1.
You have just installed an updated driver for your video card. You reboot the system and, for some reason, Windows will not start. What could you do to fix this problem?
Correct Answer
A. Press F8 at boot and select the last known good configuration
Explanation
If you are unable to start Windows 7/Vista/XP but don’t see an error message, the problem could be caused by a driver or startup program, video driver problems, or problems with the system kernel. When pressing F8, Windows 7, Vista, and XP display the Advanced Boot Options menu, which includes various options, such as Safe Mode, VGA Mode, and Last Known Good Configuration, which will help you correct startup problems.
2.
You are working on a computer running the Windows 7 operating system. You get a boot error. What is an option you can use to recover your system to normal?
Correct Answer
D. WinRE
Explanation
WinRE is a set of tools included in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. It takes the place of the Recovery Console used in Windows XP/2000. Also known as System Recovery Options, WinRE’s purpose is to recover Windows from errors that prevent it from booting.
3.
You are working on a computer running the Windows XP operating system. You receive a boot error that the NTLDR is missing or corrupt. Which of the following could you use to restore the file?
Correct Answer
B. The Recovery Console
Explanation
The Windows Recovery Console is a special command-line interface that is designed for copying files and performing disk repairs. It is used by Windows XP and 2000. In Windows 2000, you can use the Recovery Console as an alternative to the Emergency Repair process, such as if you need to restore only one system file. Windows XP lacks the Emergency Repair provision, so understanding how to use the Recovery Console is even more important.
4.
You have just set up a new user’s computer that is running the Windows XP operating system. This user wants to make sure that the computer’s system state can be restored in the event of a failure. What system recovery option would you want to set up?
Correct Answer
A. Automated System Recovery
Explanation
The Automated System Recovery (ASR) option in NTBackup enables you to restore the system state (user accounts, hard disk configuration, network configuration, video settings, hardware configuration, software settings, operating system boot files). The Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) is used in Windows 2000, and Complete PC Backup is used in Windows Vista. Windows XP Professional does not include a true disaster-recovery backup program like Complete PC Backup.
5.
You are contacted by a customer who needs some help. He has a computer running the Windows 2000 operating system. He wants to be able to boot the system if the operating systems fails. You instruct him to create an emergency repair disk. Where would you tell him to look?
Correct Answer
B. NTBackup
Explanation
Windows 2000 has a feature called Emergency Repair that can fix some startup problems. The Windows 2000 Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) is created with the Windows 2000 NTBackup program.
6.
Which of the following gives you the ability to recover an operating system if you have a system boot failure? (Choose all that apply.)
Correct Answer
D. All of these options are correct
Explanation
All the listed options are valid for recovering an operating system if the system will not boot. WinRE is the Windows 7 and Vista Recovery Environment, which has several options to repair boot failure. The Last Known Good Configuration is one of the Advanced Boot Options that can be accessed by pressing F8 in any version of Windows. You can install the recovery console from the Windows XP CD-ROM. After it’s installed, it becomes part of the boot selection in the boot.ini file.
7.
You are the technician for your company. You are in charge of maintaining all desktop computers. You need to keep your systems updated. Which of the following would you need to install to maintain these computers? (Choose all that apply.)
Correct Answer(s)
A. Install the latest service pack
C. Install all hotfixes
D. Install anti-virus updates
Explanation
To keep a computer updated you should install the latest service pack, which can be downloaded from the Internet or installed from CD; install any hotfixes and security updates through Windows Update; and install anti-virus updates, which is usually accomplished by setting the AV updates to download and install automatically.
8.
You have a user who is having problems with her Windows XP-based PC. You inspect the computer and find that the computer is not running an up-to-date service pack. Where would you go to get the service pack?
Correct Answer
C. Update.microsoft.com
Explanation
In this case you will need to go to the windows update site and download the latest service pack and any additional patches and hotfixes that are listed on the update webpage.
9.
Where would a user go in Windows XP to change settings regarding how updates are downloaded and installed?
Correct Answer
A. Control Panel\Automatic Updates
Explanation
To modify settings regarding how updates are downloaded and installed in Windows XP go to Control Panel\Automatic Updates. From here a user can decide whether to download and install updates automatically and can schedule the time of download. In Windows 7 and Windows Vista this can be accomplished by accessing Control Panel\Windows Update\Change Settings.
10.
You are working as a desktop technician for your company. You have been asked to come up with a way to protect all users’ documents in case they are deleted. Which of the following should you do?
Correct Answer
B. Schedule backups
Explanation
You should always have some sort of backup schedule for your user documents to prevent permanent loss of their data. You can use the NTBACKUP tool to setup these backups.
11.
You are the desktop technician for your company. You have been asked to come up with a plan to minimize the downtime of users’ workstations in case of failure during working hours. What should you do to make this happen?
Correct Answer
C. Create an image backup of the system
Explanation
If you create an image backup of the system, you can easily restore the computer back to its original state in about 20 minutes or so. This has become a great tool for technicians to use if a hard drive fails or you are unable to bring the system back up online.
12.
Which of the following are programs that you as a technician can use to create an image backup on a computer running Windows XP?
Correct Answer(s)
C. Norton Ghost
D. Acronis True Image
Explanation
Modern image backup programs such as recent versions of Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image make it possible to restore an entire computer to an earlier state. They can also be used to create incremental backups, enabling the image backup program to work as both an image and file/folder backup.