Troubleshooting

Question 1

What is the first step when troubleshooting?

Answer 1

Identify the issue

Question 2

POST (Power On Self Test)

Answer 2

Test major systems components before booting the operating system - Main systems (CPU, CMOS. etc.), Video, Memory

Question 3

Sluggish Performance?

Answer 3

Task Manager - Check for high CPU utilization and I/O
Windows Update - Latest patches and drivers
Disk space - Check for available space and defrag

Question 4

Grinding Noises?

Answer 4

Rattling - Loose components
Scraping - Hard Drive issues
Clicking - Fan problems
Pop - Blown capacitor

Question 5

Bad Printer Output

Answer 5

Lines down the printed page
Inkjet: Clean print heads
Laser: check for scratched photosensitive drum

Question 6

Printer: Faded prints, blank pages

Answer 6

Low toner or ink

Question 7

Printer: Double/echo images or speckling

Answer 7

Laser printer optical drum not properly cleaned or Ghost/shadow from previous drum rotation

Question 8

Printer: Garbled Print

Answer 8

Bad printer driver/wrong model - Incorrect page description language
(PCL or PostScript)

Question 9

What is the CompaTia A+ troubleshooting methodology?

Answer 9

The CompTIA troubleshooting methodology:

Identify the problem
Establish a theory of probable cause
Test the theory to determine the cause
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution
Verify full system functionality, and, if applicable, implement preventive measures
Document findings, actions and outcomes