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Question 141

Which motherboard slot is typically designed for a dedicated graphics card?

1. PCIe x16
2. PCIe x1
3. DIMM
4. M.2

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation

A PCIe x16 slot is commonly used for dedicated graphics cards because it provides a large number of PCI Express lanes and sufficient bandwidth for graphics workloads. Motherboards may have multiple PCIe slots, but the physical and electrical configuration determines which slot is appropriate for a particular expansion card. PCIe x1 slots are generally intended for lower-bandwidth devices such as certain network or sound cards. DIMM slots hold system memory, while M.2 slots commonly accommodate storage devices or other compatible modules.

Question 142

Which type of memory module is commonly used in desktop computers?

1. SO-DIMM
2. DIMM
3. SODIMM-PCI
4. VRAM

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

Desktop computers commonly use DIMM, or Dual Inline Memory Module, memory. DIMMs are larger modules designed for desktop motherboards and are available in different generations and technologies, such as DDR4 and DDR5. SO-DIMMs are smaller modules commonly used in laptops and compact systems. VRAM is dedicated graphics memory rather than a standard desktop system-memory module. Before installing memory, a technician should verify the motherboard’s supported memory generation, capacity, speed, and configuration requirements to ensure compatibility and reliable operation.

Question 143

A technician wants to install an NVMe SSD directly onto a compatible motherboard. Which interface should be located?

1. SATA power connector
2. PCIe x1 slot
3. M.2 slot
4. RJ45 port

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation

Many NVMe SSDs use the M.2 form factor and communicate through PCI Express lanes using the NVMe protocol. A compatible motherboard therefore needs an M.2 slot that supports PCIe/NVMe storage. Not every M.2 slot supports the same interfaces, so the motherboard documentation should be checked before installation. SATA power connectors are used to provide power to certain SATA devices, PCIe x1 slots are expansion slots, and RJ45 ports are commonly used for Ethernet networking. Therefore, the compatible M.2 slot is the appropriate connection.

Question 144

Which storage device uses spinning magnetic platters to store data?

1. SSD
2. NVMe drive
3. HDD
4. USB flash drive

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation

A hard disk drive, or HDD, stores information on spinning magnetic platters and uses read/write heads to access the data. Because HDDs contain moving mechanical parts, they can be more vulnerable to physical shock and generally have slower access times than solid-state storage. SSDs and USB flash drives use flash memory, while NVMe describes a storage communication protocol commonly used with PCIe-based solid-state drives. Understanding the difference between magnetic and solid-state storage helps technicians select suitable hardware and troubleshoot storage-related problems.

Question 145

Which printer component transfers toner from the imaging process onto paper before the toner is fused?

1. Pickup roller
2. Transfer roller
3. Fuser
4. Duplexer

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

The transfer roller in a laser printer helps move toner from the imaging process onto the paper. After toner is transferred, the paper passes through the fuser, which uses heat and pressure to permanently bond the toner to the page. Pickup rollers are involved in feeding paper from the tray, while a duplexer allows supported printers to print on both sides of the paper. Understanding the laser-printing sequence helps technicians diagnose defects such as incomplete toner transfer, streaks, faded areas, and other print-quality problems.

Question 146

Which printer technology commonly uses a ribbon struck by print pins to create characters and images?

1. Laser
2. Inkjet
3. Thermal
4. Dot matrix

Correct Answer: 4

Explanation

Dot-matrix printers use a print head containing pins that strike an inked ribbon against paper. The pattern of pins creates characters and graphics. This technology is relatively noisy compared with modern inkjet and laser printers but can be useful for multipart forms because the physical impact can transfer information through several layers of paper. Laser printers use toner, inkjet printers spray liquid ink, and thermal printers use heat-sensitive media or thermal transfer methods. Therefore, dot matrix is the printer technology described.

Question 147

Which laptop component allows the system to continue operating when external AC power is disconnected?

1. Battery
2. Heat sink
3. Docking station
4. CMOS battery

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation

A laptop’s main battery stores electrical energy and allows the computer to operate when it is disconnected from an external AC power source. Battery capacity, condition, charging cycles, and power-management settings affect how long the system can operate on battery power. A heat sink removes heat from components, a docking station expands connectivity, and the CMOS battery serves a different motherboard-related purpose and is not intended to power the laptop during normal portable operation. Therefore, the main rechargeable battery provides the required portable power.

Question 148

Which display problem is most likely caused by a damaged or improperly connected video cable?

1. Insufficient storage space
2. Intermittent or missing display
3. Slow file compression
4. Incorrect keyboard layout

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

A damaged, loose, or incompatible video cable can cause intermittent display output, flickering, a blank screen, or other visual problems. The technician should inspect both ends of the cable, verify the correct input is selected on the display, and test with a known-good cable when appropriate. Storage capacity does not normally affect whether a monitor receives a video signal, and file compression or keyboard layout is unrelated to display connectivity. Cable inspection is therefore an important early troubleshooting step for intermittent or missing video.

Question 149

Which connector is commonly associated with traditional wired Ethernet networking?

1. RJ11
2. USB-C
3. RJ45
4. HDMI

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation

RJ45 is the commonly used connector associated with twisted-pair Ethernet networking. Ethernet cables such as Cat 5e, Cat 6, and related categories typically use an RJ45-style modular connector for connection to network interface cards, switches, routers, and other network equipment. RJ11 is commonly associated with telephone connections, USB-C is a versatile data and power connector, and HDMI is primarily used for digital audio and video. Therefore, RJ45 is the connector most directly associated with conventional wired Ethernet connections.

Question 150

Which device provides temporary power to a computer during a short electrical outage, allowing the system to shut down safely?

1. Surge protector
2. UPS
3. Power strip
4. Voltage regulator only

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

An Uninterruptible Power Supply, or UPS, provides battery-backed power when the main electrical supply fails. This gives users time to save work and shut down systems safely, while some UPS models also provide power conditioning and surge protection. A basic power strip distributes electrical power but normally does not provide battery backup. A surge protector helps protect equipment from certain voltage spikes but cannot keep a computer operating during an outage. Therefore, a UPS is the appropriate device for temporary backup power.

Question 151

Which firmware interface has largely replaced traditional BIOS on modern computers and commonly supports features such as Secure Boot?

1. UEFI
2. POST
3. CMOS
4. MBR

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation

UEFI, or Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is the modern firmware interface used by many computers in place of traditional BIOS implementations. UEFI supports capabilities such as Secure Boot, larger boot drives through appropriate partitioning schemes, graphical configuration interfaces, and additional firmware features. POST is a startup diagnostic process rather than a firmware interface, CMOS traditionally refers to configuration storage, and MBR is a disk partitioning and boot-record structure. Therefore, UEFI is the firmware interface described in the question.

Question 152

Which startup process checks essential hardware components before the operating system begins loading?

1. DHCP
2. POST
3. DNS
4. Defragmentation

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

Power-On Self-Test, or POST, is performed during system startup to check essential hardware components and determine whether the computer can proceed with the boot process. Depending on the system, POST may detect problems involving memory, processors, keyboards, or other critical hardware and may communicate errors through messages, indicator lights, or beep codes. DHCP configures network settings, DNS performs name resolution, and defragmentation is a storage-maintenance operation. Therefore, POST is the startup process associated with initial hardware checks.

Question 153

Which partitioning standard is commonly used with UEFI systems and supports more partitions and larger disks than traditional MBR?

1. FAT32
2. GPT
3. NTFS
4. EXT3

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

GUID Partition Table, or GPT, is a modern disk partitioning standard commonly used with UEFI-based systems. GPT supports a large number of partitions and very large storage devices compared with the traditional Master Boot Record scheme. GPT also stores partition information in multiple locations to improve resilience. FAT32 and NTFS are file systems rather than disk-partitioning standards, while EXT3 is a Linux file system. Therefore, GPT is the appropriate partitioning scheme described in the question.

Question 154

A computer fails to start after a technician installs incompatible RAM. Which symptom is most likely?

1. No successful POST
2. Faster network transfers
3. Improved battery life
4. Higher speaker volume

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation

Incompatible, incorrectly installed, or defective RAM can prevent a computer from completing POST. The system may fail to boot, display diagnostic messages, produce memory-related beep codes, or repeatedly restart depending on the platform. A technician should verify the memory type, supported speed, capacity, module placement, and seating in the correct motherboard slots. Network performance, battery life, and speaker volume are unrelated to basic memory compatibility. Therefore, failure to successfully complete POST is a likely symptom of a serious RAM compatibility or installation problem.

Question 155

Which component applies thermal interface material between a processor and its cooling solution to improve heat transfer?

1. Power supply
2. Thermal paste
3. CMOS battery
4. Network adapter

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

Thermal paste, also called thermal compound or thermal interface material, is applied between a processor and its heat sink to improve thermal transfer. Even smooth-looking surfaces contain microscopic imperfections that can trap air, which is a relatively poor conductor of heat. Thermal paste fills these small gaps and helps heat move efficiently from the CPU into the cooling solution. It should be applied according to the manufacturer’s guidance because excessive or insufficient application can create problems. The other listed components do not perform this thermal-transfer function.

Question 156

Which type of expansion card is specifically designed to provide additional audio input and output capabilities?

1. Sound card
2. Network card
3. Storage controller
4. Graphics adapter

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation

A sound card provides audio input and output capabilities and may include connections for speakers, headphones, microphones, and other audio equipment. Many motherboards already include integrated audio controllers, but a dedicated sound card can provide additional capabilities or higher-quality audio for specialized workloads. A network card provides network connectivity, a storage controller manages storage devices, and a graphics adapter processes and outputs visual information. Therefore, a sound card is the expansion card specifically intended for additional audio functionality.

Question 157

Which mobile technology allows a device to connect to a wireless local area network?

1. NFC
2. Bluetooth
3. Wi-Fi
4. GPS

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation

Wi-Fi allows mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops to connect to wireless local area networks. Through a wireless access point or router, a device can communicate with other devices on the local network and potentially access internet services. Bluetooth is primarily intended for short-range personal-area connections, NFC operates over very short distances for functions such as contactless communication, and GPS provides positioning information. Therefore, Wi-Fi is the technology that provides wireless LAN connectivity.

Question 158

Which security measure helps prevent unauthorized users from accessing a computer when the legitimate user leaves it unattended?

1. File compression
2. Screen lock
3. Disk defragmentation
4. Printer sharing

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

A screen lock protects an unattended computer by requiring authentication before a user can regain access to the active session. Organizations commonly configure automatic screen locking after a period of inactivity, while users can also manually lock their systems when stepping away. This reduces the risk of unauthorized individuals accessing files, applications, or sensitive information. File compression, disk defragmentation, and printer sharing do not provide this access-control function. A strong password or other appropriate authentication mechanism should be used with the screen lock.

Question 159

Which authentication method uses a person’s physical characteristic to verify identity?

1. Password
2. PIN
3. Security token
4. Biometric authentication

Correct Answer: 4

Explanation

Biometric authentication verifies identity using a physical or behavioral characteristic associated with an individual. Common examples include fingerprints, facial recognition, iris patterns, and voice characteristics. Passwords and PINs are knowledge factors because the user must know the secret information, while a security token is generally a possession factor because the user physically possesses it. Biometrics can provide convenient authentication, but organizations should consider privacy, accuracy, fallback methods, and secure storage of biometric information when implementing biometric systems.

Question 160

A technician finishes repairing a workstation and confirms that it operates normally. What should be done before closing the support ticket?

1. Remove the user’s security software
2. Document the actions and results
3. Delete system logs
4. Disable future updates

Correct Answer: 2

Explanation

After verifying that a repair has resolved the issue, the technician should document the troubleshooting steps, identified cause, actions performed, replacement components if applicable, and final results. Accurate documentation provides a record for future troubleshooting and helps other technicians understand what occurred. It can also support organizational procedures, asset tracking, and knowledge sharing. Removing security software, deleting logs, or disabling updates would create unnecessary risks. Proper documentation should therefore be completed before the support ticket is considered fully resolved.