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A message that occurs in Outlook that indicates missing or out-of-date security certificates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