1
Q
What type of display uses a backlight to provide illumination for the screen?
A
Liquid crystal display
(LCD)
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) shine light through liquid crystals rather than emitting the light itself.
2
Q
Which LCD technology is known for its excellent color representation, while being more expensive to produce than TN (Twisted Nematic)?
A
In-plane switching
(IPS)
IPS (In Plane Switching) display technology tends to have better color representation than twisted nematic (TN) or vertical alignment (VA).
3
Q
What are two common characteristics of TN displays?
A
- Relatively fast response times
- Poor viewing angles
4
Q
What type of LCD technology is considered good compromise between TN and IPS, but generally has slower response times than TN?
A
Vertical alignment
(VA)
5
Q
Which display type contains organic compounds which emit light when receiving an electric current?
A
Organic light-emitting diode
(OLED)
6
Q
What advantage does a Mini-LED display have over LED?
A
Better control over dark screen areas.
Unlike LED displays, Mini-LED allows for more precise backlighting to provide better control of black levels.
7
Q
What type of display technology enables the use of a stylus for input?
A
Touch screen or digitizer
8
Q
This component is commonly used on LCD monitors to change DC voltage into AC voltage.
A
Inverter
Older displays commonly use an inverter to power a fluorescent lamp backlight.
9
Q
What type of display attribute measures the amount of pixels per inch or pixels per centimeter?
A
Pixel density
Pixel density is a term used to describe how many pixels exist within a given space of centimeters or inches. Higher pixel density often relates to a higher quality image.
10
Q
Fill in the blank:
Display refresh rates are measured in ______.
A
Hertz
Refresh rates are measured in hertz (Hz), which is a measurement of how often the screen changes in one second.
11
Q
Fill in the blanks:
The measurement of horizontal and vertical display pixels is known as the ______ ______.
A
screen resolution
12
Q
Fill in the blanks:
The measurement of a display’s color accuracy is known as a ______ ______.
A
color gamut
Standard Red Green Blue (sRGB) is a standardized color gamut and is used for display monitors since 1999.
13
Q
What do the 568A and 568B standards specify?
A
Wire colors for twisted pair cabling.
14
Q
This copper cable type is commonly used by cable television providers to deliver data to cable modems.
A
Coaxial
15
Q
What type of twisted pair cable provides additional protection against interference?
A
Shielded
16
Q
This type of copper cable is designed to be installed underground.
A
Direct burial STP
(Shielded Twisted Pair)
Direct burial STPs provide protection from the elements, including being waterproof.
17
Q
This type of copper network cable is used on most Ethernet networks.
A
Unshielded twisted pair
18
Q
What type of copper Ethernet cable is designed to be used in the walls and ceilings of a building?
A
Plenum-rated
19
Q
What optical fiber type is the best choice for long-distance communication?
A
Single-mode
Some network standards support communication over 100 kilometers using single-mode fiber.
20
Q
What optical fiber type is commonly used for short-distance communication of less than 2 kilometers?
A
Multimode
Multimode fiber can connect networks up to 2 kilometers in distance.
21
Q
This connection type is often used with console interfaces.
A
Serial
DB-9 and USB-to-serial connections are often used for switch and router console interfaces.
22
Q
What high-speed serial connection is often provided through a Mini DisplayPort or a USB-C connector?
A
Thunderbolt
23
Q
Identify the video type:
A
Video Graphics Array
(VGA)
24
Q
Identify the connector:
A
USB-C
25
# True or False:
HDMI contains analog video and audio streams.
False
## Footnote
HDMI uses digital video and audio streams, allowing for higher quality and less noise susceptibility.
26
# Identify the connector:
DisplayPort
27
# Identify the connector:
Digital Visual Interface
| (DVI)
28
What type of **connector** does VGA use?
DB-15
| (also referred to as DE-15)
## Footnote
VGA is the Video Graphics Array standard.
29
What type of **device** would be associated with **SATA**?
Hard drive, SSD, or similar storage device
## Footnote
SATA is the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment standard.
30
What type of **modular connector** contains 6 positions with 2 conductors?
RJ11
31
What type of **modular connector** contains 8 positions with 8 conductors?
RJ45
32
What type of **screw-on connector** is commonly used for cable modem coax?
F-connector
## Footnote
Also referred to as an "F-type connector".
33
# Identify the connector:
Straight tip
| (ST)
34
# Identify the connector:
Subscriber connector
| (SC)
35
# Identify the connector:
Lucent connector
| (LC)
36
# Identify the component:
Punchdown block
37
What type of **4-pin connector** can be used to power storage devices or fans in a desktop computer?
Molex
38
What do the **two LED lights** on an **RJ45** connector commonly represent?
Link connectivity, speed or network activity.
39
# Identify the connector:
Micro USB
40
# Identify the connector:
Mini USB
41
# Identify the component:
Lightning
## Footnote
Apple began phasing out and replacing Lightning with USB-C in 2023.
42
# Identify the component:
DB9
| (also referred to as DE-9)
## Footnote
Confused between DB-9 and DB-15? Check the pins.
43
This **memory module type** is commonly used in mobile devices.
Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module
| (SO-DIMM)
## Footnote
A SO-DIMM is about half the width of a standard DIMM.
44
# True or False:
DDR3, DDR4, and DDR5 are designed to be backward-compatible.
False
## Footnote
DDR modules have a notch (or key) to prevent the use of the incorrect RAM module on a motherboard.
45
# Fill in the blanks:
The standard memory stick used in most large desktop computers is a \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_.
Dual In-line Memory Module
| (DIMM)
46
What would cause a DIMM to **not fit into a memory slot** on a motherboard, even after making sure it is facing the proper direction?
The memory module is not compatible with the motherboard's DDR (double data rate) type.
## Footnote
Physical keys on the motherboard and memory module prevent incorrect versions of DDR memory modules from being used.
47
What **type of RAM** would be the best choice for identifying and **fixing any errors**?
Error-correcting code
| (ECC)
## Footnote
ECC RAM (Random Access Memory) uses parity to identify errors.
48
What technology uses **multiple DIMMs** to increase overall throughput?
Multi-channel
## Footnote
Multi-channel RAM uses multiple physical modules to increase overall memory bus capacity.
49
# True or False:
Two DIMM memory units have to be arranged in a certain order in order to take advantage of multi-channeling.
True
## Footnote
One set of DIMM memory must be placed in each channel. This often requires leaving a space between memory.
50
What **type of form factors** are common with SATA hard drives or SSDs?
2.5 inch and 3.5 inch
51
These **storage drives** have no moving parts and commonly use M.2 interfaces.
Solid-State Drive
| (SSD)
52
What type of **interface** is commonly associated with **NVMe**?
M.2 interface
## Footnote
NVMe (Non-volatile Memory Express) is a standard for high-speed data transfers, and often uses an M.2 interface and the PCIe (PCI Express) bus.
53
What technology was commonly used as a **transition** between **SATA** connectivity and **M.2** interfaces?
Mini-serial Advanced Technology Attachment
| (mSATA)
54
What **RAID type** provides **storage speed** but no redundancy?
RAID 0
## Footnote
RAID 0 is also known as striping.
55
What **RAID type** maintains an **exact duplicate of data** across multiple physical drives?
RAID 1
## Footnote
RAID 1 is also known as mirroring.
56
What **RAID type** uses parity to provide redundancy if a **single drive** fails?
RAID 5
57
What **RAID type** uses parity to provide redundancy if **two drives** fail?
RAID 6
## Footnote
RAID 6 uses multiple parity drives to provide the additional redundancy.
58
What **RAID type** combines both **striping and mirroring** to protect against multiple drive failures?
RAID 10
## Footnote
RAID 10 is also known as RAID 1+0.
59
What commonly uses **EEPROM** for storing data on an **external mobile USB device**?
Flash memory drives or USB drives
60
What type of storage media would be categorized as **optical drive storage**?
CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs
61
What type of standard, full-size **motherboard** is common on desktop and server computers?
ATX
## Footnote
ATX is the Advanced Technology Extended motherboard standard.
62
Which is **smallest**, Micro-ATX, Standard ATX, or Mini-ITX?
Mini-ITX
## Footnote
The **Mini-ITX** motherboard is designed for small form-factor installations.
63
This **legacy expansion bus** is available in 16-bit and 32-bit bus widths.
Peripheral Component Interconnect
| (PCI)
64
This expansion bus provides high-speed data paths over **unidirectional serial lanes**.
PCI Express
| (PCIe)
65
# Identify the connector:
24-pin motherboard power
66
# Identify the connector:
PCI Express 6-pin and 8-pin power
67
# Identify the connector:
SATA (Serial ATA) motherboard connector
68
These **motherboard interfaces** provide the connections for power buttons, lights, and other peripheral connections.
Headers
69
These **two manufacturers** are considered the most popular for personal computer CPUs.
* Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD)
* Intel
70
# Fill in the blank:
A single motherboard supporting two separate CPU packages is known as \_\_\_\_\_\_.
multisocket
## Footnote
It's common for servers to support multiple CPU sockets.
71
What **component** provides the **POST** process?
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface / Basic Input/Output System
| (UEFI BIOS)
## Footnote
A UEFI BIOS provides a POST (Power On Self Test) during the startup process.
72
# True or False:
A UEFI BIOS can boot from GPT partitions larger than 2.2 terabytes.
True
## Footnote
A UEFI BIOS can boot from large partitions formatted with the GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition style.
73
What is the best way to **start the BIOS configuration** during startup?
The BIOS configuration can usually be accessed by **holding down a function key** or a **control key** during startup.
## Footnote
Check your motherboard documentation to determine the BIOS configuration hotkey on your computer.
74
This component is located on a computer motherboard and manages **cryptographic functions** for the system.
Trusted Platform Module
| (TPM)
75
What does the **battery** on a motherboard provide?
Maintains the **date and time** when power is not available.
76
Name **two types of virtualization support** available in a CPU.
* Intel Virtualization Technology (VT)
* AMD Virtualization (AMD-V)
77
What **device** is used to **maintain cryptographic keys** on a central data center server?
Hardware Security Module
| (HSM)
78
This security feature prevents a system from **loading malicious software** during a computer's startup process.
Secure boot
79
What allows the **BIOS** to be locked to **prevent unauthorized access**?
BIOS password
80
What prevents the **BIOS** from **booting the OS without authorization**?
Boot password
81
This allows the monitoring of a computer's **temperatures** without starting an operating system.
UEFI BIOS
## Footnote
The UEFI BIOS includes a number of monitoring features, including temperature and hardware diagnostics.
82
This **operating system type** can only access a maximum of **4 GB of RAM**.
32-bit
## Footnote
The address space of a 32-bit operating system is limited to a total of 4 GB of RAM.
83
This **CPU architecture** has a simplified instruction set.
Advanced RISC Machine
| (ARM)
84
# Fill in the blanks:
Individual processors contained inside of a single physical CPU chip are \_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_.
CPU cores
85
This is an expansion card with outputs for **high-quality audio**.
Sound card
86
This expansion card provides **onboard graphics processing** and output interfaces.
Video card
## Footnote
Video cards are also referred to as a "graphics card."
87
This expansion card includes **inputs for recording video**.
Capture card
88
This expansion card provides a computer with **wired or wireless Internet connectivity**.
Network Interface Card
| (NIC)
89
These devices are used to **cool the inside of a computer case** using room air.
Case fans
## Footnote
Cool air flows in, and hot air flows out. Intake and exhaust fans are essential for keeping components cool.
90
What non-moving component inside of a computer can dissipate heat through **thermal conduction**?
Heat sink
## Footnote
Heat sinks use thermal paste to transfer heat. This heat is commonly removed with airflow.
91
What is used to ensure an **efficient heat transfer** between a motherboard component and a heat sink?
Thermal paste or thermal pad
92
What **cooling method** is applied to smaller components to transfer heat without the use of thermal paste?
Thermal pad
## Footnote
Thermal pads do not leak or damage components.
93
What **method of cooling** provides the best cooling performance?
Liquid cooling
## Footnote
Liquid cooling systems use coolant to transfer heat from heat sinks to radiators equipped with cooling fans.
94
This is the expected **voltage** of **US and Canadian** household power outlets.
110 to 120 volts of AC
| (Alternating Current)
95
This is the expected **voltage** of **European and Asian** household power outlets.
220 to 240 volts of AC
| (Alternating Current)
96
# True or False:
Power supply units are only manufactured for one voltage standard.
| (PSUs)
False
## Footnote
Many PSUs feature automatic or manual voltage switching for use in multiple regions.
97
AC (Alternating current) is converted to this **type of current** by the power supply unit.
Direct Current
| (DC)
## Footnote
AC constantly reverses itself for optimized delivery over long distances. DC moves in one direction with a constant voltage.
98
Power supply units convert AC voltage to these **three DC voltages**.
* 3.3 VDC
* 5 VDC
* 12 VDC
99
This is the connector **supplying power** to the motherboard.
20+4 pin motherboard connector
100
# True or False:
You cannot connect a 20+4 pin power connector to a 20-pin motherboard.
False
## Footnote
20+4 pin connectors allow the extra four pins to be separated for older motherboards.
101
This describes **PSUs** which allow cables to be added and removed as needed.
Modular power supply
## Footnote
Modular power supplies can provide better organization and cable management.
102
This is the name for the overall **combined maximum voltage and amperage** a power supply unit can produce.
Wattage rating
103
What does the **80 Plus rating** of a power supply unit describe?
The PSU's energy efficiency
## Footnote
A higher 80 Plus rating means less energy is lost to heat during the conversion from AC to DC power.
104
Name at least one important consideration when unboxing a multifunction device.
* Power
* Network
* Location
## Footnote
Some multifunction devices can be very large. It's always best to consider where to place an MFD and where to unbox it before starting.
105
Name the **two** types of page description languages.
* Printer Command Language
* PostScript
## Footnote
PCL was created by Hewlett-Packard and is used across the industry. PostScript was created by Adobe Systems and is commonly associated with higher-end printers.
106
This term is commonly used to describe the underlying **operating system of a multifunction** device.
Firmware
## Footnote
Keeping device firmware updated can resolve bugs and incompatibility.
107
What **Windows feature** allows other users on the network to access a printer connected to another computer?
Printer sharing
## Footnote
When a printer is shared, only users connected to the network can use the printer. Sharing will not work if the computer is offline or shut down.
108
This describes **printing on both sides of a paper** during the printing process.
Duplex
## Footnote
Duplex printing requires a duplex feature built-in to the printer.
109
How would someone **switch** between **letterhead and plain paper** when printing?
Modify the tray settings
## Footnote
Some printers have multiple paper trays for different types or sizes of paper. The specific tray can be chosen in the print menu.
110
What **security feature** in Windows can prevent unauthorized access to printing or the printer's settings?
User rights and permissions
## Footnote
Configuring user accounts for a printer can prevent tampering or unauthorized use.
111
What **security measure** commonly uses an **RFID or NFC** card to authenticate users?
Badging
## Footnote
Badging requires the user to physically visit the printer before the print job will start.
112
What feature built into the printer or print server can **provide details on printer activity and jobs**?
Audit logs
113
What printer feature requires the user to **define and use a passcode** when printing?
Secured prints
## Footnote
The printer will pause the print job, and nothing will be printed until the passcode is entered.
114
This scanner feature can automatically feed and scan **multiple pages**.
Automatic Document Feeder
| (ADF)
115
What **three locations** are commonly used to store the output of a network scanner?
* Email
* Network folder
* Cloud storage
116
When would the best time be to **perform maintenance** on a laser printer?
The printer's page counter provides an ongoing **metric of overall** printer use.
117
What **ink cartridge colors** are commonly associated with **CMYK** printing?
* Cyan
* Magenta
* Yellow
* Key (black)
## Footnote
Many printer types use the CMYK model, utilizing the four base colors in the printing process.
118
What **printer type** operates using high voltage, charged ions, powdered ink, heat, and paper?
Laser printer
119
What component is used to create text and images on a **thermal printer**?
Heating element
## Footnote
For items and locations requiring fast inkless printing, thermal paper is used to make them in mass amounts for low cost.
120
Describe an **advantage** to using multipart paper.
It is **easier and less expensive** than individually printing multiple copies.
## Footnote
With an impact printer's multipart paper, multiple copies are created in a single press of the print head. This eliminates time and extra costs from printing multiple copies at once.
121
When should an impact **printer's ribbon** need to be replaced?
When the ink becomes too light.
## Footnote
Due to use over time, ink will begin to lighten as the amount of it is consumed. When it becomes too light, the ribbon needs to be replaced.
