IT Essentials (Version 7.

0) Chapter 2 Exam
Answers

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1. Which SATA internal hard drive form factor is most often used in a tower computer?
 5.25 inch (13.3 cm)

 2.5 inch (6.4 cm)

 3.5 inch (8.9 cm)*

 2.25 inch (5.7 cm)

ExplanationTwo form factors used with internal SATA hard drives are the 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) and the
2.5 inch (6.4 cm) with the majority of them being 3.5 inch.

2. Refer to the exhibit. Which front panel connector commonly has nine or ten pins arranged in
two rows?

 power button

 drive activity LED

 USB*
 power LED

ExplanationThe USB front panel connector commonly consists of nine or ten pins arranged in two
rows. It can also have four or five pins or individual groups of four or five pins.

3. A technician needs to buy a replacement adapter for a department computer. Which type of
adapter requires the technician to consider a DSP?
 graphics

 storage

 sound*
 capture

ExplanationFactors to consider when buying a sound card include the slot type, digital signal
processor (DSP), port and connection types, as well as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

4. True or False? When installing a hard drive, it is recommended that you hand-tighten drive
mounting screws prior to using a screwdriver.
 true*

 false

ExplanationWhen installing a hard drive, slightly hand-tighten all the screws to make installation of
all screws easier. Do not over tighten the screws when using the screwdriver.

5. What is a possible hardware upgrade that can be used to add more storage space to a
modern smartphone?
 USB flash drive

 microSD*
 hard disk

 CompactFlash

ExplanationBecause of the size of cellular phones, a very small storage device such as a microSD
card is desirable. CompactFlash is an older form of storage device; it is is too large for a cellular
phone but it is widely used in cameras and video recorders because of its large capacity and fast
access speed. Similarly, USB flash drives and hard disk drives are too large for a cellular phone.

6. What is a good safety precaution to take when opening a computer case?

 Place tape over the case edges that are sharp.*
 Remove the cover (or door) of the computer case before installing or removing parts.

 Remove the connections to the front panel before extending the case fully open.

 Ensure that any loose clothing such as a tie or shirt stay in constant contact with the case
when handling internal components.
Explanation: Computer cases can easily be a hazard to technicians. Before working inside a
computer, examine the case edges and put tape over any of the sharp edges to prevent physical harm.
A case is opened, but seldom removed when installing or removing parts. Loose clothing should be
secured before you work inside a computer.

7. What does the “A” in P-A-S-S remind a person to do while using a fire extinguisher?
 Aim the fire extinguisher at the flames.

 Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.*

 Activate the fire extinguisher.

 Adjust the pressure.

Explanation: When using the P-A-S-S memory aid with a fire extinguisher, the “A” in P-A-S-S is
for aiming at the base of the fire and not at the flames.

8. How is a power supply commonly attached to a tower case?

 restraining strap

 retention bar

 screws*
 standoffs

Explanation: To install a power supply into a PC tower case, open the case, align the power supply
with the case holes, and use screws to attach the power supply to the case.

9. A technician is replacing a power supply. Which two factors should the technician consider
when obtaining the replacement part? (Choose two.)
 type of case*
 input voltage level of 12 or 5 VDC

 number of internal fans

 output voltage

 wattage*
Explanation: A technician should consider the following when choosing a power supply:Type of
motherboard
Wattage
Number and type of connectors
Type of case
The computer input power level is either 120 or 240 VAC. Output voltages are standard 3.3, 5, and
12 VDC. A power supply normally has one fan and this is not a selectable option on a fan.

10. A technician is installing additional memory in a computer. How can the technician
guarantee that the memory is correctly aligned?
 The label on the memory module should always face the CPU.

 A notch in the memory module should be aligned with a notch in the memory slot.*
 The arrows on the memory module should be aligned with the arrows on the motherboard
slot.

 Memory slots are color coded, with one end red and one end blue.

11. What is used to prevent the motherboard from touching metal portions of the computer
case?
 an I/O shield

 thermal compound

 standoffs*
 ZIF sockets

Explanation: Screws and standoffs that are non-metallic may be insulators and protect against
grounding.

12. Which statement describes the purpose of an I/O connector plate?

 It makes the I/O ports of the motherboard available for connection in a variety of
computer cases.*
 It plugs into the motherboard and expands the number of available slots for adapter cards.

 It provides multiple connections for SATA hard drives to connect to the motherboard.

 It connects the PCIe adapter slots used for video directly to the CPU for faster processing.

Explanation: The I/O plate connects to the back of the case and has holes for each of the ports on
the motherboard to push through, allowing the motherboard to be used in many different cases
regardless of the number of ports on the board or their layout.

13. What are three important considerations when installing a CPU on a motherboard?
(Choose three.)
 Antistatic precautions are taken.*
 The CPU is correctly aligned and placed in the socket.*
 The CPU contacts are first cleaned with isopropyl alcohol.

 The CPU heat sink and fan assembly are correctly installed.*
 The CMOS EPROM battery is removed prior to installing the CPU.

 Maximum insertion force is applied to the load lever so the CPU is locked in place.

Explanation: The CPU is sensitive to static discharges. Its pins are very delicate and it works at high
temperatures, so precautions must be taken. If the CPU has been used in another machine or if the
fan is being replaced, you might need to remove the old thermal compound using isopropyl alcohol
(not on the CPU contacts). The battery does not need to be removed from the motherboard during the
CPU installation. This would cause the saved BIOS settings to be lost. Minimum force should be
needed to lock the CPU load lever into place.

14. When a new PC is being built, which component has the most influence when selecting the
case and power supply?
 video card

 sound card

 RAM module

 motherboard*
 hard disk type

Explanation: The choice of motherboard determines the type of case and power supply. The form
factor of a motherboard must match the type of case and power supply. RAM modules, video cards,
and sound cards are installed on the motherboard. They must be compatible with the motherboard. A
hard disk is attached to the case, but the dimensions of the drive bays are standardized.

15. Which two factors must be considered when replacing old RAM modules in a PC? (Choose
two.)
 The new RAM must be compatible with BIOS or UEFI.

 The new RAM must be compatible with the motherboard. *

 The speed of the new RAM must be supported by the chipset.*
 The power supply must provide the voltage that is requred by the new RAM.

 The new RAM must match the old RAM in terms of capacity and speed.
Explanation: When the RAM on a motherboard is being replaced or upgraded, the new RAM
module must be compatible with the current motherboard. In addition, the speed of the new RAM
must be supported by the chipset.

16. Refer to the exhibit. In which section of the motherboard would a memory module be
installed?

 section A

 section B

 section C*
 section D

Explanation: Memory modules insert into memory expansion slots that have a retaining clip at each
end of the slot.

17. Which type of motherboard expansion slot sends data one bit at a time over a serial bus?
 RAM

 PCI

 PCIe*
 PATA
Explanation: A PCIe expansion slot connects to a serial bus that sends data one bit at a time at a
much faster rate than the older PCI slot that connects to a parallel bus.

18. Which PC motherboard bus is used to connect the CPU to RAM and other motherboard
components?
 front-side*
 PCI

 PCIe

 SATA

Explanation: The front-side bus (FSB) is used to connect the CPU to RAM, expansion cards, and
other motherboard components. The speed of this bus is relevant when selecting replacement
motherboards and RAM.

19. Where is buffered memory commonly used?

 gaming laptops

 gaming computers

 business PCs

 servers*
 tablets

Explanation: Buffered memory is used in computers that have a lot of RAM such as servers and
high-end workstations. Buffered memory should be avoided in gaming, business, and home
computers because it slows the memory speed.

20. A technician has been asked to upgrade a processor and needs to do some research. The
computer is just a couple of years old. What are two types of processor packages that could be
used inside the computer? (Choose two.)
 GDDR

 LGA*
 PCIe

 PGA*
 ISA
Explanation: Two architectures used with CPUs today are the pin grid array (PGA) and the land
grid array (LGA). The PGA has pins on the bottom of the processor. The LGA has pins within the
socket.

21. A student is looking to add memory in order to speed up a tower computer. Which type of
memory module should the student be looking for?
 DIP

 DIMM*
 SIMM

 SODIMM

Explanation: Motherboards in tower computers accept dual inline memory modules (DIMMs) in the
memory expansion slots. A motherboard supports a particular type of DIMM such as a DDR3 or
DDR4 module.

22. Which type of drive is typically installed in a 5.25 inch (13.34 cm) bay?
 hard drive

 optical drive*
 flash drive

 SSD

Explanation: Optical drives are installed in 5.25 inch (13.34 cm) drive bays that are accessed from
the front of the case. Flash drives typically connect to USB ports. SSDs and hard drives typically
install in a 3.5 inch (8.9 cm) drive bay or a 5.25 inch (13.34 cm) drive bay that is not accessed from
the front of the case. If the drive is smaller than the bay, a tray may be purchased.

23. A technician has been asked to order a replacement internal SATA HDD. Between which
two form factors will the technician have to choose? (Choose two.)
 2.25 inch (5.72 cm)

 2.5 inch (6.35 cm) *

 3.5 inch (8.89 cm)*
 5.5 inch (13.97 cm)

 6.25 inch (15.88 cm)

Explanation: For tower computers, internal HDDs are available in the 3.5 and 2.5 inch (8.89 cm and
6.35 cm) form factors. SSDs tend to be the 2.5 inch form factor.
24. While shopping for a replacement motherboard, a customer decides to also purchase a new
mechanical hard drive and asks the technical salesperson for advice. Which storage interface
should the salesperson recommend for the motherboard and new drive?
 IDE

 EIDE

 SATA*
 RAID 5

Explanation: Mechanical hard drives today use SATA. Legacy PATA drives used IDE and EIDE.
RAID 5 is a drive redundancy technology.

25. Which type of motherboard expansion slot has four types ranging from x1 to x16 with each
type having a different length of expansion slot?
 PCIe*
 AGP

 SATA

 PCI

Explanation: The PCIe, or PCI Express, bus has four types of expansion slots with varying lengths:
x1, x4, x8, and x16.

26. A technician is installing a new high-end video adapter card into an expansion slot on a
motherboard. What may be needed to operate this video adapter card?
 PCI expansion slot

 PCIe x 8 expansion slot

 Two 8-pin power connectors*

 24-pin ATX power connector

Explanation: When a high performance video adapter card is used, multiple power connectors may
be required. These connectors may each use a 6-pin or 8-pin power connector. Video adapter cards
commonly use the PCIe X 16 slot. A 24-pin ATX power connector is used to provide power to the
motherboard.
27. Refer to the exhibit. Which type of expansion slot is shown?

 AGP

 PCI

 PCIe x16*
 memory

Explanation: The four expansion slots shown in the exhibit from left to right are the PCIe x1, PCI,
PCIe x16, and PCIx1.

28. Refer to the exhibit. Which device is shown?

 KVM switch

 media reader*
 optical drive

 SATA drive

Explanation: A media reader can be an external USB-attached device or an internal device used to
read or write to media cards.
29. When assembling a PC, how is pin 1 identified on the front panel cables so that it can be
aligned properly with pin 1 on the motherboard panel connector?
 by a small arrow or notch*
 by a plus sign

 by a P1

 by a red cable

Explanation: Each cable that connects to the front panel connector on the motherboard is marked
with a small arrow to identify which pin is pin 1 so that it can be aligned with pin 1 on the panel.

30. A technician is selecting a PC that will be used by an employee who wants to share a
keyboard and mouse among three devices. What is a major consideration that needs to be
taken into account?
 KVM switch*