Chapter 2 – Working Inside a Computer – Flashcards

When disassembling a computer, it's okay to stack circuit boards on top of each other as long as you follow ESD protection rules.

Immediately after you unplug the computer from the power outlet, you're safe to begin working inside the case.

The motherboard sits on elevated screw holes or spacers to keep it from touching the case.

A system always needs the 4-pin auxiliary power connector, and sometimes needs the P1 connector as well.

A board with PCIe slots might have a 4-pin Molex power connector to provide additional power to some types of PCIe boards.

Which of the following is NOT a good practice when working inside a computer case? - be sure to hold expansion cards by the edge connectors - don't touch a microchip with a magnetized screwdriver - remove loose jewelry - don't touch the inside of a computer that is turned on

Which of the following is the second step in opening the case of a working computer? - press and hold down the power button for a moment - power down the system and unplug it - back up important data - open the case cover

To what should you normally clip the ground bracelet before you work inside the computer case?

What do you call a connector on a motherboard that consists of pins that stick up from the board?

Which of the following can be described as round plastic or metal pegs that separate the motherboard from the bottom of the case? - header - insulator - standoff - elevator

Which of the following represents the correct order in which you should install components into the case after disassembling a computer? - power supply, drives, motherboard, cards - cards, motherboard, power supply, drives - drives, motherboard, cards, power supply - motherboard, drives, cards, power supply

Which of the following is true about installing the motherboard and connecting power? - there are typically three screw sets that hold the motherboard to the case - the P1 connector is used for PCIe devices - you can use an adapter to convert two 6-pin connectors to a PCIe connector - a 4-pin power cord supplies supplemental power to the processor

Which of the following is NOT a typical connector found on the front panel header? - Power SW - SATA controller - HDD LED - Power LED+

Which of the following is the Intel maximum degree limit for processors? - 185 F - 90 F - 155 C - 32 C

Which material is a cooler that sits atop the CPU most likely made of? - brass - steel - copper - lead

What is placed between the bottom of the cooler heat sink and the top of the processor that makes an airtight connection between the fan and processor? - fan shield - high-density oil - metal fins - thermal compound

Along with the processor, what other device is the highest heat producer in the system? - BIOS chip - disk controller - video card - riser card

Under what circumstance is a liquid cooling system most likely used? - overclocking - multiple hard disks installed - dual-core processing - onboard graphics controller

If your computer is in a dirty, dusty environment, what tool should you use periodically to prevent overheating? - all-purpose cleaner - compressed air - chip extractor - wet cloth

What determines the physical size of a power supply and the placement of screw holes? - wattage rating - form factor - manufacturer - number of connectors

Which of the following is true about fans in the computer system? - they are not found in the power supply case - they're usually not needed if your room is cool enough - larger fans tend to run quieter - they always run at a fixed speed

Which technology may require that you purchase a power supply that specifically supports that technology? - SLI - DIMM - PCI - USB

Which of the following is a consideration when purchasing a power supply with the correct wattage? - DIMMs draw the most power - fans draw as much power as a video card - motherboards with CPU tend to draw about the same as a SATA drive - the power supply should be rated 30% higher than your needs

What is the result of using a 3-pin fan connector on a 4-pin header on the motherboard? - the fan will not operate at all - the fan speed cannot be controlled - the fan runs at half speed - you will not be able to connect the fan connector

What does a small triangle embedded on a connector signify? - use caution when using the connector - the pin near the triangle should be matched with a circular pin - the wire nearest the triangle is pin 1 - the connector is optional and need not be attached

If you touch an ungrounded component, you could damage it with __________ electricity.

After you unplug the computer, you should press the ___________ button for about three seconds.

While working inside the computer, you should clip a ____________ bracelet to the computer case.

The front _____________ connectors lead from the front of the computer case to the motherboard.

A _____________________ uses fins that draw heat away from the processor.

What uses fins that draw heat away from the processor?

What sits on top of the processor and consists of a fan and heat sink?

What is the cream that is placed between the bottom of the cooler heatsink and the top of the processor?

What is a connector on the motherboard that allows the insertion of a card?

What are two form factors used by most desktop/tower computer cases and power supplies?

What do you clip to the side of the computer case to dissipate any charge between you and the computer?

What component draws the most power in a system?

What is the term used to describe running a processor at a higher frequency than recommended?

A connector on a motherboard that consists of pins that stick up from the board?

What keeps the motherboard from touching the case?

- Make notes as you work so that you can backtrack later if necessary. - Remove loose jewelry that might get caught in cables and components as you work. - To stay organized and not lose small parts, keep screws and spacers orderly and in one place, such as a cup or tray. -Don't stack boards on top of each other. - When handling motherboards, cards, or drives, don't touch the chips on the device. -Hold expansion cards by the edges. -To protect a microchip, don't touch it with a magnetized screwdriver. -Never ever touch the inside of a computer that is turned on. -Never remove the cover or put your hands inside a monitor or power supply. -As you work, remember to watch out for sharp edges on computer cases that can cut you.

What is the first step you should perform before working inside the case of a working computer?

What should you do after you unplug the computer to be sure the power supply is completely drained?

What should you do to dissipate any charge between you and the computer?

What should you do before disconnecting the wires leading from the front of the computer case to the motherboard if you don't have the motherboard manual handy?

Why are motherboards installed in the case using spacers?

List and describe the five front panel connectors you will likely see going from the front panel to the motherboard.

Describe the processor cooler and its components.

How does liquid cooling work?

What are two major points you should keep in mind when selecting the correct wattage capacity for a power supply?