A technician is troubleshooting a desktop computer that experiences sudden thermal shutdowns during high CPU processing tasks. The technician suspects improper thermal interface material application and heatsink mounting. Place the following remediation steps in the correct chronological order from first to last.
- 1Access the UEFI/BIOS hardware monitor to observe baseline CPU idle temperatures and fan speed metrics.
- 2Shut down the computer, disconnect the AC power cord, and hold the power button to discharge flea power.
- 3Detach the CPU cooling fan assembly and clean off old thermal paste using high-percentage isopropyl alcohol.
- 4Apply a fresh pea-sized drop of thermal paste and securely latch the heatsink back onto the CPU socket.
- 5Power on the system, launch a CPU stress-testing utility, and verify that operational temperatures remain stable.
Answer
The correct troubleshooting sequence begins with gathering baseline temperature metrics in UEFI/BIOS, discharging flea power after removing power cables, detaching and cleaning the CPU/heatsink surfaces, applying new thermal paste and securing the cooler, and finally stress testing the system to verify thermal stability.
CompTIA hardware troubleshooting methodology requires establishing baseline symptoms first (UEFI hardware monitoring), ensuring safety by cutting power and draining flea power second, performing physical surface preparation and reinstallation third, and finally verifying repair integrity under load.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
CPU Thermal Management and Safe Component Replacement Procedures
Estimated Time:1m 30s