CompTIA Server+ (SK0-005)TroubleshootingHard
A server administrator is troubleshooting a Windows server that occasionally experiences application crashes and system freezes. The event logs frequently show 'Event ID 41, Kernel-Power' errors, indicating an unexpected shutdown or reboot, but no specific bugcheck code is consistently reported. The server is connected to a UPS, which reports stable power delivery. What is the MOST likely hardware component causing this issue?
- AInsufficient or faulty RAM modules.
- BFaulty network interface card (NIC).
- CDegraded hard disk drive (HDD).
- DUnstable power supply unit (PSU).
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Unstable power supply unit (PSU).
Event ID 41 (Kernel-Power) without a consistent bugcheck code, combined with application crashes and system freezes, strongly points towards an issue with the server's power delivery, even if the UPS reports stable input. The server's internal Power Supply Unit (PSU) can degrade or become unstable, providing intermittent or insufficient power to components, leading to unexpected shutdowns or system instability without a clear software-related BSOD.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Faulty RAM often results in specific memory-related BSODs or application errors, but less commonly in generic Kernel-Power events without a bugcheck.
- B. NIC issues cause network problems, not general system freezes or power-related shutdowns.
- C. HDD degradation typically leads to read/write errors, data corruption, or slow performance, not unexpected power events.
Kernel-Power Event ID 41
A Windows event log entry indicating that the system rebooted without cleanly shutting down first, often due to a power loss or system instability.
- Often points to power supply issues, overheating, or faulty hardware.
- Lack of a bugcheck code suggests a sudden, ungraceful power cutoff.
- Can be triggered by CPU, motherboard, or RAM instability under load.
Memory trick: Kernel-Power 41, no bugcheck in sight? PSU's flickering, turning out the light!