CompTIA A+ 5.2 Core 1 - Common hardware Problems

A+ OBJECTIVE 5.2 HARDWARE AND NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING – COMMON HARDWARE PROBLEMS

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What can happen if the battery installed on the motherboard goes bad or voltage is depleted?

The system will crash immediately.

The system will not have the correct date and time.

The USB drive will become unresponsive.

The primary storage drive will become inaccessible.

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What would you do if you encounter a bad video adapter, faulty CPU, or incorrect BIOS configuration during computer startup?

Check Event Viewer for error information.

Run hardware diagnostic tools to identify the issue.

Reinstall applications and drivers.

Contact the manufacturer for assistance.

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What is responsible for maintaining date and time in a computer system?

Event Viewer

UEFI BIOS

Basic Input Output System (BIOS)

Hardware diagnostic tools

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What should be done if a system tries to boot from an incorrect drive?

Removing the USB drive or rearranging the boot order

Checking the Event Viewer for error information

Rolling back drivers or booting in Safe Mode

Contacting the manufacturer for assistance

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What does a Windows stop error or blue screen of death (BSOD) indicate?

Depleted motherboard battery

A fatal system error requiring a restart

An issue with the video adapter or CPU

An incorrect boot order of drives

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How can a user identify and resolve issues related to system hardware?

By contacting the manufacturer for assistance

By obtaining information from the Event Viewer

By arranging the boot order of drives in UEFI BIOS

By utilizing hardware diagnostic tools available from the manufacturer or UEFI BIOS

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What does a spinning beach ball cursor indicate for Mac OS users?

A need to restart the system immediately

Availability of new hardware diagnostic tools

Process completion and regaining access soon

A more serious issue that requires hardware diagnostics

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How can one resolve a blue screen error in Windows?

Rolling back drivers or booting in Safe Mode

Checking the Event Viewer for error information

Removing the USB drive from the system

Contacting the manufacturer for assistance

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What might be the cause of a Windows stop error or blue screen of death (BSOD)?

Depleted motherboard battery

Incorrect BIOS configuration

Faulty CPU or bad video adapter

Incompatible drivers or applications not performing properly

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What is the purpose of the BIOS (Basic Input Output System)?

Running hardware diagnostic tools and resolving system issues

Managing boot order of drives and maintaining date and time

Managing the installation of applications and drivers

Obtaining information about blue screen errors and restarting the system

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How would you identify a monitor-specific problem?

Run a disk cleanup.

Replace the monitor with a known good one.

Check CPU utilization for individual processes.

Update device drivers.

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What should you do if a Mac OS system has a dim screen after booting?

Adjust brightness and contrast controls of the monitor.

Check if it runs slower on battery power.

Run a disk defragmentation.

Check if it's connected to an external monitor.

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What should be checked in case of a bad hardware issue?

Operating system version

Power cable connection to the monitor

Video output connection to the monitor

Memory utilization by individual processes

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What can cause bad memory on a system?

Physical damage to the memory module

Corrupted system files

Excessive resource utilization by an application or process

Outdated device drivers

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In what situation might some systems intentionally run slower?

When connected to an external monitor

When connected to a high-speed network

During a software update

When running on battery to conserve battery power

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What can improve system performance on systems using a hard drive?

Hard drive defragmentation

Running a disk cleanup

Replacing the RAM modules

Increasing the monitor's refresh rate

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What might cause a slow and sluggish operating system?

Excessive resource utilization by an application or process

Incorrect BIOS settings

Outdated antivirus software

Hard drive defragmentation

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When a computer doesn’t respond when the power button is pressed, what should be checked?

Power outlet

Network configuration

Monitor input option

Battery level

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What step should be taken to adjust a dim screen?

Update the system software

Adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast controls

Use Task Manager to check CPU utilization for individual processes

Replace the monitor with a known good one

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How can you troubleshoot a black screen issue on a Mac OS system?

Update the system software

Adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast controls

Check the power cable and video output connection to the monitor

Run a disk defragmentation

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What could be the cause of a spinning weight cursor appearing on a system?

Bug in an application

Incorrect network configuration

Bad hardware

Slow paging information between memory and storage drive

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What should be checked for proper function and airflow if there are smoke or burning smells from the desktop system?

Fans and heat sinks

Event Viewer for error messages or excessive heat

Windows utilities like Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor

Detailed diagnostics to identify problem components

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What should be investigated if there are smoke or burning smells from the desktop system?

Event Viewer for error messages or excessive heat

Fans and heat sinks for proper function and airflow

Windows utilities like Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor

Disconnect power source and investigate motherboard

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What can be caused by heat generated by various components such as CPUs and memory modules?

Sudden system shutdowns

Overheating due to anti-virus software processing files

Smoke or burning smells

Grinding noises indicating potential mechanical failure

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Which activity can provide information on system performance and errors?

Detailed diagnostics

Dust build-up in the system

Windows utilities like Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor

GPU Drivers

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What can indicate potential mechanical failure in a desktop system?

Dust build-up in the system

Grinding noises

Smoke or burning smells

Overheating due to anti-virus software processing files

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What is the reason for high temperatures causing the system to shut down?

To perform detailed diagnostics

To cool down the CPU

To achieve cooling through fans and heat sinks

To protect components from damage

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What should be checked to troubleshoot sudden system shutdowns?

Event Viewer for error messages or excessive heat

Windows utilities like Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor

Dust build-up in the system

Grinding noises indicating potential mechanical failure

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Which component can generate heat in a desktop system?

Grinding noises indicating potential mechanical failure

Reliability Monitor

Event Viewer

External video adapters

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What should be checked if there are smoke or burning smells from the desktop system?

Detailed diagnostics to identify problem components

Event Viewer for error messages or excessive heat

Fans and heat sinks for proper function and airflow

Disconnect power source and investigate motherboard

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How is cooling typically achieved in desktop systems?

By disconnecting power source during overheating

Through fans, airflow, and heat sinks

Using Windows utilities like Event Viewer

Reliability Monitor providing information on system errors

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What is a potential consequence of dust and dirt affecting the cooling function?

Burning smells indicating component failure

Windows utilities providing information on system performance

Excessive heat causing damage to components

Sudden system shutdowns

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What can cause a desktop system to slow down the CPU to cool down?

High temperatures causing system shutdowns

Overheating due to anti-virus software processing files

Dust build-up in the system

Grinding noises indicating potential mechanical failure

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Why is the myth of removing the motherboard battery to reset BIOS configuration no longer valid?

BIOS configurations are now stored on an external device

Removing the battery can cause irreversible damage to the motherboard

The battery no longer plays a role in storing BIOS settings

Modern BIOS configurations are stored in flash memory on the motherboard

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What could a date and time issue indicate in a computer system?

Overheating of the processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

Issues with the graphics card, necessitating an upgrade

Failed motherboard battery, requiring replacement to maintain correct time

A problem with the hard drive, requiring data backup

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What could cause a computer system to restart in a loop?

A problem with the RAM, necessitating a memory upgrade

Overheating of the processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

A problematic capacitor on the motherboard, which may need replacement

Issues with the BIOS or the operating system, with F8 key or Safe Mode as potential solutions

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What could cause a complete system freeze with no error messages?

Recent hardware installations or insufficient resources

Overheating of the processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

Issues with the operating system, necessitating an upgrade

Recent software installations, requiring reinstallation

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What could a popping noise from a computer indicate?

A problematic capacitor on the motherboard, which may need replacement

Issues with the graphics card, necessitating an upgrade

Overheating of the processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

An issue with the hard drive, requiring data backup

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An oscillation or clicking noise from a computer system might be due to which component?

Hard drive, requiring data backup

RAM, necessitating a memory upgrade

Fan, requiring cleaning

Processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

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What could a grinding noise from a hard drive signify?

Potential data loss situation, requiring backups for data restoration

A problem with the RAM, necessitating a memory upgrade

Overheating of the processor, necessitating a cooling system upgrade

An issue with the operating system, requiring a reinstall

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What is the purpose of the power-on self-test (POST) when you turn on your PC?

To check for the availability and functionality of key components

To display error messages on the screen

To connect the CPU, video, keyboard, and memory

To ensure that the power supply is working properly

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Why does the POST process provide both beeping sounds and error messages on the screen?

To signal a successful completion of the diagnostic tests

To indicate that the system is in standby mode

To provide feedback on the problems it has found

To entertain the user while waiting for the PC to start

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Where can you find information about the specific beep codes associated with your motherboard?

In the user manual for your operating system

By contacting the PC manufacturer's customer support

Online forums and discussions

In the documentation for your motherboard

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CompTIA A+ 5.2 Core 1 – Common hardware Problems