According to the CompTIA A+ troubleshooting methodology, the steps to troubleshoot any problem are:
Identify the problem and act
Establish a theory of probable cause
Test the theory to determine the cause
Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution Verify system functionality and implement preventive measures Document key findings, actions, and outcomes In this scenario, the technician has already identified the problem (trouble accessing files on the network) and established a theory of probable cause (a failed NIC). The next step is to test the theory to determine the cause, which involves verifying whether the NIC is working properly or not.