FLASH CARDS

1.01 Apply the best practice methodology to resolve problems

  • What is the first step in the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology?

  • Identify the problem.

  • What does identifying the problem involve?

  • Understanding the impact, listing symptoms, and prioritizing the issue.

  • What are key questions to ask when gathering information from the user?

  • What error messages are appearing? (a) Is anyone else having the same issue? (b) How long has the problem been occurring? (c) What recent changes were made?

  • Why is performing a backup important before making changes during troubleshooting?

  • It ensures that data is protected in case changes cause further issues.

  • After identifying the problem, what is the next step in troubleshooting?

  • Establish and test a theory.

  • What is involved in establishing and testing a theory?

  • Diagnosing the problem, developing a theory, and testing the theory to see if it resolves the issue.

  • What should you do if your theory about the problem is incorrect?

  • Establish a new theory or escalate the issue.

  • What is the importance of questioning the obvious in troubleshooting?

  • It helps ensure that simple solutions are not overlooked.

  • When is it appropriate to escalate a problem?

  • When the technician lacks the resources or expertise to solve the issue.

  • What does “breaking down the problem into categories” mean in troubleshooting?

  • Categorizing the problem as power, hardware, software, or network-related to narrow down the cause.

  • What is the next step after confirming the cause of the issue?

  • Implement a plan of action to resolve the problem.

  • What are three common decisions to make when implementing a plan of action?

  • (a) Repair the issue (b) Replace faulty parts (c) Use a temporary workaround

  • Why is it important to consider the system impact when implementing changes?

  • To avoid disrupting operations and to inform users of potential downtime.

  • Why should each change be tested during the implementation of a solution?

  • To ensure that the issue is being resolved step-by-step.

  • What should be done after a solution is implemented?

  • Verify the solution and document the process.

  • What is the role of customer confirmation in verifying a solution?

  • To ensure that the issue is resolved to the customer’s satisfaction and that no further action is required.

  • Why is documentation important after resolving an issue?

  • It helps with future troubleshooting, provides a record of actions taken, and shows value to clients.

  • What preventive measures can be taken after resolving an issue?

  • Addressing underlying causes, updating antivirus software, or configuring backups to prevent future problems.

  • What should be included when documenting the troubleshooting process?

  • A clear record of the problem, actions taken, and the outcome.

  • How does prioritization affect troubleshooting?

  • More severe or widespread problems should be addressed before minor or single-user issues.

  • When should a theory be tested during the troubleshooting process?

  • After identifying the symptoms and developing a potential cause of the issue.

  • What is a good practice to avoid overlooking simple solutions?

  • Step through basic functions and question the obvious.

  • What role does research play in troubleshooting?

  • Research helps diagnose unfamiliar problems using web tools, internal documentation, or consulting others.

  • Why is it important to understand the impact of a problem?

  • To assess its severity and decide on the appropriate response and urgency.

  • What is the benefit of following a structured troubleshooting methodology like CompTIA’s model?

  • It ensures a systematic, organized approach to resolving problems, reducing errors and improving efficiency.