5.2 – Troubleshoot problems related to motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power Flashcards
What is the best way to tell if a CR2032 lithium battery has been discharged? ❍ A. Use a power supply tester. ❍ B. Check within Windows. ❍ C. Use a multimeter. ❍ D. Plug it into another motherboard.
C. Although there might be a Windows application that monitors the battery,
the surefire way is to test the voltage of the lithium battery with a multimeter.
A CR2032 lithium battery is designed to run at 3 volts. Some UEFI/BIOS
programs can also monitor the voltage of the battery.
A PC reboots without any warning. You ruled out any chance of viruses. When
you look at the motherboard, you see that some of the capacitors appear distended and out of shape. What should you do?
❍ A. Replace the motherboard.
❍ B. Replace the hard drive.
❍ C. Remove and replace the capacitors.
❍ D. Reconfigure the BIOS.
A. You should replace the motherboard if it is damaged. It would be much too
time-consuming to even attempt replacing the capacitors and probably not cost effective for your company
A computer you are troubleshooting won’t boot properly. When you power on the
computer, the video display is blank and you hear a series of beeps. What should
you do?
❍ A. Check power supply connections.
❍ B. Consult the vendor documentation for the motherboard.
❍ C. Remove all memory and replace it.
❍ D. Unplug the speakers because they are causing a conflict.
B. You should check the BIOS version and consult the documentation that
accompanies the motherboard. You might need to go online for this information.
You can also try performing a POST analysis to discern the problem. The issue
could be video-based, or RAM-based, but the beep code should help to identify
the problem.
You are troubleshooting a CPU and have already cut power, disconnected the
power cable, opened the case, and put on your antistatic strap. What should you
do next?
❍ A. Check the BIOS.
❍ B. Check connections.
❍ C. Remove the CPU.
❍ D. Test the motherboard with a multimeter.
B. Check connections first; it is quick, easy, and a common culprit.
What is a possible symptom of a failing CPU?
❍ A. CPU is beyond the recommended voltage range.
❍ B. Computer won’t boot.
❍ C. BIOS reports low temperatures within the case.
❍ D. Spyware is installed into the browser.
A. If the CPU is running beyond the recommended voltage range for extended
periods of time, it can be a sign of a failing CPU. If the computer won’t boot at all,
another problem might have occurred, or the CPU might have already failed. Low
case temperatures are a good thing (if they aren’t below freezing!). Spyware is
unrelated, but we talk about it plenty in the security chapters.
You are repairing a computer that has been used in a warehouse for several years.
You suspect a problem with a memory module. What should you do first?
❍ A. Replace the module with a new one.
❍ B. Install more RAM.
❍ C. Clean the RAM slot.
❍ D. Install RAM heat sinks.
C. Because the computer is being used in a warehouse (which is often a fairly
dirty environment), you should use compressed air on the RAM slot and clean the
memory module with contact cleaner. Clean out all of the dust bunnies within the
entire computer. Using MemTest86 or another memory diagnostic tool is another
good answer
You just investigated a computer that is suffering from intermittent shutdowns.
You note that the RAM modules are overheating. What is the best solution?
❍ A. Install a heat sink on the memory controller.
❍ B. Install more CPU fans.
❍ C. Install heat sinks on the RAM modules.
❍ D. Install a heat sink on the chipset.
C. The best thing to do in this situation is to install heat sinks on the RAM modules. On older computers, the memory controller in a northbridge doesn’t usually
overheat because it already has a heat sink; on newer computers, it is within the
CPU. A CPU can have only one fan. You can’t install more (although an additional
case fan might help). The chipset also usually has a heat sink.
You just installed new, compatible RAM into a motherboard, but when you boot
the computer, it does not recognize the memory. What should you do?
❍ A. Flash the BIOS.
❍ B. Replace the RAM.
❍ C. Upgrade the CPU.
❍ D. Add more RAM.
A. If you are sure that the RAM is compatible and the system doesn’t recognize it
during POST, try flashing the UEFI/BIOS. It could be that the RAM is so new that
the motherboard doesn’t have the required firmware to identify the new RAM.
You are troubleshooting a computer that won’t power on. You have already
checked the AC outlet and the power cord, which appear to be functioning properly. What should you do next?
❍ A. Test the computer with a PSU tester.
❍ B. Plug the computer into a different outlet.
❍ C. Check that the RAM is seated correctly.
❍ D. Install a UPS.
A. You should test the computer with a PSU tester. This can tell you whether the
power supply functions properly. You already know that the AC outlet is functional, so there is no reason to use another outlet. The computer would still turn
on if the RAM wasn’t seated properly. A UPS won’t help the situation because it is
part of the power flow before the power supply.
A computer you are troubleshooting shuts down without warning. After a few minutes, it boots back up fine, but after running for a short time, it shuts down again. Which of the following components could be the cause? (Select the two best answers.) ❍ A. Power supply ❍ B. SATA hard drive ❍ C. RAM ❍ D. CPU fan ❍ E. Video card
A and D. The two components that could cause the system to shut down are the
power supply and the CPU fan. Check the CPU fan settings and temperature in
the BIOS first before opening the computer. If those are fine, you most likely need
to replace the power supply. The RAM, video card, and hard drive should not
cause the system to suddenly shut down.
