CompTIA A+ Complete

To load the minimal number of drivers during boot, use the _______________ advanced boot option.

To load all drivers except for video during boot, use the _____________ advanced boot option.

Using Remote Desktop, the computer you are working from is called the ___________ computer.

Using Remote Desktop, you must have _____________ installed to be a home computer.

To automatically check and repair corrupt system files, use the _____________ commmand.

At command prompt, use the ______________ command to display a directory listing in alphabetical order.

Which version of Windows uses ASR?

To optimize the speed of your hard drive, you should periodically _____________ the drive.

The _____________ file is responsible for loading the NTOSKRNL.EXE file.

System, Application, and Security logs are stored in the ______________ applet.

The ________________ file detects hardware on Windows 2000/XP system.

The process of creating logical divisions on a hard drive is called.

In Windows, the partition that loads the operating system is called the _______________ partition.

The ________________ is the filesystem that allows for individual file-level security.

The _______________ filesystem is backward compatible with Windows 98.

To back up your files, use the ____________ program.

To rearrange the files on your hard disk so they occupy contiguous spaces on the hard drive, use the ____________ utility.

In Windows 2000/XP, filenames are limited to ____________ characters.

To access Windows Help, you can press the ____________ key.

To make assigning file permissions easier, special permissions are organized into ________________.

To install an unsigned device driver in Windows XP, you must be ___________________.

In Windows 2000 and Windows XP, you only need to reboot after ________________ the swap file size.

To delete a page file, you need to __________________________.

To speed up the performance of your hard disk by placing files contiguous blocks, run the ________________.

A small amount of memory used to hold data frequently accessed from the hard disk is called a _________________.

A file that is designed to hold information for a short amount of time and then be deleted is called a __________________.

When identifying laptop power requirements, always pay attention to how many _______ and ________ the laptop requires.

If you are plugging a laptop into a wall, you will use what type of power adapter?

If you are plugging a laptop into an outlet on an airplane, you will use what type of power adapter?

The ________________ is responsible for generating a video image and sending it to the screen.

The _____________ is responsible for illuminating the screen and making it readable.

The ________________ is responsible for providing power to the backlight.

Flickering screens or dim screens are most likely caused by a malfuctioning __________________.

Splitting RAM between the system and the video card on a laptop is called _______________.

The network plug on most laptops, used for 10BaseT cabling, is what type of connector?

To properly remove laptop hardware, use the ______________ icon in the system tray.

The first step in troubleshooting is to ________________.

The last step in troubleshooting is to __________________.

The ______________ file bootstraps Windows 2000/XP.

The _____________ file contains information about operating systems installed on the computer.

If you are dual-booting with Windows 98, the _______________ file keeps information on the Windows 98 boot sector.

The _______________ file holds the Windows 2000/XP kernel.

The __________________ advanced boot option loads only basic drivers including those for the keyboard and mouse.

The _______________ advanced boot option loads all drivers except for video drivers.

The ______________ advanced boot option is useful if you have made changes to the Registry that cause the system to not function properly.

The ________________ utility can be used to correct problems with corrupt files or disk errors, such as cross-linked files.

The _______________ utility shows all hardware installed in the system and shows you if the hardware is disabled or not functioning properly.

The ____________ utility can be used to close down applications that are not responding.

Scheduled backups are created using the ____________ utility.

Restore points are created through the _____________utility.

Which operating system is capable of creating restore points?

Which operating system uses Automated System Recovery?

Which operating system uses an Emergency Repair Disk?

To obtain the latest driver for a piece of hardware, visit ______________ website.

The ___________________ command is a command-line utility that can make files read-only or hidden.

The ________________ is responsible for translating between hardware and the operating system.

When lifting computer equipment, always lift with your ________________.

You should _______________ batteries to properly dispose of them.

Monitors should be ______________, according to proper disposal procedures.

_________________ batteries are considered environmental hazards.

Computer components can be damaged with shock of ________ volts.

Class ____________ fire extenguishers are for fires involving flammable metals.

The standard peripheral power connector is generally used to power different types of internal disk drives. This type of connector is also called a ______________.

The internal component that is used to store data and that retains the data even when the system is powered down is the _______________.

The AMD Athlon XP processor uses which socket type?

What is internal data storage that comes in the form of chips is called?

A PS/2 port uses a _______________ connector.

Which expansion port was specifically designed for video transfer?

Which power connectors are used to connect the power supply to an AT motherboard?

When attaching a ribbon cable to a drive, if there is no marking for pin 1, which way should you orient the red stripe?

This AT command is used to reset the modem.

Which RAID level is also known as disk mirroring?

Which RAID level requires a minimum of three hard disks?

The first step in the EP print process is _______________.

Which laser printer component formats the print job for the type of printer being used?

In which step of the laser print process is the toner made permanent?

UTP-based netowrks use a __________ or a ____________ to connect devices on the network.

Which netowrk topology offers the greatest level of redundancy?

Which network devices are responsible for transferring packets across networks?

The ______________ of the OSI model describes how the data gets transmitted over a physical medium.

The power supply in the PC is excessively dirty. How would you clean it?

A. A vacuum cleaner
B. A damp cloth
C. All purpose cleaner
D. Compressed air

A hard drive should not be:

A. formatted before removing from the computer
B. protected from magnetic devices
C. defragmented and backed up at regular intervals
D. parked and boxed when removed from the computer

What is the best method of cleaning a dusty PC keyboard?

A. Remove the bezel and vacuum out the dust
B. Wipe out the dust with a wet cloth
C. Flush out the dust with a mild liquid detergent
D. Remove the bezel and blow out the dust

What do you use to check for line-voltage sags?

A. Polarity tester
B. LAN analyzer
C. Breakout box
D. Line monitor

Which of the following is most likely to cause a problem with an unprotected hard disk drive?

A. X-ray from a nearby monitor
B. Solar Winds
C. A magnetic field from a large speaker
D. RFI from a nearby TV

Which is not a reason why compressed air is preferred over vacuuming for cleaning dust from a circuit board? Choose one:

A. Compressed air can generally provide greater cleaning power
B. Compressed air is less likely to cause ESD damage
C. Compressed air is less likely to spread dust
D. None of the above

Which of the following is most likely to protect a personal computer system during an electrical storm?

A. Totally disconnect all cables and power cords
B. Disconnect the line cords
C. Turn the AC power off
D. Use surge suppressers on all AC outlets

What do you use to check for line surges?

A. Breakout box
B. LAN analyzer
C. Polarity tester
D. Line analyzer

Which of the following statements are true? Choose one:

A. When not being used, a 5-1/4" disk should be kept in its protective sleeve
B. A hard drive should be protected from high magnetic fields
C. A surge suppresser can help to protect a computer installation from high voltage spikes
D. When cleaning PC boards, blowing dust away is preferred over vacuuming
E. All of the above

Which of the following should be used to clean the external plastic cabinets of computers and their peripherals?

A. Damp cloth with a mild detergent
B. Acetone
C. All purpose spray cleaner
D. Wet cloth with a mild detergent

The purpose of a line analyzer is: Choose one.

A. to power the computer during power failures
B. to warn of voltage spikes
C. to warn of line surges
D. to warn of line sags

Which of the following would make a computer installation safer? Choose one:

A. Surge suppressers
B. An extension cord
C. A switch box
D. Extra long cables

The hard drive makes a grinding noise. The cause is probably:

A. HDI (Head-to-Disk Interface)
B. a faulty SCSI connection
C. a dirty read/write head
D. a software crash

During the POST, what does a single beep indicate?

A. A problem with an application software package
B. Normal operation of the PC
C. A hardware problem with a peripheral
D. A hardware problem with the PC

Which of the following is NOT considered to be a field replaceable unit (FRU)?

A. Co-processor
B. Power supply regulator
C. SIMM
D. CPU chip

During what process do you tell the PC the types of drives being used?

A. CHKDSK
B. SETUP
C. POST
D. PREP

Diagnostics indicate that you have several bad field replaceable units (FRUs). What do you do?

A. Replace the indicated FRUs one at a time, rerunning the diagnostics after each replacement
B. Investigate further to determine if the software is at fault
C. Replace all FRUs that were identified as bad
D. Replace the motherboard

Which of the following would most likely result in the mouse pointer NOT being displayed when you switch from DOS applications to Windows applications?

A. A faulty serial interface
B. A faulty mouse
C. Wrong mouse driver in the CONFIG.SYS file
D. Wrong mouse driver in the SYSTEM.INI file

During what process do you tell the PC the amount of conventional or extended memory being used?

A. POST
B. SETUP
C. PREP
D. Boot up

Which of the following is least likely to be a field replaceable unit?

A. A board that plugs into the ISA bus
B. A socketed integrated circuit
C. A surface-mounted integrated circuit
D. A battery

Which of the following components will hold a charge even though power has been removed?

A. Capacitor
B. Diode
C. Rectifier
D. Transistor

Which of the following components holds a charge after power has been removed? Choose one:

A. Power transformers
B. Capacitors
C. Rectifiers
D. Diodes

A multimeter is set up to DC, Ohms, and 20k. How would a good 4-ampere fuse measure?

A. 4.00
B. 0.40
C. 0.00
D. 0.04

A multimeter is set up to DC, Ohms, and 20k. How would a bad 4-ampere fuse measure?

A. Infinitely high
B. 0.00
C. 0.04
D. 4.00

The farad is the basic unit of measurement for:

A. capacitors
B. inductors
C. FETs
D. resistors

A circuit board in a computer can be destroyed by voltages as low as:

A. 200 volts
B. 100 volts
C. 30 volts
D. 1000 volts

What should an ordinary household wall outlet measure?

A. 210-250 volts AC
B. 104-130 volts AC
C. 104-130 volts DC
D. 12 volts DC

Which of the following can be caused by power source (electric company and building wiring) problems? Choose one:

A. Random memory errors
B. Damaged components inside the computer
C. Hard disk errors
D. Computer occasionally locks up
E. All of the above

Which of the following voltage levels would you not expect to find at the output of a typical personal computer power supply? Choose one:

A. +12 V
B. +24 V
C. +5 V
D. -24 V
E. -5 V

Which of the following voltages is NOT normally present at the output of a personal computer power supply?

A. -5 V
B. 120 V
C. -12 V
D. +12 V
E. +5 V

The wires coming from the power supply in a personal computer are color coded to specify their purpose. What color are the ground (or common) wires?
A. Yellow
B. Blue
C. Red
D. Black

Ohms is the basic unit of measurement for:

A. capacitors
B. resistors
C. current
D. voltage

What is the basic unit of measurement for resistors?

A. Ohms
B. Volts
C. Amperes
D. Farads

What voltage should you measure on the yellow wires coming from the power supply in a personal computer?

A. +5 volts
B. -5 volts
C. -12 volts
D. +12 volts

Which of the following best describes a standby power supply?

A. It uses an isolation transformer to remove AC line noise
B. It consists of a battery connected between the AC line and the computer. The AC line simultaneously charges the battery and supplies power to the computer. When the AC line voltage is lost, the battery quickly switches so it, instead the AC line, powers the computer
C. It consists of a battery connected between the AC line and the computer. The AC line charges the battery, and the battery supplies power to the computer
D. It uses metal oxide varistors (MOVs) to protect against AC line spikes

What is the basic unit of measurement of capacitors?

A. Farads
B. Volts
C. Ohms
D. Amperes

Which of the following does not provide surge protection? Choose one:

A. A power conditioner
B. A standby power supply (SPS)
C. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
D. None of the above

The best uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and standby power supplies (SPS) produce which of the following output waveforms?

A. Sine waves
B. Sawtooth waves
C. Stairstep waves
D. Square waves

Which of the following is the smallest power interruption that can cause memory errors or the computer to lock up?

A. 1/200 second
B. 1 second
C. 10 seconds
D. 1 minute

If a power supply has "watts capacity" rating of 200, what does this mean?

A. The power supply always produces 200 watts. Therefore, the load you attach must be able to use up this much power
B. The power supply uses up 200 watts
C. The power supply can provide up to 200 watts
D. This is the minimum amount of power the supply can provide

When measuring an unknown voltage

A. remove power until the meter is connected to the circuited
B. set the meter to the Ohms function
C. start with the meter set to its highest range
D. start with the meter set to its lowest range

When using an ohmmeter:

A. connect the meter in series with the component being measured
B. power must be applied to the circuit under test
C. remove power to the circuit before attaching the meter
D. you must physically break the circuit to insert the ohmmeter

Which of the following rules do not apply when using a multimeter?

A. Current and voltage are measured across the component with the power applied
B. When measuring current, turn off the power, break the current path to be measured, connect the meter in series with the current path, and reapply power
C. When measuring current or voltage, if you are unsure which range to use, start with the highest range and work down
D. Resistance is measured with the ohmmeter with all circuit power off

A new external modem does not work properly. Which of the following should be checked? Choose one:

A. The connections of the RJ-11 cable
B. The serial port settings
C. The communications parameters such as speed, parity, data bits, and stop bits
D. The communications software to make sure it is compatible with the modem
E. All of the above

The mouse works in MS-DOS but not in Windows 3.1. What do you do?

A. Check the Mouse Trails number
B. Check for the proper mouse driver in CONFIG.SYS file
C. Check the jumpers on the motherboard
D. Check for the proper mouse driver in the SYSTEM.INI file

You replaced your customer's motherboard. Before returning the unit to the customer, what should you do?

A. Partition the hard drive
B. Run SETUP
C. Reload the application software
D. Write the word "serviced" and the current date on the board with a marker

A customer calls with a printer problem. What information should you gather first?

A. Customer name, Company name, type of printer, nature of the problem
B. Company name, customer name, type of computer, type of printer, the time at which he can bring the product in for service
C. Where the printer was purchased, name of company, customer name
D. Customer name, Company name, Company address, time at which it would be most convenient for you to pick up the printer

A customer complains because he has been put on hold several times. What should you do?

A. Apologize for the inconvenience
B. Give him your personal telephone number
C. Explain how busy everyone is
D. Tell him you will find out who keeps putting him on hold

A customer calls and tells you that the cable you just sent him was defective. What do you do?

A. Tell the customer to call the manufacturer
B. Replace the cable
C. Call the manufacturer for the customer
D. Tell him you will replace it if he can prove that it is defective

A customer complains that the company that manufactured his computer is incompetent. What do you tell him?

A. Inquire as to why he feels that way
B. Ask him what he expects you to do about it
C. Explain that you are not associated with that company
D. Agree with him

You are giving directions to a customer on the phone. If the customer is having problems following your directions, what should you not do?

A. Tell him someone will call him back
B. Ask if there is someone else you could speak to
C. Refer him to a customer center
D. End the call because he can't follow directions

You replace a faulty motherboard. Before returning the computer to the customer, you should:

A. FORMAT the hard drive
B. review the customer's programs on the hard drive
C. restore the customer's programs to the hard drive
D. run SETUP and setup the configuration

A customer calls and says that his computer keeps dying. After taking the customer's name, what sequence of questions should you ask?

A. Type of system, setup up an appointment, what the problem is
B. Computer type, is the equipment under warranty, printer type, set up an appointment
C. Set up an appointment, what the problem is, software they are using, computer type
D. Computer type, what the problem is, number of times it has occurred, set up an appointment

A customer calls and says that their Desktop Publishing System that was working fine yesterday will not perform certain functions today. Which of the following is the most appropriate question to ask?

A. Have you voided the warranty by doing modifications?
B. Are you certain that you are qualified to say what is working normally?
C. Did anyone make any changes in the software or hardware between yesterday and today?
D. Have unqualified people been playing with the system?

A customer complains that the printer you just returned after being serviced has a broken paper tray. What do you do?

A. Order a new paper tray for the customer
B. Explain that this will not affect the print quality in any way
C. Send him one of your paper trays as a replacement
D. Ask him what he expects you to do about it

A customer calls and complains that the computer you just serviced is still not working properly. What do you do?

A. Apologize and explain that it is a different problem than the one you repaired B. Explain that the customer did something wrong
C. Refer him to another repair facility.
D. Offer to replace or re-service the computer

A customer calls and complains that the computer you just returned after being serviced is missing a power cord. What do you do?

A. Explain that most any power cord she has will work.
B. Send out a replacement power cord
C. Order a new power cord from the manufacturer
D. Explain to your customer that she must have misplaced the power cord

A customer complains that his laptop computer has lost the time and date information. What do you do?

A. Send someone out to pick up the unit for repair
B. Tell him to recharge the battery and run SETUP
C. Give him the manufacturer's phone number
D. Have him bring it in for repair

A customer calls with a question about how to make a change in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file. What do you do?

A. Politely answer the question
B. Explain that this procedure will void the warrant
C. Explain that this should be attempted only by a qualified service technician
D. Refer the customer to the MS-DOS manual

Which of the following is least likely to be affected by a virus?

A. Hard drive
B. Floppy disk
C. A file in RAM
D. BIOS in ROM

A disgruntled customer is critical of the company that made his equipment, what do you do?

A. Tell him it is out of your hands
B. Quote statistics to the contrary
C. Agree with him
D. Inquire as to why he feels that way and how you can help

Computer viruses are most likely to be spread via:

A. licensed application programs
B. pirated games software
C. on-line services
D. licensed operating systems

Which of the following is not a recommended way to minimize damage caused by a computer virus?

A. Avoiding pirated software
B. Frequently running a virus checker program
C. Frequently backing up your data
D. Frequently formatting your hard drive

A PC virus is least likely to attach itself to:

A. a .EXE file
B. the boot sector of your hard disk
C. a data file
D. a .COM file

Which MS-DOS files are concerned with viruses?

A. DMDRVR and FINDVIR
B. SCANDISK and CHKVIR
C. VER, CHKDSK, and SCAN
D. MSAV, VSAFE, and MWAV

A virus is detected and successfully removed from a customer's PC. What additional action should be taken to prevent re-infection?

A. Scan all floppy disks that have been used recently on the PC
B. Disconnect the PC from the network
C. Destroy all floppy disks that have been used recently on the PC
D. Reformat the hard drive on the PC

Which of the following files is most likely to harbor a virus?

A. COMMAND.COM
B. SALES99.XLS
C. IMAGE.BMP
D. TEXTFILE.DOC

Which of the following statements about PC viruses is not true?

A. The PC is infected only if it boots (or attempts to boot) from an infected disk; or if it executes an infected program
B. Some viruses reside in boot sector files
C. The PC can not be infected by attempting to boot from a non-bootable floppy
D. Viruses are not carried by PC data files

A customer complains because he has been on hold for so long. What should you do?

A. Give him your direct number
B. Tell him the best time to call
C. Explain how busy you are
D. Apologize for the inconvenience

A customer complains because a technician did not return his call. What should you do?

A. Explain that the technicians are overworked
B. Find out who the technician was
C. Make an excuse for the technician
D. Apologize for the inconvenience

What is the best ground to use when working on a personal computer?

A. Chassis
B. Common
C. Computer
D. AC outlet ground

When should you not wear a wrist band ground strap?

A. When working on a CPU
B. When working on a disk drive
C. When working on memory
D. When working around an exposed cathode ray tube (CRT).

Once an IC is mounted on a circuit board it is:

A. not susceptible to ESD damage if the board is not installed in the PC
B. still susceptible to ESD damage
C. not susceptible to ESD damage if the board is properly installed in the PC
D. not susceptible to ESD damage as long as the computer is turned off

Which of the following could generate electrostatic voltages high enough to cause ESD damage? Choose one:

A. Combing your hair
B. Walking across a carpeted floor
C. Taking off your coat
D. Any one of the above

When shipping a board from one place to another, to avoid ESD damage, the board should be:

A. placed inside an anti-static bag
B. grounded at all times
C. kept in high humidity environment
D. sprayed with antistatic spray before packing

When you use the computer chassis for ground, what should you do?

A. Keep the line cord plugged into an AC outlet
B. Do not wear a wristband ground strap
C. Disconnect all test equipment from ground
D. Disconnect the line cord

Select the incorrect answer. Sometimes ESD damage:

A. happens to ICs or circuit boards through improper handling
B. is not immediately apparent but may show up weeks after the ESD incident
C. will "toughen" the computer against future ESD damage
D. is caused by charges that are too weak to be felt by a human

Which of the following techniques is the best way to prevent ESD damage?

A. Handle circuit boards only by the edges
B. Work in a non-carpeted area
C. Wear a properly connected ESD wrist strap when you work on microcomputer equipment
D. Work in a high humidity area

Which of the following types of mat will reduce static electricity problems?

A. Rubber
B. Plastic
C. Vinyl
D. Nylon

Which of the following statements is false?

A. A simple act such as walking across the floor may generate static electricity levels high enough to cause ESD damage
B. You can feel any electrostatic discharge strong enough to damage an IC.
C. An IC is still susceptible to ESD damage even when properly mounted on a circuit board
D. ESD damage may not cause component failure until days or weeks after the actual ESD incident occurs

Which is incorrect? An electrostatic potential too small to be felt by a human:

A. may damage a component so that the actual failure does not occur until weeks or months later
B. may be caused by simply walking across a floor
C. may still be high enough to damage an IC
D. cannot harm a properly installed IC

Why is it important that you use AC outlet ground when working with computer equipment?

A. It is easier to find than chassis ground
B. It is generally the most reliable earth ground that is readily available
C. It is more likely to be at the same potential as your body
D. Discharges to AC outlet ground occur more slowly and thereby reduce the level of damaging currents

Why is it NOT a good idea to wear a wrist band ground strap when working around an exposed cathode ray tube (CRT)? Choose one:

A. A CRT is like a big capacitor
B. A CRT maintains a high charge even when disconnected from the circuit
C. Wearing a ground strap increases your chances of accidental shock from the CRT
D. All of the above

Which of the following devices will reduce the risk of ESD?

A. Waveform generator
B. Ion generator
C. White noise generator
D. Line analyzer

Which of the following semiconductors is most susceptible to electrical noise and ESD?

A. FET
B. CMOS
C. DTL
D. TTL

Why should you keep the AC line cord plugged in if you are using the computer chassis as your source of ground?

A. Because the computer must have power applied to safely swap components B. Because the computer must have power applied during all tests
C. To ensure that the computer chassis is at earth ground
D. Because this eliminates any possibility that you will receive an accidental electrical shock

An integrated circuit can be destroyed by a voltage as low as:

A. 30 volts
B. 1000 volts
C. 100 volts
D. 200 volts

A wrist grounding strap contains a:

A. diode
B. transistor
C. capacitor
D. resistor

Why is a CMOS memory chip more susceptible to ESD damage than its earlier TTL counterpart?

A. The dimensions of the transistors in CMOS are much smaller
B. Field effect transistors are impervious to ESD
C. The CMOS chip uses a higher voltage
D. Bipolar transistors are impervious to ESD

Which of the following devices will NOT reduce the risk of ESD damage?

A. An ion generator
B. A line analyzer
C. A grounded wrist strap
D. A humidifier

When shipping a circuit board from one place to another, you should first place the board in a(n):

A. shielded container
B. vinyl container
C. antistatic container
D. plastic foam container

When you work with solid-state devices, which of the following may help prevent ESD damage? Choose one:

A. Wear a properly connected ESD wrist strap
B. Use conductive work surface and anti-static floor mats
C. Handle circuit boards only by their edges
D. Store and ship boards in anti-static bags
E. All of the above

Which of the following statements is true?

A. The main purpose of the grounded wrist strap is to protect the user from electrical shock
B. ESD damage is a leading cause of hardware failure during the shipping, handling, and installation of printed circuit boards and ICs
C. Liberal use of anti-static spray is the best way to prevent ESD damage
D. Because of the possibility of ESD damage, you should not work on the computer during periods of high humidity

Why does a ground strap often include a resistor in the grounding path?

A. To speed up the discharge of static electricity
B. To limit the current to a safe level should the wearer experience an electrical shock
C. To alert the wearer that an electrostatic charge has built up.
D. To reduce the amount of time required for a given charge to bleed off

Using the computer chassis as a ground is most effective when:

A. you are not wearing a wrist band grounding strap
B. the computer is unplugged from the AC outlet
C. the computer is still plugged into the AC outlet
D. the cover is removed from the computer