Establishing a Plan of Action

Correct Answer: Perform a thorough system diagnostic to identify the root cause

The best plan of action is to perform a thorough system diagnostic to identify the root cause of the slow performance and frequent crashes. This will help pinpoint the specific issues, such as hardware failures, software conflicts, malware infections, or insufficient system resources. By accurately diagnosing the problem, targeted solutions can be implemented to resolve the issue effectively. Replacing the computer is premature without understanding the underlying cause. Ignoring the issue will likely lead to further performance degradation and data loss. Deleting all files on the computer is not only unhelpful but also potentially destructive to the user's data.

Correct Answer: Inspect the component temperatures and ventilation to identify the cause

The best approach to addressing a computer that is continually overheating is to inspect the component temperatures and ventilation to identify the root cause of the issue. Overheating can be caused by various factors such as clogged air vents, malfunctioning cooling fans, or excessive dust buildup. By examining the temperatures of key components like the CPU, GPU, and hard drive, as well as ensuring proper airflow and ventilation, you can pinpoint the specific problem. Installing additional software will not resolve a hardware-related overheating issue. Replacing components should only be done after confirming they are faulty and causing the overheating. Simply assuming the computer is functioning normally despite the user's report of overheating is not a responsible troubleshooting approach.

Correct Answer: Identify the scope of the issue and gather necessary information through troubleshooting tools

By identifying the scope of the issue and gathering necessary information, the technician can create a targeted plan of action to resolve the problem more efficiently.