700+ Desktop Support Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

A set of technical questions related to desktop support engineering.

• APIPA is Automatic Private IP Addressing used when DHCP server is not available.

• Subnet mask is used to divide an IP address into network and host portions.

• IPv4 uses 32-bit addresses while IPv6 uses 128-bit addresses.

• There are two types of OS installation: clean installation and upgrade installation.

• BIOS is a firmware that initializes hardware during bootup. CMOS battery is used to power the BIOS settings.

• HDD ...read more

Questions related to networking and technical support.

• Router connects multiple networks and switches connect devices within a network.

• TCP is a connection-oriented protocol while UDP is connectionless.

• SMTP uses port number 25 and POP3 uses port number 110.

• Printer is a device that produces a hard copy of digital documents.

• To add a new printer, go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > Add a Printer.

• BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) is an error screen displayed on Windows systems.

• T...read more

Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft used for email, calendar, contacts, and tasks.

• Open Outlook and click on File > Add Account

• Enter your email address and password

• Follow the prompts to complete the setup

• Configure server settings if necessary

• Test the account to ensure it is working properly

A shared printer is connected to a single computer and can be accessed by other computers on the same network. A network printer is directly connected to the network and can be accessed by multiple computers.

• Shared printer is connected to a single computer, while network printer is directly connected to the network.

• Shared printer can be accessed by other computers on the same network, while network printer can be accessed by multiple computers.

• Shared printer requires the comp...read more

To know the hostname of a client system through a remote system, use the command prompt or PowerShell.

• Open the command prompt or PowerShell on the remote system

• Type 'nslookup '

• The hostname of the client system will be displayed

• Alternatively, use the 'ping -a ' command to display the hostname

To rectify data recovery, dual monitor connection, check cables, update drivers, and use data recovery software.

• Check cables and connections for dual monitor setup

• Update drivers for graphics card and monitor

• Use data recovery software to recover lost data

• Ensure proper backup procedures are in place to prevent data loss

If infected with malware, isolate system, run antivirus scan, remove malware, backup data to external device.

• Isolate infected system from network to prevent further spread of malware

• Run antivirus scan to detect and remove malware

• If antivirus scan fails, use malware removal tools or seek professional help

• Backup important data to external device before attempting any fixes

• Ensure backup device is not infected with malware before restoring data

The OSI model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a communication system into seven layers.

• The Physical layer is responsible for the physical transmission of data.

• The Data Link layer provides error-free transmission of data frames between nodes on a network.

• The Network layer handles routing and logical addressing.

• The Transport layer ensures reliable delivery of data between end systems.

• The Session layer establishes, manages, and terminates connections...read more

System and application error logs can be found in various locations.

• System logs can be found in Event Viewer on Windows or Console on macOS.

• Application logs can be found in the application's installation directory or in a designated log folder.

• Third-party tools like Splunk or ELK can also be used to aggregate and analyze logs.

• Logs can also be accessed remotely through SSH or other remote access protocols.

Different types of mailboxes in Microsoft 365 include user mailbox, shared mailbox, resource mailbox, and linked mailbox.

• User mailbox: Assigned to individual users for sending and receiving emails.

• Shared mailbox: Used by multiple users for collaboration, such as a team inbox.

• Resource mailbox: Represents resources like conference rooms or equipment.

• Linked mailbox: Associated with a user account in a separate, trusted forest.

Hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system, such as the motherboard, CPU, RAM, and hard drive.

• Hardware is the physical components that make up a computer system

• Examples of hardware include the motherboard, CPU, RAM, hard drive, and network interface card

• Hardware is essential for a computer system to function properly

• Hardware can be upgraded or replaced to improve performance or fix issues

A domain controller is a server that manages network security and authentication. To configure, install Active Directory Domain Services and promote server to domain controller. To add client machine, join it to the domain.

• Domain controller manages network security and authentication

• Install Active Directory Domain Services and promote server to domain controller

• Add client machine to the domain by joining it

• Use domain administrator credentials to configure and manage domain co...read more

To fix corrupted boot files or missing/corrupted Boot Manager, you can use the Windows Recovery Environment.

• Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment using installation media or the Advanced Startup Options.

• Select the appropriate language and keyboard layout.

• Choose 'Troubleshoot' > 'Advanced options' > 'Command Prompt'.

• Run the following commands: bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /rebuildbcd.

• Restart the computer and check if the issue is resolved.

Ram is a type of computer memory. HDD is a storage device. Motherboard connects all components. Printer connects via USB or Wi-Fi. OS installation requires booting from a disk or USB. Wi-Fi printer connects via Wi-Fi network. IP address is a unique identifier for devices on a network. Display issues can be caused by faulty hardware or software. Automatic restarts can be caused by hardware or software issues.

• Ram is short-term memory that stores data for quick access

• HDD is a lo...read more

UEFI and Legacy system, IP ranges, ticketing tool, display check, and OS installation are important aspects of desktop support engineering.

• UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a modern firmware interface that replaces the traditional BIOS.

• Legacy system refers to the traditional BIOS-based system.

• IP ranges are a set of IP addresses that are used to identify devices on a network.

• Ticketing tool is a software used to manage and track support requests.

• To check if the di...read more

OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that standardizes the functions of a telecommunication or computing system into seven distinct layers.

• There are 7 types of OSI layers: Physical, Data Link, Network, Transport, Session, Presentation, and Application.

• Each layer has a specific function and interacts with the layers above and below it.

• For example, the Physical layer deals with the physical connection between devices, while the Application layer de...read more

DHCP assigns IP addresses to devices on a network. DNS translates domain names to IP addresses.

• DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

• It automatically assigns IP addresses to devices on a network

• DNS stands for Domain Name System

• It translates domain names to IP addresses

• DNS is used to access websites and other resources on the internet

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network. It is used to create a secure connection to another network over the internet.

• VPN allows users to securely access a private network from a remote location

• It encrypts data to ensure privacy and security

• Common protocols used for VPN include PPTP, L2TP, IPsec, and OpenVPN

• VPN can be configured on routers, computers, smartphones, and other devices

• Organizations use VPN to allow employees to access internal resources securely from outside the ...read more

To backup data from a corrupted OS, connect the hard drive to another computer and use backup software or manually copy the files.

• Remove the hard drive from the affected computer

• Connect the hard drive to another computer using an external enclosure or adapter

• Use backup software to create a backup of the data on the C drive

• Alternatively, manually copy the important files and folders from the C drive to another storage device

The reason behind being unable to configure a profile on Outlook could be due to incorrect server settings, network issues, or account permissions.

• Incorrect server settings such as wrong server address or port number

• Network issues like poor internet connection or firewall blocking access

• Account permissions not set up correctly

Static IP addresses are used within an organization network to provide a consistent and fixed address for devices.

• Static IP addresses are used for devices that require constant access and need to be easily identifiable on the network.

• They are helpful for servers, printers, and other network devices that need to be accessed remotely.

• Static IP addresses can also be used for security purposes, as they are less susceptible to hacking compared to dynamic IP addresses.

• They provide ...read more

SLA priorities include critical, high, medium, and low.

• Critical priority is for issues that require immediate attention and resolution.

• High priority is for issues that are important but not as urgent as critical issues.

• Medium priority is for issues that are important but can wait for a little while.

• Low priority is for issues that are not urgent and can be resolved at a later time.

• SLA priorities are usually defined in terms of response time and resolution time.

• For example, a c...read more

BSOD stands for Blue Screen of Death. It is an error screen displayed on Windows operating systems when a fatal system error occurs.

• BSOD is a critical error that causes the computer to crash and display a blue screen with error codes.

• It is usually caused by hardware or software issues, such as faulty drivers, incompatible software, or hardware failures.

• BSOD can prevent the computer from booting up properly and may require troubleshooting or repair.

• Common BSOD error codes incl...read more

OST stands for Open Systems Technologies and is a file format used by Microsoft Outlook. OST stands for OutSystems Technology and is a low-code platform.

• OST (Open Systems Technologies) is a file format used by Microsoft Outlook to store a copy of mailbox data from an Exchange Server. It allows users to access their emails, contacts, and calendar items offline.

• OST (OutSystems Technology) is a low-code platform that enables organizations to develop, deploy, and manage enterpris...read more

A switch is a networking device used to connect multiple devices within a network. Manageable switches allow for configuration and monitoring, while non-manageable switches do not.

• Switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices within a network

• Manageable switches allow for configuration and monitoring of network traffic

• Non-manageable switches do not offer configuration options and are plug-and-play

• Examples of manageable switches include Cisco Catalyst series, whi...read more

DHCP is a network protocol that assigns IP addresses automatically to devices on a network.

• DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol

• It allows devices to obtain IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, and DNS servers automatically

• DHCP servers lease IP addresses to devices for a specific period of time

• DHCP reduces the need for manual IP address configuration

• Example: When a device connects to a Wi-Fi network, DHCP assigns it an IP address from the available pool

To configure Outlook in a laptop, ensure proper internet connectivity and follow the setup wizard. Troubleshoot connectivity issues by checking network settings and firewall.

• Ensure internet connectivity is available

• Open Outlook and follow the setup wizard

• Enter email address and password

• Configure server settings

• Check network settings and firewall for connectivity issues