FBLA Computer Problem Solving Practice Questions with Explanations

151 questions · Technology · by Study Foxy

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Questions

  1. In the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology, the first step is to:

    • Identify the problem
    • Establish a theory of probable cause
    • Implement the solution
    • Document findings

  2. After identifying the problem, the next step in the CompTIA troubleshooting process is to:

    • Establish a theory of probable cause
    • Implement the solution and reboot the system to see if it helps
    • Verify full system functionality
    • Document the outcome

  3. After establishing a theory, a technician should next:

    • Test the theory to determine the cause
    • Replace the motherboard, since it connects every component
    • Document the solution
    • Escalate immediately

  4. The final step of the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology is to:

    • Document findings, actions, and outcomes
    • Identify the problem
    • Test the theory
    • Back up the user's data and close the ticket without notes

  5. Before making changes to a user's system, a technician should consider:

    • Backing up data and checking company policies
    • Formatting the drive first so the fix starts from a clean slate
    • Disabling the antivirus permanently
    • Deleting temporary user accounts

  6. After implementing a fix, a technician should:

    • Verify full system functionality and implement preventive measures
    • Close the ticket without testing
    • Ask the user to test it next month and report back if it fails
    • Reimage the computer anyway

  7. A technician asks a user, "What changed right before the problem started?" This is part of:

    • Identifying the problem
    • Implementing the solution
    • Documenting the findings
    • Escalating the problem

  8. When a problem is beyond a technician's skill or authority, the technician should:

    • Escalate it to the appropriate level
    • Guess and try random fixes until something works
    • Tell the user it cannot be fixed
    • Ignore the ticket

  9. A system used by help desks to log, track, and assign support requests is a:

    • Ticketing system
    • Firewall
    • Domain controller
    • Spreadsheet macro

  10. A computer shows no signs of power when the button is pressed. The first thing to check is:

    • The power cable and outlet
    • The RAM speed
    • The BIOS password and boot order settings
    • The BIOS password

  11. A computer powers on but beeps several times and shows nothing on screen. This most likely indicates a:

    • POST error, often memory or video
    • A virus in the operating system's startup files
    • Full hard drive
    • Network failure

  12. POST stands for:

    • Power-On Self-Test
    • Primary Operating System Task
    • Processor Output Startup Test
    • Peripheral Online Status Test

  13. A computer randomly shuts down after running for a while, and the case feels hot. The most likely cause is:

    • Overheating from a failed fan or dust buildup
    • A bad keyboard
    • An outdated web browser using too much memory
    • A loose monitor cable

  14. The material applied between a CPU and its heat sink to improve heat transfer is:

    • Thermal paste
    • Silicone sealant
    • Electrical tape
    • Anti-static spray

  15. A computer's clock resets to an old date every time it is unplugged. The most likely cause is a:

    • Dead CMOS battery
    • Failing power supply
    • Corrupt operating system
    • Bad hard drive

  16. A hard drive makes a loud clicking noise and the computer runs slowly. The technician should:

    • Back up data immediately and replace the drive
    • Defragment the drive repeatedly until the noise stops
    • Increase screen brightness
    • Reinstall the web browser

  17. To protect computer components from electrostatic discharge (ESD), a technician should:

    • Wear an anti-static wrist strap
    • Work on carpet in socks
    • Touch components with dry hands
    • Keep the computer plugged in and running

  18. A computer runs slowly when many programs are open. Upgrading which component would help most?

    • RAM
    • Monitor
    • Keyboard
    • Optical drive

  19. A user reports that a laptop's battery drains very quickly and the case is bulging. The technician should:

    • Stop using it and safely replace the battery
    • Keep charging it overnight so the battery can recalibrate
    • Puncture the battery to release pressure
    • Put it in the freezer

  20. A monitor displays "No Signal." A likely first step is to:

    • Check the video cable and input source
    • Replace the CPU
    • Reinstall the operating system and graphics driver
    • Run disk cleanup

  21. A display shows a single pixel that is always lit or always dark. This is a:

    • Dead or stuck pixel
    • Driver conflict
    • Virus
    • Refresh rate setting

  22. A laptop screen is very dim but an image is faintly visible with a flashlight. The likely cause is a failed:

    • Backlight or inverter
    • Hard drive
    • Keyboard
    • Wi-Fi card

  23. Images on a monitor flicker. Which setting may help?

    • Increasing the refresh rate
    • Lowering the volume
    • Changing the keyboard layout
    • Disabling the touchpad

  24. A new external device is not recognized. A technician should first check:

    • The connection and the device driver
    • The CPU clock speed and the BIOS boot order
    • The amount of RAM
    • The BIOS battery

  25. The Windows tool used to view hardware and update or roll back drivers is:

    • Device Manager
    • Task Manager
    • Disk Management
    • Event Viewer

  26. A tool used to test the voltage output of a power supply is a:

    • Multimeter
    • Loopback plug
    • Cable crimper
    • Tone generator

  27. A desktop computer will not boot after new RAM is installed. The most likely cause is:

    • The RAM is not fully seated or is incompatible
    • The keyboard is unplugged
    • The monitor resolution is too high
    • The printer driver is outdated

  28. A user hears a grinding noise from inside the case that changes when the case is tapped. A likely cause is:

    • A failing fan bearing
    • A corrupt Windows update
    • A bad network cable
    • Low printer toner

  29. A computer recognizes only half of its installed RAM. A possible cause is:

    • A 32-bit operating system or a bad memory module
    • A failing monitor
    • A full recycle bin
    • An outdated web browser

  30. The type of RAM used in most modern desktop computers is:

    • DDR4 or DDR5 DIMMs
    • SO-DIMMs for desktops
    • SDRAM from the 1990s
    • ROM chips

  31. A laptop shuts off immediately whenever it is unplugged from power. The most likely cause is:

    • A failed battery
    • A bad keyboard
    • An incorrect time zone
    • A corrupt user profile

  32. An external hard drive works on one computer but not another. The technician should check:

    • The USB port, cable, and drivers on the second computer
    • The CPU speed on the first computer
    • The monitor size
    • The printer queue

  33. A SATA hard drive is not detected by the BIOS. The technician should first check:

    • The data and power cables
    • The screen saver settings
    • The web browser cache
    • The DNS server

  34. Adding a second monitor shows the same image on both screens. To show different content on each, change the display setting to:

    • Extend
    • Duplicate
    • Second screen only
    • Rotate

  35. A Windows computer displays a "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD). This usually indicates a:

    • Critical system error, often a driver or hardware problem
    • A normal startup message shown after a Windows update
    • Low screen brightness
    • Full recycle bin

  36. The Windows tool that records system, security, and application errors for troubleshooting is:

    • Event Viewer
    • Device Manager
    • File Explorer
    • Paint

  37. The Windows utility that shows running processes and lets you end unresponsive programs is:

    • Task Manager
    • Control Panel
    • Disk Cleanup
    • Character Map

  38. A Windows startup mode that loads only essential drivers and services for troubleshooting is:

    • Safe Mode
    • Hibernate mode
    • Airplane mode
    • Tablet mode

  39. The Windows feature that returns system files and settings to an earlier point without affecting personal files is:

    • System Restore
    • Disk Cleanup
    • Format
    • Disk Defragmenter

  40. The Windows command-line tool that scans for and repairs corrupted system files is:

    • sfc /scannow
    • ipconfig
    • ping
    • tracert

  41. The Windows command that checks a disk for file system errors and bad sectors is:

    • chkdsk
    • ipconfig
    • netstat
    • tasklist

  42. A Windows tool that lets you disable startup programs to speed up boot time is the:

    • Startup tab in Task Manager
    • Event Viewer
    • Disk Management
    • Registry backup

  43. The hierarchical database where Windows stores configuration settings is the:

    • Registry
    • BIOS
    • Recycle Bin
    • Boot sector

  44. Traditional hard disk drives can slow down when files are scattered across the disk. The fix is:

    • Defragmentation
    • Formatting
    • Partitioning
    • Encryption

  45. An application crashes every time it opens after a recent update. A reasonable first step is to:

    • Repair or reinstall the application
    • Replace the hard drive
    • Update the BIOS to the newest firmware version
    • Reset the router

  46. A user cannot open a file and receives an "access denied" message. The most likely cause is:

    • Insufficient file permissions
    • A failing monitor
    • A dead CMOS battery resetting the system clock
    • Low printer ink

  47. Windows feature that encrypts an entire drive to protect data if a laptop is stolen is:

    • BitLocker
    • File History
    • Defender SmartScreen
    • System Restore

  48. The Windows feature that automatically backs up personal files to another drive is:

    • File History
    • System Restore
    • Disk Cleanup
    • Device Manager

  49. The macOS backup utility is:

    • Time Machine
    • File History
    • BitLocker
    • Spotlight

  50. The macOS tool used to repair disks is:

    • Disk Utility
    • Activity Monitor
    • Terminal
    • Finder

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