Question 1 · Troubleshoot
A laptop streams video without issue in the morning but buffers every evening around 6 p.m. Local applications open normally at all times. Which is the BEST next diagnostic step?
- A. Replace the laptop's storage drive.
- B. Check whether a scheduled process or backup runs in the evening and inspect network usage at that time.
- C. Reinstall the operating system.
- D. Buy a faster laptop.
Answer: B. Local apps are fine, so the device is not resource-starved at all times; the symptom is time-specific and online-only, pointing to a scheduled task or evening network congestion. The loop says determine the cause before implementing a fix — A, C, and D all act before diagnosing.
Question 2 · Secure
You are setting a baseline of security on a new device. Which action provides protective control of the device itself, rather than the network around it?
- A. Enabling a screen lock with strong authentication.
- B. Changing the Wi-Fi router's broadcast channel.
- C. Upgrading the internet service plan.
- D. Adding a second access point.
Answer: A. A screen lock with strong authentication is a device-level protective control. B and D are network configuration; C is bandwidth, not security.
Question 3 · Connect & Configure
Two devices on the same small network cannot reach each other, though both reach the internet. Which is the MOST likely configuration cause to check first?
- A. The internet service provider is down.
- B. Both devices have failing storage drives.
- C. The devices are on different subnets or isolated by a guest-network setting.
- D. The monitor cables are loose.
Answer: C. Internet works but device-to-device does not, so the internet link (A) is fine. Storage (B) and monitors (D) are unrelated to reachability. Subnet or guest-isolation settings are the classic configuration cause.