3) Windows OS & PC Security Issues Flashcards
Windows Symptoms: Slow Performance
Task Manager > Check for high CPU usage
Windows Update (latest patches/drivers)
Check for available space & defrag
Laptop (Power saving mode?)
Run anti-virus/anti-malware (especially if unrecognized processes running)
Windows Symptoms: Limited Connectivity
Yellow triangle over network icon (or in network status)
Local:
Check physical connection, check WAP connection
Check IP configuration
Reboot
External:
Wireless router rebooted/turned off
Ping default gateway & external IP
Windows Symptoms: Failure to Boot
asdf
Windows Symptoms: No OS Found
Check boot drives (remove any media)
Startup repair (can look at every step along boot process)
Modify Windows Boot Config Database (BCD)
Formerly boot.ini
Recovery Console: bootrec /rebuildbcd
Missing NTLDR (boot loader is missing) Run startup repair or replace manually & reboot
Windows Symptoms: App Crashes
Check event log
Check reliability monitor (history of app problems)
Checks for resolutions
Windows Symptoms: BSoD
Bad hardware, bad drivers, bad application
Newer BSoD may give some details
Use last known good config, system restore, rollback driver (also try safe mode)
Reseat/remove hardware
Run hardware diagnostics (by manufacturer)
Windows Symptoms: Black Screens
Driver corruption, OS system file corruption
Video Driver - Start in VGA mode - F8 for startup options
Or update driver in safe mode (known good source)
Run SFC (run from recovery console)
Repair/refresh or recover from backup
Windows Symptoms: Printing Issues
Print or scan a test page (built into Windows)
Different from application printing
Use diagnostic tools
Web-based, vendor specific, generic
Clear the print queue or clear specific print job
Restart print spooler
Windows Symptoms: Services fail to start
"One or more services failed to start" Bad/incorrect driver, bad hardware Try starting manually Check account permissions Confirm service dependencies If Windows service, check system files If application service, reinstall application
Open Windows Services
Windows Symptoms: Slow Bootup
Boot process hangs or takes longer than usual
No activity, no drive lights
Manage startup apps
Win10: Task Manager | Earlier: msconfig
Or disable everything, load them back one at a time.
Windows Symptoms: Slow Profile Load
Roaming user profile
Desktop follows you to any computer
Network latency to domain controller
Slows login scripts, slow to apply policies
Client picks a remote domain controller instead of local
Windows Solutions: Defragment HDD
Moves file fragments so they are contiguous
Sharing a common border (in order)
Improves read/write speeds
Cmd: defrag
May be in weekly schedule (task scheduler)
Windows Solutions: Reboot
Why it works:
Bug in router software (reset router)
App using too many resources (stops the app)
Memory leak slowly consumes available RAM
(Clears RAM & starts again)
Windows Solutions: Kill Tasks
Sometimes you can locate the problem process via task manager and kill it.
Source by resource (CPU/Memory/Network/Disk)
Windows Solutions: Restart Services
Services - apps running in background
Same types of problems as interactive apps
Task Manager/Services: Start/Stop/Restart/Pause/Resume