Troubleshooting Hardware

Question 1

What is POST and what does it check?

Answer 1

Power On Self-Test. A self-test that runs when a computer starts to verify that core components (CPU, video subsystem, memory) are installed and operational

Question 2

What two types of feedback does POST provide when it detects a problem?

Answer 2

An error message on the screen if the video subsystem is working and a series of beep codes from the motherboard

Question 3

Why should you not memorize specific beep codes for individual manufacturers?

Answer 3

Beep codes vary between manufacturers. The same pattern can mean different things on different motherboards. Always reference the manufacturer’s documentation

Question 4

What does it mean if you hear POST beep codes but the screen remains completely black?

Answer 4

The problem is likely bad video, bad memory or a bad CPU. Any of these failures prevent the system from displaying output on screen

Question 5

What is the most likely cause if a computer prompts for the date and time every time it starts?

Answer 5

The CMOS battery on the motherboard has failed. Replacing it will allow the system to maintain the date and time again

Question 6

What is the purpose of the CMOS battery on a motherboard?

Answer 6

To maintain the system date and time when the computer is unplugged or powered off. It keeps the real-time clock running without a main power source

Question 7

What should you check if a computer boots from a USB drive when you did not intend it to?

Answer 7

Check the boot order in the BIOS. Set the internal SSD to higher priority than USB devices so it is always checked first

Question 8

What is a Windows Stop Error (BSOD) and what causes it?

Answer 8

A blue screen that appears when Windows cannot recover from a critical error. Caused by bad hardware, corrupt or incompatible drivers or a bad application

Question 9

What useful information can be found on a Windows BSOD?

Answer 9

A specific stop code and a website reference (windows.com/stopcode) to look up the cause and troubleshooting steps. Sometimes also a specific driver name

Question 10

What are three things you can try if a BSOD appears after a recent change or installation?

Answer 10

Use Last Known Good Configuration, run System Restore to a previous date or roll back the most recently installed driver

Question 11

What should you try if a BSOD appears during Windows startup?

Answer 11

Start Windows in Safe Mode. This loads only essential drivers and may allow you to access the system and resolve the issue

Question 12

What physical steps can help resolve a BSOD suspected to be caused by hardware?

Answer 12

Reseat adapter cards and memory modules to ensure good connections. Then run a full hardware diagnostic if the problem persists

Question 13

Where can hardware diagnostics typically be found?

Answer 13

Provided by the motherboard or hardware component manufacturer. Many BIOS implementations also include built-in diagnostics with options for quick or extended tests

Question 14

What should you do when an application crash screen shows an unfamiliar error code?

Answer 14

Document and screenshot all the error information. Contact the application manufacturer with those details as they will likely know exactly what the code means

Question 15

What are the first things to check when a monitor shows a completely black screen?

Answer 15

Verify the video cable is connected on both ends, confirm the power cable is connected and check that the monitor input selection matches the cable type being used

Question 16

What should you try if Windows displays a black screen after booting but the BIOS screen is visible?

Answer 16

Boot into VGA mode by pressing F8 during startup and selecting VGA mode. This loads a generic video driver bypassing the potentially corrupt Windows video driver

Question 17

What tool is best for diagnosing slow performance in Windows?

Answer 17

Task Manager. It shows CPU, memory, disk and network utilization per process and includes a Performance tab showing resource usage over time

Question 18

What are common causes of slow computer performance?

Answer 18

High CPU or memory usage by specific applications, outdated OS or drivers, full storage drive, dust-clogged cooling causing CPU throttling or malware

Question 19

Why can a laptop run slowly when unplugged from power?

Answer 19

Power saving mode throttles the CPU to conserve battery. Connecting to a power source or adjusting the power plan can restore full performance

Question 20

What should you check if a computer randomly shuts off without warning?

Answer 20

Heat. Check that fans are clear, heat sinks are properly attached with thermal paste and use sensor monitoring software to check temperatures. Also check Event Viewer for log entries before shutdown

Question 21

What does it mean if you see smoke or smell burning inside a computer?

Answer 21

A component has failed. Immediately disconnect all power sources to limit damage then open the case and locate the damaged component for replacement

Question 22

What are the common unusual sounds a computer might make and what does each suggest?

Answer 22

Rattling = something loose inside (often heat sink); Scraping = failing hard drive; Clicking = object caught in fan; Popping + smoke = blown capacitor

Question 23

What is a blown or bulging capacitor and what does it indicate?

Answer 23

A capacitor on the motherboard that has failed or is failing. Visible as a bulging or exploded top. Usually requires hardware replacement

Question 24

What Windows tool provides a history of application crashes and failures over time?

Answer 24

Reliability Monitor. Shows application failures, Windows failures, warnings and informational messages with exact dates and times. Integrates with Event Viewer

Question 25

What Windows tool should you check when an application crashes or disappears without explanation?

Answer 25

Windows Event Viewer. Contains detailed system and application logs that may reveal the cause of the crash

Question 26

What is the simplest fix to try when an application is constantly crashing?

Answer 26

Uninstall and reinstall the application. Ensures a clean installation of the latest version without corrupted components

Question 27

What tool can you use to check voltage outputs from a power supply?

Answer 27

A multimeter. Used to test both the AC power at the wall outlet and the DC voltage outputs from the power supply

Question 28

What does it suggest if the case fans are spinning but there is no video or POST activity?

Answer 28

A POST error. The motherboard itself or the video card may be bad. Fans run on minimal voltage but motherboard components need more power which may not be reaching them

Question 29

What software can be used to monitor temperature sensors inside a computer?

Answer 29

Manufacturer-provided software or third-party tools such as HWMonitor from cpuid.com. Shows temperatures for CPU, storage, memory and other components

Question 30

Does removing the CMOS battery reset BIOS settings on modern computers?

Answer 30

Generally no. On most modern computers removing the battery will not change BIOS configurations or passwords. A BIOS jumper is required for a full reset

Question 31

True or False: POST beep codes are standardized across all motherboard manufacturers.

Answer 31

False. Beep codes vary between manufacturers. Always reference the specific manufacturer's documentation

Question 32

True or False: A completely black screen with beep codes during POST always means the monitor is broken.

Answer 32

False. It likely indicates a problem with the video subsystem, memory or CPU. The monitor may be fine

Question 33

True or False: A computer that prompts for date and time on every startup likely has a failed CMOS battery.

Answer 33

True. The battery maintains the clock when power is removed. A dead battery means the time resets every boot

Question 34

True or False: The stop code on a Windows BSOD can be used to look up troubleshooting steps online.

Answer 34

True. Microsoft's windows.com/stopcode can be used to research the specific error code

Question 35

True or False: Safe Mode loads all installed drivers and applications just like a normal Windows boot.

Answer 35

False. Safe Mode loads only essential drivers allowing access to the system when normal booting causes a BSOD

Question 36

True or False: You should memorize specific error codes displayed in application crash screens.

Answer 36

False. Document and screenshot them and provide to the application manufacturer who will likely know what they mean

Question 37

True or False: The monitor input selection must match the cable type connected to the computer.

Answer 37

True. If the monitor is set to VGA input but an HDMI cable is connected the screen will be black

Question 38

True or False: A scraping noise from a computer typically indicates a problem with a hard drive.

Answer 38

True. HDDs have spinning platters and a scraping noise suggests physical contact between internal components

Question 39

True or False: A clicking noise from a computer fan is usually caused by a failing capacitor.

Answer 39

False. Clicking from a fan is usually caused by something caught in the fan blades. A popping sound with smoke suggests a capacitor failure

Question 40

True or False: Dust buildup in cooling fans can cause a computer to slow down or shut off.

Answer 40

True. Clogged fans reduce airflow causing overheating which triggers CPU throttling or automatic shutdown

Question 41

True or False: Windows Reliability Monitor and Event Viewer are completely separate tools with no integration.

Answer 41

False. Reliability Monitor integrates with Event Viewer allowing easy filtering and investigation of events

Question 42

True or False: Reinstalling an application can sometimes resolve persistent crash issues.

Answer 42

True. A clean reinstall ensures the latest version is installed without corrupted components

Question 43

True or False: A multimeter can only test AC power from a wall outlet.

Answer 43

False. A multimeter can test both AC power at the outlet and DC voltage outputs from the power supply

Question 44

True or False: On most modern computers removing the CMOS battery will reset all BIOS passwords.

Answer 44

False. On modern computers removing the battery generally does not change BIOS settings or passwords. A jumper is required for a full BIOS reset

Question 45

Scenario: A computer emits three beep codes during startup and shows nothing on screen. What should the technician do first?

Answer 45

Reference the motherboard manufacturer's documentation to decode the specific beep pattern. Then investigate the component indicated (likely video, memory or CPU)

Question 46

Scenario: A user's computer asks for the date and time every morning when they turn it on. What is the fix?

Answer 46

Replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard. Then set the correct date and time. The system will retain it going forward

Question 47

Scenario: A computer boots from a USB drive every time even when no bootable USB is intended. How do you fix this?

Answer 47

Enter the BIOS and change the boot order. Set the internal SSD to higher priority than USB devices so it is always checked first

Question 48

Scenario: A user installed a new graphics driver and now gets a BSOD every time Windows loads. What are three options?

Answer 48

Roll back the graphics driver, use Last Known Good Configuration or run System Restore to a point before the driver was installed

Question 49

Scenario: A computer shows a BSOD with stop code 0xC0000135. What do you tell the user to do?

Answer 49

Visit windows.com/stopcode and enter the stop code. Microsoft's site will provide information on the cause and steps to begin troubleshooting

Question 50

Scenario: A monitor connected via HDMI shows a black screen but the power light is on. What should be checked?

Answer 50

Verify the HDMI cable is securely connected on both ends, confirm the monitor input selection is set to HDMI and check that the power cable is also connected

Question 51

Scenario: A laptop runs well when plugged in but slows noticeably on battery power. Likely cause and fix?

Answer 51

Power saving mode is throttling the CPU to conserve battery. Adjust the power plan settings or connect to a power source for full performance

Question 52

Scenario: Task Manager shows one process using 90% CPU continuously. What should the technician do?

Answer 52

Identify the process in Task Manager. Investigate whether it is malware, a runaway application or a process that can be ended or uninstalled

Question 53

Scenario: A computer randomly shuts off with no warning. Most likely causes and investigation steps?

Answer 53

Overheating is most likely. Check fans are clean and spinning, verify heat sinks are attached with thermal paste, use sensor software to check temperatures and review Event Viewer for log entries before shutdown

Question 54

Scenario: A technician hears a scraping sound from a desktop computer. What component is most likely failing?

Answer 54

The hard drive. Scraping sounds from an HDD indicate physical contact between internal moving components and suggest imminent failure. Back up data immediately

Question 55

Scenario: Smoke and burning smell come from a computer case. What is the immediate first step?

Answer 55

Immediately disconnect all power sources. Then after the smoke clears open the case and visually or by smell locate the damaged component

Question 56

Scenario: An application crashes daily but leaves no error message on screen. Where should the technician look?

Answer 56

Windows Event Viewer and Reliability Monitor. Both log application crashes with timestamps and details that can help identify the cause even without an on-screen message

Question 57

Scenario: A technician replaces a CMOS battery on an older computer and finds BIOS settings have been reset. Is this expected?

Answer 57

Yes on older computers. Removing the CMOS battery can reset BIOS configuration on older systems. On modern computers this generally does not happen

Question 58

Scenario: A computer has fans spinning but produces no video and fails to POST. What should be checked?

Answer 58

The motherboard and video card. Check power supply voltages with a multimeter and consider reseating or replacing the video card or motherboard