IT Support

Most common questions and answers used to hire for jobs in IT Support. We’ve compiled a list of the most common and frequently asked IT Support interview questions. If you want to ace your job interview, then checkout our IT Support Interview Questions.

Q.1 What do you understand about electricity and electronics?
Electricity refers to the energy we use for day-to-day use. It involves the generation and distribution of electrical energy to users and is produced by power plants and sent over transmission lines. Whereas Electronics is control of electricity for producing television or computer, by transistors. Transistors are now miniaturized as integrated circuits to perform specific electronic functions like generating or amplifying signals, or some control function. It is the transistors and the circuits that they comprise that make electronics.
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Q.2 Define BIOS.
BIOS stands for a basic input-output system that is present in all computers. The main aim of the BIOS is to ensure that all the components of the computer function together. However, all details related to the hardware components in the system are contained in the BIOS.
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Q.3 Name the hardware components of a desktop computer.
The hardware components for desktop and laptop computers are the motherboard, processor, RAM, monitor, mouse, soundcard, keyboard, graphics, hard disk drive, power supply, and floppy disk drive.
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Q.4 What do you understand by analog electronics?
Analog electronics refers to the electronic systems with continuously variable signals that are small changes in the input result in small changes in output. These signals invariably include noise that is, random disturbances or variations.
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Q.5 Define Multiplexer.
A multiplexer or mux can be defined as a device that selects one of several input signals and forwards the selected input into a single line. They transform multiple inputs to a single output and are used to increase the amount of data that can be sent over the network within a certain amount of time and bandwidth.
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Q.6 What do you understand about the demultiplexer?
A demultiplexer (or demux) is a device that takes a single input signal and selects one of many data-output lines, which is connected to the single input. A multiplexer is often used with a complementary demultiplexer on the receiving end. However, a demultiplexer can be considered as a single-input, multiple-output switch.
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Q.7 Explain the term Computer.
Computers refer to the machines that execute tasks or calculations according to a set of instructions, or programs. The first fully electronic computers, introduced in the 1940s, were huge machines that required teams of people to operate. However, computers work via the interaction of hardware and software. Hardware refers to the parts of a computer that you can see and touch, including the case and everything inside it. The most important piece of hardware is a tiny rectangular chip inside your computer called the central processing unit (CPU), or microprocessor.
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Q.8 Describe some characteristics of a Computer.

1. Speed - It refers to the speed of computation. It can execute a task in seconds and speed is measured in microseconds and nanoseconds.

2. Accuracy - It refers to the precision with which calculations are done. A computer maintains a high degree of accuracy provided there is no human mistake.

3. Consistency -  A computer can work for hours without a lack of concentration or emotional feelings.

4. Versatility -  A computer can perform various types of jobs like it can do scientific calculations, make drawings, etc.

5. Remembrance power -   A computer has a permanent storage device where each and every piece of information can be retained for a long period.

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Q.9 Name the various types of computers.

The computer can be classified on basis of design, usage, and size.

1. Super Computer Supercomputers are the most powerful computer, used for solving complex problems by parallel processing on many processors (100 or more).

2. Mainframe Computer They serve large number of computers (100+) for frequent information access. They are big in size and require big room for installation.

3. Mini Computer They are comparatively smaller than the mainframe and are used to serve many computers (usually less than 100).

4. Personal Computer PCs are the most popular computers in today’s world due to their small size. They are available with microprocessor chips, manufactured by Intel or AMD, and are used for various purposes like office management, education designing, etc.

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Q.10 Define the term BIT.

This is the basic unit of information. It means Binary digit (BIT) that represents either a zero (0) or One (1). The computer works on the principle of “on” or “off” of electronic pulses. 1 represents the passing of the pulse while 0 means blocking of the pulse. The bit is therefore the smallest unit of information. For example

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Q.11 Explain the terms BYTE.
This refers to the collection of 8 bits. This includes types KILOBYTE (KB), MEGABYTE (MB), and GIGABYTE (GB). Further, they are collections of data and are illustrated in the table. For example, 1 Bit = 0 or 1 1 Byte = 8 bits 1 KB = 1024 bytes 1 MB = 1024 KB 1 GB = 1024 MB
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Q.12 What do you understand about Hardware and software?
Hardware is the physical components of the computer system which can be touched or seen. For example, Monitor, keyboard, mouse, chips, wires, buses, etc. Whereas software cannot be touched or seen and are instructions or programs. It controls and manages hardware resources for optimum use. They are of two types System Software and Application Software. For example, Word Application Package, Operating Systems Software, etc.
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Q.13 Explain data and firmware.
Firmware is software substituted for hardware and stored in read-only memory. That is, ROM is used as BIOS to check the proper functioning of computer components. On the other hand, data is raw facts like numbers, characters etc. For example, the number of items sold is data, as it is a number.
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Q.14 Explain the following terms Input Unit, Output Unit, and Storage Unit.
In the Input unit, the data and instructions from the user are given. It converts human-understandable characters to binary code which is understood by computers. It consists of a keyboard, mouse, etc. In the Output Unit, the processed data is given to the user. It converts computer-given signals to human-understandable characters. It consists of a printer, monitor, etc. And, in the Storage Unit, all the data to be processed and instructions required for processing are stored. It also stores the intermediate and final results of processing before the results are released to the output device.
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Q.15 Define Computer Bus.
Computer bus refers to an electrical pathway via which the processor communicates with the internal and external devices attached to the computer. It moves data and instructions between the computer subsystems and the processor. And, also connects computer components to the main memory and CPU. Further, it is also known as the data bus, address bus, or the local bus.
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Q.16 Can you name the various types of buses.
There are different types of buses are: Firstly, Data Bus. This carries the data between the different components of the computer. Secondly, Address Bus. This chooses the route that has to be followed by the data bus to transfer the data. Thirdly, Control Bus. This decides that whether the data should be written or read from the data bus. Lastly, Expansion Bus. This is used for connecting the computer’s peripheral devices such as a printer, modem, and scanner with the processor.
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Q.17 How can you tell a USB 2.0 cable from other USB cables
You can see the metallic shield through the sheath.
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Q.18 Define OCR, OMR, and MICR.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is used for translating the image into text that we can edit. Optical Mark Reader (OMR) is a scanner that is capable of recognizing a pre-specified type of mark made by pencil or pen. They are used in the evaluation of answer sheets of objective tests. Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is used in the banking industry to processing cheques. Cheques have bank identification code and cheque numbers in a special ink that is read by MICR devices.
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Q.19 Your computer’s sound card is not working. You check your speakers, and they work fine. In Device Manager, what would tell you that the device’s driver is not functioning properly
There is a yellow circle and an exclamation point on the device.
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Q.20 Define RAM (Random Access Memory).
RAM provides random selection and usage of the memory location to store and retrieve data. It is also known as a read/write memory because information can be read and can also be written into it. It is volatile memory as it gets erased when the computer is switched off. Whenever new data is stored, the previous data is erased and new data takes place. It is present in 256/512/1024 MB size.
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Q.21 You are at a command prompt. A file called WORD1.DOC has been hidden by another user, and you want to unhide it. Which command should you use to accomplish this?
ATTRIB -U WORD1.DOC
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Q.22 What do you understand about ROM (Read Only Memory)?
A read-only memory (ROM) is one in which information is permanently stored. The information from the memory can only be read and it is not possible to write into it. It is non-volatile. That is to say, when the power supply is switched off, the contents on ROM do not get erased, and they are permanent and are written only by the manufacturer. The programs, which are always required for running the machine, are stored in ROM like the BIOS (Basic Input & Output System) which checks the hardware when the computer is powered and in case of a problem, it stops booting of the computer and audio beeps are given.
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Q.23 When attaching a ribbon cable to a drive, if there is no marking for pin 1, which way should you orient the red stripe
Closest to the power supply connector
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Q.24 What is a troubleshooting principle?
The troubleshooting principle is a state for checking the simple things first and then, eliminates doubts about devices to reach the correct conclusion.
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Q.25 You install a new UltraATA/100 hard disk in an old PC, connecting it directly to the primary IDE on the motherboard. You use the 80-wire ribbon cable that came with it. Performance testing indicates that the new drive is not performing up to UltraATA/100 standards. What could you try next
Add an ATA/100-compatible expansion board and connect the drive to it.
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Q.26 Define Chassis.
This refers to the box or outer shell that houses the circuit boards and other electronics (usually excluding the display, keyboard, and mouse). It protects the system components from damage and electromagnetic interference, directing cooling airflow, and allowing installation of and access to the system components. Further, it is designed as per the shape of the motherboard and has a matching power supply.
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Q.27 Define USB
USB is the fastest and most modern interface used as an expansion method for external peripherals like mice, web cams, scanners, printers, and so on and is popular on laptops and desktops alike.
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Q.28 Name the Chassis Components.
The components include: 1. Drive bays They are slots, usually in the front, for disk drives mainly for removable media drives such as optical, floppy disk, and Zip drives. These have openings in the front and usually come with plastic covers in case they are not used. 2. Speakers This is present to provide basic sounds to the user for playing warning beeps and is small. 3. Keylock Older computers had key locks, few newer ones do to prevent computer booting. Previously, floppy drive locks were used earlier for preventing data access. 4. Buttons Buttons for power and reset are present to turn on or off a computer and the Reset button, simply turns the power off and on the computer. 5. I/O Shields They are metal plates surrounding the ports of the motherboard at the back of the chassis. 6. Bezel The front plastic faceplate of chassis on which drive bays, LED and buttons are mounted
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Q.29 What is Throttling?
The process by which the processor slows down to conserve power is called Throttling.
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Q.30 What do you understand about SMPS?
SMPS stands for a switched-mode power supply (switcher). This is an electronic power supply unit that has a switching regulator to efficiently provide a regulated output voltage, typically at a level different from the input voltage. It can be used for: Firstly, stepping up or down an unregulated AC input voltage for producing a regulated DC output voltage. Secondly, for producing multiple dc outputs.
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Q.31 What is the quickest solution to fixing a corrupt NTOSKRNL.EXE file?
Boot from a startup disk and replace the file from the setup disks or CD-ROM.
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Q.32 Define the term ports.
Ports are physical connectors and with their software conduct signals in and out of PC. Ports are usually created into the motherboard or are on expansion cards. Secondly, they serve as an interface between the computer and other computers or peripheral devices. Thirdly, they are an outlet to which a plug or cable connects. However, the I/O shield is a metal plate installed in the chassis to provide holes for I/O ports and is specific for form factor and position of ports. Lastly, ports may need driver software to install which is present on CD with the motherboard for proper working. They include specifications of cabling, connector type, speed, and method of communication used. Further, the most common interfaces used in PCs today include Parallel, Serial, USB, IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Infrared, RCA, and PS/2
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Q.33 Define a network.
A network refers to any collection of independent computers that communicate with one another over a shared network medium. A computer network is a collection of two or more connected computers. When these computers are joined in a network, people can share files and peripherals such as modems, printers, tape backup drives, or CD-ROM drives. When networks at multiple locations are connected using services available from phone companies, people can send e-mail, share links to the global Internet, or conduct video conferences in real-time with other remote users. When a network becomes open-sourced it can be managed properly with online collaboration software.
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Q.34 Explain the various types of networks.

There are several network types which are:

1. Local area network (LAN) It is a group of computers in a small geographic area, for example in one room, a house, or in one building.

2. Wide area network (WAN) It is usually two or more LANs connected together. This covers a larger geographic area and requires the services of a telecommunications provider or ISP.

3. Workgroup It is a logical grouping of computers or peer-to-peer that is a small group of computers, often ten or less, to share the same network name.

4. Domain It is a logical grouping of computers. In it one or more computers have control of the network so, centralized administration.

5. Virtual private network (VPN) They were developed so that persons on move can connect to the office network from a remote location and appear as if use is at the LAN in the office.

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Q.35 What is a Command?
Commands are given in CUI and Windows XP being a GUI operating system does support MS-DOS command interface also called a command line or CUI of MS-DOS. Command-line utilities help to manage a computer in an efficient and effective manner. Command-line is started by executing ‘CMD’ in the run option of start menu which is a 32-bit command processor or command line is started by 16-bit command.com. After running the ‘cmd’ command, the command processor or also called as command interpreter starts.
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Q.36 Name the components of the CPU.

CPUs are classified as per features present in them. This includes

1. System Bus System bus speeds CPU supports. Current Intel processors support 1600, 1333, and 1066, and AMD CPU support 1800 and 1000 MHz system bus.

2. Core Frequency It is measured in gigahertz, like

3.2 GHz and older CPUs were in MHz. 3. Socket Type CPUs are mounted in different CPU sockets on the motherboard and the chipset present. Newer Intel CPU supports LGA771, LGA775, and 478 sockets while AMD’s support AM3, 754, and 940 sockets.

4. Number of Cores It refers to multiple processors installed in the same CPU package and as per the number of cores or processors in a CPU they are called dual-core(two cores), triple-core (three cores), quad-core (four cores), or Hexa (six cores).

5. Multiprocessing Support It refers to two or more CPUs installed on the same motherboard in different sockets like Intel’s Xeon

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Q.37 Define a Network Interface Card (NIC).
NIC connects a PC to a network for communicating with other computers on that network by translating the parallel data of the PC into the serial data required by transmitting the medium of the network. It comes in different connectors for different expansion buses on the motherboard (PCI, ISA) and as per the connector of the network (such as RJ-45 for UTP or BNC for coax). Software driver is needed to be installed on PC to use the network. Currently, NIC is integrated into motherboards so, no NIC card is needed. Servers have more than one NIC for load balancing or fault-tolerance applications.
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Q.38 Define PCI and AGP slots.
PCI stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) that is widely present on motherboards. They are short (3 inches long) and white. They are 32 or 64-bit wide and have 133 MBps or 533MBps capacity. Whereas, AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) slots that are used mainly for video card use, for a high-speed, accelerated 3D graphics video as AGP gives a direct connection between the video circuitry and the PC’s memory by being 32-bit wide and have above 2000MBps capacity. They are brown and are located usually next to the PCI slots on the motherboard but shorter than the PCI slots. They were phased out in favor of PCIe.
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Q.39 What is the primary role of an IT Support professional?
The primary task of an IT support professional is to assist the customers who have technical queries and thereby solve them. IT Support specialist also referred as technical support where businesses offer help to their customers in the form of computer services or IT services. The primary responsibility of an IT support professional is to reside frontline and solve technical issues of employees or may be customers.
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Q.40 What are Hard-Disk Partitions?
Hard disk partitions divide the hard disk drive into smaller segments to enable better space management. Each partition on the disk can then be considered as a separate disk allowing different file systems to be used on each.
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Q.41 What is your experience in technical support field?
If you are having any experience in the field of tech support then it is suggested to mention your experience and knowledge to become an ideal candidate for the job profile. You are suggested to speak about your experiences and opinions in a professional and positive manner. Also you must speak about your previous job and the technical aspects that you have handled there.
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Q.42 What are the hardware components of desktop computer/laptop?
This is one of the technical questions asked in the interview to test your basic knowledge of computers. The hardware components of desktop or laptop and laptop computers are motherboard, processor, RAM, monitor, mouse, soundcard, keyboard, graphics, hard disk drive, power supply, and floppy disk drive.
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Q.43 What should you do when audio is not working on the computer?
This is a technical question asked to check your knowledge about basic cable connections. At first the connections that lead from speakers to power must be checked. Also the device drivers should be checked out and also the volume control must be checked to fix the issue.
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Q.44 How can you tell a USB 2.0 cable from other USB cables?
You can see the metallic shield through the sheath.
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Q.45 Your computer’s sound card is not working. You check your speakers, and they work fine. In Device Manager, what would tell you that the device’s driver is not functioning properly?
There is a yellow circle and an exclamation point on the device.
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Q.46 What are the lights on a Modem/LAN Card and what do they indicate?
The lights in the modem indicate -
  • Power light - indicates if the power is on
  • Link light - indicates if the modem is receiving broadband or internet signals from the ISP
  • Data light - indicates if the internet is working
  • Connectivity light - indicates if the modem is connected to a computer
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Q.47 When attaching a ribbon cable to a drive, if there is no marking for pin 1, which way should you orient the red stripe
Closest to the power supply connector
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Q.48 You install a new UltraATA/100 hard disk in an old PC, connecting it directly to the primary IDE on the motherboard. You use the 80-wire ribbon cable that came with it. Performance testing indicates that the new drive is not performing up to UltraATA/100 standards. What could you try next
Add an ATA/100-compatible expansion board and connect the drive to it.
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Q.49 Define USB
USB is the fastest and most modern interface used as an expansion method for external peripherals like mice, web cams, scanners, printers, and so on and is popular on laptops and desktops alike.
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Q.50 What is Throttling?
The process by which the processor slows down to conserve power is called Throttling.
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Q.51 What is the quickest solution to fixing a corrupt NTOSKRNL.EXE file?
Boot from a startup disk and replace the file from the setup disks or CD-ROM.
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