PC Troubleshooting and Maintenance Quiz Questions and Answers

1. If your computer is running slow, what default Windows program will help you find which program is using all of your processing power (CPU) or memory?

You can use Task Manager to find the offending program.

You can use the Control Panel to find the offending program.

You can use Scandisk to find the offending program

You can use the Device Manager to find the offending program.

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.

Explanation

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.

2. What are two computer problems easily diagnosed just by listening to your computer?

You can hear sound card problems and video card problems.

You can hear memory problems and computer monitor problems.

You can hear magnetic hard drive problems and fan problems.

You can hear network card problems and CPU problems.

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.

Explanation

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.

3. What is the most likely cause of a Windows Error (Blue Screen of Death) on a typical home computer?

Bad computer memory (RAM) causes most Windows errors.

Damage to the operating system (Windows) from a computer virus causes most Windows errors.

Bugs in Microsoft Windows cause most Windows errors.

Bugs in non-Microsoft products cause most Windows errors.

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.

Explanation

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.

4. What is the name of the system built into most hard drives that predict how long until they'll fail?

Power-On Self-Theck (POST) can warn you when a device will fail.

Redundant Array (of) Independent Disks (RAID) can warn you when a device will fail

Self-Monitoring And Reporting Technology (SMART) can warn you when a device will fail.

Microsoft Chkdsk can warn you when a device will fail.

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.

Explanation

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.

5. What is usually the easiest way to fix an application that won't start anymore?

Run your virus scanner to fix the application because you probably have a virus.

Reboot your computer to fix the application because it’s probably a system error.

Uninstall and reinstall the application to reset the application completely.

Run Windows Registry repair software to fix the application because it’s probably a registry error.

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.

Explanation

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.

6. Can you replace a sound card or video card built into your motherboard (integrated sound and video)?

Yes, you can replace built-in components by using the right replacement modules.

Yes, you can replace built-in components using generic replacement modules.

Yes, you can replace built-in components, but you will need custom replacement parts

No, you can’t normally replace built-in components

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.

Explanation

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.

7. If your computer monitor turns on but doesn't display any image, and you've confirmed that it's correctly connected to your computer, the physical components are working fine, and the device driver is correct, what could be the issue?

Your computer monitor isn’t connected to your computer correctly.

The light bulb (or LED bulb) which provides the lighting for your monitor isn’t working correctly

The monitor firmware is broken.

You used the wrong device driver on your computer for your current monitor

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.

Explanation

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.

8. If it takes a long time to open files, how can you usually speed up Windows without buying anything?

You can increase the speed Windows opens files on a magnetic hard drive by defragmenting the drive with Windows Defrag.

Rebooting Windows will make files open more quickly.

Running Windows Scandisk or Chkdsk to check your disk drive for errors will speed up opening files.

Turning off your firewall will speed up opening files.

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.

Explanation

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.

9. What is a simple way to fix many problems with USB devices?

Buy a new device to replace the one that doesn’t work.

Use a shorter cord.

Plug the device into the USB port upside down.

Run the device through a USB adapter to clean up the signal.

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.

Explanation

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.

10. If you get strange errors on your computer and don't have a virus, what should you check next?

You should check your firewall in case a hacker is trying to break into your computer.

You should check your BIOS in case you don’t have Plug and Play enabled.

You should check your computer memory (RAM) in case it’s starting to fail.

You should check your Windows Updates for any patches you need to install.

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.

Explanation

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.

PC Troubleshooting And Maintenance Quiz Questions And Answers