core 1 study

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Diagnose system slowness by checking CPU usage and temperature; upgrade or replace if bottlenecking performance.

Cores (CPU Cores)

Determine multitasking capability; recommend more cores for users running multiple applications.

Threads (CPU Threads)

Explain virtual processing; used when evaluating CPU efficiency and performance.

Clock Speed (GHz)

Compare processor speed; higher GHz means faster instruction execution.

Cache (CPU Cache L1 L2 L3)

Improve performance by reducing data access time; larger cache helps with repeated tasks.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Upgrade or reseat when system is slow or crashing; insufficient RAM causes lag and freezing.

DIMM (Dual Inline Memory Module)

Install in desktops; ensure compatibility with motherboard slots.

SODIMM (Small Outline DIMM)

Used in laptops; replace when upgrading portable systems.

DDR4 (Double Data Rate 4)

Common RAM type; verify compatibility when upgrading systems.

DDR5 (Double Data Rate 5)

Newer RAM with higher speeds; used in modern builds.

Virtual Memory (Paging File)

Configure when system runs out of RAM; helps prevent crashes under heavy load.

Motherboard (Main Circuit Board)

Connects all components; troubleshoot failed ports or expansion slots.

Chipset (Motherboard Controller)

Controls communication between CPU, RAM, and peripherals.

PSU (Power Supply Unit)

Test when system will not power on; verify wattage and cable connections.

Wattage (Power Capacity)

Calculate total system power needs to avoid instability.

Modular PSU (Modular Power Supply)

Improves airflow and cable management in builds.

HDD (Hard Disk Drive)

Check for clicking noises or slow performance indicating failure.

SSD (Solid State Drive)

Upgrade from HDD to improve boot time and system responsiveness.

NVMe (Non Volatile Memory Express)

Install for high speed storage using PCIe slots.

SATA (Serial ATA)

Common interface for drives; check cables when drives are not detected.

M.2 (M.2 Form Factor)

Install compact SSDs; verify slot compatibility and key type.

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)

Configure multiple drives for performance or redundancy.

RAID 0 (Striping)

Used for performance but no redundancy; avoid for critical data.

RAID 1 (Mirroring)

Used for data protection; system continues if one drive fails.

RAID 5 (Striping with Parity)

Common in business; allows one drive failure with data recovery.

RAID 6 (Double Parity)

Used in critical systems; survives two drive failures.

RAID 10 (Mirror and Stripe)

Used for high performance and redundancy in servers.

GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)

Diagnose display issues or upgrade for gaming and rendering.

Integrated GPU (iGPU)

Used in basic systems; shares system RAM.

Dedicated GPU (dGPU)

Used for high performance tasks; has its own VRAM.

Cooling (Air and Liquid Cooling)

Prevent overheating; check fans and liquid systems if system shuts down.

Thermal Paste (Heat Transfer Compound)

Apply between CPU and heatsink to improve cooling efficiency.

Heat Sink (Cooling Component)

Dissipates heat; ensure proper mounting during installation.

BIOS (Basic Input Output System)

Access to configure hardware settings and boot order.

UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

Modern firmware with secure boot and faster startup.

POST (Power On Self Test)

Identify hardware issues using beep codes or error messages.

TPM (Trusted Platform Module)

Enable for encryption and Windows 11 requirements.

USB (Universal Serial Bus)

Test ports when peripherals fail; try alternate ports or cables.

USB C (Universal Serial Bus Type C)

Supports power, data, and video; common in modern devices.

Thunderbolt (High Speed Interface)

Used for high speed data and display connections.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)

Connect monitors or TVs; troubleshoot no signal issues.

DisplayPort (Display Interface)

Used for high resolution displays and multiple monitors.

VGA (Video Graphics Array)

Legacy analog connection; used on older systems.

RJ45 (Ethernet Port)

Connect wired networks; check link lights for connectivity.

LAN (Local Area Network)

Troubleshoot internal network connections within a building.

WAN (Wide Area Network)

Diagnose internet connectivity beyond local network.

IP (Internet Protocol)

Use ipconfig to check addressing when troubleshooting.

IPv4 (Internet Protocol Version 4)

Common addressing format like 192.168.x.x.

IPv6 (Internet Protocol Version 6)

Used in modern networks; longer address format.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol)

Automatically assigns IP addresses; troubleshoot APIPA issues.

DNS (Domain Name System)

Resolve website names; fix when sites do not load.

NAT (Network Address Translation)

Used in routers to share public IP addresses.

SSID (Wireless Network Name)

Identify correct Wi Fi network when connecting devices.

WPA2 (Wireless Security Protocol)

Common encryption used on wireless networks.

WPA3 (Wireless Security Protocol)

Newer and more secure wireless encryption.

NIC (Network Interface Card)

Replace or troubleshoot when device cannot connect to network.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

Used for secure remote access; troubleshoot connection failures.

VM (Virtual Machine)

Run multiple operating systems on one machine for testing.

Hypervisor (Virtual Machine Manager)

Manages virtual machines in virtualization environments.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

Access applications through browser without installation.

PaaS (Platform as a Service)

Used by developers to build apps without managing hardware.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service)

Provides virtual servers and storage in cloud.

Laser Printer (Laser Printing Technology)

Used in offices; troubleshoot toner, drum, or fuser issues.

Fuser (Printer Component)

If prints smear, fuser may not be heating correctly.

Toner (Powder Ink)

Replace when prints are faded or missing sections.

Drum (Image Transfer Component)

Transfers toner to paper; replace if ghosting occurs.

Inkjet (Inkjet Printing Technology)

Used for photo printing; troubleshoot clogged print heads.

Thermal Printer (Heat Based Printer)

Used for receipts; check paper type and heating element.

ADF (Automatic Document Feeder)

Feeds multiple pages into scanner or copier.

DPI (Dots Per Inch)

Adjust for print quality; higher DPI produces sharper images.

PPM (Pages Per Minute)

Measure printer speed when evaluating performance.

ESD (Electrostatic Discharge)

Wear wrist strap to prevent damaging components.

UTP (Unshielded Twisted Pair)

Common Ethernet cable used in networks.

STP (Shielded Twisted Pair)

Used in environments with high interference.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

Power devices like access points or cameras through Ethernet cable.

FQDN (Fully Qualified Domain Name)

Used when configuring DNS and servers.

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol)

Remotely access computers for troubleshooting or support.

VNC (Virtual Network Computing)

Alternative remote access tool used in IT support.

Troubleshooting Steps (CompTIA Method)

Identify problem establish theory test theory plan solution implement solution verify functionality document findings.