IT Certification Practice Exams

A+ Operating Systems Tutorial

Introductions: A+ Operating Systems (A+ OS) is one of the two exams that constitute A+ certification requirement. The other exam that you need to pass to obtain A+ certification is A+ Core Hardware exam. ( Read A+ Core Hardware tutorial).

3. Diagnosing, and Troubleshooting

3.1 Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence, and identify steps to correct the problems.

Common Error Messages and Codes
- Boot failure and errors
  - Invalid boot disk
  - Inaccessible boot device
  - Missing NTLDR
  - Bad or missing Command interpreter
- Startup messages
  - Error in CONFIG.SYS line XX
  - Himem.sys not loaded
  - Missing or corrupt Himem.sys
  - Device/Service has failed to start
- A device referenced in SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, Registry is not found
- Event Viewer – Event log is full
- Failure to start GUI
- Windows Protection Error
- User-modified settings cause improper operation at startup
- Registry corruption
Using the correct Utilities
- Dr. Watson
- Boot Disk
- Event Viewer

3.2 Recognize when to use common diagnostic utilities and tools. Given a diagnostic scenario involving one of these utilities or tools, select the appropriate steps needed to resolve the problem.
Utilities and tools may include the following:

Startup disks
- Required files for a boot disk
- Boot disk with CD-ROM support
Startup Modes
- Safe mode
- Safe Mode with command prompt
- Safe mode with networking
- Step-by-Step/Single step mode
- Automatic skip driver (ASD.exe)
Diagnostic tools, utilities and resources
- User/installation manuals
- Internet/web resources
- Training materials
- Task Manager
- Dr. Watson
- Boot Disk
- Event Viewer
- Device Manager
- WinMSD
- MSD
- Recovery CD
- CONFIGSAFE
Eliciting problem symptoms from customers
Having customer reproduce error as part of the diagnostic process
Identifying recent changes to the computer environment from the user

3.3 Recognize common operational and usability problems and determine how to resolve them.
Content may include the following:

Troubleshooting Windows-specific printing problems
- Print spool is stalled
- Incorrect/incompatible driver for print
- Incorrect parameter
Other Common problems
- General Protection Faults
- Bluescreen error (BSOD)
- Illegal operation
- Invalid working directory
- System lock up
- Option (Sound card, modem, input device) or will not function
- Application will not start or load
- Cannot log on to network (option – NIC not functioning)
- Applications don’t install
- Network connection
Viruses and virus types
- What they are
- TSR (Terminate Stay Resident) programs and virus
- Sources (floppy, emails, etc.)
- How to determine presence

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