A Windows Server 2022 file server in a production cluster has been rebooting unexpectedly once or twice per day during peak I/O. The administrator reviews the logs and theorizes that a defective DIMM is causing the reboots. During the next maintenance window the vendor's extended memory diagnostics are run; all tests pass, yet the server reboots again the following afternoon under the same workload. According to the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology, which action should the administrator take next?
Begin drafting the root-cause analysis and close the incident after documenting the findings.
Escalate the incident to the hardware vendor and request immediate DIMM replacement.
Develop a new probable-cause theory based on the additional evidence and prepare to test it.
Apply the latest BIOS and chipset firmware updates, then schedule another maintenance reboot to retest.
In the CompTIA troubleshooting model, the administrator is still in the "test the theory" phase. Because the diagnostic results did not confirm the initial memory-failure theory, the correct move is to revisit the previous step and create a different theory of probable cause (for example, storage controller, firmware bug, or power issue) and test that new theory. Opening a vendor ticket or flashing firmware would be premature changes, and documenting root cause comes only after the problem has been definitively solved.
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What is the CompTIA troubleshooting methodology?
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What extended diagnostics tools can be used besides vendor-provided memory testing?