Computer Hardware and Software Questions and Answers

Answer: A

Correct answer: UPS

Only a UPS supplies power through an interruption; a surge protector deals with the opposite problem, and grounding with a third.

Answer: A

Correct answer: Their protective sleeves

A 5¼ inch diskette has an exposed media window, so the sleeve is what keeps dust and fingerprints off the recording surface.

Answer: B

Correct answer: universal asynchronous receiver/ transmitter

The UART converts between the parallel bytes of the bus and the serial bit stream of the line, adding and removing the start and stop bits.

Answer: B

Correct answer: I/O card

A SCSI host adapter is an expansion card that moves data in both directions between the bus and its devices, so as a field replaceable unit it is classed as an I/O card.

Answer: A

Correct answer: Network interface card

A network interface card connects a computer to a network, either by Ethernet cable or wirelessly. It is now built into almost every motherboard rather than being a separate card, though the name persists. Every NIC carries a MAC address, a 48-bit identifier assigned at manufacture and written as six pairs of hexadecimal digits. It identifies the hardware itself and does not change when the machine moves to a different network - unlike an IP address, which is assigned by the network and does change. The two work at different layers: the MAC address delivers a frame within a local network, and the IP address routes a packet between networks. The other cards named are expansion cards serving different purposes: a sound card handles audio input and output, a graphics card renders the display, and a TV tuner receives broadcast signals. All plug into PCI Express slots on the motherboard.

Answer: D

Correct answer: wear an ESD wrist strap

A wrist strap holds the technician at the same potential as the equipment continuously, so no charge can build up. Touching a ground point works only until the next movement generates a fresh charge.

Answer: A

Correct answer: 9

On the 16-bit ISA bus the second interrupt controller is cascaded through IRQ2, so a device requesting IRQ2 is actually serviced as IRQ9. The two are the same line seen from either side.

Answer: D

Correct answer: run scandisk with the "thorough" option

A thorough scan tests the surface, marks the bad sectors so they are not used again, and moves any data out of them. That is done first because it costs nothing and may be all that is needed; replacement follows only if the count keeps growing.

Answer: B

Correct answer: 5

A sound card conventionally takes IRQ5, which is free on most systems because LPT2 is rarely fitted. IRQ6 belongs to the floppy and IRQ1 to the keyboard.

Answer: B

Correct answer: Universal Serial Bus

USB is the Universal Serial Bus, introduced in 1996 to replace the profusion of incompatible ports that preceded it - serial, parallel, PS/2 and game ports. Its distinguishing features are hot swapping, so devices can be connected and removed without restarting; plug and play, so drivers are matched automatically; and the ability to supply power as well as data, which is what allows a device to charge from a computer. Up to 127 devices can be attached through hubs. The versions raised speed by large steps: USB 1.1 at 12 Mbps, 2.0 at 480 Mbps, 3.0 at 5 Gbps, and later revisions further still. The connectors are a separate matter from the versions, which is a common confusion. Type-A is the familiar rectangular plug, Type-B the square one on printers, and Type-C the reversible modern connector that can carry USB, DisplayPort and up to 100 watts of power over one cable.