Troubleshooting Core 2

Question 1

BSOD and frequent shutdowns

Answer 1

Causes: Bad hardware, bad drivers, bad application

Solutions: use last known good backup, system restore, rollback drivers, reseat or remove hardware, run hardware diagnostics

Question 2

Sluggish performance

Answer 2

Solutions:
Task manager - check for high CPU utilization and I/O
Windows update - latest patches and drivers
Disk space - check for available space and defrag
Laptops may be in power-saving mode
Anit-virus and anti-malware - scan for attackers

Question 3

Boot error - Can’t find OS or bootloader replaced/changed

Answer 3

Solutions:
Check boot drives - remove any media (USBs)
Startup repair
Modify the Windows Boot Configuration Database (BCD)

Question 4

Missing NTLDR

Answer 4

The main Windows boot loader is missing

Solution: Run Startup Repair or replace manually and reboot
Disconnect removable media

Question 5

Missing Operating System

Answer 5

Boot Configuration Data may be incorrect

Solution:
Run Startup Repair or manually configure BCD store

Question 6

Boots to Safe Mode

Answer 6

Windows not starting normally

Solution:
Run Startup Repair

Question 7

Device not starting

Answer 7

Solution:
Check Device Manager and Event Viewer

Often a bad driver

Remove and replace driverr

Question 8

One or more services failed to start

Answer 8

Bad/incorrect driver, bad hardware

Solution:
Try starting manually
Check account permissions
Confirm service dependencies

Question 9

Application stops working

Answer 9

Solution:
Check Event Log
Check Reliability Monitor
Reinstall the application