Troubleshooting

Question 1

What is troubleshooting?

Answer 1

It’s a systematic process of identifying, planning, and resolving a problem, error, or device fault.

Question 2

What are the three main problems that most computer problems are catagorized in?

Answer 2

1. Software problems
2. Hardware problems
3. Network problems

Question 3

Which of the three computer problems are usually the least, and most costly?

Answer 3

Software problems are usually the least costly, and hardware problems are usually the most expensive.

Question 4

How does one identify and fix hardware problems?

Answer 4

• Check that your computer is plugged into a working power outlet.
• Check that everything is turned on.
• If anything seems to be not working properly, make sure the brightness is up or the volume unmuted depending on what you are having issues with, or the switch is in the appropriate position.
• Check that keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, etc are plugged into your
  device. Try a different port to check if it is a port issue or the device is damaged. Make sure that wireless hardware has a fully charged battery.

Question 5

How does one identify and solve software problems?

Answer 5

• Try restarting your computer.
• Make sure all programs / applications are updated.
• Your antivirus software should be running.
• If your computer is having problems after you installed a new application or software, remove that program, and try reinstalling it.

Question 6

How do you identify and solve netwrok problems?

Answer 6

• Check that your computer hardware network modem is plugged in and
  working properly.
• Check that your computer is connected to a network through a wire
  (Ethernet) or wireless (Wi-Fi) connection.
• Check that your computer network connection wireless (Wi-Fi) signals are not weak or dropping.
• If anything is not working properly, reboot / restart your wireless (Wi-Fi) router or restart the computing device.
• If nothing is working, contact your internet service provider or a network technician for help.

Question 7

What are the troubleshooting process steps?

Answer 7

1. Identify the problem
2. Establish a theory of probable cause
3. Test the theory or determine the cause
4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement solution
5. Verify full system functionality and implement preventative measures
6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes

Question 8

What are the common issues’ troubleshooting steps?

Answer 8

• Check if the device is powered off.
• Find if the power switch for an outlet is turned off.
• Make sure that there are no loose external cable connections.
• Check whether the system start-up (system software) is working.

Question 9

What are the common issues’ solutions?

Answer 9

• Check if the device is powered on.
• Check if the power switch for an outlet is turned on.
• Check if the external cable connections are secure.
• Check if the system start-up (system software) is working.

Question 10

What’s a BIOS in computing systems?

Answer 10

A motherboard has a chip referred as Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). The BIOS chip stores instructions on how to load the computer hardware.

Question 11

What’s the POST in BIOS chips?

Answer 11

The BIOS chip also includes a test called Power On Self-Test (POST). This test determines if the hardware is working as expected. If the computer does not pass the POST, the computer will beep in different ways to indicate what is malfunctioning within the computer.

Question 12

What do each number of beeps indicate for POST?

Answer 12

For example, one beep indicates refresh failure, three indicates memory failure, five indicates processor failure, six indicate keyboard failure and so on.

Question 13

What are ways to research for possible solutions to computer issues?

Answer 13

• Internet search
• Online forums
• Computer manuals
• Device manuals
• Help desk repair logs
• Manufacturer manuals
• Technical websites
• Newsgroups

Question 14

What are some ways to verify full system functionality?

Answer 14

• Reboot the computer.
• Check if multiple applications work properly.
• Check if network and internet connections are working.
• Print a document from one application.
• Make sure that all attached devices work properly.
• Make sure that no error messages are received.

Question 15

What are some things to include when you document your findings?

Answer 15

• Description of the problem
• Steps to resolve the problem
• Components used in the repair

Question 16

Storage device problem include:

Answer 16

• Loose or incorrect cable connections
• Incorrect drive and media formats
• Incorrect bios settings.

Question 17

Motherboard problems include:

Answer 17

• Incorrect or loose cables
• Failed components
• Incorrect drivers
• Corrupted updates

Question 18

Power supply problems include:

Answer 18

• A faulty power supply
• Loose connections
• Less wattage

Question 19

CPU and memory problem include:

Answer 19

• Faulty installations
• Incorrect bios settings
• Inadequate cooling and ventilation
• Compatibility issues.

Question 20

Display problem include:

Answer 20

• Incorrect settings
• Loose connections
• Incorrect or corrupted drivers.

Question 21

What’s a solution to having a computer virus?

Answer 21

1. Doing a complete network scan for malware or viruses using an antivirus
2. Back up all system files
3. Confine irregular looking files to prevent the exchanging of the virus, and disinfect or wipe the quarantined files. Also, manually delete all emails confined by the antirvius software

Question 22

What’s a solution to having network connection issues?

Answer 22

1. Try placing your device right next to the router. (If this doesn’t work, proceed to step 2.)
2. Update the network card. If this doesn’t work, contact IT department or perhaps replace hardware all together.

Question 23

What’s a solution to having slow performance?

Answer 23

1. Free up hardrive space by deleting tabs, files, etc.
2. Restart device
3. Check lifespan of hard drive
4. Get rid of unecessary files
5. Upgrade RAM

Question 24

What are some reasons to having slow performance?

Answer 24

It can happen when first connecting to a network or turning on a computer, In most cases, it can be because of heavy bandwidth usage. In other cases, it can be because of a lack of hardrive space.