CompTIA 220-1201 Practice Test 55
Question 540
On a service ticket for Amberline Finance, the team observes: An office run has continuity but pairs are crossed and technicians keep using a tone generator as proof of correctness. The desired outcome is to select the diagnostic tool for wiring correctness versus cable tracing. Any configuration change must be reversible and validated on a controlled test device. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Use a cable tester for conductor mapping and a toner/probe to locate an unidentified cable
- Label short-range personal devices PAN, building networking LAN and multi-site WAN appropriately
- Create a scoped DHCP reservation for the printer MAC instead of relying on an exclusion as an assignment
- Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to select a cleaner channel and appropriate channel width
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Use a cable tester for conductor mapping and a toner/probe to locate an unidentified cable. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. The relevant observation is that an office run has continuity but pairs are crossed and technicians keep using a tone generator as proof of correctness. The support goal is to select the diagnostic tool for wiring correctness versus cable tracing; this design action specifically addresses cable tester versus toner and probe without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Label short-range personal devices PAN, building networking LAN and multi-site WAN appropriately. 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 cable tester versus toner and probe instead.
C:
Create a scoped DHCP reservation for the printer MAC instead of relying on an exclusion as an assignment. 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 cable tester versus toner and probe instead.
D:
Use a Wi-Fi analyzer to select a cleaner channel and appropriate channel width. 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 cable tester versus toner and probe instead.
Question 541
On a service ticket for Keystone Health, the team observes: A notebook appears blank unless the screen is illuminated from an outside flashlight. The desired outcome is to distinguish backlight or power-circuit failure from GPU rendering failure. The goal is to restore required function without creating a new security or safety problem. What should the technician verify first to establish the problem?
- Confirm selected input, cable path, external display detection and output mode
- Check cable damage, connector strain, monitor input selection and GPU outputs
- Check cellular toggle, SIM or eSIM provisioning, airplane mode and signal state
- Inspect brightness controls, display cable, backlight power and serviceable panel components
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Inspect brightness controls, display cable, backlight power and serviceable panel components. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that a notebook appears blank unless the screen is illuminated from an outside flashlight. The support goal is to distinguish backlight or power-circuit failure from GPU rendering failure; this diagnose action specifically addresses backlight failure on laptop lcd without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Confirm selected input, cable path, external display detection and output mode. This 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 backlight failure on laptop lcd instead.
B:
Check cable damage, connector strain, monitor input selection and GPU outputs. 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 backlight failure on laptop lcd instead.
C:
Check cellular toggle, SIM or eSIM provisioning, airplane mode and signal state. This action is appropriate for mobile data failure due to disabled cellular, normally when a smartphone can browse over Wi-Fi but cannot connect to the internet when leaving the office. Here the observed facts require backlight failure on laptop lcd instead.
Question 542
On a service ticket for Bluefin Logistics, the team observes: A workstation has a valid IPv4 address, gateway and lease but cannot reach services by hostname. The supporting record states that direct access by approved service IP works while DNS queries time out. The desired outcome is to separate name resolution failures from IP address provisioning. 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 reservation conflicts and device MAC replacement
- Monitor DNS response failures and incorrect DHCP DNS option deployment
- Monitor backend health, distribution and excessive failover events
- Monitor NTP offset, source reachability and logger ingestion separately
Explanation
Correct Answer
B:
Monitor DNS response failures and incorrect DHCP DNS option deployment. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that direct access by approved service IP works while DNS queries time out. The support goal is to separate name resolution failures from IP address provisioning; this monitor action specifically addresses dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
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 dns resolution versus dhcp address assignment instead.
C:
Monitor backend health, distribution and excessive failover events. 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.
D:
Monitor NTP offset, source reachability and logger ingestion separately. 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 543
A support request at Falcon Transit presents this problem: A convertible LCD image is visible but finger touches no longer register at a specific region. The supporting record states that an external mouse works and display illumination remains stable. The desired outcome is to distinguish touch digitizer trouble from display brightness or backlight faults. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which acceptance result best demonstrates the issue is resolved?
- Verify touch points align across the affected area while brightness remains normal
- Verify both resolution and refresh rate match the intended values in display settings
- Verify visible color variation meets the user's acceptance range with both displays calibrated
- Verify drive detection and intended interface performance without forcing a mismatched module
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
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 an external mouse works and display illumination remains stable. 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
B:
Verify both resolution and refresh rate match the intended values in display settings. That 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.
C:
Verify visible color variation meets the user's acceptance range with both displays calibrated. That 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.
D:
Verify drive detection and intended interface performance without forcing a mismatched module. This action is appropriate for nvme pcie versus sata storage interface, normally when a technician orders an M.2 SSD for a motherboard slot that supports only SATA signaling. Here the observed facts require digitizer input versus backlight inverter instead.
Question 544
A support request at Evergreen Manufacturing presents this problem: A customer portal slows because all traffic reaches one server while two identical servers sit idle. The desired outcome is to choose the appropriate network service for distributing application traffic. A safe non-destructive test must be used before replacing additional parts. Which safe pilot action gives the most relevant evidence?
- Test ping between subnets through an approved router after confirming local switching
- Query a known internal name on a test client with corrected DNS settings
- Pilot NTP sync on one lab router and send a harmless test syslog entry
- Fail one lab application node while sending a controlled stream of valid requests
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Fail one lab application node while sending a controlled stream of valid requests. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. The relevant observation is that a customer portal slows because all traffic reaches one server while two identical servers sit idle. The support goal is to choose the appropriate network service for distributing application traffic; this pilot action specifically addresses load balancer versus proxy server functions without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
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 load balancer versus proxy server functions instead.
B:
Query a known internal name on a test client with corrected DNS settings. 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 load balancer versus proxy server functions instead.
C:
Pilot NTP sync on one lab router and send a harmless test syslog entry. That 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 load balancer versus proxy server functions instead.
Question 545
A support request at Granite Capital presents this problem: An old router is accessible via Telnet but security policy requires encrypted remote CLI administration. The desired outcome is to choose encrypted terminal management over a cleartext terminal protocol. User data and business service continuity must be preserved. Which inspection most directly confirms the likely cause before changing components?
- Review the blocked query sizes, truncated-response flag and firewall rules for UDP and TCP 53
- Inspect UDP 68 client requests, UDP 67 server responses and relay configuration across the VLAN
- Inspect MX priority and targets separately from SPF TXT policy and mail service availability
- Check whether SSH is enabled, which management port is reachable and whether Telnet remains allowed
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Check whether SSH is enabled, which management port is reachable and whether Telnet remains allowed. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that an old router is accessible via Telnet but security policy requires encrypted remote CLI administration. The support goal is to choose encrypted terminal management over a cleartext terminal protocol; this diagnose action specifically addresses ssh encrypted administration instead of telnet without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Review the blocked query sizes, truncated-response flag and firewall rules for UDP and TCP 53. 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 ssh encrypted administration instead of telnet instead.
B:
Inspect UDP 68 client requests, UDP 67 server responses and relay configuration across the VLAN. This 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 ssh encrypted administration instead of telnet instead.
C:
Inspect MX priority and targets separately from SPF TXT policy and mail service availability. This action is appropriate for mx and spf dns records distinct purposes, normally when a domain receives email at the wrong destination after DNS changes. Here the observed facts require ssh encrypted administration instead of telnet instead.
Question 546
On a service ticket for Keystone Health, the team observes: A dispatch app cannot show a user's current position on an otherwise connected smartphone. The supporting record states that location services are disabled for that specific app though GPS hardware is available. The desired outcome is to restore necessary location access without granting unrelated apps broad tracking. The goal is to restore required function without creating a new security or safety problem. What should the technician verify first to establish the problem?
- Inspect OS-level location services, app permission and accuracy settings
- Inspect supported app management features, existing policy assignment and ownership model
- Compare laptop USB-C video modes, dock Power Delivery wattage, and supported display count and resolution
- Inspect eSIM profiles, carrier activation state, service plan and cellular data toggle
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Inspect OS-level location services, app permission and accuracy settings. It checks the likely failure boundary before altering working parts or settings. The relevant observation is that location services are disabled for that specific app though GPS hardware is available. The support goal is to restore necessary location access without granting unrelated apps broad tracking; this diagnose action specifically addresses location permission for navigation without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Inspect supported app management features, existing policy assignment and ownership model. That action is appropriate for byod mobile application management, normally when staff use personally owned phones to read corporate mail but refuse full device enrollment. Here the observed facts require location permission for navigation instead.
C:
Compare laptop USB-C video modes, dock Power Delivery wattage, and supported display count and resolution. 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 location permission for navigation instead.
D:
Inspect eSIM profiles, carrier activation state, service plan and cellular data toggle. That 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 location permission for navigation instead.
Question 547
During Cedar Education's desktop hardware service bench, the technician encounters this condition: A builder replaces a modular PSU but wants to reuse its old detachable power leads. The supporting record states that modular power supply connectors are not necessarily pinned identically between models. The desired outcome is to avoid unsafe cross-vendor modular PSU cable substitution. 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 individual PSU health and power source independence
- Monitor PSU voltage alarms and future expansion power requirements
- Monitor renegotiation to fallback modes after dock or firmware changes
- Monitor repairs involving mixed PSU cables and connector heat
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Monitor repairs involving mixed PSU cables and connector heat. It tracks recurrence of the specific failure mechanism over time. The relevant observation is that modular power supply connectors are not necessarily pinned identically between models. The support goal is to avoid unsafe cross-vendor modular PSU cable substitution; this monitor action specifically addresses modular psu cable safety without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Monitor individual PSU health and power source independence. This 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.
B:
Monitor PSU voltage alarms and future expansion 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 modular psu cable safety instead.
C:
Monitor renegotiation to fallback modes after dock or firmware changes. 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 modular psu cable safety instead.
Question 548
At Granite Capital, a technician working in end-user troubleshooting identifies this issue: 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. What should the technician recommend as the corrective approach?
- Replace an undersized PSU with a compatible adequately rated unit
- Reseat or replace the confirmed graphics card rather than assuming every beep means bad RAM
- Move the verified OS boot entry ahead of the empty disk in firmware
- Reseat RAM with power disconnected and isolate modules using supported test slots
Explanation
Correct Answer
A:
Replace an undersized PSU with a compatible adequately rated unit. It corrects the documented cause using the compatible technology and support constraints. 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 design action specifically addresses psu instability under peak component load without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
B:
Reseat or replace the confirmed graphics card rather than assuming every beep means bad RAM. This action is appropriate for post beep code interpretation and expansion-card isolation, normally when a newly upgraded desktop beeps at startup and shows no BIOS screen. Here the observed facts require psu instability under peak component load instead.
C:
Move the verified OS boot entry ahead of the empty disk in firmware. 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.
D:
Reseat RAM with power disconnected and isolate modules using supported test slots. This action is appropriate for desktop memory fault preventing post, normally when a desktop powers on but gives a repeating memory-related beep pattern and no display. Here the observed facts require psu instability under peak component load instead.
Question 549
At Stonebridge Research, a technician working in hardware and network incident triage identifies this issue: 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. How should the solution first be tested on an approved spare or pilot system?
- Compare a known-good cable before and after a controlled authorized port inspection
- Swap only the display cable on a known-good test monitor
- Temporarily disable nonessential background activity for the suspect app on a test phone
- Turn off Wi-Fi on a spare authorized test device and attempt a harmless network request
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Turn off Wi-Fi on a spare authorized test device and attempt a harmless network request. It tests the proposed solution safely on an approved representative system. 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 pilot action specifically addresses mobile data failure due to disabled cellular without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Compare a known-good cable before and after a controlled authorized port inspection. This action is appropriate for mobile charging port debris, normally when a phone charges intermittently only when its USB-C plug is held at an angle. Here the observed facts require mobile data failure due to disabled cellular instead.
B:
Swap only the display cable on a known-good test monitor. 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.
C:
Temporarily disable nonessential background activity for the suspect app on a test phone. This action is appropriate for background app mobile battery drain, normally when a business phone loses most of its battery overnight despite a healthy battery test. Here the observed facts require mobile data failure due to disabled cellular instead.
Question 550
A support request at Northland Labs presents this problem: A workstation loses Ethernet connection whenever its patch lead is bent. The supporting record states that switch counters show link up/down events and interface errors but its IP settings are valid. The desired outcome is to isolate physical cable or connector failure before changing network services. The customer requires a verified fix rather than a guess based on one symptom. Which verification result supports the intended technical outcome?
- Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load
- Verify CPU temperature and fan speed stay within specified operating limits
- Verify named service access succeeds without changing the existing working gateway
- Verify stable negotiated link speed and disappearance of interface errors
Explanation
Correct Answer
D:
Verify stable negotiated link speed and disappearance of interface errors. It proves the required function with an observable result instead of assuming the change worked. The relevant observation is that switch counters show link up/down events and interface errors but its IP settings are valid. The support goal is to isolate physical cable or connector failure before changing network services; this validate action specifically addresses copper ethernet link flapping without confusing a different subsystem.
Incorrect Answers
A:
Verify retry rate and throughput improve under comparable load. That action is appropriate for intermittent wi-fi due to channel interference, normally when users near a lunchroom suffer slow 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi at peak periods while wired links stay normal. Here the observed facts require copper ethernet link flapping instead.
B:
Verify CPU temperature and fan speed stay within specified operating limits. 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 copper ethernet link flapping instead.
C:
Verify named service access succeeds without changing the existing working gateway. That action is appropriate for dns failure with working ip connectivity, normally when a workstation opens a service directly by numeric IP but says its hostname cannot be resolved. Here the observed facts require copper ethernet link flapping instead.
