BIOS/UEFI Troubleshooting Quiz

A user has called to complain that her computer won't boot. It stops on the system startup screen right after the memory has been tested and displays a 301 keyboard error. Which of the following troubleshooting steps is the BEST to try first?

• Verify that no keys are being pressed down during POST.

• Install a new keyboard on the computer.

• Verify that the latest UEFI firmware updates have been applied.

• Download and install the latest keyboard driver from the manufacturer's website.

An employee complains that every time they turn their computer off, the computer's time is set to 12:00 p.m., and the date is set back to January 1, 1990. Which of the following is the MOST likely cause of this anomaly?

• The CMOS chip on the motherboard is loose.

• The CMOS settings are not being saved before the computer powers off.

• The CMOS battery has failed.

• The CMOS chip is failing.

What is the role of the CMOS in a modern computer?

• Loads the operating system into memory.

• Coordinates the use of system hardware with the operating system.

• Tests hardware during system startup.

• Saves information about system devices.

When you boot your computer, it hangs after asking you for the current time and date. What is the MOST likely problem?

• The BIOS is outdated.

• Daylight savings time has started or ended.

• The computer needs more RAM.

• The CMOS battery has failed.

When do you need to upgrade the system BIOS?

• Whenever you add a new peripheral device, such as a keyboard, mouse, or printer.

• Whenever you install a new hard disk drive.

• Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality that is not currently supported, but is required by the operating system or hardware.

• Whenever the BIOS settings need to be modified.

To fix a problem you are having with your PC, you have determined that you must flash the computer's BIOS. Which of the following would MOST likely need to be completed prior to flashing the BIOS? (Select two.)

• Create a backup of the hard disk in the event of a failure.

• Locate the flash utility or tool that was shipped with your computer.

• Properly identify the motherboard.

• Test the memory to ensure that it is functioning properly.

• Download the flash utility or tool from the manufacturer's website.

You have purchased a new notebook. This notebook system uses UEFI firmware and comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. However, you want to use Linux on this system. You download your favorite distribution and install it on the system, removing all Windows partitions on the hard disk in the process. When the installation is complete, you find that the operating system won't load when the system is rebooted. Which of the following would allow your computer to boot to Linux?

• Disable SecureBoot in the UEFI configuration.

• Enable SecureBoot in the UEFI configuration.

• Reinstall Windows 11 on the system.

• Set the boot order to boot from the hard disk first in the UEFI configuration.

• Enable the TPM chip on the motherboard.

You want to configure your computer so that a password is required before the operating system will load. What should you do?

• Configure chassis instruction detection.

• Configure a user password in the BIOS/UEFI.

• Configure an administrator password in the BIOS/UEFI.

• Require complex passwords in the Local Security Policy.

Which of the following functions are performed by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM)?

• Generates authentication credentials.

• Performs bulk encryption.

• Creates a hash based on installed system components.

• Encrypts data on the hard disk drive.

You have just purchased a new computer. This system uses UEFI firmware and comes with Windows 11 preinstalled. You recently accessed the manufacturer's support website and saw that a UEFI firmware update has been released. You download the update. However, when you try to install it, an error message is displayed that indicates the digital signature on the update file is invalid. Which of the following MOST likely caused this to happen?

• The system has a rootkit malware infection.

• SecureBoot has been enabled in the UEFI firmware configuration.

• The update file has been tampered with.

• Interim UEFI updates that have been released since the system was manufactured need to be installed before you can install the latest update.