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A customer complains that his old tower PC doesn't always turn on and randomly shuts off for hours. The HDD and RAM memory tests both come back with positive results. What hardware part would you check next? A. NIC B. EXT-USB C. HDD D. PS/ 2 E. PSU F. SSD
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Answer

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Step 1:
Let's solve this systematically:

Step 2:
: Analyze the Symptoms

The customer reports: - PC doesn't always turn on - Randomly shuts off for hours - HDD and RAM tests are positive (ruling out those components)

Step 3:
: Diagnostic Reasoning

When a computer has intermittent power issues and random shutdowns, the most likely culprit is the power supply unit (PSU).

Step 4:
: Component Elimination

- NIC (Network Interface Card): Affects network connectivity, not power - EXT-USB: External USB ports don't cause system-wide shutdowns - HDD: Already tested, ruled out - PS/ 2: Peripheral connection port, not related to power issues - SSD: Storage device, not causing power problems

Step 5:
: PSU Characteristics

A failing Power Supply Unit (PSU) can cause: - Inconsistent system startup - Random shutdowns - Unpredictable power delivery

Final Answer

PSU (Power Supply Unit) The PSU is the most likely component responsible for the described symptoms, as it directly manages power distribution to all system components and can cause erratic behavior when failing.