CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 39
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.
Question 381
A support request at Clearwater Telecom presents this problem: An office server needs to stay online when one power supply module fails. The supporting record states that its chassis accepts two redundant hot-swap PSU modules on independent power feeds. The desired outcome is to choose a supported redundant power configuration and test failover safely. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- 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
- Select a qualified DDR4 module of a supported configuration rather than DDR5
- Install matched redundant modules and independent approved input feeds
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Install matched redundant modules and independent approved input feeds. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that its chassis accepts two redundant hot-swap PSU modules on independent power feeds. The support goal is to choose a supported redundant power configuration and test failover safely; this design action specifically addresses redundant psu failover without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Use the new PSU's specified cables rather than assuming modular connectors are interchangeable. This action is appropriate for modular psu cable safety, normally when a builder replaces a modular PSU but wants to reuse its old detachable power leads. Here the observed facts require redundant psu failover instead.
B:
Use an appropriate rated PSU supporting the 20+4-pin motherboard and GPU power requirements. This 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 redundant psu failover instead.
C:
Select a qualified DDR4 module of a supported configuration rather than DDR5. 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 redundant psu failover instead.
Question 382
On a service ticket for Summit Media, the team observes: A business laptop has a lifted trackpad and a visibly swollen internal lithium-ion battery. The supporting record states that the case is deformed and the manufacturer specifies a model-specific service battery. The desired outcome is to remove the battery hazard safely without puncturing the cells. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. What should be tracked after the fix to maintain service reliability?
- Track backup failures, replacement SSD health and encryption key escrow
- Monitor memory diagnostic errors and firmware reporting after upgrades
- Track replacement-battery health and repeat swelling reports after the repair
- Monitor repeat weak-signal reports associated with lid movement
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Track replacement-battery health and repeat swelling reports after the repair. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that the case is deformed and the manufacturer specifies a model-specific service battery. The support goal is to remove the battery hazard safely without puncturing the cells; this monitor action specifically addresses swollen laptop battery replacement without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Track backup failures, replacement SSD health and encryption key escrow. 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 swollen laptop battery replacement instead.
B:
Monitor memory diagnostic errors and firmware reporting after upgrades. This action is appropriate for laptop sodimm compatibility, normally when a field technician wants to add RAM to a serviceable laptop that currently uses DDR4 SODIMMs. Here the observed facts require swollen laptop battery replacement instead.
D:
Monitor repeat weak-signal reports associated with lid movement. This action is appropriate for laptop wi-fi antenna reconnection, normally when after a laptop display assembly replacement, Bluetooth works but Wi-Fi signal is very weak. Here the observed facts require swollen laptop battery replacement instead.
Question 383
A support request at Harborworks presents this problem: A file server has two equal 2 TB disks and needs redundancy against one disk failure. The supporting record states that a proposed RAID 0 stripe provides speed but no copy of data on a second drive. The desired outcome is to choose RAID 1 when simple mirroring is the requirement. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify improved access latency and acceptable write endurance for the workload
- Verify data remains readable in degraded mode and rebuild procedures are documented
- Verify one-drive failure tolerance and note that certain paired failures can still cause loss
- Verify the volume remains accessible in degraded mode and rebuilds after replacement
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Verify the volume remains accessible in degraded mode and rebuilds after replacement. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a proposed RAID 0 stripe provides speed but no copy of data on a second drive. The support goal is to choose RAID 1 when simple mirroring is the requirement; this validate action specifically addresses raid 1 mirror capacity and resilience without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify improved access latency and acceptable write endurance for the workload. This action is appropriate for ssd versus hdd latency and interface, normally when a mobile user needs low-latency storage and shock resistance but a procurement request specifies a 5400 RPM hard disk. Here the observed facts require raid 1 mirror capacity and resilience instead.
B:
Verify data remains readable in degraded mode and rebuild procedures are documented. That action is appropriate for raid 5 versus raid 6 dual parity, normally when a four-disk production array must remain available during any two simultaneous drive failures. Here the observed facts require raid 1 mirror capacity and resilience instead.
C:
Verify one-drive failure tolerance and note that certain paired failures can still cause loss. That action is appropriate for raid 10 mirrored striped array, normally when a database server needs fast disk I/O and redundancy with four equal drives. Here the observed facts require raid 1 mirror capacity and resilience instead.
Question 384
On a service ticket for Keystone Health, the team observes: 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. Which controlled service test best evaluates the planned approach?
- Remount the cooler on a safe test board with correct fan connection
- Use a known-supported test module and confirm safe seating and POST
- Test one authorized signed boot medium and one deliberately unsigned training medium
- Test POST using a supported CPU after inspecting socket pins with power removed
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Remount the cooler on a safe test board with correct fan connection. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. 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 pilot action specifically addresses cpu heatsink thermal interface without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Use a known-supported test module and confirm safe seating and POST. 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.
C:
Test one authorized signed boot medium and one deliberately unsigned training medium. 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.
D:
Test POST using a supported CPU after inspecting socket pins with power removed. 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.
Question 385
During Orchard Services's IT virtualization planning, the technician encounters this condition: A new virtual machine cannot start a 64-bit guest even though the host processor supports virtualization. The supporting record states that firmware currently disables the processor's VT-x or AMD-V virtualization feature. The desired outcome is to identify firmware virtualization prerequisites for a supported VM platform. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. What should be tracked after the fix to maintain service reliability?
- Monitor container image vulnerabilities and excessive runtime privileges
- Monitor BIOS updates that reset virtualization support
- Monitor excessive host memory consumption and stale test VMs
- Monitor VDI broker availability, logon time and display latency
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Monitor BIOS updates that reset virtualization support. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that firmware currently disables the processor's VT-x or AMD-V virtualization feature. The support goal is to identify firmware virtualization prerequisites for a supported VM platform; this monitor action specifically addresses virtualization cpu extensions without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor container image vulnerabilities and excessive runtime privileges. This action is appropriate for container isolation versus full virtual machine, normally when a team needs to package one web service and its dependencies but not another complete guest kernel. Here the observed facts require virtualization cpu extensions instead.
C:
Monitor excessive host memory consumption and stale test VMs. This action is appropriate for hosted type 2 virtualization for testing, normally when a help desk engineer needs an isolated test operating system on an existing laptop. Here the observed facts require virtualization cpu extensions instead.
D:
Monitor VDI broker availability, logon time and display latency. This action is appropriate for vdi versus local desktop processing, normally when a company wants centrally managed user desktops accessed from inexpensive endpoints. Here the observed facts require virtualization cpu extensions instead.
Question 386
At Horizon College, a technician working in computer equipment refresh identifies this issue: A technician proposes RAID 10 on two disks and claims any two drive failures would be harmless. The desired outcome is to select combined striping and mirroring with the correct minimum disk count. User data and business service continuity must be preserved. Which configuration or repair action best addresses the stated requirement?
- Use RAID 6 when the stated requirement is two-drive fault tolerance
- Configure a four-disk RAID 10 set for balanced performance and redundancy
- Configure a supported two-disk RAID 1 mirror giving approximately one disk of usable capacity
- Replace the correct laser toner cartridge and recalibrate if indicated
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Configure a four-disk RAID 10 set for balanced performance and redundancy. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that a technician proposes RAID 10 on two disks and claims any two drive failures would be harmless. The support goal is to select combined striping and mirroring with the correct minimum disk count; this design action specifically addresses raid 10 mirrored striped array without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Use RAID 6 when the stated requirement is two-drive fault tolerance. That action is appropriate for raid 5 versus raid 6 dual parity, normally when a four-disk production array must remain available during any two simultaneous drive failures. Here the observed facts require raid 10 mirrored striped array instead.
C:
Configure a supported two-disk RAID 1 mirror giving approximately one disk of usable capacity. That action is appropriate for raid 1 mirror capacity and resilience, normally when a file server has two equal 2 TB disks and needs redundancy against one disk failure. Here the observed facts require raid 10 mirrored striped array instead.
D:
Replace the correct laser toner cartridge and recalibrate if indicated. 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 raid 10 mirrored striped array instead.
Question 387
At Lakeside Analytics, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: A mobile handheld scanner disappears from Bluetooth when a coworker's phone enters the room. The desired outcome is to differentiate Bluetooth accessory power and pairing from WLAN connection quality. The technician must document observations separately from assumptions. What should the technician verify first to establish the problem?
- Check SMART attributes, backup currency and read error logs
- Inspect the port for lint, bent pins, moisture indicator and cable seating with power disconnected
- Check cellular toggle, SIM or eSIM provisioning, airplane mode and signal state
- Inspect accessory battery, Bluetooth pairing list, firmware and competing host connections
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Inspect accessory battery, Bluetooth pairing list, firmware and competing host connections. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that a mobile handheld scanner disappears from Bluetooth when a coworker's phone enters the room. The support goal is to differentiate Bluetooth accessory power and pairing from WLAN connection quality; this diagnose action specifically addresses bluetooth accessory reconnect failure without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Check SMART attributes, backup currency and read error logs. 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 bluetooth accessory reconnect failure instead.
B:
Inspect the port for lint, bent pins, moisture indicator and cable seating with power disconnected. That 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 bluetooth accessory reconnect failure instead.
C:
Check cellular toggle, SIM or eSIM provisioning, airplane mode and signal state. That 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 bluetooth accessory reconnect failure instead.
Question 388
During Cedar Education's workplace mobile support, the technician encounters this condition: A phone's USB-C charging port cannot drive a desktop display despite matching the cable plug. The desired outcome is to differentiate connector shape from electrical and protocol capabilities. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. What should support monitor to catch a recurrence of the same failure?
- Monitor repeat weak-signal reports associated with lid movement
- Monitor dock firmware updates, disconnected displays and charging warnings
- Track incompatible adapter purchases and port capability labeling
- Monitor reconnection failures and the headset's remembered-device limit
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Track incompatible adapter purchases and port capability labeling. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that a phone's USB-C charging port cannot drive a desktop display despite matching the cable plug. The support goal is to differentiate connector shape from electrical and protocol capabilities; this monitor action specifically addresses usb-c connector versus supported protocol without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor repeat weak-signal reports associated with lid movement. This action is appropriate for laptop wi-fi antenna reconnection, normally when after a laptop display assembly replacement, Bluetooth works but Wi-Fi signal is very weak. Here the observed facts require usb-c connector versus supported protocol instead.
B:
Monitor dock firmware updates, disconnected displays and charging warnings. This action is appropriate for docking station display and power capability, normally when a small-business employee connects two monitors and power to a laptop through a new USB-C dock. Here the observed facts require usb-c connector versus supported protocol instead.
D:
Monitor reconnection failures and the headset's remembered-device limit. This action is appropriate for bluetooth headset pairing, normally when a wireless headset pairs with a tablet but does not appear on a new laptop's device discovery list. Here the observed facts require usb-c connector versus supported protocol instead.
Question 389
A support request at Juniper Tech presents this problem: A video production studio needs much higher upstream bandwidth than its ageing DSL circuit provides. The desired outcome is to select an ISP connection type according to real throughput and availability. User data and business service continuity must be preserved. What should be tracked after the fix to maintain service reliability?
- Monitor wireless channel utilization and retransmission patterns
- Monitor new links for incorrect network diagrams and address planning
- Monitor SMB connection failures and excessive port 445 exposure
- Monitor link outages, packet loss and uplink utilization
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Monitor link outages, packet loss and uplink utilization. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that a video production studio needs much higher upstream bandwidth than its ageing DSL circuit provides. The support goal is to select an ISP connection type according to real throughput and availability; this monitor action specifically addresses fiber wan versus dsl last-mile capacity without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor wireless channel utilization and retransmission patterns. That action is appropriate for wi-fi analyzer versus network tap, normally when staff complain about busy wireless channels in a meeting room. Here the observed facts require fiber wan versus dsl last-mile capacity instead.
B:
Monitor new links for incorrect network diagrams and address planning. That 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 fiber wan versus dsl last-mile capacity instead.
C:
Monitor SMB connection failures and excessive port 445 exposure. 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 fiber wan versus dsl last-mile capacity instead.
Question 390
On a service ticket for Bluefin Logistics, the team observes: Multiple desktops get 169.254.x.x addresses after a new VLAN is added but its DHCP relay is missing. The desired outcome is to identify absent DHCP replies rather than blaming remote DNS first. The goal is to restore required function without creating a new security or safety problem. Which post-repair signal best detects regression or repeat exposure?
- Monitor resolver errors and DHCP option drift
- Monitor CRC errors and recurring physical link events
- Monitor DHCP request timeouts and APIPA occurrences
- Monitor brightness dropout and hinge-related display cable faults
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Monitor DHCP request timeouts and APIPA occurrences. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that multiple desktops get 169.254.x.x addresses after a new VLAN is added but its DHCP relay is missing. The support goal is to identify absent DHCP replies rather than blaming remote DNS first; this monitor action specifically addresses dhcp failure and 169.254 apipa symptom without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor resolver errors and DHCP option drift. This 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 dhcp failure and 169.254 apipa symptom instead.
B:
Monitor CRC errors and recurring physical link events. This action is appropriate for copper ethernet link flapping, normally when a workstation loses Ethernet connection whenever its patch lead is bent. Here the observed facts require dhcp failure and 169.254 apipa symptom instead.
D:
Monitor brightness dropout and hinge-related display cable faults. This action is appropriate for backlight failure on laptop lcd, normally when a laptop screen looks black but a flashlight reveals a faint intact desktop image. Here the observed facts require dhcp failure and 169.254 apipa symptom instead.
