A+ Practical Applications Solution Key Module 1 Assignment: Introducing Microsoft Windows - answer the following questions: 1. What attributes are available in the NTFS file system that are not available in FAT and FAT32? 2. Is it possible to upgrade a Windows XP Professional operating system to Windows 7 Professional 64bit? 3. What are two important tasks accomplished with Performance Monitor? 4. Which Control Panel Utilities are unique to Windows 7? 1. What attributes are available in the NTFS file system that are not available in FAT and FAT32? systems are supported by Encryption and Compression 2. Is it possible to upgrade a Windows XP Professional operating system to Windows 7 Professional 64bit? No At a minimum a computer must be running Windows Vista to be able to upgrade to Windows 7. ( HOWEVER, If Windows XP is first upgraded to Windows Vista it may then be able to be upgrades to Window 7) 3. What are two important tasks accomplished with Performance Monitor? You can use Performance Monitor as a general troubleshooting tool as well as a security troubleshooting tool 4. Which Control Panel Utilities are unique to Windows 7? Action Center, HomeGroup, RemoteApp, and Desktop Connections, and Troubleshooting.
Module 1 Discussion You have been asked to upgrade 25 workstation computers at the local Library. Currently the workstations are running Windows XP Professional. The Library would like to upgrade to Windows 7. The 25 Workstations are broken into 3 groups of hardware specifications: Group 1(15PCs) 500 MHZ Intel Processor / 256 MB Memory / 60GB Hard Drives Group 2(5 PCs) 1 GHZ Intel Processor / 512 GB Memory / 120GB Hard Drives Group 3(5PCs) 4GHZ AMD Processors / 4GB Memory / 120 GB Hard Drives Which Hardware upgrades, if any, would you recommend? Why? Group 1 - Processors and Memory need to be upgraded to support the minimum specifications of Windows 7 which are 1 GHZ Processor / 1GB Memory for 32bit installation or 2GB Memory for 64bit installation. Group 2 - Memory needs to be upgraded to support the minimum specifications of Windows 7 which are 1 GHZ Processor / 1GB Memory for 32bit installation or 2GB Memory for 64bit installation. Group 3 No upgrades necessary as AMD processors support Windows 7 Module 2 Assignment: Installing and Configuring Windows - Answer the following questions: 5. What are the potential problems when moving from a 32-bit operating system to a 64-bit operating system? How does the Upgrade Advisor help to alleviate these problems? 6. You have an existing Windows XP computer that you want to upgrade to Windows 7. What tasks should you perform prior to starting the upgrade? 7. Which attributes meet minimum password complexity requirements in Windows 7? 8. What is the purpose of Windows Defender and how is it launched?
1. What are the potential problems when moving from a 32-bit operating system to a 64-bit operating system? How does the Upgrade Advisor help to alleviate these problems? You must have a 64-bit processor to run a 64-bit operating system. A 64-bit operating system requires 64-bit drivers. For this reason, older hardware (that has only 32-bit drivers available) will not work on a 64-bit operating system The Upgrade Advisor will determine whether a system can be upgraded. The Upgrade Advisor scans a system and verifies that hardware is compatible with the new version. 2. You have an existing Windows XP computer that you want to upgrade to Windows 7. What tasks should you perform prior to starting the upgrade? You can typically only perform an in-place upgrade to the next higher version of Windows. For example, you can do an in-place upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista, but you must do a clean install to move from Windows XP to Windows 7. You cannot do an in-place upgrade from a 32-bit operating system to a 64-bit operating system (or vice versa). 3. Which attributes meet minimum password complexity requirements in Windows 7? The password must include at least three of the following: uppercase characters, lowercase characters, numerical characters, nonalphanumeric characters, Unicode characters. 1. What is the purpose of Windows Defender and how is it launched? Windows Defender can identify spyware. To launch Windows Defender press Start > Control Panel > Windows Defender Module 3 Assignment: Optimizing Windows - Answer the following questions: 9. Which Windows System Configuration Tool allows you to view services installed on a system and their current status? How do you start this tool? 10. What are two key functions of the Windows Performance Tool? How do you access this tool? 11. What is the difference between basic and dynamic disks? What advantages do dynamic disks provide? 12. How would you increase the amount of dedicated processor time to an important application?
1. Which Windows System Configuration Tool allows you to view services installed on a system and their current status? The MSCONFIG Tool 2. What are two key functions of the Windows Performance Tool? How do you access this tool? The performance Tool allows you to adjust Virtual Memory and Processor Time Allocation. The Performance Tool is accessed on the ADVANCED tab of the System Control Applet. 3. What is the difference between basic and dynamic disks? What advantages do dynamic disks provide? Basic partitions are a fixed size and are always on a single physical disk. Dynamic partitions can increase in size (without reformatting) and can span multiple physical disks. 4. How would you increase the amount of dedicated processor time to an important application? Open the Task Manager and select Processes. Locate the desired application and changed its priority to Above Normal, High, or Real Time. Module 3 Discussion You have a computer running Windows XP that you want to upgrade to Windows 7. You want to make sure that all of your user settings and data are present after the upgrade. Which USMT tool would you run to save your user settings? When during the installation process should you run it? On Windows XP, run the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. To transfer files from the old computer to the new computer: Connect both computers using an Easy Transfer Cable (a special USB cable). Transfer files using a network connection between the computers. Save files to a removable disk or to CD/DVD and then load them on the new computer.
Use the User State Migration Tool (USMT) for large-scale migrations, to migrate data to multiple computers, or to have greater control over the migration. Run the transfer utility before performing the installation and save the resulting files to removable media or a network location. Following the installation, run the transfer utility to copy the data into the new installation. Module 4 Assignment: Managing Windows - Answer the following questions: 13. What is the purpose of a Home Group in Windows 7? 14. What are the 5 areas available for troubleshooting in the Troubleshooting Applet? 15. What is a Restore Point? How is a Restore Point created? 16. After encountering a problem with DHCP through your Internet Provider you are no longer able to connect to the Internet. How can you cause your system to request a new IP Address? 1. What is the purpose of a Home Group in Windows 7? The purpose of a Home Group is to simplify home networking and, more specifically, the sharing of files and printers. 2. What are the 5 areas available for troubleshooting in the Troubleshooting Applet? Programs, Hardware and Sound, Network and Internet, Appearance and Personalization, and System and Security 3. What is a Restore Point? How is a Restore Point created? A restore Point allows you to restore the system to a previous point in time. This feature is accessed from Start >All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore and can be used to roll back as well as to create a restore point. Windows XP, you could also choose to create a restore point manually from here. With Windows 7 and Vista, you can no longer create a restore point manually from here; you must use the System Protection tab of System Properties. 4. After encountering a problem with DHCP through your Internet Provider you are no longer able to connect to the Internet. How can you cause your system to
request a new IP Address? Open a command prompt window and use the commands IPCONFIG /RELEASE then IPCONFIG /RENEW. Module 5 Assignment: Security and Data Disposal - Answer the following questions: 17. What is the difference between Spyware and other types of Malware? 18. What features are integral to a strong password? 19. Why is Standard Formatting insufficient for the destruction of data on hard drives? 20. How does disabling SSID Broadcast improve wireless network security? 1. What is the difference between Spyware and other types of Malware? Spyware usually acts on behalf of a third party. Rather than self-replicating, like viruses and worms, spyware is spread to machines by users who inadvertently ask for it. The users often don't know they have asked for it, but have done so by downloading other programs, visiting infected sites, and so on. 2. What features are integral to a strong password? Minimum password length, upper and lower case letters, non-alphabetic characters. 3. Why is Standard Formatting insufficient for the destruction of data on hard drives? A standard format, accomplished using the operating system's FORMAT utility (or similar), can mark space occupied by files as available for new files without truly deleting what was there. 4. How does disabling SSID Broadcast improve wireless network security? It prevents those who are looking at a list of available networks from finding it Module 5 Discussion Describe and discuss a Social Engineering security threat and methods to prevent them. Social engineering is a process in which an attacker attempts to acquire information about your network and system by social means, such as talking to people in the organization. A social engineering attack may occur over the phone, by email, or in person. The intent is to acquire access information, such as user IDs and
passwords. The best defense against any social engineering attack is education. Make certain the employees of your company would know how to react to different social engineering threats. Module 6 Assignment: Mobile Devices - Answer the following questions: 21. Describe the difference between the Android OS and the Apple OS for mobile devices. 22. How do you synchronize data between a mobile device and desktop PC or notebook computer? 23. What security options do you have if your mobile device is lost or stolen? 24. What are the Backup options for Android devices? 1. Describe the difference between the Android OS and the Apple OS for mobile devices. Google offers the Android operating system to the mobile community under an open-source license. Apple keeps its ios closed source and manages all development and marketing of the operating system. 2. How do you synchronize data between a mobile device and desktop PC or notebook computer? Common connections include over USB or FireWire, across WiFi, and over a Bluetooth connection. The most common types of data to be synchronized by all such utilities: Contacts, Apps, Email, Photos, Music, and Videos. 3. What security options do you have if your mobile Apple device is lost or stolen? Enable Remote Wipe to delete all data, Remote Lock, and Locate 4. What are the Backup options for Android devices? There are several apps that allow backup to internet servers. Module 7 Assignment: System Troubleshooting - Answer the following questions: 25. What symptoms can result from Memory errors? What is one method to determine if the trouble is caused by the RAM or by an application? 26. How can the POST be used as a troubleshooting aid? 27. What are the primary causes of a PC overheating? 28. Motherboard failure is normally attributed to what? What can a PC Technician do to repair a Motherboard?
1. What symptoms can result from Memory errors? What is one method to determine if the trouble is caused by the RAM or by an application? Memory problems can cause system lockups, unexpected shutdowns or reboots, applications to fail and produce error messages or general protection faults (GPFs), or a fatal error in Windows (Blue Screen of Death) If you do get an error message related to memory, be sure to write down the memory address if the error gives you one. If the error happens again, write down the memory address again. If it's the same or a similar address, then it's very possible that the physical memory is failing. You can also use one of several hardware- or software-based RAM testers to see if your memory is working properly. 2. How can the POST be used as a troubleshooting aid? Listen for a beep code. This is a series of beeps from the computer's speaker. A successful POST generally produces a single beep. If there's more than one beep, the number, duration, and pattern of the beeps can sometimes tell you what component is causing the problem. Beep codes differ depending on the BIOS manufacturer and version 3. What are the primary causes of a PC overheating? Missing or inoperative fans, missing expansion slot covers, dust buildup, Case covers removed. 4. Motherboard failure is normally attributed to what? What can a PC Technician do to repair a Motherboard? Physical trauma, exposure to electrostatic discharge (ESD), or short-circuiting. Most technicians can't repair motherboard damage; the motherboard must be replaced Module 7 Discussion Your friend is an avid PC enthusiast and insists that Overclocking the CPU is the best way to improve system performance. Do you agree or disagree? Why? One way to ensure that your processor dies quickly is to overclock it. Over-clocking is running the processor faster than it was designed to run. While it may work in the short run, it's never a good idea to do this! Module 8 Assignment: General Troubleshooting - Answer the following questions: 29. What normally is the cause of poor print quality normally on Ink Jet Printers? How can this be prevented? 30. List the Windows Boot Files in their proper order. 31. How would you troubleshoot a system with spontaneous shutdowns and restarts? 32. How do you install the Recovery Console for a Windows XP Operating System?
1. How is poor print quality normally repaired on Ink Jet Printers? Most commonly the ink dries up in the print head which requires replacement. This can be prevented by using the printer at least once per week. 2. List the Windows Boot Files in their proper order. NTLDR/BOOTMGR BOOT.INI NTDETECT.COM NTBOOTDD.SYS NTOSKRNL.EXE NTBTLOG.TXT 3. How would you troubleshoot a system with spontaneous shutdowns and restarts caused by software or device drivers? Boot the system into Safe Mode and see if the problem continues. If the problem does not occur while in Safe Mode, then boot normally and begin testing what occurs as you eliminate drivers/devices one by one (sound, video, etc.) until you find the culprit. 4. How do you install the Recovery Console for a Windows XP Operating System? The Recovery Console isn't installed on a system by default. To install it, use the following steps: 1 Place the Windows CD in the system. 2. From a command prompt, change to the i386 directory of the CD. 3. Type winnt32 /cmdcons. 4. A prompt appears, alerting you to the fact that 7MB of hard drive space is required and asking if you want to continue. Click Yes.