A+, Network+, Security+ Exams in a Nutshell

Practice Questions for the A+ Essentials Exam

1. You have just been hired as field technician with a computer support company. Which of the following types of motherboards are you most likely to see more than others while on the job?

   • ❍ A. AT

   • ❍ B. Baby AT

   • ❍ C. ATX

   • ❍ D. NLX

   Answer C is correct. Although you can find any of the listed motherboards in the field, the most popular of the given designs is the ATX and its variations. The AT and Baby AT designs are almost obsolete. The NLX design also did not become very popular.

2. Which of the following motherboards uses a riser card for providing expansion slots?

   • ❍ A. AT

   • ❍ B. Baby AT

   • ❍ C. ATX

   • ❍ D. NLX

   Answer D is correct. The NLX design specifies the use of a special riser card to provide expansion slots. The expansion or add-on cards become parallel to the motherboard when installed on the riser card. In all other designs, the expansion slots are available directly on the motherboard, and the add-on cards are installed in a vertical position.

3. Which of the following is another (and official) name for IDE and EIDE drives?

   • ❍ A. ATA

   • ❍ B. SATA

   • ❍ C. SCSI

   • ❍ D. EISA

   Answer A is correct. The IDE/EIDE drives are the most popular ones used on personal computers. The official name for this interface is Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA). SATA refers to the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment interface, SCSI refers to Small Computer System Interface, and EISA refers to Extended Integrated Device Electronics expansion bus.

4. Which of the following ports is commonly used ...