TestOut: B.3.5 CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) Domain 5: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting
A clicking noise in your computer has now evolved into a grinding noise. In addition, you are beginning to see frequent error messages while running software, and your computer occasionally freezes. What is the MOST likely cause of these issues? Answer A failing RAM card A failing hard drive A failing internal fan A failing video card
A failing hard drive
While trying to use a projector for a presentation, you receive an error that states, "No signal detected." What is the MOST likely cause of this error? Answer A burnt-out bulb Weak remote control batteries Obstructed air vents on the projector A loose HDMI cable
A loose HDMI cable
You've just installed a new USB card reader on your Windows computer. Every time you perform a certain action using the card reader, you get an error message that you've never seen before. Which of the following actions should you perform FIRST? Answer Check the manufacturer's website for information about the error. Uninstall the device and then reinstall it. Install the device on another computer. Replace the card reader with a new device.
Check the manufacturer's website for information about the error.
You've just purchased 10 new notebook computers for your users. You are concerned that users will leave the notebooks on for long periods of time, which could result in display burn-in. What should you do to prevent this from happening? Answer Install a software utility on each computer that is designed to fix stuck pixels. Configure each computer to automatically power off after five minutes of inactivity. Increase the hardware acceleration setting on each computer. Configure a screen saver on each computer.
Configure a screen saver on each computer.
You are a first-line desktop support technician. A user reports that he cannot access several network files. After some investigation, you determine that the problem is with a network server. Which of the following actions should you perform next? Answer Fix the problem. Determine if escalation is needed. Create an action plan. Document the problem.
Determine if escalation is needed.
A user reports that she can't send print jobs to a specific printer. You are able to reproduce the problem on the user's computer. Which of the following actions should you perform next? Answer Establish the most probable cause. Establish a plan of action. Determine if escalation is necessary. Determine whether anything has changed.
Determine whether anything has changed.
You have just installed a new video card in a user's Windows workstation. When the system is powered on, the screen displays in 16 colors at 640 x 480 resolution. Which of the following will BEST resolve this problem? Answer Upgrade the monitor to one that supports a higher sync rate. Verify that the system's UEFI firmware is compatible with the video card. Reboot the system in Safe Mode. Download and install the latest driver from the video card manufacturer's website.
Download and install the latest driver from the video card manufacturer's website.
You have just finished upgrading the 250-watt power supply in your desktop computer to a 450-watt power supply. Now the BIOS does not recognize one of the hard disk drives in the system during POST. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first? Answer Use the voltage switch on the power supply to go from 110 volts to 220 volts. Manually enter the hard disk geometry parameters in the BIOS. Replace the power supply. Reconfigure the hard disk to utilize the higher-wattage power supply with drive jumpers. Make sure that the hard disk is connected to the power supply.
Make sure that the hard disk is connected to the power supply.
You have just built a new system from scratch. You turn the computer on, but the system boot fails and sounds a beep code. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause? Answer New and old memory have been mixed. The system includes unsupported memory. Memory is not installed or is not detected. Incompatible memory was installed.
Memory is not installed or is not detected.
Which pin on the power supply connector connects to the power good wire on the motherboard in order to indicate an appropriate action for the motherboard if the power disappears, quickly reappears, or does not appear at all? Answer Pin 5 Pin 6 Pin 2 Pin 8
Pin 8
After using your LCD monitor for about three months, you notice a small black dot in one area of the screen. Regardless of what is shown on the monitor, the dot remains the same color and in the same location. Which of the following is the BEST method for removing the black dot from the monitor? Answer Apply a heated cloth enclosed in a bag to the dead pixel. Play a video designed to fix dead pixels. Apply pointed pressure and rub the dead pixel. Purchase a new monitor.
Play a video designed to fix dead pixels.
Which of the following tools is specifically designed to test the DC voltage on a hard disk drive power connector? Answer Power supply tester Toner probe Loopback plug Cable tester
Power supply tester --a cable tester verifies that a network can carry a signal from one end to the other and that all wires within the connector are in their correct positions. -- -- loopback plug lets you test a port for proper functionality. The loopback plug crosses the receive and transmit wires. Essentially, this lets the computer send a signal to itself. --A toner probe lets you trace network cables between two different locations. For example, if you have 3 cables going from an office to a wiring closet, you might need to identify both ends of the same cable.
While performing data entry on your Windows 11 laptop, your screen suddenly goes black. What can you do immediately to troubleshoot the issue without losing any data that you have entered? Answer Press Ctrl + Shift + B Press Ctrl + Alt + Del Press F5 four times Press the Windows key + P four times
Press the Windows key + P four times
You are servicing a laptop that works properly when the power adapter is plugged in. Even though the battery icon shows that the battery is fully charged, when the laptop is unplugged, it immediately shuts down. Which of the following actions MOST likely resolves the issue? Answer Change the power options mode to Power Saver. Change the power options mode to Balanced. Replace the power adapter. Replace the laptop battery.
Replace the laptop battery.
When playing videos games or watching movies on your workstation, the screen sometimes freezes and displays strange colors. You suspect that your video card is causing the issues. What is the BEST solution to resolve your display issues? Answer Update the video card driver. Check the video card fan. Check the video card connectors. Replace the video card.
Replace the video card.
Lately, your computer has been spontaneously shutting down after only a few minutes of use. What is the likely cause? (Select two.) Answer The CPU is bad. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The CPU is not supported by the BIOS. Someone unplugged the computer without performing a proper shutdown first.
The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly.
You work in the computer repair department of a large retail outlet. A customer comes in with a workstation that randomly shuts down. You suspect that the power supply is failing. What should you do first to troubleshoot the issue? Answer Use a cable tester to check the power supply's connections. Use a power supply tester on the power supply. Use a multimeter to test the power supply's electrical properties. Use a known good spare to swap with the existing power supply.
Use a known good spare to swap with the existing power supply.
You are an IT technician for your company. One of the employees has a computer that continually reboots when it's powered on. He has asked you to fix it. You suspect that the power supply may be failing. Which of the following is the BEST initial step to determine whether the power supply is causing the reboots? Answer Use a multimeter to test the power supply. Replace the power supply. Listen for POST code beeps to determine the error's cause. Verify that the fan on the power supply is spinning.
Use a multimeter to test the power supply.
Your Windows 11 system powers on, but there is no image on your display. You have already checked to make sure that the monitor is connected properly to the computer, is plugged in, and is turned on. Which of the following is the BEST next step you should take to try to resolve the issue? Answer Boot the system from the installation disc and repair the system. Verify that the BIOS/UEFI is configured to use the correct video adapter. Check the motherboard documentation for information on beeps. Use System Restore from Safe Mode to select a working restore point.
Verify that the BIOS/UEFI is configured to use the correct video adapter.
While running a graphics editing program on your Windows workstation, a screen suddenly pops up with an error message warning. You note the error message, but the only way to continue working is to reboot your system. What is this type of error screen called? Answer POST BSoD HVAC SPoD
BSoD
To improve system performance, you have configured a motherboard to run with a higher multiplier than what the CPU is specified to use. Since doing this, the system has become unstable and crashes frequently. Which of the following should you do to restore system stability? Answer Back off on the overclocking settings until the system runs in a stable manner. Make sure the switch on the power supply is set to the correct voltage. Replace the CMOS battery to make sure that the real-time clock has the correct time. Make sure the BIOS firmware supports the overclocking settings you're using.
Back off on the overclocking settings until the system runs in a stable manner.
You have just finished upgrading your desktop system's CPU. After running for about 15 minutes, the system spontaneously shuts down. Which steps should you take FIRST to begin troubleshooting the issue? (Select two.) Answer Make sure that you used thermal paste for the CPU. Check the power supply voltage switch. Check the CPU fan power. Replace the power supply. Remove any unnecessary components and run the system.
Check the CPU fan power. Make sure that you used thermal paste for the CPU.
When booting your workstation, you hear a series of audible beeps, and the system locks up. What is the FIRST step you should take when troubleshooting this issue? Answer Replace the motherboard battery. Check for dust buildup inside the case. Disconnect non-essential peripherals and try to reboot. Check the motherboard documentation for POST errors.
Check the motherboard documentation for POST errors.
You suspect that the power supply in your desktop PC is failing. You want to use a multimeter to test the power supply. Which multimeter setting should you use? Answer Watts Ohms Incorrect answer: AC volts DC volts
DC volts
Since it has no moving parts, a CPU will usually work properly for several years. Which of the following is a common factor that might cause a CPU to fail prematurely? Answer Electromagnetic interference High CPU usage Electrostatic discharge (ESD) Unsupported memory modules Magnetic field
Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
Why is it important to have your mobile device charger plugged in while it is receiving an operating system update? Answer The device must be connected to and charging from a computer so the update can be performed from the App Store. It is not important for the charger to be plugged in, since the update can be received wirelessly. If the battery dies during the update, the operating system could become corrupted. Downloads run faster when the charger is plugged in.
If the battery dies during the update, the operating system could become corrupted.
You're trying to connect a new USB device to your computer. You install the driver and then connect the device to an open USB port. The device does not work. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first? Answer Install a new USB controller card. Replace the USB device. Make sure the USB device is plugged in properly. Try a different USB cable.
Make sure the USB device is plugged in properly.
Which tool would you use to measure electrical properties, such as voltage, amps, and resistance? Answer Cable tester Mini electronic combination wrench set Network tap Multimeter
Multimeter
You have a DVD-ROM disc with no label, and you want to know if it has any important files on it. You insert the DVD-ROM into your optical media drive, and you double-click the drive letter to see the disc's contents. Which error message will you see if the DVD-ROM is not a valid disc? Answer Foreign No Media Missing Unreadable
No Media
Which of the following are critical times when memory problems manifest themselves? (Select two.) Answer After you reconfigure the BIOS/UEFI After you remove or install hardware After cleaning the dust from inside your computer After installing new drivers on your computer On the first boot of a new computer
On the first boot of a new computer After you remove or install hardware
Steve, a computer technician, receives a help desk ticket for a computer that will not start. When Steve powered the computer on, there was one long and two short beeps. Which of the following programs is reporting this error condition? Answer initramfs CMOS POST ESP
POST
When playing videos games or watching movies on your workstation, the screen sometimes freezes and displays strange colors. You suspect that your video card is causing the issues. What is the BEST solution to resolve your display issues? Answer Check the video card fan. Replace the video card. Check the video card connectors. Update the video card driver.
Replace the video card.
You work at a computer repair store. You have just upgraded the processor (CPU) in a customer's Windows-based computer. The customer purchased the latest AMD Ryzen processor, and you installed it in the computer. But when you power the computer on, you only see a blank screen. Which of the following is MOST likely causing the computer to display the blank screen? (Select two.) Answer The CPU is not supported by the BIOS. Someone unplugged the computer without performing a proper shutdown first. The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. The CPU is bad.
The CPU is not supported by the BIOS. The CPU is bad.
While presenting a high-definition video through a projector, you find that the audio is not in sync with the video. What is the MOST likely cause of this issue? Answer A VGA cable is being used to connect the computer to the projector. The bulb is close to burning out. The audio file is being processed faster than the video file. An LCD panel is dirty or damaged.
The audio file is being processed faster than the video file.
The contrast on your projector's output is not displaying properly. In addition, the images continually flicker. What is the MOST likely cause of the projector's display problems? Answer A bulb is close to burning out. The wrong cable is connected to the HDMI port. An outdated projector driver is in operation. The high-definition files are not in sync with the audio files.
A bulb is close to burning out.
You have just received a frantic call from a customer. She informs you that after turning her computer on, she received the following error: The SMART hard disk check has detected an imminent failure. Which of the following is the best FIRST step to take? Answer Correct the bad areas on the drive using chkdsk. Run a hard drive test to verify the hard disk's condition. (It may be a false error.) Back up all important data and files. Run a reliable defragmentation tool.
Back up all important data and files.
You have just installed a new video card in a user's Windows workstation. When the system is powered on, the screen is blank. You have checked the video cable and verified that it is installed correctly. What should you do next? Answer Replace the video cable. Check to make sure that the video card is correctly installed on the system board. Install a new monitor. Check the video driver version and update it if necessary.
Check to make sure that the video card is correctly installed on the system board.
You are the manager in charge of maintaining desktop computers. A user reports that she can't turn her computer on. After some investigation, you find that the power supply is malfunctioning. Which of the following actions should you perform next? Answer Determine whether escalation is required. Create an action plan. Document the problem. Fix the problem.
Create an action plan.
You notice that your applications are loading and running slowly when you switch between them. You also notice that your hard disk drive light is constantly lit. Which of the following is MOST likely the cause of these issues? Answer Application system requirement issues Application resolution non-compatibility Lack of application compatibility with new operating system Disk thrashing
Disk thrashing --Symptoms of disk thrashing include applications loading slowly when switching between them, applications running slowly, and the hard disk drive light staying constantly lit.
When you turn on your workstation, you immediately hear a grinding noise coming from inside the computer case. Which of the following are the MOST likely causes of this noise? Answer Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned. A video card that is failing. A connector that is not seated properly. An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise. A POST test error message.
Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned. An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise.
A user sends a print job to a network printer, and it prints page after page of random characters. He calls the help desk, and a technician discovers that the wrong printer driver had been loaded on the user's workstation. The technician loads the correct driver, verifies that the system works correctly, and documents the resolution. Which of the following actions should the technician perform next? Answer Educate the user as to how the problem was resolved and verify that they are satisfied with the results. Formally close the incident in any job tracking tool. Disable the network printer until users learn to use the correct drivers. Write an email to the user's supervisor and insist that he train his employees on how to use the network printer. Upgrade to a newer printer that uses embedded drivers.
Educate the user as to how the problem was resolved and verify that they are satisfied with the results.
As an IT technician for your company, you are in the process of setting up several servers in your network. During the process, one of the servers was misconfigured and is having trouble synchronizing information with the other servers. Which of the following is the BEST next step? Answer Gather information. Determine the appropriate fix. Create a hypothesis. Implement the fix. Identify what has changed.
Gather information.
Which type of software-generated problems can indicate that a software bug is causing a memory error? (Select three.) Answer General-protection fault Registry error Parity interrupt Exception error Incorrect memory count Page fault
General-protection fault Page fault Exception error
While you are answering help desk calls, a field customer calls and complains that he cannot print to a workgroup laser printer. Which of the following should be the first question you ask? Answer Have you rebooted the printer? Have you checked the cables? Have you rebooted and chosen safe mode? Have you ever successfully printed to that printer?
Have you ever successfully printed to that printer?
You are responsible for managing client workstations for your company. A frantic user calls you one morning exclaiming, "Nothing is working!" Which of the following actions should you perform FIRST? Answer Establish a theory. Identify the problem. Find out what has changed. Establish a plan of action. Back up the system.
Identify the problem.
Your monitor is displaying images in strange colors. Which of the following is MOST likely the solution to this problem? Answer Increase the amount of memory on the video card. Increase the resolution. Decrease the resolution. Increase the color depth.
Increase the color depth.
You notice that your applications are loading and running slowly when you switch between them. You also notice that your hard disk drive light is constantly lit. Which of the following is the BEST option to stop this problem from happening frequently on your system? Answer Configure a larger paging file on the HHD. Install a larger CPU. Install more physical RAM. Reboot the system at the first indication of the problem.
Install more physical RAM.
Which of the following projector issues would MOST likely be caused by poor air flow through dirty vents in the projector? Answer Intermittent shutdowns Fuzzy display images A dim display Audio out of sync with video
Intermittent shutdowns
Which of the following is a benefit of good documentation? Answer It reduces hardware replacement requirements. It eliminates the need to troubleshoot problems. It reduces hardware maintenance. It saves time and money in troubleshooting problems.
It saves time and money in troubleshooting problems.
A technician is troubleshooting a computer that doesn't start up correctly. Which of the following could the technician use to troubleshoot the computer? Answer Loopback plug Tone generator and probe 3-prong parts retriever Known good spares
Known good spares
You have just finished installing a new SATA hard disk in your computer. Now your SATA DVD drive does not work. Which of the following troubleshooting steps are BEST to try first? (Select two.) Answer Try the DVD drive in another system. Remove the hard disk. Set the DVD drive to Slave and the hard disk to Master. Replace the DVD drive. Make sure that the DVD SATA cable is connected. Make sure that the DVD power cable is connected.
Make sure that the DVD SATA cable is connected. Make sure that the DVD power cable is connected.
You have just installed an SSD drive in your older Windows workstation. However, after you start Windows, you do not see the SSD drive listed in Windows Explorer. What should you do FIRST? Answer Replace the power supply. Use the voltage switch on the power supply to switch from 110 to 220 volts. Configure the jumpers on the SSD drive. Make sure the power connectors on the SSD drive are plugged in all the way.
Make sure the power connectors on the SSD drive are plugged in all the way.
Zoey has brought her computer in for servicing. When she dropped off her computer, she mentioned that it spontaneously reboots and freezes occasionally. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of these problems? Answer Overheated CPU Failing drive Failed UPS Bad network card
Overheated CPU
A user reports that her system is running slowly when saving files. You determine that you'll need to upgrade her hard disk. You identify the components that are required and schedule the repair for later that afternoon. Which of the following steps have you forgotten in your troubleshooting process? Answer Verify system functionality. Create an action plan. Implement the solution. Perform a backup.
Perform a backup.
You have purchased an LED monitor and connected it to the HDMI port on your computer using an HDMI cable. You configure the screen resolution to 1280 x 1024 with 32-bit color. The geometry of the images displayed on the screen appear to be distorted. What should you do to correct the problem? Answer Use a DVI cable to connect the monitor instead of an HDMI cable. Update the video driver to the latest version. Change the screen resolution to 1400 X 1050. Set the display resolution to the native resolution of the monitor. Increase the hardware acceleration setting on the video driver.
Set the display resolution to the native resolution of the monitor.
You have purchased an LED monitor and connected it to the HDMI port on your computer using an HDMI cable. You configure the screen resolution to 1280 x 768 with 32-bit color. The images displayed on the screen appear to be overly large. What should you do to correct the problem? Answer Use a VGA cable to connect the monitor instead of an HDMI cable. Change the screen resolution to 1280 X 720. Increase the hardware acceleration setting on the video driver. Decrease the color depth of the video driver to 24-bit color. Set the display resolution to the native resolution of the monitor.
Set the display resolution to the native resolution of the monitor.
A user reports that he is unable to access data on an external hard drive. You investigate the problem and determine that the USB cable connection to the hard drive is damaged. You replace the cable. Which of the following actions should you take next? Answer Create an action plan. Test the solution. Determine if escalation is necessary. Document the problem and solution.
Test the solution.
Your company's graphic designers were given laptop computers several months ago. The laptops have a 500-GB SSD drive for the operating system and applications and a 1-TB hard drive for storing media files. Now, a few of the graphic designers are complaining about slow performance on their SSD drives. What is the MOST likely cause of the slow performance? Answer The SATA connection is older and has a slower transfer speed. The file system is not optimized for SSD. The SSD's firmware needs to be updated. The designers are storing media files on the SSD drive.
The designers are storing media files on the SSD drive.
After starting your Apple iMAC computer, you immediately experience the Spinning Pinwheel of Death (SPoD) crash screen. Which of the following should you do FIRST to try to resolve the problem? Answer Scan the computer for viruses. Revert the system to a previous state. Try to reboot the computer. Clear the dyld cache.
Try to reboot the computer.
You work in the computer repair department of a large retail outlet. A customer comes in with a workstation that randomly shuts down. You suspect that the power supply is failing. What should you do first to troubleshoot the issue? AnswerIncorrect answer: Use a multimeter to test the power supply's electrical properties. Use a power supply tester on the power supply. Use a cable tester to check the power supply's connections. Correct Answer: Use a known good spare to swap with the existing power supply.
Use a known good spare to swap with the existing power supply.
A few of your employees have complained that their computers sometimes shut down spontaneously. You have noticed that these employees all work in a part of the building where the air conditioning does not adequately cool the room. These employees also use CPU-intensive programs. You suspect that the spontaneous shutdowns are caused by overheating. Which of the following is the simplest way to monitor the temperature of these computers' CPUs? Answer Place thermostats on the CPUs. Touch the PCs with your hand or fingers. View the temperature from within the BIOS. Place thermostats on the PCs at the warmest locations.
View the temperature from within the BIOS.
Which of the following are the MOST likely signs that your computer might need more memory? (Select two.) Answer You receive an exception error when running a software program. Your system boots, but the memory count is incorrect. Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work. Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time. You system boots, but the display remains blank.
Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work. Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time.
You have purchased an LED monitor and connected it to the DVI-I port on your computer using a DVI-D cable. You configure the screen resolution to 1440 x 900 with 32-bit color. The display on the screen seems to be pixilated. Which of the following solutions is MOST likely to fix this problem? Answer Change the screen resolution to 1600 X 1200. Replace the DVI-I cable with a DVI-A cable. Replace the DVI-D cable with a DVI-I cable. Change the screen resolution to the native resolution of the monitor. Decrease the color depth to 24-bit.
Change the screen resolution to the native resolution of the monitor.
When you turn on your workstation, you immediately hear a grinding noise coming from inside the computer case. Which of the following are the MOST likely causes of this noise? Answer Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned. An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise. A POST test error message. A connector that is not seated properly. A video card that is failing.
Dust buildup that needs to be cleaned. An uneven case surface that causes fan blade and motor noise.
There are critical times when memory problems often manifest themselves. Match each critical time on the left with the corresponding cause of the memory problems on the right. Drag First boot of a new computer Memory upgrade Software installation Hardware installation or removal Drop 1. This event can require more memory and can cause problems if there is not enough memory when it occurs. 2. Memory is not properly seated, is missing, or the motherboard is defective. 3. Incompletely or improperly doing this can cause errors that appear to be memory-related. 4. The memory is incompatible and was not installed and configured properly.
1. Software installation 2. First boot of a new computer 3. Hardware installation or removal 4. Memory upgrade
After working without problems for a couple of years, your computer has begun to lock up. You suspect that it is a thermal issue, but you can't find any component that is not functioning correctly. You have not replaced the CPU or installed any new devices. The CPU cooling fan and the power supply fan are working properly. The lock-ups are happening with increasing frequency. Which of the following is the MOST common condition that explains these symptoms? Answer The power supply has been switched to the wrong voltage setting. The BIOS has never been flashed and has gotten more and more out of date. An accumulation of dust has gradually built up. The internal temperature sensor is beginning to malfunction intermittently.
An accumulation of dust has gradually built up.
One of your users suspects that the battery in their laptop computer is failing. You test it by using a known good power adapter long enough to receive a full charge. The battery reads that it is fully charged in Windows. You then disconnect the laptop from its power source and wait to see how long the battery lasts. The battery dies after only about 15 minutes. Which of the following actions will MOST likely fix this problem? Answer Assume that the battery is failing and replace it. Configure the Power Scheme settings to minimize battery usage. Calibrate the battery to synchronize the power meter to the actual charge capacity of the battery. Put the battery in another laptop to verify that it is, in fact, the battery that is failing.
Assume that the battery is failing and replace it.
While trying to start your Windows 11 system, you see the following error message: Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware. Which of the following will MOST likely fix the problem? Answer Boot into the recovery environment and run the bootrec /rebuildbcd command. Boot into the recovery console and copy the NTLDR file to the boot volume. Boot into the recovery console and run the bootcfg /rebuild command. Boot into the recovery console and run the fixmbr command on the boot volume. Boot into Safe Mode and restore to a restore point.
Boot into the recovery environment and run the bootrec /rebuildbcd command.
While trying to start your Windows 11 system, you see the following error message: Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and disk hardware. Which of the following will MOST likely fix the problem? Answer Boot into the recovery environment and run the bootrec /rebuildbcd command. Boot into the recovery console and run the bootcfg /rebuild command. Boot into Safe Mode and restore to a restore point. Boot into the recovery console and run the fixmbr command on the boot volume. Boot into the recovery console and copy the NTLDR file to the boot volume.
Boot into the recovery environment and run the bootrec /rebuildbcd command.
Six months ago, you purchased a new laptop. Since then, you have noticed that the battery life has steadily gone down. When the battery was new, a full charge lasted about 10 hours. Now you are lucky to get two hours of life before the battery charge level drops below 5 percent. Which of the following is the BEST first step when trying to correct this issue? Answer Replace the power meter chip on the battery. Clean the contacts on the battery. Buy a new battery. Calibrate the battery.
Calibrate the battery.
You have purchased a 1600 x 1200 LCD monitor and connected it to the DVI-I port on your computer using a DVI-D cable. You configure the screen resolution at 1280 x 1024 with 24-bit color. The display output seems to be fuzzy and stretched. Which of the following BEST describes the action you should take to correct the problem? Answer Increase the color depth to 32-bit. Replace the DVI-D cable with a DVI-I cable. Change the screen resolution to the native resolution of the monitor. Replace the DVI-I cable with a DVI-A cable.
Change the screen resolution to the native resolution of the monitor.
A customer complains that a recently purchased monitor no longer displays a picture. You verify that the monitor is powered on and that the video cable is securely fastened to the video port. Which of the following actions is the BEST to take next? Answer Unload and then reload the video card's software driver. Return the monitor to the manufacturer. Check the brightness and contrast settings using the monitor's controls. Open the computer and switch the video card to a different slot.
Check the brightness and contrast settings using the monitor's controls.
You are currently running a video editing application on your Windows 11 laptop. The laptop includes both an SSD drive and a traditional hard drive. You run the video application on the hard drive, but you would like to install and run the app from the SSD drive to enhance performance speed. Which of the following should you do to protect the video application and associated data files from drive failure when you move them to the SSD drive? Answer Encrypt the data on the SSD drive. Enable the TRIM functionality. Defragment the SSD drive on a regular basis. Configure an automatic backup to the hard disk drive.
Configure an automatic backup to the hard disk drive.
As an IT technician for your company, you have been notified that the Windows domain does not seem to be functioning properly. Being familiar with domains, you are fairly confident you know what the issue is. But just to be safe, you take the applicable time to gather additional information and to identify what, if anything, has changed. Which of the following is the BEST next step? Answer Create a hypothesis. Determine the appropriate fix. Gather information. Implement the fix. Identify what has changed.
Create a hypothesis.
A user reports that the projector in the conference room has display issues when it is connected to his laptop. After identifying the cause and completely resolving the issue, the projector displays the images perfectly both on his laptop and on the projector. Which of the following troubleshooting strategies should you perform next? Answer Establish what has changed. Document the solution. Identify the problem. Test the solution.
Document the solution.
You are attempting to boot a new system. The boot fails, and the system sounds a beep code. Which of the following describes the MOST likely cause of this error? Answer Either a card/memory module is not seated properly or the system includes unsupported memory. The POST failed to recognize all of the memory. Either no memory is installed or the memory was not detected. The new memory is not compatible and was not installed and configured properly.
Either no memory is installed or the memory was not detected.
Lately, you hear a clicking noise when reading or writing data from the hard disk. What is the MOST likely cause of the clicking? Answer Overheated CPU Failing hard drive Failed UPS Bad memory
Failing hard drive
You have installed a new computer with a quad-core 64-bit processor, 6 GB of memory, and a PCIe video card with 512 MB of memory. After installing the operating system, you see less than 4 GB of memory showing as available in Windows. Which of the following actions would MOST likely correct this issue? Answer Update the memory controller driver in Device Manager. Install a 64-bit version of the operating system. Flash the BIOS. Disable the AGP aperture in the BIOS.
Install a 64-bit version of the operating system.
You have just upgraded your computer's CPU. You consulted the motherboard documentation to make sure that the CPU was compatible with the motherboard. However, when you turn the system on, it locks up shortly after startup. Which of the following are the BEST steps to try first while troubleshooting this issue? (Select two.) Answer Test the power supply using a multimeter. Look for something that could be causing the new CPU to overheat. Make sure that the CPU is seated properly, oriented correctly, and locked in to the socket. Replace the CMOS battery. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in and that the power supply switch is in the On position.
Look for something that could be causing the new CPU to overheat. Make sure that the CPU is seated properly, oriented correctly, and locked in to the socket.
After installing two memory modules, you power on the system to check for errors. You find that the BIOS program recognizes only one of the memory modules. Which of the following is BEST to try first when troubleshooting this issue? Answer Return both modules for a replacement. Make sure that both modules are seated properly in their slots. Scan for new devices in Device Manager and enable any disabled memory modules. Reboot the computer and run memory diagnostic tests. Change the memory timings in the BIOS to a slower (higher) setting.
Make sure that both modules are seated properly in their slots.
An employee submits a support ticket stating that their computer will not turn on. Which of the following troubleshooting steps should you take first? (Select two.) Answer Use a multimeter to test the power supply. Open the computer and replace the power supply. Make sure that the keyboard and mouse are plugged in. Make sure that the surge protector is turned on. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in to the wall.
Make sure that the surge protector is turned on. Make sure that the power cord is plugged in to the wall.
You are in the process of configuring a new computer. The motherboard has four memory slots and supports dual-channel memory. You install two memory modules. When you boot the computer, the BIOS recognizes both modules, but the memory is not configured to run in dual-channel mode. What should you do to resolve the issue? Answer Replace the memory with dual-channel capable memory. Add continuity modules to unused memory slots. Change the CAS latency to a higher setting. Move the modules to the correct motherboard slots.
Move the modules to the correct motherboard slots
An employee calls to complain that their computer is behaving erratically. Some days, it functions correctly, and other days, it crashes frequently. Sometimes, the system won't boot at all. You open the system case and notice the following: Two of the mounting screws are missing from the system hard disk drive. The system uses memory modules from several different manufacturers with mismatched capacities. Several capacitors on the motherboard are bulging and have a brown liquid oozing from them. The chassis fan on the front of the case is oriented to blow air into the system. What should you do? Answer Replace the motherboard. Replace the leaky capacitors on the motherboard. Reorient the chassis fan to draw air out of the system case. Replace the existing memory modules with matching modules. Use additional screws to mount the hard disk drive to the system case.
Replace the motherboard.
An employee calls to complain that their computer is behaving erratically. Some days, it functions correctly, and other days, it crashes frequently. Sometimes, the system won't boot at all. You open the system case and notice the following: Two of the mounting screws are missing from the system hard disk drive. The system uses memory modules from several different manufacturers with mismatched capacities. Several capacitors on the motherboard are bulging and have a brown liquid oozing from them. The chassis fan on the front of the case is oriented to blow air into the system. What should you do? Answer Replace the motherboard. Replace the leaky capacitors on the motherboard. Use additional screws to mount the hard disk drive to the system case. Reorient the chassis fan to draw air out of the system case. Replace the existing memory modules with matching modules.
Replace the motherboard.
Your system crashes at various times. It happens sometimes on startup, sometimes when running a software application, and sometimes when a certain group of applications is running. You suspect a malfunctioning CPU, but none of the common issues seem to be present. You have not configured overclocking. There is no overheating. The CPU is seated correctly and locked into its socket. What is the BEST step you can take to determine if the CPU is causing the system crashes? Answer Throttle the processor to reduce the operating frequency and minimize power consumption. Replace the suspect CPU with a known good CPU of the same make and model. Downgrade to a CPU that has fewer cores and is less demanding on your system resources. Switch to a comparable CPU from a different manufacturer.
Replace the suspect CPU with a known good CPU of the same make and model.
You recently upgraded a client's older workstation to Windows 11. The client has called to complain that the interface is very slow. For example, after clicking on the Start button, the Start menu slowly appears on the screen. Which of the following will MOST likely fix this problem without requiring a hardware upgrade? Answer Increase the display resolution. Set the visual effects for best performance. Increase the hardware acceleration settings. Increase the display's color depth.
Set the visual effects for best performance.
Which of the following is the FIRST thing you should do if your laptop battery appears swollen or feels hot? Answer Make sure that the laptop vents are not blocked. Purchase a special laptop cooling base. Shut off the laptop and unplug it. Remove the battery.
Shut off the laptop and unplug it.
Travis, a long-haul truck driver, reports that when driving on remote highways, his smartphone battery drains faster than normal, and his phone calls often cut out. Which of the following is the MOST likely reason for the fast battery drain? Answer Multiple Bluetooth connections A defective SIM card Signal drop or weak signal Limited data plan
Signal drop or weak signal --A smartphone can use excessive battery power, performing cell signal searches when cell service is nonexistent, weak, or sporadic.
A user reports that her monitor has stopped working. While troubleshooting the issue, you discover a bad video card in the system. You replace the card and connect the monitor cable to the card. Which of the following actions should you perform NEXT in your troubleshooting strategy? Answer Implement preventative measures. Test the solution. Document the solution. Explain what you did to fix the problem.
Test the solution.
While presenting a high-definition video through a projector, you find that the audio is not in sync with the video. What is the MOST likely cause of this issue? Answer An LCD panel is dirty or damaged. The bulb is close to burning out. A VGA cable is being used to connect the computer to the projector. The audio file is being processed faster than the video file.
The audio file is being processed faster than the video file.
Your company's graphic designers were given laptop computers several months ago. The laptops have a 500-GB SSD drive for the operating system and applications and a 1-TB hard drive for storing media files. Now, a few of the graphic designers are complaining about slow performance on their SSD drives. What is the MOST likely cause of the slow performance? Answer The file system is not optimized for SSD. The SSD's firmware needs to be updated. The SATA connection is older and has a slower transfer speed. The designers are storing media files on the SSD drive.
The designers are storing media files on the SSD drive.
Lately, your computer has been spontaneously shutting down after only a few minutes of use. What is the likely cause? (Select two.) Answer The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The CPU is not supported by the BIOS. Someone unplugged the computer without performing a proper shutdown first. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard. The CPU is bad.
The heat sink and fan were not installed correctly. The power connector for the fan was not connected to the motherboard
When you try to boot your computer, it hangs after POST. When you access the UEFI setup program, you see that the date is several years behind, and the time is set to 12:01 a.m. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this behavior? Answer A RAM module has become unseated from its socket. The UEFI firmware is corrupt. The motherboard battery has failed. The UEFI firmware is outdated.
The motherboard battery has failed.
For several years, your laptop's monitor has worked perfectly. However, shortly after turning on your laptop today, you notice that the dimness has increased on the screen. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause? (Select two.) Answer The monitor's resolution was automatically reset to the default settings. The monitor's inverter has gone bad. The brightness level was automatically reset to the default settings. The monitor's hertz rate is set too high. The power adapter was accidently unplugged.
The power adapter was accidently unplugged. The monitor's inverter has gone bad.
Your projector is displaying the colors on the screen incorrectly. What is the MOST likely reason for this problem? Answer The projector driver needs to be updated. The projector's filter sensor was triggered. The source computer's resolution settings do not match the projector's resolution settings. A VGA cable was used to connect the computer to the projector.
The source computer's resolution settings do not match the projector's resolution settings.
You are an IT technician for your company. One of your employees calls and tells you that every time they turn their computer on, they hear three beeps. Which of the following BEST describes the information you should relay to this employee about the beeping? Answer Three repeated beeps is a general error. There is no specific information available about what this code means. Three repeated beeps may mean different things. They need to reference the motherboard documentation. Three repeated beeps indicate that there is something wrong with the computer's memory. Three repeated beeps indicate that the keyboard has failed and needs to be replaced.
Three repeated beeps may mean different things. They need to reference the motherboard documentation.
After starting your Apple iMAC computer, you immediately experience the Spinning Pinwheel of Death (SPoD) crash screen. Which of the following should you do FIRST to try to resolve the problem? Answer Try to reboot the computer. Scan the computer for viruses. Revert the system to a previous state. Clear the dyld cache.
Try to reboot the computer. When you experience an SPoD crash screen on your iMAC, you should first try to reboot the system. Often, rebooting the computer solves this problem. If that does not work, try to revert the system to a previous state. Then scan the computer for viruses. Because this is an iMAC computer, you could also try clearing the dyld cache.
Which of the following are the MOST likely signs that your computer might need more memory? (Select two.) Answer Your system boots, but the memory count is incorrect. You receive an exception error when running a software program. You system boots, but the display remains blank. Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time. Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work.
Your hard drive light on the system case is on for long periods of time. Your hard drive is constantly operating as you work.
