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CompTIA A+ 1101 2nd Attempt > Hardware and Network Troubleshooting > Flashcards

Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Flashcards

1
Q

First step in the troubleshooting methodology; ensure the problem is properly understood

A

Identify the problem

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2
Q

Part of this troubleshooting methodology means do not confuse symptoms with being the problem

A

Identify the problem

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3
Q

What are some questions to get to the details of questioning the user?

A

What were they doing? Exact error message details;
What has changed since things were working properly;
Review relevant logs

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4
Q

Second part of the troubleshooting methodology; can we identify what caused the problem symptoms?

A

Establish a Theory of Probable Cause

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5
Q

Part of this troubleshooting methodology is to prioritize by likelihood

A

Establish a Theory of Probable Cause

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6
Q

Part of this troubleshooting methodology is to escalate

A

Establish a Theory of Probable Cause

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7
Q

Part of this troubleshooting methodology is to research

A

Establish a Theory of Probable Cause

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8
Q

Third part of the troubleshooting methodology; select the most likely problem cause and determine how to best test the most likely problem cause

A

Test the theory

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9
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, if you don’t have the tools or ability to test, you can escalate

A

Test the theory

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10
Q

What are some best practices when testing the theory?

A
  1. Change one thing at a time
  2. Document as you go along
  3. Determine the root cause
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11
Q

What happens when you are testing the theory and that theory fails?

A

Establish a new theory, go to your next theory in the sequence, or escalate the problem

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12
Q

Fourth part of the troubleshooting methodology; how are you going to deploy the solution?

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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13
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, you must prepare a rollback plan

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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14
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, you’ll want to backup data and configurations

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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15
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, if you can’t execute the plan, escalate

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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16
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, you must determine the solution scope - is it just one user, the server, network devices?

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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17
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, plan solution implementation

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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18
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, put the solution into motion

A

Establish a Plan of Action

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19
Q

Fifth part of the troubleshooting methodology; after going through the fix, did it work?

A

Verify System Functionality

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20
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, one must ask, are affected users happy with the solution?

A

Verify System Functionality

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21
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, we must ask how we can ensure this problem is not repeated

A

Verify System Functionality

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22
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, we must monitor the solution over time

A

Verify System Functionality

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23
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, we might need to contact Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).

A

Verify System Functionality

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24
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, we must ask if new problems been introduced because of the solution? We’ll need to but preventative measures into effect

A

Verify System Functionality

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25
Q

Sixth and last part of the troubleshooting methodology; record problem systems, actions that were taken and solution details. This would be going on throughout the troubleshooting methodology so you can update only

A

Document findings

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26
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, we might submit an IT incident report

A

Document Findings

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27
Q

As part of this troubleshooting methodology, add the solution to a knowledgebase and update related training materials

A

Document Findings

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28
Q

Why must you consider power draw for all components when thinking about power?

A

There could be insufficient wattage

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29
Q

Battery temporary back up power to allow graceful shutdown of things like servers

A

UPS (uninterruptable power supply)

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30
Q

What does it mean when there is no power at startup?

A

Could be a problem with the PSU or that there is no power at the electrical outlet; but if the fans are going, it could be a problem with the motherboard itself;

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31
Q

What does it mean when there is intermittent power?

A

Could be a failing PSU or the power grid

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32
Q

What does it mean when there is random card/device failure?

A

Could be not enough power to power these components

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33
Q

What does it mean when there is power for fans but not other devices?

A

Failed hardware components or power draw is too great

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34
Q

What happens if there is a fan failure?

A

There could be overheating

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35
Q

What happens if there is tripping circuit breakers upon PC power-on?

A

Might need different electrical circuits, or to reset the circuit breaker

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36
Q

What are some ways that you can solve power-related issues?

A
  1. Test PSU with a multimeter
  2. Replace the PSU
  3. Ensure sufficient wattage
  4. Try a different electrical plug
  5. Try PSU in a different unit
37
Q

the firmware‑level instructions that check the hardware to make sure everything is functioning correctly, at least at the hardware level

A

POST (Power self-on test)

38
Q

If a blank screen occurs before the logo come on the machine, what is the likely issue?

A

Hardware-related

39
Q

If a blank screen comes on after the logo, upon OS boot, what is the likely issue?

A

Software issue, could be

40
Q

What does it mean when you get a BSOD?

A

Windows system lockup; result of upgrading a hardware driver to a new version or added new hardware, the driver might be incompatible in some way with the OS

41
Q

What might it mean when you get random reboot or shutdown?

A

Usually there is a power problem or an issue with a failing motherboard

42
Q

What happens when the CPU or other components slows itself down or fails?

A

There may be overheating

43
Q

To solve hardware issues, what might you do?

A
  1. Replace faulty motherboard/CPU/RAM
  2. Disable CPU overclocking
  3. Conduct a RAM test
  4. BIOS date/time reset
  5. Look at log entries related to hardware failure
44
Q

T/F: HDDs will probably fail sooner than SSDs because HDDs have mechanical parts

45
Q

What does it mean when there is a failure to read or write to disk?

A

Could be indicative of a failing storage media

46
Q

What happens if you have a clicking/grinding noise?

A

Failing HDD

47
Q

What does it mean when you have slower than usual disk performance?

A

Could be indicative of an overloaded storage subsystem or failing component

48
Q

What does it mean if your disk drive is not recognized?

A

Could mean that the partition table might be fried (this can be recovered with tools)

49
Q

What does it mean when the bootable device/OS is not found?

A

Could have modified the boot order or result of a corrupt file system

50
Q

What does it mean when the RAID is not found?

A

Could be indicative of a failing disk within a raid array.

51
Q

firmware in disk drives that’s used normally with servers or disk storage arrays that provides LED display messages. It displays messages related to the storage subsystem, and it can even predict imminent hard disk drive failure

A

S.M.A.R.T (Self‑Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology)

52
Q

What can you do to solve storage-related issues?

A
  1. RAID array verification and repair (CTRL G for ex)
  2. Replace failed disks
  3. Test network storage connectivity
  4. OS disk volume diagnostics
  5. Ensure cables are plugged in
53
Q

What are the steps to troubleshoot display monitor issues?

A
  1. Ensure cables are plugged in correctly and tightly
  2. Check wireless connectivity signal strength if making a wireless connection to a display
  3. consider EMI for longer cable runs, and make sure they are rated for the correct length
  4. Consider the signal source device
54
Q

What can it mean if there is a display monitor glitch?

A

Could indicate a problem with the video card; could also stem from a bad cable or EMI

55
Q

What can it mean if there is a blank screen?

A
  1. Multiple monitors
  2. power
  3. machine stuck in POST
  4. failing laptop battery
  5. failing video card
  6. Overheating video card
  7. Problem with the video driver
  8. VGA mode?
56
Q

How can you solve display-related issues?

A
  1. Test a different cable/monitor
  2. Adjust physical monitor controls
  3. Check temperature of the machine
  4. Check video settings (resolution, size)
  5. Update or rollback driver
  6. Check OS logs
  7. Select correct input source
57
Q

What could it mean if there is a dim image or no audio on a projector?

A

Burned out bulb, incorrect cabling

58
Q

What could it mean if there is flashing or a fuzzy image?

A

Wrong input source selected

59
Q

If unable to get connection to a projection unit, what could be the issue?

A

Network connectivity failure

60
Q

What might be the symptom of a printer if there is garbled output?

A

Incorrect/corrupt driver

61
Q

What might too much humidity cause when printing?

A

Paper jams

62
Q

If there are color issues on a printer, what should you do?

A
  1. Check print job settings
  2. Check the error messages from the printer and/or the client device
  3. Turn printer on/off
63
Q

How might you solve printing issues?

A
  1. Use the correct paper type
  2. Remove debris in paper feed path
  3. Connect through a wired connection
  4. Replace fusing assembly (call printer servicer)
  5. Replace toner cartridge
  6. Clean Imaging drum
  7. Check network connectivity
64
Q

How might you solve mobile device issues?

A
  1. Uninstall recently installed apps
  2. Take to a qualified repair technician
  3. apply firmware or software updates
  4. check sound settings
  5. Reboot device
  6. Remove and reinsert SIM card
65
Q

What could be wrong when there is garbage network traffic?

A

The jabbering card

66
Q

What is it called when we’ve got a physical network interface that keeps going up and down because of some type of failure?

A

Port flapping

67
Q

why would you have slow or dropped connections?

A

Network congestion because so many people are using the network or it is a DDoS attack

68
Q

What’s the easiest thing to do to troubleshoot wired network issues?

A

Ensure cables are plugged in

69
Q

What network troubleshooting command allows you to show ip addressing information?

A

ipconfig, ip address show, ifconfig

70
Q

What network troubleshooting command allows you to test connectivity?

A

ping, ping6

71
Q

What network troubleshooting command allows you to trace which routers your transmission is going through to arrive at a final destination?

A

tracert, traceroute

72
Q

What network troubleshooting command allows you to troubleshoot name server lookup issues, for example when we know a fully qualified DNS domain name and we need the IP address?

A

nslookup, dig

73
Q

What is generally the problem when there are streaks on a printed page of an inkjet printer?

A

usually caused by a malfunctioning ink cartridge or dirty print head

74
Q

What is generally the problem when there are streaks on a printed page of an thermal printer?

A

dirty print head

75
Q

What is generally the problem when there are streaks on a printed page of a laser printer?

A

malfunctioning fuser

76
Q

What is the problem and solution to a faded print on a printer?

A

Usually caused when a toner cartridge, ink cartridge, or ribbon is close to empty. Replace the cartridge or ribbon

77
Q

What is the problem and solution when you have ghost images/echo images?

A

usually caused by the erasure lamp or cleaning blade; try to replace the cleaning blade first and if this does not fix the problem, replace the erasure lamp

78
Q

What is the problem and solution when you have creased paper?

A

Usually caused by a paper jam; check for paper jams; could also be caused by worn pickup rollers - replace the pickup rollers

79
Q

What is the problem and solution when there are vertical black lines on page a laser printer?

A

caused by scratches on the drum or dirty corona wire; if the former, replace the toner cartridge; if the latter, clean the corona wire

80
Q

What is the problem and solution when there are vertical black lines on page a inkjet printer?

A

Clean the print head; may need to replace the toner or ink cartridge

81
Q

What is the problem and solution when there is a backed up print queue?

A

try to delete the print job from the print queue that you suspect is causing the problem; if not, then will need to stop and restart the print queue

82
Q

What is the solution when there are low memory errors on a printer?

A

often, just turning the printer off and on will fix the problem; if not, print the page at lower resolution; may need to install a different driver for the printer or add more memory

83
Q

What is the solution when the color prints in wrong print color?

A

usually the result of a dirty print head; clean the print head first; may need to replace the cartridge or calibrate the cartridge

84
Q

What is the problem and solution when you are unable to install a printer?

A

the account used to install the printer probably does not have permissions to do so; use an admin level account to install

85
Q

What is the problem and solution when the printer is printing blank pages?

A

printer is out of ink or toner; can also be caused by clogged print nozzles in an inkjet printer

86
Q

What is the solution when there are grinding issues on a printer?

A

Power down the printer and unplug; check the cartridges to make sure they are full, are the correct ones, and are properly installed. Check and clean the rollers as well as update firmware of the printer

87
Q

What is the problem and solution when you have speckling on printed pages?

A

Can be the result of a dirty inkjet, faulty ink cartridge, or a faulty toner cartridge; replace the cartridges and clean the printer of any debris

88
Q

What type of power does UPS provide? AC/DC?

CompTIA A+ 1101 2nd Attempt (5 decks)

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