Basic Troubleshooting Skills Quiz Questions & Answers

1. The desktop computer won't turn on; what is the first thing you should do?

Disconnect and reconnect the monitor

Disconnect and reconnect the CPU

Change ram

Make sure both monitor and CPU are connected and receiving power.

The first thing to do when a desktop computer won't turn on is to ensure that both the monitor and CPU are connected and receiving power. This is important because if either of these components is not properly connected or not receiving power, it can prevent the computer from turning on. By checking and ensuring the connections and power supply to both the monitor and CPU, any potential issues related to power supply or connectivity can be identified and resolved.

Explanation

The first thing to do when a desktop computer won't turn on is to ensure that both the monitor and CPU are connected and receiving power. This is important because if either of these components is not properly connected or not receiving power, it can prevent the computer from turning on. By checking and ensuring the connections and power supply to both the monitor and CPU, any potential issues related to power supply or connectivity can be identified and resolved.

2. You are on a tablet and can't connect to the network. What is the first thing you should do?

Restart the computer

Check that the wireless switch is in the on position.

Press and hold the power button

None of these

The correct answer is to check that the wireless switch is in the on position. This is because if the wireless switch is turned off, the tablet will not be able to connect to the network. Restarting the computer or pressing and holding the power button may not resolve the issue if the wireless switch is turned off. Therefore, the first step should be to check the position of the wireless switch.

Explanation

The correct answer is to check that the wireless switch is in the on position. This is because if the wireless switch is turned off, the tablet will not be able to connect to the network. Restarting the computer or pressing and holding the power button may not resolve the issue if the wireless switch is turned off. Therefore, the first step should be to check the position of the wireless switch.

3. When troubleshooting a computer, you should:

Troubleshoot from the motherboard out

Ask for help first

Be quick

Troubleshoot from the outside in (from the peripherals in)

When troubleshooting a computer, it is recommended to troubleshoot from the outside in (from the peripherals in). This means starting with the external devices such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and then moving towards the internal components like the motherboard. This approach helps to identify and isolate any potential issues that may be caused by external devices before delving into more complex internal problems. It allows for a systematic and efficient troubleshooting process, ensuring that all possible causes are explored in a logical order.

Explanation

When troubleshooting a computer, it is recommended to troubleshoot from the outside in (from the peripherals in). This means starting with the external devices such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse, and then moving towards the internal components like the motherboard. This approach helps to identify and isolate any potential issues that may be caused by external devices before delving into more complex internal problems. It allows for a systematic and efficient troubleshooting process, ensuring that all possible causes are explored in a logical order.

4. What is the first thing you should do if your computer is frozen?

Press and hold the Power button to turn off the computer

Restart the computer

Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete and click the task manager

Nothing

Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and clicking the task manager is the first thing you should do if your computer is frozen. This key combination opens a menu that allows you to access the task manager, which can help you identify and close any unresponsive programs or processes that may be causing the freezing issue. Restarting the computer or turning it off using the Power button should only be done if the task manager is unable to resolve the frozen state.

Explanation

Pressing Ctrl-Alt-Delete and clicking the task manager is the first thing you should do if your computer is frozen. This key combination opens a menu that allows you to access the task manager, which can help you identify and close any unresponsive programs or processes that may be causing the freezing issue. Restarting the computer or turning it off using the Power button should only be done if the task manager is unable to resolve the frozen state.

5. The OPTICAL mouse does not work. What should you NOT do?

Check Connection

Restart computer

Use alcohol to clean the optical mouse.

All of these

Alcohol can damage the internal components of the optical mouse. It's better to use a dry or slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Checking the connection and restarting the computer are appropriate troubleshooting steps.

Explanation

Alcohol can damage the internal components of the optical mouse. It's better to use a dry or slightly damp cloth for cleaning. Checking the connection and restarting the computer are appropriate troubleshooting steps.

6. What does a checksum error represent?

A problem with the ram

A problem with the operating system

A problem with the hard drive

A problem with CMOS

A checksum error represents a problem with CMOS. CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a small amount of memory on a computer's motherboard that stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings. The checksum is a value that is calculated based on the data stored in CMOS, and it is used to verify the integrity of the data. If a checksum error occurs, it means that the data in CMOS has been corrupted or altered, indicating a problem with CMOS itself.

Explanation

A checksum error represents a problem with CMOS. CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) is a small amount of memory on a computer's motherboard that stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings. The checksum is a value that is calculated based on the data stored in CMOS, and it is used to verify the integrity of the data. If a checksum error occurs, it means that the data in CMOS has been corrupted or altered, indicating a problem with CMOS itself.

7. You are trying to project from the document camera. What do you NOT need to do?

Connect to Presenter

Connect the VGA cord into the AV panel and the RGB out port

Plugin the document camera's power cord

None of these

To project from the document camera, you do not need to connect to Presenter. Connecting the VGA cord into the AV panel and the RGB out port, as well as plugging in the document camera's power cord, are necessary steps for projecting. Therefore, the correct answer is to not connect to Presenter.

Explanation

To project from the document camera, you do not need to connect to Presenter. Connecting the VGA cord into the AV panel and the RGB out port, as well as plugging in the document camera's power cord, are necessary steps for projecting. Therefore, the correct answer is to not connect to Presenter.

8. Which of the following error messages might you receive when there is a problem with ram? Choose all that apply.

Memory address error

Memory test fails

CMOS error

Memory parity error

When there is a problem with RAM, you might receive the error messages "Memory address error," "Memory test fails," and "Memory parity error." A memory address error occurs when there is an issue with accessing a specific memory address. A memory test fails error indicates that the RAM failed a diagnostic test. A memory parity error occurs when there is a discrepancy in the parity bit, which is used for error detection in RAM. Therefore, these three error messages are all associated with problems related to RAM.

Explanation

When there is a problem with RAM, you might receive the error messages "Memory address error," "Memory test fails," and "Memory parity error." A memory address error occurs when there is an issue with accessing a specific memory address. A memory test fails error indicates that the RAM failed a diagnostic test. A memory parity error occurs when there is a discrepancy in the parity bit, which is used for error detection in RAM. Therefore, these three error messages are all associated with problems related to RAM.

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9. Which of the following could be used to fix windows start-up problem? Choose all that apply.

Use last know good configuration

Use safe mode

Use CMOS to change settings to default

Use a bootable disk from an earlier version of your operating system

The options "Use last known good configuration" and "Use safe mode" could be used to fix a Windows start-up problem. "Last known good configuration" allows the system to revert to a previous state where it was known to be functioning properly. "Safe mode" starts the computer with only the necessary drivers and services, allowing troubleshooting and potential resolution of start-up issues. Both options provide methods to diagnose and resolve start-up problems in Windows.

Explanation

The options "Use last known good configuration" and "Use safe mode" could be used to fix a Windows start-up problem. "Last known good configuration" allows the system to revert to a previous state where it was known to be functioning properly. "Safe mode" starts the computer with only the necessary drivers and services, allowing troubleshooting and potential resolution of start-up issues. Both options provide methods to diagnose and resolve start-up problems in Windows.

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10. Which of the following error messages might you receive when there is a keyboard problem? Choose all that apply.

Checksum error

Kb/interface error

Gate A20 failure

Fix keyboard 0 failure

When there is a keyboard problem, you might receive the error messages "Kb/interface error" and "Gate A20 failure". These messages indicate issues with the keyboard or its interface, such as a faulty connection or a problem with the A20 gate, which is responsible for allowing access to extended memory. The other options, "Checksum error" and "Fix keyboard 0 failure," do not specifically relate to keyboard problems.

Explanation

When there is a keyboard problem, you might receive the error messages "Kb/interface error" and "Gate A20 failure". These messages indicate issues with the keyboard or its interface, such as a faulty connection or a problem with the A20 gate, which is responsible for allowing access to extended memory. The other options, "Checksum error" and "Fix keyboard 0 failure," do not specifically relate to keyboard problems.

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