Question 1

What is the highest binary number that can be referred to on a three position jumper block?

Accepted Answer

1

Question 2

To view any currently running Terminate Stay Resident (TSR's) programs you could type:

Accepted Answer

MEM

Question 3

What is the first thing you could do to check for damage to a printer after receiving it?

Accepted Answer

Unbox it and examine it for physical damage

Question 4

Which standard govern parallel communications?

Accepted Answer

IEEE 1284

Question 5

In laptop hardware using PCMCIA/PC Card slots, how many Type III PC Cards can typically be inserted at the same time, considering slot height and physical compatibility?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Portable computers from the PCMCIA era supported three mechanical PC Card types: Type I (3.3 mm), Type II (5.0 mm), and Type III (10.5 mm). Many laptops provided a stacked slot well that could accept either two thinner cards (Type I/II) or one thicker storage or I/O card (Type III). Understanding the physical constraints is essential for correct field upgrades and troubleshooting fit issues. Given Data / Assumptions: Laptop has a standard dual-height PC Card bay designed for Type I/II or a single Type III. Type III cards (often hard drives or advanced I/O) are 10.5 mm thick. No proprietary multi-bay extender is considered; only typical integrated bays. Concept / Approach: The stacked bay provides two thin “heights” that can each hold a Type I/II card. A Type III card occupies the vertical space of both heights. Therefore, in a typical bay, you either install 2 x Type II cards or 1 x Type III card, but not both simultaneously in the same well. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize physical dimensions: Type III thickness = 10.5 mm.2) Understand bay design: a “double-decker” slot equals space for two Type II cards.3) Map fitment: one Type III consumes both deck heights.4) Conclude capacity: only a single Type III card fits at once. Verification / Alternative check: Service manuals and labels near the slot typically indicate “2 x Type II or 1 x Type III,” confirming the single-card limit for Type III usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 2 / 3 / 4: Exceed available height; not physically possible in a single standard bay. None of the above: Incorrect because one Type III is supported. Common Pitfalls: Assuming a second Type III can fit in the same bay, or confusing a laptop with dual independent bays (rare) versus one stacked bay (common). Final Answer: 1

Question 6

In PC POST diagnostics, a 17xx numeric error code usually indicates a fault related to which subsystem or component?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Power-on self-test (POST) codes help technicians quickly localize faults during boot. Numeric ranges are historically associated with device classes. Recognizing the 17xx family speeds up hard disk troubleshooting and avoids unnecessary part swaps. Given Data / Assumptions: System displays a 17xx code during POST. Conventional PC architecture applying classic BIOS-style codes. No OS-level drivers have loaded yet; failure appears early. Concept / Approach: Historically, POST codes in the 1700–1799 range correspond to fixed disk (hard drive) or its controller. The BIOS initializes storage controllers early; if it cannot identify or communicate correctly with the disk or controller, it raises a 17xx code to signal device-level failure rather than memory, power, or firmware corruption. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Note the code range: 17xx => disk/controller family.2) Check cabling and power to the drive (or SCSI/SATA card if discrete).3) Verify controller settings (e.g., BIOS, jumpers, termination if applicable).4) Swap known-good cable/port or run vendor diagnostics to confirm. Verification / Alternative check: Running the storage vendor’s diagnostic utility or BIOS HDD self-test will typically reproduce the issue, confirming a hard drive or controller fault rather than unrelated components. Why Other Options Are Wrong: ROM BIOS: Would show different codes or fail before disk init. Power supply: Causes random resets or no power, not specific 17xx codes. DMA controller: Rare today and would produce other I/O anomalies first. CMOS: Usually yields checksum/time errors (not 17xx storage codes). Common Pitfalls: Blaming the operating system or file corruption for a POST-stage error and overlooking loose SATA/IDE cables or incorrect controller modes. Final Answer: Hard drive or controller

Question 7

On the 16-bit ISA bus, to which higher-level interrupt line is IRQ2 cascaded (elevated) for system compatibility?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Legacy PCs used Programmable Interrupt Controllers (PICs) where IRQ lines were mapped for hardware events. With two cascaded 8259 PICs, IRQ2 on the first controller was repurposed to cascade to the second controller, reappearing as IRQ9 for devices. Understanding this historical mapping is vital when interpreting old hardware manuals and configuring ISA-era devices. Given Data / Assumptions: System uses classic 8259A dual-PIC design. Legacy 16-bit ISA interrupt mapping rules apply. We are identifying the remapped line for IRQ2. Concept / Approach: In AT-class systems, IRQ0–IRQ7 were on the master PIC; IRQ8–IRQ15 were on the slave PIC. The slave PIC connects to the master via IRQ2, effectively reserving IRQ2 for cascading. Consequently, devices that might have used IRQ2 are instead routed to IRQ9 on the slave, creating the conventional “IRQ2 = IRQ9” association for device usage. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize cascade: the slave PIC must signal through the master.2) Master uses IRQ2 as the cascade input.3) Device lines expected on IRQ2 are redirected to IRQ9 on the slave.4) Conclusion: IRQ2 is effectively elevated to IRQ9. Verification / Alternative check: Motherboard diagrams and BIOS setup screens from ISA systems list devices that historically used IRQ9 where older references mention IRQ2, confirming the mapping. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 11 / 13 / 15: These are valid IRQs but not the cascade mapping for IRQ2. None of the above: Incorrect because IRQ9 is the standard mapping. Common Pitfalls: Confusing DMA channels with IRQs and assuming IRQ2 can be freely assigned when it is reserved for cascading in AT systems. Final Answer: 9

Question 8

In desktop PC assembly, what is the most likely technical consequence of leaving metal slot covers missing on the back of the chassis?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Rear expansion slots should be closed with metal covers when not occupied. These covers contribute to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and proper airflow. Understanding the primary risk helps technicians prioritize re-installing covers after service. Given Data / Assumptions: PC chassis uses standard ATX-style rear slots. System environment includes nearby devices susceptible to interference. No additional shielding or RF gasketing is present. Concept / Approach: Open slots create apertures that allow electromagnetic emissions to leak and external noise to enter, compromising EMC. While airflow can also be affected (which may contribute to heat issues), the canonical and exam-focused answer is increased EMI risk due to inadequate shielding of the enclosure. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Recognize chassis as a Faraday-like enclosure that reduces RF leakage.2) Removing covers enlarges openings, weakening shielding effectiveness.3) Result: more EMI emissions/ingress, potentially affecting nearby equipment or the PC itself.4) Secondary impact: disturbed airflow patterns may exist but are not the principal standardized risk. Verification / Alternative check: EMC testing consistently shows enclosure apertures increase emissions. Manufacturers include slot covers to pass regulatory limits (e.g., CE/FCC). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Power surges: Caused by supply anomalies, not slot openings. Incomplete path for ESD: Grounding paths are not defined by slot covers. Overheating: Airflow can be affected, but EMI is the primary standardized concern. None of the above: Incorrect because EMI risk is real and documented. Common Pitfalls: Assuming missing covers “vent heat better,” ignoring that chaotic airflow can worsen cooling and that EMC compliance is compromised. Final Answer: EMI (electromagnetic interference)

Question 9

During system boot, what is the purpose of the POST memory test, beyond merely showing a memory count on the screen?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: At power-on, systems execute POST (Power-On Self-Test) to validate crucial hardware quickly. The memory test is not cosmetic; it detects basic RAM failures and confirms that the system can reliably address memory regions required to load firmware and the operating system. Given Data / Assumptions: Legacy and many modern BIOS/UEFI implementations perform at least a quick RAM test. User observes the count or a progress indicator during cold boot. Goal is functional verification, not exhaustive burn-in. Concept / Approach: POST writes and reads simple patterns through address ranges to confirm presence and contiguity of memory banks. While not a full diagnostic, it detects obvious faults like missing modules, mis-seated DIMMs, or early-bit failures that would otherwise crash the boot sequence. Step-by-Step Solution: 1) Initialize memory controller and SPD data to identify modules.2) Perform pattern writes/reads across low and extended memory.3) Validate address mapping so memory appears contiguous as configured.4) If errors occur, report via beep codes or on-screen messages. Verification / Alternative check: Entering firmware setup often shows detected capacity and channels; mismatches or POST beeps indicate memory mapping or module faults, confirming that POST genuinely checks memory, not just displays a number. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Displays what memory is installed, but nothing else: Understates the verification function. Is a superfluous step: Incorrect; it prevents early boot failures. Is an operational error: POST memory test is intentional and necessary. None of the above: Incorrect since verification is the purpose. Common Pitfalls: Confusing the brief quick test with comprehensive memory diagnostics, and assuming a visible count means no actual verification occurs. Final Answer: Checks and verifies that contiguous memory is installed

Question 10

Why does a successfully mapped network drive disappear every time you boot the computer?

Accepted Answer

The map statement is not in the autoexec.bat file

Question 11

Which device is on IRQ 6?

Accepted Answer

Floppy drive

Question 12

If the memory slots have 30 pins then the chip is a?

Accepted Answer

SIMM

Question 13

When measuring AC (Alternating Current) with a multimeter, it is important to maintain the proper polarity.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 14

IRQ6 is typically reserved for:

Accepted Answer

The floppy

Question 15

When measuring AC (Alternating Current) with a multimeter, it is important to maintain the proper polarity.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 16

ESD potential decreases with the use of:

Accepted Answer

A wrist strap

Question 17

What is the highest binary number that can be referred to on a three position jumper block?

Accepted Answer

1

Question 18

When connecting a ribbon cable to a connector, how do you know which direction to plug it in?

Accepted Answer

The colored line in the cable goes to pin #1

Question 19

What do you need to check serial and parallel port?

Accepted Answer

Loopback plug

Question 20

Which device uses a DMA channel?

Accepted Answer

Sound Card

Computer Hardware Questions