Motherboard Troubleshooting
What are some common power issues that can affect system motherboards?
a) Overheating of the CPU and system memory
b) Insufficient voltage from the power supply
c) Incompatibility between the motherboard and peripherals
d) Corrupted BIOS settings
b) Insufficient voltage from the power supply
A customer needs to use several applications. Currently, the computer cannot keep all the necessary applications open at the same time.
Which of the following components should you consider upgrading?
a. System board
b. CPU
c. Memory
d. Hard disk drive
c. Memory
When an application starts up, it is loaded into memory. If the computer does not have sufficient memory, the application cannot start. To remedy the problem, add more memory to your computer.
You upgrade the hard disk to provide additional storage space for files.
You upgrade the CPU to execute programs faster or to provide advanced processing features.
You upgrade the system board to support new components, such as newer memory modules, CPUs, or bus types.
What is the data path width of a DIMM?
a) 32-bit
b) 64-bit
c) 128-bit
d) 256-bit
b) 64-bit
What does ESD stand for in the context of memory installation?
a) Electrostatic Discharge
b) External System Damage
c) Electrical Storage Device
d) Error Static Detection
a) Electrostatic Discharge
What is the role of the CMOS in a modern computer?
a. Tests hardware during system startup.
b. Saves information about system devices.
c. Coordinates the use of system hardware with the operating system.
d. Loads the operating system into memory.
b. Saves information about system devices.
What is the purpose of the power-on self-test (POST)?
a) To check the compatibility of peripheral devices
b) To verify the functionality of the motherboard's BIOS
c) To ensure that all basic hardware components are present and functioning
d) To identify any boot errors related to software conflicts
c) To ensure that all basic hardware components are present and functioning
Which of the following is NOT a method commonly used by motherboard manufacturers to report error codes during POST?
a) Audible beeps
b) Numeric codes
c) Error messages
d) Visual graphics
d) Visual graphics
How many pins does a SODIMM have?
a) 64 pins
b) 144 pins
c) 200 pins
d) 512 pins
b) 144 pins
What is a common installation problem related to memory modules?
a) ESD damage
b) Improper seating
c) Memory compatibility issues
d) Clock mismatch
b) Improper seating
A user has called to complain that her computer won't boot. It stops on the system startup screen right after the memory has been tested and displays a 301 keyboard error.
a. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first?
b. Verify that the latest UEFI firmware updates have been applied
c. Install a new keyboard on the computer.
d. Verify that no keys are being pressed down during POST.
e. Download and install the latest keyboard driver from the manufacturer's website.
d. Verify that no keys are being pressed down during POST.
You should have the user verify that no keyboard keys are being pressed during POST. With any error, you should always check the obvious first. This error is almost always caused by a stuck key on the keyboard or something resting on a keyboard key.
What is the purpose of testing the power supply in troubleshooting motherboard issues?
a) To determine if the power supply is providing sufficient voltage for the system
b) To identify any boot errors that may be caused by the power supply
c) To check the compatibility of the power supply with other components
d) To verify the power supply's efficiency rating
a) To determine if the power supply is providing sufficient voltage for the system
True or False: Error messages are always displayed during the POST process.
FALSE
What is the maximum capacity of a DDR4 DIMM?
a) 64 GB
b) 128 GB
c) 256 GB
What is the maximum capacity of a DDR4 DIMM?
a) 64 GB
b) 128 GB
c) 256 GB
d) 512 GB
d) 512 GB
What is one way to test memory modules manually?
a) Replace all memory modules at once
b) Remove memory modules one at a time
c) Use software memory testers only
d) Check memory status in the BIOS/UEFI settings
b) Remove memory modules one at a time
An employee complains that every time they turn their computer off, the computer's time is set to 12:00 p.m., and the date is set back to January 1, 1990.
Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this anomaly?
a. The CMOS settings are not being saved before the computer powers off.
b. The CMOS chip on the motherboard is loose.
c. The CMOS battery has failed.
d. The CMOS chip is failing.
c. The CMOS battery has failed.
The CMOS (a physical part of the motherboard) is a memory chip that houses setting configurations. The CMOS is able to maintain its setting when the computer is powered off by using a CMOS battery. If the CMOS battery is failing, you may see the effects (such as the time and day being slightly off). If the CMOS battery has failed, it will typically reset the date and time back to the date the CMOS was created.
What are some behaviors that may occur if the power supply cannot deliver the required DC electricity?
a) Continuous reboots
b) Unexpected shutdowns
c) Failure to power on
d) All of the above
d) All of the above
Your server runs in quadruple-channel memory mode.
How many memory controllers are being used?
a. Eight
b. One
c. Four
d. Two
c. Four
Dual-channel systems use two memory controllers, while triple-channel systems use three memory controllers. Quadruple-channel (quad-channel) systems use four memory controllers. Each memory controller can communicate with one or more memory modules at the same time.
What is the standard voltage for DDR3 memory?
a) 2.5 volts
b) 1.8 volts
c) 1.5 volts
d) 1.2 volts
e) 1.1 volts
c) 1.5 volts
What information was previously displayed on blue screens in Windows 7 and earlier?
a) Minimal information about the error
b) Memory address associated with the error
c) Detailed diagnostics report
d) System configuration details
b) Memory address associated with the error
When do you need to upgrade the system BIOS?
a. Whenever the BIOS settings need to be modified.
b. Whenever you add a new peripheral device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or printer.
c. Whenever you install a new hard disk drive.
d. Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported, but is required by the operating system or hardware.
d. Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported, but is required by the operating system or hardware.
In general, you need to upgrade the system BIOS whenever the current BIOS does not support a function required by the operating system or by the hardware. Use the CMOS program to change system configuration settings used by the BIOS.
Which wire on the motherboard's power connector is responsible for signaling the power status?
a) Pin 1
b) Pin 4
c) Pin 8
d) Pin 12
c) Pin 8
Which of the following memory ratings identifies the fastest memory?
a. DDR2-667
b. PC-3200
c. PC-2700
d. DDR4-1600
e. PC-133
d. DDR4-1600
DDR4-1600 has the fastest memory rating. It has a bus frequency of 800 MHz and bandwidth of 12800 MB/s. For DDR, DDR2, DDR3, and DDR4, the number following the DDR- designation is always twice that of the bus speed, specifying that the double data rate memory transfers double the data in a single clock cycle. This means that DDR2-667 has a bus frequency of 333 MHz.
The older PC designation identified the bus frequency, so PC-133 has a frequency of 133 MHz. The newer PC- designation identifies the bandwidth, so PC-2700 has a bandwidth of 2700 MB/s. To get the frequency from the bandwidth, divide the bandwidth by 16, giving you 166 MHz for PC-2700 and 200 MHz for PC-3200.
Which type of DDR memory has 240 pins and a notch slightly right of center?
a) DDR
b) DDR2
c) DDR3
d) DDR4
e) DDR5
b) DDR2
Why is memory compatibility important when working with memory modules?
a) It determines the memory module's clock speed
b) It prevents ESD damage during installation
c) It ensures proper grounding of the system
d) It affects the module's physical size and shape
a) It determines the memory module's clock speed
Which of the following functions are performed by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM)?
a. Creates a hash based on installed system components.
b. Performs bulk encryption.
c. Encrypts data on the hard disk drive.
d. Generates authentication credentials.
a. Creates a hash based on installed system components.
A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) is a hardware cryptoprocessor that resides on the motherboard that stores and generates cryptographic keys. Using these keys, the TPM can generate a hash value based on the components installed in the system. The hash value can be used to verify that system components have not been modified when the system boots. Because each system will have a unique hash value, the hash can also be used as a form of system identification. Keys generated by the TPM can be used for encryption and authentication, but the TPM does not perform the actual encryption.