CompTIA A+ 1201 > 5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting > Flashcards

5.0 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Flashcards

Apply systematic troubleshooting methods to diagnose and resolve common hardware, network, and peripheral issues. (87 cards)

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1
Q

This process tests critical system hardware before booting.

A

Power On Self Test

(POST)

POST checks the CPU and other essential components. If an error is detected, the system will not boot.

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2
Q

Identify the issue:

A system boots to a blank screen and a series of beeps are heard.

A

POST has failed

CPU, memory, video, and other critical components are tested during POST.

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3
Q

True or False:

POST beep codes are standardized between motherboard manufacturers.

A

False

Beep codes and other error reporting codes are different across different motherboard models and manufacturers.

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4
Q

This component keeps the BIOS clock running even if the motherboard is disconnected from a power source.

A

CMOS battery

A battery on the motherboard is used to maintain the date and time when disconnected from power.

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5
Q

This error halts the system and displays an error message, often with a blue background.

A

Windows Stop Error

This is also known as the “Blue Screen of Death.”

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6
Q

What type of problem would result from an incorrect input selection on a monitor?

A

Blank screen

Checking the monitor configuration is a common first step when troubleshooting a blank screen.

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7
Q

This should be the first step when troubleshooting a computer with no power.

A

Check the power receptacle and power supply.

The use of a receptacle tester or multimeter can identify power issues.

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8
Q

This utility can be used to view current CPU utilization and storage access statistics.

A

Task Manager

Task Manager can be configured to show CPU, Memory, Disk, and GPU statistics.

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9
Q

These symptoms would indicate an overheating computer.

A
  • Slow performance
  • Fans constantly running on high
  • Overall system instability

Overheating is often caused by blocked airflow. Specialized software utilities can be used to check temperature sensors on components.

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10
Q

Name the best next troubleshooting step:

There’s a burning smell or smoke coming from the computer.

A

Unplug computer immediately

Smoke and a burning smell indicate a component has failed. The computer should not be powered up again until the failed component has been replaced.

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11
Q

View all Windows system log files in this utility.

A

Event Viewer

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12
Q

The status of hardware and a list of device drivers can be viewed in this Windows utility.

A

Device Manager

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13
Q

Name the best next troubleshooting step:

Application crashes randomly and has general instability.

A

Reinstall or repair the application

If the issue cannot be resolved, contacting the application’s support team for assistance may be required.

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14
Q

What action should be taken?

Unusual rattling, scraping, or clicking sound.

A

Check components inside the case. Moving parts may have come loose or require replacement.

Fans and hard drives are often the source of scraping or grinding noises.

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15
Q

How would a capacitor failure affect a PC?

A

A loud popping noise, component failure, or complete system failure.

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16
Q

What action should be taken?

System date and time is not accurate.

A

Replace the motherboard battery.

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17
Q

Identify the issue:

Loud clicking or grinding noise when accessing the hard drive.

A

Hard drive’s mechanical parts are failing.

The moving parts inside of a hard drive can fail, and this failure often creates grinding or clicking noises.

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18
Q

What action should be taken?

A computer’s OS startup fails with the message “Drive not recognized, boot device not found.”

A

Check the drive cables and BIOS boot sequence.

Loose data/power connections or a bad drive are a few possible reasons for why this could happen.

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19
Q

What action should be taken?

A user would like to specify the default boot drive on a system.

A

Update the boot sequence in the BIOS.

The boot sequence determines which devices get boot priority.

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20
Q

True or False:

RAID 0 uses a standby drive for redundancy.

A

False

RAID 0 stripes data across multiple physical drives, and losing any drive results in loss of data.

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21
Q

How many drives can RAID 0 lose and still maintain data availability?

A

None

A single disk failure will break the array with data loss.

RAID 0 optimizes speed by “striping” data between two drives. The downside is that it offers zero data redundancy.

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22
Q

How many drives can RAID 1 lose and still maintain data availability?

A

One

RAID 1 mirrors the contents of one drive to another physical drive.

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23
Q

How does RAID 5 provide data redundancy and availability?

A

RAID 5 uses a redundant striping system to distribute parity information across multiple drives. The array can recover from the loss of a single drive by filling in missing information using this parity data.

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24
Q

Fill in the blank:

RAID 6 can lose ______ drive(s) and still maintain data availability.

A

two

RAID 6 is similar to RAID 5 but includes an additional parity block. This requires at least four disks but provides redundancy if two drives were to fail.

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25
How many drives can **RAID 10** (1+0) lose and still maintain data availability?
As long as a single mirrored drive remains in each set, the data **continues to be available**. ## Footnote RAID 10 (1+0) combines the speed of RAID 0 with the redundancy of RAID 1. This is done by using RAID 0 for regular operations but keeping a RAID 1 array for each set in case of failure.
26
What technology proactively **monitors storage drives for anomalies** or signs of failure?
S.M.A.R.T. | (Self-monitoring and Reporting Technology) ## Footnote S.M.A.R.T. is available in both hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).
27
What would be the best way to **measure the data transfer speed** of a storage drive?
Input/Output Operations per Second | (IOPS) ## Footnote Solid-state drives are able to provide much higher IOPS due to the use of flash storage over mechanical hard drives.
28
# Name the best next troubleshooting step: A desktop monitor shows a very dim image.
Check the monitor **brightness** and **contrast** controls. ## Footnote Monitors often have several configurations and inputs accessible using the monitor's buttons and menus.
29
What **best practice** is important for LCD projector bulbs?
The bulbs should be **cooled down slowly** after use.
30
What would the result be of a monitor configured to **display a non-native resolution**?
**Fuzzy** images and an overall **lack of sharpness**. ## Footnote Choosing a resolution at a different ratio than the native resolution will cause the image to appear distorted.
31
# Fill in the blank: A single image on an LCD for an extended period of time would eventually cause \_\_\_\_-\_\_\_\_.
burn-in | (or ghosting) ## Footnote All monitor types are susceptible to burn-in, and many monitors will adjust the image slightly over time to avoid this problem.
32
# Identify the issue: A monitor has a single black dot which does not change as the display changes.
Dead pixel ## Footnote Dead pixels are a defect in the display and cannot be repaired. The affected display must be replaced completely.
33
# Name the possible issues: A display randomly "flashes" or blanks out momentarily during normal use.
* A flashing screen could be caused by a bad cable * Problem with the display * Mismatch of display configuration options in the OS
34
# Name the possible causes: The color tint on a monitor is not accurately represented.
* Incorrect monitor configuration * An invalid driver configuration * A "night light" setting in the operating system
35
# Identify the issue: No audio is heard from monitor speakers on an HDMI connection.
Speaker volume may be **low or muted** or the **monitor** may not have been selected as the **output device** in system settings.
36
# Identify the issue: An LCD monitor image is too dim in one corner of the display.
A portion of the display's backlight has **failed**. ## Footnote Monitors use a backlight to provide light for the display. When all or part of the backlight fails, the monitor becomes noticeably dimmer in that area.
37
# Identify the issue: Output is shown on an LCD monitor, but the image does not fill the entire screen.
The display is **not scaling** to match the display resolution. ## Footnote Check the OS resolution settings and confirm the OS settings match the capabilities of the monitor.
38
# What action should be taken? The operating system interface appears very small and it's difficult to read the desktop icon text.
**Change the scaling options** in the OS resolution settings. ## Footnote The scaling options can increase the size of the icons and desktop objects without modifying the overall display resolution.
39
# Identify the issue: A mobile device battery is nearly depleted after only a few hours of standby use.
The battery has **reached the end of its life**. ## Footnote Over time, normal recharging will wear out the battery until it can no longer hold a proper charge.
40
# What action should be taken? A mobile phone's battery will stay charged for only a few hours.
Replace the battery. ## Footnote Many smartphones require specialized tools to replace the internal battery.
41
# Identify the issue: A mobile phone battery has become swollen and has lifted the display out of the case.
The battery has **failed** and is **releasing gas**. ## Footnote The case around the battery is designed to contain the gas from a failing battery. This self-contained package should not be opened.
42
# What action should be taken? A tablet's battery has failed and has become swollen with gas.
**Immediately stop using the device**. Power down the device and follow the manufacturer's instructions for disposal or replacement of the battery. ## Footnote Swollen batteries are fire hazards and should be kept away from sharp objects. Lithium-ion batteries are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.
43
The screen's glass has broken in one or several areas. What **process** should occur before replacing the screen?
**Backup** the device before replacing the screen. ## Footnote A backup will ensure the data is available if problems occur during the replacement process.
44
What is the most likely **reason** when a charging cable is not seen by a mobile phone or tablet and does not charge the device?
The device's charge port and cable are likely **obstructed**. ## Footnote Debris can often embed itself in a device's charge port and prevent the charging cable from connecting.
45
# What action should be taken? A mobile phone is charging too slowly.
Confirm the power adapter's **maximum wattage** meets the device's specifications. ## Footnote Some USB ports and power adapters do not provide enough wattage to charge a device quickly.
46
# What action should be taken? A device cannot find a cellular signal after several attempts to connect.
Move **closer** to a cell site. ## Footnote Remote or underground areas may have little to no cell service.
47
# What action should be taken? Device has come into contact with a significant amount of liquid.
**Power down** the device and **remove** all cases, batteries, and accessories. ## Footnote The device should not be powered on until all moisture is gone. This can often take 24 hours or more.
48
# True or False: Rice is the best option for removing moisture from devices.
False ## Footnote Rice is a poor moisture remover and can get stuck in the device's ports. A much better option would be silica gel packs.
49
# Identify the issue: Device has given a warning and shut down after running in direct sunlight.
Device has **overheated** and has shut down automatically. Put the device in a cooler area.
50
# Identify the issue: A mobile phone's touchscreen is unresponsive.
The phone's **digitizer** is not responding. ## Footnote A mobile phone digitizer allows the phone to interpret touches on the screen.
51
# What action should be taken? A user has tripped over their tablet's charging cable, and now the tablet will not charge.
Send the tablet in for repairs on the **charging port**. ## Footnote Charging ports are often part of the system board and cannot be individually replaced.
52
# Identify the issue: A mobile phone suddenly has newly installed apps, numerous pop-up messages, and high CPU usage.
The phone has been infected with **malware**.
53
# What action should be taken? Mobile device has been infected with malware.
Use a **security scanner** to identify malware and reset the device if a **backup** exists. ## Footnote Keeping backups of mobile device data can be useful in the event that the device needs a full OS reinstallation.
54
# What action should be taken? The cursor on a tablet is moving without anyone touching the device.
**Recalibrate** the tablet's touch screen. ## Footnote Not all devices require touchscreen calibration.
55
# What action should be taken? A user is not able to install any new applications on their mobile phone.
Check that the device has **enough storage space** for new app installations.
56
# What action should be taken? A tablet is not responding to the stylus.
**Recharge** the stylus and check the **Bluetooth** pairing to the stylus. ## Footnote If nothing happens, restarting the tablet could help.
57
# What action should be taken? A tablet is new, but some applications aren't functioning properly. Some errors are also shown on the main tablet screen.
* Check store for **app updates**. * Check settings for **OS updates**. ## Footnote Updates are available for mobile device operating systems and applications on a regular basis. Staying updated avoids bugs and performance issues.
58
# Identify the issue: Applications on a mobile phone cannot be updated or installed because the OS is out of date. The manufacturer of the phone has excluded the device from the latest updates.
The mobile phone has reached **end-of-life** and can no longer be updated. ## Footnote After many years, a mobile device may no longer be supported in OS updates due to outdated hardware. A new device may be the best available option.
59
How would you **check the status** of your device's own network protocol stack with a ping?
**Ping** the loopback address of the device (127.0.0.1). ## Footnote 127.0.0.1 is used as the address for "localhost", which refers to the computer itself.
60
What does **interference**, **low signal strength**, and **latency** cause in a wireless network?
Intermittent wireless connectivity. ## Footnote Having any one of these can cause issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
61
# What action should be taken? The speed of all network communication is extremely slow.
Narrow down the issue using **speed tests**, **application logins**, and **network pings**.
62
# Identify the issue: A Windows system alert indicates the network has "Limited or No Connectivity" or "No Internet Access."
A **communications** failure has occurred. ## Footnote Check the IP address of the system, and perform ping tests of the local and remote networks to narrow down the scope.
63
# What action should be taken? A desktop computer is on the local network but is not able to access any services on the Internet.
Check the device's **local IP address** and **attempt ping tests** with local and remote IP addresses.
64
# Identify the issue: VoIP calls are missing audio and some conversations are distorted.
**Latency** is causing the network to increase the jitter, or time between packets. ## Footnote Voice and video packets need to be delivered quickly. If there is a delay, it will cause choppy audio or dropped calls.
65
# What action should be taken? A VoIP call is experiencing issues holding a stable connection, often resulting in distorted or garbled audio.
**Perform a speed test** and determine how much latency is occurring. ## Footnote If throughput is low and latency is high, VoIP quality will suffer. A speed test can help pinpoint possible bottlenecks in the network.
66
# Identify the issue: A network interface is continually connecting and disconnecting to a laptop.
The switch interface is experiencing **port flapping**. ## Footnote Port flapping can be caused by a number of reasons, and is often a fault in the cable or switch interface.
67
# What action should be taken? A switch port has been connecting and disconnecting constantly to one computer on the network.
Check and **replace any bad cables** to avoid port flapping. Also check the **switch interface** if replacing cables does not solve the issue.
68
# Identify the issue: A web-based spreadsheet does not display any changes to the screen until five seconds after input.
The network connection is experiencing **excessive latency**.
69
# What action should be taken? A network report shows excessive latency across a network link.
Use a **ping test** and **packet captures** to determine the source of the latency.
70
# Identify the issue: The wireless network disconnects for everyone at random times during the day.
The wireless network is most likely experiencing **external interference**. ## Footnote This interference can come from microwave ovens, other wireless devices, or other high-powered sources.
71
What **metric** is used to describe the amount of external interference?
Signal to Noise Ratio | (SNR) ## Footnote The goal is to have much more signal than noise.
72
# Identify the issue: A user receives an access failure when attempting to save a web-based spreadsheet.
The user's authentication has **timed-out**. ## Footnote An authentication timeout can usually be resolved by logging out and back in.
73
# What action should be taken? The output from an inkjet printer has streaks and lines on the page.
The inkjet print heads should be **cleaned**. ## Footnote Inkjet print heads are prone to clogging, so constant maintenance must be used to prevent any printing issues.
74
# What action should be taken? Every printed page from a laser printer has a single dark line down the page.
The printer's photosensitive drum should be **replaced**. ## Footnote A scratch to a laser printer's photosensitive drum will cause lines and specs on the output, and replacing the drum is the only reasonable fix.
75
# Identify the issue: All of the output from a printer is showing garbled text and graphical characters.
The **page description language** on the printer driver is different from the page description language on the printer.
76
# What action should be taken? A printer has jammed, and the paper is inside the printer.
Carefully open the affected compartment and **slowly remove any jammed paper**. It's important to use caution around sensitive components. ## Footnote Jams can occur in a number of areas, such as the paper tray or rollers.
77
# What action should be taken? The printer is jamming with every print attempt after loading paper from a different paper manufacturer.
Confirm the paper's size and thickness is **compatible** with the printer. ## Footnote Incompatible paper may cause print errors, jams, or could potentially scratch a laser printer drum.
78
# Identify the issue: The printer has jammed, and several pages appear to have been fed through the printer at the same time.
This jam is due to a multipage **misfeed**. ## Footnote This might be resolved by cleaning the feed rollers, or a feed roller replacement may be required if they appear to be worn.
79
# Identify the issue: Many print jobs have been sent to the network printer, but the printer is not active.
There are multiple prints **pending** in the queue. ## Footnote There may be a single print job causing the print server to fail, or the print service may need to be restarted.
80
# Identify the issue: Output from a laser printer has small black specks on the printed page.
The laser printer **optical drum** has not been cleaned properly. ## Footnote A faulty cleaning process inside of the printer can lead to small amounts of toner applied to newly printed pages.
81
# What action should be taken? A laser printer's output shows double printing or an "echo" of the print on the final output.
A problem with the cleaning process might leave residue on the optical drum, causing a "ghost" of a previous rotation to be printed on the page. **Replacing or cleaning** the drum/cleaning assembly resolves the issue. ## Footnote A cleaning issue often requires additional cleaning and maintenance inside of the laser printer.
82
# What action should be taken? A printer is making a grinding noise during the printing process.
**Power down** the printer and check inside the printer for any visible faults.
83
# Identify the issue: Several sheets of paper have been printed, but none of the papers have been stapled together as requested.
Staple finisher has **jammed** or is **non-functional**. ## Footnote Resolving this type of problem is different between printer models. Check the printer instructions for unjamming the staple finisher.
84
# What action should be taken? A large printer has completed a print job, but has not hole punched the papers as requested.
The printer driver may not have correctly sent the request for hole punching. The printer driver may need to be **updated**. ## Footnote If all else fails, the printer itself may need service.
85
# Identify the issue: A printer output is printed vertically instead of horizontally.
The printer orientation option is **incorrect**. ## Footnote The orientation option is normally configured in the print options before printing, but the printer might also have a default configuration setting.
86
# What action should be taken? A printer error status screen shows "Tray not recognized."
Confirm the paper size on the printer output **matches the paper size** in the selected paper tray.
87
# Identify the issue: Printer is connected to power and an Ethernet cable, but is unreachable by anyone on the network.
The network configuration is most likely **invalid**. ## Footnote The configuration options for wired or wireless networking should be confirmed and tested.
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