Chapter 15 PC Troubleshooting 679
✔ The System Information (msinfo32.exe) utility provides information about the
system, as well as online help and access to system troubleshooting tools.
✔ Dr. Watson is used to collect information about the computer system before
and during a software failure.
✔ The DirectX Diagnostic Tool checks the validity of any existing DirectX
software tools and add-ons.
✔ The System File Checker (sfc.exe) checks for missing, changed, or corrupt
system files.
✔ Windows XP and Windows 2000
ntdetect.com
is now merged into the
Windows Vista kernel.
✔ The two methods of backing up files are incremental and differential.
✔ Performing regularly scheduled maintenance can prevent future problems
and improve system performance.
Review Questions
Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. Please do not write in this book.
1. What are the three major fault areas?
2. What is most likely the cause of a failure during POST?
3. How can you tell that the system kernel has been loaded in the Windows
operating system?
4. If there are no power lights and the fan is not running, which is most likely
the cause?
a. Power supply
b. Motherboard
c. Hard drive
d. CMOS settings
5. You can start the PC in safe mode after pressing _____.
a. [Ctrl] [Alt] [Del]
b. [F8]
c. [F3]
d. [Ctrl] [Shift] [Del]
6. How does safe mode differ from a normal boot process?
7. How can you access the
Advanced Boot Options
menu in Windows Vista?
8. What troubleshooting utility is available in Windows XP that can be used
when you cannot access the GUI interface or safe mode?
9. How do you start the Windows Recovery Environment in Windows Vista?
10. What are the five Windows Recovery Environment options in Windows Vista?
11. What is the Windows XP ASR utility?
12. What utility can be used to eliminate services and applications while
troubleshooting a computer problem?
13. What program allows you to directly access the registry files?
14. Which four hardware resources are monitored by the Reliability and
Performance utility?