Comptia A+ 1102 - 3.0 Software Troubleshooting 22%

BSOD

Steps:

Make a note of the stop code.

Use System Restore.

Roll back drivers or updates.

Remove Recently added hardware/software

Check hardware components/cables. (loose connection)

Run hardware diagnostics, CHKDSK, and malware scan.

Check for overheating conditions.

Book pg441

A blue screen of death (BSoD) displays a Windows STOP error. A STOP error is one that causes Windows to halt. STOP errors can occur when Windows loads or while it is running. Most BSoDs, especially those that occur during startup, are caused by faulty hardware or hardware drivers. Use the following procedures to try to troubleshoot the issue:

• Use System Restore or (if you can boot to Safe Mode) driver rollback, or update rollback to restore the system to a working state.

• Remove a recently added hardware device, or uninstall a recently installed program.

• Check seating of hardware components and cables.

• Run hardware diagnostics, chkdsk, and scan for malware.

• Check fans and chassis vents for dust and clean if necessary.

• Make a note of the stop error code (which will be in the form: Stop: 0x0...), and search the Microsoft Knowledge Base (support.microsoft.com/search) for known fixes and troubleshooting tips. The various newsgroups accessible from this site offer another valuable source of assistance.

Sluggish Performance

Steps:

High CPU/Limited RAM

Check Task Manager for resource utilization

Stop or restart high-usage processes

Reboot to clear temporary files and reset memory

Add resources (increase RAM)

Uninstall unnecessary application

Run System File Check (SFC) to repair system files.

1. Use Task Manager to determine if any resources are at 90-100% utilization

2. Restart task

3. restart computer

4. disable task

5. low memory (update os/drivers)

6. low disk space (defrag)

7. upgrade systems specs.

8. check for malware

Boot Problems

Steps:

Diable some apps in Task Manager

Load into Safe Mode, run boot logging. Reveiw logs

Startup repair in advanced options.

1. Remove USB's

2. Change boot order

3. Check seating

4. chkdsk/failed drive

No OS Found

Steps:

Enter BIOS and verify drive is recognized.

Check boot order

Ensure no USB or other removable media is installed.

Verify physical drive connections.

Run disk diagnostic tools. CHKDSK

Use OS loader repair tools. bootrec

Replace drive and reimage if necessary.

1. Chkdsk

2. bootrec /fixmbr

3. bootrec /fixboot

4. bootrec /rebuildbcd

diskpart assign correct boot device

Frequent Shutdowns and System Instability

Steps:

Cheeck system event logs

Ensure proper cooling

Ensure stable power supply

Scan for malware.

Low Memory Warnings

Steps

Check for memory leak or excessive resource use

Reboot system to clear memory

Monitor background processes in Task Manager

Uninstall, reinstall, or update problematic apps

Add Physical memory (RAM)

Increase virtual memory for additional capacity.

USB Conntroller Resource Warnings

Steps:

Cause* Too many USB devices

Reboot to reset resource allocation

Use Device Manager to Check for errors or warnings

Update USB drivers

Verify hardware meets requirements

Reduce the number of connected devices

Use a powered USB hub if needed

Add a seperate USB controller card.

Services Not Starting

Steps:

Open Services utility and restard the affected service

Roll back recent updates

Ensure the service has sufficient privileges

Repair Windows if services continue to fail

Applcations Crashing

Steps:

Check for recent patched or updates

Roll back updates one at a time

Uninstall and reinstall the application

Slow Profile Load

Steps:

Review and disable unnecessary startup items

Rebuild the Windows Profile

Time Drift

Steps:

system falls out of clock with real time*

Check network connectivity

Reboot and check date/time settings

Verify time zone is correct

Unable to Access to the Network

Steps:

Check network cable connections.

Examine Firewall settings

Verify IP configurations

Verify network drivers.

OS Update Failures

Steps:

Clear the update cache

Verify network connection

Run a malware scan

Ensure updates are not being blocked by malware.

Altered System or Personal Files

Steps:

Missing, renamed, or altered files could indicate malware

Randomware encrypts files

Viruses corrupt, delete, or alter files

Run a full malware Scan

Don not engage with ransome demands

Restore files from secure backups

Regular backups are essential to prevent data loss

Desktop Alerts

Steps:

Determine if the alert is normal or suspicious

Always error to the side of caution

Unwanted Notification Within the OS

Steps:

Often caused by adware or malicious software

Run a full antivirus scan

Use anti-adware tools

False Alerts Regarding Antivirus Protection

Steps:

Determine if the alert is normal or suspicious

Always error to the side of caution

Run a full antivirus scan

Educate others.

Random/Frequent Pop-ups

Steps:

Sign of adware or broswer hijacker

Run a full antivirus scan

Remove malicous browser extensions or programs

Be careful what you click

Certificate Warnigns

Steps:

Navigate away from the site

Exit the browser

Check system date and time settings

Redirection

Steps:

Verify the URL in the address bar

Examing the "hosts" file for unathorized entries

Host File

A text file that associates TCP/IP host names with IP addresses.

Malware Removal Process x7

1. Investigate and verify malware sysmptoms

2. Quarantine infected systems

3. Diable System Restore in Windows

4. Remediate infected systems

5. Schedule scans and run updates

6. Enable System Restore in Windows

7. Educate the end user

Applcations Fails to Launch (phone)

Steps:

Attempt to relaunch the application

Reboot the device

Clear the application cache

Reinstall the application if the issue persists

Applications Fails to Close/Crashes (phone)

Steps:

Atemtp to "Force Stop" the application

Clear the application cache/storage

Check for updates to fix known bugs

Reboot the device

Reinstall the device

Perform a factory reset if multiple applications are crashing

Applications Fails to Update (phone)

Steps:

Free up storage by clearing unused applications or files

Reboot the device

Uninstall and reinstall application

OS Fails to Update (phone)

Steps

Ensure enough storage is availbable for the OS update

Check device compatibility with the new OS version

Connect to a stable power source

Reboot the device

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Slow to Respond (phone)

Steps:

Close unnecesarry ackgroun applications

Reboot the device

Check for overheatinng

Check for low battery charge

Check for malware (malware scan)

Perform a factory reset (last resort)

Battery Life Issues (phone)

Steps:

Close unnecessary background applications

Reduce screen brightness

Shorten sceen timeout

Replace the battery

Random Reboots (phone)

Steps:

Check for overheating

Check low battery charge

Replace battery

Check hardware issues

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Connectivity Issues (phone)

Steps:

Check signal stren and signal interferance

Check network configuration settings

Switch WiFi frequency bands (2.4GHz or 5GHz)

Try "Forgetting" and then Re-pairing the bluetooth device

Confirm NFC is enabled

Turn off Airplane Mode

AirDrop Issues (phone)

Steps:

Verifiy AirDrop is enabled

Confirm mode ("Contacts Only" or "Everyone")

Turn AirDrop off and on again

Reboot the device

Screen Does Not Autorotate (phone)

Steps:

Verify autoroate is enabled

Recalibrate sensonrs

Reboot the device

Perform Factory reset

Android Package (APK) Source (phone)

Sideloading: Installing apps from sources other than official mobile device app stores

Sideloaded apps may contain malware or spyware

Only sideload apps from trusted sources.

Developer Mode (phone)

Developer Mode: a setting on mobile OSs for greater control, mainly used for debugging and testing

Proides access to davanced settins and tools

Bypasses some default security restrictions, making devices more vulnerable.

Root Access/Jailbreak (phone)

Access core system files.

Both increase vulneravility to malware and unathorized access.

Companies often used MDM.

Bootleg/Malicious Applications (phone)

Bootleg/Mailicous Apps: Low-cost or free versions of popular apps from potentially untrustworth sources.

Designed to look and feel legitimate apps. May contain hidden malware.

Application Spoofing (phone)

malicious apps that mimic legitimate apps to decieve users. Spoofed apps can still apre on official app stores.

High Network Traffic (phone)

Steps:

Check data usage

Identify suspicious apps

uninstall problematic apps

Run a security scan

Restrict data usage by application

Data-Usage Limit Notification (phone)

Steps:

Review data usage

Disable background data

uninstall suspicious apps

Update OS and applications

Run a security scan

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Slugging Response times (phone)

Steps:

Restart the device

Review running apps and processes

Uninstall suspicious apps

Update OS and application

Run a security scan

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Limited / No-Internet Connectivity (phone)

Steps:

Restart device and router

Review network settings

Update OS and apps

Run a security scan

Switch to a trsuted DNS server

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Fake Security Warnings

Steps:

Close suspicious pop-ups

Uninstall suspicious apps

Run a security scan

Perform factory reset (last resort)

Unexpected Application Behavior (phone)

Steps:

Close the app

Uninstall suspicious apps

Restart device

Run security scan

Update OS and apps

Perform factory reset(last resort)

Leaked Personal Files/Data (phone)

Steps:

Change passwords

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

Review account activity

Run a security scan

Revoke app permisions

Update OS and apps