(Solution Manual) CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam Guide to Operating Systems and Security

Andrews, Dark, West, 10

Computer Science & Engineering

Solution Manual

10th Edition

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Solution Manual for CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam Guide to Operating Systems and Security, The downloadable file consists of 313 pages, and the total size of the file is 3.17 MB. Purchase now only for highly discounted price.

Author(s): Andrews, Dark, West

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Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx-xxxxxxxxxx) 1 Solutions for Chapter 1: Taking a Computer Apart and Putting It Back Together Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Technical Support (Comprehensive, 10th Edition) [A HD] Lab 1.1 Record Your Work and Make Deliverables [B HD] Activity The Windows Snipping Tool lets you take screenshots or snips of the entire Windows desktop, a window, or any region of the desktop. Follow these steps to explore the Control Panel and System windows and take snips of your work on the desktop: 1. To open Control Panel, enter Control Panel in the Windows 10 search box on the taskbar. In Windows 8, right -click Start and click Control Panel . In Windows 7, click Start and click Control Panel . 2. Drill down into the links, icons, and options in the Control Panel window and familiarize yourself with all the icons and options in both Icons view ( also called Classic view on the A+ exam) and in Category view. Figure 1 -1 shows Control Panel in Small icons view in Windows 10. Explain in your own words the difference between Classi c view and Category view: Answers may vary. For example , Classic view shows one long list of utilities, and Category view shows a list of categories and individual items within each category. Each of these items might include multiple utilities. (For Complete File, Download link at the end of this File)Get all chapters complete solutions manual download link below https://www.mediafire.com/file/hjt53uqygci4fz0/SM +CompTIA+A++Core+2+Exam+Guide+to +Operating+ Systems+and+Security,+10e+Jean+Andrews,+Joy+Da rk,+Jill+West.zip/file Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 2 3. In Large o r Small icons view, click the System icon. 4. Examine the System window. What is the operating system and system type running on your computer? What processor is installed and how much installed memory (RAM) do you have on your computer? Answers may vary. For example : • Windows 10 Pro, 64 -bit Operating System • Intel Core i7 -3612QM CPU • 12.0 GB 5. Leave the System window open as your active window. In Windows 10, press Win+S and enter Snipping Tool in the search box. In Windows 8, enter Snipping Tool in the search box. In Windows 7, click Start , and in the Search programs and files box, enter Snipping Tool . The Snipping Tool dialog box opens. 6. In the Snipping Tool dialog box, click the Mode drop-down arrow. (In Windows 8/7, click the New drop-down arrow.) What are the four types of snips you can take using the Snipping Tool? Answer : For Windows 10, Free -form Snip, Rectangular Snip, Window Snip, Full -screen Snip 7. Select Free -form Snip from the drop -down list. Click and hold the mouse button, drag your cursor around the edges of the System window, and then release the mouse button. The Snipping Tool window opens , showing your snip. 8. On the menu bar, click File, and then click Save As . Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 3 9. Save the file on your desktop using naming and file compression standards (usually in .jpg or .png format) as directed by your instructor. 10. Email the file to your instructor, or upload it to your online interface. 11. Close all windows. [B HD] Review Questions 1. What are the eight categories in the Category view in Control Panel? Answer: System and Security ; Network and Internet ; Hardware and Sound ; Programs ; User Accounts and Family Safety ; Appearance and Personalization ; Clock, Language, and Region ; Ease of Access 2. What are the four file types that can be used to save a snip using the Windows Snipping Tool? Answer: PNG, GIF, JPG, and MHT 3. What is the purpose of the Win+S keystroke shortcut in Windows 10 ? Answer: In Windows 10, the shortcut opens Cortana, the search feature of Wind ows 10. 4. Search the web for information about the price of Windows 10. How much would it cost to buy your current edition (such as Home, Professional, etc.) of the Windows 10 operating system as an upgrade from Windows 8? Answer: $69 to $130 for an upgrade , depending on the edition [A HD] Lab 1.2 Gather And Record System Information Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 4 [B HD] Activity [C HD] Part 1: Explore the Physical System and Windows Settings Observe the physical characteristics of your system, and answer the following questions: 1. Does the outside of the case have any identification indicating manufacturer, model, or component information? If so, list this information here: Answers may vary. For example , Lenovo IdeaPad N580 2. How many optical drives does your system have? Answers may vary. For example, 1 optical drive 3. Describe the shape or type of the connection your mouse uses: Answers may vary. For example , PS/2 port, USB port, or touchpad on a laptop 4. How many USB ports are in the back of your system? How many are in the front? Answers may vary. For example , for a laptop, 2 on each side. For a desktop, 2 on the front and 4 on the back. Most versions of Windows allow users to customize the display of information to suit their tastes. Complete the following steps to restore Windows defaults to your system: 1. Boot your system and log on, if necessary. In Windows 10, enter Control Panel in the search box. In Windows 8, r ight-click Start , and then click Control Panel . In Windows 7, click Start , and then click Control Panel .) 2. If Large icons or Small icons view has been enabled, click the View by drop-down menu and select Category . Figure 1 -2 shows Control Panel in Category view for Windows 8. Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 5 3. With Category view enabled, click the Appearance and Personalization category. The Appearance and Personalization window opens. 4. In the Appearance and Personalization window, click File Explorer Options (called Folder Options in Windows 8/7) to open the File Explorer Options dialog box. 5. On the General tab of the File Explorer Options dial og box, click the Restore Defaults button (see Figure 1 -3), and then click Apply . 6. Click the View tab in the File Explorer Options dialog box. Click the Restore Defaults button, and then click OK to apply the settings and close the dialog box. 7. In the Appearance and Personalization window, click the Taskbar and Navigation icon (called Taskbar and Start Menu in Windows 7). The Taskbar and Navigation properties dialog box opens. 8. On the Taskbar tab, v erify that Lock the taskbar is on or selected. For Windows 10, verify that Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode is off. (For Windows 8/7, verify that Auto -hide the taskbar is not checked.) Also verify that Use small taskbar buttons is off or not selected. Click Apply if any changes were made. Click OK to close the Taskbar and Navigation dialog box. Close the Control Panel window. 9. To manage Start menu settings, do one of the following: • In Windows 10, press Win+I to open the Settings window. Click Personalization and then Start . Verify that the Show most used apps , Show recently added apps , and Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar options are turned On. Close the Settings dialog box. • In Windows 8, open Control Panel , open the Appearance and Personalization Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx-xxxxxxxxxx) 6 window, and then open the Taskbar and Navigation dialog box. Click the Jump Lists tab. Verify that both check boxes under Privacy are selecte d. Click OK to apply the settings. Close all open windows . • In Windows 7, open the Appearance and Personalization window and then open the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box. Click the Start Menu tab in the dialog box. Verify that both check boxes under Privacy are selected. Click OK to apply the settings. Close all open windows. When you are responsible for several computers —or when several people share that responsibility—a base inventory and running record of each system’s characteristics and maintenance are fundamental for quick reference. Do the follo wing to document your system’s configuration: 1. If your instructor hasn’t already provided the Computer Inventory and Maintenance form, download and print it from goog le.com . For detailed instructions on how to use the website, see the Preface. 2. Computer ide ntification: Fill in the first page of the Inventory form with information about your computer. Also fill in the administrator account name and password under the Windows and Windows Settings heading. (Because this information is confidential, you must be careful to protect this form from unauthorized viewing.) 3. System: Open Control Panel in Classic view and open the System window. Using the information shown in Figure 1 -4 for Windows 10, fill in the System subsection under the Windows and Windows Settings h eading of your Inventory form. Note that in Windows 7, this window also links to the Windows Experience Index, which rates your system’s Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 7 performance on a scale from 1.0 to 7.9. Close the Control Panel window. 4. Windows Update: To find update settings, do one of the following: • In Windows 10, press Win+I to open the Settings window. Click Update & Security , Windows Update , and Advanced options . Record how updates are installed on your Inventory form. Close the Settings window. Answers may vary. For example, the system is set to receive updates for other Microsoft products when you update Windows, and to restart this device as soon as possible when a restart is required to install an update. • In Windows 8/7, open the System window and click Windows Upd ate. In the Windows Update window, click Change settings in the left pane. The Change settings window shows the schedule for updates to Windows. Record this information in your Inventory form. Close all windows. 5. File History or Backup and Restore: To find backup settings, open Control Panel in Classic view. In Windows 10, click Backup and Restore (Windows 7) . In Windows 8, click File History . In Windows 7, click Backup and Restore . If your computer is set to back up automatic ally, record the information requested in your Inventory form in the File History/Backup and Restore subsection. Answers may vary. For example, the system is scheduled to perform a backup each Monday evening at 11:00PM. The backup is stored on the network drive J: in the \Backup folder. 6. Notice at the top of the Control Panel window that you’ll always see a path in the address bar for whatever window is active. You can click on various parts of this path to go to those Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 8 levels of Control Panel. The Inventory form lists the corresponding pat h for each section’s information. To return to the main Control Panel window, click Control Panel at the beginning of the path. 7. User accounts: To complete the Windows and Windows Settings section of the Inventory form, click User Accounts , and then click Manage another account . (For Windows 7, click User Accounts and Family Safety and then click Add or remove user accounts ). The Manage Accounts window shows all local user accounts in the system. Record this information on your Inventory form. Answers may va ry. For example, there is one local user administrator account named John Doe. The account has a password: Passw0rd [C HD] Part 2: Explore Network Settings Follow these steps to gather information about network settings: 1. To access the network settings on your com puter, return to Control Panel in Classic view and click Network and Sharing Center . 2. In the Network and Sharing Center window, c lick Change adapter settings in the left pane to access the Network Connections window. 3. Network TCP/IP settings: Right -click the active network connection, whether it’s an Ethernet connection or a Wi -Fi connection, and then click Properties from the shortcut menu to open the connecti on’s Properties dialog box. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) , and then click the Properties button to view the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) Properties dialog box, shown in Figure 1 -5. If the radio button for Obtain an IP address auto matically is selected, then the connection has a dynamic configuration, meaning Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 9 Windows will request an IP address from a server each time it connects to the network. If the radio button for Use the following IP address is selected, an administrator has as signed a static IP address that the computer will always use when connecting to this network. Add the appropriate information in this subsection of your Inventory form, and then click Cancel twice to return to the Network Connections window. Repeat this st ep for any other available network connection. Answers may vary. For example, Obtain an IP address automatically , Obtain DNS server address automatically 4. Wireless security settings: Complete the following if your computer is currently connected to a wirele ss network; if not, skip to Step 5. To return to the Network and Sharing Center, click Network and Internet in the address bar path, and then click the Network and Sharing Center category. Under View your active networks, click the wireless connection and then click Wireless Properties . Click the Security tab to find the security information for this network to fill in the Wireless Network Connection subsection of your Inventory form. You can select the Show characters check box, as shown in Figure 1 -6, to see the Network security key. Click Cancel and then click Close to return to the Network and Sharing Center. Answers may vary. For example , Security type WPA2 -Personal, Encryption type: AEA, Network security key: MySecurityKey 5. Homegroup settings: Click the Back button in the Control Panel window to return to the Network and Internet window. Click HomeGroup to view the HomeGroup window and determine whether your computer belongs to a homegroup. If it does, click View or print Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 10 the homegroup password and record this information on your Inventory form. Click Cancel to close the View and print your homegroup password window. Answers may vary. For example , no homegroup password present. 6. Internet Options: Click Network and Internet in the address bar to return to the Network and Internet window. Click Internet Options to open the Internet Properties dialog box. Using the information on the General ta b, record the home page or pages on your Inventory form. Click Cancel to close the Internet Properties dialog box. Answers may vary. For example , http://google.com [C HD] Part 3: Explore Applications Installed Follow these steps to gather information about instal led applications: 1. Applications installed: Control Panel provides access to a list of all programs installed on the system. Open Control Panel in Classic view and click Programs and Features . Scroll down to find the version of Microsoft Office installed on your computer and enter this information on your Inventory form. Search the list for anti -malware software, such as McAfee, Norton, or Microsoft Security Essentials for Windows 7. (Note tha t Windows Defender is embedded in Windows 10/8 and will not appear in the list of installed applications.) Also look for web browsers, such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Then list any other productivity applications (like Dropbox or a graphic desig n program) installed on the computer, along with their publishers. When you are finished, close the Programs and Features window. Answers may vary. For example , Android Studio , Camtasia Studio 8, Dropbox, Inc., Zoom, Google Chrome Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 11 2. Anti-malware software: If applicable, open an anti -malware program you found on the list of programs and determine whether the program updates automatically and, if so, when scans are scheduled to occur. Often, this information will be on the program’s home page or in the Settings menu. Record this information on your Inventory form. Close the program when you are finished. [C HD] Part 4: Explore Hardware Installed The System Information Utility provides additional information about hardware components and configuration of your system. Do the following to gather this information: 1. System manufacturer and model: To open the System Information Utility, enter msinfo32.exe in the Windows 10/7 search box or the Windows 8 Run box. (To open the Run box in Windows 8, right -click Start and click Run.) The System Information window opens. On the System Summary page, find your system’s manufacturer and model number and record this information on your Inventory form. Answers may vary. For example , Sony Corporation, SVS151190X 2. Drives: Click the + sign next to the Components node on the navigation tree in the left pane. Click the + sign next to the Storage node, and then click Drives, as shown in Figure 1-7. Add the information requested on your Inventory form for this subsection. Answers may vary. For example , Drive C:, Local Fixed Disk, 578.35 GB, Volume name missing, Volume Serial Number 0EE5E9FF 3. Disks: Click Disks in the navigation tree and add the remaining information requested for the System Information Utility section. Close the System Informatio n window. Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 12 Answers may vary. For example , Hitachi HTS777777A99999EE, 5 partitions, 596.17 GB Use Device Manager to complete the next portion of Part 4. 1. To open Device Manager, right -click Start and click Device Manager . The Device Manager console opens, as shown in Figure 1 -8. 2. Expand Display adapters , and record the name of the adapter(s) on the Computer Inventory and Maintenance form . Answers may vary. For example, NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M LE 3. Right -click the adapter name, and then click Properties to open the adapter’s Properties dialog box. (If you have more than one display adapter, use the first adapter listed.) 4. Click the Driver tab, and record the driver version on the form. Answers may var y. For example , Driver Version 10.18.13.6822 5. On the Driver tab, click Driver Details to view the driver file names and the paths to those files. Record that information for up to three files on the Computer Inventory and Maintenance form . Answers may vary. For example : • C:\Program Files (x86) \NVIDIA Corporation \coprocmanager \detoured.dll • C:\Program Files (x86) \NVIDIA Corporation \coprocmanager \Nvd3d9wrap.dll • C:\Program Files (x86) \NVIDIA Corporation \coprocmanager \Nvdxgiwrap.dll 6. Repeat the same procedure to collect similar information on your computer’s wired and wireless network adapters and its sound controller. Record that information on the form. Answers may vary. For example: • Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller • Driver Version 9.1.410.2015 Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 13 • C:\WINDOWS \system32 \DRIVERS \rt640x64.sys To complete Part 4, open the computer case and use visual observations of connected hardware to record information about the monitor, video adapter if installed, and any installed network adapters. [C HD] Part 5: Explore BIO S/UEFI Settings BIOS/UEFI is firmware on the motherboard that manages basic hardware components and the boot process before Windows is launched. Complete the following steps to access BIOS/UEFI settings: 1. To enter the UEFI setup utility from Windows 10, do the following: a. Open the Settings app and click Update & Security . In the left pane , click Recovery . Under Advanced startup, click Restart now . The computer restarts into the Windows Recovery Environment. b. In Windows RE , click Troubleshoot , and then click Advanced options . On the Advanced options screen , click UEFI Firmware Settings , and then click Restart . The computer re boots into UEFI setup. When you attempt to access UEFI setup and password protection has been enabled, you must enter a valid password to continue . 2. For Windows 10/8/7, follow these steps to access BIOS/UEFI setup: a. Shut down Windows. b. Turn on the computer and press the key(s) that launches the BIOS/UEFI setup Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 14 utility. The key(s) t o press usually appears on the screen early in the boot process —for example, “Press Del or F2 to enter setup.” 3. Browse through the BIOS/UEFI screens and fill in all the information required in the BIOS/UEFI Settings and Data section of the Computer Inventor y and Maintenance form . Answers may vary. For example : • Version 2.10.1208 American Megatrends, Inc. • Processor Intel Core i7 870 • 2.93 GHz • Total memory 32768MB, Quadruple -Channel • Slot 1: 8192 MB (DDR3 -2400) • Slot 2: 8192 MB (DDR3 -2400) • Slot 3: 8192 MB (DDR3 -2400) • Slot 4: 8192 MB (DDR3 -2400) • Wake on LAN is off • Boot device priority is Hard drive, Optical drive, Removable drive, USB boot • Supervisor and Power -on passwords are not set 4. Exit BIOS/UEFI setup without saving any changes to prevent saving any acci dental changes made while you were exploring the BIOS/UEFI setup utility. Record today’s date and your name in the Routine Maintenance section of the Computer Inventory and Maintenance form beginning on page 5, next to Initial Inventory taken. Make a habit of documenting all maintenance and troubleshooting activities for any computer you work on. Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 15 [B HD] Challenge Activity Programs are available to collect most, if not all, of the configuration information about a computer for you. One of the more popular programs is Belarc Advisor, which compiles information on system components, including manufacturer names, license numbers, and product keys. The program also analyzes your system for weaknesses and may suggest improvements or maintenance. To download and use Belar c Advisor, do the following: 1. Go to www.belarc.com/free_download.html and click the free download icon. 2. When the file has completed downloading, use File Explorer (Windows Explorer in Windows 7) to find the .exe file that you just downloaded. At the time of this writing, the file name was advisorinstaller.exe . What is the exact path and name o f the downloaded file? Answer : advisorinstaller (1).exe 3. Double -click the file to install the program. If a UAC box appears, click Yes. 4. When the License Agreement window appears, click I Agree . Click Install . 5. If the program asks to check for new definitions, click Yes. When it reports that it is up to date, clic k OK. 6. The program creates a profile for your system and proceeds with the analysis. The process might take a few minutes. Once the analysis is presented in your browser, print your analysis and file it with your other documentation for this computer. See F igure 1-9 for a sample report. [B HD] Review Questions 1. List two categories available in Control Panel that were not mentioned in the lab: Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 16 Answer: Answers may include: • Hardware and Sound • Clock, Language, and Region • Ease of Access 2. (Windows 7 only) Based on the Windows Experience Index, what component of your computer would you upgrade first? Why? Answer: Answers may vary based on student experience and might include the processor, RAM, graphics card, or hard drive. 3. Based on what you found while taking inventory of your computer’s system, what maintenance does this computer currently need? Answer: Answers may vary based on student experience and might include a backup, malware scan, OS updates, securing a network, or software updates. 4. Besides the Computer Invento ry and Maintenance form, what other documentation should you keep on each computer? How might you store that information? Answer: Any documentation that came with the computer, any product guides printed from the web, and any receipts from purchases relate d to the computer should be kept together near the computer itself, perhaps in a manila envelope or notebook. 5. What differences, if any, are there between a list of components derived from a physical inspection and a list of components derived from Control Panel and System Properties? Answer: The list s could differ substantially because of such things as BIOS/ UEFI upgrades, non - brand -name components, drive partitioning, or components disabled in BIOS/ UEFI . Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 17 6. Why is it important for IT technicians to keep documentation on computers for which they are responsible ? Answer: Answers may vary depending on student experienc es. Documentation can be useful when a computer is lost or stolen, the hard drive has failed, Windows becomes corrupted, or other problems arise. A user might accidentally change a setting or forget a password. [A HD] Lab 1.3 Identify Computer Parts [B HD] Activity Using the assorted computer parts your instructor has prepared and displayed, fill in the following chart: Answers may vary depending on the parts the instructor displayed . For example : Identify the Part Describe the Computer Component and its Use 1. Video card Inserts into an expansion slot to provide video ports for a monitor 2. Hard drive Secondary storage for a computer, used to hold the OS installation 3. RAM Primary storage for a computer, used for working memory while programs and data are in progress Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 18 4. Motherboard Main component in a system where all other computers communicate; holds the processor 5. Optical drive Holds CDs, DVDs, and Blu -ray optical discs 6. CPU The main processing power for a computer Next, observe the external physical characteristics of your computer system and answer the following questions: 1. What is the size of your monitor? Use your measuring tape or ruler to measure from the upper -left corner to the lower -right corner (the diagonal) on the monitor screen. Is the measurement what you expected based on the size of the monitor? Answers may vary. For example , 17 inches. Yes. 2. What other external components does your computer have (speakers, printer, and so forth)? Describe each component with as much detail as you can. Answers may vary. For example , keyboard for typing input and mouse for pointer and clicking input. 3. Look at the back of your computer and locate all the cables and cords connected to ports and other connections. Fill in the following chart: Answers may vary. For exampl e: Describe the Port or Connector to Which Purpose of the Cable or Cord Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 19 the Cable or Cord is Connected 1. Network Connection to local network 2. Power Provides power to the system 3. DVD DVD video cable connected to monitor 4. PS/2 Connects mouse 5. USB Connects keyboard 6. USB Printer 4. What other ports on the computer are not being used? List them: Answers may vary. For example , second PS/2 port, USB ports, VGA port, HDMI port Next, you’ll open the computer case and examine the components inside. As you work, make sure you do not touch anything inside the case unless you’re wearing an ESD strap that’s clipped to the case , so that any electrical difference between you and the case is dissipated. To remove the computer cover when i t’s attached with screws, follow these steps: 1. Power down the computer and unplug it. Next, unplug the monitor, the printer, and any other device that has its own external power supply. After all power sources are unplugged, press the power button on the co mputer for three seconds to drain any remaining power. Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 20 2. The method required to open a computer case varies depending on the manufacturer. Many newer cases require that you remove the faceplate on the front of the case first. Other cases require removing a s ide panel first, and very old cases require removing the sides and top as a single unit first. Study your case for the correct approach. 3. For a desktop or tower case, locate and remove the screws on the back of the case on the opposite side from the ports. Be careful not to unscrew any screws besides the ones attaching the cover. The other screws are probably holding the power supply in place. 4. After you remove the cover screws, slide the side panel back to remove it from the case, as shown in Figure 1 -10. To remove the cover from a tower computer that has no visible case screws, follow these steps: 1. Power down the computer and unplug it from its power outlet. Next, unplug the monitor and any other device with an external power source from the power outlet. Aft er all power sources are unplugged, press the power button on the computer for three seconds to drain any remaining power. 2. On some cases, you must pop the front panel off the case before removing the side panels. Look for a lever on the bottom of the panel and hinges at the top. Squeeze the lever to release the front panel and lift it off the case (see Figure 1 -11). Then remove any screws holding the side panel in place, as shown in Figure 1 -12, and slide the side panel to the front and then off the case. With the cover removed, you’re ready to look for some components. As you complete the following, you might want to refer to drawings and photos on the Internet for additional information on the specific components in your system: Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 21 1. Put on your ESD strap and connect the clip to the side of the computer case. 2. Identify and describe the following major components. List any other components you find inside the case. Fill in the following chart. For any drives you find installed, describe the type of interface used (for example, SATA or IDE ): Answers may vary. For example : Component Description —Include the Manufacturer and Model Name ( if Listed) as Well as its Distinguishing Characteristics Power supply Sentry 525W XPLUS power supply providing SATA, Molex, P1, PCIe, and 4 -pin and 8 -pin auxiliary connectors. Motherboard Asus Prime Z370 -P with Intel Z370 chipset. Two PCIe × 16 slots, 4 PCIe × 4 slots, 3 DIMM slots, ATX form factor Hard drive(s) One hard drive, SATA interface CD/DVD drive(s) Plextor DVD drive with SATA interface RAM Two 288 -pin DDR4 DIMMs with heat sinks Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 22 System fan (not inside the power supply) White fan installed on side of case with a Molex power connector Video card (if not integrated) MSI video card fits in a PCIe × 16 slot, and has one DVI video port and one 15 -pin VGA port Network card (if not integrated) The network adapter is integrated in the motherboard Sound card (if not integrated) The sound adapter is integrated in the motherboard [B HD] Review Questions 1. How did you decide which expansion card was the video card? Answer: This answer is dependent on student research and experience. The ports on the rear of an expansion card are generally used to identify the purpose of the card. 2. How did you identify the type of CPU you have? Answer: This answer is dependent on student research and experience. 3. Does your system have much room for addi ng new components? What types of expansion slots are available for adding new cards? Answer: This answer is dependent on student research and experience. Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 23 4. Is there space for upgrading the RAM? If there isn’t, what could you do instead to upgrade? Answer: Th is answer is dependent on student research and experience. An old smaller module can be replaced by a new module that holds more RAM. 5. Where (specifically) would you go on the Internet to download a PDF of the motherboard manual or system manual? What infor mation would you need to identify which manual to download ? Answer: Answers may vary but will most likely include the manufacture r’s website. The motherboard’s make and model number are required , although some systems can also be identified by a unique ser vice tag. [A HD] Lab 1.4 Identify Form Factors [B HD] Activity 1. Open your browser and go to your favorite search engine, such as google.com . 2. Use the Internet to research the main differences between ATX and micro ATX and list them here: Answers may vary. For example : • ATX boards are larger than microATX boards • ATX provides up to 7 slots and microdata has only 4 slots 3. Now explain the main differences between ATX and Mini -ITX (also known as ITX): Answers may vary. For example : Chapter 1, Lab Manual for A+ Guide to IT Tech Support (ISBN xxx -xxxxxxxxxx) 24 • ATX boards are larger than Mini -ITX boards • Mini -ITX boards use less power than ATX boards • Mini -ITX boards provide only 2 RAM slots 4. Each form factor comes in several si zes. How could you tell whether a system was regular ATX, microATX, or Mini -ITX? Answers may vary. For example , measure the exact size of the board: • ATX is 12 inches by 9.6 inches • Micro -ATX is 9.6 inches by 9.6 inches • Mini -ITX is 6.7 inches by 6.7 inches 5. Form factors are also available in various shapes. What slimline form factor is similar to but not compatible with ATX? Answers may vary. For example, NLX 6. Now turn the computer off and unplug the power cord. 7. Disconnect all peripherals and remove the case c over. 8. Examine the case, motherboard, and power supply. 9. What is the form factor of this system? Answers may vary. For example, ATX. 10. Close the case, reattach the peripherals, and test the system to make sure it boots without errors. [B HD] Review Questions