CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 44
Question 430
During Silverline Travel's computer equipment refresh, the technician encounters this condition: A builder swaps in a low-wattage supply that lacks the required eight-pin GPU feed. The desired outcome is to select an adequately rated power supply with correct board and GPU connectors. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which diagnostic check best distinguishes the relevant fault?
- Check manufacturer-approved cable compatibility for both exact PSU models
- Inspect redundancy support, PSU state, power feeds and total load per remaining unit
- Calculate component power demand with headroom and inspect ATX plus GPU auxiliary connectors
- Inspect workload random I/O, storage interface, capacity and endurance
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Calculate component power demand with headroom and inspect ATX plus GPU auxiliary connectors. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that a builder swaps in a low-wattage supply that lacks the required eight-pin GPU feed. The support goal is to select an adequately rated power supply with correct board and GPU connectors; this diagnose action specifically addresses psu wattage and 20+4 atx connector without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
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 psu wattage and 20+4 atx connector instead.
B:
Inspect redundancy support, PSU state, power feeds and total load per remaining unit. 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 psu wattage and 20+4 atx connector instead.
D:
Inspect workload random I/O, storage interface, capacity and endurance. 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 psu wattage and 20+4 atx connector instead.
Question 431
At Silverline Travel, a technician working in small-office network service desk identifies this issue: A branch resolver answers ordinary UDP name queries but large signed responses fail. The supporting record states that the firewall permits UDP 53 while blocking TCP 53 between clients and the resolver. The desired outcome is to recognize that DNS may require both UDP and TCP transport on port 53. Service work must follow power isolation, ESD, and manufacturer instructions when applicable. Which configuration or repair action best addresses the stated requirement?
- Enable supported SSH on TCP 22 with controlled admin accounts and disable unnecessary Telnet
- Allow approved SMB 445 between specified clients and the file server without opening remote desktop
- Restore DHCP server or relay reachability rather than assigning random static client addresses
- Permit the authorized DNS transport paths including TCP 53 without opening unrelated services
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Permit the authorized DNS transport paths including TCP 53 without opening unrelated services. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the firewall permits UDP 53 while blocking TCP 53 between clients and the resolver. The support goal is to recognize that DNS may require both UDP and TCP transport on port 53; this design action specifically addresses dns service transport and port 53 without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Enable supported SSH on TCP 22 with controlled admin accounts and disable unnecessary Telnet. This action is appropriate for ssh encrypted administration instead of telnet, normally when an administrator needs secure terminal access to a managed switch over an untrusted support network. Here the observed facts require dns service transport and port 53 instead.
B:
Allow approved SMB 445 between specified clients and the file server without opening remote desktop. That 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 dns service transport and port 53 instead.
C:
Restore DHCP server or relay reachability rather than assigning random static client addresses. That action is appropriate for dhcp client and server port roles, normally when a new PC never receives an IPv4 lease on its office VLAN. Here the observed facts require dns service transport and port 53 instead.
Question 432
On a service ticket for Maplebank Ltd, the team observes: A monochrome laser printer produces uniformly faint pages after many high-volume print jobs. The supporting record states that the toner cartridge reports near-empty and an approved replacement cartridge is available. The desired outcome is to identify toner depletion separately from inkjet printhead faults. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- 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
- Replace the correct laser toner cartridge and recalibrate if indicated
- Run manufacturer-approved printhead cleaning before considering component replacement
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Replace the correct laser toner cartridge and recalibrate if indicated. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that the toner cartridge reports near-empty and an approved replacement cartridge is available. The support goal is to identify toner depletion separately from inkjet printhead faults; this design action specifically addresses laser printer faded output and toner 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 laser printer faded output and toner instead.
B:
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 laser printer faded output and toner instead.
D:
Run manufacturer-approved printhead cleaning before considering component replacement. 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 laser printer faded output and toner instead.
Question 433
A support request at Juniper Tech presents this problem: A trainer wants to run a Linux guest inside Windows for an afternoon workshop. The desired outcome is to choose a hosted virtualization approach suitable for local test development. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which controlled service test best evaluates the planned approach?
- Boot a disposable guest after enabling the feature on a lab system
- Install a test bare-metal hypervisor on approved compatible lab server hardware
- Create a disposable VM and verify host and guest can run concurrently
- Start a harmless container on a lab host and inspect the shared kernel version
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Create a disposable VM and verify host and guest can run concurrently. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that a trainer wants to run a Linux guest inside Windows for an afternoon workshop. The support goal is to choose a hosted virtualization approach suitable for local test development; this pilot action specifically addresses hosted type 2 virtualization for testing without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Boot a disposable guest after enabling the feature on a lab system. This action is appropriate for virtualization cpu extensions, normally when a new virtual machine cannot start a 64-bit guest even though the host processor supports virtualization. Here the observed facts require hosted type 2 virtualization for testing instead.
B:
Install a test bare-metal hypervisor on approved compatible lab server hardware. This action is appropriate for type 1 versus type 2 hypervisors, normally when an organization needs multiple production VMs on a dedicated virtualization host without a general-purpose desktop OS layer. Here the observed facts require hosted type 2 virtualization for testing instead.
D:
Start a harmless container on a lab host and inspect the shared kernel version. 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 hosted type 2 virtualization for testing instead.
Question 434
A support request at Northland Labs presents this problem: A PC emits a defined VGA fault beep sequence after a graphics card was installed. The desired outcome is to use manufacturer POST codes to narrow the failing hardware subsystem. The goal is to restore required function without creating a new security or safety problem. Which configuration or repair action best addresses the stated requirement?
- 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
- Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Reseat or replace the confirmed graphics card rather than assuming every beep means bad RAM. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that a PC emits a defined VGA fault beep sequence after a graphics card was installed. The support goal is to use manufacturer POST codes to narrow the failing hardware subsystem; this design action specifically addresses post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Replace the failed cooling fan and correct airflow or thermal interface as indicated. This action is appropriate for cpu overheat from failed fan, normally when a desktop shuts off only after several minutes of high CPU utilization. Here the observed facts require post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation 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 post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation instead.
D:
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 post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation instead.
Question 435
At Aster Systems, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: After a wiring closet change, a desk computer receives a guest-network address and the VoIP phone cannot register. The desired outcome is to diagnose incorrect VLAN port policy rather than replacing healthy endpoints. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which diagnostic check best distinguishes the relevant fault?
- Check the outlet, power strip, cord, PSU input switch and known-good source
- Inspect channel use, signal strength, client retries and non-Wi-Fi interference sources
- Inspect port access and voice VLAN settings, LLDP, assigned IP subnets and switch change log
- Check resolver settings, DNS request responses and direct-IP reachability
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Inspect port access and voice VLAN settings, LLDP, assigned IP subnets and switch change log. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that after a wiring closet change, a desk computer receives a guest-network address and the VoIP phone cannot register. The support goal is to diagnose incorrect VLAN port policy rather than replacing healthy endpoints; this diagnose action specifically addresses vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
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 vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
B:
Inspect channel use, signal strength, client retries and non-Wi-Fi interference sources. 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 vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
D:
Check resolver settings, DNS request responses and direct-IP reachability. 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 vlan mismatch causing one desk to lose access instead.
Question 436
On a service ticket for Beacon Group, the team observes: A department printer answers ping at its new address but Windows keeps sending jobs to an old port. The desired outcome is to restore the print queue target without replacing the working printer. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Replace the suspect cable and secure connectors without unnecessary GPU replacement
- Update the configured printer port or restore its DHCP reservation as appropriate
- Load the correct thermal stock in the required orientation and clean the printhead as supported
- 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 a department printer answers ping at its new address but Windows keeps sending jobs to an old port. 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:
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 printer offline queue despite network availability instead.
C:
Load the correct thermal stock in the required orientation and clean the printhead as supported. That 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.
D:
Clean or replace the approved pickup roller or separation pad assembly. That 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 437
On a service ticket for Acorn Foods, the team observes: A technician finds a compacted pocket-lint plug inside a handset charging receptacle. The desired outcome is to isolate a connector obstruction without damaging live charging contacts. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which planned change most directly resolves the documented issue?
- Remove safe debris using manufacturer-recommended nonconductive methods or arrange service
- Correct the runaway synchronization or app update behavior while preserving necessary notifications
- Correct the DNS server configuration and flush stale failed resolution records if appropriate
- Enable permitted cellular data and confirm the correct subscriber plan
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
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 a technician finds a compacted pocket-lint plug inside a handset charging receptacle. 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
B:
Correct the runaway synchronization or app update behavior while preserving necessary notifications. That 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:
Correct the DNS server configuration and flush stale failed resolution records if appropriate. 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 mobile charging port debris instead.
D:
Enable permitted cellular data and confirm the correct subscriber plan. 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 mobile charging port debris instead.
Question 438
A support request at Vertex Media presents this problem: A user hears repeated seek noises and sees a disk utility warning about pending bad sectors. The desired outcome is to treat failing disk health as a data protection issue before performance tuning. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. What observation would verify successful service restoration?
- Verify interface CRC errors stop increasing and drive detection is consistent
- Verify firmware recognizes the correct drive capacity and health
- Verify backup integrity and correct operation from the new healthy drive
- Verify the array returns to healthy state and files match known checksums
Explanation
Correct Answer
C:
Verify backup integrity and correct operation from the new healthy drive. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that a user hears repeated seek noises and sees a disk utility warning about pending bad sectors. The support goal is to treat failing disk health as a data protection issue before performance tuning; this validate action specifically addresses s.m.a.r.t. warning and imminent drive failure without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify interface CRC errors stop increasing and drive detection is consistent. This action is appropriate for intermittent sata cable data fault, normally when a SATA HDD disappears occasionally despite healthy spin-up and no clear media errors. Here the observed facts require s.m.a.r.t. warning and imminent drive failure instead.
B:
Verify firmware recognizes the correct drive capacity and health. This 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 s.m.a.r.t. warning and imminent drive failure instead.
D:
Verify the array returns to healthy state and files match known checksums. 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 s.m.a.r.t. warning and imminent drive failure instead.
Question 439
On a service ticket for Stonebridge Research, the team observes: A smartphone can browse over Wi-Fi but cannot connect to the internet when leaving the office. The supporting record states that the SIM is provisioned and cellular data was manually disabled in device settings. The desired outcome is to distinguish cellular configuration from a working Wi-Fi connection. Only approved service procedures and compatible replacement components may be used. What should support monitor to catch a recurrence of the same failure?
- Monitor data caps, roaming restrictions and carrier registration changes
- Monitor abnormal background wakeups and OS update regressions
- Monitor recurring connector issues and dock port strain
- Monitor repeat cable wear, overheating and loose plug fit
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Monitor data caps, roaming restrictions and carrier registration changes. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that the SIM is provisioned and cellular data was manually disabled in device settings. The support goal is to distinguish cellular configuration from a working Wi-Fi connection; this monitor action specifically addresses mobile data failure due to disabled cellular without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Monitor abnormal background wakeups and OS update regressions. That 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 data failure due to disabled cellular instead.
C:
Monitor recurring connector issues and dock port strain. 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 mobile data failure due to disabled cellular instead.
D:
Monitor repeat cable wear, overheating and loose plug fit. 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 mobile data failure due to disabled cellular instead.
Question 440
During Maplebank Ltd's workplace mobile support, the technician encounters this condition: A consultant requests company email on a personal tablet with no whole-device management rights. The desired outcome is to apply supported corporate application controls with appropriate privacy scope. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. Which post-repair signal best detects regression or repeat exposure?
- Monitor carrier provisioning failures and profiles unexpectedly disabled
- Review work-app policy compliance and data-leak exceptions, not personal browsing history
- Monitor sync errors, account duplication and mobile data restrictions
- Monitor dock firmware updates, disconnected displays and charging warnings
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Review work-app policy compliance and data-leak exceptions, not personal browsing history. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that a consultant requests company email on a personal tablet with no whole-device management rights. The support goal is to apply supported corporate application controls with appropriate privacy scope; this monitor action specifically addresses byod mobile application management without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor carrier provisioning failures and profiles unexpectedly disabled. This action is appropriate for mobile esim carrier activation, normally when a company phone has cellular signal bars but cannot attach to its assigned business data plan. Here the observed facts require byod mobile application management instead.
C:
Monitor sync errors, account duplication and mobile data restrictions. This action is appropriate for mobile calendar and contact synchronization, normally when a user's phone receives mail but calendar edits never appear on the company laptop. Here the observed facts require byod mobile application management instead.
D:
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 byod mobile application management instead.
