Hardware and Network Troubleshooting Key Terms Flashcards
system lockup
A user’s inability to log into a system because the password is forgotten or unknown
overclocking
Increasing a component’s clock rate to run at a higher speed than it was designed to run. Usually applies to the CPU or GPU, but other components can also be overclocked.
POST code beeps
Sounds used by many BIOS versions to indicate either fatal or serious errors
(BIOS)
Boot firmware, also known as System BIOS or, on most recent systems, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), the first
code run by a computer when it is booted.
blank screen on bootup
Absence of video output during boot sequence. Could indicate cable or software issues.
continuous reboots
An issue that can be caused by problems with the power supply or by a Windows or other operating system configuration setting.
negative pressure
A cooling technique used by power supplies in which the power supply fan works like a weak vacuum cleaner, pulling air through vents in the case, past the components, and out through the fan
distended capacitor
A faulty capacitor that becomes distended and leaks, causing system failure and sometimes physical damage to the motherboard. Capacitors are used as part of the voltage step-down circuits that provide power to the processor. Between 2002 and 2007, many motherboards were built using faulty capacitors
STOP errors
Errors that can occur either during startup or after a system is
running; such errors halt systems by default. Also known as blue screen of death
(BSOD) errors.
Blue screen of death (BSOD)
an error in which the screen background is blue (or
sometimes black) with the error message in white text. Such errors can occur either
during startup or after a system is running, and they halt a system by default
pin wheel
A macOS spinning icon that is caused by an application failing but may also indicate that the system is locked up and needs a hard reboot. Also referred to as the spinning rainbow or “beachball of death.”
multimeter
A tool that can be used to test both coaxial and TP cabling and AC and DC voltage.
power supply tester
A tool for determining whether a power supply is working
read/write failure
A storage error that can result from electronics failure, impact damage, cable damage, or other issues
low RF signal
A wireless network problem caused by obstructions between the router and the wireless client, use of only one antenna by the router or the client, or excessive distance between the router and the client
failure to boot
An error in which a system cannot boot, possibly due to BIOS/UEFI boot order, damage to operating system files, or other causes
drive not recognized
An error that takes place if a misconfiguration, a cable
error, or another problem prevents the computer from detecting a drive.
OS not found
An error in which a computer cannot locate the OS to load it into RAM. Could point to boot order problem in BIOS or a damaged storage drive.
Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.)
a technology that monitors internal hard disks and warns of impending failure.
Video Graphics Array (VGA) mode
the first popular analog video standard and the basis for all current video cards
low-resolution mode
Also known as VGA mode, a mode that loads minimal
video, bypassing GPU cards to assist in troubleshooting video drivers or using old
video displays.
Safe mode
A mode that loads minimal Windows features, such as low- resolution graphics and minimal networking. It is helpful in troubleshooting Windows features
dead pixels
Dead spots in an LCD screen that typically result from manufacturing
defects
incorrect color patterns
A printer error characterized by printing out the wrong
colors or printing totally blank pages
dim image
A symptom of a possible failing CCFL backlight or an indication that
the brightness on a monitor is set too low
flickering image
A visual problem that can be caused by a failing CCFL backlight
or by certain settings on mobile devices.
distorted image
A stretched or squeezed image, which can be caused by incorrect resolution settings. Other types of image distortion can be caused by 3D settings, an
overheating video card, or a failing video card
distorted geometry
A problem when using a projector that is caused by not having the screen/wall and projector properly lined up with each other
ghost cursor
A symptom related to problems with a touchpad or trackpad on a laptop, including accidental thumb swipes and the touchpad being stuck in the
“always clicked” mode
Num Lock indicator lights
Lights that indicate whether Num Lock is working.
Some BIOS/UEFI firmware can configure Num Lock to be enabled at startup
overheating
A problem in which a CPU, a GPU, a power supply, or another computer component becomes hotter than the normal design parameters call for.
Can be caused by inadequate airflow, fan failure, or overloaded power supply and
can lead to data corruption, system failure, or physical damage to components
frozen system
A system that is unresponsive to mouse, keyboard, or touch. The
power switch must be used to shut down a frozen system
manufacturer resources
A general term for instruction manuals, user manuals, service manuals, and other information about a particular computer, mobile device,
peripheral, operating system, or app
streaks
Marks on a page output by a laser printer that indicate the need for replacement toner and possibly other maintenance. With other printers, streaks suggest dirty rollers in the paper path.
faded prints
A common indication of a critically low toner level in a laser printer. Can also be caused by using an economy print mode.
ghost image
An afterimage of the previous page on a page printed with a laser
printer. Usually indicates a problem with the toner subsystem, including incorrect voltage or toner sticking to the rollers
toner
A powder that laser printers use for printing.
creased paper
A paper feed problem that can cause printer jams. Often happens when paper is not aligned before being fed into the printer or the paper guides are not set correctly
paper jam
A printer problem that can be caused by damp paper, failure to fan the paper properly before placing it in the tray, or defective feed rollers
garbled characters
Random text and graphic characters produced by a printer. Can indicate damage to the data cable between the printer and computer or the use
of an incompatible printer driver.
vertical lines
In printing, marks that indicate problems with the toner cartridge or feed rollers
low-memory error
An error caused by attempting to print a document that
will not fit in a laser printer’s memory. These errors include partial page printout, requiring the page to be ejected manually, and very slow printing due to extreme
page compression being used to try to print the document.
Access Denied
A message that appears when a user doesn’t have the permissions needed to perform an action on a file.
APIPA/link local address
A self-assigned IP address that cannot be used for
Internet access. Link local is the IPv6 version.
