CPT 209 Midterm Test Questions and Answers Already Passed Latest Update 2025-2026
A processor housing that contains more than one processor is referred to as what term? -
Answers Multicore processor
What is the very first step that should be taken when performing work with a computer? -
Answers You should back up any important data.
The ______________ port is an older port used by routers for management and configuration
purposes. - Answers serial
When performing technical support on a laptop:
Before contacting technical support, have the laptop model and _________ number ready. (one-
word answer - spelling counts) - Answers serial
Scenario:
You are troubleshooting a laptop with multiple sticking keys that result in misspelled words
while the user types.
Other than several sticking keys, the laptop appears to be functioning properly. You have
cleaned the keyboard with compressed air, but the problem persists.
After removing one of the keytops, it becomes apparent that a liquid was spilled into the
keyboard.
Which of the following is the next (best) step in resolving the issue of sticking keys? - Answers
Clean the keyboard keys with a contact cleaner.
What tool can help discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur when you first
turn on a computer and before the operating system is launched. - Answers POST card
A __________ case sits upright and can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
(one-word answer) - Answers tower
A __________ case lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand. (one-word
answer) - Answers desktop
What two different types of firmware may be used on motherboards? - Answers UEFI
BIOS
If a ground strap is unavailable, what should be done to dissipate any ESD before working on a
laptop? - Answers Touch a non-painted metallic surface on the laptop
What acronym is another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy
motherboards? - Answers ESD
,What is the second step in opening the case of a working computer? - Answers Power down the
system and unplug it
What is the connector called on a network cable that connects to an Ethernet port? - Answers
RJ-45
Programs and data that are stored on a motherboard are referred to by what term? - Answers
firmware
Some processors have heavy cooling assemblies installed on top of them.
For these systems, it is best to remove the cooler before you take the ___________ out of the
case. (one-word answer - do not use the colloquialism) - Answers motherboard
After you unplug the computer, press the __________ button for about three seconds to
completely drain the power supply. (one-word answer) - Answers power
Sometimes when you do so, you'll hear the __________ quickly start and go off as residual power
is drained. (one-word answer) - Answers fans
What diagnostic software is used by several manufacturers, and can run tests on the
motherboard, keyboards, hard drive, optical drives, video, speakers, touchpad, wireless LANs,
processor, ports, and memory? - Answers PC-Doctor
Scenario:
A technician needs to service a laptop computer that is experiencing an intermittent problem
with the display.
Which of the following will be most effective at helping the technician complete the work in a
timely and efficient manner? (Select TWO) - Answers Organize and place all parts and screws
and in one place.
Document and label the location of the screws and cables before removing them.
Which statement is NOT a good practice when working inside a computer case? - Answers Be
sure to hold expansion cards by the edge connectors.
What connector has 4 pins, is used for older IDE drives and some SATA drives, and can provide
+5 V and +12 V power outputs? - Answers Molex connector
When is it okay to touch the inside of a computer that is turned on? - Answers When using a
multimeter to measure voltage output
What general-purpose tool can measure characteristics of electricity in a variety of devices?
Some can measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity. - Answers multimeter
, Where should you clip your ESD strap when opening a computer case? - Answers computer
case
When putting a computer back together:
A computer system will always need the main _____ power connector. (two-character answer) -
Answers P1
Controls power to the motherboard; must be connected for the PC to power up. - Answers
Power SW
Controls the drive activity light on the front panel. - Answers HDD LED
Positive LED controls the power light and indicates that power is on. - Answers Power LED+
Negative LED controls the power light. - Answers Power LED-
Switch used to reboot the computer. - Answers Reset SW
Scenario:
A user called to inform you that the laptop they purchased yesterday is malfunctioning and will
not connect to thier wireless network.
You personally checked to verify that the wireless worked properly before the user left your
office.
The user states she rebooted the computer several times but the problem still persists.
Which of the following is the first step you should take to assist the user in resolving this issue?
- Answers Have the user press the appropriate function key combination to enable the wireless
radio and then attempt to connect to the wireless network.
What should be done after reassembling a laptop, but before installing the battery or AC adapter?
- Answers Gently shake the laptop to ensure nothing is loose inside of the case
transmits digital video and audio and is slowly replacing VGA and DVI - Answers DisplayPort
a type of memory slot found on a motherboard - Answers DIMM
draws heat from the CPU and pipes it to a fan, which then blows heat out of the case - Answers
heat sink
a slot used for expansion cards or video cards on a motherboard - Answers PCIe
a series of tests performed by the startup UEFI/BIOS when you first turn on a computer -
Answers POST
A processor housing that contains more than one processor is referred to as what term? -
Answers Multicore processor
What is the very first step that should be taken when performing work with a computer? -
Answers You should back up any important data.
The ______________ port is an older port used by routers for management and configuration
purposes. - Answers serial
When performing technical support on a laptop:
Before contacting technical support, have the laptop model and _________ number ready. (one-
word answer - spelling counts) - Answers serial
Scenario:
You are troubleshooting a laptop with multiple sticking keys that result in misspelled words
while the user types.
Other than several sticking keys, the laptop appears to be functioning properly. You have
cleaned the keyboard with compressed air, but the problem persists.
After removing one of the keytops, it becomes apparent that a liquid was spilled into the
keyboard.
Which of the following is the next (best) step in resolving the issue of sticking keys? - Answers
Clean the keyboard keys with a contact cleaner.
What tool can help discover and report computer errors and conflicts that occur when you first
turn on a computer and before the operating system is launched. - Answers POST card
A __________ case sits upright and can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
(one-word answer) - Answers tower
A __________ case lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand. (one-word
answer) - Answers desktop
What two different types of firmware may be used on motherboards? - Answers UEFI
BIOS
If a ground strap is unavailable, what should be done to dissipate any ESD before working on a
laptop? - Answers Touch a non-painted metallic surface on the laptop
What acronym is another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy
motherboards? - Answers ESD
,What is the second step in opening the case of a working computer? - Answers Power down the
system and unplug it
What is the connector called on a network cable that connects to an Ethernet port? - Answers
RJ-45
Programs and data that are stored on a motherboard are referred to by what term? - Answers
firmware
Some processors have heavy cooling assemblies installed on top of them.
For these systems, it is best to remove the cooler before you take the ___________ out of the
case. (one-word answer - do not use the colloquialism) - Answers motherboard
After you unplug the computer, press the __________ button for about three seconds to
completely drain the power supply. (one-word answer) - Answers power
Sometimes when you do so, you'll hear the __________ quickly start and go off as residual power
is drained. (one-word answer) - Answers fans
What diagnostic software is used by several manufacturers, and can run tests on the
motherboard, keyboards, hard drive, optical drives, video, speakers, touchpad, wireless LANs,
processor, ports, and memory? - Answers PC-Doctor
Scenario:
A technician needs to service a laptop computer that is experiencing an intermittent problem
with the display.
Which of the following will be most effective at helping the technician complete the work in a
timely and efficient manner? (Select TWO) - Answers Organize and place all parts and screws
and in one place.
Document and label the location of the screws and cables before removing them.
Which statement is NOT a good practice when working inside a computer case? - Answers Be
sure to hold expansion cards by the edge connectors.
What connector has 4 pins, is used for older IDE drives and some SATA drives, and can provide
+5 V and +12 V power outputs? - Answers Molex connector
When is it okay to touch the inside of a computer that is turned on? - Answers When using a
multimeter to measure voltage output
What general-purpose tool can measure characteristics of electricity in a variety of devices?
Some can measure voltage, current, resistance, and continuity. - Answers multimeter
, Where should you clip your ESD strap when opening a computer case? - Answers computer
case
When putting a computer back together:
A computer system will always need the main _____ power connector. (two-character answer) -
Answers P1
Controls power to the motherboard; must be connected for the PC to power up. - Answers
Power SW
Controls the drive activity light on the front panel. - Answers HDD LED
Positive LED controls the power light and indicates that power is on. - Answers Power LED+
Negative LED controls the power light. - Answers Power LED-
Switch used to reboot the computer. - Answers Reset SW
Scenario:
A user called to inform you that the laptop they purchased yesterday is malfunctioning and will
not connect to thier wireless network.
You personally checked to verify that the wireless worked properly before the user left your
office.
The user states she rebooted the computer several times but the problem still persists.
Which of the following is the first step you should take to assist the user in resolving this issue?
- Answers Have the user press the appropriate function key combination to enable the wireless
radio and then attempt to connect to the wireless network.
What should be done after reassembling a laptop, but before installing the battery or AC adapter?
- Answers Gently shake the laptop to ensure nothing is loose inside of the case
transmits digital video and audio and is slowly replacing VGA and DVI - Answers DisplayPort
a type of memory slot found on a motherboard - Answers DIMM
draws heat from the CPU and pipes it to a fan, which then blows heat out of the case - Answers
heat sink
a slot used for expansion cards or video cards on a motherboard - Answers PCIe
a series of tests performed by the startup UEFI/BIOS when you first turn on a computer -
Answers POST
