Lesson 03-D Flashcards
What issues should a CompTIA A+ technician troubleshoot related to motherboards, RAM, CPU, and power?
Problems such as intermittent faults, performance problems, and display errors
These issues can significantly impact user experience and system functionality.
What symptoms may indicate component issues in a computer system?
Symptoms include system locking up, intermittent shutdowns, continuous rebooting, OS blue screen/Kernel panic errors, and application crashes
These symptoms can arise from various causes, including software or hardware failures.
What are the likely causes of intermittent faults in a computer system?
The likely causes are software issues, disk/file corruption problems, or malware
Diagnosing these issues often requires testing and elimination of potential causes.
What should you check if a computer system feels hot to the touch?
Check for overheating issues, ensure CPU fan is working, and verify proper heat sink fitting
Overheating can lead to performance degradation and hardware damage.
What are some signs of overheating in a computer system?
Unusual odors, burning smell, smoke, and a hot-to-touch feeling
Immediate action should be taken if overheating is suspected to prevent damage.
What is ‘throttling’ in the context of computer performance?
Throttling is when the CPU and other components reduce performance to avoid overheating
This is a protective measure to maintain hardware integrity.
What is the function of the real time clock (RTC) in a computer?
The RTC keeps track of the calendar date and time, even when the computer is off
It is powered by a coin cell battery, typically CR2032.
What could indicate a failing RTC battery?
Inaccurate date or time displayed in the system firmware setup program
Replacing the RTC battery typically resolves this issue.
What are some common causes of missing video on a display?
The display device not being plugged in, turned on, or set to the correct input source
Always check physical connections and settings first.
What steps should be taken to troubleshoot physical cabling issues?
Ensure cables are securely connected, not damaged, and are of suitable quality for the application
Using a ‘known good’ cable can help isolate the issue.
What are indicators of a burned-out projector bulb?
Dimming image, bulb health warning light, or visible scorch marks
A burned-out bulb may also make a popping sound when it fails.
What might cause intermittent projector shutdowns?
Overheating due to fan failure, obstructed vents, or high ambient temperature
Loose connector cables and improperly secured bulbs should also be checked.
What are some signs of video quality issues?
Dim image, fuzzy image, flashing screen, dead pixels, and burn-in
These issues can stem from various sources, including display settings and hardware failures.
What is burn-in on a display?
Burn-in occurs when a static image is displayed for too long, leaving a ghost image permanently on the screen
Plasma and OLED displays are more susceptible to burn-in.
What is color calibration in the context of digital art?
Color calibration is the process of adjusting screen and scanner settings to ensure color input and output are balanced
This process is crucial for accurate color representation in digital art.
What is ‘chip creep’?
Chip creep is when an adapter works loose from its socket over time due to temperature changes
This can lead to intermittent hardware failures.
What is the purpose of adjusting screen and scanner settings?
To ensure that color input and output are balanced
This involves configuring color settings with the assistance of a color profile.
How can you define and verify a color profile?
Using the Color Management applet in Control Panel along with test card color patterns and spectrophotometers
This process helps to ensure that the display matches the defined color profile.
What are common causes of color glitches on a display?
Faulty or loose connectors, faulty cables, or insufficient quality cabling for the current image resolution
Replacing the cable may resolve the issue, but hardware faults could also be present in the monitor or graphics adapter.
What type of signal can HDMI and DisplayPort deliver?
A combined video and audio signal
This is contingent upon support from the video card.
What must be used to carry a sound signal with DVI and VGA connections?
Speakers must be connected to the computer’s audio ports using 3.5 mm jacks.
What should you check if there is no sound from built-in or separate speakers?
Power, cables/connectors, and any physical volume control on the speaker device
If these are confirmed to be functional, verify the audio output settings in the OS.
What might you suspect if a PC experiences intermittent lockups?
Potential hardware or software issues
This could include faulty RAM, overheating, or issues with drivers.
True or false? Running the fans continually at maximum speed is the best way to prevent overheating.
False
While it may seem effective, it can lead to unnecessary noise and wear on the fans.
If a projector is only displaying a very dim image, which component should you prioritize for investigation?
The projector bulb
Dimming can often be due to a failing or aged bulb.
What technique could you use to diagnose a thick green band across the middle of the screen?
Check the monitor’s connections and try a different cable
This can help determine if the issue is with the monitor or the input signal.
