A Guide to IT - 1. List six types of video ports. Answer: VGA, ...

A+ Guide to IT Technical Support (Hardware and Software) 9e Jean Andrews (Solutions Manual All Chapters) 1 / 4

[A HD] Reviewing the Basics

• List six types of video ports.

Answer: VGA, S-Video, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt video ports

• Which is faster, a Hi-Speed USB port or a SuperSpeed USB port?

Answer: SuperSpeed USB is faster than Hi-Speed USB

• What type of output does an S/PDIF port provide?

Answer: High quality sound to an audio system

• What is the purpose of an expansion slot on a motherboard?

Answer: An expansion slot on a motherboard is used for an expansion card, which provides a port or other function that is not provided by the motherboard.

• What should be the setting for a dual-voltage selector switch on a power supply when

using the computer in the United States?

Answer: Set the switch to 115 volts

• How is the best way to determine if a cable inside a computer is a data and instruction

cable or a power cable?

Answer: Follow the cable from its source to its destination

• What technology standard is commonly used today for hard drives to interface with the

motherboard in a system?

Answer: SATA (serial ATA) 2 / 4

• How many pins did the first P1 power connector to the motherboard have that was used

with the original ATX?

Answer: 20

• What type of expansion slot requires extra power so that 4 more pins had to be added to

the older 20-pin P1 power connector on the motherboard?

Answer: PCI Express (PCIe)

• What device might require extra power so that it uses the 12V 6-pin power connector? In

what two locations might you find the connector?Answer: A PCI Express video card. The connector might be located on the video card or on the motherboard.

• What is the purpose of the 4-pin auxiliary connector on a motherboard?

Answer: To provide extra voltage or power for a processor

• What is the purpose of the 4-pin Molex connector?

Answer: To power older IDE (PATA) drives and some newer SATA drives

• Why are laptops usually more expensive than desktop computers with comparable power

and features?Answer: Laptops use compact hard drives that can withstand movement even during operation, and small memory modules and CPUs that require less voltage than regular components. In general, it costs more to make similar components that take up less space and require less power.

• What type of bus is used by ExpressCard slots?

Answer: PCI Express

• Which port do you use to connect a docking station to a laptop? 3 / 4

Answer: Docking port

• What type of memory module is used in a desktop computer? laptop?

Answer: DIMM, SO-DIMM

• What wireless technology is used when two smart phones in close proximity exchange

contact information?

Answer: NFC (Near Field Communication)

• Which tool can a computer hardware technician use when taking apart a computer to best

protect computer components against ESD?

Answer: ESD strap (also called a ground bracelet)

• What is the purpose of a POST diagnostic card?

Answer: To report errors at POST

• What are the three purposes accomplished by the motherboard BIOS?

Answer: System BIOS manages essential devices, startup BIOS starts the computer, and BIOS setup is used to configure the motherboard

Thinking Critically

• You purchase a new desktop computer that does not have wireless capability, and then you

decide that you want to use a wireless connection to the Internet. What are the least expensive ways (pick two) to upgrade your system to wireless?

• Trade in the computer for another computer that has wireless installed
• Purchase a second computer that has wireless
• Purchase a wireless expansion card and install it in your system
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