This is a practice exam for IT professionals studying for the CompTIA A+ 220-801. A+ covers the fundamentals of computer technology, installation and configuration of PCs, laptops and related hardware, and basic networking.
1) A client's laptop is slow, but they cannot afford a new one. What would be the cheapest and easiest upgrade?
RAM is cheap compared to a CPU, and is easily installed in comparison to other laptop components.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
Random-access memory (RAM ) is a form of computer memory that can be read and changed in any order, typically used to store working data and machine code A random-access memory device allows data items to be read or written in almost the same amount of time irrespective of the physical location of data inside the memory In contrast, with other direct-access data storage media such as hard disks, CD-RWs, DVD-RWs and the older magnetic tapes and drum memory, the time required to read and write data items varies significantly depending on their physical locations on the recording medium, due to mechanical limitations such as media rotation speeds and arm movement… Read More
2) POP3 uses what port?
POP3 uses well known port 110 to communicate.
This question is filed under objective 2, Networking
In computing, the Post Office Protocol (POP) is an application-layer Internet standard protocol used by e-mail clients to retrieve e-mail from a mail serverPOP version 3 (POP3) is the version in common use … Read More
3) ECC memory achieves what?
ECC stands for Error Correction Code, which fixes errors in memory.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
Error correction code memory (ECC memory) is a type of computer data storage that uses an error correction code (ECC) to detect and correct n-bit data corruption which occurs in memory ECC memory is used in most computers where data corruption cannot be tolerated under any circumstances, like industrial control applications, critical databases, and infrastructural memory caches Typically, ECC memory maintains a memory system immune to single-bit errors: the data that is read from each word is always the same as the data that had been written to it, even if one of the bits actually stored has been flipped to the wrong state… Read More
4) ECC memory is primarily used in what type of computer?
ECC memory is most commonly found in servers because a server has a much higher load and fault tolerance requirement than an average computer or device.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
Error correction code memory (ECC memory) is a type of computer data storage that uses an error correction code (ECC) to detect and correct n-bit data corruption which occurs in memory ECC memory is used in most computers where data corruption cannot be tolerated under any circumstances, like industrial control applications, critical databases, and infrastructural memory caches Typically, ECC memory maintains a memory system immune to single-bit errors: the data that is read from each word is always the same as the data that had been written to it, even if one of the bits actually stored has been flipped to the wrong state… Read More
5) Which of the following describes a switch's function?
A switch will route packets to one connection, based on the destination MAC Address.
This question is filed under objective 2, Networking
A network switch (also called switching hub, bridging hub, and, by the IEEE, MAC bridge) is networking hardware that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive and forward data to the destination device A network switch is a multiport network bridge that uses MAC addresses to forward data at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model Some switches can also forward data at the network layer (layer 3) by additionally incorporating routing functionality Such switches are commonly known as layer-3 switches or multilayer switchesSwitches for Ethernet are the most common form of network switch… Read More
6) Which of the following would fit with an Intel core i CPU?
Socket 1366 and 1155 are the two sockets compatible with Intel Core i CPUs.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
LGA 1366 (land grid array 1366), also known as Socket B, is an Intel CPU socket This socket supersedes Intel's LGA 775 (Socket T) in the high-end and performance desktop segments It also replaces the server-oriented LGA 771 (Socket J) in the entry level and is superseded itself by LGA 2011 This socket has 1,366 protruding pins which touch contact points on the underside of the processor (CPU) and accesses up to three channels of DDR3 memory via the processor's internal memory controller Socket 1366 (Socket B) uses Intel QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) to connect the CPU to a reduced-function northbridge that serves mainly as a PCI-Express controller… Read More
7) Which network device transmits all data to all devices on the network, no matter what?
A Hub will always broadcast all data to every node on the network.
This question is filed under objective 2, Networking
An Ethernet hub, active hub, network hub, repeater hub, multiport repeater, or simply hub is a network hardware device for connecting multiple Ethernet devices together and making them act as a single network segment It has multiple input/output (I/O) ports, in which a signal introduced at the input of any port appears at the output of every port except the original incoming A hub works at the physical layer (layer 1) of the OSI model A repeater hub also participates in collision detection, forwarding a jam signal to all ports if it detects a collision In addition to standard 8P8C ("RJ45") ports, some hubs may also come with a BNC or an Attachment Unit Interface (AUI) connector to allow connection to legacy 10BASE2 or 10BASE5 network… Read More
8) What device provides power to a system, so that it can be properly shut down in the event of a power outage?
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) provides electricity via a battery when constant power fails. It is a small supply, and only allows for proper shutdown of a system.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
An uninterruptible power supply or uninterruptible power source (UPS) is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source or mains power fails A UPS differs from an auxiliary or emergency power system or standby generator in that it will provide near-instantaneous protection from input power interruptions, by supplying energy stored in batteries, supercapacitors, or flywheels The on-battery run-time of most uninterruptible power sources is relatively short (only a few minutes) but sufficient to start a standby power source or properly shut down the protected equipment It is a type of continual power system… Read More
9) Which of the following expansion slots is found only in a desktop PC?
PCIe16 stands for PCI-Express x16. It is primarily used for video cards in a desktop PC
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express), officially abbreviated as PCIe or PCI-e, is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard, designed to replace the older PCI, PCI-X and AGP bus standards It is the common motherboard interface for personal computers' graphics cards, hard disk drive host adapters, SSDs, Wi-Fi and Ethernet hardware connections PCIe has numerous improvements over the older standards, including higher maximum system bus throughput, lower I/O pin count and smaller physical footprint, better performance scaling for bus devices, a more detailed error detection and reporting mechanism (Advanced Error Reporting, AER), and native hot-swap functionality More recent revisions of the PCIe standard… Read More
10) You observe another employee trying to steal a company laptop. What should you do next?
Your company probably has their own way of escalating and dealing with issues, the best thing to do is to report it to your closest supervisor.
This question is filed under objective 5, Operational Procedures
Computer security, cybersecurity or information technology security (IT security) is the protection of computer systems and networks from the theft of or damage to their hardware, software, or electronic data, as well as from the disruption or misdirection of the services they provide The field is becoming more significant due to the increased reliance on computer systems, the Internet and wireless network standards such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and due to the growth of "smart" devices, including smartphones, televisions, and the various devices that constitute the "Internet of things" Owing to its complexity, both in terms of politics and technology, cybersecurity is also one of the major challenges in the contemporary world… Read More
11) Which of the following communication standards requires LOS in order to operate?
Infrared is a wireless technology that requires a clear path between communication devices. A good example of this, is a TV Remote.
This question is filed under objective 2, Networking
Infrared (IR), sometimes called infrared light, is electromagnetic radiation (EMR) with wavelengths longer than those of visible light It is therefore invisible to the human eye IR is generally understood to encompass wavelengths from the nominal red edge of the visible spectrum around 700 nanometers (frequency 430 THz), to 1 millimeter (300 GHz) (although the longer IR wavelengths are often designated rather as terahertz radiation) Black-body radiation from objects near room temperature is almost all at infrared wavelengths As a form of electromagnetic radiation, IR propagates energy and momentum, with properties corresponding to both those of a wave and of a particle, the photon… Read More
12) A customer is explaining their PC's symptoms, but you already know what the issue is. What should you do?
You should always do your best not to interrupt a customer while they are speaking, unless it going to take an excessive amount of time.
This question is filed under objective 5, Operational Procedures
13) You need to configure a SOHO network to provide IP Addresses to devices on the network. Which feature should be enabled?
Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is the protocol responsible for assigning IP addresses.
This question is filed under objective 2, Networking
The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is a network management protocol used on Internet Protocol (IP) networks, whereby a DHCP server dynamically assigns an IP address and other network configuration parameters to each device on the network, so they can communicate with other IP networks A DHCP server enables computers to request IP addresses and networking parameters automatically from the Internet service provider (ISP), reducing the need for a network administrator or a user to manually assign IP addresses to all network devices In the absence of a DHCP server, a computer or other device on the network needs to be manually assigned an IP address, or to assign itself an APIPA address, the latter of which will not enable it to… Read More
14) What do you need to do after installing a PCI Sound Card?
PCI cards are simple, just plug them in and install the proper driver for your OS.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
In computing, a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer programs to access hardware functions without needing to know precise details about the hardware being used A driver communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver, the driver issues commands to the device Once the device sends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program… Read More
15) Which of the following devices requires a laptop to be fully power off when installed?
Ram requires the system to be completely turned off, and unplugged from any power source.
This question is filed under objective 3, Laptops
A SO-DIMM, SODIMM, or small outline dual in-line memory module, is a type of computer memory built using integrated circuits SO-DIMMs are a smaller alternative to a DIMM, being roughly half the size of regular DIMMs SO-DIMMs are often used in systems that have limited space, which include laptops, notebooks, small-footprint personal computers such as those based on Nano-ITX motherboards, high-end upgradable office printers, and networking hardware such as routers and NAS devices… Read More
16) Which of the following has a DB-15 connector?
VGA uses the DB-15 connector, which has 15 pins.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
A Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector is a standard connector used for computer video output Originating with the 1987 IBM PS/2 and its VGA graphics system, the 15-pin connector went on to become ubiquitous on PCs, as well as many monitors, projectors and high definition television sets Other connectors have been used to carry VGA-compatible signals, such as mini-VGA or BNC, but "VGA connector" typically refers to this designDevices continue to be manufactured with VGA connectors, although newer digital interfaces such as DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort are increasingly displacing VGA, and many modern computers and other devices do not include it… Read More
17) Thermal paste is used between your CPU and heat sink in order to what?
Thermal paste in electronics, i is often used to aid a component's thermal dissipation via a heat sink.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
Thermal paste (also called thermal compound, thermal grease, thermal interface material (TIM), thermal gel, heat paste, heat sink compound, heat sink paste or CPU grease) is a thermally conductive (but usually electrically insulating) chemical compound, which is commonly used as an interface between heat sinks and heat sources such as high-power semiconductor devices The main role of thermal paste is to eliminate air gaps or spaces (which act as thermal insulation) from the interface area in order to maximize heat transfer and dissipation Thermal paste is an example of a thermal interface material As opposed to thermal adhesive, thermal paste does not add mechanical strength to the bond between heat source and heat sink… Read More
18) You are working with digital evidence of criminal activity. What is the most important protocol in this situation?
Chain of custody is a proper list of who had the evidence and when, it will be used in court to prove no one has altered or deleted evidence.
This question is filed under objective 5, Operational Procedures
Chain of custody (CoC), in legal contexts, is the chronological documentation or paper trail that records the sequence of custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of materials, including physical or electronic evidence Of particular importance in criminal cases, the concept is also applied in civil litigation and more broadly in drug testing of athletes and in supply chain management, eg to improve the traceability of food products, or to provide assurances that wood products originate from sustainably managed forests It is often a tedious process that has been required for evidence to be shown legally in court Now however, with new portable technology that allows accurate laboratory quality results from the scene of the crime,… Read More
19) You are a IT consultant, a client company wants to mass produce a PC for a gaming lounge. What should you recommend?
Gaming computers MUST have a powerful processor, graphics card, and as much RAM as possible. All other components are not as important in this situation.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
20) A KVM switch is used for what purpose?
A KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) Switch is used to use a single set of peripherals with multiple physical machines.
This question is filed under objective 1, PC Hardware
A KVM switch (with KVM being an abbreviation for "keyboard, video and mouse") is a hardware device that allows a user to control multiple computers from one or more sets of keyboards, video monitors, and mice … Read More
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