A+ Chapter 13: Hardware and Network Troubleshooting

DISKPART

Windows command line utility for managing disks, partitions, and volumes

CHKDSK

Windows command line utility for testing and correcting errors on storage devices

FORMAT

Windows command-line tool for preparing a new drive for use or overwriting the drive's contents so the drive can be reused

NETSTAT

Windows command-line utility for displaying detailed network statistics

NBTSTAT

Windows command-line utility for displaying information about NetBIOS, or computer name, statistics

TRACERT

Windows command-line utility for following the path from the user location to the IP address or URL specified

NETDOM

Windows command-line utility for managing Active Directory domains

NET

Windows command-line utility for managing networks

IPCONFIG

Windows command-line utility is used to display the computer's current IP address and subnet mask and default gateway

NSLOOKUP

Windows command-line utility that displays detailed DNS information

print spooler

Windows service responsible for receiving print jobs and sending them to the printer

PING

Windows, Linux, and OS X utility for testing network connectivity

loud noise

A "bang" or "pop" often accompanied by smoke or a chemical odor. Common capacitor issue.

defragmentation tool

A utility that is used to reorganize files on a magnetic hard drive into contiguous disk sectors to improve performance

screwdriver

A versatile tool that can be used to remove and attach fasteners and bolts from desktop, laptop, and mobile devices

dead pixels

A very small picture element on an LCD or OLED display that doesn't light up

ghost cursor/pointer drift

A cursor that seems to move on its own; usually caused by mouse movement that is too fast for the screen refresh rate or by excessive touchpad sensitivity

intermittent device failure

A hardware problem in which devices stop working from time to time; most likely caused by physical problems such as a loose or damaged cable or lack of USB bus power

dim image

A low light image; symptom of a possible failing CCFL backlight or incorrect brightness settings

unable to decrypt email

A message that occurs in Outlook that indicates missing or out-of-date security certificates

intermittent connectivity

A network problem in which a device's connection goes in and out; most likely caused by physical problems, such as a loose or damaged cable or antenna wire, or network signal strength/interference problems

loopback plug

A plug that routes output to input wires to enable a port to be tested for proper send/receive functions

artifacts

A problem with video display such as distorted shapes or colors, scrambled text, or lines through an image

flickering image

A screen image that goes in and out; can be caused by a failing CCFL backlight or by certain settings on mobile devices.

lockup

A system crash indicated by an unresponsive mouse cursor, keyboard, or touchscreen; also described by saying "the computer froze"

streaks

A type of mark on a page; may indicate laser printers need replacement toner other printers have dirty rollers in the paper path

loud clicking noise

A typical symptom of either a hard disk drive having read/write problems or from a failing cooling fan

GPS

A worldwide system of satellites that provides information concerning the whereabouts of mobile devices or anything else with a receiver

ghost images

Afterimage of the previous page on a page printed with a laser printer

POST card

Device that displays POST error codes visually

multimeter

An electrical testing device that can test amperage and AC and DC voltage and continuity and other items.

wireless locator

App or device that identifies and gives information about wireless networks; also called a WiFi analyzer

distended capacitors

Bulging or leaking component on motherboard that resembles a miniature soft drink can and regulates voltage; can result in system failure

drive not recognized

Error that takes place if misconfiguration or cable error or other problem prevents the computer from detecting the storage device

power supply tester

Checks to see if power supply is working or reaching proper voltage levels

SHUTDOWN

Command line tool that shuts down the current computer session, logs off all users, and turns off the power

no connectivity

Error resulting from loss of network connection due to router or network or cable failure, airplane mode being enabled, or network adapter being disabled

S.M.A.R.T. errors

Hard disk issues reported by a special self-monitoring technology

garbled characters

Mixed up, random text and symbols produced by a printer; most likely indicates a problem with the printer driver

creased paper

Folds in paper that can cause paper jams in printers; often occur when paper is not aligned before being fed into the printer or the paper guides are not set correctly

manufacturer resources

General name for manuals or other information about a particular computer device or operating system or app.

proprietary crash screens (BSOD/pin wheel)

General term for how an OS displays a crash; with an example for Windows and OS X

distorted geometry

Image problem caused by not having the screen/wall and projector lined up properly with each other

IFCONFIG

Linux and OS X Terminal command to display and (optionally) change wired network configuration

print queue

List of print jobs waiting to be sent to the printer

access denied

Message that appears when a user doesn't have the permissions needed to perform an action

VGA mode

On Windows Vista/7, selecting this mode from the special startup (F8) options menu sets the display for 640×480 resolution

paper jam

Printer problem that can be caused by damp paper, not fanning the paper properly before placing it in the tray, or defective feed rollers

faded prints

Printouts with very light ink or toner; may indicate that cartridge needs replacing or that economy mode is on

no power

Problem due to failure of AC current, battery exhaustion or failure, or charger malfunction

overheating

Problem in which a computer component becomes hotter than it should be

limited connectivity/local connectivity

Problem in which network client can connect to LAN resources but not to the Internet

low memory errors

Problems caused by attempting to print a document that will not fit in the laser printer's onboard temporary storage

incorrect color patterns

Problems with the colors in a projector

continuous reboots

Repeated restarting of a computer; symptom of Power Good power supply problem or STOP (BSOD) error if system is configured to restart on BSOD

file recovery software

Software that can recover a deleted file if the file bypassed the Recycle Bin or was never sent to the Recycle Bin

drive enclosure

Specialized case designed to hold and power disk drives outside of a chassis

read/write failure

Storage error that can result from electronics failure, impact damage, cable damage, or other issues

distorted image

Stretched or squeezed images; can be caused by incorrect resolution or 3D settings, or problems with video card

failure to boot

System cannot start, possibly due to BIOS/UEFI boot order, damage to operating system files or other causes

indicator lights

These give feedback about things like power status or disk status or network connection status

data recovery software

Third-party applications for finding and retrieving lost files

cable tester

Tool that checks a cable's ability to carry data reliably

IP conflict

Two devices (hosts) on a network with the same IP address cause this issue

POST code beeps

Various patterns of sound used by the BIOS during POST to indicate errors with video memory, CPU, or other components; a speaker must be connected to the front-panel speaker header pins on the motherboard to hear this

toner

What laser printers use for their pigment

num lock indicator lights

When this light is on this number keypad feature is working

low RF signal

Wireless network problem caused variously by obstructions between router and wireless client; use of only one antenna by router or client; excessive distance between router and client

vertical lines

a printing problem with lines going up and down the page; indicates a feed roller problem if it's an inkjet printer or a problem with the toner cartridge or other elements f it's a laser printer