Test your basic knowledge |

Comptia A + Certification

Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. A device used with a laptop. The port replicator remains on the desktop with external devices connected to ports on it. A laptop then needs only one connection to the port replicator to have access to the peripherals.






2. A power supply that only accepts one input power voltage.






3. A virtual communication circuit that is created and remains available between two endpoints - which are normally some form of data terminal equipment (DTE). Telecommunications companies provide PVC service to companies requiring a dedicated circuit b






4. An address that a DHCP client will assign to itself after requesting an address and failing to receive one from a DHCP server. The address it will assign is in the 169.254 /16 network - which is the range of addresses from 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.






5. Aka Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP).






6. Radio frequency interference. Radio signals that occur in proximity to equipment that is sensitive to these types of signals.






7. Aka emergency repair disk.






8. Aka Media Access Control (MAC) address.






9. A computer (or dedicated device) that sits between a private network and an untrusted network and examines all traffic in and out of the network it is protecting. It will block any traffic it recognizes as a potential threat - using a variety of tech






10. Slang for motherboard.






11. A program that causes a modem to dial phone numbers surreptitiously.






12. A type of arithmetic logic unit (ALU) that is used to perform specialized functions - such as division and large decimal number operations. Also called a math coprocessor.






13. A program installed and activated on a computer without the user's knowledge or permission. At the least - the intent is mischief - but most often the intent is to cause damage.






14. An assigned address or range of addresses on a system's address bus that - together with an interrupt request line (IRQ) - allows a device to be recognized by the processor.






15. One of many low-level instructions built into the control unit of a CPU. Also called a microprogram.






16. Aka Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).






17. Cabling that contains a single copper wire surrounded by several layers of insulating plastic and a woven wire sheath that provides protection.






18. Windows run-line utility for testing the DirectX support. Launch this program when experiencing video problems and/or audio problems when running DirectX applications.






19. Aka thumb drive.






20. To renew a product activation - required when the activation program discovers significant changes in a computer or the activated product has been installed on a second computer.






21. A dark spot on an LCD screen caused when a transistor is permanently off.






22. Aka ATA Packet Interface.






23. A processor packaging that uses pads on the processor that come in contact with pins in the socket on the motherboard - permitting a higher density than possible with PGA.






24. A protocol that transfers e-mail messages between mail servers. Clients also use this protocol to send e-mail to mail servers.






25. A standard for hard drives that attach to the Parallel AT Attachment (PATA) interface.






26. A now-obsolete type of rechargeable battery used in laptops and other portable devices - replaced by lithium-ion batteries.






27. A magnetic storage device that contains a thin internal plastic disk - capable of receiving magnetic charges contained in the thin magnetic coating on the disk.






28. Aka Advanced Communications Riser.






29. A circuit on a motherboard through which incoming power passes. Several voltage regulators maintain a steady voltage as demand goes up and down - with one or more voltage regulators for the various voltages required (5 volts - 12 volts - 3.3 volts -






30. Another name for a motherboard in a laptop.






31. A type of motherboard used in older PC systems; also refers to the 1984 IBM PC AT model.






32. Storage media that is removable - meaning the drive stays in place - while the media (disk - disc - or tape) is removed and replaced with another disk - disc - or tape.






33. A value assigned to a process that controls the order in which the program code is executed in relation to other code.






34. A security feature introduced in Windows Vista to prevent unauthorized changes to Windows.






35. A power management standard - introduced by Intel in 1992 - that defines four power-usage operating levels.






36. Aka file allocation table.






37. A method for supporting up to 8.3 GB capacity hard drives. Both the BIOS and hard drive system must use LBA.






38. The "activity" status light on a NIC that indicates data is being transmitted.






39. An arrangement of pins on a processor in which the pins are offset in a way that allows for a higher pin density than PGA.






40. An adapter card used to run a special diagnostic test on a computer as it is powering up. These tests usually go beyond those performed by the system BIOS-based POST.






41. Aka floating-point unit.






42. A grouping of wires built into a PC that - based on certain protocols - transfers data - control signals - and power to printed circuit boards (adapter cards) that are plugged into connectors in the expansion bus. Technicians often use the termsexpan






43. One or more chips designed to work closely with the CPU. Two parts of this chipset are the Northbridge and the Southbridge.






44. Laser discs sold at retail stores that contain music (audio CDs) or software (data CDs).






45. Aka Internet Control Message Protocol.






46. The use of more than one monitor on a single computer.






47. The high-definition optical disc formatting standard developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association whose members include Sony - 20th Century Fox - Dell - Hewlett-Packard - and many other industry leaders.






48. A parallel port mode in which the signals can be transmitted in both directions between the PC and parallel devices connected to the computer.






49. Software created to perform malicious acts. Also called malicious software.






50. A special substance - also called thermal paste or heat sink compound - that increases the heat conductivity between a fan or heat sink and a chip.