The mechanical engineer's PC shutting off during resource-intensive tasks like rendering could be caused by overheating or hardware issues. The two most logical steps to diagnose the problem are:
* B. Check if the computer is overheating: Rendering is a CPU- and GPU-intensive task that generates heat. Overheating could cause the system to shut down as a protective measure. Checking the system's temperature can help identify if this is the cause.
* A. Listen for POST beeps when turning on the PC: POST (Power-On Self-Test) beeps can indicate hardware issues, such as with the motherboard, CPU, or GPU. Listening for beeps can help identify potential problems with these components.
Why the other options are incorrect:
* C. Run chkdsk: This tool is used for checking disk integrity, but the symptoms don't suggest a hard drive issue.
* D. Reinstall the operating system: Reinstalling the OS is a time-consuming step and not typically necessary for hardware-related shutdowns.
* E. Check if the graphics card is compatible with the motherboard: If the PC has been working for three years, the GPU is already compatible with the motherboard.
* F. Replace the HDD: There's no indication that the hard drive is causing the issue, as the problem occurs during rendering, which is more GPU/CPU-intensive.
This topic falls under the Hardware Troubleshooting domain in the CompTIA A+ Core 1 exam.