IT 1 Flashcards
A user’s computer randomly shuts down during the day. What do you investigate?
Overheating, PSU issues, faulty RAM, malware, or scheduled shutdowns via policies.
You replaced a user’s HDD with an SSD, but now Windows won’t boot. Next step?
Check BIOS/UEFI settings, boot priority, AHCI mode, or reinstall Windows.
A PC powers on but no display, no beep codes. What do you do?
Check RAM, GPU, PSU, reset CMOS, or test motherboard outside case.
After adding a second monitor, the main display keeps flickering. What’s the likely issue?
Refresh rate conflict, GPU driver, faulty cable, or PSU limits.
A user’s mouse cursor moves erratically. What are the possibilities?
Dirty sensor, bad surface, faulty mouse, CPU usage, or driver conflict.
A user installed new RAM, but system won’t POST. Why?
Incompatible RAM, seating issue, bad DIMM, or BIOS needs update.
Laptop boots but keyboard and touchpad don’t work. What’s the fix?
Input may be disabled, test in BIOS, or reseat internal cables.
A user upgraded GPU and now PC won’t start. What do you suspect?
PSU underpowered, missing GPU power cables, or motherboard compatibility.
You replaced a motherboard. Windows won’t activate. Why?
Windows license is tied to hardware. Reactivate or re-license.
A PC emits a burning smell. What’s your immediate action?
Shut down immediately, inspect PSU/motherboard for shorts or burn.
A user reports that files are disappearing from their desktop. What do you check?
OneDrive sync, roaming profiles, malware, or folder redirection.
Windows Update fails with error 0x80070005. How do you resolve it?
Reset update components, check permissions, run sfc or DISM.
A domain user profile keeps resetting on login. What’s going on?
Corrupt profile, fix by renaming/deleting and recreating it.
A user can’t install software despite being a local admin. What’s the issue?
UAC, AppLocker, endpoint protection, or Group Policy restrictions.
BSOD with IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL. What do you check?
Bad driver or RAM. Use Event Viewer and memtest.
A workstation can’t access internal apps after reboot. What do you check?
DNS, static IP, or VPN scripts not reapplying.
Outlook keeps asking for password even when correct. What’s the cause?
Credential Manager, Autodiscover, expired password, or MFA issues.
File server is slow only for one user. What do you do?
NIC speed, profile size, or client SMB settings.
Windows PC is stuck at ‘Getting Windows Ready.’ Fix?
Wait, then hard reboot and use Safe Mode or System Restore.
Apps crash after drive clone. Why?
Cloning errors, missing dependencies, or SID conflict.
A user gets a valid IP but can’t ping the gateway. What’s your move?
Switch port, cable, VLANs, or IP misconfiguration.
Multiple IP conflicts on network. What do you investigate?
Rogue DHCP server or overlapping static IPs.
Strong Wi-Fi but frequent disconnects. Diagnosis?
Interference, driver issues, or overloaded AP.
Ping works but can’t resolve domains. What now?
Check DNS settings, use nslookup, or change to public DNS.
Printer works for some users but not others. Why?
Permissions, mapping issues, or wrong drivers.
Can access sites via IP but not domain names. Cause?
DNS resolution failure.
Ethernet shows ‘Limited or No Connectivity.’ Causes?
Bad cable, DHCP failure, wrong subnet.
VPN connects but no shared drives. Why?
No DNS suffix, script didn’t map drives, firewall.
Tracert fails at gateway. What’s happening?
Routing issue or firewall blocking packets.
‘Destination Host Unreachable’ but device is online. Cause?
Gateway, subnet mismatch, or firewall.
