CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005) — Question 131

A datacenter technician is attempting to troubleshoot a server that keeps crashing. The server runs normally for approximately five minutes, but then it crashes.
After restoring the server to operation, the same cycle repeats. The technician confirms none of the configurations have changed, and the load on the server is steady from power-on until the crash. Which of the following will MOST likely resolve the issue?

Answer options

• A. Reseating any expansion cards in the server
• B. Replacing the failing hard drive
• C. Reinstalling the heat sink with new thermal paste
• D. Restoring the server from the latest full backup

Correct answer: C

Explanation

The correct answer is C because overheating due to inadequate thermal paste can cause the server to crash after a brief period of operation. Options A and B do not address the symptoms of the issue, as reseating cards or replacing a hard drive would not necessarily relate to the server's operational time before crashing. Option D is not relevant since restoring from a backup would not fix an overheating problem.