1.1 Given a scenario, install & configure laptop hardware & components Flashcards
What do universal AC adapters mean?
(AC adapters with auto-switching)
Can operate from 110-240 VAC at frequencies of 50/60Hz
Not all AC adapters are universal
VAC: Voltage of Alternating Current.
Hz: Frequency of Alternating Current.
What happens if you plug a 220-240V adapter into a 110-120V supply?
adapter = the brick itself (charger)
supply = power source which the adapter draws power (i.e. wall outlet)
Laptop wont work
What happens if you plug a 110-120V adapter into a 220-240V supply?
adapter = the brick itself (charger)
supply = power source which the adapter draws power (i.e. wall outlet)
Laptop wont work and adapter may be damaged
What kind of batteries do laptops use?
Lithium ion batters
What cell versions are Li-ion batteries typically available in?
6-, 9-, or 12-cell versions
More cells provide for a longer charge
What is trickle charging?
Charging a battery at a low rate continuously
What do power management drivers in laptops do?
Optimizes charging & prevent battery damage from excessive trickle charging
When is Li-ion battery life affected?
By being fully drained of charge & by being held continually at 100% charge
When do laptops with balanced charging stop trickle charging?
80%
After 80% capacity, laptop charging slows to protect battery life
What are Li-ion batteries sensitive to?
Heat
What should you do when storing a Li-ion battery?
Reduce charge to 40% & store at below 20°C (68°F)
How long are Li-ion batteries usable for?
Before needing to be replaced
2-3 years
3 memory module form factors used by laptops?
- SODIMM
- Mini-DIMM
- Micro-DIMM
Mini-DIMM & Micro-DIMM are used on some ultraportable laptop models.
Do DIMM/SODIMMs accept any type of DDR?
No
i.e. you can’t install a DDR4 SODIMM in a DDR3 slot. The slots are keyed to prevent incompatible modules from being installed
Meaning of SODIMM?
Small Outline DIMM
What memory module form factor is main used for laptops?
SODIMM
3 types of form factors adapter cards use?
i.e. adapters for modems, wireless cards, & SSD storage
- Mini-PCIe
- mSATA
- M.2
What do wireles adapter cards typically provide a combination of?
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, &/or cellular data connectivity
What do you need to do when upgrading a wireless adapter?
Re-connect the antenna wires or install a new antenna
What may need to do when installing a wireless adapter card with GSM or LTE cellullar functionality?
Insert SIM card
Some cellular adapter cards may have eSIM instead
How are antenna wires usually routed in a laptop?
Around the screen in the laptop’s lid
The antenna conections can be fiddly to connect & are quite delicate, so take care
What does migrating data mean?
Using backup software to clone/image a drive & store it on USB media
Its installed on external media so that when the new drive is installed, the system image can be restored on it
Alternative to storing an image to a USB drive to migrate data?
Externally connect the old drive using a disk enclosure
You can then migrate the image directly to the new drive before removing the old drive & installing a new one.
2 form factors laptop HDDs use?
- 2.5”
- 1.8”
What interface do most HDDs use?
SATA
What interface do 1.8” HDDs use?
Micro SATA (μSATA or uSATA)
3 connectors SSDs may use?
- SATA
- mSATA
- M.2
What bus does mSATA use?
SATA bus
Most popular M.2 SSD length?
2280
How are laptop keyboards & touchpads connected to the MOBO?
MOBO = Motherboard
Via Flat ribbon cable
What do biometric sensors allow users to do?
Template a unique bodily feature
How are biometric sensors typically implemented in laptops?
As a fingerprint scanner
Though the camera can also be used to make facial scans or to scan an iris eye pattern
