An administrator has encountered a problem with a particular piece of software installed on the server and begins the troubleshooting process. Which of the following is the FIRST place the administrator should look for specific information about the problem?

The best first step for the administrator encountering a problem with software installed on the server is to examine the server's event logs. Event logs provide a detailed account of system events, errors, and warnings that occur within the operating system and applications. They can help pinpoint the time of the incident, specific error messages, and other contextual information that may reveal the nature of the problem.

By reviewing the event logs, the administrator may identify recurring issues or specific error codes related to the software in question, making it easier to diagnose and resolve the issue. This immediate access to logs containing relevant operational data is often more beneficial than looking at external sources, which may provide generic information about the software or troubleshooting steps but lack the context of the server's current state.

The other options may contain useful information to aid in troubleshooting, but they are not as directly relevant or immediate as the insights provided by the server’s event logs. Supporting documentation and vendor websites may require additional time to search through, and while the Internet can provide a wealth of troubleshooting resources, it may also lead to unverified or overwhelming information that could complicate the troubleshooting process.