4 Core 1: Troubleshooting and Practice Free Online FlashCards

What should you establish when first identifying a problem?

Ask what changed, when the issue began, who or what is affected, and whether it can be reproduced; check relevant errors and indicators.

How should you test a suspected cause?

Change one variable at a time, such as substituting a known-good cable. If the test disproves the theory, reconsider the evidence.

What should you consider before implementing a fix?

Consider risk, data protection, user impact, and reversibility; obtain authorization when required.

How do you verify a troubleshooting fix?

Confirm the original symptom is gone and related functions still work; check with the user when possible.

What should troubleshooting documentation include?

Record symptoms, tests, findings, actions, and any preventive steps.

What can a multimeter measure?

A multimeter measures voltage, continuity, and resistance. Use appropriate settings and safety precautions.

What does a successful ping fail to guarantee?

A successful ping shows reachability and response time, but does not prove that every application or service is working.

What should you do if a computer has a burning smell?

Stop testing, disconnect power if safe, and escalate. A burning smell or visible damage can indicate electrical danger.

Fans run, but the screen is blank and POST beeps occur. What should you check?

Check the display input and cable, then consider RAM seating, graphics hardware, and motherboard connections. Beep codes vary by manufacturer, so consult its documentation.

A hard drive clicks and reads slowly. What takes priority?

Protect important data and avoid unnecessary writes before further testing or replacement.

What does an IPv4 address beginning with 169.254 suggest?

Investigate DHCP availability and the device’s network link; the address suggests it did not obtain a DHCP lease.

What does a power supply tester check—and not prove?

It checks whether a computer power supply provides expected outputs, but does not prove every component is healthy under load.