not be confused with system memory (RAM). CMOS stands for complimentary metal-oxide semiconductor.

Windows XP and Windows Vista are the most commonly used Windows operating systems. This is because both of these operating systems were widely adopted by users and businesses during their respective time periods. Windows XP was released in 2001 and was very popular for its stability and user-friendly interface. Windows Vista, released in 2007, introduced several new features and improvements over its predecessor, Windows XP. However, it was not as well-received by users due to compatibility issues and performance concerns. Nonetheless, both Windows XP and Windows Vista had a significant user base and were widely used operating systems.

If the CMOS battery fails it will lose all information, such as time/date, CPU information, and drive types.

Standard North American power is 115 volts and European power is 230 volts. Some power supplies have a slider on the back to switch between the two voltages.

Thermal compound (also known as thermal transfer material, thermal grease, or phase change material) provides for the best possible thermal transfer between a component (for example a CPU) and its heat sink. This prevents CPU damage.

The wire coils inside the power supply retain potentially fatal voltage levels. To prevent shock you should not disassemble them or stick in a metal object such as a screwdriver.

Beep codes are used by most BIOS versions to indicate either a fatal error or a serious error. A fatal error is an error that is so serious that the computer cannot continue the boot process. A fatal error includes a problem with the CPU, the POST ROM, the system timer, or memory. Serious error beep codes report a problem with your video display card or circuit. Although systems can boot without video, you do not want to boot without video because you can’t see what the system is doing.

Activity lights, power switch, and USB ports are all devices that can be found on the front or back of a computer. Activity lights indicate the status of various components such as the hard drive or network connection. The power switch is used to turn the computer on or off. USB ports allow for the connection of external devices such as keyboards, mice, or USB drives.

The two types of metal that are used as contacts on SIMMs are gold and tin. Placing gold sockets in a tin socket and vice-verse are most likely to see corrosion and eventual system lockups.

The correct answer is "There is a twist at one end." This is because floppy drive cables are usually flat and have a twist at one end. This twist helps to ensure that the cable is inserted correctly into the floppy drive and prevents it from being inserted upside down.

The type and speed of the processor, amount of RAM, amount of cache memory, and the details of the BIOS program can all be viewed from within BIOS setup. Feature settings refers to the ability to configure various features of the operating system.