Question 1

Firmware is a type of dedicated software on a hardware memory device used to control hardware by receiving instruction input from software applications.

Accepted Answer

Firmware is indeed a specific class of computer software that provides the low-level control for a device's specific hardware. It can be stored in the flash ROM of a hardware device and can be updated to improve performance or fix bugs.

Question 2

The BIOS chip can save user data changes made to applications such as games and office programs.

Accepted Answer

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) chip is responsible for initializing and testing hardware at startup and does not manage or save user data changes made within applications.

Question 3

A common point of system failure on a laptop computer is the TV Tuner card.

Accepted Answer

The TV Tuner card is not a common component in laptop computers, and thus it is not a common point of system failure. More common points of failure include the hard drive, battery, and screen.

Question 4

The final step to the six-step troubleshooting process defined by CompTIA is to verify the fixes to the system functionality and implement any possible preventative measures to avoid repetition of the issue.

Accepted Answer

The final step in the six-step troubleshooting process defined by CompTIA is to document findings, actions, and outcomes. Verification of system functionality and implementation of preventative measures are part of the process but not the final step.

Question 5

In troubleshooting, an example of testing a theory to determine the cause might be to swap out a suspected bad component with a known good component.

Accepted Answer

Swapping a suspected bad component with a known good one is a common troubleshooting step to isolate the issue and verify if the component is the cause of the problem.

Question 6

An antistatic wrist strap would be used to remove dust particles from a dirty computer screen.

Accepted Answer

An antistatic wrist strap is used to prevent static electricity from damaging electronic components; it is not designed for cleaning purposes like removing dust from a computer screen.

Question 7

Loopback plugs check input/output functions by connecting transmission pins to receive pins to see if the port is physically working properly.

Accepted Answer

Loopback plugs are used to test the functionality of communication ports by redirecting the output signals back into the system as input. This process helps in verifying whether the port is capable of sending and receiving data correctly, thus checking its physical operation.

Question 8

As a first step in troubleshooting, and before attempting to establish how to fix a reported computer issue, the technician should question the user about the symptoms to identify the problem as exactly as possible.

Accepted Answer

Gathering detailed information about the symptoms from the user helps in accurately diagnosing the problem, which is essential for effective troubleshooting.

Question 9

Examples of inputs include all the following: Touch sensitive screens, keyboards, fingerprint readers, mouse, voice recognition microphones, and optical/kinetic recognition devices.

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of input devices used to enter data or commands into a computer or other systems.

Question 10

The failure of a CMOS battery can cause catastrophic failure of the motherboard and thus the entire computer system.

Accepted Answer

The CMOS battery powers the BIOS firmware in your computer, which is responsible for booting up the system and storing system settings. If the CMOS battery fails, it may result in issues like loss of date and time settings and possibly BIOS settings resetting to default, but it does not cause catastrophic failure of the motherboard or the entire computer system.

Question 11

If you do not see, hear, or feel any static electricity discharged from your finger to a computer device, it is safe to assume that no damage has occurred.

Accepted Answer

Static electricity can damage electronic components without any visible or sensible discharge. Components can be damaged by voltages as low as 30V, which are not always perceptible to humans.

Question 12

On a laptop computer, an add-on card, such as an ExpressCard, can cause the system not to boot.

Accepted Answer

An improperly installed or malfunctioning add-on card, like an ExpressCard, can interfere with the laptop's boot process, potentially preventing the system from starting up correctly.

Question 13

Which of the following features are found almost exclusively on laptop computers? (Choose all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

ExpressCard slots and touchpads are features that are almost exclusively found on laptops. ExpressCard slots are used for expansion cards in laptops, and touchpads are the primary pointing device on laptops.

Question 14

Which of the following features may be visible from the front of a desktop computer? (Choose all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

A card reader, USB ports, DVD drive, and audio ports are commonly found on the front of a desktop computer for easy access. DVI-D ports and port clusters (which typically include video, USB, Ethernet, and other ports) are usually located on the back of the computer for permanent connections.

Question 15

You are preparing to upgrade the firmware in a system. Which of the following devices are likely to include a firmware chip? (Choose all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

DVD drives, RAID host adapters, and motherboards typically include firmware chips to control their functionality.

Question 16

You examine a possibly failed motherboard to determine if the motherboard or a component connected to it has failed. Which of the following points of failure will you likely find on the motherboard? (Choose all that apply.)

Accepted Answer

The CMOS battery and capacitors are components that are typically found on the motherboard and can fail, leading to motherboard issues.

Question 17

You evaluate a collection of add-on cards to determine which cards should be retained as spares. Obsolete cards that will be discarded include ISA cards and EISA cards for desktops, and for laptops, PC Cards that must use a special device to enable a network or modem cable to be connected to the card. The extension is known as a

Accepted Answer

The correct term for a special device that enables a network or modem cable to be connected to a PC Card (especially in laptops) is a "Dongle." This device often serves as an adapter or security key, but in this context, it's used to facilitate physical connections that the card itself cannot accommodate directly.

Question 18

The CompTIA six-step troubleshooting process includes a step in which you "Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventative measures." Which number is this step?

Accepted Answer

Step 5 in the CompTIA troubleshooting process is to "Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventative measures."

Question 19

CompTIA has created a six-step process for troubleshooting. The first step in the process is to identify the problem. Which of the followings steps resembles the next step in the methodology?

Accepted Answer

After identifying the problem, the next step in CompTIA's six-step troubleshooting process is to establish a theory of probable cause. This involves considering what might be causing the issue based on the information gathered during the problem identification phase.

Question 20

You check the contents of your computer toolkit before performing internal upgrades on a desktop computer. Which of the following tools in your toolkit should you use to prevent ESD damage to internal components?

Accepted Answer

A wrist strap, also known as an anti-static wrist strap, is used to prevent Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) by safely grounding a person working on electronic devices, thereby protecting the sensitive internal components from damage.

Quiz 1: Technician Essentials and PC Anatomy