Managing an Operating System
What two things are configured on a disk to make storage space on the disk available to the Windows OS?
The disk must contain at least one partition, typically allocated a drive letter, and the partition must be formatted with a suitable file system.
You are advising a colleague about best practices when troubleshooting. You have identified the following techniques to use to identify a problem: gather information, duplicate the problem, question users, identify symptoms, and approach multiple problems individually. If you are following CompTIA's troubleshooting model, what other piece of advice should you give?
Determine if anything has changed—this is one of the most useful troubleshooting techniques.
Which notation system supports presenting the largest numbers using the fewest digits: Binary, Decimal, or Hexadecimal?
Hexadecimal. Each hex digit can store 16 bits of information. A single decimal digit stores 4 bits while binary obviously stores 1 bit.
What compatibility information should you confirm before installing a software application?
That it works with the version of Windows that you have and that your computer meets the system (hardware) requirements.
Why might one of your first tasks on receiving a new computer be to remove software applications?
The computer may be bundled with pre-installed software that you do not want.
What is a CLI?
A Command Line Interface allows the user to interact with the OS using typed commands or scripts rather than a GUI.
You have asked a senior manager to authorize your plan of action for resolving a fault in a software application. What name is given to the process you are following?
This is escalating the problem. You might escalate a problem to more experienced staff or seek help with a solution plan that is beyond your authority to put into action.
What is the decimal number 75 in binary and hexadecimal?
0100 1011 in binary and 4B in hex. Hex notation is often indicated using 0x to precede the hex digits, so you may see this written like 0x4b.
Following installation of a program written for an older version of Windows, you receive an alert that it might not have installed correctly. What feature could you use to make the program run correctly?
Use the program's Compatibility tab to use settings for the older Windows version.
In order to obtain support, the software vendor wants to know the application's product ID. How would you locate this information?
Usually via the Help > About menu.
What protection feature in Windows is designed to prevent a script or software from making unauthorized changes to the OS configuration?
User Access Control (UAC). UAC means that the user must input their credentials or click through an authorization prompt before the configuration change can be made.
Your computer locks up periodically and feels hot to the touch. Could these things be related?
Yes, many lockup problems are caused by overheating. The first step would be to clean the fan exhaust vents of dust.
Which data type provides for whole numbers only?
Integer
Why would Windows prompt you to enter a password if you try to install a software application?
Installing an application requires administrator privileges and is an action protected by User Account Control.
What is the difference between freeware and open source software?
Open source means that the programming code used to design the software is also made available (and you must make it available in turn if you sell or distribute any part of it). Freeware means the software product costs nothing to use but this does not mean that the code is made available too or that you could modify the software and distribute it yourself.
True or false? A standard user cannot change their own password.
False—ordinary users can change their own password but cannot change anyone else's.
You are setting up a new computer, but it doesn't seem to be working. Should you check anything or contact the manufacturer?
It would be best to double-check you have connected the cables correctly (especially power).
What is the difference between the char and string data types?
Char stores a single textual character in a fixed length field (typically 1 byte). A string is a variable length field for storing a sequence of characters.
Windows comes with web server software but it is not enabled by default. How would you install this software?
Use the Turn Windows features on or off dialog from Programs and Features.
What type of software would you use to configure a server by connecting to it over the network?
Remote Desktop.
What key combination can you use to force the browser to ignore any locally cached files when refreshing a page?
Ctrl+F5.
What crucial piece of information would you need when trying to locate support information about a computer system on the manufacturer's website?
The model number or a service code.
Which data representation format can encode the widest range of characters?
Unicode can represent millions of characters (glyphs). ASCII's 7-bit data structure can only support 128 characters, some of which are non-printable control characters.
Following installation of an application, another program on your computer has stopped working. What could you do to try to fix it?
Try using the Repair option in Programs and Features (if available) or re-installing the program.
What type of software manages tasks, dependencies, and timelines?
Project management software.