1.1 – Laptop Hardware

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Questions and Answers

What are the two main components required for biometric authentication on a laptop?

Hardware and biometric analysis

Software and hardware (correct)

Software and biometric data storage

Network connection and camera

Which biometric method does Windows Hello utilize for face recognition?

Voice recognition

Facial recognition using a camera (correct)

Retinal scanning

Iris scanning

What is a common use case for NFC technology in laptop authentication?

Establishing a VPN connection

Authenticating without physical contact (correct)

Transferring files between devices

Creating a wireless network

What advantage do biometrics like fingerprint or facial recognition offer compared to traditional passwords?

They cannot be stolen or duplicated easily Signup and view all the answers

In multi-factor authentication, what is an additional method a user might combine with biometric authentication?

Typing a password Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the fingerprint sensor on a laptop?

To recognize and authenticate the user's fingerprint Signup and view all the answers

How does NFC authentication benefit users in environments like hospitals or warehouses?

It allows quick authentication without touch Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of modern laptops enhances security when gaining access to the operating system?

Implementation of biometric recognition Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced when repairing laptops?

Laptops have complex designs specific to their form factor. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes the use of batteries in laptops?

Lithium-ion batteries do not exhibit a memory effect. Signup and view all the answers

What should you consider when purchasing a replacement battery for a laptop?

The specific make and model of the laptop. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a lithium-ion battery's capacity over time with regular charging?

It diminishes slightly with each charge cycle. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of laptop manufacturers do technicians often focus on?

The ease of repair for specific brands. Signup and view all the answers

What feature about modern laptop batteries is designed to improve their usability?

Batteries can be easily disconnected and replaced. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it necessary to consult service information provided by manufacturers?

To understand the repair steps for specific components. Signup and view all the answers

What is one characteristic of most lithium-ion batteries used in laptops?

They are designed to be fully charged and rechargeable without major issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the ribbon cable connected to a laptop keyboard?

To connect the keyboard to the laptop's motherboard Signup and view all the answers

What is a common challenge faced with smaller laptops regarding keyboards?

Limited space requires layout adjustments Signup and view all the answers

How can users access secondary functions on function keys in laptops?

By holding down the Function key and pressing the appropriate function key Signup and view all the answers

What is a key consideration when replacing keycaps on a laptop keyboard?

Care must be taken to avoid breaking the fragile keycap Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory module is commonly used in laptops for upgrades?

SO-DIMM Signup and view all the answers

What is one downside of laptops that have memory soldered to the motherboard?

Memory cannot be easily changed or upgraded Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of solid state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard drives?

Greater speed for reading and writing data Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of using an M.2 interface for storage in laptops?

It allows for more compact storage solutions Signup and view all the answers

What type of storage device do older laptops typically use?

Magnetic disks or hard drives Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of upgrading from a spinning hard drive to an SSD?

Dramatic improvement in performance Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when a laptop's keyboard is used intensively?

Keycaps or components may become damaged Signup and view all the answers

What size is the form factor of traditional hard drives commonly used in laptops?

2.5 inches Signup and view all the answers

What is the easiest way to remove an M.2 SSD from a laptop?

Slide it out after removing a single screw Signup and view all the answers

When upgrading a hard drive to an SSD, what does this generally improve?

Performance related to data access speeds Signup and view all the answers

Which method simplifies the migration from a hard drive to an SSD?

Creating a clone or image of the hard drive Signup and view all the answers

Why might a laptop with an external keyboard be preferred in certain situations?

To avoid damage to the integrated keyboard Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interface allows for easy addition of wireless connectivity in older laptops?

Mini PCI or Mini PCI Express interfaces Signup and view all the answers

What may be required to perform a drive-to-drive image transfer?

Two systems running simultaneously Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential feature of newer laptops regarding wireless functionality?

Built-in wireless functionality on the system board Signup and view all the answers

What do you need to do to gain access to storage bays in most laptops?

Open the entire back of the laptop or a single cover Signup and view all the answers

Why might some organizations choose to create a single image file for multiple systems?

To reduce redundancy and save storage space Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of modular wireless cards in laptops?

They slide into slots and connect via antenna wires Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of migrating data by manually moving files to a new SSD?

Can be time-consuming due to the additional OS installation Signup and view all the answers

What feature can be found on a laptop to facilitate wireless local area network access?

Wireless Mini PCI Express card Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about adding a new SSD inside a laptop with an M.2 connection?

Needs only a single screw for attachment Signup and view all the answers

What does a complete drive image migration provide?

All user data, applications, and settings Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Laptop Troubleshooting and Component Upgrades

Laptop repairs can be challenging due to the unique form factors of different manufacturers' devices.
Familiarity with specific laptop brands and models is advantageous. Manufacturers often provide service manuals for component replacements.
Laptop batteries are often modular, allowing easy replacement without dismantling the laptop. Lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries are commonly used. Each charge cycle slightly reduces battery capacity.
Battery capacity degrades over time, requiring periodic replacement. Batteries are specific to make and model.
Keyboard is a primary input device, usually easily replaceable; a ribbon cable connects to the motherboard. External keyboards are an option if internal ones fail. Small form factor laptops often use compact layouts and function keys to fit more keys on smaller spaces.
Function keys can have secondary (helper) functions. These are typically accessed using the Fn key in tandem with the function key.
Keycaps are fragile and susceptible to damage; follow manufacturer instructions when replacing them.
Memory upgrades: SO-DIMM (small outline dual in-line memory module) is a common form factor. Slots are usually located on the laptop's underside. Some laptops have memory soldered to the motherboard, making upgrades impossible.
Storage upgrades: Older laptops may use 2.5" hard drives. Newer laptops often utilize solid state drives (SSDs). SSDs are solid state with no moving parts, offering faster read and write speeds and easy upgrades over SATA hard drives, using the same form factor connections.
M.2 SSD interface offers additional smaller storage using a modular plug-in style. Drives are smaller and offer high-speed data transfer and increased storage capacity. Drive replacement is often modular or requires opening the laptop's back panel as needed; screws, SATA and M.2 connections are utilized to perform storage upgrades.

Operating System Migration to SSD

Migrating from a hard drive to an SSD is common for performance improvements. This is used to improve system performance.
Operating system installation on the SSD or cloning the existing hard drive content onto SSD are methods of migration.
- Installing the OS on the SSD requires time-intensive manual copying of data and applications.
- Cloning creates a bit-by-bit copy of the HDD onto the SSD.
Cloning or imaging software is required, available from manufacturers and other sources. Applications may be used to maintain multiple image systems for redundancy. A hard-drive to hard-drive image copy would need two devices to operate simultaneously, or an operating system capable of running multiple drives.

Wireless Connectivity and Authentication

Wireless standards (802.11 and Bluetooth) are frequently integrated into the motherboard.
Older laptops have mini PCI/Express slots for add-on wireless cards; providing extra wireless functionality. These ports are user-replaceable.
Mini PCI/Express card connectivity provides increased wireless access such as 802.11(WiFi), Bluetooth, and/or cellular access.
Newer laptops use biometrics, such as fingerprint or facial recognition, for security.
Windows Hello Face/Fingerprint recognition provides security features to identify personnel. Users may combine passwords and biometrics for security.
NFC (near-field communication) is integrated in many laptops allowing data transfer and authentication without physical interaction (e.g., mobile device authentication).

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Description

Test your knowledge on laptop repairs and component upgrades. This quiz covers essential topics like battery replacement, keyboard functionality, and brand-specific manuals. Improve your troubleshooting skills by understanding the unique aspects of various laptop models.