Cisco IT Essentials - Chapter 4

A web designer installed the latest video editing software and now notices that when the application loads, it responds slowly. Also the hard disk LED is constantly flashing when the application is in use. What is a solution to solve the performance problem?

• adding more RAM
• upgrading to a faster CPU
• replacing the video card with a model that has a DVI output
• replacing the hard disk with a faster model

An employee reports that each time a workstation is started it locks up after about 5 minutes of use. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

• The hard disk is failing.
• The RAM is malfunctioning.
• The CPU is overheating.
• The power supply fails to provide adequate voltage and current.

A technician is troubleshooting a 4-year-old computer that takes a long time to boot, and identifies that the BIOS rediscovers all the hardware at every boot. What action would fix this problem?

• Replace the CMOS battery.
• Launch Device Manager to discover new hardware.
• Reset the BIOS using the CMOS jumper.
• Start the computer with the last known good configuration.

A user has noticed that the hard drive LED on the front of the computer has stopped working. However, the computer seems to be functioning normally. What is the most likely cause of the problem?

• The hard drive data cable is malfunctioning.
• The motherboard BIOS needs to be updated.
• The hard drive LED cable has come loose from the motherboard.
• The power supply is not providing enough voltage to the motherboard.

During the troubleshooting of a PC that will not boot, it is suspected that the problem is with the RAM modules. The RAM modules are removed and put into another PC, which successfully powers on. The RAM modules are then put back into the original PC and it now successfully powers on as well. What was the most likely cause of the problem?

• The RAM modules have bad blocks.
• The RAM modules were not seated firmly.
• The RAM modules did not match the PC specs.
• The RAM modules were inserted backwards into the DIMM slots.

What component is most suspect if a burning electronics smell is evident?

• CPU
• hard drive
• RAM module
• power supply

When troubleshooting a computer, where can a technician find updated information about errors caused by the system, the user, or the software?

• Event Viewer
• Device Manager
• the BIOS
• vendor diagnostic tools

During what step in the troubleshooting process does the technician demonstrate to the customer how the solution corrected the problem?

• Verify full system functionality.
• Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem.
• Document the findings, actions, and outcomes.
• Establish a theory of probable cause.

If a technician is unable to create a backup of data on a customer computer, what three pieces of information should the technician include on the liability release form signed by the customer before beginning work? (Choose three.)

• a description of the problem
• the steps required to resolve the problem
• permission to work on the computer without a current backup available
• a release from liability if data is lost or corrupted
• a description of the work to be performed

What should a technician do before beginning any troubleshooting steps on a customer computer?

• Perform a data backup.
• Document the findings.
• Identify the problem.
• Establish a plan of action.