Interview and Problem Related Question
Interview and Problem Related Question
3. System Administra on
4. Windows Troubleshoo ng
Q: What is the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and how would you resolve it?
A: BSOD is a stop error screen that appears when the opera ng system encounters a cri cal failure. To
troubleshoot, you would check the error code and review logs in the Event Viewer. You might also:
1. Update drivers.
2. Check for faulty hardware.
3. Roll back recent changes (so ware/hardware installa ons).
4. Run memory tests and hard drive diagnos cs.
5. Security and User Management
Q: How would you reset a forgo en administrator password on a local Windows machine?
A: On a local machine, you can reset the password using a password reset disk if created beforehand. In
domain environments, administrators can reset the password through Ac ve Directory. If necessary, you
can boot into recovery mode and use Command Prompt to enable the built-in Administrator account.
Q: What is User Account Control (UAC), and how does it enhance security?
A: UAC prompts users for administra ve creden als or confirma on before performing ac ons that could
affect system se ngs. This prevents unauthorized changes and protects the system from malware or
accidental misconfigura ons by limi ng the execu on of tasks requiring elevated privileges.
6. Networking in Windows
Q: How does Windows Update work, and how can it be managed in a corporate environment?
A: Windows Update automa cally downloads and installs patches and updates from Microso . In a
corporate environment, updates can be managed through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or
Microso Endpoint Configura on Manager, which allow admins to control when and how updates are
deployed to users’ systems.
Q: How do you troubleshoot issues with Windows updates failing to install?
A: Troubleshoo ng steps include:
1. Running the Windows Update Troubleshooter tool.
2. Checking for error codes in Event Viewer or Windows Update logs.
3. Rese ng Windows Update components using net stop wuauserv and net start wuauserv.
4. Checking for file corrup on and repairing it with sfc /scannow or DISM.
5. Manually downloading and installing updates from the Microso Update Catalog.
Q: What is the difference between Microso Outlook and Outlook on the web (OWA)?
A: Microso Outlook is a desktop applica on, while Outlook on the web (OWA) is the web-based version
of Outlook that allows users to access their email, calendar, and other services via a browser.
2. Email Configura on
Q: How do you configure an Outlook account with Microso 365 or Exchange Online?
A: Configura on can be done automa cally by entering the user's email address and password in Outlook.
Outlook will auto-discover the server se ngs and configure the account. For advanced setups, you can
manually configure the account using server details for IMAP, POP3, or Exchange.
Q: How would you set up Outlook to use an IMAP or POP3 email account?
A: To set up an IMAP or POP3 account in Outlook, navigate to File > Account Se ngs > New, and then
choose the "Manual setup or addi onal server types" op on. Enter the incoming (IMAP/POP3) and
outgoing (SMTP) server se ngs provided by the email service provider.
2. Troubleshoo ng
Q: What steps would you take to troubleshoot if Outlook is not sending or receiving emails?
A: Common troubleshoo ng steps include:
1. Check internet connec vity.
2. Verify email server se ngs and account creden als.
3. Check the Send/Receive se ngs and refresh the connec on.
4. Look for error messages in the Send/Receive status.
5. Disable an virus/firewall temporarily to rule out interference.
6. Check Outlook in safe mode to iden fy add-in issues.
7. Repair the Outlook profile or reinstall the applica on if necessary.
Q: What are .pst and .ost files, and how are they used in Outlook?
A: .PST (Personal Storage Table) files are used for storing email, calendar, and other Outlook items on a
local drive when using POP3 or when archiving. .OST (Offline Storage Table) files are used in Outlook to
store a local copy of Exchange or Microso 365 mailbox data, allowing users to work offline and
synchronize changes when connected.
Q: How would you repair a corrupt .pst or .ost file?
A: You can use the Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) to repair corrupt .pst or .ost files. Locate the tool in the
Outlook installa on directory, run it, and select the file you want to repair. For .ost files, dele ng the .ost
file and allowing Outlook to regenerate it upon restart can also resolve issues.
Q: How does Outlook integrate with Microso 365 services like Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive?
A: Outlook integrates with Microso 365 services in various ways:
1. Teams: Outlook can schedule Teams mee ngs directly within the calendar.
2. SharePoint: Users can link SharePoint document libraries in Outlook for seamless file sharing.
3. OneDrive: Outlook integrates with OneDrive for Business to allow sharing and a achment of cloud files.
4. Exchange Online: Provides access to mail, calendars, and contacts through cloud-based synchroniza on.
Q: What would you do if a user's Outlook is not syncing with Exchange Online?
A: Troubleshoo ng steps include:
1. Check the internet connec on.
2. Verify the user's creden als.
3. Check for server issues or service outages.
4. Recreate the Outlook profile or reconfigure the account.
5. Repair or delete the .ost file to force re-synchroniza on.
Q: What would you do if a user reports calendar sync issues between Outlook on their desktop and mobile
device?
A: Steps to troubleshoot include:
1. Verify that both devices are connected to the internet.
2. Ensure the correct account is being used on both devices.
3. Check sync se ngs in Outlook and on the mobile device.
4. Re-sync or remove and re-add the account on the mobile device.
Q: What is Microso 365, and how does it differ from Office 365?
A: Microso 365 is a subscrip on service that combines Office 365 apps (like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
with cloud-based services such as OneDrive, Teams, and SharePoint. It also includes Windows 10/11
licenses and enterprise mobility features, unlike Office 365, which focuses primarily on the Office suite
and cloud services
Q: What are the key components of Microso 365?
A: The key components include Office 365 apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Exchange Online, SharePoint
Online, OneDrive for Business, Microso Teams, and security/compliance tools like Microso Defender
and Intune.
Q: How do you migrate mailboxes to Exchange Online from an on-premises Exchange server?
A: There are several migra on methods, including cutover, staged, hybrid, and IMAP migra ons. The
appropriate method depends on the size of the organiza on and the co-existence requirements.
Q: What is the role of the Exchange Online Protec on (EOP)?
A: EOP is a cloud-based filtering service that helps protect Microso 365 mailboxes from spam, malware,
and other email threats.
Q: How do you set up email reten on policies in Microso 365?
A: Email reten on policies can be set through the Security & Compliance Center, and they define how long
emails are kept in user mailboxes and what happens a er the reten on period.
Q: What is the difference between SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business?
A: SharePoint Online is a collabora on pla orm for managing and sharing files within teams or
departments, while OneDrive for Business is a personal cloud storage service for individual users that also
allows sharing files.
Q: How would you implement document reten on in SharePoint?
A: Document reten on policies can be created in the Compliance Center, where you can define how long
documents should be kept and what ac ons should be taken when the reten on period expires.
Q: How do you manage permissions in SharePoint Online?
A: Permissions in SharePoint are managed at the site, library, folder, or document level. They can be
granted through predefined SharePoint groups (owners, members, visitors) or custom permission levels.
5. Microso Teams
Q: What is Microso Defender for Office 365, and how does it enhance security?
A: Microso Defender for Office 365 provides advanced threat protec on, including an -phishing, an -
malware, and an -spam capabili es. It also includes features like safe a achments and safe links to protect
users from malicious content.
Q: How do you implement mul -factor authen ca on (MFA) in Microso 365?
A: MFA can be enabled via the Microso 365 Admin Center or Azure AD. You can enforce MFA for all users
or configure condi onal access policies to require MFA based on user loca on, device, or app used.
Q: What are sensi vity labels, and how do they work in Microso 365?
A: Sensi vity labels are used to classify and protect documents and emails based on their sensi vity (e.g.,
confiden al, internal). They can be configured to encrypt data, restrict access, and add watermarks.
Q: What is the purpose of Data Loss Preven on (DLP) in Microso 365?
A: DLP helps prevent the accidental or inten onal sharing of sensi ve informa on (e.g., credit card
numbers, social security numbers). It monitors and restricts the transmission of such data across emails,
OneDrive, and SharePoint.
Q: Can you give an example of a PowerShell script to retrieve a list of all Microso 365 users?
A:Get-MsolUser | Select-Object DisplayName, UserPrincipalName, isLicensed
1. Overhea ng
Symptoms: System randomly shuts down or reboots, performance drops, fan running loudly.
Fixes:
Ensure proper ven la on and that your cooling system (heatsink, thermal paste, and fan) is working well.
Clean dust from the CPU fan and heatsink.
Reapply thermal paste if necessary.
Check the CPU temperature using monitoring so ware (e.g., HW Monitor, Core Temp).
3. Slow Performance
Symptoms: Blank screen, beeping sounds from the motherboard, no POST (Power-On Self Test).
Fixes:
Reseat the RAM modules (remove and reinstall them to ensure proper contact).
Check that the RAM is correctly installed in the appropriate slots (refer to the motherboard manual for
dual-channel configura on).
Ensure the RAM modules are compa ble with the motherboard (check the motherboard’s QVL—Qualified
Vendor List).
Test the system with one RAM s ck at a me to iden fy a faulty module.
Test RAM with MemTest86 or Windows Memory Diagnos c to check for errors.
Update your motherboard BIOS, as outdated BIOS versions may cause memory issues.
Ensure RAM speed and ming are correctly set in the BIOS/UEFI se ngs.
Make sure the RAM is running within the manufacturer's voltage and frequency specifica ons.
5. Slow Performance
Symptoms: Random, hard-to-replicate errors (e.g., applica on crashes, data corrup on)
Fixes:
Test the RAM using MemTest86 for an extended period (overnight) to detect intermi ent errors.
Reseat the RAM modules or test with one s ck at a me.
Ensure the RAM is properly cooled, as overhea ng can cause random errors.
Symptoms: Freezing, slowdowns, or stu ering when opening mul ple applica ons.
Fixes:
Check for memory-hungry applica ons or background processes.
Upgrade RAM if it is insufficient for the workload (consider adding more RAM if possible).
Adjust the paging file size (virtual memory) to prevent slowdowns when the system runs out of physical
RAM
Symptoms: The system emits con nuous or repea ng beep codes on startup.
Fixes:
Refer to the motherboard manual for the specific beep code pa ern, which can indicate faulty RAM.
Remove and reinstall the RAM s cks, ensuring they are securely seated.
Test with a different set of RAM to determine if the installed modules are faulty.
Symptoms: BIOS doesn’t recognize the HDD, or it’s missing in the opera ng system.
Fixes:
Check connec ons: Ensure that the SATA/power cables are securely connected to both the HDD and the
motherboard/power supply
BIOS se ngs: Go into BIOS/UEFI and check if the drive is detected. If not, try switching to a different SATA
port or using a different cable.
Check power supply: Ensure that the power supply is delivering adequate power to the drive.
Test on another system: Connect the HDD to another computer to verify if it’s a hardware issue.
2. Slow Performance
Symptoms: System runs slowly, long loading mes, or sluggish file transfers.
Fixes:
Check disk space: Ensure the drive isn’t nearly full, as performance may degrade when the disk is at
capacity.
Defragment the drive: Run the built-in Windows Defragment tool (for HDDs, not SSDs) to op mize file
storage.
Scan for errors: Use Windows’ built-in CHKDSK tool to check for and repair bad sectors or file system errors
(chkdsk /f /r in Command Prompt).
Test drive health: Use diagnos c tools like Crystal DiskInfo or HD Tune to check the drive's health and
performance metrics (e.g., seek mes, read/write speeds).
Symptoms: System hangs or crashes randomly, especially during heavy read/write opera ons.
Fixes:
Test the HDD for bad sectors: Run CHKDSK or third-party tools like HDDScan to iden fy and repair bad
sectors.
Check for overhea ng: Ensure the drive has adequate ven la on. Overhea ng can cause freezing or
performance drops.
Test with a different SATA cable: Some mes the issue is a faulty cable rather than the drive itself.
Update HDD drivers: Ensure that your motherboard or SATA controller drivers are up to date.
controller drivers are up to date.
5. Data Corrup on
Symptoms: Computer starts but cannot boot into the opera ng system, showing errors like “No Boot
Device Found.”
Fixes:
Check BIOS boot order: Ensure the HDD is set as the primary boot device in BIOS/UEFI.
Check for loose connec ons: Reconnect the SATA and power cables.
Repair OS: Boot from a Windows recovery drive or installa on media and a empt to repair the boot files
using commands like bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, or bootrec /rebuildbcd.
Test drive health: Use HDD diagnos c tools to check if the drive is failing.
Reinstall the OS: If the OS files are corrupted, a clean reinstall may be necessary a er backing up any
recoverable data.
7. HDD Overhea ng
Symptoms: The drive is very hot to the touch, causing system instability, crashes, or sluggish performance.
Fixes:
Improve airflow: Ensure that the system has good airflow, and consider adding case fans.
Use a cooling solu on: HDDs can be fi ed with dedicated cooling solu ons like heat sinks or fans.
Relocate the drive: If the drive is in a cramped or hot area of the case, try moving it to a cooler spot or
further away from other heat-producing components.
Relocate the drive: If the drive is in a cramped or hot area of the case, try moving it to a cooler spot or
further away from other heat-producing components.
8. Bad Sectors
Symptoms: Slow read/write mes, file corrup on, or system crashes when accessing certain areas of the
drive.
Fixes:
Run CHKDSK: Use chkdsk /r to locate and mark bad sectors so the system avoids using them.
Use third-party tools: Tools like HDD Regenerator can a empt to repair bad sectors, though success is not
guaranteed.
Backup data: If bad sectors con nue to increase, consider replacing the drive.
Symptoms: S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Repor ng Technology) failure warning during boot
or when using diagnos c tools.
Fixes:
Backup data immediately: S.M.A.R.T. warnings o en indicate that the drive is close to failure.
Monitor the drive: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo to monitor S.M.A.R.T. a ributes and see if any are
deteriora ng.
Replace the drive: If cri cal a ributes like "Reallocated Sector Count" or "Pending Sector Count" are rising,
replace the drive to avoid data loss.
Symptoms: The drive is not showing in File Explorer or is inaccessible, showing "Access Denied."
Fixes:
Assign a drive le er: Open Disk Management and assign a drive le er if none is present.
Check permissions: If "Access Denied," ensure you have the necessary permissions to access the drive.
Run CHKDSK: If the drive is accessible but behaving oddly, run chkdsk /f to check for file system errors.
Reformat the drive: If the drive is new or blank, format it to make it accessible (ensure you’ve backed up
any data before forma ng)