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CompTIA A+ 1001 > Troubleshooting (All) > Flashcards

Troubleshooting (All) Flashcards

1
Q

Hardware: Unexpected Shutdowns

A

Could be caused by overclocking, buggy applications, overheating, power outage/surge.

If overclocking, clear CMOS jumper.

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2
Q

Hardware: System Lockups

A

System lockups & page faults can indicate bad RAM.
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Could be cause by overclocking (clear CMOS jumper).

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3
Q

Hardware: POST Code Beeps

A

Beep codes vary per manufacturer (check mobo manual).

Example (Don’t need to memorize):
Bad/missing video (long, short, short)
Bad/missing RAM (single beep repeated)
CPU alarm/heat limit (series of short beeps)

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4
Q

Hardware: Blank Screen on Bootup

A

Make sure everything is plugged in and turned on.

If within 30 days of purchase, could be burn-in failure.

One of components may be fried/damaged.
(Mobo, CPU, RAM)

Incorrect RAM module/seating

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5
Q

Hardware: BIOS Time/Settings Resets

A

Indication that CMOS battery is dying.

Replace! (CR2032)

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6
Q

Hardware: Attempts to boot to incorrect device

A

Open BIOS/UEFI system setup utility.

Go to boot order and switch primary boot device/boot order.

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7
Q

Hardware: Continuous Reboots

A

RAM problem: run Windows Memory Diagnostic.

Could also be a symptom of overheating.

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8
Q

Hardware: No Power

A

Make sure all power connectors are correctly plugged in.

PSU: Check power switch is on. Check proper voltage setting. Could be bad PSU/power button/inverter

Faulty outlet, bad power cable.

Disconnect third-party hardware.

Bad motherboard or bad components
(CPU, GPU, RAM, Sound card, Hard drive, optical drive)

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9
Q

Hardware: Overheating

A

Too much thermal paste on CPU.
Not enough thermal paste on CPU.
Failure to connect fan power/CPU fan.

Other: Too much dust or animal hair. (Use compressed air)

Lack of air conditioning in location.

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10
Q

Hardware: Loud Noise

A

Blown motherboard capacitor.
Blown PSU fuse.

Search for burnt smell in case.

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11
Q

Hardware: Intermittent Device Failure

A

Indication of dying PSU > Replace (likely)
Indication of bad RAM > Replace

Others: Buggy applications, buggy hardware, electrical interference

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12
Q

Hardware: Fans spin, no power to other devices

A

Disconnect external hardware.
Reseat RAM
Bad motherboard capacitors (check for yellow/amber light)
Change power outlet
Potentially bad PSU
Check/remove peripherals (they can cause this too)

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13
Q

Hardware: Indicator Lights

A

Yellow/amber light on motherboard: bad motherboard

No indicator light: bad PSU or motherboard

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14
Q

Hardware: Smoke

A

Turn off & unplug everything immediately.

Use Class C fire extinguisher if necessary.

Look for burning smell to identify source.

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15
Q

Hardware: Burning Smell

A

Could be fried CPU
Could be bad PSU (blown fuse)
Could be blown motherboard capacitor

Look for smell to identify the component.

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16
Q

Hardware: Proprietary Crash Screens

A

NMI (Non-maskable interrupt) - CPU can’t ignore
Search for burnt smell in case
Could be bad RAM (run windows memory diagnostic)
Could be fried CPU (short circuit)
Damaged motherboard
Faulty component.
Buggy driver, application, or OS corruption.
PSU problems

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17
Q

Hardware: Distended Capacitors

A

Poorly manufactured capacitors (bulging capacitors)
Usually occurs within first 30 days of use
AKA: Burn-in failure (motherboard)
ESD shock to system
Must replace motherboard

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18
Q

Hardware: Log Entries & Error Messages

A

POST error message (potentially bad RAM)
- Could be faulty SPD chip

Hexadecimal digit error: page fault
Write down the address
Not necessarily RAM problem, but memory error

POST text errors: should indicate specific issue

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19
Q

Storage: Read/Write Failure

A

Indication of dying hard drive.
Back up data immediately (if possible)
Must replace hard drive

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20
Q

Storage: Slow Performance

A

Failure of drive in RAID array

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21
Q

Storage: Loud Clicking Noise

A

Drive is about to die.

Other indications:
Continuous high-pitched squeal
Continuous grinding/rumbling

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22
Q

Storage: Failure to boot

A

Double check boot order in system setup

Could indicate dying/dead drive.
You may get read/write failures, drive noise, or drives disappear.

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23
Q

Storage: Drive not recognized

A

Make sure drives are powered & have proper connections.

Make sure drives are properly formatted/partitioned.

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24
Q

Storage: OS Not Found

A

Indication of failed drive in RAID array (especially RAID 0)
Could be corrupted hard drive data.
Run error checking utility.

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25
Q

Storage: RAID Not Found

A

Implies a series of errors where an existing RAID array suddenly fails to appear.
Properly functioning RAID arrays will always show up in config.

Array is gone, still see drives: controller may have broken array (rare)

Array is gone: Dead drives or faulty controllers need replacement.

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26
Q

Storage: RAID Stops Working

A

RAID 0: Dramatic effect (likely BSoD) or OS not found
All data is lost.

Other RAID types: Nothing extraordinary.
RAID controller or Windows will indicate drive failure.
Slow performance
Potential system crashes

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27
Q

Storage: Proprietary Crash Screens

A

Failed drive in RAID array
Drive lost in RAID 0
Low disk space

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28
Q

Storage: SMART Errors

A

Can help to indicate bad clusters.
Most modern drives have extra blocks to replace bad ones.

Usually warns of hard disk soon to break down.
Immediately backup accessible data.

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29
Q

Display: VGA/SVGA Mode

A

Modern computers will go to SVGA mode (not VGA)
Indicates buggy/corrupted driver.

Reboot to safe mode & roll back or delete driver.
Download latest driver & reinstall.

Advanced GPU drivers show up as programs.

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30
Q

Display: No Image on Screen

A

Indicates buggy/corrupted driver.
Reboot into safe mode & roll back or delete driver.
Download latest driver & reinstall

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31
Q

Display: Overheat Shutdown

A

Could be caused by excessive heat inside case.
PC will come back up and shut down again.

Make sure nothing is too close to GPU
Use compressed air to get dust/debris out.

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32
Q

Display: Bizarre Screen Outputs

A

GPUs rarely go bad themselves.
Usually RAM or fans that go bad.

Indicates bad RAM or fans in GPU.

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33
Q

Display: Dead Pixels

A 
Dead: pixel never lights up
Lit: pixel is always pure white
Stuck: pixel is stuck on certain color
Check warranty
Try pixel repair software
Set desktop bg to black and try tapping pixel

Often incurable

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34
Q

Display: Artifacts

A

Often caused by a projector bulb near the end of life or it’s defective. You should attempt to replace the bulb to see if this resolves the issue.

Excessive heat inside case
Make sure nothing is too close to video card
Could be symptom of overheat shutdown

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35
Q

Display: Incorrect Color Patterns

A

Corrupted GPU driver
Reboot in safe mode & roll back or delete driver.
Reinstall driver

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36
Q

Display: Dim Image

A

Dead or dying backlight (especially if on top/bottom half).

Make sure to adjust contrast first.

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37
Q

Display: Flickering Image

A

Cheap panel with too much light bleed from backlight.
Dying CCFL backlight
LEDs don’t flicker

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38
Q

Display: Distorted Image/Distorted Geometry

A

Corrupted GPU driver
Reboot in safe mode & roll back or delete driver.
Reinstall driver

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39
Q

Display: Burn-In

A

Image displayed for a long time leaves a shadow/impression.
Usually temporary
If permanent: burn-in
Configure OS to turn off idle displays
Protect display with animated screensaver

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40
Q

Display: Oversized Images/Icons

A

If resolution is already native, do not change.

Go into display settings & change screen element size.

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41
Q

Mobile: No Display

A

Make sure display is turned on
FN key toggle
Display settings

42
Q

Mobile: Dim Display

A

Lost an inverter (CCFL)
Inverter will make noise
LED?: Low battery

43
Q

Mobile: Flickering Display

A

Crank up the brightness

If that doesn’t work, replace device

44
Q

Mobile: Sticking Keys

A

Key switch may be knocked out of place (check for displacement)
Look up steps for detaching & reattaching keys on specific device
Otherwise find generic instructions

45
Q

Mobile: Intermittent Wireless

A

Airplane mode?
Wireless On/Off toggle
Out of signal range or edge of signal range

46
Q

Mobile: Battery not Charging

A

AC adapter isn’t working
Or battery is fried
Replace with known-good battery

47
Q

Mobile: Ghost Cursor

A

Aging display or improperly configured refresh rate

48
Q

Mobile: Pointer Drift

A

Restart computer

If still happening, broken touchpad: replace

49
Q

Mobile: No Power

A

Verify AC power by plugging a different device into the wall outlet
No LEDs light up, and wall outlet is good = Replace adapter
Faulty peripherals can also prevent the laptop from powering up.

50
Q

Mobile: No Wireless Connectivity

A

Wireless toggle on/off (hardware & software)
Check for airplane mode
Out of signal range
Using cellular data?
May have exceeded monthly data limit
AKA: data transmission over limit
Congestion: too many wireless devices on same frequency range

51
Q

Mobile: No Bluetooth Connectivity

A

Bluetooth toggle on/off
Check for airplane mode
Make sure both devices are properly configured/paired

52
Q

Mobile: Cannot Display to External Monitor

A

FN key toggle
Check monitor input setting/channel
Check for correct adapter
HDMI not working?
May need to reset one or both devices to give HDMI time to set connections
Control Panel > Display > Mirror/Extend to second monitor

53
Q

Mobile: Touch Screen Non-Responsive

A

Check screen for dirt/grease/liquids (can make sensors go haywire)
Wipe with microfiber cloth
Check for touchscreen diagnostics in BIOS settings
Calibrate/reset touch support

54
Q

Mobile: Apps not Loading

A 
App may not be compatible with device/OS
Hardware requirements not met
Access app log errors w/third party software
Try re-installing app
Soft reset
Close unused apps
55
Q

Mobile: Slow Performance

A 
Close running apps
Make sure storage capacity limit is not reached
Or get an expansion card (SD)
Soft reset
RAM upgrade?
56
Q

Mobile: Unable to Decrypt Email

A

PGP (Pretty Good Privacy)
S/MIME (Secure/Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions)
Email client/app doesn’t support encryption standard used to encrypt message
Key: string of bits used by program to encrypt/decrypt data
With some standards, keys may need to be exchanged manually
Contact sender to exchange keys

57
Q

Mobile: Extremely Short Battery Life

A

Close running apps
Use portable battery charger
Turn off unneeded wireless communication (including location services)
Turn down screen brightness
Battery has outlived its useful life and needs replacement
Check wireless devices that are typically disabled, make sure they aren’t enabled

58
Q

Mobile: Overheating

A

Listen for fans, make sure they’re properly functioning
Note which parts are hot
Too hot?
Power device down & remove battery
Look for possible signs
Inconsistent reboots, graphical glitches, system beeps
Know when to expect a device to be normally hot
For no reason?
Defective battery or other power circuit within device

59
Q

Mobile: Frozen System

A

Force stop for application
Try soft reset
May need hard reboot
If happened after app installation/update, remove it
Could also be an OS issue > check for follow-up patches to update
Still unusable after reset?
Check manufacturers docs to see if you can boot in special mode

60
Q

Mobile: No Speaker Sound

A

Check for hardware mute/volume button
Verify proper output device configuration
Repair recently?: Make sure speakers are properly connected
Try using headphones
If this works, built-in speakers may be damaged
Try changing/resetting output device

61
Q

Mobile: GPS not Functioning

A

Enable location services (smart device)
Make sure Wi-fi or cellular data are turned on
Check physical environment (tunnels/dead spots)
Laptop: Control Panel > GPS device enabled
Location services: enabled

62
Q

Mobile: Swollen Battery

A

Laptop doesn’t sit right on flat surfaces
Problems with input devices
Needs replacement

63
Q

Mobile: Num Lock Lights

A

Numbers when expecting letters?

Turn off num lock

64
Q

Mobile: Disassembling process for proper reassembly

A

Document & label cable & screw locations
Organize parts
Refer to manufacturer resources
Use appropriate hand tools

65
Q

Printer: Streaks

A

Usually means you have a dirty transfer roller.

Also could be caused by worn out drum or spent toner cartridge
Remove cartridge & rock back & forth over trash can to redistribute toner
Reinstall toner & run test print
If that doesn’t work: check for cartridge cleaning function on printer
Run cleaning function & another test print

66
Q

Printer: Faded Prints

A

Printer could be running out of toner

Print diagnostic/test page
If also blank, remove toner & look at imaging drum inside

If the image is still there, transfer corona or PSU has failed
Check maintenance guide to see how to replace

67
Q

Printer: Ghost Images (Causes)

A

Imaging drum is not fully discharged & is picking up toner from previous image

Or image has used up so much toner that either the supply of charged toner is insufficient or the toner is not adequately charged

Sometimes could also be a worn-out cleaning blade that isn’t removing toner
Dark ghosting can be caused by damaged drum (replace toner)

68
Q

Printer: Ghost Images (Solutions)

A

Lower resolution of the page (300dpi vs. 600dpi)
Use a different pattern
Avoid 50% grayscale & dot-on/dot-off patterns
Print in landscape
Adjust print density and RET settings
Print blank page prior to page w/ghosting image (same print job)
Change layout so grayscale patterns don’t follow black areas

69
Q

Printer: Toner not Fused to Paper

A

Try using a lighter-weight paper
Potentially need to replace toner
Turn up temperature of the fuser

70
Q

Printer: Creased Paper

A

Try using a different paper type
Cotton bond is more susceptible to noticeable creasing than other bonds
Try sending output to face-up tray (avoids one roller)
No hardware issue with this problem

71
Q

Printer: Paper not Feeding

A

Make sure tray isn’t overfilled
Confirm paper is well-aligned, not ripped/bent
Make sure print settings specify correct paper
Abnormal weight/coating than usual?
Adjustable guides? Make sure they aren’t holding paper too tight
Clean (or replace) printer’s pickup rollers

72
Q

Printer: Crash on Power-Up

A

Reverse power-up:
Turn on laser printer first & allow it to finish warm-up before turning on PC
This avoids having two devices draw extra power to start up (same time)

73
Q

Printer: Paper Jam

A

Refer to manufacturer’s jam removal procedure
Refill paper & reprint

If no actual paper jam, jam sensors or paper feed sensors have an issue > Repair Center

74
Q

Printer: No Connectivity

A

Turn off/on
If that doesn’t work, menu system should have manual config settings
Or try resetting to defaults

75
Q

Printer: Garbled Characters on Paper

A

Point to corrupted/incorrect driver
Try rebooting first

Make sure printer is capable of print job (might be using PostScript with a PCL driver)

If none: cable issue? Power issue?
Try another outlet & try another cable
If it supports a different connection type, try it

76
Q

Printer: Vertical Lines on Page

A

Toner is clogged
Try shaking toner cartridge to dislodge the clog
If that doesn’t work, replace toner cartridge

77
Q

Printer: Backed-Up Print Queue

A

Open print spooler (print icon)
Delete affected print job & try again

OR printer is waiting for correct paper
Can override by pressing OK or GO button on printer

78
Q

Printer: Spooler Issues

A 
Printer Properties > Print directly to printer
Try restarting the print spooler service
Start > Services > Print Spooler
Right click & restart
OR stop, wait, start
79
Q

Printer: Low Memory Error

A

Reprint at a lower quality/resolution

Add more RAM

80
Q

Printer: Access Denied

A

Go to host system & check Security tab of Printer Properties

Make sure your user account is allowed to use printer

81
Q

Printer: Will Not Print

A

Is the printer on? Is it connected? Is it online?
Is there an error message on display? Does it have paper?
Is your computer online?

If the printer is on, the display should indicate if there’s an issue
Ex: Paper jam OR Full/low memory error

82
Q

Printer: Color Prints in Wrong Color (General)

A

Print out appropriate diagnostic/test page.
Separates printer issue with print job issue.

Color Registration Issue:
Might see slivers of unexpected colors
Or text could be blurry/discolored (or unexpected shadow)
If so, run printer’s registration/alignment routine

Check print settings to see if it’s configured to adjust any colors (may be misconfigured)

83
Q

Printer: B&W when looking for Color

A

Check print application & print settings to make sure grayscale isn’t on.

84
Q

Printer: Black Comes out in Odd Tone

A

Printer may be low on black ink/toner

Black could be rich black with other colors mixed in

85
Q

Printer: Color Prints Wrong Color (Inkjet)

A

Incorrect ink cartridge placement.

Must clean incorrect ink out of tubing & printheads.

If in correct spots:
Gunked-up printhead may be keeping printer from laying down the right amount of color (clean)

86
Q

Printer: Unable to Install

A

You need to be an administrator

Change Group Policy Driver Installation to allow non-admins to install printer drivers

87
Q

Printer: Printing Blank Pages

A

Printer could be running out of toner
Print diagnostic/test page
If also blank, remove toner & look at imaging drum inside
If the image is still there, transfer corona or PSU has failed
Check maintenance guide to see how to replace

88
Q

Printer: No Image on Printer Display

A

Not much one can do about this issue
Turn device off/on
Completely unplug for a few minutes
If still having issue, but device is functional, and problem wasn’t after firmware update, take to a service center

89
Q

Impact Printer: Bad Looking Text

A

White bars going through the text = dirty/damaged printhead
Clean w/denatured alcohol
Get replacement printhead

Chopped off at top/bottom = readjust printhead
Characters degraded/faded = replace printhead

90
Q

Impact Printer: Bad Looking Page

A

Page is covered with dots & small smudges = platen is dirty

Image faded, ribbon good = adjust printhead closer to platen

91
Q

Inkjet Nozzle Issues

A

Ink inside nozzles can dry out and block fresh ink
The one part of an inkjet you should clean
Only certain colors printing = dry ink clogged nozzle
Only clean when necessary (wastes ink otherwise)

92
Q

Network: Limited Connectivity

A 
Check NIC link lights!
Points to DHCP problem
Run ipconfig to see if you have APIPA address
Restart DHCP server (likely router)
Or try setting NIC statically
93
Q

Network: Local Connectivity

A 
Downed DHCP server (restart router or set NIC static)
OR router problem
Ping default gateway
If successful, ping WAN port
Can be found in router config
Renew DHCP using router config
If no luck, call ISP
94
Q

Network: Unavailable Resources

Shares/Printers/Email

A

Check for correct share name
Check for correct username/password
Account permissions? Make sure you have correct ones
Make sure you’re on correct homegroup/domain/workgroup
Make sure the resource is being shared

Email:
Make sure you have correct IMAP/POP3 Server name & password.

95
Q

Network: No Connectivity

A

Use loopback plug to check NIC
Can you get to other websites? If not, triple check local connectivity
Can you ping the site? Use CMD ping command

If you can’t find host: DNS failure
Ipconfig /flushdns
Network troubleshooter
Try another DNS server

If DNS is ok, make sure you have correct URL

Incorrect network configuration (password, SSID, etc)
Could be your location (dead spot)

Wired Network:
Red X over network icon will indicate
Check all physical connections

96
Q

Network: APIPA/Link Local Address

A

DHCP problem

Restart router (if that’s your DHCP server)
Or restart DHCP server otherwise

Try setting NIC statically

97
Q

Network: Intermittent Connectivity

A

Check NIC link lights!
Flashing green link light indicates intermittent connectivity
Out of signal range OR edge of signal range
Adjust antennas
Interference: other devices on same frequency or other devices that block signal

98
Q

Network: IP Conflict

A

Two computers have same IP address and can’t talk to each other

Other computers won’t know where to send data

Ipconfig /release > ipconfig /renew

99
Q

Network: Slow Transfer Speeds

A

Use netstat command to look at network connections
Everyone on network getting slow internet?
Get more bandwidth

Use QoS:
Tool to prioritize access to network resources
Enables you to prioritize certain users/apps/services.

Limits bandwidth for certain types of data
Based on IP, application protocol, or other features

100
Q

Network: Low RF Signal

A

Out of range from WAP
Adjust antennas
Move devices that cause interference, or move WAP to avoid them
Other wireless devices in same frequency range may be interfering
Change channel that network uses
Or change channel that offending devices use
Fridge, microwave, etc
Wireless network repeater/extender

101
Q

Network: SSID Not Found

A

WAP is down

WAP change was made (perhaps SSID change)

Try deleting old connection profile and create a new one

CompTIA A+ 1001 (9 decks)

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