Taking a Computer Apart and Putting it Back Together Knowledge ✔

You replace an internal drive that is only used to backup data on a computer. Before you install the case cover, you power on the computer and observe the disk drive lights are not blinking. You suspect it may not be receiving power, but cannot find the power supply tester. How can you quickly verify whether power is being supplied to the disk drive?

• Use a POST card

• Replace the power supply

• Run diagnostic software once the OS loads

• Use a multimeter

Answer explanation

You can use a multimeter to verify the appropriate voltage level is detected on the connector used to supply power to the drive.

A technician is building a custom gaming computer for a customer. In what order should the technician install the main components?

• power supply, drives, motherboard, cards

• drives, motherboard, cards, power supply

• motherboard, cards, power supply, drives

• mother board, power supply, drives, and cards

Answer explanation

Since the motherboard and processor are the most expensive components, if possible it is best to install the motherboard just before installing the expansion cards to prevent damage. For example, you would not want to drop a disk drive or power supply on the motherboard while installing those components.

An employee informs the help desk the laptop they are using cannot update the login credentials when they plug it in to the company's wired network. Wireless connectivity is fine, but the login credentials cannot be updated using Wi-Fi. What is a possible action the help desk could take to troubleshoot the problem?

• Replace the network card

• Ping the loopback address

• Use a loopback plug

• Use a USB to RJ-45 dongle

Answer explanation

A loopback plug can be used to test whether the network port on the laptop is working properly.

Alexa is asked to upgrade the memory on a desktop computer. Which component will she replace?

• SO-DIMM

• SSD

• Flash memory

• DIMM

Answer explanation

DIMM is a dual-inline memory module. It represents the RAM form factor used on desktop computers to store temporary data and instructions being processed by the CPU. Once power is turned off, all information in RAM is lost. If the system is powered off cleanly, the needed information is written to (saved) on the hard drive.

The original P1 connector had 20 pins, why did the development of PCIe induce the adoption of a 24-pin P1 connector?

• PCIe slots are faster than the previous generation and requires more power

• The four new PCIe slots each require one extra pin on the P1 connector

• To provide an additional 12 volts to the PCIe slots required by graphics cards

• ATX specification 1.1 supports PCIe and calls for additional power requirements

Answer explanation

PCI Express (PCIe) slots are faster than PCI and require additional power. The 24-pin or 20+4-pin P1 connector provide +12 volts, +5 volts, and +3.3 volts of output.

What internal component acts as the backbone for the entire computer system, which connects all internal devices?

• The processor

• The computer case

• The motherboard

• The hard drive

You need to install a video card. Where on the motherboard would this be installed?

• CPU socket

• Memory slot

• PCIe slot

• ATX power connector