CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 20
Question 190
During Brookside Agency's computer equipment refresh, the technician encounters this condition: An office wants automatic two-sided printing from the legal-size tray but jobs pull A4 from the default bin. The desired outcome is to correct printer job configuration rather than replacing hardware. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which inspection most directly confirms the likely cause before changing components?
- Check toner level, cartridge seating, toner-save mode and page examples
- Inspect application print preferences, default tray, media size and duplex capability
- Inspect GPU power connectors, PSU rating, PCIe slot availability and enclosure clearance
- Check printer identity settings, secure queue capability and retained output policies
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Inspect application print preferences, default tray, media size and duplex capability. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that an office wants automatic two-sided printing from the legal-size tray but jobs pull A4 from the default bin. The support goal is to correct printer job configuration rather than replacing hardware; this diagnose action specifically addresses printer duplex and tray settings without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Check toner level, cartridge seating, toner-save mode and page examples. This action is appropriate for laser printer faded output and toner, normally when a monochrome laser printer produces uniformly faint pages after many high-volume print jobs. Here the observed facts require printer duplex and tray settings instead.
C:
Inspect GPU power connectors, PSU rating, PCIe slot availability and enclosure clearance. This action is appropriate for pcie slot and gpu power constraints, normally when a designer's PC has an available physical PCIe x16 slot but an upgraded graphics card fails under load. Here the observed facts require printer duplex and tray settings instead.
D:
Check printer identity settings, secure queue capability and retained output policies. This action is appropriate for secure pull-print and release authentication, normally when confidential reports regularly sit unclaimed in a shared hallway printer's output tray. Here the observed facts require printer duplex and tray settings instead.
Question 191
During Clearwater Telecom's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A phone charges intermittently only when its USB-C plug is held at an angle. The supporting record states that the charger and cable charge another device and debris is visible near the phone port. The desired outcome is to isolate a connector obstruction without damaging live charging contacts. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Enable permitted cellular data and confirm the correct subscriber plan
- Correct the runaway synchronization or app update behavior while preserving necessary notifications
- Recharge the accessory and restore its exclusive intended pairing with the supported tablet
- Remove safe debris using manufacturer-recommended nonconductive methods or arrange service
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Remove safe debris using manufacturer-recommended nonconductive methods or arrange service. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the charger and cable charge another device and debris is visible near the phone port. The support goal is to isolate a connector obstruction without damaging live charging contacts; this design action specifically addresses mobile charging port debris without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Enable permitted cellular data and confirm the correct subscriber plan. This action is appropriate for mobile data failure due to disabled cellular, normally when a smartphone can browse over Wi-Fi but cannot connect to the internet when leaving the office. Here the observed facts require mobile charging port debris instead.
B:
Correct the runaway synchronization or app update behavior while preserving necessary notifications. This action is appropriate for background app mobile battery drain, normally when a business phone loses most of its battery overnight despite a healthy battery test. Here the observed facts require mobile charging port debris instead.
C:
Recharge the accessory and restore its exclusive intended pairing with the supported tablet. This action is appropriate for bluetooth accessory reconnect failure, normally when a tablet repeatedly loses a wireless barcode scanner despite normal Wi-Fi service. Here the observed facts require mobile charging port debris instead.
Question 192
During Bluefin Logistics's desktop hardware service bench, the technician encounters this condition: A gaming PC has a motherboard with an AMD processor socket but an Intel CPU was ordered. The supporting record states that the processors require different sockets and platform firmware support. The desired outcome is to verify socket and chipset compatibility before installing a processor. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Install the cooler with appropriate pressure and thermal interface material
- Select a listed compatible processor and cooling solution for the board
- Enable approved Secure Boot controls without assuming boot order provides signature checking
- Use a supported GPU with matching PSU connectors and adequate thermal and electrical capacity
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Select a listed compatible processor and cooling solution for the board. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the processors require different sockets and platform firmware support. The support goal is to verify socket and chipset compatibility before installing a processor; this design action specifically addresses cpu socket matching motherboard without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Install the cooler with appropriate pressure and thermal interface material. This action is appropriate for cpu heatsink thermal interface, normally when a workstation reaches a thermal limit seconds after a cooler was replaced. Here the observed facts require cpu socket matching motherboard instead.
C:
Enable approved Secure Boot controls without assuming boot order provides signature checking. This action is appropriate for uefi secure boot versus boot order, normally when a laptop can start a trusted OS but prompts when an unsigned bootloader is inserted. Here the observed facts require cpu socket matching motherboard instead.
D:
Use a supported GPU with matching PSU connectors and adequate thermal and electrical capacity. This action is appropriate for pcie slot and gpu power constraints, normally when a designer's PC has an available physical PCIe x16 slot but an upgraded graphics card fails under load. Here the observed facts require cpu socket matching motherboard instead.
Question 193
During Granite Capital's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A laser printer jams on the first page when it tries to feed paper from tray 1. The supporting record states that the pickup roller is glazed and paper is correctly loaded with no stuck sheets. The desired outcome is to distinguish pickup roller wear from depleted toner. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which inspection most directly confirms the likely cause before changing components?
- Check current printer IP, queue port, spooler state and job errors
- Inspect feed roller grip, separation pad, paper weight and tray condition
- Inspect whether the media is direct thermal, coated side, sensor placement and heating element cleanliness
- Inspect repeating mark spacing, imaging drum condition and cartridge compatibility
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Inspect feed roller grip, separation pad, paper weight and tray condition. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that the pickup roller is glazed and paper is correctly loaded with no stuck sheets. The support goal is to distinguish pickup roller wear from depleted toner; this diagnose action specifically addresses laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Check current printer IP, queue port, spooler state and job errors. This action is appropriate for printer offline queue despite network availability, normally when a shared printer is reachable on the network but user jobs accumulate in an offline queue. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
C:
Inspect whether the media is direct thermal, coated side, sensor placement and heating element cleanliness. This action is appropriate for thermal printer paper orientation, normally when a shipping label printer feeds paper but produces completely blank labels. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
D:
Inspect repeating mark spacing, imaging drum condition and cartridge compatibility. This action is appropriate for laser repeated streaks from drum defect, normally when printed laser pages have a dark stripe repeated at the same distance down each sheet. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
Question 194
During Pioneer Markets's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A desktop shuts off only after several minutes of high CPU utilization. The supporting record states that firmware temperature history reports thermal limits and the CPU fan shows intermittent rotation. The desired outcome is to find the heat-removal fault causing thermal shutdown. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Replace the failed cooling fan and correct airflow or thermal interface as indicated
- Reseat or replace the confirmed graphics card rather than assuming every beep means bad RAM
- Replace an undersized PSU with a compatible adequately rated unit
- Reseat RAM with power disconnected and isolate modules using supported test slots
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Replace the failed cooling fan and correct airflow or thermal interface as indicated. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that firmware temperature history reports thermal limits and the CPU fan shows intermittent rotation. The support goal is to find the heat-removal fault causing thermal shutdown; this design action specifically addresses cpu overheat from failed fan without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Reseat or replace the confirmed graphics card rather than assuming every beep means bad RAM. This action is appropriate for post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation, normally when a newly upgraded desktop beeps at startup and shows no BIOS screen. Here the observed facts require cpu overheat from failed fan instead.
C:
Replace an undersized PSU with a compatible adequately rated unit. This action is appropriate for psu instability under peak component load, normally when a machine passes idle checks but reboots when the GPU and CPU draw peak power together. Here the observed facts require cpu overheat from failed fan instead.
D:
Reseat RAM with power disconnected and isolate modules using supported test slots. This action is appropriate for desktop memory fault preventing post, normally when a desktop powers on but gives a repeating memory-related beep pattern and no display. Here the observed facts require cpu overheat from failed fan instead.
Question 195
During Clearwater Telecom's small-office network service desk, the technician encounters this condition: Two PCs on separate IPv4 subnets can communicate within their own LANs but not across subnets. The supporting record states that their access switches forward local Ethernet frames but no route connects the subnets. The desired outcome is to identify routing versus local Ethernet switching responsibilities. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Provide a suitable router or Layer 3 routing function with permitted inter-subnet paths
- Label short-range personal devices PAN, building networking LAN and multi-site WAN appropriately
- Use a switch or injector capacity that satisfies the combined supported PoE draw
- Use the provider-approved ONT for fiber access and connect a router to its supported handoff
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Provide a suitable router or Layer 3 routing function with permitted inter-subnet paths. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that their access switches forward local Ethernet frames but no route connects the subnets. The support goal is to identify routing versus local Ethernet switching responsibilities; this design action specifically addresses router versus layer 2 switch forwarding without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Label short-range personal devices PAN, building networking LAN and multi-site WAN appropriately. This action is appropriate for pan versus lan versus wan scope, normally when a technician must classify a Bluetooth watch connection, office Ethernet and multi-site leased link. Here the observed facts require router versus layer 2 switch forwarding instead.
C:
Use a switch or injector capacity that satisfies the combined supported PoE draw. This action is appropriate for poe switch power budget, normally when new IP cameras power off when all connected access points and phones start at once. Here the observed facts require router versus layer 2 switch forwarding instead.
D:
Use the provider-approved ONT for fiber access and connect a router to its supported handoff. This action is appropriate for ont versus cable modem access equipment, normally when a customer receives a fiber-to-the-premises service but attempts to connect the optical fiber directly to a DOCSIS cable modem. Here the observed facts require router versus layer 2 switch forwarding instead.
Question 196
On a service ticket for Orchard Services, the team observes: A desk phone and PC stop reaching their correct services after a switch port change. The supporting record states that the switch now assigns the desk port to the guest VLAN instead of the approved employee and voice VLAN configuration. The desired outcome is to diagnose incorrect VLAN port policy rather than replacing healthy endpoints. Service work must follow power isolation, ESD, and manufacturer instructions when applicable. What observation would verify successful service restoration?
- Verify the phone registers and the PC receives the employee scope while guests remain isolated
- Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load
- Verify stable charging without pressure or unusual heat
- Verify named service access succeeds without changing the existing working gateway
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Verify the phone registers and the PC receives the employee scope while guests remain isolated. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that the switch now assigns the desk port to the guest VLAN instead of the approved employee and voice VLAN configuration. The support goal is to diagnose incorrect VLAN port policy rather than replacing healthy endpoints; this validate action specifically addresses vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load. That action is appropriate for intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference, normally when users near a lunchroom suffer slow 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi at peak periods while wired links stay normal. Here the observed facts require vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
C:
Verify stable charging without pressure or unusual heat. This action is appropriate for mobile charging port debris, normally when a phone charges intermittently only when its USB-C plug is held at an angle. Here the observed facts require vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
D:
Verify named service access succeeds without changing the existing working gateway. That action is appropriate for dns failure with working ip connectivity, normally when a workstation opens a service directly by numeric IP but says its hostname cannot be resolved. Here the observed facts require vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
Question 197
At Keystone Health, a technician working in computer equipment refresh identifies this issue: A desktop shuts off during rendering after a heatsink replacement without thermal paste. The desired outcome is to restore reliable heat transfer from the processor to its cooling assembly. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. What should be tracked after the fix to maintain service reliability?
- Monitor unsupported module combinations and BIOS fallback settings
- Monitor BIOS updates affecting supported processor lists
- Monitor unauthorized changes to boot trust keys and firmware boot entries
- Monitor CPU temperature excursions and fan failures after service
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Monitor CPU temperature excursions and fan failures after service. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that a desktop shuts off during rendering after a heatsink replacement without thermal paste. The support goal is to restore reliable heat transfer from the processor to its cooling assembly; this monitor action specifically addresses cpu heatsink thermal interface without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor unsupported module combinations and BIOS fallback settings. This action is appropriate for ddr generation electrical compatibility, normally when a replacement RAM order has the correct capacity but the wrong DDR generation. Here the observed facts require cpu heatsink thermal interface instead.
B:
Monitor BIOS updates affecting supported processor lists. This action is appropriate for cpu socket matching motherboard, normally when a gaming PC has a motherboard with an AMD processor socket but an Intel CPU was ordered. Here the observed facts require cpu heatsink thermal interface instead.
C:
Monitor unauthorized changes to boot trust keys and firmware boot entries. This action is appropriate for uefi secure boot versus boot order, normally when a laptop can start a trusted OS but prompts when an unsigned bootloader is inserted. Here the observed facts require cpu heatsink thermal interface instead.
Question 198
A support request at Pioneer Markets presents this problem: A new PC never receives an IPv4 lease on its office VLAN. The supporting record states that capture shows DHCP discover broadcasts but no offer from an authorized DHCP server. The desired outcome is to identify DHCP IPv4 client and server UDP ports and scope reachability. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which acceptance result best demonstrates the issue is resolved?
- Confirm the same address returns on renewal and is not leased to another client
- Verify mapping succeeds for authorized users while unrelated users remain denied
- Verify the client receives an address, gateway and DNS options from the correct scope
- Confirm the response succeeds over TCP 53 while ordinary UDP resolution continues
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify the client receives an address, gateway and DNS options from the correct scope. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that capture shows DHCP discover broadcasts but no offer from an authorized DHCP server. The support goal is to identify DHCP IPv4 client and server UDP ports and scope reachability; this validate action specifically addresses dhcp client and server port roles without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Confirm the same address returns on renewal and is not leased to another client. This action is appropriate for dhcp reservation versus exclusion, normally when a networked printer must keep the same IPv4 address while the rest of the office remains DHCP-managed. Here the observed facts require dhcp client and server port roles instead.
B:
Verify mapping succeeds for authorized users while unrelated users remain denied. This action is appropriate for smb file sharing port versus rdp, normally when a user can ping a shared Windows file server but cannot map a network share. Here the observed facts require dhcp client and server port roles instead.
D:
Confirm the response succeeds over TCP 53 while ordinary UDP resolution continues. This action is appropriate for dns service transport and port 53, normally when a branch resolver answers ordinary UDP name queries but large signed responses fail. Here the observed facts require dhcp client and server port roles instead.
Question 199
On a service ticket for Juniper Tech, the team observes: A designer's PC has an available physical PCIe x16 slot but an upgraded graphics card fails under load. The supporting record states that the card also needs supplemental PCIe power cables that the PSU lacks. The desired outcome is to check slot, PSU and physical-clearance dependencies for an expansion card. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Enable approved Secure Boot controls without assuming boot order provides signature checking
- Install the cooler with appropriate pressure and thermal interface material
- Set the intended paper tray, form size and two-sided mode in driver or print server
- Use a supported GPU with matching PSU connectors and adequate thermal and electrical capacity
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Use a supported GPU with matching PSU connectors and adequate thermal and electrical capacity. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the card also needs supplemental PCIe power cables that the PSU lacks. The support goal is to check slot, PSU and physical-clearance dependencies for an expansion card; this design action specifically addresses pcie slot and gpu power constraints without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Enable approved Secure Boot controls without assuming boot order provides signature checking. This action is appropriate for uefi secure boot versus boot order, normally when a laptop can start a trusted OS but prompts when an unsigned bootloader is inserted. Here the observed facts require pcie slot and gpu power constraints instead.
B:
Install the cooler with appropriate pressure and thermal interface material. This action is appropriate for cpu heatsink thermal interface, normally when a workstation reaches a thermal limit seconds after a cooler was replaced. Here the observed facts require pcie slot and gpu power constraints instead.
C:
Set the intended paper tray, form size and two-sided mode in driver or print server. This action is appropriate for printer duplex and tray settings, normally when a network printer puts letter-size forms on the wrong paper and uses one-sided output. Here the observed facts require pcie slot and gpu power constraints instead.
Question 200
During Granite Capital's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A laser printer jams on the first page when it tries to feed paper from tray 1. The supporting record states that the pickup roller is glazed and paper is correctly loaded with no stuck sheets. The desired outcome is to distinguish pickup roller wear from depleted toner. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which post-repair signal best detects regression or repeat exposure?
- Monitor incompatible label rolls and printhead wear
- Monitor recurring drum damage and contaminant buildup
- Monitor pickup count and repeated jam positions
- Monitor address reservations and print server port drift
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Monitor pickup count and repeated jam positions. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that the pickup roller is glazed and paper is correctly loaded with no stuck sheets. The support goal is to distinguish pickup roller wear from depleted toner; this monitor action specifically addresses laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor incompatible label rolls and printhead wear. This action is appropriate for thermal printer paper orientation, normally when a shipping label printer feeds paper but produces completely blank labels. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
B:
Monitor recurring drum damage and contaminant buildup. This action is appropriate for laser repeated streaks from drum defect, normally when printed laser pages have a dark stripe repeated at the same distance down each sheet. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
D:
Monitor address reservations and print server port drift. This action is appropriate for printer offline queue despite network availability, normally when a shared printer is reachable on the network but user jobs accumulate in an offline queue. Here the observed facts require laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup instead.
