You suspect that some driver on your Windows XP system is the source of the system crashing and locking up.
How can you verify that all drivers on the system have not been changed?
1. Run DiskProbe.
2. Run the DMDIAG.EXE program from the Run dialog box.
3. Run ASR.
4. >>Run the SIGVERIF.EXE program from the Run dialog box.
Explanation : Windows 2000 and Windows XP support the verification of digital signatures assigned to device drivers. If you suspect a problem with a driver, run SIGVERIF.EXE to scan for drivers that are not digitally signed. To use the utility, enter the command in the Run dialog box.
A digital signature is an electronic signature that can be used to authenticate the identity of the sender of a message or the signer of a document, and possibly to ensure that the original content of the message or document that has been sent is unchanged. Digital signatures are easily transportable, cannot be imitated by someone else, and can be automatically time-stamped. The ability to ensure that the original signed message arrived means that the sender cannot easily repudiate it later.
A digital signature can be used with any kind of message, whether it is encrypted or not, simply so that the receiver can be sure of the sender's identity and that the message arrived intact. A digital certificate contains the digital signature of the certificate-issuing authority so that anyone can verify that the certificate is real.
If changes to the operating system cause instability or startup problems, you can use the Automated System Recovery (ASR) tool to restore the system state and all files stored on the system volume. ASR is a last resort option to use after you have unsuccessfully tried other recovery methods, such as rolling back drivers, restoring from backups, performing parallel installations, and using System Restore. ASR restores system state files and settings and restores your ability to start the system. For example, hard disk corruption might prevent you from starting Windows XP, and the damage might be serious enough to prevent you from using Safe Mode, Recovery Console, or the Last Known Good Configuration. ASR will restore the Windows XP files that originally were installed from CD-ROM and may place incompatible file versions on the hard drive if files from service packs had been installed after original installation.
DiskProbe is a sector editor tool for Windows XP Professional that allows administrators to directly edit, save, and copy data on a physical hard disk. With DiskProbe, you can replace the Master Boot Record, repair damaged partition table information, and repair or replace damaged boot sectors.
DMDIAG is a command line tool that displays the location and layout of dynamic disks and disk volumes.
Objective: Operating Systems
Showing posts with label OS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label OS. Show all posts
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Operating Systems: Performance Issues and Paging Files
A user's computer has two hard disks. The operating system and all applications are installed on the first hard disk. The second hard disk is used only to store backups of critical files. The computer is running Windows XP Professional.
The user reports that the system is slow when accessing certain applications. You launch the application and discover that there is a lot of disk access when running certain tasks. You use Task Manager and notice that the application is using a lot of memory.
What can you do to optimize performance? (Select TWO.)
1. >>Move the paging file to the second hard disk.
2. Configure the hard disks in a striped (RAID 0) volume.
3. Reinstall the operating system on the second hard disk.
4. Move the user's My Documents folder to the second hard disk.
5. >>Add more RAM to the computer.
Explanation : One way to resolve the problem is to move the paging file to the second hard disk. The paging file is used to swap data in and out of physical Random Access Memory (RAM). When performance is poor and there is a lot of disk access, the most likely problem is memory. You can either add more RAM or optimize the paging file. One way to optimize the paging file is to move it to a different hard disk than the one where the operating system is installed.
If the budget allows, you can also resolve the problem by increasing physical RAM. Doing so will cause the computer to rely less on the paging file.
Reinstalling the operating system on the second hard disk will not resolve the problem. The paging file is created on the same hard disk as the one where the operating system is installed by default.
You cannot configure the hard disks in a striped volume. The system and boot partitions must be located on a simple volume. They cannot be located on a striped volume.
Moving the user's My Documents folder to the second hard disk will not resolve the problem. The problem is caused by memory consumption. Moving the My Documents folder to the second hard disk might improve file access times for documents in the My Documents folder, but it will not resolve the problem the user is having.
Objective:
The user reports that the system is slow when accessing certain applications. You launch the application and discover that there is a lot of disk access when running certain tasks. You use Task Manager and notice that the application is using a lot of memory.
What can you do to optimize performance? (Select TWO.)
1. >>Move the paging file to the second hard disk.
2. Configure the hard disks in a striped (RAID 0) volume.
3. Reinstall the operating system on the second hard disk.
4. Move the user's My Documents folder to the second hard disk.
5. >>Add more RAM to the computer.
Explanation : One way to resolve the problem is to move the paging file to the second hard disk. The paging file is used to swap data in and out of physical Random Access Memory (RAM). When performance is poor and there is a lot of disk access, the most likely problem is memory. You can either add more RAM or optimize the paging file. One way to optimize the paging file is to move it to a different hard disk than the one where the operating system is installed.
If the budget allows, you can also resolve the problem by increasing physical RAM. Doing so will cause the computer to rely less on the paging file.
Reinstalling the operating system on the second hard disk will not resolve the problem. The paging file is created on the same hard disk as the one where the operating system is installed by default.
You cannot configure the hard disks in a striped volume. The system and boot partitions must be located on a simple volume. They cannot be located on a striped volume.
Moving the user's My Documents folder to the second hard disk will not resolve the problem. The problem is caused by memory consumption. Moving the My Documents folder to the second hard disk might improve file access times for documents in the My Documents folder, but it will not resolve the problem the user is having.
Objective:
Operating Systems: Moving Boot Logs to another computer
Which boot option can you use to move system boot logs from a failing computer to another computer for evaluation?
1. Recovery Console
2. Debugging Mode
3. Safe Mode with Networking
4. Enable Boot Logging
Explanation : Debugging Mode gives you the opportunity to move system boot logs from the failing computer to another computer for evaluation. To use this mode, you first must connect the failing computer to another computer using a serial cable. You then can review the boot logs on a functioning computer.
Safe Mode with Networking is the same as Safe Mode, but the drivers necessary to access the network are loaded. This is useful if you need to access the network to download replacement drivers.
The Enable Boot Logging option allows the system to boot normally while recording all files loaded during the boot process. The log is recorded in a file named NTBTLOG.TXT. The log will identify which drivers loaded and which failed. This is especially helpful if you have a copy of the NTBTLOG.TXT file that was created before there was a problem. You then could compare them to see what has changed.
The Recovery Console does not start the graphical interface, but it does allow you to access any FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS file systems. The purpose of the Recovery Console is to allow you to repair a damaged registry, system files, or file system on the hard drive.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. Recovery Console
2. Debugging Mode
3. Safe Mode with Networking
4. Enable Boot Logging
Explanation : Debugging Mode gives you the opportunity to move system boot logs from the failing computer to another computer for evaluation. To use this mode, you first must connect the failing computer to another computer using a serial cable. You then can review the boot logs on a functioning computer.
Safe Mode with Networking is the same as Safe Mode, but the drivers necessary to access the network are loaded. This is useful if you need to access the network to download replacement drivers.
The Enable Boot Logging option allows the system to boot normally while recording all files loaded during the boot process. The log is recorded in a file named NTBTLOG.TXT. The log will identify which drivers loaded and which failed. This is especially helpful if you have a copy of the NTBTLOG.TXT file that was created before there was a problem. You then could compare them to see what has changed.
The Recovery Console does not start the graphical interface, but it does allow you to access any FAT16, FAT32, and NTFS file systems. The purpose of the Recovery Console is to allow you to repair a damaged registry, system files, or file system on the hard drive.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Backups II
A customer's computer stores accounting and sales data that is backed up according to the following schedule:
Full backup Sunday night Differential backup Monday-Friday nights
The hard disk fails on Thursday morning.
What must you do to restore the data in the least amount of time?
1. Restore the Sunday backup. Restore the Monday backup. Restore the Tuesday backup. Restore the Wednesday backup.
2. Restore the Wednesday backup.
3. >>Restore the Sunday backup. Restore the Wednesday backup.
4. Restore the Sunday backup.
Explanation : You should restore the Sunday backup, then the Wednesday backup. A differential backup backs up all data that has changed since the last full backup. Therefore, you only need to restore the last full backup and the most recent differential backup.
You cannot restore the data using only the Sunday backup. If you only restore the Sunday backup, all data changed since the Sunday night will be lost.
You cannot restore the data using only the Wednesday backup. You must restore the full backup before you can restore the differential backup.
You do not need to restore the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday backups. If the weekday backups were incremental backups, you would need to take these steps. However, since they are differential backups, they include all data changed since the last full backup.
Full backup Sunday night Differential backup Monday-Friday nights
The hard disk fails on Thursday morning.
What must you do to restore the data in the least amount of time?
1. Restore the Sunday backup. Restore the Monday backup. Restore the Tuesday backup. Restore the Wednesday backup.
2. Restore the Wednesday backup.
3. >>Restore the Sunday backup. Restore the Wednesday backup.
4. Restore the Sunday backup.
Explanation : You should restore the Sunday backup, then the Wednesday backup. A differential backup backs up all data that has changed since the last full backup. Therefore, you only need to restore the last full backup and the most recent differential backup.
You cannot restore the data using only the Sunday backup. If you only restore the Sunday backup, all data changed since the Sunday night will be lost.
You cannot restore the data using only the Wednesday backup. You must restore the full backup before you can restore the differential backup.
You do not need to restore the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday backups. If the weekday backups were incremental backups, you would need to take these steps. However, since they are differential backups, they include all data changed since the last full backup.
Operating Systems: Dealing corrupt OS file
A user's computer cannot boot because an operating system file is corrupt.
What should you try first to resolve the problem?
1. Boot to Safe Mode and use System Restore.
2. Boot to Recovery Console and use System Restore.
3. Boot to Recovery Console and run Chkdsk.
4. Boot to Safe Mode and run Chkdsk.
Explanation : You should boot to Recovery Console and run Chkdsk. Because an operating system file is reported as corrupt, you will need to boot to Recovery Console. To do so, insert the Windows XP installation disc and choose R when prompted whether you want to install Windows XP or repair an existing installation. Next, run Chkdsk with the /r option to locate bad sectors and repair the file. If that does not work, you will probably need to reinstall Windows or restore from backup.
You cannot boot to Safe Mode because an operating system file is corrupt. Safe Mode loads a minimum set of drivers, but it still requires that the operating system files be valid.
You cannot use System Restore from Recovery Console. System Restore requires Windows XP. Also, System Restore is used to recover from configuration problems caused by installing applications or updating drivers. It does not perform a check disk.
Objective: Operating Systems
What should you try first to resolve the problem?
1. Boot to Safe Mode and use System Restore.
2. Boot to Recovery Console and use System Restore.
3. Boot to Recovery Console and run Chkdsk.
4. Boot to Safe Mode and run Chkdsk.
Explanation : You should boot to Recovery Console and run Chkdsk. Because an operating system file is reported as corrupt, you will need to boot to Recovery Console. To do so, insert the Windows XP installation disc and choose R when prompted whether you want to install Windows XP or repair an existing installation. Next, run Chkdsk with the /r option to locate bad sectors and repair the file. If that does not work, you will probably need to reinstall Windows or restore from backup.
You cannot boot to Safe Mode because an operating system file is corrupt. Safe Mode loads a minimum set of drivers, but it still requires that the operating system files be valid.
You cannot use System Restore from Recovery Console. System Restore requires Windows XP. Also, System Restore is used to recover from configuration problems caused by installing applications or updating drivers. It does not perform a check disk.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Utilities to view Operating System Errors
Which utility would you use to view errors reported by operating system components?
1. Event Viewer Application log
2. System Information
3. System Monitor
4. >>Event Viewer System log
Explanation : Errors, warnings, and informational messages generated by the operating system components are viewed through the Event Viewer System log.
You would not use the System Monitor to view operating system error messages. System Monitor is used to monitor real-time performance of system components, operating system processes, and applications.
You would not use System Information. The System Information utility provides a lot of information about installed hardware and software. But it does not list error messages generated by operating system components.
You would not use the Event Viewer Application log to look for errors logged by operating system components. Applications log errors, warnings, and informational messages appear in the Application log.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. Event Viewer Application log
2. System Information
3. System Monitor
4. >>Event Viewer System log
Explanation : Errors, warnings, and informational messages generated by the operating system components are viewed through the Event Viewer System log.
You would not use the System Monitor to view operating system error messages. System Monitor is used to monitor real-time performance of system components, operating system processes, and applications.
You would not use System Information. The System Information utility provides a lot of information about installed hardware and software. But it does not list error messages generated by operating system components.
You would not use the Event Viewer Application log to look for errors logged by operating system components. Applications log errors, warnings, and informational messages appear in the Application log.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Automatic Update Options
You are configuring a Windows XP computer for a client who travels frequently. The client often must connect to the Internet using a slow-speed connection. The client wants to ensure that the computer is updated with security updates in a timely manner, but he does not want to download updates when the computer is connected through a slow link.
What should you do?
1. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.
2. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them.
3. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Turn off Automatic Updates.
4. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Automatic (recommended).
Explanation : You should select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them. This configuration option will allow the user to decline the update before it is downloaded based on how critical the update is and the speed of the computer's connection.
You should not select Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them. Doing so will allow the user to selectively install the updates at a convenient time, but it will not prevent them from being downloaded when the computer is using to a slow connection.
You should not select Automatic. Doing so will not allow the user any control over the updates. They will be downloaded and installed automatically.
You should not select Turn off Automatic Updates. Doing so will cause the user to not be notified of security updates and will leave it up to the user to update the computer.
Objective: Operating Systems
What should you do?
1. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them.
2. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them.
3. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Turn off Automatic Updates.
4. On the Automatic Updates tab, select Automatic (recommended).
Explanation : You should select Notify me but don't automatically download or install them. This configuration option will allow the user to decline the update before it is downloaded based on how critical the update is and the speed of the computer's connection.
You should not select Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them. Doing so will allow the user to selectively install the updates at a convenient time, but it will not prevent them from being downloaded when the computer is using to a slow connection.
You should not select Automatic. Doing so will not allow the user any control over the updates. They will be downloaded and installed automatically.
You should not select Turn off Automatic Updates. Doing so will cause the user to not be notified of security updates and will leave it up to the user to update the computer.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Change Directory Command
You are writing a batch file. The current focus is the C:\Windows\System directory. What command do you use to change the current focus to the root of the drive C:\?
1. CD\
2. CD..
3. C:
4. C:\
Explanation : The CD command is used to change the directory that has focus when working at a command prompt. The CD\ command changes the current focus to the root directory.
The CD.. command is used to navigate up to the parent directory.
The C: command is used to change the input focus to the C: drive, not to move the focus to the root directory on the same drive.
Typing C:\ will cause an error.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. CD\
2. CD..
3. C:
4. C:\
Explanation : The CD command is used to change the directory that has focus when working at a command prompt. The CD\ command changes the current focus to the root directory.
The CD.. command is used to navigate up to the parent directory.
The C: command is used to change the input focus to the C: drive, not to move the focus to the root directory on the same drive.
Typing C:\ will cause an error.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Services
You install an application that includes a Windows service. When you restart the computer, you receive the message that the application cannot load because a service it depends on is not running.
Which utility should you use to correct the problem?
1. Program Compatibility Wizard
2. MSConfig
3. Add or Remove Programs
4. >>Services
Explanation : You should use the Services utility. The Services utility allows you to manage Windows services, including starting, stopping, pausing, disabling, and configuring their log properties. In this case, you need to locate the service on which the application depends and configure it to start automatically when the computer restarts. To prevent a restart now, you can start the service manually. If the error message does not provide enough information for you to know which service is not running, you can use Event Viewer to look for an error or warning. Operating system errors are logged to the System log. Application errors are logged to the event log.
The MSConfig utility (also called the System Configuration Utility) allows you to view which services are running and which are stopped. However, it does not allow you to modify their configuration or start or stop them. One useful feature is that MSConfig allows you to filter the services displayed to only non-Microsoft services, which can help you identify malicious programs that are loaded as Windows services.
You cannot resolve the problem using Add or Remove Programs. Add or Remove Programs allows you to install programs, but it does not allow you to configure services.
You cannot resolve the problem by using the Program Compatibility Wizard. The Program Compatibility Wizard allows you to specify backwards compatibility settings for legacy applications. It does not allow you to manage Window services.
Objective: Operating Systems
Which utility should you use to correct the problem?
1. Program Compatibility Wizard
2. MSConfig
3. Add or Remove Programs
4. >>Services
Explanation : You should use the Services utility. The Services utility allows you to manage Windows services, including starting, stopping, pausing, disabling, and configuring their log properties. In this case, you need to locate the service on which the application depends and configure it to start automatically when the computer restarts. To prevent a restart now, you can start the service manually. If the error message does not provide enough information for you to know which service is not running, you can use Event Viewer to look for an error or warning. Operating system errors are logged to the System log. Application errors are logged to the event log.
The MSConfig utility (also called the System Configuration Utility) allows you to view which services are running and which are stopped. However, it does not allow you to modify their configuration or start or stop them. One useful feature is that MSConfig allows you to filter the services displayed to only non-Microsoft services, which can help you identify malicious programs that are loaded as Windows services.
You cannot resolve the problem using Add or Remove Programs. Add or Remove Programs allows you to install programs, but it does not allow you to configure services.
You cannot resolve the problem by using the Program Compatibility Wizard. The Program Compatibility Wizard allows you to specify backwards compatibility settings for legacy applications. It does not allow you to manage Window services.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Setting Users PC for Automatic Updates
You are installing Windows XP Professional on a user's computer. You want to ensure that the user receives all security updates in a timely manner. The user's computer is connected to the Internet.
What should you do?
1. Add a shortcut to the URL to the Windows Update Web page to the All Users Startup folder.
2. Add a shortcut to the URL to the Windows Update Web page to the user's Startup folder.
3. >>Use the System Control Panel utility to enable Automatic Updates.
4. Create a batch file that checks the Windows Update Web page and add it to Scheduled Tasks.
Explanation : Windows XP Professional supports Automatic Updates to allow users to keep their systems up to date with service packs and security updates. You can enable Automatic Updates through the System Control Panel utility.
Each user has a Startup folder located at C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. This folder contains shortcuts to programs that run when a specific user logs on. However, adding a shortcut to the Windows Update Web site Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to the user's Startup folder will not cause updates to be applied each time the user starts the computer.
Shortcuts to programs that should start when any user logs on should be added to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder. However, adding a shortcut to the Windows Update Web site's URL to the All Users Startup folder will not cause updates to be applied each time the user starts the computer.
You should not create a batch file that checks the Windows Update Web page and add the batch file to Scheduled Tasks. However, you can configure Automatic Updates to run on a schedule by using the System Control Panel utility.
Objective: Operating Systems
What should you do?
1. Add a shortcut to the URL to the Windows Update Web page to the All Users Startup folder.
2. Add a shortcut to the URL to the Windows Update Web page to the user's Startup folder.
3. >>Use the System Control Panel utility to enable Automatic Updates.
4. Create a batch file that checks the Windows Update Web page and add it to Scheduled Tasks.
Explanation : Windows XP Professional supports Automatic Updates to allow users to keep their systems up to date with service packs and security updates. You can enable Automatic Updates through the System Control Panel utility.
Each user has a Startup folder located at C:\Documents and Settings\user_name\Start Menu\Programs\Startup. This folder contains shortcuts to programs that run when a specific user logs on. However, adding a shortcut to the Windows Update Web site Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to the user's Startup folder will not cause updates to be applied each time the user starts the computer.
Shortcuts to programs that should start when any user logs on should be added to the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder. However, adding a shortcut to the Windows Update Web site's URL to the All Users Startup folder will not cause updates to be applied each time the user starts the computer.
You should not create a batch file that checks the Windows Update Web page and add the batch file to Scheduled Tasks. However, you can configure Automatic Updates to run on a schedule by using the System Control Panel utility.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Enabling Hard Disk Quotas
You are configuring a computer running Windows XP Professional. It will be used to support three users on three different shifts. How can you limit the amount of disk space each user can use?
1. Define disk quotas on the Documents and Settings folder.
2. >>Enable disk quotas in the hard disk properties.
3. Define disk quotas on the My Documents folder for each user.
4. Define disk quotas in the default user profile.
Explanation : Disk quotas allow you to restrict the amount of hard disk space used by each user. You enable disk quotas through the Properties box dialog of the hard disk.
You do not configure disk quotas through user profiles.
You do not configure disk quotas on the My Documents folder.
You do not configure disk quotas on the Documents and Settings folder.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. Define disk quotas on the Documents and Settings folder.
2. >>Enable disk quotas in the hard disk properties.
3. Define disk quotas on the My Documents folder for each user.
4. Define disk quotas in the default user profile.
Explanation : Disk quotas allow you to restrict the amount of hard disk space used by each user. You enable disk quotas through the Properties box dialog of the hard disk.
You do not configure disk quotas through user profiles.
You do not configure disk quotas on the My Documents folder.
You do not configure disk quotas on the Documents and Settings folder.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Getting Help in Recovery Console
You are using the Windows 2000 Recovery Console to help repair a serious problem. You cannot remember the command you need.
What command will provide you with information about other commands?
1. Command
2. H
3. ?
4. >>Help
Explanation : Windows 2000 introduced the Recovery Console to perform troubleshooting and repair tasks. You can access this command-line interface through either the Windows 2000 CD or the Setup disks. If you have installed the Recovery Console previously, you can access it directly during startup.
Several of the Recovery Console commands, particularly those associated with navigation, were originally DOS commands. The following are a sample of Recovery Console commands:
Cd - Changes the current directory.
Chkdsk - Checks computer disks for errors.
Cls - Clears the screen.
Enable - Enables a system service or device driver.
Fixboot - Repairs the boot sector.
The Help command will provide you with information about the other commands.
H, ?, and Command will not provide you with this information.
What command will provide you with information about other commands?
1. Command
2. H
3. ?
4. >>Help
Explanation : Windows 2000 introduced the Recovery Console to perform troubleshooting and repair tasks. You can access this command-line interface through either the Windows 2000 CD or the Setup disks. If you have installed the Recovery Console previously, you can access it directly during startup.
Several of the Recovery Console commands, particularly those associated with navigation, were originally DOS commands. The following are a sample of Recovery Console commands:
Cd - Changes the current directory.
Chkdsk - Checks computer disks for errors.
Cls - Clears the screen.
Enable - Enables a system service or device driver.
Fixboot - Repairs the boot sector.
The Help command will provide you with information about the other commands.
H, ?, and Command will not provide you with this information.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Operating Systems: MSINFO32 vs Task Manager vs System CP utility
A user reports memory errors. Which utility will allow you to determine how much physical memory is installed, how much is currently being used, and the size of the paging file on a computer running Windows XP?
1. Task Manager
2. Msconfig
3. System Control Panel utility
4. >>System Information utility
Explanation : You can gather all that information from System Summary in the System Information utility (MSInfo32.exe). The System Information utility allows you to view a lot of information about the computer, including general statistics such as the amount of memory installed, the size of the paging file, the amount of physical RAM currently committed, and the processor type and speed.
The System Control Panel utility General tab reports the amount of RAM installed. The Advanced tab allows you to access virtual memory settings that report the current size of the paging file. This is also where you change virtual memory settings. However, it does not report the amount of RAM currently being used.
Task Manager allows you to gather information about the amount of RAM installed and the amount of RAM currently committed (in use). It does not provide the size of the paging file. However, it does report information about paging file usage. This is not the size of the paging file, but how much data is currently stored in the paging file. You can also see how much virtual memory is being used by each process.
Msconfig allows you to configure startup options for troubleshooting. It is not used to view current performance statistics.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. Task Manager
2. Msconfig
3. System Control Panel utility
4. >>System Information utility
Explanation : You can gather all that information from System Summary in the System Information utility (MSInfo32.exe). The System Information utility allows you to view a lot of information about the computer, including general statistics such as the amount of memory installed, the size of the paging file, the amount of physical RAM currently committed, and the processor type and speed.
The System Control Panel utility General tab reports the amount of RAM installed. The Advanced tab allows you to access virtual memory settings that report the current size of the paging file. This is also where you change virtual memory settings. However, it does not report the amount of RAM currently being used.
Task Manager allows you to gather information about the amount of RAM installed and the amount of RAM currently committed (in use). It does not provide the size of the paging file. However, it does report information about paging file usage. This is not the size of the paging file, but how much data is currently stored in the paging file. You can also see how much virtual memory is being used by each process.
Msconfig allows you to configure startup options for troubleshooting. It is not used to view current performance statistics.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Short Cut To the Command Prompt Window
You have been asked to add an icon on your friend's desktop that provides easy access to the command prompt.
What file in his Windows XP computer should be used in the command line of the icon to open a command prompt window?
1. >>CMD.EXE
2. COMMAND.EXE
3. COMMAND.COM
4. WIN.COM
Explanation : To add a command prompt icon to your Windows desktop for easy access, locate the program file CMD.EXE (for Windows NT/2000/XP), right-drag it to the desktop, and choose Create Shortcuts Here.
CMD.EXE is the 32-bit version of the 16-bit COMMAND.COM, which was used in Windows 95/98.
COMMAND.COM is the DOS command interpreter.
WIN.COM is used to launch the Windows graphical user interface.
Objective: Operating Systems
What file in his Windows XP computer should be used in the command line of the icon to open a command prompt window?
1. >>CMD.EXE
2. COMMAND.EXE
3. COMMAND.COM
4. WIN.COM
Explanation : To add a command prompt icon to your Windows desktop for easy access, locate the program file CMD.EXE (for Windows NT/2000/XP), right-drag it to the desktop, and choose Create Shortcuts Here.
CMD.EXE is the 32-bit version of the 16-bit COMMAND.COM, which was used in Windows 95/98.
COMMAND.COM is the DOS command interpreter.
WIN.COM is used to launch the Windows graphical user interface.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Red "X" in Device Manager
What does a red "X" mark over a device icon indicate in Device Manager?
1. The device does not currently have power.
2. The device driver has a resource conflict with another device.
3. >>The device is disabled.
4. The device is not on the HCL.
Explanation : Device Manager enables you to perform tasks such as identifying installed ports, updating device drivers, and changing I/O settings.
If Device Manager displays a red "X" over the icon for a device, then the device has been disabled.
If Device Manager displays an exclamation point inside of a yellow circle over the icon for the device, then there is a problem with the device or driver, usually because of a resource conflict.
Other Device Manager symbols include a blue I on a white background, which indicates that automatic settings were not used and resources have been manually assigned. It does not indicate a problem.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. The device does not currently have power.
2. The device driver has a resource conflict with another device.
3. >>The device is disabled.
4. The device is not on the HCL.
Explanation : Device Manager enables you to perform tasks such as identifying installed ports, updating device drivers, and changing I/O settings.
If Device Manager displays a red "X" over the icon for a device, then the device has been disabled.
If Device Manager displays an exclamation point inside of a yellow circle over the icon for the device, then there is a problem with the device or driver, usually because of a resource conflict.
Other Device Manager symbols include a blue I on a white background, which indicates that automatic settings were not used and resources have been manually assigned. It does not indicate a problem.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: PC won't boot after a configuration change
A user makes some configuration changes and then installs an application. The application requires the user to reboot the computer. When the computer reboots, it is unable to start Windows XP.
You need to ensure that the user's data is preserved.
What should you try first?
1. >>Start in Safe Mode and perform a System Restore.
2. Use the Emergency Repair Disk.
3. Perform Automated System Recovery.
4. Start the system in VGA mode and uninstall the application.
Explanation : You should start the computer in Safe Mode and perform a System Restore. Windows XP saves a scheduled restore point, a restore point before making some configuration changes, and a restore point before an application is installed. It allows you to revert your computer's configuration to a specific point in time. Restoring a system using System Restore does not affect user data. You can initiate System Restore by booting normally or to Safe Mode. In this case, you will need to boot to Safe Mode.
You should not start the system in VGA mode and uninstall the application. VGA mode is used specifically to correct problems with the video adapter configuration. Also, uninstalling the application might not resolve the problem because the problem might be caused by one of the configuration changes.
You should not use Automated System Recovery (ASR). ASR reformats the hard disk and restores from an ASR backup set, which does not include user data. Therefore, user data would be lost.
You cannot use an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD). ERDs were supported by Windows NT and Windows 2000. They are not supported by Windows XP.
You need to ensure that the user's data is preserved.
What should you try first?
1. >>Start in Safe Mode and perform a System Restore.
2. Use the Emergency Repair Disk.
3. Perform Automated System Recovery.
4. Start the system in VGA mode and uninstall the application.
Explanation : You should start the computer in Safe Mode and perform a System Restore. Windows XP saves a scheduled restore point, a restore point before making some configuration changes, and a restore point before an application is installed. It allows you to revert your computer's configuration to a specific point in time. Restoring a system using System Restore does not affect user data. You can initiate System Restore by booting normally or to Safe Mode. In this case, you will need to boot to Safe Mode.
You should not start the system in VGA mode and uninstall the application. VGA mode is used specifically to correct problems with the video adapter configuration. Also, uninstalling the application might not resolve the problem because the problem might be caused by one of the configuration changes.
You should not use Automated System Recovery (ASR). ASR reformats the hard disk and restores from an ASR backup set, which does not include user data. Therefore, user data would be lost.
You cannot use an Emergency Repair Disk (ERD). ERDs were supported by Windows NT and Windows 2000. They are not supported by Windows XP.
Operating Systems: Incremental Backups
A user's computer performs scheduled backups that back up the data to a network server on the following schedule:
Full backup: Friday
Incremental backup: Monday, Wednesday
System state backup: Tuesday, Thursday
Backups are performed in the evening. The hard disk fails on Thursday afternoon.
Which backup or backups should you restore?
1. Friday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday
2. Tuesday, Wednesday
3. Friday, Wednesday
4. >>Friday, Monday, Wednesday
Explanation : You should first restore the full backup taken on Friday. Next you should restore each incremental backup in order. An incremental backup backs up all data that has changed since the last backup and resets the Archive flag on the files. The Archive flag determines whether the file needs to be backed up.
You should not restore Tuesday and then Wednesday. A system state backup does not back up user data. Therefore, restoring the Tuesday backup will not serve as a base for installing incremental data backups.
You should not install Friday and then Wednesday. An incremental backup backs up only the information that has changed since the last full, differential, or incremental backup. Therefore, the Wednesday backup will only back up files that have changed since Monday.
There is no need to restore the Tuesday backup. Any changes that were reflected in the Tuesday backup will also be reflected in the Wednesday backup. Also, you should restore incremental backups in the order in which they are taken.
Objective: Operating Systems
Full backup: Friday
Incremental backup: Monday, Wednesday
System state backup: Tuesday, Thursday
Backups are performed in the evening. The hard disk fails on Thursday afternoon.
Which backup or backups should you restore?
1. Friday, Wednesday, Tuesday, Monday
2. Tuesday, Wednesday
3. Friday, Wednesday
4. >>Friday, Monday, Wednesday
Explanation : You should first restore the full backup taken on Friday. Next you should restore each incremental backup in order. An incremental backup backs up all data that has changed since the last backup and resets the Archive flag on the files. The Archive flag determines whether the file needs to be backed up.
You should not restore Tuesday and then Wednesday. A system state backup does not back up user data. Therefore, restoring the Tuesday backup will not serve as a base for installing incremental data backups.
You should not install Friday and then Wednesday. An incremental backup backs up only the information that has changed since the last full, differential, or incremental backup. Therefore, the Wednesday backup will only back up files that have changed since Monday.
There is no need to restore the Tuesday backup. Any changes that were reflected in the Tuesday backup will also be reflected in the Wednesday backup. Also, you should restore incremental backups in the order in which they are taken.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Starting the PC without launching specific startup applications
You are troubleshooting a computer running Windows XP. You want to start the computer without launching specific startup applications. Aside from that change, you want the computer to boot normally.
What should you do?
1. Start the computer in Safe Mode.
2. Remove all shortcuts from the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder.
3. >>Use Msconfig to disable the startup applications.
4. Start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
Explanation : You should use Msconfig, also known as the System Configuration Utility, to disable startup items. Msconfig allows you to select which items load at startup, including which .ini files are loaded and whether all, none, or only selected startup applications are loaded. Using Msconfig is a good way to troubleshoot problems related to startup or devices and applications that load at startup. You can also view which services are running.
You should not start the computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads only the minimum drivers needed to run the operating system.
You should not remove all shortcuts from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder. While this is the folder that stores shortcuts to the applications that run at startup for any user who logs onto the computer, it does not contain the user-specific shortcuts. Also, it is best not to remove the shortcuts because you will just have to reconfigure them later. Also, some startup applications are not configured through the Startup folder. Instead, they are configured through the registry.
You should not start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking loads only the minimum drivers needed to start the operating system and access the network.
Objective: Operating Systems
What should you do?
1. Start the computer in Safe Mode.
2. Remove all shortcuts from the C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder.
3. >>Use Msconfig to disable the startup applications.
4. Start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking.
Explanation : You should use Msconfig, also known as the System Configuration Utility, to disable startup items. Msconfig allows you to select which items load at startup, including which .ini files are loaded and whether all, none, or only selected startup applications are loaded. Using Msconfig is a good way to troubleshoot problems related to startup or devices and applications that load at startup. You can also view which services are running.
You should not start the computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode loads only the minimum drivers needed to run the operating system.
You should not remove all shortcuts from C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder. While this is the folder that stores shortcuts to the applications that run at startup for any user who logs onto the computer, it does not contain the user-specific shortcuts. Also, it is best not to remove the shortcuts because you will just have to reconfigure them later. Also, some startup applications are not configured through the Startup folder. Instead, they are configured through the registry.
You should not start the computer in Safe Mode with Networking. Safe Mode with Networking loads only the minimum drivers needed to start the operating system and access the network.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Checking Disk Integrity in XP
What tool should you use to verify that the hard disk on a Windows XP computer does not have any bad sectors?
1. ScanDisk
2. Fdisk
3. Defrag
4. >>Chkdsk
Explanation : You should use Chkdsk to check the integrity of a hard disk on a computer running Windows XP and optionally attempt to correct errors. You can launch Chkdsk from the command line or by clicking Check Now on the Tools tab of a hard disk's properties.
You cannot use ScanDisk to verify that the hard disk does not have any bad sectors on a computer running Windows XP. Scandisk was used on Windows 9x systems to verify hard disk integrity.
Defrag is used to defragment a hard disk to ensure that a file uses contiguous disk space. A defragmented hard disk performs better than a fragmented hard disk.
You cannot use Fdisk to check disk integrity. Fdisk was used in earlier versions of the Windows operating system and in MS-DOS to create partitions.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. ScanDisk
2. Fdisk
3. Defrag
4. >>Chkdsk
Explanation : You should use Chkdsk to check the integrity of a hard disk on a computer running Windows XP and optionally attempt to correct errors. You can launch Chkdsk from the command line or by clicking Check Now on the Tools tab of a hard disk's properties.
You cannot use ScanDisk to verify that the hard disk does not have any bad sectors on a computer running Windows XP. Scandisk was used on Windows 9x systems to verify hard disk integrity.
Defrag is used to defragment a hard disk to ensure that a file uses contiguous disk space. A defragmented hard disk performs better than a fragmented hard disk.
You cannot use Fdisk to check disk integrity. Fdisk was used in earlier versions of the Windows operating system and in MS-DOS to create partitions.
Objective: Operating Systems
Operating Systems: Obtaining the IP address and Subnet Mask on XP
A computer running Windows XP is configured to receive an IP address automatically. Which utilities would you use to find out the IP address and subnet mask assigned to its network adapter? (Select TWO.)
1. Network Connection Status
2. WINIPCFG
3. >>IPCONFIG
4. Network Connection Properties
5. >>PING
Explanation : On a computer running Windows XP Professional, there are three ways to find out the IP address and subnet mask assigned automatically. You can run the IPCONFIG command-line utility, display Status for the network connection, or select the Adapter node under Components | Network in System Information.
You cannot obtain the IP address and subnet mask using PING. The PING utility is used to test a connection path between two computers and to test the TCP/IP stack. To test the TCP/IP stack, you ping the loopback address, which is 127.0.0.1.
You cannot obtain the IP address and subnet mask using the Network Connection Properties. If the TCP/IP properties were configured statically, you would set them and view them on the connection's Properties page. However, they are set dynamically, so you cannot view them there.
You cannot use WINIPCFG on a computer running Windows XP. WINIPCFG was a Windows 98 utility for viewing the IP address configuration.
Objective: Operating Systems
1. Network Connection Status
2. WINIPCFG
3. >>IPCONFIG
4. Network Connection Properties
5. >>PING
Explanation : On a computer running Windows XP Professional, there are three ways to find out the IP address and subnet mask assigned automatically. You can run the IPCONFIG command-line utility, display Status for the network connection, or select the Adapter node under Components | Network in System Information.
You cannot obtain the IP address and subnet mask using PING. The PING utility is used to test a connection path between two computers and to test the TCP/IP stack. To test the TCP/IP stack, you ping the loopback address, which is 127.0.0.1.
You cannot obtain the IP address and subnet mask using the Network Connection Properties. If the TCP/IP properties were configured statically, you would set them and view them on the connection's Properties page. However, they are set dynamically, so you cannot view them there.
You cannot use WINIPCFG on a computer running Windows XP. WINIPCFG was a Windows 98 utility for viewing the IP address configuration.
Objective: Operating Systems
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)