How To Become A Desktop Engineer

How To Become A Desktop Engineer
Interview Questions / Technical Questions:

1) What is Active Directory?
A central component of the Windows platform, Active Directory service provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up network environments. For example we can create, manage and administrator users, computers and printers in the network from active directory.

2) What is DNS? Why it is used? What is "forward lookup" and "reverse lookup" in DNS? What are A records and mx records?
DNS is domain naming service and is used for resolving names to IP address and IP addresses to names. The computer understands only numbers while we can easily remember names. So to make it easier for us what we do is we assign names to computers and websites. When we use these names (Like yahoo.com) the computer uses DNS to convert to IP address (number) and it executes our request.
Forward lookup: Converting names to IP address is called forward lookup.
Reverse lookup: Resolving IP address to names is called reverse lookup.
'A' record: Its called host record and it has the mapping of a name to IP address. This is the record in DNS with the help of which DNS can find out the IP address of a name.
'MX' Record: its called mail exchanger record. Its the record needed to locate the mail servers in the network. This record is also found in DNS.

3) What id DHCP? Why it is used? What are scopes and super scopes?
DHCP: Dynamic host configuration protocol. Its used to allocate IP addresses to large number of PCs in a network environment. This makes the IP management very easy.
Scope: Scope contains IP address like subnet mask, gateway IP, DNS server IP and exclusion range which a client can use to communicate with the other PCs in the network.
Super scope: When we combine two or more scopes together its called super scope.

4) What are the types of LAN cables used? What is a cross cable?
Types of LAN cables that are in use are "Cat 5" and "Cat 6". "Cat 5" can support 100 Mbps of speed and "CAT 6" can support 1Gbps of speed.
Cross cable: Its used to connect same type of devices without using a switch/hub so that they can communicate.

5) What is the difference between a normal LAN cable and cross cable? What could be the maximum length of the LAN cable?
The way the paired wires are connected to the connector (RJ45) is different in cross cable and normal LAN cable.
The theoretical length is 100 meters but after 80 meters you may see drop in speed due to loss of signal.

6) What would you use to connect two computers without using switches? Cross cable.

7) What is IPCONFIG command? Why it is used?
IPCONFIG command is used to display the IP information assigned to a computer. From the output we can find out the IP address, DNS IP address, gateway IP address assigned to that computer.

8) What is APIPA IP address? Or what IP address is assigned to the computer when the DHCP server is not available?
When DHCP server is not available the Windows client computer assigns an automatic IP address to itself so that it can communicate with the network computers. This Ip address is called APIPA. ITs in the range of 169.254.X.X.
APIPA stands for Automatic private IP addressing. Its in the range of 169.254.X.X.


9) What is a DOMAIN? What is the difference between a domain and a workgroup? Domain is created when we install Active Directory. It's a security boundary which is used to manage computers inside the boundary. Domain can be used to centrally administrator computers and we can govern them using common policies called group policies.
We can't do the same with workgroup.

10) Do you know how to configure outlook 2000 and outlook 2003 for a user?
http://www.it.cmich.edu/quickguides/qg_outlook2003_server.asp

11) What is a PST file and what is the difference between a PST file and OST file? What file is used by outlook express?
PST file is used to store the mails locally when using outlook 2000 or 2003. OST file is used when we use outlook in cached exchanged mode. Outlook express uses .dbx file.

12) What is BSOD? What do you do when you get blue screen in a computer? How do you troubleshoot it?
BSOD stands for blue screen of Death. when there is a hardware or OS fault due to which the windows OS can run it give a blue screen with a code. Best way to resolve it is to boot the computer is "LAst known good configuration". If this doesn't work than boot the computer in safe mode. If it boots up then the problem is with one of the devices or drivers.

13) What is RIS? What is Imaging/ghosting?
RIS stands for remote installation services. You save the installed image on a windows server and then we use RIS to install the configured on in the new hardware. We can use it to deploy both server and client OS. Imaging or ghosting also does the same job of capturing an installed image and then install it on a new hardware when there is a need. We go for RIS or iamging/ghosting because installing OS every time using a CD can be a very time consuming task. So to save that time we can go for RIS/Ghosting/imaging.

14) What is VPN and how to configure it?
VPN stands for Virtual private network. VPN is used to connect to the corporate network to access the resources like mail and files in the LAN. VPN can be configured using the steps mentioned in the KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305550

15) Your computer slowly drops out of network. A reboot of the computer fixes the problem. What to do to resolve this issue?
Update the network card driver.

16) Your system is infected with Virus? How to recover the data?
Install another system. Insall the OS with the lates pathces, Antivirus with latest updates. Connect the infected HDD as secondary drive in the system. Once done scan and clean the secondary HDD. Once done copy the files to the new system.

17) How to join a system to the domain? What type of user can add a system to the domain?
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/windowsserver2003/technologies/directory/activedirectory/stepbystep/domxppro.mspx

18) what is the difference between a switch and a hub?
Switch sends the traffic to the port to which its meant for. Hub sends the traffic to all the ports.

19) What is a router? Why we use it?
Router is a switch which uses routing protocols to process and send the traffic. It also receives the traffic and sends it across but it uses the routing protocols to do so.

20) What are manageable and non manageable switches?
Switches which can be administered are called manageable switches. For example we can create VLAN for on such switch. On no manageable switches we can't do so.


IT Helpdesk Technical Questions

1. What is NIC?
A network card, network adapter or NIC (network interface controller) is a piece of computer hardware designed to allow computers to communicate over a computer network

2. What is USB?
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to interface devices. Devices like Modem, Mouse, and Keyboard etc can be connected.

3. Dialup vs. Broadband
A broadband connection (ADSL) provides high-speed Internet access over a standard phone line. The advantage of a broadband connection over a standard dialup service, is that Broadband is considerably faster, and is "always-on", meaning that once you"re logged on, your PC is online until the PC is turned off again.
Broadband offer high-speed Internet access and allows telephone calls and a permanent Internet connection to share a single phone line simultaneously whereas in Dialup connection either Internet connection or telephone call can made at given time.

4. LAN and WAN
A local area network is a computer network covering a small geographic area, like a home, office, or group of buildings
Wide Area Network (WAN) is a computer network that covers a broad area (i.e., any network whose communications links cross metropolitan, regional, or national boundaries). Or, less formally, a network that uses routers and public communications links

5. Microsoft Access
Microsoft Office Access, previously known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft.

6. What is RAS?
Remote Access Services (RAS) refers to any combination of hardware and software to enable the remote access to tools or information that typically reside on a network of IT devices.

7. Difference between Client Mail and Web Mail?
Email clients download your emails onto your computer. Using a specialized email program such as Outlook Express or Apple Mail has the advantage of giving you complete control over your email; every email you receive is placed on your computer and you can keep as many large file attachments as you want.
Checking your email through our webmail is similar to using Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail. You never actually copy your messages to your computer; in fact, you are looking at them through your web browser on somebody else"s computer. When you are not online, you are not able to see your email.

8. RAM and ROM
random access memory, a type of computer memory that can be accessed randomly; that is, any byte of memory can be accessed without touching the preceding bytes. RAM is the most common type of memory found in computers and other devices, such as printers.
Pronounced rahm, acronym for read-only memory, computer memory on which data has been prerecorded. Once data has been written onto a ROM chip, it cannot be removed and can only be read. Unlike main memory (RAM), ROM retains its contents even when the computer is turned off. ROM is referred to as being nonvolatile, whereas RAM is volatile.

9. Spam guard
Spam Guard is an Outlook add-in that filters email that arrives in your inbox. If the sender of any message cannot be identified then the message is moved into a spam quarantine folder. Messages deposited in the spam quarantine folder can be inspected and either deleted or approved at your leisure.



10. Firewall and Antivirus
A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.
Antivirus is a software program which helps protect a computer against being infected by a virus.

11. DNS
Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4.

12. IPConfig
IPConfig is a command line tool used to control the network connections on Windows NT/2000/XP machines. There are three main commands: "all", "release", and "renew". IPConfig displays all current TCP/IP network configuration values and refreshes Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) settings. Used without parameters, IPConfig displays the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway for all adapters.

13. Trace route
Trace route is the program that shows you the route over the network between two systems, listing all the intermediate routers a connection must pass through to get to its destination. It can help you determine why your connections to a given server might be poor, and can often help you figure out where exactly the problem is. It also shows you how systems are connected to each other, letting you see how your ISP connects to the Internet as well as how the target system is connected.

Please find the technical questions:

1) What is IP Address ?
2) What are the layers of network ?
3) What are the different types of network ?
4) What is networking ?
5) What is the difference between OSI and TCP/IP Model ?
6) What is TCP/IP ?
7) What is HTTP?
8) What is Protocol ?
9) What is communication medium ?
10) What is PORT ?
11) What is SOCKET ?
12) What is the difference between PORT and SOCKET?
13) What is wireless networking ?
14) What is topology ?
15) What are the different types of topology ?
16) What is the size of IP Address?
17) What is FTP ?
18) What is SMTP ?
19) What are the different types of protocol ?
20) What is Dial-Up connection ?
21) What is Broad Band Connection?
22) What is the difference between Dial-up and broad band connection?
23) What IEEE standard for wireless networking?
Ans: 802.11g
24) What is IEEE standard ?
Ans: Institute of electrical and electronic engineer. They develop standard for networking



Basic information on Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, RAID

DNS:A Domain Naming server is a hierarchical namespace structure designed to provide host to IP address name resolution and registration.

DNS ZONE TYPE:
Forward lookup zone: resolves names to IP address.
Reverse lookup zone: resolves IP addresses to Host names.
AD INTEGRATED ZONE
AD–integrated DNS enables AD storage and replication of DNS zone databases. Windows 2000 & 2003 DNS servers which accommodates storing zone data in AD. When you configure a computer as a DNS server, zones are usually stored as text files on name servers — that is, all of the zones required by DNS are stored in a text file on the server computer. These text files must be synchronized among DNS name servers by using a system that requires a separate replication topology and schedule called a zone transfer However, if you use AD integrated DNS you configure a domain controller as a DNS name server, zone data is stored as an AD object and is replicated as part of domain replication.
STUB ZONE
A Stub zone is a read only copy of a zone that contains only those resources records necessary to identify the authoritative DNS servers for the actual zone. A stub zone is used to keep a parent zone aware of authoritative DNS servers for a delegated zone and thereby maintain DNS name resolution efficiently. A stub zone is conposed of (A), (NS), (SOA)
Types of DNS Records: -
A(Host):
Represents a computer or device on the network. 'A'records are the most common and most used DNS records.
PTR(Pointer):
Used for finding the DNS name that corresponds to an IP address. The PTR is found only in the reverse lookup zone.
NS(NameServer):
The NS RRs facilitate delegation by identifying DNS servers for each zone. They appear in all forward and reverse look-up zones.
SOA(Start Of Authority):
The first record in any zone file is a SOA. the SOA identifies a primary DNS name server for the zone as the best source of information for the data within that zone and as an entity processing the updates for the zone.
SRV(Service Record):
Indicates a network service offered by a host.- CNAME(Alias):an alias is hostname that refers to another hostname.
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DHCP: Is a standard for simplifying management of host IP configuration.
SUPERSCOPE: Supers cope is an administrative feature of DHCP server that you can create and manage through the DHCP console. Using a Super scope you can group multiple scopes as a single administrative entity.
DHCP Authorize: This procedure is usually only needed if you are running a DHCP server on a member server. In most cases, if you are installing a DHCP server on a computer also running as a domain controller, the server is automatically authorized the first time you add the server to the DHCP console.
SCOPE: DHCP scope is a pool of IP addresses which are offered to DHCP clients.
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WHAT ARE FSMO ROLES IN ACTIVE DIRECTORY?
Windows 2000 and Windows 2003 Active directory follow the multi master model. Under this model there are five roles which can be held by the DCs (Domian Controllers).

The five roles are given below:
• Schema Master: The schema master domain controller controls all updates and modifications to the schema. To update the schema of a forest, you must have access to the schema master. There can be only one schema master in the whole forest.
• Domain naming master: The domain naming master domain controller controls the addition or removal of domains in the forest. There can be only one domain naming master in the whole forest.
• Infrastructure Master: The infrastructure is responsible for updating references from objects in its domain to objects in other domains. At any one time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the infrastructure master in each domain.
• Relative ID (RID) Master: The RID master is responsible for processing RID pool requests from all domain controllers in a particular domain. At any one time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the RID master in the domain.
• PDC Emulator: The PDC emulator is a domain controller that advertises itself as the primary domain controller (PDC) to workstations, member servers, and domain controllers that are running earlier versions of Windows. For example, if the domain contains computers that are not running Microsoft Windows XP Professional or Microsoft Windows 2000 client software, or if it contains Microsoft Windows NT backup domain controllers, the PDC emulator master acts as a Windows NT PDC. It is also the Domain Master Browser, and it handles password discrepancies. At any one time, there can be only one domain controller acting as the PDC emulator master in each domain in the forest.

What is replication in active directory?
REPLICATION is a process of sending update information for data that has changed in the directory to other domain controllers, as a Part of the AD planning an implementation process.*2000/2003 uses MULTI-MASTER replication for the AD.
Types of UPDATES which force replication: Add, Modify, ModifyDN, delete
USN: Update sequence numbers
GUID: Globally unique identifier

REPLICATION PARTITIONS: Schema Partition: contains object and attribute definitions. In other words it contains a list of definitions that define what objects and attributes for those objects can exist in the AD.Configuration partition: contains information about the physical structure of the AD, such as the sites and domains and where DC resides in the enterprise. It is replicated to all DC's in the tree or forest.Domain partition: contains information about all AD objects that are specific to that domain, such as users, groups and other resources. All domain partition information is completely replicated to all domain controllers within the domain.

REPLICATION TOPOLOGY
KCC: Knowledge Consistency Checker: It builds the topology for the intrasite replication between the DCs. It uses only RPC to communicate with the directory service.
Bridgehead server: A point where a replication information leaves or enters a site for intersite replication.

BENIFITS
• Optimize replication for speed and bandwidth consumption between domain controllers.• Locate the closest domain controller for client logon, services, and directory searches.
• Direct a Distributed File System (DFS) client to the server that is hosting the requested data within the site.
• Replicate the system volume (SYSVOL), a collection of folders in the file system that exists on each domain controller in a domain and is required for implementation of Group Policy
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What is RAID?
ANS: Redundant Array of Inexpensive disk is a way to increase capacity, performance and reliability.
RAID0: (Striping) Not really RAID as it has no fault tolerance, Data is striped across all disks, Excellent read/write performance.
RAID1: (Mirroring) Need at least 2 drives, tolerates single drive failure, often used for OS drive or boot volume.
RAID5: Requires at least 3 drives, data and parity striped across all disks, can tolerate failure of any one disk without losing data but performance does degrade.


INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What is Active Directory?
Ans: An Active Directory (AD) structure is a hierarchical framework of objects which include resources (e.g. printers) , services (e.g. e-mail ), and users (accounts, or users and groups) or we can say AD is a repository service of enterprise wide data

2) What are FSMO Roles? Explain Each Role?
Ans: Although most operations, such as creating a user, are multi-mastered, and can be made by connecting to any available domain controller, some operations are still handled only by designated domain controllers. Microsoft sometimes calls this the Flexible Single Master Operation (FSMO) roles. There are five FSMO roles.

Two of these are per forest:
A) Schema Master: There is only one DC in the forest acting as the Schema Master. It holds the master copy of the Schema.
B) Domain Naming Master: There is only one DC in the forest acting as the Domain Naming Master. It authorizes the creation and deletion of domains in the forest.

Within each domain there are three further roles.
A) PDC emulator: Each domain has a PDC emulator. As its name suggests it provides compatibility with legacy (NT4) DCs and clients. It also functions as the domain master browser, source for time synchronization within the domain, and the single mastering of Group Policies.
B) RID Master: Each domain also has a RID Master. The RID Master generates a pool of Relative IDentifiers and allocates them to other DCs in its domain. Each DC can use a RID from its pool whenever it needs to generate a SID (Security IDentifier) for any new security principals object (users, groups or computers) that is created. A SID is a globally unique identifier for a security principal. The RID master is also used to single master the movement of security principals from one domain to another.
C) Infrastructure Master: Finally, each domain has an Infrastructure Master (IM). The IM periodically looks up references to external objects by consulting the global catalog. An example of an 'external object' would be if you added a user from one Domain A to a group in Domain B. As far as Domain B is concerned the user is an external object. The IM is checking to see if any details about that foreign object (such as its distinguished name or SID) have changed.

3) What is a Global Catalog?
Ans: The Global Catalog (GC) has two primary functions. First, it acts as a domain controller that stores object data and manages queries about objects and their most common attributes (called the Global Catalog Partial Attribute Set, or PAS). Second, it provides data that permits network logon. GC provides a listing of all objects in AD so we can query GC for any information needed. LDAP (light weight directory access protocol) is used (by AD) to query the GC on port 3268.

4) What are Group Policies?
Ans: Group policies are used by administrators to configure and control user environment settings. Group Policy Objects (GPOs) are used to configure group policies which are applied to sites, domains, and organizational units (OUs). Settings that do the following may be applied with group policy: Manage user environments - Wallpaper and other settings. Manage scripts - Logon/logoff and startup/shutdown scripts. Manage security - Event log settings, account policies, and more. Manage software deployment - Applications may be automatically installed when the client computer starts. Redirect folders - Folders on a local computer may be redirected to a network share.

5) What is the difference between a Domain and Workgroup?
Ans: A domain is a group of computers and devices on a network that are administered as a unit with common rules and procedures. Within the Internet, domains are defined by the IP address. All devices sharing a common part of the IP address are said to be in the same domain.
Workgroup computing occurs when all the individuals have computers connected to a network (a group of two or more computer systems linked together) that allows them to send e-mail to one another, share data files, and other resources such as printers. Normally, a workgroup is limited to 10 network devices/computers. Since workgroup machines might have different account names, you really have to know the admin account for each specific machine in order to effectively manage the workgroup.

6) What is the relationship between tree and a forest?
Ans: The framework that holds the objects is viewed at a number of levels. At the top of the structure is the Forest - the collection of every object, its attributes and rules (attribute syntax) in the AD. The forest holds one or more transitive, trust-linked Trees. A tree holds one or more Domains and domain trees, again linked in a transitive trust hierarchy. Domains are identified by their DNS name structure, the namespace. A domain has a single DNS name.
The objects held within a domain can be grouped into containers called Organizational Units (OUs). OUs give a domain a hierarchy, ease its administration, and can give a semblance of the structure of the AD's company in organizational or geographical terms. OUs can contain OUs - indeed, domains are containers in this sense - and can hold multiple nested OUs. Microsoft recommends as few domains as possible in AD and a reliance on OUs to produce structure and improve the implementation of policies and administration. The OU is the common level at which to apply group policies, which are AD objects themselves called Group Policy Objects (GPOs), although policies can also be applied to domains or sites (see below). The OU is the lowest level at which administrative powers can be delegated.

[To allow users in one domain to access resources in another, AD uses trust. Trust is automatically produced when domains are created.]

7) What is the file name of Active directory and where is it stored?
Ans: NTDS.DIT, stored in %Systemroot%\Windows\NTDS folder

8) What is backup? What are the different types of backups explain them?
Ans: Backup Is creating a replica of data on a server/PC. Backups could be taken on another disk or magnetic tape for offsite storage. Types of backup are:
I) normal or full backup: the entire backup for the day
ii) Incremental backup: backup since last backup
iii) Differential backup: backup since last full backup

9) Where is System State and what does it contain?
System State data contains most elements of a system's configuration, but it might not include all of the information that you require to recover your system from a failure.
The System State data includes only the registry, COM+ Class Registration database, files under Windows File Protection, and boot files.
You can only back up and restore the System State data on a local computer. You cannot back up and restore the System State data on a remote computer.
To restore the System State data on a domain controller, you must first start your computer in Directory Services Restore Mode. This will allow you to restore the SYSVOL directory and the Active Directory.

10) What is the difference between NTFS and FAT file system?
Ans: FAT (file allocation table): FAT16 & 32
NTFS (new technology file system): has an additional feature such as Security & File compression (not both at same time)
You can convert a partition from FAT to NTFS but not vice versa. To do so, open an MS-DOS Prompt window and type the following command:
CONVERT drive: /FS: NTFS
For example, if you want to convert your D drive to NTFS, you'd replace the word drive with the letter D, as follows:
CONVERT D: /FS: NTFS
11) What is a logical Partition and Physical Partition in Active Directory?
Ans: refer AD document.

12) How do you install Active Directory?
Ans: in command prompt: use the command DCPromo FOR INSTALL / UNINSTALL. If it is installed the command would uninstall it or if it is not installed it will install it.

13) Can Active Directory be uninstalled? if yes how? if no why?
Ans: Yes it can be uninstalled. Go to RUN Tab, then run command DCPROMO to uninstall the AD

14) What is DNS?
Ans: Domain naming system is responsible for resolving names to IP address.

15) What is router frequency, NAT, how it works, what router does, which protocol it uses?
Ans: 2.4GHZ. Network address translation (NAT) separates external network or internet from internal network/intranet. Router operates on network layer.

16) OSI model & protocols in each layer?
Ans: The OSI model describes a fixed, seven layer stack for networking protocols.
APPLICATION: HTTP, SMTP, SNMP, FTP, Telnet, ECHO, SIP, SSH, NFS, RTSP, XMPP, Whois, ENRP
PRESENTATION: XDR, ASN.1, SMB, AFP, NCP.
SESSION: ASAP, TLS, SSL, ISO 8327 / CCITT X.225, RPC, NetBIOS, ASP. Establishing & managing sessions.
TRANSPORT: TCP, UDP, RTP, SCTP, SPX, ATP, IL. This layer is for flow control.
NETWORK: IP, ICMP, IGMP, IPX, BGP, OSPF, RIP, IGRP, EIGRP, ARP, RARP, X.25. Router works on network layer. Connecting over a network.

DATA LINK: Ethernet, Token ring, HDLC, Frame relay, ISDN, ATM, 802.11 WiFi, FDDI, PPP. Switch works on this layer.
PHYSICAL: 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, 1000BASE-T, SONET/SDH, T-carrier/E-carrier, various 802.11 physical layers. Hubs & repeaters operate on this layer.

TCP/IP model:

Application: DNS , TFTP , TLS/SSL, FTP, HTTP , IMAP , IRC , NNTP ,POP3 ,SIP ,SMTP,SNMP ,SSH ,TELNET ,ECHO ,Bit Torrent, RTP , PNRP , rlogin , ENRP, …
Routing protocols like BGP and RIP , which for a variety of reasons run over TCP and UDP respectively, may also be considered part of the application or network layer.
Transport: TCP ,UDP ,DCCP ,SCTP ,IL ,… Routing protocols like OSPF , which run over IP, may also be considered part of the transport or network layer. ICMP and IGMP run over IP may be considered part of the network layer.
Network: IP , ARP and RARP operate underneath IP but above the link layer so they belong somewhere in between.
Link: Ethernet , Wi-Fi , Token ring , PPP, SLIP , FDDI , ATM , Frame Relay, SMDS , …

17) What is ping?
Ans: Packet internet gropher & it uses ICMP protocol. It is used to check connectivity to an IP or PC name. Try ping command on your PC & check for replies.

18) What r the boot options for a PC. List them & which option do we use & when?
Ans: When PC reboots press F8 so you reach the boot options.
a) Safe Mode: This starts Windows using only basic drivers and no network connection. Safe Mode allows a Windows PC to start using default settings (VGA display driver, Microsoft mouse, no network connection, minimal device drivers) so that you can perform a system repair. These options often allow you to repair your Windows configuration without performing a complete re-installation of the system software. For example, if you have installed an application that subsequently prevents Windows from starting, you should be able to start in Safe Mode so that you can remove the offending application.
b) Safe Mode with Networking: This is useful if you need to connect to CFS to install new drivers from the shared copy of installation files.
c) Safe Mode with Command Prompt: This startup option does not start the Windows GUI. However VGA drivers are installed so the option is very similar to basic Safe Mode.
d) Enable Boot Logging: This starts Windows whilst logging all devices and services that are loaded in a file, NTBTLOG.TXT, in the Windows directory. A log is always created by the preceding three Safe Mode options.
e) Enable VGA Mode: This option specifically addresses the problems which occur when a video driver prevents Windows from starting.
f) Last Known Good Configuration: If Windows fails to start successfully, try the option Last Known Good Configuration before all others including Safe Mode. This starts Windows using the registry information it saved at the last successful shutdown and it can correct basic configuration problems. It does not solve problems caused by incorrect or missing files.
g) Directory Services Restore Mode: For Windows 2000 and 2003 servers only.
h) Debugging Mode: Diagnostic tool for experienced managers.
i) Disable automatic restart on system failure: Windows XP only: If Windows experiences a critical error on startup; a blue screen error (BSOD) message may be displayed before the system restarts. This option allows you to disable the automatic restart so that the error message can be read.

19) What is LAN?
Ans: Local area connection.

20) Mother board components?
Ans: Central Processing Unit (CPU), underlying circuitry, expansion/PCI slots, video components, random access memory (RAM) slots, and a variety of other chips.

21) What is firewall, How to change settings for windows firewall, 3rd party firewalls?
Ans: A system designed to prevent unauthorized access to or from a private network. Firewalls can be implemented in both hardware and software, or a combination of both. Firewalls are frequently used to prevent unauthorized Internet users from accessing private networks connected to the Internet, especially intranets. All messages entering or leaving the intranet pass through the firewall, which examines each message and blocks those that do not meet the specified security criteria.
If you right click on local area connection icon you will get the option to change windows firewall settings. You can also start or stop the service from services menu by typing services.msc in run window & then selecting the service.
3rd party firewalls are Norton or Symantec, McAfee, AVG, etc.

22) Proxy server?
Ans: Proxy server: Intercepts all messages entering and leaving the network. The proxy server effectively hides the true network addresses.
A server that sits between a client application, such as a Web browser, and a real server. It intercepts all requests to the real server to see if it can fulfill the requests itself. If not, it forwards the request to the real server.

23) Enabling file & printer sharing?
1. Ans: Run the Network Setup wizard.
2. Click the connection method that applies for your computer.
3. Accept the default computer description and computer name.
4. Accept the default workgroup name. This name should match the workgroup name of the other computers that you want to share files with.

24) Where do you find administrative tools?
Ans: Start à Programs à administrative tools

26) Boot sequence of PC?
Ans: For System Boot Sequence go through this:

The system BIOS is what starts the computer running when you turn it on. The following are the steps that a typical boot sequence involves. Of course this will vary by the manufacturer of your hardware, BIOS, etc., and especially by what peripherals you have in the PC. Here is what generally happens when you turn on your system power:
1. The internal power supply turns on and initializes. The power supply takes some time until it can generate reliable power for the rest of the computer, and having it turn on prematurely could potentially lead to damage. Therefore, the chipset will generate a reset signal to the processor (the same as if you held the reset button down for a while on your case) until it receives the Power Good signal from the power supply.
2. When the reset button is released, the processor will be ready to start executing. When the processor first starts up, it is suffering from amnesia; there is nothing at all in the memory to execute. Of course processor makers know this will happen, so they pre-program the processor to always look at the same place in the system BIOS ROM for the start of the BIOS boot program. This is normally location FFFF0h, right at the end of the system memory. They put it there so that the size of the ROM can be changed without creating compatibility problems. Since there are only 16 bytes left from there to the end of conventional memory, this location just contains a "jump" instruction telling the processor where to go to find the real BIOS startup program.
3. The BIOS performs the power-on self test (POST). If there are any fatal errors, the boot process stops. POST beep codes can be found in this area of the Troubleshooting Expert.
4. The BIOS looks for the video card. In particular, it looks for the video card's built in BIOS program and runs it. This BIOS is normally found at location C000h in memory. The system BIOS executes the video card BIOS, which initializes the video card. Most modern cards will display information on the screen about the video card. (This is why on a modern PC you usually see something on the screen about the video card before you see the messages from the system BIOS itself).
5. The BIOS then looks for other devices' ROMs to see if any of them have BIOSes. Normally, the IDE/ATA hard disk BIOS will be found at C8000h and executed. If any other devices BIOSes are found, they are executed as well.
6. The BIOS displays its startup screen.
7. The BIOS does more tests on the system, including the memory count-up test which you see on the screen. The BIOS will generally display a text error message on the screen if it encounters an error at this point; these error messages and their explanations can be found in this part of the Troubleshooting Expert.
8. The BIOS performs a "system inventory" of sorts, doing more tests to determine what sort of hardware is in the system. Modern BIOSes have many automatic settings and will determine memory timing (for example) based on what kind of memory it finds. Many BIOSes can also dynamically set hard drive parameters and access modes, and will determine these at roughly this time. Some will display a message on the screen for each drive they detect and configure this way. The BIOS will also now search for and label logical devices (COM and LPT ports).
9. If the BIOS support the Plug and Play standard, it will detect and configure Plug and Play devices at this time and display a message on the screen for each one it finds. See here for more details on how PnP detects devices and assigns resources.
10. The BIOS will display a summary screen about your system's configuration. Checking this page of data can be helpful in diagnosing setup problems, although it can be hard to see because sometimes it flashes on the screen very quickly before scrolling off the top.
11. The BIOS begins the search for a drive to boot from. Most modern BIOSes contain a setting that controls if the system should first try to boot from the floppy disk (A:) or first try the hard disk (C:). Some BIOSes will even let you boot from your CD-ROM drive or other devices, depending on the boot sequence BIOS setting.
12. Having identified its target boot drive, the BIOS looks for boot information to start the operating system boot process. If it is searching a hard disk, it looks for a master boot record at cylinder 0, head 0, sector 1 (the first sector on the disk); if it is searching a floppy disk, it looks at the same address on the floppy disk for a volume boot sector.
13. If it finds what it is looking for, the BIOS starts the process of booting the operating system, using the information in the boot sector. At this point, the code in the boot sector takes over from the BIOS. The DOS boot process is described in detail here. If the first device that the system tries (floppy, hard disk, etc.) is not found, the BIOS will then try the next device in the boot sequence, and continue until it finds a bootable device.
14. If no boot device at all can be found, the system will normally display an error message and then freeze up the system. What the error message is depends entirely on the BIOS, and can be anything from the rather clear "No boot device available" to the very cryptic "NO ROM BASIC - SYSTEM HALTED". This will also happen if you have a bootable hard disk partition but forget to set it active.

This process is called a "cold boot" (since the machine was off, or cold, when it started). A "warm boot" is the same thing except it occurs when the machine is rebooted using {Ctrl}+{Alt}+{Delete} or similar. In this case the POST is skipped and the boot process continues roughly at step 8 above.


27) MBR (master boot record)?

28) Other general OS based questions as what options u have in manage (right click my comp à manage), which logs u have in event viewer, etc..?
Ans: Once you reach there you will find System tools (here we have Event viewer, shared folders, local users & groups, Performance logs & alerts, device manager), Storage (here we have a option for disk management which tells you the file system for each drive), Services & applications.

Event viewer has system, application & security logs. Any errors or success are logged in respective logs. Are helpful in troubleshooting. For e.g. if a print job fails you would have event ID 9 in system log indicating print job failure.

HR QUESTIONS
50 COMMON INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

[Don’t forget to have a look at free bonus at the end of this document.]

Review these typical interview questions and think about how you would answer them. Read the questions listed; you will also find some strategy suggestions with it.

1. Tell me about yourself:
The most often asked question in interviews. You need to have a short statement prepared in your mind. Be careful that it does not sound rehearsed. Limit it to work-related items unless instructed otherwise. Talk about things you have done and jobs you have held that relate to the position you are interviewing for. Start with the item farthest back and work up to the present.

2. Why did you leave your last job?
Stay positive regardless of the circumstances. Never refer to a major problem with
management and never speak ill of supervisors, co-workers or the organization. If you do, you will be the one looking bad. Keep smiling and talk about leaving for a positive reason such as an opportunity, a chance to do something special or other forward-looking reasons.

3. What experience do you have in this field?
Speak about specifics that relate to the position you are applying for. If you do not have specific experience, get as close as you can.

4. Do you consider yourself successful?
You should always answer yes and briefly explain why. A good explanation is that you have set goals, and you have met some and are on track to achieve the others.

5. What do co-workers say about you?
Be prepared with a quote or two from co-workers. Either a specific statement or a
paraphrase will work. Jill Clark, a co-worker at Smith Company, always said I was the
hardest workers she had ever known. It is as powerful as Jill having said it at the interview herself.

6. What do you know about this organization?
This question is one reason to do some research on the organization before the interview. Find out where they have been and where they are going. What are the current issues and who are the major players?

7. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
Try to include improvement activities that relate to the job. A wide variety of activities can be mentioned as positive self-improvement. Have some good ones handy to mention.

8. Are you applying for other jobs?
Be honest but do not spend a lot of time in this area. Keep the focus on this job and what you can do for this organization. Anything else is a distraction.

9. Why do you want to work for this organization?
This may take some thought and certainly, should be based on the research you have done on the organization. Sincerity is extremely important here and will easily be sensed. Relate it to your long-term career goals.

10. Do you know anyone who works for us?
Be aware of the policy on relatives working for the organization. This can affect your answer even though they asked about friends not relatives. Be careful to mention a friend only if they are well thought of.

11. What kind of salary do you need?
A loaded question. A nasty little game that you will probably lose if you answer first. So, do not answer it. Instead, say something like, That's a tough question. Can you tell me the range for this position? In most cases, the interviewer, taken off guard, will tell you. If not, say that it can depend on the details of the job. Then give a wide range.

12. Are you a team player?
You are, of course, a team player. Be sure to have examples ready. Specifics that show you often perform for the good of the team rather than for yourself are good evidence of your team attitude. Do not brag, just say it in a matter-of-fact tone. This is a key point.

13. How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
Specifics here are not good. Something like this should work: I'd like it to be a long time. Or As long as we both feel I'm doing a good job.

14. Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
This is serious. Do not make light of it or in any way seem like you like to fire people. At the same time, you will do it when it is the right thing to do. When it comes to the organization versus the individual who has created a harmful situation, you will protect the organization.
Remember firing is not the same as layoff or reduction in force.

15. What is your philosophy towards work?
The interviewer is not looking for a long or flowery dissertation here. Do you have strong feelings that the job gets done? Yes. That's the type of answer that works best here. Short and positive, showing a benefit to the organization.

16. If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
Answer yes if you would. But since you need to work, this is the type of work you prefer. Do not say yes if you do not mean it.

17. Have you ever been asked to leave a position?
If you have not, say no. If you have, be honest, brief and avoid saying negative things about the people or organization involved.

18. Explain how you would be an asset to this organization
You should be anxious for this question. It gives you a chance to highlight your best points as they relate to the position being discussed. Give a little advance thought to this relationship.

19. Why should we hire you?
Point out how your assets meet what the organization needs. Do not mention any other
candidates to make a comparison.

20. Tell me about a suggestion you have made
Have a good one ready. Be sure and use a suggestion that was accepted and was then
considered successful. One related to the type of work applied for is a real plus.

21. What irritates you about co-workers?
This is a trap question. Think real hard but fail to come up with anything that irritates you.
A short statement that you seem to get along with folks is great.

22. What is your greatest strength?
Numerous answers are good, just stay positive. A few good examples:
Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure, Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your
positive attitude .

23. Tell me about your dream job.
Stay away from a specific job. You cannot win. If you say the job you are contending for is it, you strain credibility. If you say another job is it, you plant the suspicion that you will be dissatisfied with this position if hired. The best is to stay genetic and say something like: A job where I love the work, like the people, can contribute and can't wait to get to work.

24. Why do you think you would do well at this job?
Give several reasons and include skills, experience and interest.

25. What are you looking for in a job?
See answer # 23

26. What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
Do not be trivial. It would take disloyalty to the organization, violence or lawbreaking to get you to object. Minor objections will label you as a whiner.

27. What is more important to you: the money or the work?
Money is always important, but the work is the most important. There is no better answer.

28. What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
There are numerous good possibilities:
Loyalty, Energy, Positive attitude, Leadership, Team player, Expertise, Initiative, Patience, Hard work, Creativity, Problem solver

29. Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor
Biggest trap of all. This is a test to see if you will speak ill of your boss. If you fall for it and
tell about a problem with a former boss, you may well below the interview right there. Stay positive and develop a poor memory about any trouble with a supervisor.

30. What has disappointed you about a job?
Don't get trivial or negative. Safe areas are few but can include:
Not enough of a challenge. You were laid off in a reduction Company did not win a contract, which would have given you more responsibility.

31. Tell me about your ability to work under pressure.
You may say that you thrive under certain types of pressure. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for.

32. Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
Probably this one. Do not give fuel to the suspicion that you may want another job more than this one.

33. What motivates you to do your best on the job?
This is a personal trait that only you can say, but good examples are:
Challenge, Achievement, Recognition

34. Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
This is up to you. Be totally honest.

35. How would you know you were successful on this job?
Several ways are good measures:
You set high standards for yourself and meet them. Your outcomes are a success.Your boss tell you that you are successful

36. Would you be willing to relocate if required?
You should be clear on this with your family prior to the interview if you think there is a chance it may come up. Do not say yes just to get the job if the real answer is no. This can create a lot of problems later on in your career. Be honest at this point and save yourself future grief.

37. Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
This is a straight loyalty and dedication question. Do not worry about the deep ethical and philosophical implications. Just say yes.

38. Describe your management style.
Try to avoid labels. Some of the more common labels, like progressive, salesman or
consensus, can have several meanings or descriptions depending on which management
expert you listen to. The situational style is safe, because it says you will manage according to the situation, instead of one size fits all.

39. What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
Here you have to come up with something or you strain credibility. Make it small, well intentioned mistake with a positive lesson learned. An example would be working too far ahead of colleagues on a project and thus throwing coordination off.

40. Do you have any blind spots?
Trick question. If you know about blind spots, they are no longer blind spots. Do not reveal any personal areas of concern here. Let them do their own discovery on your bad points. Do not hand it to them.

41. If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
Be careful to mention traits that are needed and that you have.

42. Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
Regardless of your qualifications, state that you are very well qualified for the position.

43. How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
First, if you have experience that the interviewer does not know about, bring that up: Then, point out (if true) that you are a hard working quick learner.

44. What qualities do you look for in a boss?
Be generic and positive. Safe qualities are knowledgeable, a sense of humor, fair, loyal to subordinates and holder of high standards. All bosses think they have these traits.

45. Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
Pick a specific incident. Concentrate on your problem solving technique and not the dispute you settled.

46. What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
Be honest. If you are comfortable in different roles, point that out.

47. Describe your work ethic.
Emphasize benefits to the organization. Things like, determination to get the job done and work hard but enjoy your work are good.

48. What has been your biggest professional disappointment?
Be sure that you refer to something that was beyond your control. Show acceptance and no negative feelings.

49. Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
Talk about having fun by accomplishing something for the organization.

50. Do you have any questions for me?
Always have some questions prepared. Questions prepared where you will be an asset to the organization are good. How soon will I be able to be productive? and What type of projects will I be able to assist on? are examples.


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