Chapter 6 Motherboards Test

CMOS RAM is typically located on a RAM chip. CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a type of technology used to create low-power integrated circuits, including RAM chips. CMOS RAM is a small amount of memory that stores the computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings, such as date, time, and hardware configuration. It is powered by a small battery on the motherboard, allowing it to retain data even when the computer is turned off. Therefore, the correct answer is "On a RAM chip."

The statement is false. When one port fails, it does not necessarily mean that the entire motherboard must be replaced. In many cases, only the faulty port needs to be repaired or replaced. Motherboards are designed with multiple ports to provide flexibility and redundancy, so that if one port fails, the others can still be used. Replacing the entire motherboard would be an unnecessary and costly solution in most cases.

The number of wires that make up the memory address lines of the bus determines how many bits can be used for a memory address. This is because each wire can represent a single bit, and the total number of wires determines the total number of bits that can be used for addressing memory locations. Therefore, the statement is true.

A jumper is considered closed if the cover is in place because the cover completes the circuit and allows the flow of electricity. Without the cover, the circuit would be open and electricity would not be able to pass through. Therefore, when the cover is in place, it indicates that the jumper is closed and the circuit is complete.

The process of upgrading or refreshing the firmware stored on the ROM BIOS chip is called flashing ROM. This involves replacing the existing firmware with a newer version, which may contain bug fixes, security updates, or additional features. Flashing ROM is commonly done to improve the performance and functionality of the computer system.

To access the setup program stored in ROM BIOS on a new computer, the user needs to press a key or combination of keys during the boot process. This action triggers the computer to enter the BIOS setup utility, allowing the user to configure various hardware and software settings. The other options mentioned, such as using the Start menu, downloading a program, or using a boot disk, do not apply to accessing the setup program in ROM BIOS.

The correct answer is "on-board". This term is used to describe a component that is integrated directly onto the motherboard, rather than being a separate external component. It implies that the component is permanently connected to the motherboard and cannot be easily removed or replaced.

Embedded components, such as hardware devices or software applications, are typically configured through the CMOS Setup. The CMOS Setup is a specialized configuration utility that allows users to modify settings related to the computer's hardware and system functions. It provides access to various options and parameters that can be adjusted to optimize the performance and functionality of the embedded components. This setup is commonly accessed during the computer's boot process by pressing a specific key, such as F2 or Delete, to enter the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) interface where the CMOS Setup is located.

PCIe uses a serial bus, which is faster than a parallel bus because it transmits data in packets. This allows for more efficient and faster data transmission compared to the parallel bus used by PCI, PCI-X, and AGP. PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express and is a high-speed serial expansion bus commonly used in modern computers for connecting various peripheral devices such as graphics cards, network cards, and storage devices.

The embedded wires in a bus are responsible for carrying electrical power, control signals, and data. However, thermal compound is not one of the types of cargo carried through these wires. Thermal compound is a material used to improve heat transfer between components, such as a processor and a heat sink, to prevent overheating. It is not transmitted through the wires in a bus.

The correct answer is North Bridge. The North Bridge chipset, also known as the Memory Controller Hub, is located closer to the CPU. This proximity allows for faster data transfer between the CPU and the video card, resulting in improved performance.

A properly functioning capacitor should not have a slightly bulging head with brown spots. This is a sign of a faulty or damaged capacitor. A capacitor with a bulging head and brown spots indicates that it has likely overheated or experienced a leakage of electrolyte, which can lead to failure or malfunction. Therefore, the correct answer is False.

A bus that does not run in sync with the system clock is called an expansion bus. This type of bus is used to connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and external storage devices to the computer system. Unlike the system bus, which operates at the same frequency as the system clock, the expansion bus can operate at a different frequency or asynchronously, allowing for flexibility in connecting various devices to the system.

The PCI Express bus currently comes in four different slot sizes. These different slot sizes allow for different levels of bandwidth and compatibility with various types of expansion cards. The four slot sizes are x1, x4, x8, and x16. Each slot size provides a different number of lanes, which determines the amount of data that can be transferred between the expansion card and the motherboard.

A board that has many embedded components may not easily accept add-on devices from other manufacturers because the embedded components may not be compatible with the add-on devices. The embedded components may have specific requirements or interfaces that are not supported by the add-on devices, making it difficult or impossible to integrate them seamlessly. Therefore, the statement is false.

The power button on the tower quitting working is most likely not a symptom of a failing motherboard or processor because it is a separate component from the motherboard and processor. The power button is usually connected to the motherboard through a separate circuit, so if it stops working, it is more likely due to a faulty button or wiring rather than a failing motherboard or processor.

A device issues a "Wait State", which is a command to the processor to wait for slower devices to catch up. This command is used to synchronize the actions of different devices in a system, ensuring that they all operate at the same pace and preventing data loss or errors due to timing mismatches. By issuing a wait state, the device allows slower devices to complete their operations before the processor continues its execution, maintaining system stability and integrity.

A start-up password refers to a password that is changed by accessing the setup screen. This means that in order to change the start-up password, the user needs to access the computer's BIOS or UEFI settings where the password can be modified. Unlike the power-on password, which is entered before the operating system loads, the start-up password can be changed through the setup screen.

The correct answer is ISA. ISA stands for Industry Standard Architecture and it was the first expansion slot used in early PCs. ISA slots had an 8-bit data path size and ran at a speed of 4.77 MHz. This allowed for the connection of additional hardware devices to the computer, such as sound cards, network cards, and graphics cards. ISA slots were later replaced by PCI and PCIe slots, which offered faster data transfer speeds and improved performance.

Many older motherboards and expansion cards and few newer ones store setup data using a DIP switch, which has an on and an off position. A DIP switch is a small switch that can be toggled between two positions, typically on or off. It is used to configure or set certain settings on a device, such as a motherboard or expansion card. The DIP switch is a common method for storing setup data because it is simple and reliable.