CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 38
Question 370
At Westbrook Energy, a technician working in branch networking support identifies this issue: An office PC can reach a website by IP but not by its DNS hostname after a resolver migration. The desired outcome is to separate name resolution failures from IP address provisioning. Service work must follow power isolation, ESD, and manufacturer instructions when applicable. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Deploy an appropriate load balancer with health probes for the supported service
- Repair the DNS server or client DNS setting rather than rebuilding the DHCP address pool
- Use the provider-approved ONT for fiber access and connect a router to its supported handoff
- Configure an approved reachable NTP source for network devices while retaining centralized syslog
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Repair the DNS server or client DNS setting rather than rebuilding the DHCP address pool. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that an office PC can reach a website by IP but not by its DNS hostname after a resolver migration. The support goal is to separate name resolution failures from IP address provisioning; this design action specifically addresses dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Deploy an appropriate load balancer with health probes for the supported service. This action is appropriate for load balancer versus proxy server functions, normally when a web service needs requests distributed across three application servers with failed nodes removed automatically. Here the observed facts require dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment instead.
C:
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 dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment instead.
D:
Configure an approved reachable NTP source for network devices while retaining centralized syslog. This action is appropriate for ntp time service versus centralized syslog, normally when authentication logs from two branch routers show conflicting timestamps during the same event. Here the observed facts require dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment instead.
Question 371
At Falcon Transit, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: A desktop stops at a boot-device prompt after an extra blank SSD is installed. The desired outcome is to restore the intended boot entry without formatting healthy storage. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. Which safe pilot action gives the most relevant evidence?
- Select the existing OS boot manager temporarily on a test PC
- Test the SSD in an approved NVMe-capable lab M.2 socket
- Rehearse a RAID 1 rebuild with a disposable lab array and a spare disk
- Restore a test file set to a replacement disk in an isolated recovery workflow
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Select the existing OS boot manager temporarily on a test PC. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that a desktop stops at a boot-device prompt after an extra blank SSD is installed. The support goal is to restore the intended boot entry without formatting healthy storage; this pilot action specifically addresses uefi boot order after a second drive without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Test the SSD in an approved NVMe-capable lab M.2 socket. That action is appropriate for nvme ssd not detected after installation, normally when a new NVMe SSD is absent from firmware and the storage installer. Here the observed facts require uefi boot order after a second drive instead.
C:
Rehearse a RAID 1 rebuild with a disposable lab array and a spare disk. That action is appropriate for degraded raid after a failed member, normally when a mirrored NAS reports one disk failed while files remain available. Here the observed facts require uefi boot order after a second drive instead.
D:
Restore a test file set to a replacement disk in an isolated recovery workflow. This action is appropriate for s.m.a.r.t. warning and imminent drive failure, normally when a desktop disk reports increasing reallocated sectors and read retries. Here the observed facts require uefi boot order after a second drive instead.
Question 372
During Granite Capital's end-user troubleshooting, the technician encounters this condition: A high-end PC unexpectedly restarts only when a new graphics card is heavily used. The desired outcome is to differentiate load-related power failure from random OS application crashes. Service work must follow power isolation, ESD, and manufacturer instructions when applicable. Which safe pilot action gives the most relevant evidence?
- Boot a test configuration with supported onboard video after safely removing the add-in GPU
- Boot with one known-good compatible DIMM and vary only one module at a time
- Repeat a controlled combined load on a test system with a known-good supply
- Select the existing OS boot manager temporarily on a test PC
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Repeat a controlled combined load on a test system with a known-good supply. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that a high-end PC unexpectedly restarts only when a new graphics card is heavily used. The support goal is to differentiate load-related power failure from random OS application crashes; this pilot action specifically addresses psu instability under peak component load without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Boot a test configuration with supported onboard video after safely removing the add-in GPU. 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 psu instability under peak component load instead.
B:
Boot with one known-good compatible DIMM and vary only one module at a time. 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 psu instability under peak component load instead.
D:
Select the existing OS boot manager temporarily on a test PC. This action is appropriate for uefi boot order after a second drive, normally when a computer reports no bootable operating system after a new secondary drive was added. Here the observed facts require psu instability under peak component load instead.
Question 373
A support request at Pioneer Markets presents this problem: Two same-shaped modular PSU plugs have different wiring assignments even though they latch into place. The desired outcome is to avoid unsafe cross-vendor modular PSU cable substitution. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Service or recalibrate the compatible digitizer assembly after confirming driver and physical damage
- Use the new PSU's specified cables rather than assuming modular connectors are interchangeable
- Use an appropriate rated PSU supporting the 20+4-pin motherboard and GPU power requirements
- Install matched redundant modules and independent approved input feeds
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Use the new PSU's specified cables rather than assuming modular connectors are interchangeable. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that two same-shaped modular PSU plugs have different wiring assignments even though they latch into place. The support goal is to avoid unsafe cross-vendor modular PSU cable substitution; this design action specifically addresses modular psu cable safety without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Service or recalibrate the compatible digitizer assembly after confirming driver and physical damage. This action is appropriate for digitizer input versus backlight inverter, normally when a convertible LCD image is visible but finger touches no longer register at a specific region. Here the observed facts require modular psu cable safety instead.
C:
Use an appropriate rated PSU supporting the 20+4-pin motherboard and GPU power requirements. That action is appropriate for psu wattage and 20+4 atx connector, normally when a desktop upgrade adds a high-power GPU and the PC abruptly powers off during intensive graphics workloads. Here the observed facts require modular psu cable safety instead.
D:
Install matched redundant modules and independent approved input feeds. That action is appropriate for redundant psu failover, normally when an office server needs to stay online when one power supply module fails. Here the observed facts require modular psu cable safety instead.
Question 374
At Fountain Transport, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: A service technician swaps a SATA M.2 disk for NVMe and the notebook suddenly reports no disk. The desired outcome is to identify storage slot signaling incompatibility before declaring the SSD defective. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. Which diagnostic check best distinguishes the relevant fault?
- Inspect UEFI boot entries, disk detection and approved operating system bootloader
- Check M.2 socket specifications, BIOS PCIe settings, lane sharing and drive keying
- Identify the failed member, array level, replacement size and current backup state
- Check the outlet, power strip, cord, PSU input switch and known-good source
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Check M.2 socket specifications, BIOS PCIe settings, lane sharing and drive keying. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that a service technician swaps a SATA M.2 disk for NVMe and the notebook suddenly reports no disk. The support goal is to identify storage slot signaling incompatibility before declaring the SSD defective; this diagnose action specifically addresses nvme ssd not detected after installation without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Inspect UEFI boot entries, disk detection and approved operating system bootloader. This action is appropriate for uefi boot order after a second drive, normally when a computer reports no bootable operating system after a new secondary drive was added. Here the observed facts require nvme ssd not detected after installation instead.
C:
Identify the failed member, array level, replacement size and current backup state. This action is appropriate for degraded raid after a failed member, normally when a mirrored NAS reports one disk failed while files remain available. Here the observed facts require nvme ssd not detected after installation instead.
D:
Check the outlet, power strip, cord, PSU input switch and known-good source. This action is appropriate for completely dead desktop power path, normally when a tower PC has no LEDs, fans, or POST activity after the user changed power outlets. Here the observed facts require nvme ssd not detected after installation instead.
Question 375
During Falcon Transit's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A shared printer is reachable on the network but user jobs accumulate in an offline queue. The supporting record states that the client print queue points to an obsolete IP address after the printer's DHCP lease changed. The desired outcome is to restore the print queue target without replacing the working printer. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Load the correct thermal stock in the required orientation and clean the printhead as supported
- Update the configured printer port or restore its DHCP reservation as appropriate
- Perform approved nozzle cleaning and replace a failed cartridge or head only if indicated
- Clean or replace the approved pickup roller or separation pad assembly
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Update the configured printer port or restore its DHCP reservation as appropriate. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the client print queue points to an obsolete IP address after the printer's DHCP lease changed. The support goal is to restore the print queue target without replacing the working printer; this design action specifically addresses printer offline queue despite network availability without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Load the correct thermal stock in the required orientation and clean the printhead as supported. 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 printer offline queue despite network availability instead.
C:
Perform approved nozzle cleaning and replace a failed cartridge or head only if indicated. This action is appropriate for inkjet horizontal banding and nozzle obstruction, normally when an inkjet photo printer produces blank horizontal stripes in cyan images. Here the observed facts require printer offline queue despite network availability instead.
D:
Clean or replace the approved pickup roller or separation pad assembly. This action is appropriate for laser printer repeated paper jams at pickup, normally when a laser printer jams on the first page when it tries to feed paper from tray 1. Here the observed facts require printer offline queue despite network availability instead.
Question 376
A support request at Stonebridge Research presents this problem: A network printer puts letter-size forms on the wrong paper and uses one-sided output. The supporting record states that the client needs duplex printing from a specific tray and has a compatible vendor driver. The desired outcome is to correct printer job configuration rather than replacing hardware. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify toner density improves consistently across the page
- Verify both pages print correctly on the requested paper with intended orientation
- Verify output remains held until authorized release and does not appear for other users
- Verify full color nozzle pattern without excessive ink consumption
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Verify both pages print correctly on the requested paper with intended orientation. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that the client needs duplex printing from a specific tray and has a compatible vendor driver. The support goal is to correct printer job configuration rather than replacing hardware; this validate action specifically addresses printer duplex and tray settings without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify toner density improves consistently across the page. 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:
Verify output remains held until authorized release and does not appear for other users. 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.
D:
Verify full color nozzle pattern without excessive ink consumption. This action is appropriate for inkjet printhead clogging, normally when an inkjet printer leaves missing color bands although cartridges contain ink. Here the observed facts require printer duplex and tray settings instead.
Question 377
During Beacon Group's small-office network service desk, the technician encounters this condition: New IP cameras power off when all connected access points and phones start at once. The supporting record states that the PoE switch ports support devices individually but the aggregate supplied wattage is below total load. The desired outcome is to select power-delivery capacity based on per-port and overall PoE requirements. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. What should the technician verify first to establish the problem?
- Sum device PoE classes and actual draw against port limits and switch total budget
- Check subnet masks, default gateways and configured inter-subnet routes
- Compare effective TCP 445 connectivity, SMB service state and share authorization
- Confirm provider handoff, optical or coaxial medium and customer Ethernet demarcation
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Sum device PoE classes and actual draw against port limits and switch total budget. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that the PoE switch ports support devices individually but the aggregate supplied wattage is below total load. The support goal is to select power-delivery capacity based on per-port and overall PoE requirements; this diagnose action specifically addresses poe switch power budget without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Check subnet masks, default gateways and configured inter-subnet routes. That action is appropriate for router versus layer 2 switch forwarding, normally when two PCs on separate IPv4 subnets can communicate within their own LANs but not across subnets. Here the observed facts require poe switch power budget instead.
C:
Compare effective TCP 445 connectivity, SMB service state and share authorization. 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 poe switch power budget instead.
D:
Confirm provider handoff, optical or coaxial medium and customer Ethernet demarcation. That 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 poe switch power budget instead.
Question 378
On a service ticket for Horizon College, the team observes: A wireless headset pairs with a tablet but does not appear on a new laptop's device discovery list. The supporting record states that the headset is still connected to the tablet and has not entered discoverable pairing mode. The desired outcome is to pair the intended audio accessory without erasing unrelated device settings. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which configuration or repair action best addresses the stated requirement?
- Back up and verify recoverability before replacing with a compatible SSD and re-enabling supported encryption
- Disconnect the former host if required and put the headset into manufacturer pairing mode
- Choose a supported video-capable port or active adapter instead of relying on connector shape
- Choose an active stylus certified for the device's digitizer protocol
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Disconnect the former host if required and put the headset into manufacturer pairing mode. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the headset is still connected to the tablet and has not entered discoverable pairing mode. The support goal is to pair the intended audio accessory without erasing unrelated device settings; this design action specifically addresses bluetooth headset pairing without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Back up and verify recoverability before replacing with a compatible SSD and re-enabling supported encryption. This action is appropriate for laptop ssd replacement and encryption, normally when a laptop SSD is failing SMART health checks and holds company data protected with full-disk encryption. Here the observed facts require bluetooth headset pairing instead.
C:
Choose a supported video-capable port or active adapter instead of relying on connector shape. This action is appropriate for usb-c connector versus supported protocol, normally when a user assumes every laptop USB-C port can send video to a USB-C monitor. Here the observed facts require bluetooth headset pairing instead.
D:
Choose an active stylus certified for the device's digitizer protocol. This action is appropriate for active stylus digitizer compatibility, normally when a designer needs pen pressure and palm rejection on a convertible laptop. Here the observed facts require bluetooth headset pairing instead.
Question 379
A support request at Beacon Group presents this problem: New IP cameras power off when all connected access points and phones start at once. The supporting record states that the PoE switch ports support devices individually but the aggregate supplied wattage is below total load. The desired outcome is to select power-delivery capacity based on per-port and overall PoE requirements. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which controlled service test best evaluates the planned approach?
- Connect representative powered devices to a lab switch and monitor total power budget
- Test a lab Ethernet connection after a provisioned ONT, without altering optical connectors
- Test TCP 445 and open a harmless authorized file on a staging share
- Test ping between subnets through an approved router after confirming local switching
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Connect representative powered devices to a lab switch and monitor total power budget. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that the PoE switch ports support devices individually but the aggregate supplied wattage is below total load. The support goal is to select power-delivery capacity based on per-port and overall PoE requirements; this pilot action specifically addresses poe switch power budget without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Test a lab Ethernet connection after a provisioned ONT, without altering optical connectors. 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 poe switch power budget instead.
C:
Test TCP 445 and open a harmless authorized file on a staging share. 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 poe switch power budget instead.
D:
Test ping between subnets through an approved router after confirming local switching. This action is appropriate for router versus layer 2 switch forwarding, normally when two PCs on separate IPv4 subnets can communicate within their own LANs but not across subnets. Here the observed facts require poe switch power budget instead.
Question 380
A support request at Fountain Transport presents this problem: A security investigation cannot correlate firewall and switch events because their clocks disagree. The desired outcome is to identify the role of network time synchronization separate from log transport. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify guest traffic cannot reach payroll while VPN users reach their approved internal resources
- Verify healthy nodes continue serving requests and unhealthy nodes leave rotation
- Verify hostname access returns while the assigned IP lease remains unchanged
- Verify independent device logs use consistent event times after synchronization
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Verify independent device logs use consistent event times after synchronization. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a security investigation cannot correlate firewall and switch events because their clocks disagree. The support goal is to identify the role of network time synchronization separate from log transport; this validate action specifically addresses ntp time service versus centralized syslog without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify guest traffic cannot reach payroll while VPN users reach their approved internal resources. This action is appropriate for vlan segmentation versus vpn encrypted tunneling, normally when a small office needs guest Wi-Fi isolated from payroll devices but also needs secure remote employee access. Here the observed facts require ntp time service versus centralized syslog instead.
B:
Verify healthy nodes continue serving requests and unhealthy nodes leave rotation. That action is appropriate for load balancer versus proxy server functions, normally when a web service needs requests distributed across three application servers with failed nodes removed automatically. Here the observed facts require ntp time service versus centralized syslog instead.
C:
Verify hostname access returns while the assigned IP lease remains unchanged. That action is appropriate for dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment, normally when a workstation has a valid IPv4 address, gateway and lease but cannot reach services by hostname. Here the observed facts require ntp time service versus centralized syslog instead.
