TestOut LabSim A+ Certification Practice Exam

Which factor is most likely to cause a random system lockup?

1. A faulty RAM module

2. An overheated processor

3. A corrupted operating system

4. Insufficient hard drive space

The correct answer is: An overheated processor

A random system lockup can be most commonly caused by an overheated processor. When a processor exceeds its maximum allowable temperature, it can result in erratic behavior, which may manifest as system freezes or lockups. In many cases, the thermal management within the computer, such as heat sinks or fans, may become inefficient due to dust buildup or mechanical failure, causing the processor to overheat during operation. While other factors such as faulty RAM modules, a corrupted operating system, or insufficient hard drive space can also lead to system instability, they typically present symptoms that are more predictable or reproducible. For instance, faulty RAM often results in consistent crashes when specific applications are run, a corrupted operating system might lead to boot failures or frequent error messages, and insufficient hard drive space usually triggers warnings about storage limits rather than spontaneous lockups. In summary, an overheated processor is a primary factor for random lockups due to the immediate impact of thermal conditions on CPU performance and stability.