System Components
What is the main advantage of using a CPU in 64-bit mode?
Makes more system memory accessible. A 64-bit CPU and OS is also required to run 64-bit applications, but there are not too many of these yet. 64-bit software is more reliable and a bit faster than 32-bit software.
True or false? Mice and keyboards must be connected to a computer via PS/2 ports.
False—they are now much more likely to use USB or wireless (Bluetooth or other RF) interfaces.
You are considering buying a new display device. The model you are considering accepts digital inputs only. Your computer's graphics adapter has a blue port with 15 holes. Would this flat-panel be a wise purchase?
Probably not, as this connector is VGA, which supports analog output only. It is possible to buy converters however.
What do you need to know to connect to a device that is configured over the network?
Typically the Internet Protocol (IP) address of its management page. Some devices may use a name to locate the page instead. You are also likely to be prompted for a user name and password.
What are the four inks used to produce color prints?
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (CMYK).
What is a typical speed for a modern CPU to run at?
Around 2 GHz; budget models might run as low as 1 GHz while the fastest run up to about 3 GHz.
True or false? USB cables have the same connectors at either end.
Partly false—the connectors for the host (PC) and device use different form factors (there are also normal size and mini or micro device connectors). A new reversible Type C connector is starting to be used however.
You need to configure settings for an input device. What should be your first step?
Open the Settings app or Control Panel.
True or false? If you want to configure the DPI of a display device, you would do so via the Personalization app.
False—Dots Per Inch (DPI) or scaling is configured via Display properties. Personalization is for configuring themes and the appearance of the desktop.
What type of wired interface is a printer MOST likely to use?
Universal Serial Bus (USB).
You want to purchase a computer with a fast graphics interface. What type of expansion slot should you look for?
PCIe x16—this is a type of PCI Express slot that uses 16 'lanes'. Each lane can transfer 250 MBps (or 500 MBps for PCIe 2 and 1 GBps for v3).
A user has two USB drives connected to her PC. She complains that when she copies large files to both drives at the same time, it seems to take much longer. Why might this be?
Bandwidth on the USB bus is shared between all devices.
A friend is asking for your help in using her computer. When he presses the key marked @, a different symbol appears. What could be the cause?
The keyboard is set to use a UK layout—you can correct this using the Language Bar.
You are configuring dual monitors positioned side-by-side. You want to increase the amount of screen space available. Which multiple display option should you set?
Extend the displays.
You want to configure a printer to use both sides of the paper (duplex) by default. You have alt-clicked the printer object—which command should you select to proceed?
Printing preferences.
What type of component provides a passive cooling solution?
A heatsink or heat spreader removes heat from the component by convection with no power required. However, it is usually necessary to cool the heatsink or heat spreader itself and this is likely to require active cooling (a fan).
You want to purchase a flat-panel monitor that can show widescreen movies. You are considering models with native resolutions of 1400x1050 and 1920x1200. Which should you choose?
1920x1200 as this is a widescreen format.
What type of mouse would you recommend for someone who uses their computer principally to play computer games and why?
Laser mouse—this registers cursor movements more quickly and accurately.
You need to plug a microphone into a computer to make a recording. How would you identify which jack to use?
The jack should be color-coded (pink). There may be an icon to represent usage though. If neither is present, check the system documentation.
What basic command demonstrates that a printer is connected properly to a computer and that its driver is installed correctly for Windows?
Print Test Page.
How would you access the system setup program on a PC?
Historically, by pressing the appropriate key during startup (ESC, DEL, F1, F2, or F10). Modern PCs often use fast boot modes that require some other means of booting to the firmware setup program.
True or false? HDMI is the only type of display interface that supports High Definition picture resolutions.
False—there is also DisplayPort and Thunderbolt and some DVI formats also support HD resolutions.
Which Windows interface is used for advanced management and troubleshooting of devices?
Device Manager is used to update drivers and obtain more advanced troubleshooting information. The basic user interface is either Devices and Printers or the device pages in the Settings app, depending on the Windows version.
What, if any, type of printer uses a fuser?
Laser printer—the fuser bonds the toner to the surface of the paper using high heat and pressure.
What function of a scanner would you use if you want to convert a letter that someone has mailed to you into a computer-editable document?
Optical Character Recognition (OCR).