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A+ Certification Guide

Detailed insights on addressing STOP errors, boot failures, and other Windows issues with diagnostic tools and maintenance tips. Learn to troubleshoot Windows problems effectively.

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A+ Certification Guide

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  1. A+ Certification Guide Chapter 15 Troubleshooting and Maintaining Windows

  2. Chapter 15Objectives • STOP (Blue Screen of Death) Errors: • Discover what a BSOD is, typical causes, how to diagnose • Boot Failures: • Learn what causes boot failures and how to restore an unbootable system back to operation. • Other Windows Problems: • Windows tools and features to use to find the cause and solve problems • Windows Diagnostic and Repair Tools: • System File Checker, Defrag, Registry Editor, Recovery Console, Windows Recovery Environment, and so on • Maintaining Windows: • Scheduling and performing Windows “best practices”

  3. STOP (Blue Screen of Death) Errors • Causes and Solutions • Incompatible or defective hardware or software: • Start the system in Safe Mode, and uninstall the last hardware or software installed. • Acquire updates before you reinstall the hardware or software. • Exchange or test memory. • Run SFC /scannow to check for problems with system files. • Registry problems: • Select Last Known Good Configuration as described later in this chapter to see if the system will start. • Viruses: • Scan for viruses and remove them if discovered. • Miscellaneous causes: • Check the Windows Event Viewer, and check the System log

  4. Windows Boot Issues: Vista / 7 • Bootmgr—Windows Boot Manager. • The Windows loader program. • Replaces NTLDR in earlier versions of Windows. • Determines which operating system to start. • BCD (Boot Configuration Data). • Located in \boot\bcd. It furnishes the Windows Boot Manager with information about the operating system(s) to be booted. • Successor to boot.ini and the Windows kernel • Completes the boot process • Hal.dll (Hardware Abstraction Layer). • A software translator between Windows and system hardware. • SYSTEM key. • Key in the Registry that determines the system configuration. • Device drivers. • Loaded according to the information stored in the Registry.

  5. Recovering an Operating System If Windows will not start properly: • Use the Last Known Good Configuration option • Gets things working again after an unsuccessful change. • Use Safe Mode or other advanced boot options to help diagnose the problem. • If Windows will not boot: • Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) for Windows Vista. • Recovery Console for Windows XP/2000. • If Windows will not boot and needs to be restored: • Complete PC Backup (Vista). • ASR System Restore (XP). • Emergency Repair Disk (2000).

  6. Windows Vista /7 Advanced Boot Options Menu • Safe Mode: • Starts system with a minimal set of drivers; can be used to start System Restore or to load Windows GUI for diagnostics • Safe Mode with Networking: • Starts system with minimal set of drivers and enables network support • Safe Mode with Command Prompt: • Starts system with a minimal set of drivers but loads command prompt • Enable Boot Logging: • Creates a ntbtlog.txt file • Enable Low-Resolution Video (640 x 480): • Uses standard VGA driver , but uses all other drivers as normal • Called Enable VGA Mode in Windows XP • Last Known Good Configuration: • Starts system with the last configuration known to work • Can solve problems caused by newly installed hardware or software

  7. Advanced Boot Options

  8. Windows Vista Advanced Boot Options Menu • Directory Services Restore Mode: • Used to restore a domain controller’s active directory (Windows Server). It is not used in Windows Vista/XP/2000. • Debugging Mode: • An advanced diagnostics tool that enables the use of a debug program to examine the system kernel for troubleshooting. • Disable Automatic Restart on System Failure (Vista Only): • Prevents Windows from automatically restarting if an error causes failure. • Choose this only if Windows fails, attempts to restart, and fails again. • Disable Driver Signature Enforcement (Vista Only): • Allows drivers containing improper signatures to be installed. • Start Windows Normally: • Used to boot to regular Windows in case a user inadvertently presses F8, but does not want any of the Advanced Boot Options.

  9. Windows XP Boot Errors/Fixes • NTDETECT failed: • This message is displayed if the NTDETECT.COM file is missing or corrupted. • Copy d:\i386\ntldr c:\ (if d: is the drive of the windows cd-rom) • NTLDR is missing: • This message is displayed if the NTLDR file is missing or corrupted. • d:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\ • Invalid boot.ini: • Displayed if the boot.ini file is missing or corrupted. The system might boot anyway, particularly if there is only disk partition on the first hard disk. • Recopy file. • In recovery console, use command Bootcfg /rebuild. • Ntoskrnl.exe is missing: • This message is displayed if Windows cannot find the file. If the boot.ini file is invalid, fixing it could fix this problem as well. • Reinstall from CD. • ‘Missing Operating System’ error: • Recovery console , use ‘fixmbr’ command.

  10. Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) • Used for Boot Problems • Access WinRE by • Booting to the Windows Vista DVD • Booting to a special drive partition with WinRE on it • Press F8 to bring up Advanced Options menu. • Look for Repair Your Computer. • If this option does not show, WinRE is not installed. • Subsequent options: • Startup Repair • System Restore • Complete PC Restore • Command Prompt

  11. Windows XPDiagnostic and Repair Tools • Recovery Console: • A limited command-line environment that can be run from the Windows XP CD or from the startup menu (if it were preinstalled or installed by the user). • Fixboot and Fixmbr: • Available from the Windows XP Recovery Console for fixing boot problems • Automated System Recovery (ASR): • A backup routine used to restore an unbootable system. • User must then reinstall applications and restore data files to complete the recovery process. • Windows Repair Discs

  12. XP Recovery Console • Command-line interface tool: • Used by XP/2000 • Start by: • Boot with Windows XP CD Recovery Console. • Press R. • Install Recovery Console using Windows XP CD-ROM while system is running. • You need to log in using an administrative access/password.

  13. Windows XP Recovery • Windows XP—Automated System Recovery (ASR): • Restore systems settings: • Includes user accounts, disk configuration, video settings, system boot, and hardware settings • Accessed with NTBackup: • Click Automated System Recovery Wizard.

  14. Other Windows Problems Improper shutdowns Device fails to start Missing DLL message Services fail to start Compatibility error Slow system performance Boots to Safe Mode File fails to open

  15. Windows Vista/7Diagnostic and Repair Tools • Sfc: • Check system files; replace damaged/ invalid files with correct versions. • MSConfig: • System Configuration is used to display and configure boot options and as a convenient way to access other troubleshooting programs. • Defrag: • Defragments files to improve file access speed, especially on a drive that has frequent changes to its contents and doesn’t have a lot of unused space • REGSVR32: Registers or unregisters DLL files and ActiveX components • REGEDIT: Views and edits Windows Registry contents • Event Viewer: • Displays event logs for troubleshooting or management purposes • Safe Mode and other advanced boot options: • Special boot options that can be used when the system won’t boot normally • Device Manager: • Displays driver, resource, and version information for hardware devices

  16. Maintaining Windows :

  17. Performing Scheduled Backup and Restore • Task Scheduler: • Start All Programs Accessories System Tools Task Scheduler • Image Backup: • Only Windows Vista: • Backup Status and System Configuration. • Backs up the entire system partition: • Includes operating system, settings, and installed programs • Compressed • Also called “bare metal restore” and “disaster recovery.” • Windows XP: • Install NTBackup from XP-CD • Need to use third-party software. • Ghost, Acronis, Drive Image, and so on.

  18. NT Backup Utility Wizard

  19. Vista Backup and Restore • Creating a system image backup: • Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup Status and Configuration. • Click Complete PC Backup. • Select Create Backup Now and follow instructions. • Restoring the system: • Insert the installation disc/system repair disc. • Boot from CD when prompted. • Click Repair Your Computer. • Select OS to repair. • Select Windows Complete PC Restore, and follow instructions.

  20. Windows 7 Backup and Restore One of the options in Control Panel. Click Create a System Image. Select a destination. Start Backup. To restore system, use same process as with Vista.

  21. System Restore and Restore Points • Resets computer configuration to a specific point in time: • Settings are stored as a restore point. • Registry changes since that point can be reversed to enable system to run as it did on the date of the restore point.

  22. Windows ComponentsSystem Files: XP • NTLDR—The Windows loader program. • Boot.ini—Affects how Windows starts up. • Ntdetect.com—Detects the hardware installed on your system. • Ntoskrnl.exe: • The Windows kernel completes the boot process after being initialized by NTLDR. • Hal.dll (Hardware Abstraction Layer). • Translates software commands between Windows and system hardware. • SYSTEM key in the Registry • Determines the system configuration. • Device drivers. • Loaded according to the information stored in the Registry.

  23. Windows Components: Registry • Important Registry file associations from C:\ System32 folder: • Default—Default settings from HKEY users • Security Accounts Manager (SAM). • Security log. • Software—Software settings in HKEY Local machine\software • System—Settings from HKEY LOCAL MACHINE\System • User files stored by system and Registry: • NTUser.dat. • Records user preferences in user’s “My Documents and Settings” • UsrClass.dat. • User preferences for file and application “Local Settings”

  24. Windows Components: Registry Database for All Settings (System, User, Programs) • Five sections (hives); accessed by typing regedit from “run.” • HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT • Links file extensions to specific applications installed on the computer; also stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE • HKEY_CURRENT_USER • Stores configurations specific to the current user, such as screensaver, desktop theme, and Microsoft Office user information; also stored in HKEY_USERS • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE • Stores hardware and software setup information • HKEY_USERS • Stores user-specific information for all users of this computer. • HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG • Stores the settings for the current hardware profile • Also stored in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

  25. Using Windows Update and Microsoft Update • Major update collections are called service packs: • Hundreds of updates, patches, and security solutions • Windows Update Service (WUS): • Can update system automatically • StartAll ProgramsWindows Update • Critical updates and service packs • Windows updates. • Noncritical system updates • Driver updates. • Microsoft Update: • For Microsoft Office and other related programs

  26. Reviewing the Troubleshooting Process • Identify the problem. • Establish probable cause. • Test your theory. • Identify a solution. • Reproduce the problem. • Verify system functions. • Document the solution.

  27. Identifying the Problem: Logs and Services • Event logs and services: • Compmgmt.msc from run line • Symptoms and error codes (might require you to try to reproduce the problem): • Check BIOS, system properties, Device Manager. • Program versions/service packs. • Power issues • Interference sources

  28. Diagnosing/Troubleshooting Problems • Identifying the problem—Information from a user interview: • The software in use at the time of the problem. • The hardware in use at the time of the problem. • The task the customer was trying to perform at the time of the problem. • The environment in the office or work area at the time of the problem. • If new software or hardware has been added to the computer or network. • If any changes have been made to the system configuration. • If other users are having the same or similar problems. • Ask: “What has changed since the last time the system worked?”

  29. Application Troubleshooting • Installation problems: • Not enough space on hard drive • Lack of administrative access permission • System incompatibility: • Not enough RAM or CPU • Incompatible with OS version • Check to see if another application can be installed. • If not, perhaps the CD/DVD is not reading the media. • Check Computer Management: • Event ViewerApplication

  30. What Have You Learned? • How could you recover a non-booting system from a failed driver update? • What is the utility in Vista that can recover the system and reset it to boot properly? • Windows XP is telling you that NTLDR is missing. What are your options? • What is a hotfix versus a service pack? • How does NTBackup differ from an image backup?

  31. Reflection • Jerry is calling to complain about the squiggly line across the middle of his computer screen. The technician arrives and replaces the monitor, but the line is still there. Which step did the technician skip?

  32. Chapter 15 Summary • STOP (Blue Screen of Death) Errors • Discover what a BSOD is, typical causes, how to diagnose • Boot Failures • Learn what causes boot failures and how to restore an unbootable system back to operation. • Other Windows Problems • Windows tools and features to use to find the cause and solve problems. • Windows Diagnostic and Repair Tools • System File Checker, Defrag, Registry Editor, Recovery Console, Windows Recovery Environment, etc. • Maintaining Windows • Scheduling and performing Windows “best practices” Next Lesson: Chapter 16

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