Computer Hardware Troubleshooting Quiz

During the POST, a series of beeps is heard. What is the best resource to determine the specific meaning of these beep codes?

• The motherboard manual or manufacturer's website

• The Windows Event Viewer

• The IPCONFIG /all command

• The printer's LCD display

A user reports a terrible "fingernails on a chalkboard" squealing noise coming from their computer, which then freezes. What is the most likely cause?

• A failing power supply fan

• The read/write heads crashing into the platter of a mechanical hard drive

• A loose heat sink on the CPU

• Chip creep on the RAM modules

What is the most common cause of a BIOS failing to retain its settings, such as time and date?

• A corrupted OS

• A failed CMOS battery on the motherboard

• An overclocked processor

• A faulty power supply

You notice brownish-red residue and a bulging cylinder on the motherboard. What is this component, and what is the issue?

• A distended capacitor that has failed

• A melted CPU socket

• A damaged PCIe slot

• A leaking heat sink

What is the recommended solution for the phenomenon of "chip creep," where components slowly work their way out of their sockets?

• Replace the motherboard.

• Reseat the socketed devices.

• Apply new thermal paste.

• Flash the BIOS.

A technician is about to clean dust out of a power supply using a can of compressed air. From which direction should they blow the air?

• From the cooling vents on the outside towards the inside of the case

• From the inside of the case outward through the cooling vents

• It does not matter; any direction is fine.

• Compressed air should never be used on a power supply.

A computer consistently locks up after being on for several minutes. What is the most probable cause?

• Incorrect boot order in the BIOS

• Overheating due to a failed fan or heat sink

• An incorrect device driver

• A weak CMOS battery

What is the primary purpose of a POST card?

• To test the voltage output of the power supply

• To diagnose problems by reporting numeric codes during the boot process

• To clean the laser printer's corona wire

• To connect a laptop to an external monitor

If a computer appears completely dead-no lights, no sounds, no fan-what components should be considered as potential culprits after checking wall power and cables? (Choose two.)

• Power Supply

• CPU

• RAM

• Motherboard

• Hard Drive

What is the most common result of overclocking a CPU?

• Drastically shortened component life due to excessive heat

• A permanent increase in performance with no downsides

• Incompatibility with the operating system

• The need for a new BIOS chip