CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 42
Question 410
At Evergreen Manufacturing, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: A desk display flickers whenever someone nudges a damaged DisplayPort cable. The desired outcome is to determine whether a physical video link is causing intermittent display loss. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which acceptance result best demonstrates the issue is resolved?
- Verify internal brightness returns while external video remains unaffected
- Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load
- Verify movement no longer causes signal loss at the intended resolution
- Verify the projector shows the test slide and remains stable in the selected mode
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify movement no longer causes signal loss at the intended resolution. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a desk display flickers whenever someone nudges a damaged DisplayPort cable. The support goal is to determine whether a physical video link is causing intermittent display loss; this validate action specifically addresses intermittent monitor image due to video cable without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify internal brightness returns while external video remains unaffected. That 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 intermittent monitor image due to video cable instead.
B:
Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load. This 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 intermittent monitor image due to video cable instead.
D:
Verify the projector shows the test slide and remains stable in the selected mode. That action is appropriate for projector wrong input versus computer failure, normally when a conference room projector displays a no-signal message while the laptop works locally. Here the observed facts require intermittent monitor image due to video cable instead.
Question 411
At Silverline Travel, a technician working in desktop hardware service bench identifies this issue: A workstation used for scientific computation requires supported correction of single-bit RAM errors. The supporting record states that the consumer motherboard specifications do not support ECC operation even with an ECC DIMM installed. The desired outcome is to select ECC hardware only where CPU and board support its error reporting. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify memory training succeeds at an approved speed with no diagnostic errors
- Verify secure latching, firmware recognition and memory diagnostics
- Verify firmware exposes ECC mode and error reporting rather than merely booting
- Verify the negotiated link and measured transfer rate match the supported mode
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify firmware exposes ECC mode and error reporting rather than merely booting. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that the consumer motherboard specifications do not support ECC operation even with an ECC DIMM installed. The support goal is to select ECC hardware only where CPU and board support its error reporting; this validate action specifically addresses ecc memory error correction compatibility without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify memory training succeeds at an approved speed with no diagnostic errors. 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 ecc memory error correction compatibility instead.
B:
Verify secure latching, firmware recognition and memory diagnostics. This action is appropriate for sodimm versus dimm form factor, normally when a desktop repair requires replacement memory but the spare part comes from a notebook. Here the observed facts require ecc memory error correction compatibility instead.
D:
Verify the negotiated link and measured transfer rate match the supported mode. This action is appropriate for usb-c versus thunderbolt port capability, normally when an external high-bandwidth storage enclosure only negotiates low speed on a laptop USB-C connector. Here the observed facts require ecc memory error correction compatibility instead.
Question 412
At Bluefin Logistics, a technician working in branch networking support identifies this issue: A new router comes with a legacy wireless security mode that corporate policy prohibits. The desired outcome is to configure wireless authentication matching modern supported clients and documented business exceptions. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. Which safe pilot action gives the most relevant evidence?
- Renew the IP configuration on a test client after reconnecting to a working DHCP scope
- Test local peer connectivity and a routed test destination after correcting the gateway
- Pilot association and isolation with approved modern and legacy test clients
- Test representative file transfers through a trial fiber connection within provider limits
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Pilot association and isolation with approved modern and legacy test clients. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that a new router comes with a legacy wireless security mode that corporate policy prohibits. The support goal is to configure wireless authentication matching modern supported clients and documented business exceptions; this pilot action specifically addresses soho wireless wpa security setup without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Renew the IP configuration on a test client after reconnecting to a working DHCP scope. This action is appropriate for apipa 169.254.x.x missing dhcp lease, normally when a SOHO laptop automatically assigns itself 169.254.42.19 with a 255.255.0.0 mask. Here the observed facts require soho wireless wpa security setup instead.
B:
Test local peer connectivity and a routed test destination after correcting the gateway. This action is appropriate for ipv4 subnet mask and gateway selection, normally when a small office workstation has 192.168.10.80/24 and a gateway incorrectly set to 192.168.11.1. Here the observed facts require soho wireless wpa security setup instead.
D:
Test representative file transfers through a trial fiber connection within provider limits. This action is appropriate for fiber wan versus dsl last-mile capacity, normally when a remote design office regularly transfers multi-gigabyte files and can order either fiber or DSL. Here the observed facts require soho wireless wpa security setup instead.
Question 413
During Lakeside Analytics's hardware and network incident triage, the technician encounters this condition: A SATA HDD disappears occasionally despite healthy spin-up and no clear media errors. The supporting record states that drive connection logs show interface CRC errors after the PC was transported. The desired outcome is to distinguish data cabling problems from disk surface failure. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Replace the confirmed failed member and rebuild using the controller's documented procedure
- Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement
- Replace the suspect SATA data cable with an appropriate supported one
- Back up recoverable data promptly and replace the failing drive
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Replace the suspect SATA data cable with an appropriate supported one. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that drive connection logs show interface CRC errors after the PC was transported. The support goal is to distinguish data cabling problems from disk surface failure; this design action specifically addresses intermittent sata cable data fault without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Replace the confirmed failed member and rebuild using the controller's documented procedure. 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 intermittent sata cable data fault instead.
B:
Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement. This action is appropriate for intermittent monitor image due to video cable, normally when a monitor intermittently goes black when its display cable is moved. Here the observed facts require intermittent sata cable data fault instead.
D:
Back up recoverable data promptly and replace the failing drive. 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 intermittent sata cable data fault instead.
Question 414
At Juniper Tech, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: A small office sees wireless packet loss during lunch when nearby microwaves and overlapping APs are active. The desired outcome is to resolve radio interference before increasing wired internet capacity. Service work must follow power isolation, ESD, and manufacturer instructions when applicable. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement
- Correct the DNS server configuration and flush stale failed resolution records if appropriate
- Restore the intended voice and data VLAN configuration with appropriate scope
- Choose less congested supported channels or move compatible clients to a cleaner 5 GHz band
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Choose less congested supported channels or move compatible clients to a cleaner 5 GHz band. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that a small office sees wireless packet loss during lunch when nearby microwaves and overlapping APs are active. The support goal is to resolve radio interference before increasing wired internet capacity; this design action specifically addresses intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement. This action is appropriate for intermittent monitor image due to video cable, normally when a monitor intermittently goes black when its display cable is moved. Here the observed facts require intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference instead.
B:
Correct the DNS server configuration and flush stale failed resolution records if appropriate. 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 intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference instead.
C:
Restore the intended voice and data VLAN configuration with appropriate scope. That action is appropriate for vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access, normally when a desk phone and PC stop reaching their correct services after a switch port change. Here the observed facts require intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference instead.
Question 415
On a service ticket for Pioneer Markets, the team observes: 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. Which safe pilot action gives the most relevant evidence?
- Boot a test configuration with supported onboard video after safely removing the add-in GPU
- Run a short controlled load test after servicing cooling on a lab desktop
- Repeat a controlled combined load on a test system with a known-good supply
- Boot with one known-good compatible DIMM and vary only one module at a time
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Run a short controlled load test after servicing cooling on a lab desktop. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. 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 pilot action specifically addresses cpu overheat from failed fan without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Boot a test configuration with supported onboard video after safely removing the add-in GPU. That 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:
Repeat a controlled combined load on a test system with a known-good supply. That 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:
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 cpu overheat from failed fan instead.
Question 416
At Cedar Education, a technician working in cloud and desktop infrastructure review identifies this issue: A developer proposes a full Windows guest for each Linux microservice despite a supported container runtime. The desired outcome is to identify containers versus full operating-system VMs for application packaging. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify work executes on the hosted desktop and user policy is enforced centrally
- Verify instances increase under load and decrease after demand subsides
- Verify the application runs in its container while kernel version comes from the host
- Confirm the VM can be isolated and removed without reinstalling the laptop host
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify the application runs in its container while kernel version comes from the host. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a developer proposes a full Windows guest for each Linux microservice despite a supported container runtime. The support goal is to identify containers versus full operating-system VMs for application packaging; this validate action specifically addresses container isolation versus full virtual machine without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify work executes on the hosted desktop and user policy is enforced centrally. 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 container isolation versus full virtual machine instead.
B:
Verify instances increase under load and decrease after demand subsides. This action is appropriate for cloud elasticity versus fixed provisioning, normally when an online storefront sees traffic triple for two hours and then fall back to normal. Here the observed facts require container isolation versus full virtual machine instead.
D:
Confirm the VM can be isolated and removed without reinstalling the laptop host. 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 container isolation versus full virtual machine instead.
Question 417
A support request at Acorn Foods presents this problem: A virtualization server must survive failure of one power supply without rebooting all guests. The desired outcome is to choose a supported redundant power configuration and test failover safely. User data and business service continuity must be preserved. What should the technician verify first to establish the problem?
- Check printer identity settings, secure queue capability and retained output policies
- Check manufacturer-approved cable compatibility for both exact PSU models
- Calculate component power demand with headroom and inspect ATX plus GPU auxiliary connectors
- Inspect redundancy support, PSU state, power feeds and total load per remaining unit
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Inspect redundancy support, PSU state, power feeds and total load per remaining unit. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that a virtualization server must survive failure of one power supply without rebooting all guests. The support goal is to choose a supported redundant power configuration and test failover safely; this diagnose action specifically addresses redundant psu failover without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
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 redundant psu failover instead.
B:
Check manufacturer-approved cable compatibility for both exact PSU models. That 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.
C:
Calculate component power demand with headroom and inspect ATX plus GPU auxiliary connectors. 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 redundant psu failover instead.
Question 418
At Beacon Group, a technician working in computer equipment refresh identifies this issue: A laptop screen is bright but a stylus cannot register pressure on one strip of the touch layer. The desired outcome is to distinguish touch digitizer trouble from display brightness or backlight faults. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. What observation would verify successful service restoration?
- Verify visible color variation meets the user's acceptance range with both displays calibrated
- Verify both resolution and refresh rate match the intended values in display settings
- Verify touch points align across the affected area while brightness remains normal
- Verify improved access latency and acceptable write endurance for the workload
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify touch points align across the affected area while brightness remains normal. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a laptop screen is bright but a stylus cannot register pressure on one strip of the touch layer. The support goal is to distinguish touch digitizer trouble from display brightness or backlight faults; this validate action specifically addresses digitizer input versus backlight inverter without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify visible color variation meets the user's acceptance range with both displays calibrated. This action is appropriate for ips versus tn versus oled displays, normally when a graphic designer prioritizes consistent viewing angles and color accuracy over lowest display price. Here the observed facts require digitizer input versus backlight inverter instead.
B:
Verify both resolution and refresh rate match the intended values in display settings. This action is appropriate for refresh rate versus screen resolution, normally when a support buyer mistakes 144 Hz for a count of display pixels when comparing two monitors. Here the observed facts require digitizer input versus backlight inverter instead.
D:
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 digitizer input versus backlight inverter instead.
Question 419
At Pioneer Markets, a technician working in small-office network service desk identifies this issue: 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 post-repair signal best detects regression or repeat exposure?
- Monitor lease pool depletion and DHCP relay failures
- Monitor DNS truncation, TCP retries and firewall denial logs
- Monitor SMB connection failures and excessive port 445 exposure
- Monitor reservation conflicts and device MAC replacement
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Monitor lease pool depletion and DHCP relay failures. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. 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 monitor action specifically addresses dhcp client and server port roles without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Monitor DNS truncation, TCP retries and firewall denial logs. 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.
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 dhcp client and server port roles instead.
D:
Monitor reservation conflicts and device MAC replacement. 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.
Question 420
On a service ticket for Pioneer Markets, the team observes: A desktop repair requires replacement memory but the spare part comes from a notebook. The supporting record states that the desktop has full-length DIMM sockets and the spare is a short SODIMM. The desired outcome is to recognize memory module form factors and physical socket compatibility. 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 unsupported module combinations and BIOS fallback settings
- Monitor corrected memory events and growing error rates
- Monitor optical attenuation and connector contamination
- Monitor inventory bins for mixed laptop and desktop memory modules
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Monitor inventory bins for mixed laptop and desktop memory modules. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that the desktop has full-length DIMM sockets and the spare is a short SODIMM. The support goal is to recognize memory module form factors and physical socket compatibility; this monitor action specifically addresses sodimm versus dimm form factor without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor unsupported module combinations and BIOS fallback settings. That 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 sodimm versus dimm form factor instead.
B:
Monitor corrected memory events and growing error rates. That action is appropriate for ecc memory error correction compatibility, normally when a workstation used for scientific computation requires supported correction of single-bit RAM errors. Here the observed facts require sodimm versus dimm form factor instead.
C:
Monitor optical attenuation and connector contamination. This action is appropriate for single-mode versus multimode fiber, normally when a campus backbone spans several kilometers between buildings and requires high throughput. Here the observed facts require sodimm versus dimm form factor instead.
