Lesson 3: Troubleshooting PC Hardware

Last step in CompTIA's A+ troubleshooting model?

A technician is troubleshooting a failed redundant array of independent disks (RAID) configuration and is unable to access the RAID configuration utility. What does this indicate?

• 1. Controller failure

• 1. Multiple disk failure

• 1. Boot process failure

• 1. Disk failure

Answer explanation

If the technician cannot access the RAID configuration utility, this indicates that the controller itself is likely to have failed. However, the data on the volume should be recoverable.

A technician started a PC and, when the vendor’s logo came up, pressed the F10 key. What is the technician doing?

• Setting a boot password

• Enabling secure boot

• Accessing the system setup program

• Restarting the PC

A technician is troubleshooting a projector that keeps randomly shutting down. What is the most likely cause?

• 1. Loose cable between the monitor and display

• 1. Incorrect data source

• Burned-out bulb

• Overheating

A technician is troubleshooting a computer that will not turn on. The technician has verified that the wall socket and devices leading to the computer are working correctly. What could remain as an issue? ​ ​ (a)   ​ ​ ​ (b)  

• Motherboard

• Power supply unit

• On-premises distribution circuit

• Power grid

• Wall socket

Answer explanation

Since the technician verified power was working in the wall socket and verified all other power components between the wall socket and the computer, the motherboard is most likely an issue.

Since the technician verified power was working in the wall socket and verified all other power components between the wall socket and the computer, a faulty power supply unit is most likely an issue.

A network technician wants all PCs on the network to go to a server to get their boot settings. What boot option in system settings will the technician configure on the PCs?

• USB

• 1. Network/PXE

• Fixed disk

• 1. Optical drive

Answer explanation

The technician will configure the network/preboot execution environment (PXE) setting which uses the network adapter to obtain boot settings from a specially configured server.

A desktop technician just fixed an issue where a computer would not connect to a network and verified the computer is communicating with the network again. What should the technician do now that will help with future troubleshooting efforts?

• Document findings

• 1. Test the theory.

• 1. Establish a plan of action.

• 1. Refer to vendor instructions.

A technician is implementing a feature that will compare hashes of key system state data during the boot process to ensure that nobody has tampered with the system firmware, boot loader, and OS kernel. What feature is this?

• 1. Boot password

• 1. Encryption

• TPM

• HSM

Answer explanation

The technician is implementing the trusted platform module (TPM) which, during the boot process, compares hashes of key system state data to ensure they have not been tampered with.

A desktop technician has responded to a user whose computer is running slow. The user claims they did not do anything that would cause the computer to run slow. What should the technician do to try to determine the probable cause of the problem? (Select all that apply.)

• 1. Repair the problem.

• 1. Conduct research.

• 1. Question the obvious.

• 1. Document the findings.

A technician is troubleshooting an issue with a computer. Although the computer is on the network, the server will not authenticate a user. What kind of problem does this indicate?

• 1. Overheating

• 1. Cabling issues

• 1. Disk failure

• 1. Inaccurate date/time

Answer explanation

If the computer does not correctly synchronize the date and time with other computers on the network, security systems such as authentication will not work.