Net Diagnostics - ICAT3025A Run
standard diagnostic tests
Activity 1: Determine problems and make recommendations
You have been called to a PC system that will not load the operating system. What
diagnostic tool will you examine to help determine the problem?
The Device Manager to look for resource conflicts
A drive checking tool to look for file corruption
A POST tool to look for errors in the booting
process
A system information tool to check on system updates
You have been called to a PC system that will not load the operating system. When
you turn it on the screen remains blank and you hear a series of beeps. You know
the system has a gigabyte motherboard. What do you do?
Turn the computer off and ensure all device cables are seated correctly
Check for the documentation that accompanied the system
Visit the manufacturer’s website and look for supporting documentation
All of the above
You have determined that the system has suffered from a user accidentally entering
the CMOS setup tool and modifying settings. What would you recommend?
Enter the CMOS tool and select ‘Restore Factory Settings’
Recommend protecting the CMOS with a password
Educate the user about the computer’s booting sequence
All of the above
Activity 2: Understand diagnostic tools
Answer true or false for the following statement.
True
False
The purpose of booting in ‘Safe’ mode is to minimise the chances of the
operating system failing through only loading core services.
Answer true or false for the following statement.
True
False
The system log will record information about which system services have
started and which have failed.
Activity 3: Use diagnostic tools
A user complains that their USB memory stick is not recognised on their Windows
XP system. It should appear as a disk drive in Windows Explorer. They suggest that
the driver may need to be installed. What tool would you use?
CMOS/BIOS configuration tool
Device Manager
Disk Manager
Windows Explorer
A new video card and monitor is added to a PC, but does not allow you to access the
range of settings you expect. What diagnostic tools could you use to check the
device?
The Device Manager
Activity 4: Interpret results
On the computer you are sent to examine, the following information displays in the
Device Manager and a properties box.
Figure 1: Device Manager Screen and a device properties box
Select any of the following statements that are true (click in the box):
The Device Manager screen in the background shows no device conflicts.
The system has an ‘Intel’ USB network card.
The device properties box shows the device is currently configured correctly.
The device properties box proves that the computer is working perfectly.
Activity 5: Check disk
The computer you have been sent to examine is reported to have ‘lost’ and ‘corrupted’
files on its hard disk drive. Examine the boxes shown in the screenshot below (from the
computer) then answer the following question.
Figure 2: Local disk properties
The option selected for this disk check will not:
Attempt to find ‘lost’ or ‘corrupted’ files
Check the FAT entries against the contents of the drive
Attempt to fix ‘lost’ or ‘corrupted’ files
Identify a faulty hard disk drive
Check your understanding
Do you think you already have an understanding of system diagnostic tools? Try and
answer the following questions to check your understanding.
Answer true or false:
True
False
A diagnostic tool will tell you what is wrong with a computer system that is
malfunctioning.
The POST tool will tell you:
What operating system is installed
The software drivers of all devices are correctly installed
The major hardware components of the system are
functioning
The printer is online and working
Answer true or false:
True
False
The CPU type and speed is displayed after the POST is complete.
The system log provides information about the:
Loading of the operating system and its services
Status of each device and the resources it uses
CPU type and speed in Mhz
Type and number of hard disk drives
installed
Answer true or false:
True
False
A device driver is written for a specific device and a specific operating system.
Answer true or false:
True
False
A computer’s RAM is first checked by the operating system when it loads.
Tools and their functions
Drag a line from each tool to the corresponding function.
Power On Self Test
BIOS/CMOS
Device Manager
Disk Manager
Allows resources to be viewed or configured
Checks keyboard is present and no keys are stuck
Maintains hardware configuration of the system
Checks FAT and media integrity