IT SPECIALIST
What job role installs, supports, maintains, and troubleshoots computer systems for users?
IT Specialist
What modern expansion interface is commonly used for graphics cards and other high-speed expansion devices?
PCIe
What connector is commonly used for wired Ethernet?
RJ-45
What term describes memory that loses its contents when power is removed?
Volatile memory
What startup process checks and initializes essential hardware before the operating system boots?
POST
What resource should a technician consult for established procedures, configurations, or known solutions instead of guessing?
Documentation
Of ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX, which is generally the largest motherboard form factor?
ATX
What two separate connections does a typical internal SATA drive require?
SATA data + SATA power
What smaller RAM module is commonly found in laptops and compact systems?
SO-DIMM
A computer repeatedly loses its date and time after being disconnected from power. What component is the likely cause?
CMOS battery
A computer worked yesterday but fails today. What high-value troubleshooting question can quickly reveal a recent installation, update, or configuration change?
What changed?
What motherboard component helps determine the platform's supported processors, memory capabilities, storage features, and other technologies?
Chipset
What connector describes a reversible physical shape but does not by itself guarantee a particular USB speed, video capability, or power level?
USB-C
What RAID level uses striping for performance but provides no redundancy?
RAID 0
A computer powers on but stops completing POST immediately after a memory upgrade. What component should be investigated first?
RAM
What should a technician attempt when trying to confirm the circumstances that cause an intermittent problem?
Reproduce the problem
A PC has DDR5 RAM, an RTX graphics card, and a 2 TB SSD. The motherboard must fit a very compact case. Which form factor is designed for small builds?
Mini-ITX
A desktop has 32 GB of DDR5, a 2 TB NVMe SSD, and a 750W PSU. The technician needs to connect an older monitor that accepts only an analog video signal. Which connector should be used?
VGA
A computer becomes unstable immediately after a memory upgrade. What should be checked before replacing unrelated hardware?
RAM compatibility
A user brings in a desktop with 16 GB of RAM, a wireless mouse, two monitors, a 500 W PSU, and an Intel processor. Yesterday, the user connected an external USB drive to transfer vacation photos.
This morning, the computer powers on, successfully completes POST, but displays a message indicating that it cannot find a bootable operating system. The internal SSD is still detected in UEFI.
What firmware setting should the technician check FIRST?
Boot order
A problem requires permissions or expertise beyond a technician's authorized support level. What should the technician do?
Escalate
A technician has an ATX case, a 650 W PSU, and an NVMe SSD. Before buying a replacement motherboard, what specification determines whether the board will physically fit the case?
PSU wattage and SSD type.
A PC has DDR5 RAM, a 2 TB SSD, and six cooling fans. Its HDMI output must connect to an older VGA-only projector. What type of adapter may be required?
Active adapter
A powerful new CPU and GPU cause a computer to restart only during demanding workloads. What two system areas should be investigated first?
PSU and cooling
A PC has an RTX graphics card, 32 GB of RAM, and a 750 W PSU. The computer boots normally, but the HDD repeatedly clicks and files take unusually long to open. What component is most likely failing?
HDD