Which of the following steps of the troubleshooting methodology should a technician take to confirm a theory?

Which of the following steps of the troubleshooting methodology should a technician take to confirm a theory?
A . Duplicate the problem.
B . Identify the symptoms.
C . Gather information.
D . Determine any changes.

View Answer

Answer: A

Explanation:

Troubleshooting Methodology:

Troubleshooting involves a systematic approach to diagnosing and resolving issues. It typically includes steps such as identifying symptoms, gathering information, formulating and testing theories, and implementing solutions.

Confirming a Theory:

Duplicate the Problem: To confirm a theory, the technician should reproduce the problem in a controlled environment. This helps verify that the identified cause actually leads to the observed issue.

Verification: By duplicating the problem, the technician can observe the issue firsthand, validate the hypothesis, and rule out other potential causes.

Comparison with Other Steps:

Identify the Symptoms: Initial step to understand what the problem is, not specifically for confirming a theory.

Gather Information: Involves collecting data and details about the issue, usually done before formulating a theory.

Determine Any Changes: Involves checking for recent changes that could have caused the issue, a part of the information-gathering phase.

Implementation:

Use similar equipment or software in a test environment to recreate the issue.

Observe the results to see if they match the original problem, thereby confirming the theory.

Reference: CompTIA Network+ study materials on troubleshooting methodologies and best practices.