CompTIA A+ Quiz On Hard Drives: Test!

1. On Windows XP, one way to find the capacity of a hard drive is to right-click on the drive in Windows Explorer and choose Properties.

True

False

This statement is true because on Windows XP, when you right-click on a hard drive in Windows Explorer and choose Properties, a window will open displaying various information about the drive, including its capacity. This allows the user to easily find out the storage capacity of the hard drive.

Explanation

This statement is true because on Windows XP, when you right-click on a hard drive in Windows Explorer and choose Properties, a window will open displaying various information about the drive, including its capacity. This allows the user to easily find out the storage capacity of the hard drive.

2. The process of marking tracks and sectors to prepare the disk to receive data is called ______________.

Setting up the disk

Formatting the disk

Tracking the disk

Aligning the head of the disk

Formatting the disk refers to the process of preparing the disk to receive data by marking tracks and sectors. This involves dividing the disk into specific areas for data storage and creating a file system that the operating system can understand. This process ensures that the disk is organized and ready to store and retrieve data efficiently. Setting up the disk generally refers to physically installing and connecting the disk to the computer. Tracking the disk and aligning the head are not accurate descriptions of the process of preparing the disk for data storage.

Explanation

Formatting the disk refers to the process of preparing the disk to receive data by marking tracks and sectors. This involves dividing the disk into specific areas for data storage and creating a file system that the operating system can understand. This process ensures that the disk is organized and ready to store and retrieve data efficiently. Setting up the disk generally refers to physically installing and connecting the disk to the computer. Tracking the disk and aligning the head are not accurate descriptions of the process of preparing the disk for data storage.

3. The first sector on the disk is called the ______________.

First sector

Boot sector

First record

Sector A

The first sector on the disk is called the boot sector. This sector contains important information for the computer's boot process, such as the file system type, the location of the operating system files, and the instructions for starting the system. It is crucial for the computer to locate and read the boot sector in order to initiate the booting process and load the operating system.

Explanation

The first sector on the disk is called the boot sector. This sector contains important information for the computer's boot process, such as the file system type, the location of the operating system files, and the instructions for starting the system. It is crucial for the computer to locate and read the boot sector in order to initiate the booting process and load the operating system.

4. Data is written to and read from the disk via a magnetic ______________ mechanism in the floppy drive.

Reader

Platter

Read/write head

Sector

In a floppy drive, data is written to and read from the disk using a magnetic read/write head mechanism. The read/write head is responsible for both reading the data stored on the disk and writing new data onto it. It moves across the surface of the disk, detecting and interpreting the magnetic signals to retrieve or store information. The reader, platter, and sector are not directly involved in the mechanism of reading and writing data in a floppy drive.

Explanation

In a floppy drive, data is written to and read from the disk using a magnetic read/write head mechanism. The read/write head is responsible for both reading the data stored on the disk and writing new data onto it. It moves across the surface of the disk, detecting and interpreting the magnetic signals to retrieve or store information. The reader, platter, and sector are not directly involved in the mechanism of reading and writing data in a floppy drive.

5. On today's hard drives, the number of sectors per track on a drive is not the same throughout the platter.

True

False

On today's hard drives, the number of sectors per track on a drive is not the same throughout the platter. This is because the outer tracks of the platter have a larger circumference than the inner tracks, resulting in more sectors per track on the outer tracks. This allows for a higher data density on the outer tracks, as more data can be stored in the same amount of physical space. Therefore, the statement is true.

Explanation

On today's hard drives, the number of sectors per track on a drive is not the same throughout the platter. This is because the outer tracks of the platter have a larger circumference than the inner tracks, resulting in more sectors per track on the outer tracks. This allows for a higher data density on the outer tracks, as more data can be stored in the same amount of physical space. Therefore, the statement is true.

6. A floppy drive that has the twist in the cable between it and the controller is drive _______.

A

B

C

D

A floppy drive that has the twist in the cable between it and the controller is drive A. This is because the twist in the cable is necessary to ensure proper data transmission between the drive and the controller. By placing the twist between the drive and the controller, it helps to prevent signal interference and maintain the integrity of the data being transferred.

Explanation

A floppy drive that has the twist in the cable between it and the controller is drive A. This is because the twist in the cable is necessary to ensure proper data transmission between the drive and the controller. By placing the twist between the drive and the controller, it helps to prevent signal interference and maintain the integrity of the data being transferred.

7. Before data can be written to a floppy disk, it must first be mapped in concentric circles called _____________.

Tracks

Paths

Roads

Sectors

Before data can be written to a floppy disk, it must first be mapped in concentric circles called tracks. These tracks are used to organize and store the data on the disk. Each track represents a specific location on the disk where data can be written or read from. The data is stored in sectors within each track, but the initial organization is done using tracks.

Explanation

Before data can be written to a floppy disk, it must first be mapped in concentric circles called tracks. These tracks are used to organize and store the data on the disk. Each track represents a specific location on the disk where data can be written or read from. The data is stored in sectors within each track, but the initial organization is done using tracks.

8. "Sector" refers to the way date is ____________stored on a disk, whereas "cluster" describes how data is ______________ organized.

Logically, physically

Neatly, not

Illogically, physically

Physically, logically

"Sector" refers to the way data is physically stored on a disk, as it represents a small unit of storage space on the disk. On the other hand, "cluster" describes how data is logically organized, as it refers to a group of sectors that are treated as a single unit by the file system.

Explanation

"Sector" refers to the way data is physically stored on a disk, as it represents a small unit of storage space on the disk. On the other hand, "cluster" describes how data is logically organized, as it refers to a group of sectors that are treated as a single unit by the file system.

9. Under all Windows operating systems, a floppy drive is always formatted using the __________file system.

FAT12

NTFS

FAT64

Cluster

Under all Windows operating systems, a floppy drive is always formatted using the FAT12 file system. FAT12 is a file system that was commonly used for floppy disks and other small storage devices. It is a simple file system that allows for easy compatibility and access to files on the floppy drive. NTFS and FAT64 are file systems used for larger storage devices such as hard drives, while Cluster is not a file system but rather a term used to refer to a group of sectors on a storage device.

Explanation

Under all Windows operating systems, a floppy drive is always formatted using the FAT12 file system. FAT12 is a file system that was commonly used for floppy disks and other small storage devices. It is a simple file system that allows for easy compatibility and access to files on the floppy drive. NTFS and FAT64 are file systems used for larger storage devices such as hard drives, while Cluster is not a file system but rather a term used to refer to a group of sectors on a storage device.

10. For today's hard drives, the _______________is firmware on a circuit board on or inside the drive housing and is an integral part of it.

Platter

BIOS

Hard drive controller

Head

The correct answer is hard drive controller. The hard drive controller is firmware on a circuit board on or inside the drive housing and is an integral part of it. The hard drive controller is responsible for managing the data transfer between the computer and the hard drive, controlling the movement of the read/write heads, and interpreting the commands from the computer's operating system. Without the hard drive controller, the hard drive would not be able to function properly.

Explanation

The correct answer is hard drive controller. The hard drive controller is firmware on a circuit board on or inside the drive housing and is an integral part of it. The hard drive controller is responsible for managing the data transfer between the computer and the hard drive, controlling the movement of the read/write heads, and interpreting the commands from the computer's operating system. Without the hard drive controller, the hard drive would not be able to function properly.