SEMATEC A+ Quiz

1. When you ask a remote user to describe the problem he is having, he tells you that he heard a loud popping sound from the unit and then smoke came out of the back of the system unit. Which of the following should you have the customer do first?

Try to restart the computer.

Unplug the power supply from the AC outlet.

Have the customer check his purchase documentation to determine whether the PC is still covered so you can help him.

Tell him that the magic smoke has left the machine and it will never work again.

B. As a safety precaution, unplugging the power supply from the AC outlet should be done first to avoid additional damage to the unit or to yourself.

Explanation

B. As a safety precaution, unplugging the power supply from the AC outlet should be done first to avoid additional damage to the unit or to yourself.

2. Which one of the following types of memory can be used to permanently store data and instructions?

SRAM devices

ROM devices

Magnetic memory

SDRAM devices

ROM devices store information permanently and are used to hold programs and data that do not change. RAM devices retain the information stored in them only as long as electrical power is applied to the IC. This is referred to as volatile memory. ROM, on the other hand, is nonvolatile. It retains the information even if power is removed from the device.

Explanation

ROM devices store information permanently and are used to hold programs and data that do not change. RAM devices retain the information stored in them only as long as electrical power is applied to the IC. This is referred to as volatile memory. ROM, on the other hand, is nonvolatile. It retains the information even if power is removed from the device.

3. You are helping a nontechnical user over the telephone and you need to have the user plug in the SVGA monitor. How would you describe the connector and number of pins in the SVGA connector?

15-pin, 3-row, D-shell

9-pin, 3-row, D-shell

50-pin, 2-row, D-shell

6-pin, round, mini-DIN

The monitor is attached to the video adapter card in the system unit via a signal cable or cables. The signal cable permits the monitor to be positioned away from the system unit if desired. With CRT monitors, the signal cable is permanently attached to the monitor and plugs into the video adapter card using a 3-row, 15-pin, D-shell connector.

Explanation

The monitor is attached to the video adapter card in the system unit via a signal cable or cables. The signal cable permits the monitor to be positioned away from the system unit if desired. With CRT monitors, the signal cable is permanently attached to the monitor and plugs into the video adapter card using a 3-row, 15-pin, D-shell connector.

4. When you are discussing the memory capacity of a memory module, the capacity is specified in

Gigabits

Megabits

Bytes

Dibits

Memory module capacities are typically specified in an a-by-b format. Under this format, the capacity of the device (in bytes) is derived by multiplying the two numbers and then dividing by eight (or nine for memory modules with parity chips).

Explanation

Memory module capacities are typically specified in an a-by-b format. Under this format, the capacity of the device (in bytes) is derived by multiplying the two numbers and then dividing by eight (or nine for memory modules with parity chips).

5. You are installing a printer at a customer’s office. The printer is new and features USB connectivity. The host system is an old Pentium II system with two USB ports on the back panel. After you connect the printer and turn it on, the system recognizes it, but the printer doesn’t work. What is the most likely cause for this situation?

The USB cable is a USB 2.0 version that is not compatible with the computer port.

The USB cable is a USB 1.1 version that is not compatible with the new printer port.

The new printer is a USB 2.0 device, but the host computer has a USB1.1 port.

The USB drivers need to be updated to USB 2.0 drivers.

C. You may encounter situations where incompatible USB ports and devices refuse to work together. Some older PCs that have USB 1.1 ports may not be able to work with some newer USB 2.0 devices. In these cases, the system may recognize the device but won’t work with it.

Explanation

C. You may encounter situations where incompatible USB ports and devices refuse to work together. Some older PCs that have USB 1.1 ports may not be able to work with some newer USB 2.0 devices. In these cases, the system may recognize the device but won’t work with it.

6. At boot, a computer system makes a loud noise, and smoke is seen coming from the unit. What is the first thing you should do?

Call the manufacturer and check warranty status.

Shut down the system and vent the room.

Try to boot the system in Safe Mode.

Remove power from the computer.

D. Anytime you see smoke coming from a PC or one of its peripherals, you should remove power from it as quickly as possible. This is one of those obvious (and dangerous) conditions that requires immediate attention and that does not fall into a troubleshooting sequence.

Explanation

D. Anytime you see smoke coming from a PC or one of its peripherals, you should remove power from it as quickly as possible. This is one of those obvious (and dangerous) conditions that requires immediate attention and that does not fall into a troubleshooting sequence.

7. You’ve installed one PATA hard drive and it is working fine. You install a second PATA drive and neither drive works when you start the system. What is the most likely cause for this problem?

The drives are connected in the wrong order on the PATA signal cable.

The second drive is on the secondary IDE channel with its jumper set in the slave position.

Both drives are connected to the primary IDE channel and the jumpers on both drives are set as masters.

C. If a working PATA hard drive fails because a second PATA drive has been installed, it is probably because they are connected to the same IDE channel and both drives are set as Master. With the IDE interface, there can be only one master drive selection on each IDE channel.

Explanation

C. If a working PATA hard drive fails because a second PATA drive has been installed, it is probably because they are connected to the same IDE channel and both drives are set as Master. With the IDE interface, there can be only one master drive selection on each IDE channel.

8. At what point does heat buildup become a problem for most PCs?

Room temperatures above 85°F

Room temperatures above 90°F

Room temperatures above 95°F

Room temperatures above 100°F

A. PCs are designed to run at normal room temperatures. If the ambient temperature rises above 85°F, heat buildup can become a problem. High humidity can also lead to heat-related problems.

Explanation

A. PCs are designed to run at normal room temperatures. If the ambient temperature rises above 85°F, heat buildup can become a problem. High humidity can also lead to heat-related problems.

9. Which PCMCIA slot type can handle all the different PC Card device formats?

Type I

Type II

Type III

Mini PCI

C. PCMCIA Type III cards are being produced. These cards are 10.5mm thick and are intended primarily for use with removable hard drives. Both Type I and Type II cards can be used in a Type III slot.

Explanation

C. PCMCIA Type III cards are being produced. These cards are 10.5mm thick and are intended primarily for use with removable hard drives. Both Type I and Type II cards can be used in a Type III slot.

10. How is information stored in the system’s BIOS updated?

By physically removing and replacing the BIOS device on the system board

By replacing the RTC module so the variable information stored in CMOS will update the BIOS on startup

By electronically flashing the BIOS with new information

When the microprocessor is upgraded, the BIOS should be flashed with the latest compatibility firmware. If the BIOS does not possess the flash option and does not support the new microprocessor, a new BIOS chip that does support it must be obtained. If not, typically the entire system board will need to be upgraded.

Explanation

When the microprocessor is upgraded, the BIOS should be flashed with the latest compatibility firmware. If the BIOS does not possess the flash option and does not support the new microprocessor, a new BIOS chip that does support it must be obtained. If not, typically the entire system board will need to be upgraded.

11. You have been called in to troubleshoot a new Windows XP Media Center Edition installation that is not supporting USB devices from any of its USB ports. What should you do first to correct this problem?

Enable USB support in the CMOS setup utility.

Get new USB 2.1 devices so they are compatible with the MCE system.

Test the USB devices in other machines.

Check the Windows XP MCE HCL to determine whether the components are compatible with the new operating system.

A. The first step in troubleshooting USB problems is to check the CMOS setup screens to make sure that the USB function is enabled there. If the USB function is enabled in BIOS, check in the Windows Control Panel, System, Device Manager to make certain that the USB controller appears there.

Explanation

A. The first step in troubleshooting USB problems is to check the CMOS setup screens to make sure that the USB function is enabled there. If the USB function is enabled in BIOS, check in the Windows Control Panel, System, Device Manager to make certain that the USB controller appears there.

12. How many devices can a single USB hub support?

7

15

127

128

The universal serial bus (USB) is a high-speed serial interface that has been developed to provide a fast, flexible method of attaching up to 127 peripheral devices to the computer. USB peripherals can be daisy chained or networked together using connection hubs that enable the bus to branch out through additional port connections.

Explanation

The universal serial bus (USB) is a high-speed serial interface that has been developed to provide a fast, flexible method of attaching up to 127 peripheral devices to the computer. USB peripherals can be daisy chained or networked together using connection hubs that enable the bus to branch out through additional port connections.

13. What is the best type of cleaning tool for use on the exterior of computers and peripheral components?

A vacuum cleaner

A damp cloth

A soft brush

A can of antistatic spray

A damp cloth is easily the best general-purpose cleaning tool for use with computer equipment.

Explanation

A damp cloth is easily the best general-purpose cleaning tool for use with computer equipment.

14. What type of cleaning solution should be used on the exterior of computer components?

Bleach and water

Window cleaner

Soap and water

Citrus-based cleaners

C. Outer-surface cleaning can be accomplished with a simple soap-and-water solution, followed by a clear water rinse. Care should be taken to make sure that none of the liquid splashes or drips into the inner parts of the system.

Explanation

C. Outer-surface cleaning can be accomplished with a simple soap-and-water solution, followed by a clear water rinse. Care should be taken to make sure that none of the liquid splashes or drips into the inner parts of the system.

15. What type of RAM do you typically find in a notebook PC?

RIMM

SODIMM

PCMCIA

SD memory

B. Notebook and other portable computer manufacturers do not use traditional DIMM modules in their designs. Special form factor DIMMs, called the small outline DIMM (SODIMMs), were developed specifically for use in notebook computers.

Explanation

B. Notebook and other portable computer manufacturers do not use traditional DIMM modules in their designs. Special form factor DIMMs, called the small outline DIMM (SODIMMs), were developed specifically for use in notebook computers.

Sematec A+ Quiz