This episode introduces the invisible issues that often plague network performance—factors like wireless interference, signal jitter, and high latency. We begin by explaining electromagnetic interference and how nearby devices, dense walls, or overlapping channels can affect Wi-Fi performance. Then we cover jitter—variability in packet arrival times—which affects voice and video applications most.

We conclude with a discussion of latency, what causes it, and how to measure or reduce it using tools like ping and traceroute. These symptoms often appear in performance-based scenarios where users complain of “slow internet” or “video call issues,” and understanding the terminology is crucial for identifying root causes. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode focuses specifically on hardware components inside laser and inkjet printers and how their failure manifests in print quality issues or mechanical malfunctions. We start with paper feed rollers—how they degrade over time and how to recognize signs like double feeds or jams. Then we cover the fuser unit, which melts toner to the page, and explain symptoms like smudged prints or toner that flakes off.

Next, we explore the transfer belt and transfer roller, key parts of the image formation process in color laser printers. These components have lifespans and wear indicators, and understanding their role helps you diagnose unusual print artifacts. Exam questions may describe symptoms and ask what part should be replaced or inspected, and this episode will give you the clarity to choose correctly. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Printers might not seem exciting, but they’re a vital part of many IT environments—and they cause plenty of headaches. This episode explores the most common symptoms: paper jams caused by worn rollers, ghosting due to bad fusers, and garbled output often linked to driver mismatches or damaged print queues. We help you learn to decode what each symptom typically indicates about the underlying issue.

You’ll also learn how to ask the right diagnostic questions when users report vague problems like “the printer won’t print” or “the page looks weird.” These scenarios are extremely common on the A Plus exam, and knowing what symptom maps to which failure can help you eliminate wrong answers quickly. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Connectivity issues are common on mobile devices, and this episode addresses some of the most testable areas. We begin with Bluetooth pairing failures, connection drops, and interference issues, walking through how to resolve them through settings resets or re-pairing. Then we discuss charging problems, such as slow charging, no charging, or battery not detected—often related to worn cables, dirty ports, or faulty power adapters.

Lastly, we examine problems with data transfer and external accessories connected via USB C, Lightning, or proprietary ports. The A Plus exam may present vague complaints about mobile devices not syncing or charging, and this episode gives you the tools to quickly determine the most likely cause. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Mobile devices introduce their own unique set of problems, particularly with power and display components. In this episode, we begin by examining battery-related issues—such as devices that won’t charge, lose power quickly, or show inconsistent battery level readings. We explain the role of calibration, battery health monitoring, and common signs of battery degradation.

We also cover overheating in mobile devices, which can trigger performance throttling or even automatic shutdowns. Finally, we explore display issues unique to smartphones and tablets, including unresponsive touchscreens, color shifts, and ghost touches. These problems often appear in exam scenarios involving user complaints or field repairs, and knowing how to interpret these symptoms is key. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode focuses specifically on projectors and external monitors—devices that can introduce a new layer of complexity during troubleshooting. We explain common failure symptoms such as no signal, dim output, incorrect resolution, or color distortion, and how to systematically test video sources, cables, and display settings. You’ll also hear about keystone adjustments, lamp replacement, and how environmental factors like ambient light can affect image quality.

We cover display mode issues such as “mirror” versus “extend,” and how hotkey combinations on laptops can toggle between outputs. Many A Plus exam questions center around situations where a user can’t get their display working on a second monitor or projector, so this episode gives you a clear mental checklist to approach those problems. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Display issues can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating, and this episode helps you diagnose the most common ones. We begin with screen burn-in and image retention, explaining how older panel technologies can leave ghosted images and what can be done to minimize or reverse them. Next, we cover dead and stuck pixels, their visual symptoms, and whether they’re considered a defect by manufacturers.

Input mismatch is another frequent concern—especially when resolution settings, refresh rates, or cable types don't align with the display's capabilities. Whether it’s a blank screen, flicker, or fuzzy image, we explain how to isolate the cause and resolve it. These are frequent exam scenarios, often presented with vague user complaints and requiring a methodical response. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

RAID systems are designed to provide performance and redundancy, but when they fail, they introduce complexity. This episode focuses on how to troubleshoot issues within various RAID configurations, such as identifying a degraded array in RAID 5 or dealing with a rebuild failure in RAID 10. We walk through the typical symptoms, such as missing volumes, excessive rebuild times, or inconsistent parity calculations.

We also explain the importance of knowing your array’s health before initiating a rebuild and why choosing the wrong drive order can compromise data integrity. The A Plus exam may test your understanding of what happens when specific drives fail in different configurations, so we provide real-world examples to help you visualize cause-and-effect relationships. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Drive-related issues are among the most frequent problems encountered in IT support, and this episode helps you identify, diagnose, and resolve them. We begin by explaining boot-related errors, such as “no boot device found” or “inaccessible boot volume,” and explore how BIOS misconfigurations, corrupted boot sectors, or failed drives contribute to these problems. We also dive into system lockups and file access errors, both common signs of failing drives.

We then examine SMART technology—Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology—and how to interpret common attributes such as reallocated sectors, spin-up time, and read error rates. The episode concludes with recovery best practices and tips for preparing users for possible data loss. These topics are especially important for the A Plus exam, where troubleshooting storage issues frequently appears in multiple-choice and scenario-based formats. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

The power supply unit—or PSU—is a foundational component, and this episode explains how its failure can lead to a wide range of confusing symptoms. We begin with the most obvious issue: a system that won’t power on. You’ll learn how to check for power delivery at the outlet, wall cord, and mainboard connectors, and when to use multimeters or PSU testers.

We also cover reboot loops caused by unstable voltage, audible whining or buzzing from damaged capacitors, and the risks of using low-quality power supplies in high-performance systems. CompTIA frequently includes questions about power supply sizing, rail voltage, and connector types, and this episode prepares you to answer all of them. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.