GOOGLE IT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE

Course 1- Technical Support Fundamentals

Week 2: Hardware

Coursera Study Guide

TABLE OF CONTENT

In the second week of this course, we’ll learn about what’s inside a computer. We’ll learn all about the hardware components or different pieces inside a computer. We’ll discover what each component does and how they work together to make a computer function. By the end of this module, you will also know how to build a computer from scratch!

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the main components that make up a computer and how they work together.
  • Understand how the CPU takes instructions and executes them.
  • Describe how binary data physically travels throughout a computer.

PRACTICE QUIZ: THE MODERN COMPUTER:

1. Where does the CPU store its computations?

  • Binary
  • External Data Bus
  • Processor
  • Registers (Correct)

Correct! When the CPU does computation, it stores information in registers first.

2. Which mechanisms do we use to transport binary data and memory addresses? Check all that apply.

  • School Bus
  • DBus
  • The External Data Bus (Correct)
  • Address Bus (Correct)

You got it! The EDB is used to transport binary data and the Address Bus is used to transport memory addresses.

3. To extend the functionality of a computer, we can plug devices into connection points on it. What are these connection points known as?

  • Hardware
  • Ports (Correct)
  • Desktops
  • Mouse

Great job! Ports are used to plug devices into a computer.

PRACTICE QUIZ – COMPONENTS

1. What characteristics distinguish a Solid State Drive from a Hard Disk Drive? Check all that apply.

  • Non-moving parts (CORRECT)
  • High RPMs
  • Uses Disk Platters
  • Smaller form factor (CORRECT)

Correct: Right on! SSDs have non-moving parts, are a smaller form factor, and also utilize non-volatile memory.

2. True or false: If you plug in a 220v appliance into a 120v outlet, the appliance could get damaged.

  • TRUE (CORRECT)
  • FALSE

You got it! While plugging a 220v appliance into a 120v outlet won’t cause immediate harm to your appliance, it could still cause appliance deterioration.

3. How long will it take to transfer a file size of 1GB on a USB 2.0 and a USB 3.0 drive?

transfer_speed
Coursera: Transfer Speed
  • ~20 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -.02 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive
  • ~17 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -2 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive (CORRECT)
  • ~20 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -2 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive
  • ~17 seconds on a USB 2.0 drive; -.02 seconds on a USB 3.0 drive

Correct: Great job! Theoretically, USB 2.0 has a bandwidth of 480 Mb/s, which is roughly 60 MB/s. It would take around 17 seconds to transfer 1024 MB of data.

4. Which of these is used to charge devices? Check all that apply.

Coursera_Types_Of_USB_Ports
Coursera – Types of USB Ports
  • Picture of USB A.  (CORRECT)
  • Picture of Display Port.
  • Picture of USB C.  (CORRECT)
  • Picture of HDMI Port.

Correct: Well done, you! These are types of USB ports

5. True or false: If you turn off a machine that uses SDRAM, the data on the SDRAM will be wiped out.

  • True (CORRECT)
  • False

Correct: Yep! SDRAM is volatile and will wipe its data if it loses power.

PRACTICE QUIZ – STARTING IT UP

1. What is the difference between a ROM chip and a RAM chip? Check all that apply.

  • A ROM chip stores temporary data. A RAM chip stores permanent data.
  • A ROM chip is non-volatile and will keep its data in the case of a power failure. A RAM chip is volatile and will wipe its data in the case of a power failure. (CORRECT)
  • A ROM chip is volatile and will wipe its data in the case of a power failure. A RAM chip is non-volatile and will keep its data in the case of a power failure.
  • A ROM chip stores permanent data. A RAM chip stores temporary data. (CORRECT)

Correct! A ROM chip stores permanent data and will keep its data if there is a power failure. A RAM chip stores temporary data and will wipe its data in a power failure.

2. Which of these functions does the BIOS perform? Check all that apply.

  • POST (CORRECT)
  • Checks what devices are connected to the computer (CORRECT)
  • Installs drivers
  • Initializes hardware (CORRECT)

Excellent! The BIOS performs a POST to check what devices are connected to the computer. It also initializes hardware on boot.

3. Where are your BIOS settings stored?

  • RAM
  • Flash drive
  • Hard drive
  • CMOS chip (CORRECT)

Correct! Your BIOS settings are stored in the CMOS chip.

4. What is the difference between a traditional BIOS and UEFI? Check all that apply.

  • A traditional BIOS has better compatibility with newer hardware.
  • UEFI has become the default BIOS on new systems. (CORRECT)
  • UEFI is meant to become the new standard for BIOS. (CORRECT)
  • UEFI has better compatibility with newer hardware. (CORRECT)

Correct: You got it! UEFI is the new standard for BIOS. It has become the default BIOS on new systems and it has better compatibility with newer hardware.

5. True or false: Before you work on the physical components of your machine, you should ground yourself to prevent electrostatic discharge.

  • True (CORRECT)
  • False

Great job! Even the slightest bit of electricity can cause damage to delicate computer components, so you should always make sure to ground yourself.

GRADED QUIZ: ASSEMBLE A COMPUTER

1. You will assemble a computer virtually by drag-and-dropping the components to the corresponding blue sections.

In the CPU section, you will need to place the items in the correct order from bottom to top. What this means is that you will place the component on the screen in the order that you would put them into the physical computer first.

Click the “Check” button to check your answers. Correct placements will be outlined in green, and incorrect placements will be outlined in red. If you’ve made a mistake, edit your placements or reset all placements by clicking the button with the arrow and try again. When you’re done, click the “Submit” button for a grade.

Assemble_a_Computer
Coursera – Assemble a Computer
Assembled_Computer
Coursera – Assembled Computer

Congratulations, you are correct!