CompTIA A+ Essentials Practice Test (100 Questions)

You have the power to change the order of all bootable devises in the BIOS.

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.

The Administrator user has the most authority because it is the account which is responsible for adding and removing services and users, creating group policies, changing security settings and so on.

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.

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.

When acting as a service technician and talking to a customer, it is important to avoid interruptions of all kinds. This is because interruptions can disrupt the flow of the conversation and prevent the technician from fully understanding the customer's concerns or issues. By avoiding interruptions, the technician can give the customer their full attention and provide a more effective and satisfactory service experience.

A hotfix is not a type of malware or malicious software. It is a software patch or update released by a software vendor to address a specific issue or bug in their software. Unlike malware, which is designed to harm or exploit a computer system, a hotfix is intended to improve the functionality or security of the software it is applied to.

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.

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.

Fiber optic cables offer high speed and long distance connections.

When a user reports an issue that cannot be replicated with a technician onsite, the best action for the technician to take is to ask a series of questions to the user. By asking specific questions, the technician can gather more information about the issue, such as when it occurs, what actions were taken before it happened, and any error messages that may have appeared. This will help the technician narrow down the scope of the problem and identify potential solutions or troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue.

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.

When dealing with a customer as a service technician, it is important to avoid using jargon. Jargon refers to technical or specialized language that may be difficult for the customer to understand. Using simple words that can be easily understood by the customer is essential in providing effective communication and ensuring that the customer fully comprehends the information being conveyed. Therefore, using jargon should be avoided in order to provide clear and concise communication with the customer.

In order to get the maximum speed, the hard disk, the system chipset and the BIOS must all support the mode in question.

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.

The correct answer is RJ-45. RJ-45 is the standard connector used for UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair) Ethernet connections. It has 8 pins and is commonly used for connecting devices such as computers, routers, and switches to a local area network (LAN). RJ-45 connectors are designed to provide reliable and high-speed data transmission over Ethernet cables.

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.

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.

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

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

All of these components should be recycled rather than simply thrown away due to their highly toxic components. Laptop batteries, toner cartridges, ink jet cartridges, and computer monitors all contain hazardous materials that can pollute the environment if not disposed of properly. Recycling these components ensures that the toxic components are safely extracted and that the materials can be reused, reducing the environmental impact.

ESD, or Electrostatic Discharge, refers to the sudden flow of electricity between two objects with different electrical potentials. When ESD occurs, it can cause damage to electronic components. This is because the discharge can generate a high voltage that exceeds the component's tolerance, leading to the failure of the component. Therefore, the correct answer is that ESD can cause electronic components to fail.

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. These sheets provide detailed information about the potential hazards and safety precautions associated with a particular material or chemical. They include information on the composition, physical and chemical properties, handling and storage procedures, emergency response measures, and disposal guidelines. MSDSs are important tools for ensuring the safe handling and use of materials in various industries, such as manufacturing, construction, and healthcare.

To troubleshoot the issue of a computer freezing, the technician should first obtain information about what the user was doing when the problem occurred. This information can help identify any specific actions, programs, or settings that may be causing the freeze. By understanding the context in which the freeze occurs, the technician can narrow down the potential causes and provide more targeted solutions. Obtaining the model number, Windows Error Reporting Log, or type of machine being used may be helpful in certain cases, but understanding the user's actions is the most crucial piece of information for initial troubleshooting.

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.

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.

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.

The most likely connector to be used on the computer's parallel port for an older printer is the DB-25 pin connector. This is because the DB-25 pin connector is commonly used for parallel ports and is compatible with older printer models. The other connector options listed (DB-9 pin, DB-37, DB-50) are not typically used for parallel ports and are less likely to be used in this scenario.

The correct answer is to explain the problem to the customer in the most basic terms and recommend a solution. This is the appropriate action because the technician should communicate the issue to the customer in a clear and understandable way. By explaining the problem in basic terms, the technician can ensure that the customer understands the issue and can make an informed decision on how to proceed. Additionally, by recommending a solution, the technician can provide guidance on how to resolve the sluggish and unresponsive behavior of the computer.

IDE controllers are capable of supporting up to 2 hard drives. For two IDE controllers, four hard drives can be supported.

The two types of partitions on basic disks are primary and extended.

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.

A single short beep is actually the computer's way of telling you that everything is fine!

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.

The first and most important step in the process of avoiding accidents by identifying potential hazards is to read all available MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) information. MSDS provides important information about the potential hazards of a substance or product, including safety precautions, handling instructions, and emergency procedures. By reading and understanding the MSDS information, individuals can be aware of the potential hazards associated with a substance or product and take necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

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.

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.

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

NAN is not a type of network. LAN is a Local Area Network, WAN is a Wide Area Network and MAN is a Metropolitan Area Network.

Proxy servers act as an intermediary between Local Area Network Clients and The Internet. A proxy server receives requests from clients on the LAN and forwards them to the internet, acting as a middleman. It can also cache data from the internet and provide it to clients, improving performance and reducing bandwidth usage. Additionally, proxy servers can enhance security by filtering and blocking certain requests, protecting the LAN clients from potential threats on the internet.

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.

An amplifier is used to boost an analog signal. It increases the amplitude of the signal, thereby increasing its strength and making it easier to transmit or process. Amplifiers are commonly used in audio systems, telecommunications, and other applications where a weak signal needs to be strengthened for better performance.

All of the above questions should be asked of the client to diagnose the problem. By asking if the client has a sample of the characters, it can help identify if the issue is with the document itself or with the printing process. Inquiring about the applications in use can help determine if the problem is specific to a certain program or if it occurs with all applications. Asking where the printer is located can help identify if there are any environmental factors that could be affecting the printing. Lastly, asking about the frequency and timing of the problem can provide insights into any patterns or potential causes.

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.

WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) is a security protocol used to encrypt data on wireless networks. It operates at the data link layer of the OSI model, providing security for the network layer. This means that it protects the data being transmitted over the network by encrypting it at the network layer. Therefore, WEP is used at both the data link layer and the network layer of the OSI model.

Public key cryptography can provide a reliable method for digital signing by using public and private key pairs.

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.

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.

PCMCIA is a universal input/output interface for external components.

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