Home > Articles

This chapter is from the book

Apply Your Knowledge

Review Questions

  1. What functions are performed by the external power supply of a portable computer system?

    1. Convert commercial AC voltage into DC voltage for system usage and battery charging.

    2. Convert commercial DC voltage into AC voltage for system usage and battery charging.

    3. Store commercial power to recharge the battery.

    4. Increase the voltage of commercial power for the computer.

  2. Why would a notebook computer show only 64MB of RAM after you have just upgraded the system to 256MB of RAM?

    1. The operating system's memory allocation was improper.

    2. CMOS needs to be configured.

    3. BIOS needs upgrading.

    4. The memory type is incorrect.

  3. What is the most common repair for a failed LCD monitor?

    1. Demagnetize the LCD screen.

    2. Replace the signal cable.

    3. Replace the LCD panel.

    4. Replace the computer.

  4. _________ is a redefined and enhanced 32-bit version of the PC Card standard whose main purpose is to extend the PCMCIA bus to higher speeds with more powerful devices, and to provide support of 32-bit I/O and memory data paths.

    1. Cardbus

    2. Rambus

    3. Pc-bus

    4. IEEE bus

  5. In a portable computer system, the operating system must support the PCMCIA slots at two levels. What are they?

    1. At the socket level (universal support for all PCMCIA devices)

    2. At the card level (specific drivers to handle the function of the particular card installed)

    3. At the device manager level (a Device Manager version with support for PC Cards)

    4. At the BIOS level (built-in BIOS support for PC Cards)

  6. In a portable PC that has PCMCIA slots, the ______ portion of the operating system's socket services delivers the correct device driver for an installed PC Card when it is hot-swapped into the system.

    1. card services

    2. autodetect

    3. driver bank

    4. Universal PnP

  7. Which of the following options is not a legitimate way in which the Card Services utility in a Windows 2000–based portable PC delivers the proper drivers to the PCMCIA card hot-swapped into the system?

    1. The Windows 2000 PC Card Wizard starts up to guide the user through the driver installation process.

    2. The operating system recognizes the card and has its driver but needs to reboot the operating system for the driver to be loaded.

    3. The operating system does not recognize the card and requires that an external driver be loaded.

    4. The operating system immediately recognizes the card and installs the driver without restarting.

  8. At different times when you are traveling, you need to prevent the PC Card driver from being loaded. To turn off support for a PC Card in a Windows 9x machine, you must __________.

    1. access the Device Manager tab and expand the PC Card slot node. Then double-click the PC Card controller, and in the Device usage area, check the Disable in This Hardware Profile check box.

    2. access the Add/Remove Hardware Wizard through the Control Panel, double-click the PC Card controller option, and check the Disable in This Hardware Profile check box.

    3. access the Add/Remove Programs Wizard through the Control Panel, select the PC Card controller option, and check the Disable in This Hardware Profile check box.

    4. access the System node in the MMC, select the PC Card controller option, and click the Disable in This Hardware Profile entry.

  9. To install the PC Card Wizard on a Windows 9x system, you must __________.

    1. select Start, Settings, Control Panel and access the Add/Remove Programs applet. Click the Windows Setup tab, select a category, and then click on the Details tab. Then simply click on the PC Card component listed in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box.

    2. select Start, Settings, Control Panel and access the Device Manager in the System applet. Right-click on the PCMCIA node and select the desired PC Card component listed in the dialog box.

    3. select Start, Settings, Control Panel and access the Add New Hardware applet. When the Add New Hardware Wizard starts, select the Details tab. Then simply click on the PC Card component listed in the dialog box.

    4. select Start, Programs, Accessories and access the Administrative Tools applet. Select the Computer Management option and click on the System node in the MMC. Then simply click on the PC Card component in the list on the right side of the screen.

  10. Before you remove a PC Card device from a PCMCIA slot in a working computer, you should ___________.

    1. click on the PC Card status indicator on the taskbar and then select the option to stop the operation of the PC Card you want to remove.

    2. open the Device Manager and click on the PC Card node. Then select the option to disable the PC Card you want to remove.

    3. access the Add New Hardware applet in the Control Panel and start the Add New Hardware Wizard. When the wizard starts, select the option to disable the PC Card device. Then remove the card from the system.

    4. do nothing. PCMCIA devices are hot swappable and can be removed from the system at any time.

  11. Which of the following steps are required to set up wireless networking on a portable PC? (Select all that apply.)

    1. Insert the wireless PC Card adapter in a vacant PCMCIA slot.

    2. Load the OEM drivers for the PC Card adapter into the system.

    3. Connect the access point's signal cable to the notebook.

    4. Load PC Card socket services enablers in the operating system.

  12. What is the maximum distance that an 802.11b rated wireless network card should be located away from its designated access point?

    1. Less than 500 feet

    2. Less than 110 feet

    3. 1 mile

    4. Up to 5 miles

  13. You are trying to determine the best place to locate your desk in a large, open office area. You communicate with the office network through a wireless 802.11b PC Card adapter in your notebook computer. Three different access points are positioned more or less equally around the periphery of the office. What is the easiest way to determine where to put your desk?

    1. Use the power meter in the wireless device's configuration program to view the relative signal strength as you move your portable around the office. Put the desk in the area of the room where the meter shows the highest signal strength.

    2. Use the power meter in the wireless device's configuration program to view the relative signal strengths of the different access points and then place your desk near the strongest one.

    3. Use the power meter in the wireless device's configuration program to view the relative signal strengths of the different access points and then configure your notebook card to communicate with the strongest one. You can put the desk anywhere in the office you like.

    4. Obtain a handheld power meter to take high-quality samples of the signal strengths produced by the different access points and then configure your wireless card to communicate with the AP that has the highest signal strength. Then place the desk in the area where that AP is strongest.

Answers and Explanations

  1. A. Portable power supplies, also referred to as AC adapters, convert commercial AC voltage into a single DC voltage that the computer can use to power its components and recharge its batteries.

  2. D. If the type of RAM device being installed is not one of the recommended types, the PC may not be able to recognize the new memory. If the new RAM is being added to expand the existing banks of memory, the system may not recognize this additional RAM. The problem will show up in the form of a short memory count during the POST routines.

  3. C. When an LCD panel fails the most common repair is to replace the entire display panel/housing assembly.

  4. A. Cardbus is a redefined and enhanced 32-bit version of the PC Card standard. The main purpose of this new specification is to extend the PCMCIA bus to higher speeds with more powerful devices, and to provide support for 32-bit I/O and memory data paths.

  5. A, B. The operating system must support the PCMCIA slots at two levels: at the socket level (universal support for all PCMCIA devices) and at the card level (specific drivers to handle the function of the particular card installed).

  6. A. Because PCMCIA cards are hot swappable, the operating system's socket service must update the system when a new card is installed or an existing card is removed. If it does not, the system loses track of its actual resources. The card service portion delivers the correct device driver for the installed PC Card (that is, when a PC Card modem is removed and replaced with a LAN card, the operating system must automatically update its capability of controlling and using the new card).

  7. A. Windows 2000 does not supply a PC Card Installation Wizard.

  8. A. To stop a PC Card driver from being loaded, turn off support for a PC Card. Access the Device Manager tab and expand the PC Card slot node. Then double-click the PC Card controller, and in the Device usage area, check the Disable in This Hardware Profile check box.

  9. A. To install the PC Card Wizard on a Windows 9x system, you must select Start, Settings, Control Panel and access the Add/Remove Programs applet. Click the Windows Setup tab, select a category, and then click on the Details tab. If you don't see the component listed in the Add/Remove Programs dialog box, it might be one that is present only on the Windows 9x distribution CD.

  10. A. The proper procedure for removing a PC Card from the computer begins with clicking on the PC Card status indicator on the taskbar. Then select the command to stop the operation of the PC Card you want to remove. When the operating system prompts you, physically remove the PC Card from the system.

  11. A, B. The installation process for a PC Card wireless network adapter involves inserting the wireless card in the PCMCIA slot and loading the OEM drivers from the manufacturer's CD. The wireless PC Card adapter should be auto-detected by the system.

  12. A. Type 802.11b cards have a limited range of operation (that is, about 500 feet). This estimation relies on a clear line-of-sight pathway existing between the card and the access point. The signals used under this wireless specification do not travel well through objects.

  13. A. Many wireless configuration applications include a built-in power meter program that shows the relative signal strength being received from the access point. When you're positioning a computer that has a wireless network card, you should use this tool to maximize the location of the computer. Likewise, if you are operating in a multiple-access-point environment, you can use this tool to identify the best access point to use in a given location.

Challenge Solutions

  1. You can temporarily disable the unused PC Card adapters by making sure that the Enable Infrared Communication check box is checked. To turn off infrared communications, make sure this item is not checked. When infrared communication has been turned off, the Search for Devices Within Range and Enable Plug and Play options are also turned off. To engage support for infrared Plug-and-Play devices, right-click the Infrared icon on the taskbar.

  2. Make sure that the Enable Plug and Play option is checked. Conversely, to turn off support for Plug-and-Play device installation, make sure this item is not checked. It is available only if the infrared and searching functions are enabled. If the Taskbar icon is not visible, click on the Related Topics option.

Suggested Readings and Resources

  1. Portable Computer Components

  2. http://www.pctechguide.com/25mob2.htm

  3. Notebook Computer

  4. http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/n/notebook_computer.html

  5. Docking Station

  6. http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/d/docking_station.html

  7. Liquid Crystal Display

  8. http://webopedia.internet.com/TERM/L/LCD.html

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020