Study Lab for Chapter 12

Use the "Key Terms and Definitions" section of the lab to review terms used in this chapter. Try the "Practice Test" to check your comprehension of the chapter. Tackle the "Lab Exercises" to apply your knowledge.

Key Terms and Definitions

active-matrix

An LCD display technology that uses a transistor for each pixel.

AccuPoint

Toshiba's licensed version of IBM TrackPoint II.

ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface)

A power-management method supported by Windows 98 and newer . Supports more power-saving modes than APM and can be controlled through the Windows Control Panel.

APM (Advanced Power Management)

A power management method supported by Windows 95 and MS-DOS. Requires BIOS configuration.

CardBus

32-bit version of PC Card standard.

CSS (Card and Socket Services)

Software needed by MS-DOS and Windows NT 4.0 to use PC Cards.

discrete graphics

Separate graphics chip and memory on the motherboard. Provides faster performance than integrated graphics.

docking station

Device that can provide card slots, ports, and drive bays to portable computers with a compatible expansion bus.

dongle

Proprietary cable connection attached to a Type II PC Card or CardBus card so it can be used with standard modem or network cable.

dual-scan

An improved version of passive-matrix displays used in older portable computers. Uses two sets of transistors for faster response.

FPC

Standard attachment method for connecting an LCD display to a portable computer's motherboard.

hibernate

Similar to suspend/resume, but uses disk space only and is supported by ACPI.

hot-swap

The process of removing or connecting a device without shutting down the computer.

integrated graphics

Graphics built into the motherboard chipset on a portable or desktop computer. Uses a portion of main memory.

IrDA

Standard for infrared ports used for printing and data transfer.

LCD display (Liquid Crystal Display)

The display technology used in portable computers.

Li-Ion (Lithium Ion)

A more advanced, longer- lasting technology than NiMH; has similar power output but weighs 35% less.

memory effect

Problem affecting NiCad-based batteries; prevents partially discharged batteries from being recharged to full capacity.

mini-PCI

A reduced- size version of PCI used in notebook computers for modem, wired, and wireless network interfacing.

NiCad (Nickel-Cadmium)

An early rechargeable battery technology.

NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydrite)

The successor to NiCad in low-cost, rechargeable, portable computers. Has similar characteristics but no memory effect.

palm rest

The area between the spacebar and the front edge of the case on a portable computer. Buttons for pointing devices as well as touchpads and trackballs are built into the palm rest.

passive-matrix

An LCD display technology that uses transistors to control rows and columns in the display. Has slower response and a dimmer screen than dual-scan or active matrix.

PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association)

The organization responsible for PC Card, CardBus, and Zoomed Video standards.

PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)

Examples included hand-held computers running PalmOS or Windows CE. Can use data from desktop and portable computers, but processors, memory, and operating systems are different.

Pocket PC

Hand- sized PDAs that run Windows CE.

pointing device

Mouse or other input device used to select menu items, highlight text, and create graphics.

pointing stick

A small, pressure-sensitive, eraser-shaped button in the middle of the keyboard on some portable computers. It emulates a mouse.

power management

Methods for reducing power usage to improve battery life in portable computers.

port replicator

Enables notebooks with a compatible expansion bus to connect to keyboard, mouse, monitor, and external peripherals with a single device. Universal models use PC Card slot or USB interfacing.

SODIMM

Small-outline DIMM, a form factor used for memory in recent portable systems.

stuck pixel

A pixel on an active-matrix display that is always on or always off.

suspend/resume

A process that involves saving the current open programs and data to RAM or hard disk for quick restarts later.

touchpad

A pressure-sensitive flat pad built into most portable computers; it emulates a mouse.

trackball

A rolling ballpointing device below the keyboard on some portable computers; it emulates a mouse.

TrackPoint II

IBM's pointing-stick technology.

Type I PC Card

Thin (3.3mm) PC Card used primarily for Flash or system memory.

Type II PC Card

Medium-width (5mm) PC Card used for I/O, hard drives , wireless networking, external drive interfacing, and others. The most popular size.

Type III mini-PCI

The most popular type of mini-PCI interface, it uses an edge connector and requires the ports to be built into the system.

Type III PC Card

Thick (10.5mm) PC Card used for hard drives and for I/O cards with integrated ports.

ZV (Zoomed Video)

An enhanced version of CardBus for video capture and graphics displays.

Practice Test

1:	You need to upgrade the memory in a portable computer before installing Windows XP. Which of the following memory module form factors is most likely to work? (Choose one) 184-pin DIMM 72-pin SIMM SODIMM Rambus 168-pin
2:	The integrated modem in a notebook computer has failed. Which of the following modules is most likely to be the one that needs to be replaced ? mini-PCI CardBus USB port battery
3:	A dual-scan display on a portable computer has failed. The computer is used at a desk, not for travel. Which of the following is the best choice to enable the user to continue to use the computer? Replace the dual-scan display with an active-matrix display. Attach a monitor to the external VGA port. Insert a ZV CardBus card. None of the above.
4:	A portable keyboard with a pointing stick has a problem with a drifting pointer. Which of the following workarounds is the best course of action until the unit can be repaired? Disable the pointing stick in the BIOS. Plug in a mouse or other pointing device. Disable the pointing stick in the BIOS and plug in a mouse or other pointing device. Don't use the pointing stick.
5:	A portable computer using Li-Ion batteries has a problem with short battery life. Which of the following procedures can improve battery life? (Choose all that apply) Upgrade RAM. Switch to NiCad batteries. Disable power management. Remove PC Cards when not in use.
6:	A client's CardBus network adapter has failed. Which of the following can be used as a direct replacement? PC Card mini-PCI USB IEEE-1394a
7:	You need to replace a mini-PCI card that has failed. Which of the following methods can you use to obtain a replacement? (Choose all that apply) Purchase from local computer store. Swap out from a similar unit. Purchase from portable vendor. Swap out from a unit from a different vendor.
8:	You need to replace a hard disk in a portable computer. The following drives are available: 44-pin interface, 2.5-inch 40-pin interface, 3.5-inch 50-pin interface, 3.5-inch 68-pin interface, 3.5-inch Which of these drives is designed to work in most portable computers? 40-pin, 3.5-inch drive only All 3.5-inch drives 50-pin, 3.5-inch drive only 44-pin, 2.5-inch drive only
9:	A portable computer with an infrared port prints perfectly when placed on one desk in a client's office, but fails to print when moved to another desk a few feet away. Which of the following is the most likely reason? Dust and dirt on the IR transceiver No place to connect the cable to the IR port Power problems Blocked line of sight
10:	A Type II PC Card modem can't detect a dial tone, but other PC Cards work correctly in the same system. Which of the following components might be defective? dongle PC Card slot Card and Socket Services USB port

Lab Exercises

Required equipment : working system, manual for system, Internet connection, ESD protection (wrist strap, antistatic mat), tools to open covers, Internet connection (optional)

Memory Detective

Objective : Determine if a memory upgrade has already been installed and its size.

1. Start the system and open the System properties sheet. Note the total memory size.

2. Determine the location of the memory upgrade socket.

3. Remove the cover over the socket. Is a memory upgrade already installed? If not, replace the cover and stop.

4. Follow the memory removal procedure earlier in this chapter if a module is already installed.

5. Restart the system, open the System properties sheet, and note the total memory now. The difference between the value in step 1 and this step is the size of the module you removed.

6. Follow the memory installation procedure earlier in this chapter to reinstall the memory module.

7. Restart the system and recheck the total memory size to verify successful reinstallation of memory.

I/O Port Detective

Objective : Determine the existing I/O ports and add-on possibilities.

1. Examine the system to determine what I/O ports are already built into the system. Refer to Chapters 1 and 8 as needed.

2. Does this system have a proprietary expansion bus? If so, check the vendor's Web site to determine if a docking station, media slice, or port replicator is available.

3. Determine how many and what type of PC Card slots are available. Stop, remove, and reinsert any installed PC Cards.

4. Determine if the system uses a mini-PCI modem or network adapter. Check the user or service manual to determine if the device can be accessed from the bottom of the computer, or if the entire case must be opened.

Answers to Practice Test

A1:	Answer C (SODIMM) is correct. The other modules are designed for desktop computers.
A2:	Answer A (mini-PCI) is correct. Most systems that use mini-PCI modems integrate the RJ-11 modem port into the rear of the system.
A3:	Answer B (attach a monitor to the external VGA port) is correct. You can't replace a dual-scan with an active-matrix display because they use different video controllers, and there's no need to use a ZV card.
A4:	Answer C (disable the pointing stick in the BIOS and plug in a mouse or other pointing device) is correct. Although some systems automatically disable the pointing stick when you plug in a mouse, others don't. And, although you can use Windows without a pointing stick or mouse, it isn't practical for most users.
A5:	Answers A (upgrade RAM) and D (remove PC Cards when not in use) are correct. Upgrading RAM enables the system to lessen or eliminate use of the hard disk as virtual memory, and some PC Cards can't be turned off when plugged into the system.
A6:	Answer A (PC Card) is correct. Although a CardBus adapter is faster (it has a 32-bit interface, whereas a PC Card has a 16-bit interface), the PC Card fits into the same slot. However, CardBus cards can't be used in a 16-bit PC Card slot.
A7:	Answers B (swap out from a similar unit) and C (purchase from portable vendor) are correct. Because mini-PCI cards are customized for different systems, you can't buy them at retail, and it's not likely that a mini-PCI card from a different vendor's computer would work.
A8:	Answer D (44-pin, 2.5-inch drive only) is correct. This version of the ATA/IDE interface is made especially for notebook computers. The 40-pin drive is a desktop ATA/IDE drive, whereas the 50-pin and 68-pin drives are SCSI drives.
A9:	Answer D (blocked line of sight) is correct. IR ports don't use cables, and the other answers would affect printing in either location.
A10:	Answer A (dongle) is correct. Many Type II modems use dongles to connect to the telephone line or line jack. If the dongle fails, the modem can't be used until the dongle is replaced.