TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary role of the CMOS in a computer?

1. Saves information about system devices

2. Controls the power supply

3. Manages peripheral communications

4. Handles graphical output

The correct answer is: Saves information about system devices

The primary role of the CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) in a computer is to save critical information about the system configuration and settings, including those pertaining to system devices. This non-volatile memory retains data even when the computer is powered off, which is essential for preserving the BIOS settings such as the system clock, hardware configuration, and boot sequence. This function is crucial during the startup process, allowing the computer to initialize its hardware properly and boot the operating system. The CMOS provides a small amount of battery-backed memory that keeps this information intact despite power loss. The other options relate to functions that occur at different levels within a computer system. The power supply, for instance, distributes electrical power but does not involve data storage or system settings. Meanwhile, managing peripheral communications and handling graphical output are tasks typically performed by dedicated hardware components and drivers, not the CMOS itself.