CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Exam (Section 5.1 to 5.7)

A user has dual monitors, which are both producing color "glitches" such as purple or green horizontal lines or colors changing unexpectedly. What do you think the problem is? A) A connector is loose/faulty or cabling is bad. B) The monitor's liquid crystal display (LCD) is failing. C) The video card driver is incorrect. D) The video card is too close to the computer's power supply. Correct Answer) Incorrect color patterns can be caused by these 2 factors. - Try replacing one of these components; otherwise, this is a hardware fault. Everything else) 1) Colors changing unexpectedly on more than one screen indicate that the issue is not here. - It would be unlikely for both of these to fail at once. 2) Having this fail could cause problems such as visual artifacts, loud fan sounds, and black screens. - Visual artifacts usually point to a problem with this component itself. 3) This can overheat if too close to this main internal component. - This can cause the screen to blank out and go black, as a result.

A) A connector is loose/faulty or cabling is bad. Everything else.....) B, C, D.

When you power on a computer, you hear two beeps during power-on self-test (POST) and the computer never completely boots into the operating system. What is the likely cause? A) A failed or failing hardware component B) An incompatible peripheral attached to the computer C) An incorrect Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setting D) A virus infection in the master boot record (MBR) Correct Answer) POST beeps warn you of some problem in this area of your PC. - Listen carefully to the number of beeps that you receive and look up the codes for the BIOS manufacturer. - Beep codes are specific to each BIOS manufacturer. - Beep codes may also be detailed in the instruction booklet that came with your motherboard, if you have purchased that separately. Everything else) 1) The code in this area executes after POST. - Beeps during POST do not indicate a problem(s) here. 2) During POST, This type of hardware is not checked; only hardware required to boot the computer is. 3) Incorrect settings here will typically result in an on-screen error message during the boot process.

A) A failed or failing hardware component Everything else (in order)) D, B, C.

A projector is being set up for a meeting and the presenter calls you to report a distorted image. Upon visual investigation, you notice that the screen image is narrow at the top of the screen and normal width at the bottom. How do you resolve this video problem? A) Adjust the monitor's screen geometry. B) Realign the pins on the video interface plug. C) Replace the projector. D) Remove & replace the video card. Correct Answer) If a certain CRT/analog projector image mathematical measurement is distorted (a pincushion effect where the edges appear to bulge for instance), try adjusting the monitor's image control knobs. Everything else) 1) This component having bent areas anywhere might cause distorted colors on the screen or a flicker. 2) This is not a cost effective solution to the problem. - You should try other troubleshooting methods first. 3) You would not need to do this due to distorted screen geometry. - This component failing could cause problems such as visual artifacts and blank screens.

A) Adjust the monitor's screen geometry. Everything else.....) B, C, D.

Hard drives feature Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) to pass status information and alerts back to monitoring software. What can this feature provide for users? A) Advance warning that a drive is about to fail B) Anti-virus protection C) Hardware RAID D) Software RAID Correct Answer) Most hard drives run a self-diagnostic program called S.M.A.R.T that can provide this. - You can also use Windows utilities to query S.M.A.R.T. and run manual tests. Everything else) NOT configured by S.M.A.R.T. 1) This requires a special controller or motherboard to create a RAID volume from a physical array of disks. 2) Some RAID configurations can be implemented by THIS within a native operating system. 3) This is a software solution that is usually subscribed to in order to prevent and recover from malware infections.

A) Advance warning that a drive is about to fail Everything else (in order)) C, D, B.

How does Video Graphics Array (VGA) mode assist in troubleshooting video problems? A) Allows you to view the GUI with minimal colors B) Boots with the last successful registry configuration C) Loads basic drivers and services, including network services D) Loads only basic drivers and services Correct Answer) VGA Mode allows for viewing things in this setting in order to troubleshoot video problems, such as incorrect drivers or an errant video mode setting. - Windows is fully functional in this mode. Everything else) 1) This is Safe Mode: a useful troubleshooting mode where Windows is otherwise not fully functional. - If you are unable to boot to VGA Mode, then you many need to boot to Safe Mode. 2) This Safe Mode with Networking, if you are required to access the network, while still doing troubleshooting as needed. 3) This is Last Known Good Configuration in a nutshell.

A) Allows you to view the GUI with minimal colors Everything else....) D, C, B.

Before implementing changes, a technician should do which of the following? A) Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts on the system. B) Document findings, actions, and outcomes. C) Implement preventative measures. D) Verify full system functionality. Correct Answer) This is done at each step in the troubleshooting model, and most importantly before implementing changes. - ALSO, make sure you have the authorization needed to proceed with your plan. Everything else) 1) We do this at each step, followed by once the changes are implemented and the outcome is verified. 2) Do this after changes are made to the system. - Both you and the user need to verify and accept that the issue is resolved. 3) Do this once the solution is implemented and verified in order to ensure the problem does not affect the user again.

A) Always consider corporate policies, procedures, and impacts on the system. Everything else) 1) B 2) D 3) C

A technician is troubleshooting a new mobile device that is suddenly experiencing a very short battery life. Which of the following is likely the cause? A) An app is putting excessive strain on the battery life. B) The battery is swollen. C) The battery needs replacing. D) There is a recall /safety advisory on that device's battery. Correct Answer) If the battery is not old or faulty, you could suspect THIS. - On most mobile devices, you can view what's responsible here in this case. Everything else) 1) Over time, the maximum charge batteries can sustain decreases. - Short battery life will usually indicate this. - This is not likely to be an issue for a newer mobile device. 2) Signs here include a device that wobbles when placed flat on a desk or a deformed touchpad or keyboard. 3) Problems with batteries and AC adapters often occur in batches. Sign up to the vendor's alerting service for staying informed and up-to-date!

A) An app is putting excessive strain on the battery life. Everything else.....) C, B, D.

An app on a mobile device fails to load completely and appears to hang. Which of the following resets should you perform? A) App reset B) Factory reset C) Hard reset D) Soft reset Correct Answer) This forces an application to quit. - Use this if a particular app is not responding. Everything else) 1) This is also known as a power cycle or restart, reboots the device. - This will often take care of apps that won't load, a frozen screen, or slow performance. 2) You do this if the touchscreen is not responding to input and you cannot perform a power cycle normally. - You can perform this by forcing the device to turn off. 3) This is the most aggressive reset - It deletes any user data and settings and puts the device in its "vanilla" factory state.

A) App reset Everything else.....) D, C, B.

'Which motherboard component can become distended and break its casings, leaking electrolytes and causing the board to fail? A) Capacitor B) CMOS battery C) CPU (the "processor") D) Firmware Correct Answer) These are barrel-like components that regulate the flow of electricity to the system chips. - If they are swollen or bulging or emitting any kind of residue they could have been damaged or could have failed due to a manufacturing defect. Everything else) 1) This is a battery-powered chip stores the date, time, and system setup information. - Failure of this component may result in a ""____Checksum"" error or similar. 2) This executes program instruction code, performs mathematical and logical calculations, and controls Input/Output (I/O) functions. 3) This is software that provides low-level control of hardware devices. - Upgrading this s relatively risky (a failed motherboard update can leave the computer unbootable), it is only worth doing if the update fixes a specific problem that you are encountering or if it is regarded as a critical update.

A) Capacitor Everything else (in order)) B, C, D

If you experience intermittent wireless connectivity problems, what should you check first on your local device? A) Check for electrical interference. B) Check to make sure the wireless functionality is enabled. C) The device needs to have its Wi-Fi card replaced. D) Reboot the device to refresh all connections. Correct Answer) If there are intermittent connectivity problems, be aware that wireless and Bluetooth devices can have this issue occur frequently. - Use a Wi-Fi analyzer software to measure the signal strength in different locations to try to identify where this is occurring; moving devices a few feet can make a big difference. Everything else) 1) If there is a problem with establishing this, make sure to check that this adapter is working. - If the problem is intermittent, the problem is definitely something else. 2) THIS is not the first step in troubleshooting connectivity problems. - Rebooting is an important step when other checks fail. 3) It is important to check the obvious first. - There are several troubleshooting steps to take before ever considering this.

A) Check for electrical interference. Everything else.....) B, D, C.

What do you check if your screen is black and the monitor is not in power-saving mode? A) Check power from the monitor to the wall plug. B) Check the video resolution. C) Verify that the computer is on. D) Verify that the video card is seated completely and correctly. Correct Answer) It's probable that the power cabling has become disconnected from the monitor, from the power strip, or possibly from the wall socket. Everything else) 1) This is the number of pixels (picture elements) used to create the image. - Having this or color depth be low (VGA rather than SVGA) make the image look blocky or grainy. 2) The monitor will most likely be in power-saving mode in this case. - It is also important to work systematically through an issue. - If you suspect power is the issue, start at the power connections. 3) Unless the computer has had recent maintenance on the motherboard, you should check more obvious theories before this.

A) Check power from the monitor to the wall plug. Everything else.....) B, C, D.

You just installed a new hard drive for a user. After rebooting the machine, the drive is not recognized by the host's operating system. How do you resolve this? A) Check that the drive's host adapter is enabled. B) Configure the drive as a boot device. C) Partition the drive. D) Reformat the drive. Correct Answer) If the drive is not detected, check either that the onboard controller is enabled (through system setup) or that this has been recognized. - For an SSD, you should also check that the port is using the appropriate mode (AHCI or NVMe). Everything else) 1) You will not be able to do these two things if the operating system does not recognize the drive. 2) This defines one or more discrete storage areas on the same physical disk.

A) Check that the drive's host adapter is enabled. Everything else (in order)) 1) B, D 2) C

Which of the following is NOT a likely cause for your mobile device's flickering display? A) Electrical interference B) A loose wire connection C) Old or corrupted video drivers D) Refresh rate is set too high Correct Answer) This is not a likely cause for liquid crystal display (LCD) screen flicker. Everything else) 1) Flickering could also concern this, via from the system board to the display. - In this case, the only way to fix the issue is to disassemble the mobile device and secure these. 2) Check this within the display settings for the device (mobile device or computer.) - You will notice a flicker if this is the issue. 3) If the LCD screen is part of a computer system or monitor, check things out by checking that the video card is good by using an external monitor, but only after verifying this.

A) Electrical interference Everything else.....) B, D, C.

If no error message is displayed at startup, which of the following could you do to diagnose issues with a Windows operating system? A) Enable boot logging. B) Generate counter logs. C) Generate trace logs. D) Revert to a Last Known Good Configuration. Correct Answer) In Windows, certain messages are written to the C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt file when you do this. - You should also use Event Viewer to analyze the System and Application logs for any errors. Everything else) 1) These allow you to collect statistics about resources, such as memory, disk, and processor. - These can help you develop theories about performance issues. 2) These can collect statistics about services, providing you with detailed reports about resource behavior. - In essence, these provide extensions to the Event Viewer, logging data that would otherwise be inaccessible. 3) This is a boot option that boots with the last registry configuration that was used to log on successfully.

A) Enable boot logging. Everything else (in order)) B, C, D.

You are examining the motherboard of a computer that was issuing POST errors and failing to boot. You observe physical damage and signs of overheating. Which of the following actions do you take to determine the cause of the issue? A) Examine the environment around the computer and the maintenance history. B) Generate counter logs to monitor the temperature of the system. C) Revert to a Last Known Good Configuration. D) Test by substituting "known good" components. Correct Answer) It is worth investigating these 2 exact areas that could be the "root cause" of the error. - When troubleshooting suspected problems, look for simple solutions first. Everything else) 1) Doing this would be too time consuming and expensive. - If there is physical damage to the motherboard you will almost certainly need diagnostic software to run tests to confirm whether there is a problem. 2) This is a boot option that boots with the last registry configuration that was used to log on successfully. 3) These allow you to collect statistics about resources, such as memory, disk, and processor. - These can help you develop theories about performance issues. - These don't exist for temperature monitoring.

A) Examine the environment around the computer and the maintenance history. Everything else (in order)) D, C, B.

Which of the following does NOT cause overheating problems? A) Failing CMOS battery B) Incorrect fan speed C) Low quality heatsink paste D) Overclocking Correct Answer) This is a battery-powered chip that stores the date, time, and system setup information. - Having this component fail on us will result in the computer losing that information. Everything else) 1) Running a processor at a higher clock speed can cause overheating. - Double-check the voltage and timing settings in CMOS Setup. 2) Doing this incorrectly can cause the processor to run too hot resulting in system crashes or spontaneous reboots. 3) Heat-sinks are usually ""stuck"" to the processor using this special heat conductive product, which some manufacturers use lower quality versions of. - In these cases, it is possible to clean this away and replace it with something better, which will help the processor to run at a lower temperature.

A) Failing CMOS battery Everything else (in order)) D, B, C.

Which of the following is a common cause of the Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)? A) Failing hard drive B) Low disk capacity C) RAID not found D) Virus infection in the Master Boot Record (MBR) Correct Answer) THIS can cause a Windows STOP error, or BSoD, especially if that disk contains the operating system files. Everything else) 1) A hardware version of this solution is supported by a plug-in controller card or by the motherboard. - If the driver is not installed or configured correctly, the operating system may be unable to detect this. 2) This can be a cause of slow performance, but will not cause a BSoD. 3) This results in boot errors such as "OS not found" or "Invalid drive specification." - The Windows BSoD indicates an operating system (OS) fatal error and occurs after the OS has booted.

A) Failing hard drive Everything else (in order)) C, B, D.

A user has reported a loud clicking noise coming from their computer. What is a likely cause of the noise? A) Failing hard drive B) Low disk capacity C) Read/write failure D) Virus infection in the Master Boot Record (MBR) Correct Answer) Loud or unusual noises can often indicate this with 2 certain inner components. Everything else) 1) Damage to this software component results in boot errors such as "OS not found" or "Invalid drive specification." - If this problem is caused by a virus, the best way to resolve it is to use the boot disk option in your anti-virus software. 2) This can cause an error message such as "Cannot read from the source disk" to be displayed when trying to open or save a file. 3) This can be a cause of slow performance. - When a disk is 90% full, its capacity meter is shown in red in Explorer.

A) Failing hard drive Everything else (in order)) D, C, B.

On Monday, a user notices that a default security setting has changed and they can no longer load a website. Why does a technician ask both the user and other technicians if other users are experiencing the same problem? A) In order to establish if the problem has arisen because of some environmental or infrastructure change B) In order to reassign the ticket to another technician C) In order to test a theory D) In order to work up or down layers Correct Answer) The latest change to a system in such ways is very often the cause of the problem. - Other technicians may be working on a related issue with other users. Everything else) 1) This is a method to establish and test a theory of probable cause, for example, hardware components, network issues, and user actions. 2) This should follow your organization's escalation routes. This is usually done if you cannot solve the problem yourself. 3) This involves systematically checking hardware or software settings to identify the cause of a problem.

A) In order to establish if the problem has arisen because of some environmental or infrastructure change Everything else) 1) D 2) B 3) C

A network printer in your office will not print. Users are receiving "Not Available" messages when trying to print. What should you check? A) Make sure the printer is powered on. B) Make sure the users have permissions to install printer drivers. C) Verify that the printer has paper. D) Verify that users have permission to access the printer. Correct Answer) In the opposite case, users may receive "Printer Not available" messages. - The simplest way to check this message is to do this. Everything else) 1) Users will receive an "Access Denied" message in this case. 2) Only once the printer is installed do the users not need this hindering their ability to print documents. 3) If the printer is out of paper, any print jobs will be sent to the printer successfully; however, you may see error codes on the printer control panel relating to an empty paper tray.

A) Make sure the printer is powered on. Everything else....) D, B, C.

What should you do before upgrading or replacing anything on a laptop? A) Obtain the manufacturer's service documentation. B) Order components from the vendor. C) Remove the screws holding the chassis together and put them somewhere safe. D) Take a photo of the underside of the laptop and print it out. Correct Answer) Make sure you DO THIS BEFORE commencing any upgrade or replacement work. - This should explain how to disassemble the chassis and remove items without damaging them. Everything else) 1) As you remove screws, tape them to the relevant point after doing this first. - Also, Photograph each stage of disassembly so you know where to re-fit cables and connectors. 2) These have become better standardized for laptops. - Doing this is still recommended but basic upgrade options are easier to replace. 3) FIRST, make sure you have checked device warranty status and performed our correct answer; then you can have at it - safely and carefully.

A) Obtain the manufacturer's service documentation. Everything else.....) D, B, C.

Which of the following may increase the frequency of system lockups? A) Overclocking B) Simultaneous Multi-threading (SMT) C) Superpiplining D) Symmetric multiprocessing Correct Answer) It's done using the system setup firmware program by adjusting the CPU Speed or Advanced Chip-set Features properties. - Increasing the clock speed requires more power and generates more heat, which may cause system lockups. Everything else) 1) This is an approach to making a computer faster by using multiple physical CPUs. 2) This is an approach to making a computer faster by making the computer seem as if it has multiple physical processors. - It does this by splitting the instructions of a program into multiple processes, or threads. - This approach works best with this type of software. 3) This is a super-scalar architecture that is split into multiple stages but shorter actions (micro-ops) at each stage.

A) Overclocking Everything else (in order)) D, B, C.

Other than a failed or failing hardware component, what other problem can cause a computer to shut down randomly? A) Overheating B) Overuse C) Security updates D) Swap space at 100 percent consumption Correct Answer) This is the most likely cause of random shutdowns if you don't find a faulty hardware component. - Check ventilation and cooling fan speeds. - Allow adequate ventilation and clean all components with compressed air. Everything else) 1) This can cause failing hardware components, such as degrading flash chips on SSD storage devices. - This is usually prevented by wear leveling routines by the devices firmware or by the operating system. 2) System administrators regularly initiate these. - Sometimes, they require a restart; however, it is most likely that these will either be initiated after business hours or after notifying the user of a shutdown. 3) DOING THIS will cause major performance issues and application failure.

A) Overheating Everything else (in order)) B, C, D.

Why is it important to tell a user to immediately discontinue use of a laptop with a bulging touchpad? A) The battery could be swollen and leaking hazardous chemicals. B) The laptop is overheating. C) The touchpad is a fire hazard. D) The touchpad is warped from overheating. Correct Answer) Li-ion batteries are designed to do this to avoid bursting or exploding but great care must be taken when handling a battery in this situation to avoid further damage that may cause it to burst or explode. - It may also be a fire hazard, as well as this. Everything else) 1) This is NOT a fire hazard, whereas having this component bulge is a symptom of our correct answer, instead. 2) Yes, but the reason to discontinue use of this mouse-controlling component, or just the whole PC in general... Is because of our correct answer.

A) The battery could be swollen and leaking hazardous chemicals. Everything else.....) 1) C 2) D and B

Why are laptops prone to overheating? A) The components are all within close proximity and can generate a lot of heat. B) The components collect a lot of dust and are not cleaned easily. C) CPUs draw a lot of power and run hot, causing laptops to heat up quickly when in use. D) People often get careless and unwittingly cover the vents. Correct Answer) Overheating can be a considerable problem with laptops due to their compact size and integrated design. Everything else) 1) Environmental considerations, such as doing this with books, mouse pads, etc. can contribute to overheating in laptops and desktop computers. [T / F 1] When servicing laptops, it is a good practice to blow dust from the cooling passages using compressed air or an electronics vacuum. - You must be cautious of the internal components in order to not damage them with compressed air. [T / F 2] Laptop CPUs are engineered to draw less power and thus run cooler than their similarly rated desktop counterparts.

A) The components are all within close proximity and can generate a lot of heat. Everything else.....) D, B [ TRUE], C [TRUE].

If you approach a computer and the monitor's power is on, but the screen is black, and there is an orange light on instead of the normal blue or green one, what is the problem? A) The computer's power-saving settings have put the monitor into standby mode. B) The monitor has been subjected to a power surge and has placed itself into low power mode. C) The monitor has power, but the screen itself is damaged. D) The monitor's power supply has failed and should be replaced. Correct Answer) The orange light tells you that the monitor is asleep at the moment. - A blue or green light would tell you that the monitor is powered on and "awake." Everything else) [T / F 1] A monitor should be connected to a surge protector. - Many surges are very small and of too short a duration to cause problems, but some can cause sufficient interference to a computer's power supply to crash, reboot, or even damage it. [T / F 2] If the monitor had green or blue lights, you might wonder why the screen was black and you would need to check the video cable. [T / F 3] he monitor is receiving power but only when green or blue lights are on.

A) The computer's power-saving settings have put the monitor into standby mode. [T / F 1] TRUE. [T / F 2] TRUE. [T / F 3] FALSE (The monitor is receiving power since you can see that the orange light is on, meaning it's in standby mode.)

You open the lid to your laptop and the display is blank/black. Identify the option that is most likely NOT the source of the problem. A) The device's blank screen saver is activated. B) The device has no power. C) The device's screen is damaged or disconnected. D) The liquid crystal display (LCD) cutoff switch is stuck down. Correct Answer) It is unlikely this would happen simply upon opening the laptop's lid. Everything else) 1) When travelling with a laptop, then this is especially true if the device has a spinning hard drive since the drive can be damaged and data lost while travelling. 2) If this is so, the screen may appear blank or black. 3) Stuck keys and buttons are a common problem with laptops. - The screen will appear blank or black, in this case.

A) The device's blank screen saver is activated. Everything else.....) B, C, D.

A user reports being unable to read an encrypted email on a mobile device. Which of the following is likely missing? A) The digital certificate B) The recipient's private key C) The recipient's public key D) The sender's private key Correct Answer) If this is missing or not recognized, the device will be unable to decrypt the email. Everything else) 1) These should be kept safe and are not transmitted with encrypted files. - This specific stays with the sender at all times. - These, which are between sender & recipient are different. 2) The recipient sends the sender a digital certificate and the sender uses this in that certificate to encrypt the message. - This is not also used to decrypt the email. 3) This is part of the correct answer. - Use the email client or encryption program's support documentation to find out how to install or locate the appropriate certificate.

A) The digital certificate Everything else.....) D, C, B.

Upon booting your computer, you notice that the desktop's icons and images are oversized, but there are no errors or messages on the screen. What is one possible cause? A) The video resolution has defaulted to a very low setting. B) You have a virus that affects your video settings. C) You have booted into Safe Mode. D) Your video refresh rate is set too low for your monitor. Correct Answer) Your video resolution has likely defaulted to a lower setting. This can result in screen objects looking "too large." You should also check whether the zoom tool is in use. Everything else) 1) You should check the obvious first, such as display settings and even try another monitor, before jumping to this assumption. 2) Though this does cause your images and icons to appear larger by using a lower resolution, the display will identify that the computer is in this state. 3) This inappropriate setting will cause a flicker, but TFTs only work at one refresh rate and CRTs are no longer widely used.

A) The video resolution has defaulted to a very low setting. Everything else.....) B, C, D.

Malware has damaged the Master Boot Record (MBR) scheme on a standard single-boot Windows PC. Which of the following command line tools do you run after booting from the repair disk? A) bootrec B) chkdsk C) defrag D) diskraid Correct Answer) This is a tool that can repair MBR problems, repair this specific sector, or add missing Windows installations to the Boot Configuration Database (BCD). Everything else) 1) This utility can be used to check the integrity of a formatted disk in Windows. - Use THIS regularly to check that the drive is in good condition. - Its /f function will fix file system errors but will not identify bad sectors. 2) This is a command tool that enables you to configure and manage redundant array of independent (or inexpensive) disks (____) storage subsystems. 3) This command locates and consolidates fragmented files on local volumes to improve system performance.

A) bootrec Everything else (in order)) B, C, D.

A user reports that their computer's screen is blank after they power it on. The user hears the power supply fan running and there seems to be no power issues with the computer. What do you check first? A) Check the BIOS for incorrect settings. B) Check cabling and connections. C) Replace the monitor with a "known good" one. D) Use a recovery disk created by the anti-virus software to boot the machine. Correct Answer) This is done, especially if maintenance work has just been performed on the PC. - An incorrectly oriented storage adapter piece of wiring or a badly seated adapter card can stop the POST from running. - Correct any errors, reset adapter cards, and then reboot the PC. Everything else) 1) Without a screen display, you will not be able to check this! 2) Don't do this without first checking our correct answer. - Work systematically to develop a theory of probable cause and start by checking, again, our correct answer. 3) If a virus has caused a problem with the GPT or MBR, the best way to resolve it is to use the boot disk option in your anti-virus software. - However, always check the physical components first.

B) Check cabling and connections. Everything else (in order)) A, C, D.

What do you check first when troubleshooting a non-responsive touchscreen? A) Check that the right wires are still connected in the right places for the digitizer to function. B) Check that the screen is clean. C) Restart the device. D) Rule out electromagnetic interference (EMI) by using the screen in a different location. Correct Answer) If a touchscreen is non-responsive, THIS is a GREAT first step! - Also, look for evidence that the laptop might have been dropped or severely damaged. Everything else) 1) THIS can affect the operation of touchscreens. - Try using the device in another location. 2) If the laptop has just been serviced, this is a good first step for a customer to take immediately. - Remember to ask, "What has changed?" 3) In many cases, this'll likely solve the problem. - In Windows, you can also try uninstalling the touchscreen driver and reinstalling the device, using the latest driver if possible.

B) Check that the screen is clean. Everything else.....) D, A, C.

After issuing a new laptop to a user, the user calls to report that the keyboard is not working correctly. While typing, several letters are showing up as numbers. What do you do first? A) Check the Caps Lock status indicator. B) Check the Num Lock status indicator. C) Check for a stuck key on the numeric keypad. D) Restart the computer. Correct Answer) Users may become confused when this is activated and the keys go to numeric input. - Most laptops have an indicator light so you can easily check whether this is on or off. - This is most common on laptops without a numeric keypad, where a group of letter keys serves as the keypad. Everything else) 1) When this is on, all letters are generated as capitals. - Most keyboards have an indicator light to display the status for this. 2) This is a common problem on keyboards. - The problem presents itself as a key that cannot be pushed or a character that repeats while typing. - Sometimes the operating system will sense this issue and display a message. 3) This might reset our correct answer, unless such is enabled by default. - The simplest solution, with the least amount of downtime for the user, is to check on, again - our correct answer.

B) Check the Num Lock status indicator. Everything else.....) A, C, D.

Which of the following is a good way for a technician to manage multiple printers? A) Clear the print queue at the end of each business day. B) Create an administrative alert for error events in printer logs. C) Keep printer drivers up to date. D) Restart printers daily. Correct Answer) We do this for error events so that you can be warned of and investigate problems quickly is a good way to manage multiple printers. - Doing so can help you fix errors before users report problems. Everything else) 1) Cycling the power printers can solve many problems, however this will not alert you to issues such as low ink/toner, or paper jams throughout the workday. 2) These don't change frequently. - They are installed when you install a printer on a computer and usually only updated if you experience a printing problem. 3) This just ain't good practice for managing printers, m8!

B) Create an administrative alert for error events in printer logs. Everything else.....) D, C, A.

A technician determined that a recent network update changed settings that now prevent a user from accessing a web-based application. Which step of the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model comes next? A) Document findings, actions, and outcomes. B) Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. C) Establish and test a theory of probable cause. D) Implement preventative measures. Correct Answer) Once the cause of the problem is determined, the technician MUST do this. Everything else) 1) The technician does this ONLY after the solution is implemented. 2) After the solution is verified, it is very important to do this. - This can be done in the notes on the ticket, in a Knowledge Base (KB) article, or even in a white paper. - These resources are useful for future troubleshooting. 3) The technician already did this to determine that a network update was, in fact, the cause of the problem.

B) Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. Everything else (in order)) 1) D 2) A 3) C

During which step of the CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Model do you step through a problem to test a theory of most probable cause? A) Establish a plan. B) Establish a theory. C) Identify the problem. D) Verify system functionality. Correct Answer) Attempting to re-create the issue is a common practice of doing this to ID a cause of problem. - It is usually helpful to watch the user create the circumstance that led to the problem so that you can see first-hand the result. - At that point, you can try to re-create the issue to see if you can determine the cause. Everything else) 1) Do this once you have confirmed a theory about the cause of the problem. - Keep in mind whether or not you have the proper authorization to carry out this action. 2) Do this in order to form theories regarding the cause of the problem. 3) ALWAYS do this after the problem and the cause are identified. - The cause must be remedied and the user must accept that the problem is fixed.

B) Establish a theory. Everything else) 1) A 2) C 3) D

Which simple visual test will tell you if power is properly supplied to a hardware component? A) The fan will be running. B) Indicator lights will be on or on and green. C) The optical drive door opens and closes. D) The system power-on self-test (POST) screen appears. Correct Answer) These are the best visual test to confirm that power is supplied to a component. Everything else) 1) Not all hardware components have these. - You can tell if the power supply unit is receiving power if this component moves as required. - You may also be able to tell if a GPU is receiving power based on that of the same. 2) This component working properly is a good indicator of power to this internal component, but it is a mechanical test, not simply a visual one. 3) THIS only indicates that the motherboard and video are functioning properly, but this is a very high-level procedure.

B) Indicator lights will be on or on and green. Everything else (in order)) A, C, D.

You walk past a printer and notice there are no images on the printer display. What is most likely the cause? A) The printer has been unplugged. B) The printer has gone into power-saving mode. C) There is a hardware fault with the printer display. D) The printer is off the network. Correct Answer) Check that the printer has NOT done this. - Pressing the power button or pressing the touchscreen will generally wake the printer. Everything else) 1) The printer display would not have any images, if this happened. - It is unlikely that a printer would be left like this, BTW. 2) If all other troubleshooting fails, check the printer display in this area and be prepared for the worst. 3) Even if this has happened, the printer will still display images unless it is in power-saving mode. - The printer will appear as such to anyone else, otherwise.

B) The printer has gone into power-saving mode. Everything else....) A, C, D.

A technician is working on a ticket for a user whose new external displays are not working. After checking the obvious things (power, cabling, and input settings, for instance), what can the technician do next? A) Increase the external monitor resolution via Windows display settings. B) Look for updated drivers for the graphics adapter and laptop chipset (system software). C) Replace the video card. D) Rule out electromagnetic interference (EMI) by using the screens in a different location. Correct Answer) Many devices have these, which are shipped along with Windows or made available over Windows Update, but even in that case the vendor may be able to supply something more current. Everything else) 1) This can affect the operation of touchscreens, but generally should not affect non-responsive displays that are connected via cable. 2) If the resolution is set too high, this won't work properly. - To troubleshoot effectively, try lowering this feature or booting into VGA mode. 3) This is most likely not necessary if the on-board display is still working. - There are several other troubleshooting steps that should be taken first, such as testing a "known good" monitor.

B) Look for updated drivers for the graphics adapter and laptop chipset (system software). Everything else.....) D, A, C.

When troubleshooting a laptop with no wireless connectivity, what is the first thing you should check? A) Check that the antenna has not been dislodged from or wrongly connected to the motherboard. B) Make sure the adapter is enabled. C) Make sure you have the correct password for the wireless network. D) Reset the wireless router. Correct Answer) If there is a problem with wireless, Bluetooth, or cellular data/GPS, the first check (step) should be THIS. Everything else) 1) Without wireless connectivity, you will not be able to attempt to connect to a wireless network. - You need to first verify that your laptop can see networks. 2) If the laptop has been serviced recently and wireless functions have stopped working, check this area for issues; remember check the obvious FIRST, however. 3) Doing this will kick other devices off the network and could potentially impact productivity. - Always ensure you have proper authorization if you need to reset a router in a work environment.

B) Make sure the adapter is enabled. Everything else.....) C, A, D.

What error message do you receive when Windows cannot read the Master Boot Record (MBR)? A) Invalid media type B) OS not found C) Read/write failure D) STOP error Correct Answer) Damage to the MBR or GPT (GUID Partition Table) results in boot errors such as THIS or "Invalid drive specification." Everything else) 1) This can cause an error message such as "Cannot read from the source disk" to be displayed when trying to open or save a file. 2) The Blue Screen of Death or THIS can indicate hardware or software problems. - You have to research the specifics to find out which it is. 3) This error indicates the file system is corrupt. - You can try using the Startup Repair tool or run bootrec /fixboot to recover it without losing data.

B) OS not found Everything else (in order)) C, D, A.

Which of the following is the best method of documenting cable and screw locations when disassembling a laptop? A) Label cables and screws according to the manufacturer's documentation. B) Print out a picture and tape relevant pieces to corresponding places on the picture. C) Take a picture of the laptop before you begin working. D) Use masking tape to label each screw and cable. Correct Answer) As you remove screws, having this on hand first is very useful for laptop disassembly. - Also, Photograph each stage of disassembly so you know where to re-fit cables and connectors. Everything else) 1) Using this to label each screw and cable would be very time consuming and require you to keep track of a labeling methodology. 2) This is useful, but you need to make sure you keep track of where each piece fits into that picture. 3) It is a best practice to have this handy. - However, working from this alone is quite time-consuming during repairs.

B) Print out a picture and tape relevant pieces to corresponding places on the picture. Everything else.....) D, C, A.

Which of the following print defects do dirty feed rollers cause? A) Faint prints B) Streaks / horizontal or vertical lines C) Toner specks D) White stripes Correct Answer) Persistent marks that appear in the same place are often due to dirty feed rollers (note that there are rollers in the toner cartridge and fuser unit too) or a damaged or dirty photosensitive drum. Everything else) 1) These indicate either that the toner is poorly distributed (give the cartridge a gentle shake) or that the transfer roller is dirty or damaged. 2) Loose toner getting onto the paper causes this. - Clean the inside of the printer using an approved toner vacuum. 3) These most likely indicate that the toner cartridge needs replacing if you can discount a simple cause such as the user choosing an option for low density or draft output.

B) Streaks / horizontal or vertical lines Everything else.....) D, C, A.

A dim Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen that you cannot adjust or fix with software might be a serious problem with which screen component? A) The cutoff switch B) The LCD inverter C) The pixels D) The video card Correct Answer) As you may know if you have fluorescent lighting at home, this is more likely to fail than the tube itself. - This failing component cannot be repaired with software or monitor controls; it has to be replaced. Everything else) 1) This is not a component of the screen. - Check, however, that this is good by using an external monitor and adjusting the brightness. 2) This is a small plastic pin near the hinge that connects the LCD to the rest of the chassis. - When it is depressed, power to the backlight is switched off. 3) If the display is damaged, this can result in these areas of the image breaking down with mis-coloring, blockiness, or jaggedness.

B) The LCD inverter Everything else.....) D, A, C.

On Monday morning, after leaving a laptop charging on a docking station over the weekend, a user reports that the touchpad is deformed. Why does the technician tell the user to immediately discontinue use and not to touch the laptop? A) An app is putting excessive strain on the battery life. B) The battery is swollen. C) The battery needs replacing. D) There is a dangerous recall on that device's battery. Correct Answer) THIS is usually caused by overcharging, indicating some sort of problem with the battery's charging circuit, which is supposed to prevent overcharging. - Great care must be taken when handling this to avoid further damage that may cause it to burst or explode. Everything else) 1) Over time, the maximum charge batteries can sustain decreases. - Short battery life will usually indicate this, as a result. 2) If the battery is not old or faulty, you could suspect this. 3) Problems with batteries and AC adapters often occur in batches. - Sign up to the vendor's alerting service to stay better informed.

B) The battery is swollen. Everything else.....) C, A, D.

What can happen if you use the wrong sized screwdriver on small screws? A) The warranty will be voided. B) You can strip the screws. C) You might lose the screws. D) You will damage the laptop chassis. Correct Answer) You can also remove the notch for the screwdriver, by using the wrong sized screwdriver. - Make sure you have the appropriate sized tools! Everything else) 1) It is important to check this device in this regard before removing any screws from a device. - Only open an laptop if this is true. 2) You should organize the parts as you remove them from the device. - Keep the parts away from your main work area so that you do not damage them by mistake. 3) Always refer to the manufacturer's service documentation before disassembling the chassis in order to remove tricky items, such as plastic bezels, OK?

B) You can strip the screws. Everything else.....) A, C, D.

A computer's problem is that it has no power. Which of the following is an example of step 2 of the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model (Establish a theory)? A) You ask the user if they have tried to restart the computer. B) You check to see if the computer is plugged into the wall socket and also if the electrical plug into the computer is completely connected. C) You make a plan to get a new power cord after determining that a bad cord was the cause of the problem. D) You make sure that the user can power on the computer and accepts that the problem is fixed. Correct Answer) Defines Step 2, establish a theory, means to check the things that seem very simple. Everything else) 1) Defines Step 1. - Identify a problem, means to determine the cause of the symptoms. A user will often report symptoms of a problem and a technician will ask questions to identify the problem. 2) Defines Step 5. - Verify system functionality, means to test that the solution fixes the problem and the system continues to function normally. 3) Defines Step 4. - Establish a plan, means to determine the steps needed to resolve the problem, such as purchasing new specific components to work with.

B) You check to see if the computer is plugged into the wall socket and also if the electrical plug into the computer is completely connected. Everything else) Step 1) A Step 5) D Step 4) C

You notice a tiny black spot on your screen that is not dirt, dust, or anything on the glass surface. What is the black spot? A) Artifacts B) Burn-in C) Dead pixel D) Failed video card driver Correct Answer) These are black spots on-screen, which can be repaired, but the success of repairing depends on many factors. - Many vendors stipulate that they will only replace a screen if the number of manufacturing defects exceeds a stated threshold. Everything else) 1) This could cause problems such as (3), loud fan sounds, and black screens among other problems. 2) This is where a static image is displayed for so long that the monitor's picture elements are damaged and a ghost image is "______" permanently onto the display. 3) These are visual unexpected objects or patterns appearing on the screen. - These can be caused by faulty/damaged adapters, out of date drivers, or DirectX.

C) Dead pixel Everything else.....) D, B, A.

A user reports an unusually loud noise. Which of the following is likely the cause? A) An error during the POST B) Failing CMOS battery C) Failing fan or hard drive D) Thermal problems Correct Answer) Loud or unusual noises can often indicate these 2 devices are definitely failing. - One component here that sounds noisy may be spinning too fast because its driver software is not controlling it properly. Everything else) 1) These are likely to cause symptoms such as spontaneous reboots, blue screens, lockups, and so on. - These will typically be cyclic - if you turn the system off and allow it to cool, the problem will only reappear once it has been running long enough for heat to build up again. 2) The failure of this may result in a "____ Checksum" error or similar. 3) If THIS detects a problem, the error is often indicated by a series of beeps.

C) Failing fan or hard drive Everything else (in order)) D, B, A.

A group of users on the first floor of a building report difficulty using a Global Positioning System (GPS) application. You made sure that their devices were not on airplane mode and had Location Services turned on for that application. Why might they still have trouble using the application? A) The app does not have permission to use the location services. B) The app needs to be uninstalled and reinstalled. C) GPS does not usually work well indoors. D) The GPS receiver is not enabled. Correct Answer) This is because the satellite signals lack the power to penetrate dense construction material. - Most devices use a combination of this ALONGSIDE Indoor Positioning System (IPS), which uses information from nearby Wi-Fi hotspots, to provide location services. Everything else) 1) As well as enabling location services, this must also be in place, which is usually prompted for when not yet granted. 2) On mobile devices, sometimes it is necessary to do this if the system is not working. 3) As with other wireless functions, check THIS; also make sure the laptop is not in airplane mode.

C) GPS does not usually work well indoors. Everything else.....) A, B, D.

Which of the following print defects is a sign that the photosensitive drum has not been cleaned properly? A) Color cast B) Faint prints C) Ghost / Shadow images D) White stripes Correct Answer) These are a sign that the photosensitive drum has not been cleaned properly. - If the image is not completely cleared from the drum, it will repeat as these farther down the page. Everything else) 1) These most likely indicate that the toner cartridge needs replacing if you can discount a simple cause such as the user choosing an option for draft output. 2) This occurs when the toner cartridges have been installed in the wrong location. - If there is a cast or ______-like effect, one or all of the cartridges, rollers, or transfer belt are probably misaligned. 3) These indicate either that the toner is poorly distributed or that the transfer roller is dirty or damaged.

C) Ghost / Shadow images Everything else.....) B, A, D.

You have a mobile device that appears frozen and is not responding to any input. You have tried to reboot it, but it won't even reboot. What type of reset should you perform? A) App reset B) Factory reset C) Hard reset D) Soft reset Correct Answer) You do this if the touchscreen is not responding to input and you cannot perform a power cycle normally. - You can perform this by forcing the device to turn off. Everything else) 1) This is also known as a power cycle or restart, reboots the device. - This will often take care of apps that won't load, a frozen screen, or slow performance. 2) This forces an application to quit. - Use this if a particular app is not responding. 3) This is the most aggressive reset - It deletes any user data and settings and puts the device in its "vanilla" factory state.

C) Hard reset Everything else.....) D, A, B.

Which of the following is a reason to defragment a hard drive? A) Fix read/write failures B) Free up disk space C) Improve performance D) Virus infection in the Master Boot Record (MBR) Correct Answer) This is assured by ensuring that file fragmentation is minimized. - Disk defragmentation is a process whereby the contents of a disk are moved around to optimize disk access times. Everything else) 1) If this happens when trying to open or save a file, you may have a failing drive. - You should investigate the cause of the failure to avoid losing the data on that drive. 2) Defragmenting a hard drive DOES NOT DO THIS. - Instead, you need to delete files and applications. 3) The best way to resolve this major issue is to use the boot disk option in your anti-virus software.

C) Improve performance Everything else (in order)) A, B, D.

You are working on a ticket for a user who cannot access the Internet from their PC. You replace the Ethernet cable from the PC to the wall port with a "known good" one. How do you verify that the reported problem is solved? A) Ask the user if they accept the solution and close the ticket. B) Do a ping test of a local area network (LAN) resource. C) Make sure the indicator lights on the PC show network activity and verify the user can access the Internet from the PC. D) Use a cable tester to make sure the "known good" cable is configured correctly. Correct Answer) By doing these 2 exact steps in order, you are ensuring that your solution completely solves the original problem. Everything else) 1) In your troubleshooting, you may have found that this component was bad, but you must verify that that the user can access the Internet to make sure a new one of these solves the original problem. 2) Testing that the user can access this is an important step in "working up and down" a network issue. - However, if the user cannot do so, the problem is not solved. 3) It is important for this to occur between you and the user, but you also need to verify your solution with a test.

C) Make sure the indicator lights on the PC show network activity and verify the user can access the Internet from the PC. Everything else) 1) D 2) B 3) A

A user reports that a PC will not boot. While investigating the problem, you observe that none of the LEDs on the front panel of the system case are lit up and you cannot hear the fans or hard drives spinning. What is likely the cause? A) Failing CMOS battery B) An incorrect Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setting C) No power D) Overheating Correct Answer) Your PC NOT getting this is likely to be a fault in the PSU, incoming main electricity supply, these specific cables/connectors, or fuses. - Check that other equipment in the area is working, and then check the PSU cabling. Everything else) 1) Thermal problems are likely to cause symptoms such as spontaneous reboots, blue screens, and lockups. - These will typically be cyclic - if you turn the system off and allow it to cool, the problem will only reappear once it has been running long enough for heat to build up again. 2) If the computer keeps losing the correct time, the issue is most likely here! 3) These will typically result in an on-screen error message during the boot process.

C) No power Everything else (in order)) D, A, B.

To help with reassembly of a device, what should you do during disassembly? A) Check for wear and tear as you remove them. B) Count the parts as you remove them. C) Organize the parts as you remove them. D) Place the parts all into a single container so that they are not lost. Correct Answer) This is Step 2, after checking the manufacturer's documentation. - Keep the parts away from your main work area so that you do not damage them by mistake. Everything else) 1) It is a good practice to be observant and check for THIS as you are working on a device, as much as it will not help with reassembly of the device. 2) This'll only help if a part is missing and nothing else. 3) Doing something this stupid may cause them to become mixed up, giving you a puzzle to sort out during reassembly.

C) Organize the parts as you remove them. Everything else.....) A, B, D.

You have a user who requires a large amount of fault tolerant local storage. The user has a high-end workstation with five hard disks, what type of RAID fault-tolerant configuration will make best use of them? A) RAID 0 (striping without parity) B) RAID 1 (mirroring) C) RAID 5 (striping with parity) D) RAID 1+0 (RAID 10) Correct Answer) Writes parity information across all the disks in the array. - The data and parity information are managed so that the two are always on different disks. - If a single disk fails, enough information is spread across the remaining disks to allow the data to be completely reconstructed. Everything else) 1) Is not fault-tolerant. - Disk striping is a technique where data is divided into blocks and spread in a fixed order among all the disks in the array. - This requires at least two disks. - Its principal advantage is to improve performance by spreading disk I/O over multiple drives. 2) Implements mirroring, which requires an even number hard disks. - The mirror disk is a duplicate of the data disk. 3) This combines disk striping and mirroring. - It requires an even number of disks in order to mirror the striped disks.

C) RAID 5 (striping with parity) Everything else (in order)) A, B, D.

What should you do before you remove sticking keys from a laptop keyboard? A) Clean the keyboard with compressed air. B) Clean the keyboard with soap and water. C) Refer to the manual for key removal instructions. D) Turn the laptop upside-down and tap the debris out of the keyboard. Correct Answer) You should do this first BECAUSE the process is different from model to model even with laptops made by the same manufacturer. Everything else) 1) You can attempt to fix stuck keys without removing any keys, via doing this. 2) These should not be used to clean electrical components. - You could damage the motherboard of a laptop by using this on the keyboard. 3) Laptop keyboards can become very dirty, so this can be done without removing any keys, for basic dislodging of dust, dirt, and debris.

C) Refer to the manual for key removal instructions. Everything else.....) A, B, D.

You experience difficulty in locating components while disassembling a device. Select the BEST answer from the following: A) Check an online video for the correct locations. B) Look online for a similar device as a reference. C) Refer to the manufacturer's documentation. D) Stop and put the device back together at that point. Correct Answer) It is always best to ensure you have the right instructions for guidance. Everything else) 1) This may help, but it is best to use the information provided by the device's company. 2) This will not have the same components. - Therefore, It is not advisable to reference documentation from a different manufacturer. 3) Do this only if time or cost prohibits you from continuing to research the problem. - If you experience difficulty locating components after researching the problem, ask a more experienced technician for help.

C) Refer to the manufacturer's documentation. Everything else) 1) A 2) B 3) D

Identify the one troubleshooting step that you would NOT take if you found that a computer's screen is dim. A) Adjust the display's brightness and contrast. B) Check the video cable's connectivity. C) Remove and replace the video card. D) Verify the display's power-saving mode status. Correct Answer) You don't EVER do this due to a dim screen. - This failing could cause problems such as visual artifacts and blank screens. Everything else) 1) If the image is dim, check these display controls to make sure they are not turned all the way down. 2) This being poorly connected can cause a dim screen. - This being in bad condition causes a flickering display or incorrect color patterns on the screen. 3) Having this on some screens may result in a dim appearance. - Use the On Screen Display (OSD) in addition to operating system utilities to check the status of this.

C) Remove and replace the video card. Everything else.....) A, B, D.

A user's laptop will no longer take a charge and it must remain plugged in all the time. What do you suggest as a resolution? A) Disconnect peripherals to reduce power consumption. B) Power cycle the system several times to condition the battery. C) Replace the battery pack. D) Try a conditioning charger on the battery pack. Correct Answer) Short battery life will usually indicate THIS. Everything else) 1) Will not fix the issues with the battery no longer holding a change, though it could assist with turning off programs that may be draining the power. 2) When too many of these are trying to draw down too much power, this could cause spontaneous reboots, though a more likely cause is overheating. 3) Nickel cadmium (Ni-Cad) batteries have battery memory, which means that they can lose most of their recharge ability if you repeatedly recharge them without draining the batteries first. - The only solution to this problem is to use this, which is designed to first drain the Ni-Cad batteries before recharging them.

C) Replace the battery pack. Everything else.....) B, A, D.

A system has implemented a hardware Redundant Array of Disks (RAID) across an array of disks. One of the volumes is listed as "degraded." Which of the following do you need to do? A) Check the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) for the correct settings. B) Perform a S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) check. C) Replace the failing disk as soon as possible. D) Verify that the drivers for the RAID controller are installed. Correct Answer) Most desktop-level RAID solutions can only tolerate the loss of one disk, so... YEAH. - If one of the underlying disks fails, the volume will be listed as "degraded" but the RAID will still be detected at boot time. Everything else) 1) In Unix and Unix-like systems, you can implement RAID by doing THIS. 2) Most hard drives run this self-diagnostic program that can provide advance warning that a drive is about to fail. - If the drive is listed as "degraded," you know what to do! 3) A hardware RAID solution is supported by a plug-in controller card or by the motherboard, independently of the installed operating system.

C) Replace the failing disk as soon as possible. Everything else (in order)) A, B, D.

A user's reports that their screen has a noticeable flicker to it. What do you check to fix the screen flicker? A) Color depth (bit depth) B) Screen brightness C) Screen refresh rate (frame rate) D) Screen resolution Correct Answer) A flickering display can be a symptom of a number of different issues, including outdated video card drivers or a loose wire connection from the system board to the display. - The first thing you should check, however, is this within the display settings. - Having this be at 60 hertz (Hz) means the monitor will redraw the screen 60 times per second. - Anything below 60 Hz may cause a user to notice flickering in the display. Everything else) 1) The total number of colors supported in the image is referred to as this. - Having this on a low setting makes the image look blocky or grainy. 2) AKA: Luminance (Lumins). - measured in candelas per square meter (c * d / m^2). - If this setting is too low or high, the image will look dim or washed out. 3) This makes the image look blocky, grainy, or zoomed in/out, when it's incorrect.

C) Screen refresh rate (frame rate) Everything else.....) A, B, D.

Why is it important to check the warranty status on a laptop before servicing it? A) The laptop needs to be replaced when the warranty period is over. B) The manufacturer might be responsible for the necessary repair. C) Servicing the laptop could void the warranty. D) You might damage something during the repair. Correct Answer) Servicing a laptop that is still under warranty could incur unnecessary costs as a result. - Only open a laptop to access internal components if you are an authorized technician for the laptop brand, if otherwise. Everything else) 1) If the laptop is under warranty, this is how service agreement SHOULD be honored. 2) Anything going wrong here will likely not be covered by the warranty, so TAKE. YOUR. TIME. Or else! 3) If a laptop is no longer under warranty, it's smarter to check the local policies and procedures before attempting any repairs, unless damage is severe enough to the original product to even justify this measure.

C) Servicing the laptop could void the warranty. Everything else.....) B, D, A.

What should you do if you notice a burning smell while working on a computer? A) Check the CPU temperature from the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). B) Feel the power supply to see if it is overheating. C) Shut down the system immediately. D) Visually inspect the fans for signs of dirt and dust. Correct Answer) You do this, because unusual odors, such as a burning smell, or smoke will almost always indicate something (probably the power supply) overheating. Everything else) 1) This is a simple way to narrow down which component is having this issue. - However, you should power down the system before doing this. 2) Having this collecting on fans after too long can cause a system to overheat. - However, if there is a burning smell, you should shut down the system immediately before investigating the problem. 3) Many systems now come with internal temperature sensors that you can check via driver or management software. - Use the vendor documentation to confirm that the system is operating within acceptable limits. - However, if there is a burning smell, you should shut down the system immediately before investigating.

C) Shut down the system immediately. Everything else (in order)) B, D, A.

What should you tell a user if they report seeing smoke? A) Leave the area immediately. B) Quickly save data to removable storage because the hard drive is failing. C) Shut down the system immediately. D) There is a problem with the power supply. Correct Answer) Unusual odors, such as a burning smell, or smoke will almost always indicate something (probably the power supply) overheating! - YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO HERE. Everything else) 1) This could be the issue; however, the system should be shut down before investigating! 2) This component failing is unlikely to cause smoke. - The user needs to reduce the risk of fire by performing our correct answer. [T / F] If you suspect that a power supply is faulty, do not leave it turned on for longer than absolutely necessary and do not leave it unattended. - Watch for external signs of a problem (for example, smoke or fire). - Turn off immediately if there are any unusual sights, smells, or noises.

C) Shut down the system immediately. Everything else (in order)) D, B, A [TRUE]

Which of the following is a symptom of low disk capacity? A) Failure to boot B) Loud clicking noise C) Slow performance D) S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) errors Correct Answer) Low disk capacity can be a cause of this. - When a disk is 90% full, its capacity meter is shown in red in Explorer. - You can use the Disk Cleanup program to free up space. Everything else) 1) This is a very common sign that a fan or hard drive is failing. 2) This can be caused by incorrect boot sequence, errors in the MBR or GPT, a problem with the motherboard, or damaged cables. 3) This is a feature on a computer's hard disk for providing various monitoring indicators of disk reliability. - It can alert the operating system if reliability is compromised.

C) Slow performance Everything else (in order)) B, A, D.

During which step of the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model does a technician determine the next steps to resolve the problem? A) Establish a theory of probable cause. B) Identify the problem. C) Test the theory to determine the cause. D) Verify full system functionality. Correct Answer) DO THIS and once it is confirmed, determine next steps to resolve problem. If this is not confirmed, re-establish and try again or escalate. Everything else) 1) This must be done first. Then the theory can be tested and re-evaluated, if necessary. 2) This is the official first step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model. - This is done by questioning users, recreating the problem, and/or reviewing logs. 3) We do this, as well as implement preventative measures after implementing a solution to resolve the problem.

C) Test the theory to determine the cause. Everything else (in order)) 1) A 2) B 3) D

A computer is losing the correct time. Which of the following components is likely failing? A) The motherboard chipset B) The Northbridge C) The Real Time Clock battery D) The system memory Correct Answer) On older computers, the failure of this internal component may lead to system setup settings being lost or corrupted. - - You may see a ""CMOS Checksum"" error or similar. - CMOS is a specificially-powered chip that stores the date, time, and system setup information. Everything else) 1) This is one of the two main chips in Intel Pentium computers' chipsets. - It controls the system memory, the AGP video ports, and it may also control cache memory. 2) This is the collection of chips and integrated circuits that support basic functions of the computer. 3) This refers to what's used by the computer for temporary storage (starts w/ an "R").

C) The Real Time Clock battery Everything else (in order)) B, A, D.

You have a headset that usually automatically connects to your computer via Bluetooth. You notice that the device is no longer connected. What do you suspect is the problem? A) Airplane mode has been enabled. B) The Bluetooth adapter is off. C) The headset is powered off. D) There is interference in the area. Correct Answer) Wireless devices need power. - If a wireless device that has been working stops, it probably needs a new battery. - Try cycling the power on the device or reconnecting it and check for updated drivers for the wireless controller and the devices. Everything else) 1) If there is a problem with THIS, wireless, or cellular data/GPS, checking to make sure that the adapter is enabled is a good idea. - However, if the device previously connected and nothing has changed on the laptop, then the problem is likely with the device. 2) Use the notification shade toggles on a mobile device to check that this has not been enabled. 3) If there are intermittent connectivity problems, be aware that wireless input and communications devices may be experiencing this.

C) The headset is powered off. Everything else.....) B, A, D.

A user submits a ticket that describes a ghosted image that seems to be embedded in their screen when the computer and monitor are both powered off. What is this ghosted image? A) The computer is in Safe Mode. B) The computer's screen is in power-saving/dim screen mode. C) The image is a result of burn-in. D) It is a screen saver. Correct Answer) The image is the result of screen burn-in. - A screen that has been left on too long with the same image on the screen will damage the phosphor and a ghost image appears as the result. Everything else) 1) These prevent screen burn-in, even on phosphor-based monitors. - Most operating systems include the option for automatic activation after so many minutes of inactivity. 2) This is a boot option for Windows machines that uses only essential drivers and applications. - When in this state, the words "____ ____" appear in each corner of the screen. 3) To save energy..... YEAH.

C) The image is a result of burn-in. Everything else.....) D, A, B.

A user reports that their monitor's screen has shifted to one side so that they cannot see the leftmost column of icons on the desktop. What do you suspect is the problem? A) Someone has bumped the monitor and damaged it. B) The monitor has begun to fail. C) The monitor's horizontal centering has shifted. D) The video card has run out of memory. Correct Answer) This has gone too far to the left, it seems. - Using the monitor's menu, you can center or reposition it to correctly fill the frame. Everything else) 1) TFTs may exhibit distorted images, whenever this happens. - CRTs are unlikely to have distorted images due to bent screens. 2) The position of the icons on the screen does not indicate this at all. - This actually happening may exhibit dead pixels or irregular color patterns. 3) Here, you are running at too high a resolution, or your component in question here does not meet the requirements of the game or application that you are using.

C) The monitor's horizontal centering has shifted. Everything else.....) A, B, D.

A user reports that a laptop won't power on and there are no illuminated LED lights on the laptop case or the power adapter. What do you suspect is the problem? A) The battery is dead. B) The laptop is overheating. C) The power adapter has a blown fuse. D) The power adapter is under-powered for the device. Correct Answer) With laptop power, you have to take into account AC power. - First check if the LED light is green; if there is no LED, check this part on the plug and if available, try testing with a "known good" adapter. Everything else) 1) If this is used—for example, a 65W adapter is plugged into a 90W system—the laptop BIOS will display a warning at boot time. 2) The most common symptom here is spontaneous reboots. - The peripherals may be trying to draw too much power. 3) An LED may indicate when the laptop is running on this mode or when this component is being charged. - If this happens to be charged, the LED on the power adapter will still be green.

C) The power adapter has a blown fuse. Everything else (in order)) D, B, A.

A user has a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) monitor and is experiencing a distorted image. Which of the following is a possible cause? A) The backlight on the monitor is failing. B) The refresh rate is too low. C) The screen has been bent or physically damaged. D) You have booted into Safe Mode. Correct Answer) If a TFT image is distorted, check the panel area. Everything else) 1) This setting is located under advanced display properties on the Monitor tab but TFTs only work at one of these and CRTs are no longer widely used. 2)Though this does cause your images and icons to appear larger by using a lower resolution, the display will identify that the computer is in this state. 3) If this component is damaged, the screen will appear to flicker.

C) The screen has been bent or physically damaged. Everything else.....) B, D, A.

System firmware returns an error message such as "No boot device found" or "Invalid boot disk." What is likely the cause? A) The CMOS battery is failing. B) There is a malware infection or corrupt drivers. C) The system is attempting to boot to the incorrect device. D) There was an error during the POST. Correct Answer) The system firmware may be set to use USB for doing exactly this. - Check for any removable disks and change the boot device priority/boot order if necessary. - If this message occurs when doing this from the hard disk, check the connections to the drive. Everything else) 1) This is a battery-powered chip stores the date, time, and system setup information. - Failure of this component may result in a ""____Checksum"" error or similar. 2) If Windows appears to boot but does not display the logon dialog or does not load the desktop following logon, the likely causes are these 2 exact things. 3) If THIS detects a problem, the error is often indicated by a series of beeps.

C) The system is attempting to boot to the incorrect device. Everything else (in order)) A, B, D.

While setting up for a presentation that requires sound, you notice that there is no sound when you play a video. What do you check first? A) External speaker B) Sound card C) Volume controls D) Windows settings Correct Answer) First, check that this has not been turned all the way down or that sound has not been muted. - Remember that on a laptop there may be function or multimedia keys to do this. Everything else) 1) If there is no audio coming from neither internal nor external speakers, suspect a problem with THIS or the internal wiring itself. 2) Check that the correct playback device is configured in Windows (using the Sound applet in Control Panel). - The applet includes a utility that can test the speaker set up. 3) If you cannot locate a configuration problem, try connecting these, or more simple, a headset, to identify whether the problem may be with the internal speaker unit.

C) Volume controls Everything else.....) B, D, A.

What is another term used to identify the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that often indicates a hardware failure? A) Windows Resource Protection B) Windows Safe Mode C) Windows STOP error D) Windows system kernel panic Correct Answer) The BSOD or this can indicate hardware or software problems. - You have to research the specific ____ error code to find out which it is. Everything else) 1) Loads only basic drivers and services required to start the system. - This is a useful troubleshooting mode as it isolates problems to add-in drivers or services and rules out having to reinstall fully Windows. 2) Windows comes with this specific mechanism to prevent damage to or malicious use of system files and registry keys and files. 3) This is the result of a internal fatal error in an operating system. - The term is specific to Unix and Unix-like operating systems, not Windows. - The equivalent term for Windows is our correct answer.

C) Windows STOP error Everything else (in order)) B, A, D.

In Windows, where are boot messages written? A) Application.evtx B) Counter logs C) ntbtlog.txt D) System.evtx Correct Answer) Boot messages are written to the %SystemRoot%\______ file. - In Windows 7, you can use the Startup Configuration utility (msconfig) to show boot messages. In Windows 10, this setting does not work and you need to enable verbose boot messages via the registry. Everything else) 1) These allow you to collect statistics about resources, such as memory, disk, and processor. - These can be used to determine system health and performance. 2) This log contains information about application errors. - It is saved (by default) in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Winevt\Logs\ folder, in the ____________ file. 3) This log contains information about service load failures, hardware conflicts, driver load failures, and so on. - It is saved (by default) in the %SystemRoot%\System32\Winevt\Logs\ folder, in the ___________ file.

C) ntbtlog.txt Everything else (in order)) B, A, D.

Which of the following is a sign that a network printer is offline? A) "Access Denied" messages B) An error code on the control panel C) "Low memory" / "Out of Memory" messages D) "Not available" messages Correct Answer) These are relating to a printer that you want to use indicating that the printer is offline. Everything else) 1) This means that the user has not been configured with permission to print documents. 2) If a print job contains high-resolution graphics or multiple pages and printing is very slow, bear in mind that the printer may not have sufficient resources to handle the job and may display these. 3) In the case of most printer problems, this will be displayed on the printer's control panel. - Look up these in the printer's documentation to confirm what you're looking for specifically means.

D) "Not available" messages Everything else.....) A, C, B.

It is often difficult to extract useful information from a user when starting to troubleshoot a computer problem. For this reason, which of the following is an example of a good question to ask when beginning the troubleshooting process? A) "Can you see any text on the screen?" B) "Did you have this problem yesterday?" C) "What does the error message say?" D) "What is the problem?" Correct Answer) Asking the user an open-ended question, such as this is what encourages the user to give you all of the information they are able to. Everything else) Are close-minded questions. DON'T DO THIS. 1) May cause you to make your own assumptions about what is wrong. 2) Invites only a Yes/No answer. 3) Should be used to "drill down" into the nature of the problem.

D) "What is the problem?" Everything else) 1) A 2) B 3) C

Visual artifacts on your computer screen are typically associated with which type of problem? A) Broken or damaged video cabling B) Burn-in C) Dead Pixels D) A video card problem Correct Answer) Visual artifacts usually point to this. - Artifacts are unexpected objects or patterns appearing on the screen. Everything else) 1) These are Black spots on a damaged screen. - Some can be repaired, but the success of repairing depends on many factors. - Many vendors stipulate that they will only replace a screen if the number of manufacturing defects exceeds a stated threshold. 2) This is where a static image is displayed for so long that the monitor's picture elements are damaged and a ghost image is "______" permanently onto the display. 3) These can result in a blank screen, flickering screen, or distorted colors.

D) A video card problem Everything else (in order)) C, B, A.

A help desk technician reviews system and application logs in which step of the CompTIA A+ Troubleshooting Model? A) Document findings, actions, and outcomes. B) Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem. C) Establish and test a theory of probable cause. D) Identify the problem. Correct Answer) First of all, do this by checking system and application logs for information. - Logs may provide more detailed information than a user can provide. Everything else) 1 Do this by devising systematic tests, eliminating "non-causes," or researching the problem using web and database search tools. 2) Do this ONLY after you have established and tested a theory of cause. - This usually involves a repair, replacement, or workaround. 3) This is a continuous process through each troubleshooting step. - Other technicians can use this for future troubleshooting, too.

D) Identify the problem. Everything else) 1) C 2) B 3) A

A computer fails to execute POST. There are no audible beeps. Which of the following do you check first? A) Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) settings B) CMOS battery C) Motherboard D) Power Correct Answer) Not executing POST??? - This is likely to be a fault in the PSU, incoming electricity supply, these specific cables/connectors, or fuses. - Check that other equipment in the area is working, and then check the PSU cabling. Everything else) 1) This is checked during POST. - There are usually beeps that indicate a problem with this. - If there are no audible beeps, then you should check the obvious issue first: our correct answer. 2) If the computer keeps losing the correct time, the issue is most likely this. - This is not required to execute POST. 3) Incorrect settings for this will typically result in an on-screen error message during the boot process.

D) Power Everything else (in order)) C, B, A.

A technician attempts to work up and down layers to test a theory that a network issue is caused by a bad Cat 5 cable. After testing the cable, it is found to be a good cable. Which of the following should the technician do next? A) Close the ticket. B) Investigate the problem. C) Question the user. D) Re-establish a new theory or escalate. Correct Answer) You'll do this if your original theory was not proven by the tests you make or the research you undertake. - You may do this several times, but keep in mind cost-effectiveness and minimizing user downtime. Everything else) 1) Do this during the investigation step of the troubleshooting process. 2) Do this only after you have solved the problem and the user has confirmed that the problem has been solved. 3) This is the first step in the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model. - During this step, you question the user, recreate the problem, and/or review logs.

D) Re-establish a new theory or escalate. Everything else) 1) C 2) A 3) B

What can a technician do to keep users' laptops running cooler? A) Give users laptop cooling (chiller) pads. B) Make sure users avoid running on battery power. C) Make sure users do not place laptops on soft surfaces or on their laps. D) Regularly blow dust from the cooling compartments with compressed air or use an electronics vacuum. Correct Answer) When servicing laptops, using these 2 things are good practice. - You must be cautious of the internal components in order to not damage them with compressed air. Everything else) 1) These are accessories that are designed to sit under the laptop to protect a user from getting a burn from a device overheating. 2) Laptops overheat when they are NOT put on HARD surfaces, but instead on the opposite, as well in places where there is not enough room between the vents and a wall. 3) This component itself can be a heat source; limiting the use of it is something the user can do to keep the laptop running cooler.

D) Regularly blow dust from the cooling compartments with compressed air or use an electronics vacuum. Everything else.....) A, C, B.

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of a failing hard drive? A) Bad sectors B) Loud clicking noise C) Read/write failure D) Slow performance Correct Answer) Low disk capacity can be a cause of this. - When a disk is 90% full, its capacity meter is shown in red in Explorer. - You can use the Disk Cleanup program to free up space. Everything else) 1) When you run the chkdsk /r program it can test the surface of the hard disk. - If this specific issue is located each time the test is run, it is a sure sign that the disk is about to fail. 2) This can cause an error message such as ""Cannot read from the source disk"" to be displayed when trying to open or save a file. 3) These can often indicate that a device such as a fan or hard drive is failing.

D) Slow performance Everything else (in order)) A, C, B.

If you have a mobile device that is performing very slowly, which of the following resets should you perform? A) App reset B) Factory reset C) Hard reset D) Soft reset Correct Answer) This is also known as a power cycle or restart, reboots the device. - This will often take care of apps that won't load, a frozen screen, or slow performance. Everything else) 1) This forces an application to quit. - Use this if a particular app is not responding. 2) You do this if the touchscreen is not responding to input and you cannot perform a power cycle normally. - You can perform this by forcing the device to turn off. 3) This is the most aggressive reset - It deletes any user data and settings and puts the device in its "vanilla" factory state.

D) Soft reset Everything else.....) A, C, B.

Which of the following is a symptom of thermal problems? A) The computer keeps losing the correct time B) Loud noises during start-up C) Power is present, but the computer does not boot D) Spontaneous reboots Correct Answer) Thermal problems are likely to cause symptoms such as this, blue screens, lockups, and so on. - These will typically be cyclic - if you turn the system off and allow it to cool, the problem will only reappear once it has been running long enough for heat to build up again. Everything else) 1) This happening often indicates that a device such as a fan or a hard drive is failing. 2) If this happens or the screen is blank and there are no beeps from the speaker, it is likely that the POST procedure is not executing. 3) The issue HERE is most likely the CMOS battery.

D) Spontaneous reboots Everything else (in order)) B, C, A.

Windows fails to recognize a second hard drive that you have recently installed for a user. Which of the following could be causing the problem? A) Bad sectors B) The drive is not formatted correctly. C) STOP error D) System firmware settings Correct Answer) You need to verify that the drive is enabled in the BIOS or UEFI, and that the correct device settings for the hard drive are listed. - You should also verify that the drive is installed correctly. Everything else) 1) These can be a sign of a failing hard drive and can cause read/write failures. - You can run the chkdsk /r program to test the surface of the hard disk. 2) The Blue Screen of Death or this can indicate hardware or software problems on Windows. - You have to research the specifics to find out which it is. 3) If the operating system recognizes this piece of hardware, but cannot access it.... YEAH.

D) System firmware settings Everything else (in order)) A, C, B.

Which of the following is step 5 of the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model? A) Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. B) Establish and test a theory of probable cause. C) Test the theory to determine the cause. D) Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures. Correct Answer) Defines Step 5. Everything else) 1) Defines Step 4. - If you don't have proper authorization to implement this, escalate the issue to a more senior personnel. 2) Defines Step 3. - Once this is confirmed determine next steps to resolve the problem. If this is not confirmed, re-establish things or escalate. 3) Defines Step 2. - Question the obvious and if necessary conduct internal or external research based on symptoms.

D) Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures. Everything else) Step 4) A Step 3) C Step 2) B

A user calls in and tells you that when turning on the computer, the power supply fan can be heard, but the computer does not boot. What do you check first when you have physical access to the user's computer? A) The Ethernet cable and network interface card (NIC) connectivity light B) Power lights on the keyboard C) The power supply power cable D) The power supply connection to the motherboard Correct Answer) This is a symptom of a problem with power connectivity here. - Check that this is correctly and fully seated into its proper responding interface and that this component's light for confirmation is on. Everything else) 1) Doing this would establish another symptom of the problem (our actual correct answer). 2) These are what indicate the connection speed and activity on the network. 3) If you can hear this component, this is NOT likely the issue here that we're investigating.

D) The power supply connection to the motherboard - Check that the power connector from the power supply is correctly and fully seated into the motherboard power connector interface and that the motherboard power indicator light is on. Everything else (in order)) B, A, C.

A user is having trouble with the cursor on a laptop. The user reports having a "ghost cursor" jumping around while typing. What is the problem? A) There is a key stuck. B) The keyboard was not connected correctly. C) The NumLock key has been pressed inadvertently. D) The touchpad is configured to be too sensitive. Correct Answer) Sometimes, typing causes vibrations that move the cursor because of this. - Install up-to-date drivers and configure input options to suit the user. - Many laptops now come with a Fn key to disable this component. Everything else) 1) This is the main problem with keypads. - If there is debris under a key, try cleaning with compressed air. 2) When the laptop does not have a separate keypad, users may become confused when the keys go to numeric input, due to this. 3) If the laptop has been serviced recently and the keyboard has stopped working, check THIS, as some service operations require this exact component to be removed.

D) The touchpad is configured to be too sensitive. Everything else.....) A, C, B.

A user reports screen issues while running a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) intensive application. The screen appears to blank out and go black, even though the computer is still on. What do you suspect is the problem? A) The latest driver and version of DirectX are not installed. B) The monitor needs to be switched to the correct input. C) The video cable is not securely connected. D) The video card is overheating. Correct Answer) THIS can occur due to other computer components, poor ventilation, or failed cooling fans. Everything else) 1) In this situation, the graphics on the computer will suffer, especially while running graphics intensive games, such as 3D video games. 2) The monitor may support either VGA, DVI and/or HDMI, for instance. - Making the wrong choice between these will NOT cause the symptoms described here. 3) If both ends aren't safely in place, this could cause flickering. - However, this concerns the user having issues with long-term running of a GPU intensive application.

D) The video card is overheating. Everything else.....) A, B, C.

Which of the following is NOT a reason to document findings, actions, and outcomes? A) To aid in future troubleshooting B) To analyze IT infrastructure by gathering statistics on what types of problems occur and how frequently C) To demonstrate what support is doing to help the business D) To eliminate factors that could cause the problem to reoccur/reappear Correct Answer) In step 5 of the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting model, a technician implements preventative measures in order to do this! Everything else) 1) A documentation log of tickets is an essential example of why we do this. - This is particularly important for third-party vendors who need to prove the value achieved in support contracts. 2) These steps can be gathered into a ""Knowledge Base"" or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) of support articles for this sole reason. 3) Patterns can be analyzed and larger or chronic problems can be observed by doing this.

D) To eliminate factors that could cause the problem to reoccur/reappear Everything else) 1) C 2) A 3) B

The motherboard itself can be a source of computer failures. Which of the following symptoms would lead you to conclude that there is something wrong with the motherboard? A) Continuous rebooting B) The power button fails to power on computer C) The system doesn't shut down properly D) Unresolved erratic behavior / intermittent device failures Correct Answer) These things which cannot be explained through troubleshooting other hardware and software components are often caused by a faulty motherboard. - The motherboard is often overlooked as a source of such failures and therefore goes without proper diagnosis for extended periods of time. Everything else) 1) This can be caused by a number of things including insufficient cooling, motherboard issues, disk problems, malware, and software issues. - Further investigation would be needed. 2) If this occurs, you should first check the power cord, PSU, and wall outlet for issues. 3) This can cause problems with electrical components, including the motherboard and hard drives. - However, this is most likely caused by user error or software error.

D) Unresolved erratic behavior / intermittent device failures Everything else (in order)) A, B, C.

Which of the following is NOT an action you should take to solve a backed up print queue? A) Check the printer's power and ink/toner status. B) Restart the print spooler service. C) Restart the printer. D) Update the printer driver. Correct Answer) If a printer driver is not up to date, you may experience symptoms such as garbled output or an inability to print. - You may need administrator rights to fix this issue. Everything else) 1) Cycling the power on the printer can solve many problems including clearing up a backed up print queue. 2) Check the obvious things; a backed up print queue might occur because the printer is offline or out of the resources it needs to work proper. 3) Try restarting the print job if a particular job will not print. - You can access the printer and open its print queue by opening the Devices and Printers applet or Windows Settings.

D) Update the printer driver. Everything else.....) C, A, B.

A common method of troubleshooting video problems is to boot the system into a special troubleshooting mode, which is also known as what mode? A) Last Known Good B) Safe Mode with Networking C) Safe Mode D) VGA Mode Correct Answer) This allows you to view your graphical interface with a minimal set of colors in order to troubleshoot video problems, such as incorrect drivers or an errant video mode setting. - Windows is fully functional here. Everything else) 1) This loads only basic drivers and services required to start the system. - This is a useful troubleshooting tool, however Windows is not fully functional here. - If you are unable to boot to our correct answer, then you many need to boot to here. 2) This boots into (1) and includes drivers and services required to access the network. 3) This boots with the last registry configuration that was used to log on successfully.

D) VGA Mode Everything else.....) C, B, A.

A computer is configured with hardware Redundant Array of Disks (RAID). If Windows does not detect a RAID at setup or boot time, what should you check? A) Check the drive array for a failing disk. B) Check the Logical Volume Manager (LVM) for the correct settings. C) Perform a S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and Reporting Technology) check. D) Verify that the drivers for the RAID controller are installed and use the RAID configuration utility to verify its status. Correct Answer) A hardware RAID solution is supported by a plug-in controller card or by the motherboard, independently of the installed operating system. Everything else) 1) In Unix and Unix-like systems, you can implement a software RAID using this. [T / F] Most desktop-level RAID solutions can only tolerate the loss of one disk, so it should be replaced as soon as possible. - If one of the underlying disks fails, the volume will be listed as "degraded" but the RAID will still be detected at boot time. 2) Most hard drives run this self-diagnostic program, which can provide advance warning that a drive is about to fail.

D) Verify that the drivers for the RAID controller are installed and use the RAID configuration utility to verify its status. Everything else (in order)) B, A [TRUE], C.

What should you check if paper is not feeding into the printer correctly? A) Faulty Static Eliminator Strip B) Misaligned cartridges, rollers, or transfer belt C) Toner cartridge D) Weight of the paper Correct Answer) If this is not feeding into the printer or if the printer is feeding multiple sheets of it at the same time, check that it is loaded in the tray properly and that it is not too thick or thin. Everything else) 1) Blank pages could indicate this component has been installed without removing its packing seals. 2) If there is a cast or shadow-like effect, this is an issue with one or all of the cartridges, rollers, or transfer belt. 3) This being faulty could cause a paper jam. - Normally, this component removes the high static charge from the paper. - If it fails, the paper may stick to the drum or curl as it enters the fuser unit.

D) Weight of the paper Everything else (in order)) C, B, A.

Which of the following is NOT a tool to use when researching the solution to a problem? A) Internal Knowledge Base (KB) articles B) Vendor support or forums C) Web and database search tools D) Workarounds Correct Answer) These are useful solutions when it is not cost effective to solve a problem - They are, however, NOT a tool for researching a problem. Everything else) 1) These allow you to locate relevant information quickly. 2) These are often available on the Internet. - Sometimes these resources require a paid user account, other times they are easily searched and accessed for free online. 3) These are valuable resources since technicians may have written documentation for the exact problem you need to solve. - It is critical to document your findings, actions and outcomes for future troubleshooting.

D) Workarounds Everything else) 1) C 2) B 3) A