CompTIA Hardware Practice 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A technician needs to install additional RAM in a laptop that only has one SODIMM slot occupied. The existing module is DDR4-3200 8GB. Which action should the technician take to maximize compatibility?
- Install any DDR4 module regardless of speed
- Install an identical DDR4-3200 8GB module in the second slot (Correct answer)
- Replace the existing module with a single 32GB DDR5 module
- Install a DDR3 module since it fits the same slot
Correct answer: Install an identical DDR4-3200 8GB module in the second slot
Installing an identical module ensures dual-channel operation and full compatibility without risking speed mismatches.
Question 2: Which connector type is used to provide supplemental power to high-end PCIe graphics cards?
- SATA power connector
- Molex 4-pin connector
- PCIe 6-pin or 8-pin connector (Correct answer)
- EPS 12V connector
Correct answer: PCIe 6-pin or 8-pin connector
High-end GPUs require supplemental power via dedicated PCIe 6-pin or 8-pin connectors from the power supply.
Question 3: A user reports their PC powers on but displays nothing on the monitor. The GPU fan spins. What should the technician check first?
- Replace the monitor
- Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot (Correct answer)
- Update the BIOS firmware
- Replace the power supply
Correct answer: Reseat the GPU in the PCIe slot
Reseating the GPU resolves loose connection issues that cause no display output despite the card receiving power.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of thermal paste applied between a CPU and its heatsink?
- Electrically insulate the CPU from the heatsink
- Fill microscopic air gaps to improve thermal conductivity (Correct answer)
- Permanently bond the heatsink to the CPU
- Prevent electrostatic discharge
Correct answer: Fill microscopic air gaps to improve thermal conductivity
Thermal paste fills microscopic surface imperfections between the CPU and heatsink to maximize heat transfer efficiency.
Question 5: A technician is replacing a failed 2.5-inch SATA SSD in a desktop. The motherboard only has M.2 slots available. What is the best solution?
- Use a SATA to USB adapter externally
- Install an M.2 SATA SSD in one of the M.2 slots (Correct answer)
- The desktop cannot support any SSD without SATA ports
- Install a PCIe x1 card with SATA ports
Correct answer: Install an M.2 SATA SSD in one of the M.2 slots
M.2 SATA SSDs use the M.2 form factor but communicate over the SATA protocol, which is supported by M.2 slots with SATA keying.
Question 6: Which tool should a technician use to safely discharge static electricity before handling internal PC components?
- Rubber gloves
- Antistatic wrist strap connected to chassis ground (Correct answer)
- Cotton gloves
- Insulated screwdriver
Correct answer: Antistatic wrist strap connected to chassis ground
An antistatic wrist strap continuously drains static charge from the technician's body to ground, preventing ESD damage.
Question 7: A desktop PC fails to boot and emits a series of beep codes. What does the beep code system indicate?
- The operating system has a critical error
- POST hardware diagnostic codes indicating a specific failure (Correct answer)
- The CPU cooling fan has failed
- The CMOS battery needs replacement
Correct answer: POST hardware diagnostic codes indicating a specific failure
Beep codes are POST (Power-On Self-Test) audio diagnostics that signal specific hardware failures before video output is available.
CompTIA Hardware Practice 2
A technician needs to install additional RAM in a laptop that only has one SODIMM slot occupied.
The existing module is DDR4-3200 8GB.
Which action should the technician take to maximize compatibility?