PC Troubleshooting And Maintenance Quiz Questions And Answers

Task Manager is the default Windows program that allows you to monitor and manage system performance, including CPU and memory usage. By opening Task Manager, you can see which programs or processes are consuming the most resources, allowing you to identify and close the offending program that is causing the computer to run slow. The Control Panel, Scandisk, and Device Manager serve other purposes related to system settings, disk errors, and hardware management, respectively, and do not provide real-time monitoring of CPU or memory usage.

Magnetic hard drive problems can be diagnosed by listening to clicking or grinding noises, which indicate a mechanical issue with the hard drive. Fan problems can be diagnosed by listening to loud or abnormal noises coming from the computer's fans, which could indicate a malfunction or obstruction in the fan's operation.

Damage to the operating system (Windows) from a computer virus causes most Windows errors. This is because computer viruses can corrupt or modify important system files, leading to instability and errors in the operating system. When these files are damaged, it can result in a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error, which indicates a critical system failure. Therefore, the presence of a computer virus is the most likely cause of Windows errors on a typical home computer.

SMART (Self-Monitoring And Reporting Technology) is a system built into most hard drives that monitors various parameters such as temperature, error rates, and bad sectors. It predicts the likelihood of drive failure and provides warnings to the user, allowing them to take necessary actions such as backing up data and replacing the drive before it fails. POST, RAID, and Microsoft Chkdsk do not have the capability to predict hard drive failure.

Often, a simple reboot of the computer can resolve issues with applications that won't start. This is because a reboot can help clear temporary system glitches or conflicts that may be preventing the application from launching.



Option C (Uninstall and reinstall the application) is also a valid troubleshooting step. If the application's files or settings have become corrupted, reinstalling it can provide a fresh start.



Options A and D are generally not recommended as first-line solutions. Running a virus scanner (Option A) is essential for security but may not directly fix an application launch issue. Similarly, using registry repair software (Option D) can be risky and is typically unnecessary for resolving most application startup problems.

Built-in components, such as a sound card or video card integrated into the motherboard, are typically not designed to be easily replaced. These components are often soldered onto the motherboard and cannot be removed without specialized tools and expertise. Therefore, the correct answer is that you can't normally replace built-in components.

The monitor firmware, which is the software embedded in the monitor's hardware, controls its basic functions. If the firmware is corrupted or malfunctioning, it could result in the monitor turning on but failing to display any image. In such cases, updating or repairing the monitor firmware might be necessary to resolve the issue.

Defragmenting the drive with Windows Defrag helps to optimize the placement of files on the hard drive, reducing fragmentation and improving the speed at which files can be accessed and opened. This process reorganizes the fragmented data on the hard drive, allowing the system to read and write files more efficiently. This can significantly speed up the opening of files on a magnetic hard drive without requiring any additional purchases.

Using a shorter cord can help fix many problems with USB devices because longer cords can cause signal degradation and power loss. By using a shorter cord, the device can receive a stronger and more stable signal, resulting in better performance and fewer issues.

If you are experiencing strange errors on your computer and have ruled out the possibility of a virus, checking your computer memory (RAM) is the next logical step. RAM is responsible for temporarily storing data that is actively being used by your computer. If the RAM starts to fail, it can cause various issues such as system crashes, freezing, or random errors. By checking the RAM, you can determine if it is the cause of the strange errors and take appropriate steps to resolve the issue.