CompTIA A+ Core 1 Flashcards - Display, Print Devices, Mobile Devices, System Hardware, and Troubleshooting

Vocabulary-style study flashcards for CompTIA A+ Core 1 preparation covering mobile devices, hardware components, printer technologies, and systematic troubleshooting methodology.

CompTIA Troubleshooting Methodology

A 6-step framework consisting of: 1) Identify the problem, 2) Establish a theory of probable cause, 3) Test the theory, 4) Establish a plan of action and implement the solution, 5) Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures, and 6) Document findings, actions, and outcomes.

Real-Time Clock (RTC) Battery

A motherboard coin-cell lithium battery (typically CR2032) that powers the RTC chip to maintain accurate system date and time settings when the computer is powered off.

Capacitor Swelling

A physical symptom of motherboard damage where barrel-like electronic components bulge, emit residue, or appear scorched due to excessive electrical stress or failure.

Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)

A small physical card storing subscriber identity, carrier configuration, and network credentials used to connect a mobile device to a cellular network.

Embedded SIM (eSIM)

A programmable digital version of a SIM chip built directly into a mobile device's circuit board.

Global Positioning System (GPS)

A geolocation technology that uses satellite signals to calculate a mobile device's precise outdoor latitude and longitude.

Indoor Positioning System (IPS)

A location technology that triangulates a mobile device's position indoors using local Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth beacons, or indoor radio sources where GPS signals are unavailable.

Port Replicator

A peripheral device that expands a laptop's physical connectivity by providing extra ports through a single cable connection.

Docking Station

A station that connects a laptop to desktop peripherals, power, and external displays, effectively converting the portable device into a full desktop workstation setup.

Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

A suite of software tools (including Mobile Device Management) used by IT organizations to secure, enforce policies on, and manage mobile hardware, apps, and corporate data.

SODIMM (Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module)

A smaller, compact RAM module form factor designed specifically for installation in laptops, mini-PCs, and small form factor systems.

Digitizer

A glass display layer on touchscreen devices that converts analog touch interactions from fingers or a stylus into digital signals interpreted by the operating system.

Advanced Technology eXtended (ATX)

The standard PC motherboard form factor measuring $12 \times 9.6$ inches, featuring multiple expansion slots and widespread case compatibility.

Mini-ITX

A compact motherboard form factor measuring $6.7 \times 6.7$ inches, typically designed for small form factor PCs and mini servers.

PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express)

A high-speed expansion bus standard that uses serial point-to-point links divided into dedicated data lanes (such as x1, x4, x8, or x16).

Dynamic RAM (DRAM)

System memory that stores data in bit cells using capacitors, requiring continuous electrical refresh cycles to prevent data loss.

Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM)

A type of memory that doubles data transfer speed by transmitting data on both the rising and falling edges of the system clock signal.

ECC RAM (Error Correction Code RAM)

Specialized system memory that detects and corrects single-bit memory errors in real time, preventing data corruption and crashes in enterprise servers.

Flex Mode

A motherboard memory architecture feature that allows multi-channel operation on matched memory capacities while running any extra unmatched memory capacity in single-channel mode.

RAID 0 (Striping)

A storage drive configuration that spreads data blocks across multiple drives for enhanced read/write speed, offering zero redundancy or fault tolerance.

RAID 1 (Mirroring)

A storage configuration that writes identical copies of data across two drives, protecting against single-drive hardware failure.

RAID 5

A drive configuration utilizing data striping with distributed parity across a minimum of three drives, allowing full data reconstruction if one drive fails.

RAID 6

A storage array that uses striping with double distributed parity across at least four drives, allowing the array to survive up to two simultaneous drive failures.

RAID 10

A nested RAID configuration (RAID 1+0) combining striped performance with mirrored redundancy, requiring an even number of drives (at least 4) and incurring a 50% storage overhead.

In-Plane Switching (IPS) LCD

An LCD panel technology where liquid crystals align parallel to the screen, providing wide viewing angles and accurate color representation at the expense of response time.

Twisted Nematic (TN) LCD

An LCD panel technology where crystals twist 90 degrees to control light, providing fast response times and high refresh rates but limited viewing angles.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)

A display technology where each pixel generates its own illumination, enabling true black levels and high contrast, but carrying a risk of screen burn-in.

Multi-Stream Transport (MST)

A DisplayPort feature that allows multiple independent video monitors to be daisy-chained together from a single DisplayPort output.

80 PLUS Certification

A rating system for computer power supply units that guarantees a minimum of 80% energy efficiency when converting AC electricity to DC power at various load levels.

Molex Power Connector

A legacy 4-pin PSU connector providing +5 VDC (red wire) and +12 VDC (yellow wire) power to older hard drives, optical drives, and internal fans.

Duplexing Assembly

A mechanical component inside a printer that automatically turns a sheet of paper over to print content on both sides.

Page Description Language (PDL)

Software instructions (such as PostScript or PCL) sent from a computer driver to tell a printer how to layout and render text, vector graphics, and images.

Direct Thermal Printer

A printer that creates images by applying heated elements directly onto specially treated, heat-sensitive paper.

Impact Printer

A print device that uses physical pins or print wheels to strike an inked ribbon against paper, enabling the creation of multipart carbon copy documents.

Print Spooler

An operating system service that temporarily stores print jobs on a hard drive print queue before sending them to the printer.