Introduction

Unit 3: Week 3: Manage Windows Performance and Troubleshooting

Unit 3: Week 3: Manage Windows Performance and Troubleshooting

Essential Questions

  • Is my computer running as effectively and efficiently as it can?
  • What do I do when things go wrong?
  • Why is my Windows computer so slow? What can I do about it?
  • How can I fix a computer if it won’t even start?

Big Ideas

Windows has several tools built in that allow you to review the performance of both the hardware system and the OS or applications. You can also use these tools to prevent issues or to generate backups that can be used in the case your device has a major problem. You should be able to use these tools, like the System Properties applet and other performance management tools. You should be able to interpret the charts generated by Windows Performance Monitor to determine whether the system is operating as desired or requires support.

You can configure how the system boots up and loads Windows, and you can often address some issues that seem unresolvable, like the “Blue Screen of Death”(!) or other problems when the computer doesn’t boot up. By using the monitoring tools, you can also determine whether the OS is operating efficiently, whether it may need some repair, or even if the situation is so bad that you need to reinstall Windows.

Connection to Student Lives

It’s great when you’ve got a new computer and it’s running fine. It goes fast and can run multiple applications at the same time so you just feel powerful–like you could get anything done. But eventually, you’re likely to start noticing some changes in how it performs. Simply using a computer starts to take a toll on its resources, like memory demands. And as you add new programs to get more done with your computer, sometimes those new programs seem to cause issues.

To keep your computer running smoothly–so you feel great all the time when you’re using it–over time you’ll have to take some steps to make sure it is running at peak performance. Sometimes you need to do this when you notice small changes in performance. Other times, there can be a major problem, like it just won’t boot up! You can use your troubleshooting skills to address many common problems that occur with the Windows OS.

Framing Problem

Ensure your Windows-based computer is running at peak performance. You should also be able to troubleshoot other issues that can really stop you in your tracks, like file and memory corruption, boot problems where a computer won’t start, or the ominous-sounding Blue Screen of Death.

Cornerstone Assessment

Students work through common Windows issues, such as no boot problems or file and memory corruption. If this is not possible through a simulation or actual device with these issues, students can work through hypothetical situations.

DPI Standards

  • NCCTE.2020.II21.02.08 - Use appropriate networking tools.
  • NCCTE.2020.II21.05.07 - Troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems.
  • NCCTE.2020.II22.01.04 - Use appropriate Microsoft command line tools.
  • NCCTE.2020.II22.01.05 - Use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
  • NCCTE.2020.II22.01.06 - Use Microsoft Windows control panel utilities.
  • NCCTE.2020.II22.03.01 - Troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems.

A+ Standards

TOPIC 7B: Manage Windows Performance

1002-1.5 Given a scenario, use Microsoft operating system features and tools.
1002-1.6 Given a scenario, use Microsoft Windows Control Panel utilities.

TOPIC 9E: Troubleshoot Network Connections

1001-2.8 Given a scenario, use appropriate networking tools.
1001-5.7 Given a scenario, troubleshoot common wired and wireless network problems.
1002-1.4 Given a scenario, use appropriate Microsoft command line tools.
1002-3.1 Given a scenario, troubleshoot Microsoft Windows OS problems.

Knowledge

  • The uses and differences between Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop
  • When and how to use virtual memory
  • How to interpret objects, instances, and counters when viewing performance management data
  • How to apply the CompTIA Troubleshooting Model
  • Which troubleshooting tools and procedures are available for different versions of Windows
  • Tips for troubleshooting slow system performance
  • Tips for troubleshooting why a service failed to start
  • Strategies for preventing data loss due to application crashes and troubleshooting applications that do crash
  • What a Blue Screen of Death message is and what can be done about it
  • Tips for troubleshooting file and memory corruption
  • Tips for troubleshooting boot problems, such as no boot device found or invalid boot disk, OS missing, black screen, or slow boot
  • How Windows 7 and Windows 8/10 differ when booting up from product media, a system repair disk, or a recovery partition
  • How and why you might use System Restore
  • When to consider using a system repair tool or a system reinstall option
  • Guidelines for troubleshooting Windows issues

Skills

  • Obtain an overview of key system information from the System Properties or System applet or on the About page in Windows 10
  • Enable and disable Remote Assistance and Remote Desktop
  • Explain why and how to use System Restore
  • Use Windows performance management tools, such as Performance Monitor, to monitor system performance, including reading charts that share data on objects, instances, and counters
  • Create a log file, or Data Collector Set, to record system information
  • Use documentation, the Microsoft Knowledge Base, or other resources to understand and act upon error messages.
  • Access and use the Event Viewer to review information, warnings, errors, and audit statuses
  • Use the System Configuration Utility to review or configure boot settings
  • Troubleshoot slow system performance
  • Troubleshoot when one or more services failed to start
  • Troubleshoot an application that crashes
  • Take steps to resolve a Blue Screen of Death
  • Use the System File Checker utility to verify, and possibly, restore system files
  • Use multiple methods to run Windows Memory Diagnostics to test memory chips for errors
  • Troubleshoot boot problems, such as no boot device found or invalid boot disk, OS missing, black screen, or slow boot
  • Follow different startup modes in Windows 7 and Windows 8/10 to troubleshoot startup repair issues
  • Create a system repair disk using the recdisc tool
  • Use, or at least be able to access and review, the System Restore tool (rstrui)
  • Describe how to create a system image
  • Describe how to reinstall Windows 7 and Windows 8/10

Vocabulary

Manage Windows Performance

Remote Settings

  • Remote Assistance
  • Remote Desktop
  • System Restore

Virtual memory

  • Pagefile

Performance Management Tools

  • Task Manager
  • Resource Monitor
  • Reliability Monitor
  • Performance Monitor
  • Objects, Instances, and Counters

Data Collector Sets

  • Counter logs
  • Trace logs

Troubleshoot Windows

Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)

System Configuration utility (msconfig)

Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)

Windows Resource protection

  • System File Checker (sfc)
  • WINSxS system folder
  • Windows Memory Diagnostics

Power On Self Test (POST)

Legacy BIOS

  • Master Boot Record (MBR)
  • Boot sector or Volume Boot Record (VBR)
  • Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file

EFI Boot

  • GUID Partition Table (GPT)

Safe Mode

  • chkdsk
  • System Restore
  • Safe Mode with Networking
  • Safe Mode with Command Prompt
  • Last Known Good

System Restore tool (rstrui)

  • Restore points

Image

Weekly Map

Monday

Introduction to problem: Optimizing Windows Performance and Troubleshooting Issues

Online Pre-assessment  (available for student practice, as well)

Tuesday

Review content resources with whole group: Topic 7B: Manage Windows Performance

Small group and independent exploration of resources

Activity 7-3: Discussing Windows Performance Management

Wednesday

Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 7-5: Using Windows Troubleshooting Tools

Review content resources with whole group: Topic 7-C: Troubleshooting Windows

Small group and independent exploration of resources

Thursday

Hands-on exploration with IT professionals: Activity 7-5: Using Windows Troubleshooting Tools

Small group and independent exploration of resources: Topic 7-C: Troubleshooting Windows

Activity 7-4: Discussing Windows Troubleshooting

Friday

Progress check with individuals or whole whole group

Online post-assessment

Lesson Ideas

It can be difficult to set up some of the more disabling error situations, like boot problems, for students to practice troubleshooting and resolving. Scenarios are one way to introduce issues and monitor student progress. Activity 7-5 relies on Virtual Machines (VM), like other topics, and may be the best way to allow students to practice some troubleshooting issues that can be difficult to replicate otherwise. If VM are not available, still refer to Activity 7-5 that students can follow independently or in a group to review common Windows-based troubleshooting tools.

Students should record their actions and what they have learned, perhaps sharing in the Help Desk knowledge base. After all, getting something called the Blue Screen of Death can be quite stressful, but knowing you can overcome it with guidance you’ve developed can go along way to ease your nerves and those of others.

Potential Resources

The Official CompTIA A+ Core 1 & Core 2 Instructor Guide for Exams 220-1001 and 220-1002

  • Topic 7B: Manage Windows Performance (pp. 434-443)
    • Activity 7-3: Discussing Windows Performance Management (p. 444)
  • Topic 7C: Troubleshoot Windows (pp. 445-467)
    • Activity 7-4: Discussing Windows Troubleshooting (pp. 468-470)
    • Activity 7-5: Using Windows Troubleshooting Tools (pp. 471-476)

ITProTV

Professor Messer at ProfessorMesser.com and YouTube offers numerous free videos of various lengths for many of the topics for the CompTIA 220-1001 A+ Exam. They are easy to understand, narrated videos with visuals. If you are teaching a CompTIA course, the site notes “You’re welcome to use them as much as you’d like, provided you embed the videos with the associated YouTube link or link directly to my site. Please click the “Contact Us” link at the top of our web page and let me know how you’re using them.”

Entry Level I.T. Training from Technology Gee

  • Microsoft Command Line Tools (Article | Video – 7:09) – introduced previously
  • Microsoft Operating System Features (Article | Video – 20:22) introduced previously
  • Microsoft Windows Control Panel (Article | Video – 8:27) introduced previously
  • Troubleshooting Microsoft Windows (Article | Video – 7:50) introduced previously

Microsoft Support

Other Articles and Resources:

What is the Windows Event Viewer, and How Can I Use It? By Chris Hoffman for How-to-Geek