A+ Core Hardware Examination


1. What does a caching controller card do for the performance of your computer?

A. It controls how the cache on the systemboard is used, to speed up access to its devices first.
B. It contains memory on the controller card and uses that memory to cache requests to and from it, to free up systemboard cache for other requests.
C. It is used to add cache to the systemboard, so there will be more available.
D. The is no such card, called a caching controller.

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Answer: B

Reference: IDG Books A+ Study Guide Chapter 4 - Digital Storage Concepts A caching controller card has a microchip and memory on it the controls the access to the controller and caches requests.


2. The EISA bus operates at what clock speed?

A. 6MHz
B. 8MHz
C. 33MHz
D. 10MHz

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Answer: B

The EISA bus operates at 8 MHz, not 10 MHz.


3. EPROM memory is memory that:

A. Must be programmed at the factory
B. Can only be erased at the factory
C. Can be erased and reprogrammed in the field
D. Is designed to be used as an alternative to cache memory

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Answer: C


4. As defined by Ohm's law, what are the parameters in electricity?

A. Voltage
B. Current
C. Resistance
D. Power
E. Capacitance

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Answer: A, B & C


5. The 80386 processor is an early example of a(n):

A. 8-bit processor
B. 16-bit processor
C. 32-bit processor
D. 18-bit processor

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Answer: C


6. What function should you have the voltmeter set for to read the voltage of a CMOS battery?

A. AC
B. DC
C. Ohms
D. Power

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Answer: B


7. The Pentium processor is an example of a(n):

A. 16-bit processor
B. 64-bit processor
C. 8-bit processor
D. 128-bit processor
E. 32-Bit processor

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Answer: E

The Pentium is generally thought of as a 32-bit processor. Intel is currently working on a 64-bit processor, but it is not available yet.


8. Internal modems come with a UART chip which function as parallel port.

A. True
B. False

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Answer: B

Communications Concepts Internal modems come with a UART chip which function as a serial port.


9. CD-ROMs, when stored properly, have a life expectancy of:

A. 1 to 2 years
B. 7 to 10 years
C. Indefinitely
D. 3 to 6 months

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Answer: C

The data on a CD-ROM can be stored almost indefinitely with little maintenance. CD-ROMs are not sensitive to moisture, weather conditions, or magnetism.


10. Computer power is measured in several ways, including:

A. MOPS
B. FLPS
C. MMUS
D. MIPS

>> !
Answer: D


11. Disks can be broken down into areas called ______ that look like different drives:

A. Sectors
B. File Allocation Tables
C. Terabytes
D. Partitions

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Answer: D


12. A friend of yours mentions that he just bought the new ZIP drive that comes without a power supply. You figure that he must be mistaken but he goes on to explain what?

A. That it uses USB and power for the device is supplied using the USB port
B. That it uses a serial port and power for the device is supplied using the serial port
C. That it uses a parallel port and power for the device is supplied using the parallel port
D. That it uses solar power

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Answer: A

A USB bus can distribute 0.5 amps of power through each port. This means low-power devices such as your friend's ZIP drive would not need a separate AC adapter. Small wonder USB is the replacing old parallel and serial ports. The downside, this limits USB cables to 5 meters.


13. Besides toner, the printer cartridge may contain which units?

A. The OPC drum
B. Corona wire
C. Feeder unit
D. Cleaning blade

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Answer: A, B & D


14. The Wide SCSI-2 supports data paths of ______ or ______ bits.

A. 8
B. 16
C. 32
D. 64
E. 128

>> !
Answer: B & C


15. The most common types of optical storage are:

A. ROM, CD-ROM, and DVD
B. CD-ROM, DVD, and laser disk
C. Laser disk, DRV, and CD-ROM
D. WORM, CD-R, and DVD

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Answer: B


16. Optical disk storage frequently includes the following technology:

A. Optical landing zones
B. Raster bias vectorization
C. Magneto-optical
D. Graham effect transfer

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Answer: C


17. RAID is an acronym for:

A. Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks
B. Really Awful Individual Diets
C. Replacement Assistance for Independent Drives
D. Rapid Access Intermediate Device

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Answer: A


18. Reel-to-reel devices read data:

A. Randomly
B. Serially
C. Sequentially
D. Sporadically

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Answer: C


19. CD-ROMs are programmed to a series of standards known as:

A. White papers
B. Yellow pages
C. ISO 9225.3 XT standard
D. Books

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Answer: D

Documentation for CD formats exists in a series of books known by the color of their covers.


20. A logical grouping of information that is stored on a disk is called a(n):

A. Input device
B. Floppy disk
C. File
D. I/O unit

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Answer: C


21. One of the best mechanisms for preventing data loss is:

A. Disk swapping
B. Parity stripping
C. Tape backup
D. Quantum Data Replacement, or QDR

>> !
Answer: C


22. Asynchronous transmission involves the following:

A. Sending information using a start/stop protocol
B. Sending information using external clocking
C. Sending data using mechanical feeder protocol
D. Receiving information from the sender in time clocked order

>> !
Answer: A


23. A standard parallel port used for printers is:

A. IEEE 1284
B. IEEE RS-488
C. IEEE PC-AI
D. ANSI X36.V

>> !
Answer: A


24. DVD is an acronym that stands for:

A. Digital Video Disk
B. Disk Viscosity Diameter
C. Data Video Disk
D. Digital Versatile Disk

>> !
Answer: A & D

Reference: IDG Books A+ Study Guide Chapter 05 This chapter explores optical storage technologies available to PC users today. It covers CD-ROMs, optical disks, and a relatively new technology, the DVD (which stands for either Digital Versatile Disk or Digital Video Disk, depending on whose story you're listening to).


25. Which manufacturer introduced the MCA bus?

A. Intel
B. IBM
C. Motorola
D. Hewlett-Packard

>> !
Answer: B


26. A CD-ROM can hold:

A. Approximately 700MB of data
B. Approximately 5.6GB of data
C. Approximately 2.3TB of data
D. Approximately 200MB of data

>> !
Answer: A


27. The most common serial port standard is:

A. IEE-488
B. RS-232C
C. HP-IB
D. DTR

>> !
Answer: B


28. CD-ROM recording is accomplished by burning:

A. Multiple tracks
B. Pits and spirals
C. Pits and flats
D. Sectors and tracks

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Answer: C


29. WAV files are:

A. Digital storage of an audio signal
B. Synthesized 3D-FO files
C. Computer-generated music files
D. Operating systems swapping files

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Answer: A

Computer audio is generally available in one of two forms: WAV (for Waveform audio) or Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI). WAV is digital storage of an analog signal, which means that WAV files contain a digitized version of the audio signal.


30. Modems translate what types of data: (Choose all that apply)

A. AC to DC
B. Analog to digital
C. Digital to analog
D. Phase shift to multiplexed

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Answer: B & C


31. Synchronous communications involves information transfer using:

A. Start/stop bits
B. Xon/Xoff protocol
C. Random Frame Generation (RFM)
D. Synchronizing clock signals

>> !
Answer: D


32. A disk block is one of the following:

A. A logical grouping of heads
B. A physical collection of devices
C. The area of data that is contained in one cylinder
D. A logical gathering of information

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Answer: D


33. Impact printers strike the paper through:

A. A paper guard
B. A sheet feeder
C. A striker bar
D. Printer ribbon

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Answer: D


34. The ISA supports which of the following bus widths?

A. 8
B. 32
C. 16
D. 4

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Answer: A & C


35. The microprocessor chip can be inserted into a:

A. Zip drive
B. ZIF socket
C. Expansion slot
D. Power supply

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Answer: B


36. What is the name of the bus introduced by Intel for high-speed local bus operations?

A. VESA bus
B. MESA bus
C. PCI bus
D. PIC bus

>> !
Answer: C


37. The PC Card bus is designed for which types of computer systems? (Choose all that apply)

A. Desktop computers
B. Laptop computers
C. Palm computers
D. Servers

>> !
Answer: B & C


38. Serial communication involves moving the data:

A. In reverse byte swapping down the line
B. In a sequential stream
C. Across multiple lines simultaneously
D. From the receiver to the sender

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Answer: B


39. What is the bus width that PCI is capable of supporting?

A. 64-bit
B. 32-bit
C. 16-bit
D. 8-bit

>> !
Answer: A


40. Basis weight is the weight of which of the following for bond paper?

A. 500 sheets of 8.5 by 11-inch paper
B. 1,000 sheets of 11 by 17-inch paper
C. 500 sheets of 17 by 22-inch paper
D. 500 sheets of 8.5 by 13-inch paper

>> !
Answer: C


41. The PCI bus communicates with other bus systems using what type of circuitry?

A. Packet-switching network
B. PCI bus-bridging circuitry
C. Data transfer register
D. Communications interface unit

>> !
Answer: B


42. Print bands are typically used in which type of printer?

A. Line printers
B. Dot matrix printers
C. Laser printers
D. Letter-quality printers

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Answer: A


43. Most PC systems can support how many IRQs?

A. 8
B. 16
C. 32
D. 4

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Answer: B


44. As the smoothness of a computer paper goes down, which of the following may result? (Choose all that apply)

A. The images may be clean and crisp
B. The images may be dull and fuzzy
C. The print feed system may become more prone to jamming
D. The print system may overheat and cause premature toner fusing

>> !
Answer: B & C


45. Thermal printers work by which process?

A. Specially treated paper that is heat sensitive
B. Ink ribbon passing through a printer ribbon
C. Dye emulsification caused by thermal dispersion
D. High-impact speed of the print head

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Answer: A


46. Choose the one that is not used in laser printers:

A. Cleaning
B. Developing
C. Inking
D. Fusing

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Answer: C


47. In a shadow-mask CRT design, dot pitch is measured:

A. Horizontally
B. Diagonally
C. Vertically
D. Overlaid

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Answer: B


48. Another word used instead of conditioning in laser printers is:

A. Cleaning
B. Charging
C. Clearing
D. Cohesion

>> !
Answer: B


49. Level 1 or L1 caching is the caching that resides:

A. On the RAM board
B. On the systems board
C. In the CPU chip
D. On the virtual memory management chip

>> !
Answer: C


50. Dot pitch is the measurement of the distance between:

A. Two adjacent pixels on the CRT
B. A pixel and the location of the scanned electron beam
C. Two adjacent pixels of the same color
D. Horizontal pixels and vertical pixels

>> !
Answer: C


51. A typical SCSI-1 interface can support how many SCSI devices?

A. 4
B. 15
C. 9
D. 24
E. 7

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Answer: E

Typically we consider the "SCSI Controller card" as an add in card and don't consider the SCSI controller a 'device', so the correct answer could be 7. Up to seven devices can be connected to a standard SCSI controller. With the new style SCSI controllers additional devices may be attached depending upon the type of SCSI. A SCSI-1 interface supports a minimum of seven devices per controller card. Keep in mind that you are working with 0-7 SCSI IDs but one of the 8 IDs must be assigned to the Controller Card.


52. Which of the following is not a monitor designation?

A. VGA
B. CGA
C. Multiscan
D. BGA

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Answer: D


53. Which feature does not contribute to a flicker-free appearance?

A. Vertical refresh rate
B. Phosphors persistence
C. Dot pitch
D. Brightness

>> !
Answer: D


54. Ink jet printers spray the ink onto the paper using what technology?

A. Static bursts
B. Photoelectric transfer
C. Magnetic Concussion, or MC
D. Piezoelectric crystals ejecting ink

>> !
Answer: D


55. Most PCs built after 1995 support a minimum video standard of ______.

A. SVGA
B. MCGA
C. CGA
D. VGA

>> !
Answer: D

Actually, most PCs built after 1995 support SVGA as well as VGA.


56. A frame is the measurement of:

A. One scan of all the horizontal pixels in one line
B. The horizontal refresh rate
C. One scan of all pixels in the horizontal and vertical positions
D. The vertical refresh rate

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Answer: C


57. Keyboards use which of the following methods: (Choose all that apply)

A. Mechanical switch
B. Electro-static capacitance
C. Rubber dome
D. Membrane

>> !
Answer: A, C & D


58. The six most common controls and adjustments on video monitors are:

A. Vertical size, vertical position, degauss, horizontal size, focus, brightness
B. Brightness, horizontal position, vertical size, vertical position, contrast, horizontal size
C. Contrast, focus, brightness, horizontal position, vertical position, degauss
D. Vertical size, horizontal size, degauss, brightness, contrast, focus

>> !
Answer: B


59. What aspect ratio is most commonly used at various standard video resolutions?

A. 5:4
B. 1:1
C. 4:3
D. 2:3

>> !
Answer: C


60. In graphics mode, a monitor can display any:

A. Color image
B. Black and white image
C. True color image
D. Image that is bit-mapped

>> !
Answer: D


61. Which type of monitor does not utilize a CRT in its design?

A. LCD
B. Shadow-mask
C. Aperture-grille
D. Slotted-mask

>> !
Answer: A


62. The number of horizontal pixel lines on a CRT is known as:

A. Vertical retrace
B. Horizontal resolution
C. Aspect ratio
D. Vertical resolution

>> !
Answer: D


63. Monochrome monitors are sometimes referred to as:

A. TTL
B. CGA
C. VGA
D. White

>> !
Answer: A


64. The main determining factor in speed of display with a graphics accelerator is the:

A. RAM access time
B. Coprocessor compile time
C. Type of RAM used
D. Speed the data travels along the BusHands

>> !
Answer: A


65. Which of the following pin counts is an option for SIMM?

A. 30
B. 16
C. 78
D. 24

>> !
Answer: A


66. The first thing you should do when troubleshooting a computer system is:

A. Identify the problem
B. Record the problem
C. Blame it on someone else
D. Check to be sure it is plugged in

>> !
Answer: D


67. For optimum performance using SCSI devices, the least resource-intensive device should be located at:

A. The beginning of the chain
B. The middle of the chain
C. LUN #1
D. The end of the chain

>> !
Answer: D


68. The Intel Pentium (P5) processor is a:

A. CISC-based chip
B. DISC-based chip
C. RISC-based chip
D. POKER-based chip

>> !
Answer: C


69. ROM memory is which type of memory?

A. Volatile memory
B. Non-volatile memory
C. RISC memory
D. CISC memory

>> !
Answer: B


70. The component of a disk drive that reads and writes data to the disk is called a(n):

A. Spindle
B. Idler arm
C. Access mechanism
D. Head

>> !
Answer: D


71. Data is organized using the following organization mechanisms:

A. Tracks, drums, sectors clusters
B. Tracks, sectors, clusters, cylinders
C. Heads, tracks, sectors, rings
D. Phalanx mechanism, cylinders, clusters, rings

>> !
Answer: B


72. Dot matrix printers usually come with which pin configurations? (Choose all that apply)

A. 5-pin
B. 7-pin
C. 9-pin
D. 24-pin

>> !
Answer: C & D


73. Monitor size is determined by measuring:

A. The horizontal width and vertical length, and then adding them together
B. The diagonal size of the screen
C. The number of horizontal pixels versus vertical pixels
D. Depth of the CRT from front to back

>> !
Answer: B


74. The main change in adapter technology that allowed the display of sharp fonts in color was:

A. Digital signal to analog signal
B. Analog signal to digital signal
C. Accelerated graphics adapters to warp field generators
D. Dynamic RAM to static RAM

>> !
Answer: A


75. If a customer complains about their mouse not working, a relevant question to ask would be:

A. Have you changed keyboards
B. Is the CD-ROM still working
C. Have you installed a modem recently
D. Are you using a network

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Answer: C


76. For an IDE CD-ROM to function properly in DOS, the MSCDEX.EXE must be loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: B


77. A printer on a PC will normally be attached to which of the following ports?

A. LPT
B. COM
C. PS/2
D. ESD

>> !
Answer: A


78. The ______ is most susceptible to electromagnetic interference.

A. Monitor
B. Hard drive
C. CD-ROM drive
D. Floppy drive

>> !
Answer: A


79. If a mouse on a PS/2 port has intermittent failures and you replace it with another mouse and it still doesn't work, the least likely cause of the problem is:

A. The PS/2 connector
B. An internal IRQ conflict
C. The motherboard
D. A second bad mouse

>> !
Answer: D


80. When testing components, the first and simplest test you can perform is:

A. Visual inspection
B. Continuity test
C. Power-on self test
D. Ohm meter

>> !
Answer: A


81. When setting up a computer to boot from floppy, the floppy drive must be in the boot sequence and:

A. Boot from floppy must be enabled in the CMOS
B. The system must be password-protected at the system level
C. There must be a bootable floppy in the floppy drive
D. The hard drive must be configured first

>> !
Answer: A


82. The ultimate test of a computer system is:

A. It boots from a floppy
B. It performs the function it was designed to perform
C. It passes power-on self tests (POST)
D. It gets sold for lots of money

>> !
Answer: B


83. When troubleshooting a problem, it is usually best to start from the basics and work toward the problem because:

A. You get paid by the hour, not the job
B. If you go straight to what you believe the problem is and you're wrong, it takes longer than if you had done it correctly the first time
C. There is no way of knowing what the problem is without starting with the basics
D. If you have multiple troubleshooting problems, you might not properly diagnose the problem

>> !
Answer: B


84. Before a hard drive can be formatted, it must:

A. Have an operating system on it
B. Be configured as a Slave drive
C. Be booted
D. Be partitioned

>> !
Answer: D


85. The main concerns when shipping a computer are: (Choose all that apply)

A. That it is packed securely
B. That all the components are present
C. That it is always shipped 3-day ground
D. That it is shipped in separate containers

>> !
Answer: A & B


86. In order to boot from floppy, you must: (Choose all that apply)

A. Add the floppy drive to the boot sequence
B. Enable the Boot from Floppy option
C. Have a bootable floppy disk
D. Boot from the hard dive and change to the floppy

>> !
Answer: A, B & C


87. The files required to boot a floppy or hard disk are: (Choose all that apply)

A. msdos.sys
B. boot.sys
C. io.sys
D. command.com

>> !
Answer: A, C & D


88. A program that controls a device is called a ______.

A. Driver
B. Peripheral
C. Component
D. System

>> !
Answer: A


89. In MS-DOS, drivers are commonly files with a ______ extension.

A. .DRV
B. .COM
C. .INI
D. .SYS

>> !
Answer: D


90. Expanded memory uses a ______ area of memory as pages and is provided by an add-in memory card or through a 386 expanded memory manager.

A. 512K
B. 64K
C. 1024K
D. 32K

>> !
Answer: B


91. Extended memory is memory above 1024K and is referred to as:

A. EMS memory
B. XMS memory
C. ROM
D. DOS

>> !
Answer: B

Extended memory is an upward extension of conventional memory to 1M


92. The high-memory area (HMA) is the first 64K of:

A. EMS
B. XMS
C. CMOS
D. BIOS

>> !
Answer: B


93. When working with static-sensitive components, you should always:

A. Wear an ESD wrist strap.
B. Wear rubber-soled shoes.
C. Wear a static-free cap.
D. Touch a metal object to diffuse the static shock before touching anything on the computer.

>> !
Answer: A


94. To step through each line in the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files during bootup, which button should you press?

A. F7
B. F5
C. Shift+Insert
D. F8

>> !
Answer: D


95. To recreate only the Master Boot Record on a hard drive, you should use which of the following commands?

A. Restore from backup
B. SYS C:
C. Format C:/s
D. Fdisk/mbr

>> !
Answer: D


96. When troubleshooting Windows 95 after installing a failed device, start Windows 95 in:

A. Command prompt only
B. Normal mode
C. Safe mode
D. No Network mode

>> !
Answer: C


97. You should choose a computer case based on:

A. Cost
B. Environmental concerns
C. Appearance
D. Amount of power it will consume

>> !
Answer: B


98. When you work on a computer, it would be a good idea to have:

A. Your hands wet to avoid getting dust in the computer
B. The computer plugged in to absorb the static electricity
C. A backup before you do any work
D. The computer turned on so you can tell immediately if your repairs are working

>> !
Answer: C


99. Which two components are you most likely to be shocked by?

A. The keyboard and the mouse
B. The mouse and the monitor
C. The power supply and the monitor
D. The floppy drive and hard drive

>> !
Answer: C


100. What is one of the first things to go bad on a computer system?

A. The monitor
B. The keyboard
C. The power supply
D. The mouse

>> !
Answer: D


101. What do most new multimedia computer systems have that older systems did not?

A. A motherboard
B. A keyboard and monitor
C. A CD-ROM drive and a sound card
D. A floppy drive

>> !
Answer: C


102. Once a motherboard is functioning, the primary reason it would need replacing is:

A. To upgrade the system
B. Because the CPU has gone bad
C. To keep it from getting old and ruining the system
D. Because you're changing a case

>> !
Answer: A


103. When performing even routine maintenance on a laser printer or monitor, you should ______.

A. Unplug it from its power source
B. Get permission
C. Only attempt it in the presence of another qualified technician
D. Make sure you are grounded

>> !
Answer: A


104. When cleaning surfaces that record or read data, you should use:

A. Approved cleaners that do not contain residual materials or abrasives
B. Rubbing alcohol
C. Any abrasive cleaner
D. A fine-grit sandpaper or emery cloth

>> !
Answer: A


105. When testing a printed page from a printer you have just performed maintenance on, you should ______. (Choose all that apply)

A. Send the test page from the DOS prompt
B. Send the test page from the printer's software
C. Send the test page from the printer's hardware
D. Not send a page to print

>> !
Answer: B & C


106. When disposing toner from a laser printer, you may ______.

A. Throw it in any available trash can
B. Be required to dispose of it in accordance with local environmental laws

>> !
Answer: B


107. It is not important to dress properly for maintaining a printer.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: B


108. A computer monitor does not contain enough electricity to kill or seriously injure the average person.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: B


109. Most printers have a self-test program built into them.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: A


110. Using glass cleaner to clean a monitor can remove protective coatings designed to protect your eyes.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: A


111. From a maintenance point of view, there is not much that can be done to a modem other than ensure it is well seated and free from dust.

A. True
B. False

>> !
Answer: A


112. To use all Plug and Play features, your system must include which of the following:

A. Plug and Play BIOS
B. A modem Microsoft Windows backup software
C. A PCCARD sound card

>> !
Answer: A


113. What is the extension of files used as shortcuts?

A. .DAT
B. .INF
C. .LNK
D. .SCT

>> !
Answer: C


114. The bus allows for the transfer of information:

A. Between the CPU and the device
B. Between the CPU and the swap file
C. Between the CPU and the network
D. Between the CPU and GDI

>> !
Answer: A


115. In Windows 9x, what is the recommended CD-ROM buffer size for a system with a 4X CD-ROM and 12 MB of RAM?

A. 64K
B. 626K
C. 128K
D. 800K

>> !
Answer: C


116. Which of the following components is part of the block I/O subsystem? (Choose all that apply)

A. Port driver
B. Input/Output supervisor
C. SCSI layer
D. Miniport driver
E. Dump layer

>> !
Answer: A, B, C & D


117. To use Plug and Play functionality, your computer system must include which of the following:

A. Plug and Play BIOS
B. A Plug and Play bus
C. Microsoft Windows 95 operating system
D. A PCMCIA sound card

>> !
Answer: A


118. The bus enables the transfer of information which way?

A. Between the CPU and the GDI
B. Between the CPU and the swap file
C. Between the CPU and the device
D. Between the CPU and the network

>> !
Answer: C

Without the bus, no data transfer would be capable, and so it enables transfer of info between the CPU and everything outside the CPU.


119. Which component of the computer does the "Thinking"?

A. ROM
B. CPU
C. Mother Board
D. Power Supply

>> !
Answer: B

The most important component of a computer is the central processing unit(CPU) or microprocessor, it does all of the processing and executing of commands.


120. Which of the following are microprocessor chips created by Intel. (Choose all that apply)

A. Z80
B. 80386
C. 6x86
D. Pentium
E. 80586

>> !
Answer: B & D


121. What does BIOS stand for?

A. Basic Instructions Output System
B. Basic Information Organization System
C. Basic Input Output System
D. Basic Input Operating System

>> !
Answer: C

System Components BIOS (Basic Input/output system) software as well as programs that boot the system are stored on ROM chips. The BIOS code must be compatible with the rest of the system, because it is needed for advanced functions, such as Plug and Play, and even Hard Drive size.


122. Which of the following devices can contain a BIOS? (Choose all that apply)

A. Systemboard
B. Video Controller
C. Sound Card
D. Hard Drives
E. Hard Drive Controllers

>> !
Answer: A, B & E


123. Where are BIOS located in memory?

A. Conventional Memory
B. Low Memory
C. Upper Memory
D. Expanded Memory

>> !
Answer: C

Bios are loaded into upper memory, once the computer has been turned on, in order for the system to access them more quickly.


124. The EEPROM (electronically erasable programmable read-only memory) on a chip is often referred to as?

A. RAM
B. WROM
C. Flash ROM
D. Writable ROM
E. Erasable ROM

>> !
Answer: C

Flash ROM or EEPROM's are BIOS that exist on chips that can be changed by software on your computer. Most newer devices contain this type of ROM because it is so easy to provide upgrade on the internet.


125. How many interrupts (IRQ) exist on a standard computer?

A. 12
B. 18
C. 10
D. 16
E. 8

>> !
Answer: D

Interrupts exist on the system to provide a path to communicate with the CPU. IRQ 0 through IRQ 15 exist on a standard computer, but typically only 5,9,10,11,12 are available to be used.


126. What is the size of the data bus for the Pentium microprocessor?

A. 64 bit
B. 8 bit
C. 32 bit
D. 16 bit

>> !
Answer: A

The Pentium microprocessor was developed with the 32 bit technology, it just allows more transactions per second than the 80486 microprocessor did.


127. Name the two sizes of ISA slots.

A. 64 bits
B. 8 bits
C. 16 bits
D. 32 bits

>> !
Answer: B & C

Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) comes in two sizes: the conventional IBM PC 8 Bit or the IBM PC AT 16 Bit.


128. What is the new local bus standard?

A. MCA
B. PCI
C. EISA
D. VESA

>> !
Answer: B

Intel's Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) is a new local bus standard. It is capable of taking advantage of the Pentium's 64-bit data-bus.


129. Are MCA cards compatible with ISA Bus Architecture?

A. Yes
B. No

>> !
Answer: B

MCA is a 32 bit card and bus where ISA is a 16 bit card and bus so they are not compatible with one another.


130. Say you have a CPU running at 33Mhz. At what speed will the local bus theoretically be running?

A. 8 MHz
B. 16 MHz
C. 33 MHz
D. 66 MHz

>> !
Answer: C

The local bus specifications provides for speeds of up to 66 MHz on the bus, but the electrical characteristics of the local bus connector limit an adapter card to no more then 40 or 50 MHz. In practice, running the local bus at speeds over 33 MHz causes many problems, so 33 MHz has become the acceptable speed limit. Systems that use faster processor bus speeds must buffer and step down the clock on the local bus or add wait states.