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 - 48-bit LBA mode
-
An extension to logical block addressing (LBA) mode that enables ATA/IDE drives to use capacities beyond 137.4GB. A BIOS update and sometimes a motherboard chipset driver update might be necessary to use the full capacity of these drives on many systems. -
- buffer underrun
-
A CD writing error that takes place when the drive runs out of data. -
- Celeron
-
Low-cost version of Pentium II, Pentium III, or Pentium 4 (depending upon slot/socket used) with reduced FSB speed and L2 cache size . Early versions fit into Slot 1, with later versions using Socket 370. The latest versions fit into Socket 478. -
- changeline support
-
Feature that enables all 3.5-inch floppy drives (and AT-compatible 5.25-inch drives) to automatically sense disk changes. If line 34 of the floppy interface or cable is damaged, this doesn't work properly. -
- client environment
-
Where the computer is located, including physical location, power, and network connections. -
- configuration
-
The settings used by hardware, software, and firmware at a particular time. -
- daisy-chaining
-
Attaching multiple devices to a single port. Parallel ports have a limited capability for this, but USB hubs and IEEE-1394 devices do a much better job. -
- DIP switches
-
Small, two-position switches used by printers with serial interfaces to configure the interface speed and settings. Other devices that use DIP switches for configuration include motherboards, other types of printers, and various types of interface cards. -
- Economode
-
A toner-saving method developed by HP that can be used to print drafts of documents on laser printers. -
- flow control
-
Various methods such as Xon/Xoff or CTS/RTS used to control data flow between modems. -
- gibberish printing
-
A term for meaningless alphanumerics produced by a printer with a damaged or loose cable, incorrect printer driver, or incorrect serial interface settings. Also called garbage printing . -
- heatsink
-
Device that dissipates heat from a processor or other chip such as a North Bridge, MCH, or graphics accelerator chip. Usually has fins or corrugated construction to expose more surface to the air, and usually also has a fan. Passive heatsinks have no fan, but active heatsinks include a fan. -
- hibernate
-
Similar to suspend/resume, but uses disk space only and is supported by ACPI. -
- HSF
-
Heatsink/fan combo; a popular abbreviation for an active heatsink. -
- hypothesis
-
A suggestion about the cause of a problem and its solution. -
- IRQ conflict
-
Conflict between two ISA devices or an ISA and PCI device trying to use the same IRQ. Causes device failure or system crash until conflict is resolved. -
- LaserJet Error 11
-
Paper-out error. -
- LaserJet Error 13
-
Paper jam. -
- LaserJet Error 20
-
An out-of-memory error; usually caused by sending a page with too many graphics to the laser printer. -
- loopback plug
-
A plug that has the transmit and receive lines connected to each other. Used to test serial and parallel ports. -
- mixer
-
The volume, balance, and other controls used by audio hardware. Open the Speaker icon in the Windows system tray or open the Sounds icon in Control Panel to adjust settings. -
- MultiRead
-
Standard for reading CD-RW media on a CD-ROM drive. -
- MultiRead2
-
Standard for reading CD-RW media on a DVD-ROM drive. -
- overclocking
-
Running memory or other components at faster-than-normal speeds; can improve performance but cause system instability and overheating . -
- ozone filter
-
Device used to trap ozone on laser printers that use charging corona wires. -
- parity
-
Error-checking method; some remote computers use even or odd parity, whereas the Internet uses no parity checking. -
- PC-850 character set
-
A character set that supports line-draw characters . -
- Pentium II
-
Enhanced version of Pentium Pro designed for PC and server use. Contains L2 cache inside the processor shell. Fits into Slot 1. Pentium II Xeon is made for workstations and servers, and fits into Slot 2. -
- phantom directory
-
Refers to floppy drives that cannot detect a disk change; indicates that changeline support isn't working. If the user doesn't force the drive to reread the new floppy disk, the computer assumes the new disk has the same FAT as the original disk, and trashes the contents of the new disk. -
- radio-frequency interference ( RFI )
-
Electrical interference that interferes with radio or TV reception . It is caused by inadequately shielded electrical devices. -
- stop bit
-
Bit used to indicate a byte (character) has been sent. -
- stuck pixels
-
Pixels on an active-matrix display that are always on or always off. -
- subsystem
-
Hardware, software, and firmware in the computer that performs a particular task, such as printing, display, and so on. -
- suspend/resume
-
A process that involves saving the current open programs and data to RAM or hard disk for quick restarts later. -
- switchbox
-
A mechanical or electronic device with multiple serial or parallel ports. Two types exist: Share one port with multiple devices, or a single device shared by multiple computers. -
- symptom
-
A pointer to the problem, but might not be the actual problem. For example, inability to print to a network printer could indicate a problem with the printer or with the network. -
- troubleshooting cycle
-
Method for tracking down problems and determining solutions. -
- Universal Disk Format ( UDF )
-
A drag-and-drop method of recording to rewritable CD and DVD media that emulates floppy disk storage. Media must be formatted to enable UDF access, and a compatible reader must be used on systems with read-only drives to read UDF-written media. Some programs can also perform UDF recording with CD-R or recordable DVD media. -
- word length
-
Number of bits in each character (word) sent; some remote computers use 7-bit, whereas the Internet uses 8-bit. -
Practice Test 1: | The client complains of intermittent computer problems. Which of the following tools should you use to determine if the problems are caused by power issues? (Choose all correct answers) -
Circuit tester -
Windows CD -
Antistatic cleaning wipes -
Multimeter | 2: | Which of the following activities changes the system configuration and should be recorded? -
Printing -
Installing new software -
Browsing the Web -
Using a system-reporting tool | 3: | An intermittent computer problem is most likely caused by which of the following? -
Software -
Hardware -
Firmware -
None of the above | 4: | Your client has lost the drivers for the network card, and the Windows CD doesn't have drivers. Which of the following resources is most likely to have a driver? -
Online computer magazine such as www.pcmag.com -
Adobe Web site (www.adobe.com) -
Vendor Web site -
Google (www.google.com) | 5: | A printer connected to the parallel port intermittently fails to print. Which of the following should you check first? -
Printer cable -
Windows Device Manager -
Parallel-port configuration in BIOS -
Vendor Web site | Lab Exercises Required equipment : computer toolkit and spare parts assortment Evaluating Your Readiness for Problem Solving Objective : Determine your readiness to solve computer problems. -
Inventory your toolkit and compare it to the list earlier in this chapter. Which tools are missing from your kit? Are there tools in addition to those listed here that you find to be useful? -
Inventory your spare parts assortment and compare it to the list found earlier in this chapter. What parts are missing from your assortment? What additional parts do you find useful? Answers to Practice Test | | A1: | Answers A and D are correct. A circuit tester checks the wiring, whereas the multimeter checks the voltage. | | | A2: | Answer B (installing new software) is correct. The other activities don't change the system configuration. You can use the Windows System Restore feature in Windows Me and XP to record the system's configuration before you install new software. | | | A3: | Answer B (hardware) is correct. Defective or loosely connected hardware sometimes works, whereas other types of defects are consistent failures. | | | A4: | Answer C (vendor Web site) is correct. If the vendor is out of business, a third-party driver Web site such as download.com.com or www.windrivers.com might have the driver. | | | A5: | Answer A (printer cable) is correct. If the cable is loose or damaged, intermittent printing problems are likely. | |