Software Troubleshooting Flashcards
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
System not configured
Set the Power setting to High Performance using the Power options icon in the notification area or the Power options in Control Panel.
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
Drive containing paging file and temporary files is nearly full or badly fragmented
Use Disk Cleanup in the drive properties to remove unwanted files, check the drive for errors, and defragment the drive
If you have more available space on a different drive, use the Advanced tab in the system properties to change the location of the paging file and temp files
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
System is overheating and CPU is running at reduced speed
Remove dust and dirt on the CPU and the system fans.
Check for adequate airflow through the system.
Change back to Balanced power setting.
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
Running low on memory
Add RAM. This fixed many performance problems
Exceed the minimum recommended for the version of Windows in use for better performance
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
Sudden performance drop
Check for viruses and malware, this is especially important if performance has suddenly plunged
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
Registry errors messages
The program CCleaner is widely used for this task
Windows System Performance Solutions
Problem:
General and undiagnosed performance issues
Use the performance troubleshooters in your version of Windows
Linux: Three Steps to Better Performance
Performance Optimization:
Remove unneeded startup programs
With recent versions of Ubuntu, use the Startup Application manager
With Fedora or other distributions, install GNOME-TWEAK and use its Startup Application manager
Linux: Three Steps to Better Performance
Performance Optimization:
Install more RAM
Exceed the minimums recommended for the version of Linux in use for better performance
Linux: Three Steps to Better Performance
Performance Optimization:
Disable unneeded system services
System services are typically located in the /etc/init.d directory (folder). Depending on your distribution, you might have a control center that can be used to disable system services, or you might need to use the Nautilus file manager, right-click a service, go to Properties > Permissions, and deselect Execute: Allow Executing File as Program. To determine what a particular service does, look it up in the man pages for your distribution
macOS: Three Steps to Better Performance
Performance Optimization:
Try the additional strategies at right to improve system responsiveness
If your MacBook uses a hard disk, replace it with an SSD
Add more RAM
Use Disk Utility to remove apps you no longer need
Use System Preferences to disable unneeded startup apps
Be sure to install macOS updates as they become available
Remove unwanted Dashboard programs
(widgets)
What symbol next to the network icon in the Windows 7 taskbar indicates that the network has limited connectivity also called local connectivity?
yellow ! symbol
What symbol next to the network icon in the Windows 10 taskbar indicates that the network has limited connectivity also called local connectivity?
red X icon
Take these measures for Windows 7 if you have limited connectivity:
open the Network and Sharing Center and click the red X in the Internet connection dialog
Windows launches an Internet troubleshooter
Follow the troubleshooter’s recommendations
Take these measures for Windows 8/8.1 if you have limited connectivity:
use Search to locate and start the Internet troubleshooter
Follow the troubleshooter’s recommendations
Take these measures for Windows 10 if you have limited connectivity:
Click the network icon in the taskbar to open the Network Status windows
If you are not connected, a Troubleshoot button will appear
For connection problems with any OS take these measures:
Turn off the broadband modem or access device, wait about a minute, and then turn it back on
Then turn off the router, wait about a minute, and turn it on again
If the problem was with the broadband modem/access device, this should solve the problem
If this does not solve the problem, contact the ISP as the problem might be on its network
If only one device is affected in regard to a wireless network connectivity:
disconnect from a wireless network and reconnect to it
If only one device is affected in regard to a wired network connectivity:
restart the computer
Boot failures (or failure to boot) can be caused by:
incorrect boot configuration in the BIOS
corrupt or missing boot files
missing driver files
Windows uses the bootmgr and BCD files during the startup process. If these files are corrupted or missing, you see the corresponding error messages:
BOOTMGR is missing
The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing required information
Windows Boot Error Message:
BOOTMGR is missing message means:
the bootmgr is missing or corrupt
This black screen will probably also say Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to Restart; however, doing so probably will not fix the issue
Windows Boot Error Message:
The Windows Boot Configuration Data file is missing message means:
that either the Windows Boot Manager (Bootmgr) entry is not present in the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store or that the Boot\BCD file on the active partition is damaged or missing
There are two ways to repair a missing bootmgr file:
Boot to the System Recovery options and select the Startup Repair option. This should automatically repair the system and require you to reboot
Boot to the System Recovery options and select the Command Prompt option. Type the bootrec /fixboot command
To repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store, use this process:
- Boot to the System Recovery options and select the Startup Repair option. Windows should automatically repair the system and require you to reboot. If not, move on to the second step
- Boot to the System Recovery options and select the Command Prompt option. Type boot/ rebuildbcd
a. If the Bootred.exe tool runs successfully, Windows presents you with an installation path for a Windows directory. To add the entry to the BCD store, type Yes. A confirmation message appears, indicating that the entry was added successfully. Restart the system
b. If the Bootrec.exe tool can’t locate any missing Windows installations, you must remove the BCD store and then re-create it. To do this you have to type in the command to rebuild the BCD store
The command to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store is:
Bcedit /export C: \BCD_Backup
ren c: \boot\bcd bcd.old
Bootrec /rebuildbcd
If Linux won’t start normally, take these options:
hold down the Shift key while starting the system
If the GRUB or GRUB2 boot loader appears select the entry marked Rescue or Recovery to load a minimal version of Linux
From the Recovery menu you might be offered a variety of options to fix your system; the options you see depends on the distribution
(If a Linux distribution doesn’t have a menu offering these options, you can run most of the options from the command prompt; using su or sudo to run them
Ubuntu version of Linux offers the following Recovery Menu options:
resume: Continues the normal boot process
clean: Frees up space on your file system; use it if the disk is almost full
dpkg: Repairs broken software; use this if software installation failed and be sure to enable networking first with network
failsafex: Enables system to boot to GUI
fsck: Repairs file system errors
grub: Updates grub boot loader
network: Enables networking, which is turned off in Recovery mode
root: Opens system in read/write root shell mode (for experts only)
system-summary: Displays information about the system
Some BIOS will not boot to Linux because Linux partitions don’t use the MS-DOS boot flag. To fix the problem follow these steps:
Start the system from a Live CD or Live USB drive and open a terminal session
Use the command sudo fdisk /dev/sda and view partition table settings by running the “p” (print) command
A bootable partition is marked as “a” (active)
If no partition is marked as active, use the “a” command to mark this partition as active, save changes with “w” (write), and restart the system after removing the Live CD
To start macOS in special startup modes, do this:
press Cmd+R as soon as the startup sound plays and continue pressing until you are prompted to select a language
macOS Utilities menu includes the following options:
Restore from Time Machine Backup:
Reinstall macOS
Get Help Online
Disk Utility
Why would you use the following option within the macOS Utilities menu?
Restore from Time Machine Backup
If a backup exists and you with to restore it
Why would you use the following option within the macOS Utilities menu?
Reinstall macOS
When you want to install a new version of macOS
Why would you use the following option within the macOS Utilities menu?
Get Help Online
When you want to open online help and remote diagnostics options
Why would you use the following option within the macOS Utilities menu?
Disk Utility
When you want to repair problems with hard drives
Common Causes of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Application crashes
There are several different causes for this, but most common ones are lack of RAM and overheated CPU
Common Causes of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Blue and black screens, BSOD and pin wheel
Software conflicts, corrupt OS files
Common Causes of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Printing issues
Several possibilities include drivers, print spoolers, and network connectivity
Common Causes of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Slow bootup
Slow loading of services or drivers. Drivers may be corrupt
Common Causes of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Slow profile load
Corrupt profile (drives, etc)
Common Solution(s) of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Application crashes
Kill tasks
Add RAM
Clean airflow vents
Reboot
Apply application updates
Roll back updates if problems started after last update
Common Solution(s) of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Blue and black screens, BSOD, and pin wheel
Safe boot
Check hardware
Re-image/reload OS
Common Solution(s) of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Printing issues
Check connections
Clear print queue
Reboot printer
Reprint
Common Solution(s) of Symptoms for a Malfunctioning OS
Services fail to start
Search for “Local Services” and try right-clicking to restart