After studying this chapter, you will be able to:
✔ State commonly practiced troubleshooting steps.
✔ Identify the three stages of computer operation.
✔ Recognize common startup problems and understand their causes.
✔ Restart a PC in a variety of troubleshooting modes.
✔ Identify the appropriate diagnostics utility to use given a specific problem.
✔ Step through a PC’s boot sequence.
✔ Explain basic data recovery methods.
A+ Exam—Key Points
The A+ Certification exams place a great deal of weight on knowing the
basics of troubleshooting. You need to become familiar with the tools,
their limitations and their purpose. The best way to become familiar with
troubleshooting tools is by using them. Study the menu options, such as
Safe Mode, and how to access them.
It is very important to study the setup readme.txt files that come with each
version of Windows installation CDs. They contain a lot of information
that is used on the A+ Certification exams and that is usually not found in
textbook material.
Key Words and Terms
The following words and terms will become important pieces of your
computer vocabulary. Be sure you can define them.
blue screen error
clean room
differential backup
incremental backup
Troubleshooting a PC requires a combination of the technician’s knowledge,
intuition, and experience. There are many diagnostic tools that are included
as standard programs for Microsoft software systems. There are also many
diagnostic tools available from third-party vendors that can assist in the
troubleshooting process. Third-party vendor programs range from freeware and
A+
PC
Troubleshooting
15
kernel mode
Microsoft Dynamic Link Library (DLL)
startup problem
user mode