CPT 209- Midterm Exam with
Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026
Updated.
A processor housing that contains more than one processor is referred to as what term? -
Answer Multicore processor
What is the very first step that should be taken when performing work with a computer? -
Answer You should back up any important data.
The ______________ port is an older port used by routers for management and configuration
purposes. - Answer serial
When performing technical support on a laptop:
Before contacting technical support, have the laptop model and _________ number ready.
(one-word answer - spelling counts) - Answer 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? - Answer
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. - Answer POST card
A __________ case sits upright and can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
(one-word answer) - Answer tower
A __________ case lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand. (one-word
answer) - Answer desktop
What two different types of firmware may be used on motherboards? - Answer UEFI
BIOS
,If a ground strap is unavailable, what should be done to dissipate any ESD before working on a
laptop? - Answer Touch a non-painted metallic surface on the laptop
What acronym is another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy
motherboards? - Answer ESD
What is the second step in opening the case of a working computer? - Answer Power down
the system and unplug it
What is the connector called on a network cable that connects to an Ethernet port? - Answer
RJ-45
Programs and data that are stored on a motherboard are referred to by what term? - Answer
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) - Answer motherboard
After you unplug the computer, press the __________ button for about three seconds to
completely drain the power supply. (one-word answer) - Answer power
Sometimes when you do so, you'll hear the __________ quickly start and go off as residual
power is drained. (one-word answer) - Answer 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? - Answer 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) - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer Molex connector
When is it okay to touch the inside of a computer that is turned on? - Answer 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. - Answer multimeter
Where should you clip your ESD strap when opening a computer case? - Answer computer
case
When putting a computer back together:
A computer system will always need the main _____ power connector. (two-character answer) -
Answer P1
Controls power to the motherboard; must be connected for the PC to power up. - Answer
Power SW
Controls the drive activity light on the front panel. - Answer HDD LED
Positive LED controls the power light and indicates that power is on. - Answer Power LED+
Negative LED controls the power light. - Answer Power LED-
Switch used to reboot the computer. - Answer 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.
Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026
Updated.
A processor housing that contains more than one processor is referred to as what term? -
Answer Multicore processor
What is the very first step that should be taken when performing work with a computer? -
Answer You should back up any important data.
The ______________ port is an older port used by routers for management and configuration
purposes. - Answer serial
When performing technical support on a laptop:
Before contacting technical support, have the laptop model and _________ number ready.
(one-word answer - spelling counts) - Answer 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? - Answer
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. - Answer POST card
A __________ case sits upright and can be as high as two feet and has room for several drives.
(one-word answer) - Answer tower
A __________ case lies flat and sometimes serves double-duty as a monitor stand. (one-word
answer) - Answer desktop
What two different types of firmware may be used on motherboards? - Answer UEFI
BIOS
,If a ground strap is unavailable, what should be done to dissipate any ESD before working on a
laptop? - Answer Touch a non-painted metallic surface on the laptop
What acronym is another name for static electricity, which can damage chips and destroy
motherboards? - Answer ESD
What is the second step in opening the case of a working computer? - Answer Power down
the system and unplug it
What is the connector called on a network cable that connects to an Ethernet port? - Answer
RJ-45
Programs and data that are stored on a motherboard are referred to by what term? - Answer
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) - Answer motherboard
After you unplug the computer, press the __________ button for about three seconds to
completely drain the power supply. (one-word answer) - Answer power
Sometimes when you do so, you'll hear the __________ quickly start and go off as residual
power is drained. (one-word answer) - Answer 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? - Answer 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) - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer Molex connector
When is it okay to touch the inside of a computer that is turned on? - Answer 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. - Answer multimeter
Where should you clip your ESD strap when opening a computer case? - Answer computer
case
When putting a computer back together:
A computer system will always need the main _____ power connector. (two-character answer) -
Answer P1
Controls power to the motherboard; must be connected for the PC to power up. - Answer
Power SW
Controls the drive activity light on the front panel. - Answer HDD LED
Positive LED controls the power light and indicates that power is on. - Answer Power LED+
Negative LED controls the power light. - Answer Power LED-
Switch used to reboot the computer. - Answer 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.
