HelpDesk interview questions and Desktop Support interview questions and answers
1. What is Active Directory?
Answer: Active directory authorizes and authenticates all users and computers in a Windows domain network, ensuring the security of the computer and software. Through active directory, various functions can be managed like creating admin users, connecting to printers, or external hard drives.
2. What is DHCP and what is it used for?
Answer: DHCP stands for dynamic host configuration protocol. It is used to allocate IP addresses to a large number of computer systems in a network. It helps in managing a large number of IPs very easily.
3. What is Scope and Super Scope?
Answer: Scope consists of an IP address like gateway IP, subnet mask, DNS server IP. It can be used to communicate with other PCs in the network. The superscope is created when you combine two or more scopes together.
4. What is DNS?
Answer: DNS stands for Domain Naming Service and it is used for resolving IP addresses to names and names to IP addresses. DNS acts as a translator for computers, which understand numbers instead of alphabets. For example, if we type “hotmail.com,” the computer uses DNS to convert it into an IP address.
5. What is Forward and Reverse Lookup in DNS?
Answer: Forward lookup converts names into IP addresses, while reverse lookup converts IP addresses into names.
6. What is ‘A’ record and what is ‘MX record’?
Answer: ‘A’ record, also known as host record, maps the IP address by name. It helps DNS find out the IP address of a name. ‘MX record,’ also known as mail exchanger record, identifies the location of the mail server.
7. What is IPCONFIG command?
Answer: IPCONFIG command is used to display the IP information of the computer assigned, like DNS IP address and gateway IP address.
8. What would you use to connect two computers without using switches?
Answer: Cross cables are used to connect two computers without using switches.
9. What is a Domain?
Answer: A domain is a set of computers that network recognized by the internet. It is used to centrally administer computers and is created when you install Active Directory.
10. Tell me if your system is infected by a virus, how will you recover the data?
Answer: Reinstall another system, latest antivirus software, and an OS with the latest patches. Connect the infected HDD as a secondary drive before starting your system, then scan and clean the infected hard drive. Once done, copy the files into the system.
11. What is the Operating System?
Answer: The operating system acts as an interpreter between computer applications and hardware. It works as a user interface.
12. What are the types of Operating System or O.S.?
Answer: The two types of operating systems are:
- NOS: Network Operating System (e.g., Windows NT, 2000, 2003)
- SOS: Simple Operating System (e.g., Windows 95, 98, ME)
13. Explain about RAS server?
Answer: RAS stands for Remote Access Server. It allows operating tools or information that typically resides on a network or IT devices through a combination of hardware and software. It is used for mobile users in the network and can connect two or more offices.
14. Explain about VPN server?
Answer: VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is a private communications network used by companies or organizations to communicate confidentially over a public network. This is often used by mobile users in the network.
15. What is the difference between RAS and VPN server?
Answer: RAS is a local area connection between two connections, while VPN is a local connection spread over a large area.
16. What is IAS server?
Answer: IAS stands for Internet Authentication Service. It performs accounting and auditing, centralized connection authentication, and authorization for many types of network access like wireless, authenticating switches, and remote access dial-up.
17. A user in a corporate network contacts the service desk saying he/she has lost network connectivity: How will you troubleshoot the issue? What are the steps to follow?
Answer:
- Check the cable connection to the workstation/notebook and the signal from the switch.
- Use the command “ipconfig” to confirm the IP range the user’s machine is in.
- If the machine uses an APIPA address, it cannot reach the DHCP server.
- Ping the gateway, DNS, Proxy Server, or Domain Controllers.
- Check proxy settings through LAN Settings in the Browser.
- Check the MAC address on the Cisco switches to find the VLAN and move it if necessary.
18. What do you mean by Clustering? What are the benefits?
Answer: Clustering is when one or more computers work together as a single system by sharing their resources. Benefits include reduced load on a single system and redundancy of services.
19. What is a Group?
Answer: A group is a collection of user accounts. It simplifies administration in the network.
20. What is a Child Domain?
Answer: A child domain is a member domain of Windows 2000 Active Directory.
21. What are the benefits of a Child Domain?
Answer: Benefits include:
- Low network traffic
- Low administrative overhead
- Security boundary
22. What is OU?
Answer: OU stands for Organizational Unit. It is a container within Active Directory that can hold users, groups, and computers. It is the smallest unit on which an administrator can assign group policy settings.
23. Explain Group Policy?
Answer: Group policy streamlines access for all users in the network. It defines user security and networking policies and can control functions like shutting down the system, using the control panel, or running commands. It is applicable to Active Directory containers like OU, site, and Domain.
24. What is the difference between Permission, Rights, and Policy?
Answer: “Policy” is assigned on Active Directory (e.g., site, domain, OU). “Rights” are assigned to users and groups, while “Permission” is assigned to network resources like files, folders, and printers.
25. What do DC and ADC stand for?
Answer: DC stands for Domain Controller and ADC stands for Additional Domain Controller. ADC is a backup of the Domain Controller.
26. What is the difference between DC (Domain Controller) and ADC (Additional Domain Controller)?
Answer: The difference is in the operational roles. DC has all five operational roles available, while ADC only has three operational roles available.
27. What are the operational roles for DC (Domain Controller) and ADC (Additional Domain Controller)?
Answer:
- DC roles: Domain Naming Master, Schema Master, RID Master, PDC Emulator, Infrastructure Master.
- ADC roles: PDC Emulator, RID Master, Infrastructure Master.
28. What is a “default gateway”?
Answer: The default gateway is the IP address of the router in the network. It forwards queries when users cannot locate their particular network.
29. How can you take a backup of emails in MS Outlook?
Answer: Go to the control panel, then mail options, open the data file, select the personal folder, and click on open folder. Copy the .pst file and paste it where you want the backup.
30. What is a Trusting Domain and a Trusted Domain?
Answer: In a trusting domain, resources are available. In a trusted domain, user accounts are available.
31. What is Bus Speed?
Answer: Bus speed is the rate of communication speed between the microprocessor and RAM.
32. Name the Active Directory partitions?
Answer: There are three types of Active Directory partitions:
- Schema partition
- Configuration partition
- Domain partition
33. What is Fixboot?
Answer: Fixboot writes a new partition boot sector onto the system partition.
34. How many logical drives can fit onto a physical disk?
Answer: The maximum number of logical drives that can fit onto a physical disk is 24. The extended partition can have 23 logical drives.
35. What is a B Router?
Answer: B Router stands for Bridge Router. It is used to provide communication between two or more different networks, like computer-to-computer or computer-to-internet.
36. What is the major difference between Gateway and Router?
Answer: A gateway works on different network architectures, while a router works on the same network architecture.
37. What is a Packet?
Answer: A packet is a logical grouping of information that contains a header with user data and location information.
38. What is SCSI?
Answer: SCSI stands for Small Computer System Interface. It is a standard electronic interface that allows personal computers to communicate with peripheral hardware like disk drives, tape drives, printers, and CD-ROM drives. SCSI provides fast data transmission.
39. How many classes are there for IP addresses and what are the ranges?
Answer: There are five classes:
- Class A: 0-126 (127 is reserved for loopback)
- Class B: 128-191
- Class C: 192-223
- Class D: 224-239
- Class E: 240-255
40. Explain the term Fixmbr?
Answer: Fixmbr is a repair tool that repairs the Master Boot Record of the Partition Boot Sector.
**41. Explain the term SID
?**
Answer: SID stands for Security Identifier. Every computer object has a unique ID known as SID.
42. What is the difference between Incremental Backup and Differential Backup?
Answer: Differential backups select only files that have changed since the last full backup. Incremental backups select only the data that has changed since the last backup.
43. What is the difference between Server OS and Desktop OS?
Answer: Server OS provides centralized administration for users, shared resources, and security, while Desktop OS gives access to only local administration.
44. What is the difference between an MSI file and an .exe file?
Answer: MSI (Microsoft Installer) allows for install, uninstall, and repair of programs with a single file, while an .exe file needs two files to install and uninstall the software. An .exe file can detect the existing version of the software and provide an uninstall option, while an MSI file requires using the add/remove program in the control panel.
45. What is BSOD? How do you troubleshoot it?
Answer: BSOD stands for Blue Screen of Death. It occurs due to a fault in the OS or hardware, causing Windows to display a blue screen with a code. To resolve it, reboot the system or boot in safe mode if necessary.
46. What is PTR (Program Trouble Record) record?
Answer: PTR record checks if the server name is connected with the IP address. It is the reverse of an ‘A’ record and is created in the reverse lookup zone, also known as Reverse DNS records or pointer records.
47. What is Reservation?
Answer: In DHCP, a reservation ensures a specific IP address is always assigned to a particular network device, preventing other devices from using that IP address.
48. What is SMTP server or POP server?
Answer: SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending and receiving mail, while POP (Post Office Protocol) is used for receiving mail.
49. What is RIS and why do you use RIS?
Answer: RIS (Remote Installation Services) is used to install an OS image from a Windows server to new hardware, saving time compared to using a CD for each installation.
50. What is a Bootloader?
Answer: Bootloader facilitates the loading of the operating system on the system and enables the booting process, giving OS options to the users while starting the system.
51. What is Blue Screen? What would you do if your PC turns into a Blue Screen?
Answer: A blue screen indicates a major problem, often with RAM. First, check the RAM, then boot in safe mode, scan the PC with antivirus software, and update drivers.
52. How to make a Hard Disk dynamic?
Answer: Run “diskmgmt.msc”, select the hard disk, right-click on it, and choose to convert it to a dynamic disk. Note: You must be logged in with an administrator account.
53. Explain how to write a system service file in Windows?
Answer: With Windows File Protection active, replacing or deleting a system file causes Windows to restore the original copy of the file from a cached folder.
54. What is the technical difference between Desktop Support and Help Desk?
Answer: Desktop support involves hands-on troubleshooting, while Help Desk support involves receiving calls and troubleshooting remotely.
55. How to make desktop icons appear larger?
Answer: Right-click on the desktop, go to properties, click on the appearance tab, then click on the effects tab, select the use large option, and click apply and OK.
56. What is TFT?
Answer: TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display) uses TFT technology to improve image quality. It is a type of active matrix LCD used in flat panel displays and projectors.
57. What is LCD?
Answer: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is a thin, flat display device made up of color or monochrome pixels arrayed in front of a light source or reflector. It uses minimal electric power, suitable for battery-powered devices.
58. What is the IP range in networking? How do we troubleshoot Outlook? How do we configure LDAP on Outlook?
Answer: The IP range is defined in DHCP and Address pools. For example, 192.168.0.10 to 192.168.0.200. To troubleshoot Outlook, check configurations and settings. LDAP on Outlook can be configured through Tools > Account settings > Address books > New address book > LDAP address book, and add server details.
59. How to make the desktop icons smaller or larger?
Answer: Right-click on a blank space on the desktop, go to properties, click on the appearance tab, click on the advanced button, select icons from the drop-down menu, adjust the size, and apply the changes.
60. If you have a client in a different location and want to access that client from the server, what is the best way to access that client from the server?
Answer: Use MSTSC (Remote Desktop Connection) to access systems in different locations, or use third-party remote access applications like TeamViewer.
61. How will you install an operating system on more than 50 PCs at a time when all PCs have the same configuration?
Answer: Install the OS on one machine, create a Ghost image, and copy it to the other PCs. Alternatively, use a distribution server to install the OS over the network.
62. How to install a pre-existing printer on a user’s desktop?
Answer: Go to control panel, use the add hardware wizard, and follow the instructions. Insert the software CD if required, or let the system install automatically, then restart the system.
63. How to go straight to your desktop when you reboot rather than having to log in every time?
Answer: Right-click on the computer, go to manage, navigate to local users and groups, right-click on the username, set the password, and click OK.
64. How to tell if the print spool is running and where is it located? Where does it store spooled print jobs?
Answer: The print spooler is a crucial Windows service for printing documents on local or network printers. If the service stops, printing fails. It is located in the services list and stores spooled jobs in a specific directory on the system.
65. What is a Firewire port? What are its uses?
Answer: A Firewire port is a form of a serial port that transfers data rapidly between electronic devices. It is used to connect devices like scanners and computers, with data transfer rates up to 400 Mbps.
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