Operating System Troubleshooting Tools

Question 1

BIOS/UEFI tools - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 1

• Built-in diagnostics - Check for temps and status

* Run some basic hardware tests

Question 2

SFC - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 2

• System File Checker

* Integrity scan for operating system files

Question 3

Logs - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 3

• Windows - Event Viewer, boot logs
  
  • System Configuration - C:\Windows\ntbtlog.txt
• Linux - Individual application logs - /var/log
• Mac OS X - Utilities / Console.app

Question 4

Windows Command Prompt - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 4

• Windows Vista/7
  
  • System Recovery Options / Command Prompt
• Windows 8/8.1
  
  • Choose Other Options / Troubleshoot / Advanced Options / Command Prompt
• Use, copy, rename, or replace OS files and folders
• Enable or disable service or device startup
• Repair the file system boot sector or the master boot record (MBR)
• Create and format partitions on drives

Question 5

System Repair Disk - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 5

• Boots the computer - Provides system recovery options in Windows Vista/7/8/8.1
• Backup and Restore - Create a System Repair Disk

Question 6

Pre-installation environments (PE) - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 6

• A minimal Windows operating environment • Used for troubleshooting and recovery
• And during Windows Vista/7/8/8.1 setup

Question 7

MSCONFIG - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 7

• Microsoft System Configuration

* Set boot parameters and startup apps/services

Question 8

Defragmentation - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 8

• Moves file fragments so they are contiguous
• Improves read and write time
• Graphical version in the drive properties

Question 9

REGEDIT - Registry Editor - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 9

• The Windows Registry - a hierarchical database
• REGEDIT - Modify registry settings
• Add / modify / delete keys, import and export

Question 10

REGSVR32 - Microsoft Register Server - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 10

• Register/unregister a DLL

* Updates the registry

Question 11

Event Viewer - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 11

• Central event consolidation
• Application, Security, Setup, System
• Information, Warning, Error, Critical, Successful
Audit, Failure Audit

Question 12

Options at boot time - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 12

• Press F8 before during boot for Windows Advanced Options

* Options for Safe Mode, Windows Recovery Console, Last Known Good Configuration

Question 13

Safe Mode - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 13

• Press F8 on boot - Windows Advanced Options
• Safe Mode
• Safe Mode with Networking
• Safe Mode with Command Prompt
• Enable low-resolution (VGA Mode)

Question 14

Automated System Recovery - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 14

• Last resort of Windows XP recovery
  
  • Try Safe Mode and Last Known Good first!
• Accessories / System Tools / Backup
  
  • Requires a floppy disk
• Recovery requires ASR floppy, system backup, and Windows CD
• Restores disk signatures, volumes, and partitions
• Destructive! You will lose your data!
• Starts a data restore from a separate backup
• ASR does not back up or restore your data!

Question 15

Uninstall/reinstall/repair - OS Troubleshooting Tools

Answer 15

• A clean install can fix many things
• Windows 8/8.1 includes a built-in refresh
  
  • Clean out Windows without losing your files
• If you really want to start fresh, you can reset
  
  • Back to factory defaults