A user reports that their desktop computer will not start. According to basic hardware troubleshooting methodology, what is the FIRST action the technician should take?

Verify the power cable is connected and the power switch is on.

Check the motherboard for visible damage.

A server's BIOS firmware is outdated. A critical security vulnerability was announced, and the vendor released a firmware update. The server runs a 24/7 production database. What is the best course of action?

Apply the update immediately during peak hours to fix the vulnerability as soon as possible.

Update the firmware from the operating system without a backup because the vendor provides a tool.

Do not apply the update because firmware updates can cause more problems than they fix.

Schedule a maintenance window, back up the current BIOS settings, and apply the update with UPS power.

A user's external hard drive has a small LED that blinks rapidly when connected, but the drive does not appear in File Explorer. What is the most likely interpretation of the blinking LED?

The drive is physically damaged and cannot be repaired.

The drive is receiving power and is being accessed, but the OS may not recognize it due to a driver or partition issue.

The drive is not receiving power and needs a different USB cable.

The drive is in a safe-eject state and must be reconnected.

A server's power supply LED is solid green, but the server does not boot. The motherboard has a diagnostic LED that shows a pattern of 3 blinks and a pause. What is the most appropriate action?

Reseat all RAM modules and try again.

Consult the motherboard manual to decode the blink pattern.

Replace the power supply because the LED is green.

Clear the CMOS to reset the BIOS settings.

A desktop computer's power LED is blinking amber. What does this status indicator typically suggest?

There is a hardware fault, such as a power supply or motherboard issue.

The system is updating firmware.

The system is functioning normally.

CiscoCertified Support Technician (CCST) IT Support

Domain 2Objective 5

2.5. Investigate Commonly Encountered Hardware Issues. 100-140 Practice Questions (Page 1)

Part of the Hardware Issues domain, which makes up ~22% of our current practice bank. Cisco does not publish an official question count, but from its 50-minute exam (~20–35 total, ~4–8 in this domain), expect 1–2 from this objective — we provide 34 practice questions to prepare you well beyond it. (estimate)

34questions here

7free pages

5concepts

Questions 1–5

1foundation · easy
A user reports that their desktop computer will not start. According to basic hardware troubleshooting methodology, what is the FIRST action the technician should take?
Select an answer first
2expert · hard
A server's BIOS firmware is outdated. A critical security vulnerability was announced, and the vendor released a firmware update. The server runs a 24/7 production database. What is the best course of action?
Select an answer first
3application · medium
A user's external hard drive has a small LED that blinks rapidly when connected, but the drive does not appear in File Explorer. What is the most likely interpretation of the blinking LED?
Select an answer first
4expert · medium
A server's power supply LED is solid green, but the server does not boot. The motherboard has a diagnostic LED that shows a pattern of 3 blinks and a pause. What is the most appropriate action?
Select an answer first
5foundation · easy
A desktop computer's power LED is blinking amber. What does this status indicator typically suggest?
Select an answer first

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