Gathering Information

Correct Answer: Ask the client about the total number of programs installed and set to launch during startup.

When troubleshooting a slow computer during startup, the first step should be to gather information about the number of programs set to launch automatically when the computer starts up. Having too many programs loading during startup can significantly slow down the boot process and overall system performance. By identifying unnecessary startup programs, they can be disabled to improve startup speed. The other options, such as immediately recommending a hardware upgrade, formatting the hard drive, or asking for browsing history, are premature and do not address the most likely cause of the issue, which is too many programs loading at startup.

Correct Answer: Check if the printer is connected, verify if it has enough ink, and test printing from another device.

Gathering information about the printer's connection, ink levels, and testing with another device helps identify the core issue. The other options either avoid addressing the problem or implement unnecessary measures without understanding the issue.

Correct Answer: Check for any error messages, test the network connection, and ask about recent changes to the system.

The best answer is to check for any error messages, test the network connection, and ask about recent changes to the system. This approach gathers essential information to troubleshoot the issue. Error messages can provide clues about the problem. Testing the network connection helps determine if the issue is specific to the employee's computer or a broader network problem. Asking about recent changes can uncover potential causes, such as newly installed software or hardware. Restarting the computer, blaming an outdated OS, or removing peripherals fails to gather the necessary information to diagnose and resolve the connectivity issue effectively.