Cybersecurity - Internal Components pt. 1

​Internal Components

• ​Explore motherboard components

• Install and upgrade components

• Troubleshoot components

• Clear CMOS settings

• ​RAM stores values in short-term memory.

• Hard drives store data in long-term memory.

• Processors execute instructions stored in computer programs.

• Flash drives are portable devices that store data in long-term memory.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following components stores values in short-term memory?

• Processor

• Hard drive

• RAM

• Flash drive

• The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, processes data.

• RAM stores values in short-term memory.

• HDD and SDD are two types of long-term memory storage.

Multiple Choice

Which hardware component processes data?

• RAM

• SSD

• CPU

• HDD

• A computer's power supply converts alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet to direct current (DC) used by the computer's internal components.

• A voltage regulator is an electronic device that supplies the appropriate voltage to a processor. It does not convert the power input from one form to another; it only ensures that the voltage remains at the appropriate level for the device. A surge protector protects a system from power spikes. A UPS (uninterruptable power supply) provides backup AC power using a reserve battery.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following components converts AC to DC?

• Power supply

• Capacitor

• Voltage regulator

• Surge protector

• The CPU is the most important part of any modern computer system because it controls the other parts of the computer.

• RAM is the main memory of a computer. It can be quickly accessed by the CPU and is where the computer stores data and instructions that it is actively using.

• A network interface card (NIC) is a component (sometimes built into the CPU and sometimes plugged into the motherboard) that provides network connectivity.

• The BIOS makes sure all necessary parts are plugged in and working properly on bootup.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following computer components is the MOST important part of any modern computer?

• RAM

• BIOS

• NIC

• CPU

• Random Access Memory (RAM) is extremely fast, and the processor can read from and write to it billions of times each second. RAM is not persistent, which means if the system turns off, RAM loses everything it had stored in memory. But data persistence is not important in this scenario.

• Flash memory, flat files, and databases all provide persistent storage, but much slower data access than RAM.

Multiple Choice

Becca is working on a program that will store data. The program will need quick access to data and data persistence is not important. Where should the data be stored?

• In flash memory

• In memory

• In a flat file

• In a database

• Before working on hardware in a computer system, you should ground yourself so that a static charge doesn't build up. You can wear a special wrist strap that has a metal plate.

• Rubbing your feet on carpet will build up a static charge. This will shock any component you touch.

• You should never begin working on hardware in a computer system while it's plugged in. Always unplug a computer before beginning your work.

• Before working on hardware in a computer system, you can discharge yourself by touching a metal part of the computer case. Touching a plastic part does not discharge any built-up static charge.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following should be done before working on hardware in a computer system?

• Ground yourself using an ESD wrist strap

• Rub your feet on the carpet

• Touch a plastic part of the case

• Ensure the system is plugged in

• An ESD discharge as small as 100 volts can damage a computer's components.

• 12, 5, or 3.3 volts are common voltages used for powering components. A ESD discharge this small wouldn't hurt a component.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following voltages from an ESD discharge would be the minimum to short a computer's hardware components?

• 5 volts

• 3.3 volts

• 100 volts

• 12 volts

• The CPU register stores values the computer is working with at a particular moment in time.

• RAM stores the instructions for the CPU to execute as well as the results of any calculations that the processor doesn't need to work with at the given moment.

• Hard drives are long-term storage for files and applications.

• The CPU clock controls the speed that a processor executes instructions.

Multiple Choice

Where are values the computer is directly working with at a particular moment in time stored?

• On the CPU clock

• On the CPU register

• On the hard drive

• On RAM

• Intel is one of the biggest manufacturers of CPUs along with AMD.

• nVidia is known for making graphic processing units (GPUs).

• Apple and DELL both make computer systems but not the hardware inside of them.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following companies is a manufacturer of CPUs?

• Intel

• Apple

• nVidia

• DELL

• Most tablets and smartphones use ARM processors. ARM processors use a reduced instruction set, which means they can't do as many things as x86 processors can.

• x86 processors are 32-bit CPUs used in computer systems.

• x64 processors are 64-bit CPUs used in computer systems.

• IA-64 processors were special CPUs developed by Intel that were only used in servers.

Multiple Choice

Which CPU type would MOST LIKELY be found in a smartphone?

• ARM

• x64

• x86

• IA-64

• Reproducing the problem is often the hardest part of troubleshooting. You might need to ask the user questions to identify exactly how the problem occurred, or you might need to watch them perform the task again in order to reproduce the problem.

• Asking the user questions should not be a very difficult part of the troubleshooting process.

• Your findings should be detailed, but documenting them is not unusually difficult.

• Implementing a solution relies on reproducing the problem first, so it is not the hardest part of troubleshooting.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is often the hardest part of troubleshooting?

• Reproducing the problem

• Implementing a solution

• Asking the user questions

• Documenting findings

• Intermittent problems are often the most difficult to troubleshoot as they can be very difficult to reproduce. In these situations, checking for environmental conditions such as kinked cables or overheated components can help.

• Software errors are usually not the most difficult troubleshooting task. If the software is giving an error code, the manufacturer's website can often give additional assistance.

• Overheating is not the most difficult issue to troubleshoot.

• If you have problems identifying a hardware error, you can simplify the system by removing all but the necessary components (processor, memory, and hard disk). Add devices one at a time and restart the system. If an error occurs, remove the newly added device and proceed to troubleshoot it.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following problems would be the MOST difficult to troubleshoot?

• Software error

• Intermittent problem

• Overheating

• Hardware error

When troubleshooting the power supply, always check the following before opening up the computer:

• Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall.

• Verify any surge protectors are plugged in and in the on position.

• Make sure the power supply's switch is in the on position.

ffff

Only after you identify the power supply is the problem should you replace it. The keyboard and mouse being unplugged will not prevent the computer from powering on. Testing the power supply using a multimeter should be done only after the obvious has been ruled out.

Multiple Select

An employee submitted a support ticket stating that her computer will not turn on.

Which of the following troubleshooting steps should you take first? (Select two)

• Use a multimeter to test the power supply.

• Make sure the keyboard and mouse are plugged in.

• Make sure the power cord is plugged into the wall.

• Make sure the surge protector is turned on.

• Open the computer and replace the power supply.

The next step in the troubleshooting methodology is to establish a theory of probable cause.

Here is the troubleshooting methodology in order:

1. Identify the problem

2. Research knowledge base/Internet, if applicable

3. Establish a theory of probable cause

4. Test the theory to determine the cause

5. Establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects

6. Implement the solution or escalate as necessary

7. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures

8. Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

Multiple Choice

Anna, a technician, is helping a customer troubleshoot an issue where a server will intermittently become inaccessible to employees. Anna has completed researching the knowledge bases available. What should Anna do NEXT as part of standard troubleshooting methodology?

• Establish a plan of action to solve the problem

• Establish a theory of probably cause

• Identify the problem

• Test the theory to determine the cause

The next step in the troubleshooting methodology is to establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects. Here is the troubleshooting methodology in order:

1. Identify the problem

2. Research knowledge base/Internet, if applicable

3. Establish a theory of probable cause

4. Test the theory to determine the cause

5. Establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects

6. Implement the solution or escalate as necessary

7. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures

8. Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

Multiple Choice

While troubleshooting a problem with a computer, a technician has tested and confirmed a theory on how to fix the problem. Which of the following is the NEXT step the technician should perform?

• Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

• Implement the solution or escalate as necessary

• Establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects

• Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures

The last step in the troubleshooting methodology is to document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes. Here is the troubleshooting methodology in order:

1. Identify the problem

2. Research knowledge base/Internet, if applicable

3. Establish a theory of probable cause

4. Test the theory to determine the cause

5. Establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects

6. Implement the solution or escalate as necessary

7. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures

8. Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

Multiple Choice

Marcus was assigned to troubleshoot a problem with a customer not being able to access a cloud application. Which of the following is the LAST step in the troubleshooting methodology that should be completed?

• Establish a plan of action to solve the problem and identify potential effects

• Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures

• Document findings/lessons learned, actions, and outcomes

• Implement the solution or escalate as necessary

Here are the steps for identifying the problem:

• Gather information

• Duplicate the problem, if possible

• Question users

• Identify symptoms

• Determine if anything has changed

• Approach multiple problems individually

Multiple Choice

The troubleshooting methodology starts by identifying the problem. The first step in identifying the problem is to gather information. Which of the following is the NEXT step?

• Duplicate the problem, if possible

• Establish a plan of action

• Identify symptoms

• Establish a theory of probable cause

• Physical damage is one of the top causes of motherboard failure.

• Liquid will damage a motherboard, but it is not one of the top causes of motherboard failure.

• A corrupted BIOS is not a top cause of motherboard failure.

• An incompatible chipset driver is not a top cause of motherboard failure.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a top cause of motherboard failure?

• Corrupted BIOS

• Physical damage

• Incompatible chipset driver

• Liquid damage

• Issues with the hard drive would be the most likely cause for a computer to run sluggishly.

• CPU issues can cause a computer to run slower, but this would generally result in crashes or other system issues

• RAM issues can cause a variety of problems from crashes and stalls all the way to making your computer unable to boot

• The power supply would not cause the computer to perform sluggishly.

Multiple Choice

A computer has power, but there are no beeps and the computer does not boot. Which of the following would be the MOST LIKELY cause?

• No operating system installed

• CPU failure

• Outdated BIOS

• Hard drive failure

• A CPU failure would be the most likely cause for these symptoms. If the CPU is bad, the computer won't be able to POST (Power-On Self-Test). There will still be power but no beep codes or any other activity.

• If there is no operating system installed, the computer will boot to an error screen.

• A hard drive failure would allow the computer to boot to an error screen.

• An outdated BIOS would not cause a system to be unable to boot.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following would be the MOST LIKELY cause for a computer to perform sluggishly?

• RAM

• Power supply

• Hard drive

• CPU

Lab Demonstrations:

A.2.1 - Pro Objective 1: Hardware

(16 Labs)

Poll

Rate your confidence with Internal Components (pt. 1)

• Not confident at all

• Slightly confident

• Somewhat confident

• Fairly confident

• Completely confident