DISCOVERING
COMPUTERS 2011 PROBLEM SOLVING CHAPTER ONE
Problem
Solving @ Home
1-
Incorrect
Grade Report: Your grade
report came in the mail today. On the grade report, your grade point average (GPA)
is not what you expect. After computing it manually, you discover that the GPA
on your grade report is incorrect.
What might be causing the error?
¾
Incorrect formula used to calculate
grades.
¾
One or more of your grades is higher
or lower than you expect.
2- Suspicious Charges: Your
credit card company called to inform you that your account has a suspicious
charge. Upon further investigation, you realize that the charge does not belong
to you. What will you do?
¾ Contact the credit card company and dispute the charge, and ask
whether it is necessary to file a
police report.
3-
Shared
printer Error: At the
beginning of the semester, your roommate configured your computer so that it
could print on the printer in his bedroom. He left for vacation three days ago,
and you recently have noticed that you are unable to print to his printer from
your computer. Each time you attempt to print, you receive an error message starting
that the printer is unavailable. What might be wrong?
¾ Your roommate’s computer may be turned off or is offline.
¾ He might have disabled sharing while he was away.
¾ There is a printer or network error.
4-
Software
installation Trouble: You have purchased a new video game
for your home computer and attempt to install it. Upon inserting the
installation disc, however, nothing appears to happen on your computer. What is
your next step?
¾ Make sure that the optical disc is inserted properly, and inspect
it for damage. If necessary, call the software vendor for support.
5-
Problematic
Player: After
charging your portable media player overnight, you turn it on only to find that
it is reporting a low battery. Seconds later, it shuts off automatically. What
might be wrong?
¾ Circuit breaker might have tripped for that outlet.
¾ Battery in portable media player is bad and does not accept a
charge.
6-
Inaccessible
Media: You insert
an optical disc with digital photos from your most recent family vacation, and
discover that your computer will not read the optical disc. What might be
wrong?
¾ Disc might not have been finalized.
¾ Disc format is not compatible with your operating system.
7-
Bank
Account Postings: While
reviewing your checking account balance online, you notice that debit card
purchases have not posted on your account for the past several days. Because
you use online banking to balance your account, you become concerned your
unknown account balance. What steps will you take to correct this situation?
¾ Contact the bank and/or the merchant to investigate why the charge
has not yet posted.
8-
GPS Error:
You are driving to your friend’s house
and are using your GPS receiver for directions. While approaching your
destination, you realize that the GPS receiver instructed you to turn the wrong
way on your friend’s street. How could this have happened?
¾ Maps may be outdated or are incorrect.
9-
Shopping
For Software: You are
shopping for software that will assist with your home landscape design. The
package for the program you would like to purchase states that it was designed
for the most recent version of Windows, but an older version is installed on
your computer. How can you determine whether the program will run on your
computer?
¾ Before purchasing the software, look online for articles discussing
whether the software will work, or ask a sales associate. Be aware of the
stores software return policy before purchasing it if you are unsure of
compatibility.
Problem Solving @
Work
1-
Insufficient Disk Space: Recently, you purchased a USB flash drive that
you plan to use to store work-related files. When you attempt to store a file
on the USB flash drive, the computer displays an error message indicating that
the file will not fit. How could a brand new USB flash drive not have enough
room to store the first file you attempted to store on it?
¾ File might be too large for the drive.
¾ Drive might be bad.
¾ Drive might be write protected.
2-
Computer
Replacement: The technical support
department at your company has informed you that you will be receiving a new
computer within the next week. Before they will replace your computer, they
told you to back up anything that is important. What types of files do you feel
are important to back up?
¾ Back up all documents that you have created, as well as e-mail
messages if they are not stored on the server. Programs will be reinstalled on
your new computer using the original installation media.
3-
Power
Outage: The power in your office
has been out for the last two hours and has just come back on. When you attempt
to start your computer by pressing the power button, nothing happens. What is
your next step before calling technical support?
¾
Check the surge protector to see if
you need to reset it.
¾
Check all power cables for proper connection.
4-
Incorrect
Login Credentials: Upon
returning to the office from a well-deserved two-week vacation, you turn on
your computer. Upon entering your user name and password, an error message
appears stating that your password is incorrect. What are your next steps?
¾
You might have forgotten your
password, or technical support might have temporarily disabled your account for
security purposes. Contact technical support for a password reset.
5-
Software
Installation: You are attempting to
install a program on your office computer. After inserting the installation
disc and specifying that you would like to begin the installation, your
computer appears to begin installing the software. Halfway through the
installation process, an error message appears stating that you must have
administrative privileges to perform the installation. Why were you immediately
upon beginning the installation? What are your next steps?
¾
The installation might not have
attempted to write to a protected area of the hard disk until the middle of the
installation. Contact technical support for assistance with installing the
program.
6-
Dead
Battery: While traveling for
business, you realize that you forgot to bring the battery charger for your notebook
computer. Knowing that you need to use the notebook computer to give a
presentation tomorrow, what will you do to make sure that you have enough
battery power?
¾
Do not use the computer unless
absolutely necessary. Reduce the brightness of the display and turn off
Bluetooth and other wireless networking capabilities to preserve the battery.
7-
Discarding
Old Computer Equipment: Your
company has just given you a new computer to replace your current, outdated
computer. Because of the negative environmental impact of throwing the computer
away, your supervisor has asked you to suggest options for its disposal. How
will you respond?
Look into options for computer recycling in your
area, or ask around to see if anyone can use the old computer.
