Chapter 1
First Look at Computer Parts and Tools
Reviewing the Basics
1. Which is faster, a Hi-Speed USB port or a SuperSpeed USB port?
SuperSpeed USB is faster than Hi-Speed USB
2. What type of output does a S/PDIF port provide?
High quality sound to an audio system
3. List five types of video ports.
VGA, S-Video, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort video ports
4. What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?
An expansion slot on a motherboard is used for an expansion card, which provides a port
or other function that is not provided by the motherboard.
5. What should be the setting for a dual-voltage selector switch on a power supply when
using the computer in the United States?
Set the switch to 115 volts
6. What unit of measure is used to describe the amount of work a surge suppressor
can do before it stops protecting the circuit from an electrical surge?
Joule
1
, 7. Hot wires in home wiring are normally colored ____ and ground wires in
computers are normally colored _____.
Black, black
8. What is the difference between a transformer and a rectifier? Which are found in a
PC power supply?
A rectifier is a device that converts alternating current to direct current. A transformer is a device
that changes the ratio of current to voltage. A computer power supply functions as both.
9. What device can you use to make sure a computer is protected against power surges?
A surge suppressor
10. A power supply receives 120 volts of ___ power from a wall outlet and converts it to 3.3,
5, and 12 volts of ____ power.
AC, DC
11. Why is a power supply dangerous even after the power is disconnected?
Capacitors inside a PC power supply create the even flow of current needed by the PC.
Capacitors maintain their charge long after current is no longer present, which is why the inside
of a power supply can be dangerous even when power is disconnected.
12. Which two tools can a PC support technician use when taking apart a computer to
best protect computer components against ESD?
Ground bracelet and antistatic gloves
13. What is the purpose of a POST diagnostic card?
To report errors at POST
14. What are the three purposes accomplished by the motherboard BIOS?
2
,System BIOS manages essential devices, startup BIOS starts the computer, and BIOS setup is
used to configure the motherboard
15. How is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data and instruction
cable or a power cable?
Follow the cable from its source to its destination
16. What technology standard provides for up to four drives installed in a system?
PATA (parallel ATA), also called EIDE (enhanced integrated drive electronics) or IDE
17. How many pins does the P1 connector have that uses the ATX Version 2.2
standard?
24
18. What device might require extra power so that it uses the 12V 6-pin power
connector? In what two locations might you find the connector?
A PCI Express video card. The connector might be located on the video card or on the
motherboard.
19. What is the purpose of the 4-pin auxiliary connector on a motherboard?
To provide extra voltage or power for a processor
20. What is the purpose of the 4-pin Molex connector?
To power IDE (PATA) drives
Thinking Critically
1. You purchase a new computer system that does not have wireless capability, and
then you decide that you want to use a wireless connection to the Internet. What
are the least expensive ways (pick two) to upgrade your system to wireless?
a. Trade in the computer for another computer that has wireless installed
3
, b. Purchase a second computer that has wireless
c. Purchase a wireless expansion card and install it in your system
d. Purchase a USB wireless adapter and connect it to your PC by way of a USB
port
Answers: c. Purchase a wireless expansion card and install it in your system, and d. Purchase a
USB wireless adapter and connect it to your PC by way of a USB port
2. How much power is consumed by a load drawing 5 A with 120 V across it?
600 watts
3. When working on a computer, which of the following best protects against ESD?
Why?
a. Always touch the computer case before touching a circuit board inside the
case
b. Always wear a ground bracelet clipped to the side of the case
c. Always sit a computer on an antistatic mat when working on it
d. Always work on a computer in a room without carpet
Answer: b. Always wear a ground bracelet clipped to the side of the case
4. When troubleshooting a computer hardware problem, which tool might help with
each of the following problems?
a. You suspect the network port on a computer is not functioning.
b. The system fails at the beginning of the boot and nothing appears on the screen.
c. A hard drive is not working and you suspect the Molex power connector from the
power supply might be the source of the problem.
Answers: a. Loopback plug, b. POST diagnostic card, c. Multimeter
Chapter 2
4
First Look at Computer Parts and Tools
Reviewing the Basics
1. Which is faster, a Hi-Speed USB port or a SuperSpeed USB port?
SuperSpeed USB is faster than Hi-Speed USB
2. What type of output does a S/PDIF port provide?
High quality sound to an audio system
3. List five types of video ports.
VGA, S-Video, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort video ports
4. What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?
An expansion slot on a motherboard is used for an expansion card, which provides a port
or other function that is not provided by the motherboard.
5. What should be the setting for a dual-voltage selector switch on a power supply when
using the computer in the United States?
Set the switch to 115 volts
6. What unit of measure is used to describe the amount of work a surge suppressor
can do before it stops protecting the circuit from an electrical surge?
Joule
1
, 7. Hot wires in home wiring are normally colored ____ and ground wires in
computers are normally colored _____.
Black, black
8. What is the difference between a transformer and a rectifier? Which are found in a
PC power supply?
A rectifier is a device that converts alternating current to direct current. A transformer is a device
that changes the ratio of current to voltage. A computer power supply functions as both.
9. What device can you use to make sure a computer is protected against power surges?
A surge suppressor
10. A power supply receives 120 volts of ___ power from a wall outlet and converts it to 3.3,
5, and 12 volts of ____ power.
AC, DC
11. Why is a power supply dangerous even after the power is disconnected?
Capacitors inside a PC power supply create the even flow of current needed by the PC.
Capacitors maintain their charge long after current is no longer present, which is why the inside
of a power supply can be dangerous even when power is disconnected.
12. Which two tools can a PC support technician use when taking apart a computer to
best protect computer components against ESD?
Ground bracelet and antistatic gloves
13. What is the purpose of a POST diagnostic card?
To report errors at POST
14. What are the three purposes accomplished by the motherboard BIOS?
2
,System BIOS manages essential devices, startup BIOS starts the computer, and BIOS setup is
used to configure the motherboard
15. How is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data and instruction
cable or a power cable?
Follow the cable from its source to its destination
16. What technology standard provides for up to four drives installed in a system?
PATA (parallel ATA), also called EIDE (enhanced integrated drive electronics) or IDE
17. How many pins does the P1 connector have that uses the ATX Version 2.2
standard?
24
18. What device might require extra power so that it uses the 12V 6-pin power
connector? In what two locations might you find the connector?
A PCI Express video card. The connector might be located on the video card or on the
motherboard.
19. What is the purpose of the 4-pin auxiliary connector on a motherboard?
To provide extra voltage or power for a processor
20. What is the purpose of the 4-pin Molex connector?
To power IDE (PATA) drives
Thinking Critically
1. You purchase a new computer system that does not have wireless capability, and
then you decide that you want to use a wireless connection to the Internet. What
are the least expensive ways (pick two) to upgrade your system to wireless?
a. Trade in the computer for another computer that has wireless installed
3
, b. Purchase a second computer that has wireless
c. Purchase a wireless expansion card and install it in your system
d. Purchase a USB wireless adapter and connect it to your PC by way of a USB
port
Answers: c. Purchase a wireless expansion card and install it in your system, and d. Purchase a
USB wireless adapter and connect it to your PC by way of a USB port
2. How much power is consumed by a load drawing 5 A with 120 V across it?
600 watts
3. When working on a computer, which of the following best protects against ESD?
Why?
a. Always touch the computer case before touching a circuit board inside the
case
b. Always wear a ground bracelet clipped to the side of the case
c. Always sit a computer on an antistatic mat when working on it
d. Always work on a computer in a room without carpet
Answer: b. Always wear a ground bracelet clipped to the side of the case
4. When troubleshooting a computer hardware problem, which tool might help with
each of the following problems?
a. You suspect the network port on a computer is not functioning.
b. The system fails at the beginning of the boot and nothing appears on the screen.
c. A hard drive is not working and you suspect the Molex power connector from the
power supply might be the source of the problem.
Answers: a. Loopback plug, b. POST diagnostic card, c. Multimeter
Chapter 2
4
