Flashcards on IT Troubleshooting and Technical Documentation
IT Troubleshooting & Technical Documentation Guide
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Computer Performance
37 cards
Card 1
Question: What are the four key computer resources that can become performance bottlenecks?
Answer: CPU, RAM, Disk, and Network.
Card 2
Question: What is the primary role of the CPU in computer performance and what are signs it is overloaded?
Answer: The CPU processes all instructions. Signs of overload: programs freeze, fans spin loud, and everything slows down.
Card 3
Question: What does RAM do and what indicates it is overloaded?
Answer: RAM stores running programs and data. Signs of overload: high RAM usage (e.g., 90%+), system using virtual memory (disk as RAM), close programs or add
Card 4
Question: How does the disk affect performance and what are signs of disk overload?
Answer: The disk stores files and the operating system. Signs of overload: long load times, persistent disk activity, programs crash, and high sustained disk
Card 5
Question: What performance problems indicate a network bottleneck?
Answer: Slow downloads/uploads, high latency, and video buffering indicate the network is the bottleneck.
Card 6
Question: Explain the restaurant-kitchen analogy for CPU, RAM, disk, and network.
Answer: CPU is the chef (slow chef slows all dishes). RAM is counter space (when full, chef must fetch from disk repeatedly). Disk is the pantry (important bu
Card 7
Question: How do you open Task Manager in Windows?
Answer: Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or right-click the taskbar and select "Task Manager."
Card 8
Question: What information does the Processes tab in Task Manager show and how is it used for troubleshooting?
Answer: Lists every running program and its CPU/RAM usage. Sort by CPU to find heavy consumers and right-click a process to end it.
Card 9
Question: What does the Performance tab in Task Manager show and what extra tool can you open from it?
Answer: Shows live graphs for CPU, RAM, disk, and network over time. You can click "Open Resource Monitor" at the bottom for more detail.
Card 10
Question: What is the purpose of the Startup tab in Task Manager?
Answer: Shows programs that launch at login; disabling unnecessary ones speeds up boot time.