Question

you are an it technician tasked with resolving a recurring issue where a users computer frequently locks up and reboots unexpectedly. after confirming that software issues are not the cause, you suspect a hardware problem. the user reports that the issue often occurs after the computer has been running for a few hours. based on this scenario, what is the most appropriate action to apply next? replace the computers ram modules with new ones to see if the problem resolves. check the cpu fan and heat sink to ensure they are functioning properly and not causing overheating. run a full antivirus scan to double - check for any missed malware. update the computers bios to the latest version available from the manufacturer.

Explanation:

Since software issues are ruled out and the problem occurs after running for a few hours, over - heating is a likely cause. The CPU fan and heat sink are crucial for cooling the CPU. If they malfunction, over - heating can lead to system lock - ups and reboots. Checking them is the most logical next step compared to other options like replacing RAM (no indication of RAM issues), running an antivirus scan (software issues are already excluded), or updating BIOS (no reason to suspect BIOS is the problem).

Answer:

B. Check the CPU fan and heat sink to ensure they are functioning properly and not causing overheating.